Movie Reviews of films that will be playing at TIFF (Toronto International Film Festival) in 2017. Go to TIFF 2017 Movie Reviews and read reviews of films showing at the festival.
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Writers:
Stars:
Evan Rachel Wood, Julia Sarah Stone, Denis O’Hare
Montreal-based fine arts photographers Carlos and Jason Sanchez’s debut feature is a hard psychological thriller which centres on a 30-year-old woman (Evan Rachel Wood) embarking on an intimate yet ultimately manipulative relationship with a 16-year-old runaway (Julia Sarah Stone).
But the woman, Laura begins getting really obsessive and prevents Eva from leaving the house. The relationship turns out to be something like the Stockholm Syndrome. Apparently, though no details are given, Laura has had the same type of ‘stalking’ problems before, as her dad, who employs her mentions in the film.
The film is both disturbing and engaging though one can hardly look forward to a satisfactory or happy ending. Both actresses Wood and Stone bring compassion to their roles and show their need for normalcy.
Unfortunately, as can be seen in the film, this normalcy is not easily to come about and the state of affairs come about from their own personal behavioural flaws.
The film suffers from an open ended ending, which for a film like this, one expects some satisfactory closure.
TIFF 2017 Movie Review: EUTHANIZER (Finland 2017) ***1/2
Movie Reviews of films that will be playing at TIFF (Toronto International Film Festival) in 2017. Go to TIFF 2017 Movie Reviews and read reviews of films showing at the festival.
The carefully balanced (albeit deranged) life of a freelance, black-market pet euthanizer begins to come apart at the seams in this loopy exploitation-movie throwback from Finland, which evokes the brazen psychological insights and aesthetic brio of such grungy genre classics as Monte Hellman’s Cockfighter and Larry Cohen’s God Told Me To.
Director: Teemu Nikki
Writer: Teemu Nikki
Stars: Alina Tomnikov, Santtu Karvonen, Jari Virman
Review by Gilbert Seah
The EUTHANIZER is Veijo, (Matti Onnismaa), an older man with glasses always smoking a pipe who runs a black-market operation euthanizing people’s ailing pets.
The people who go to Veijo either cannot afford having their pet put down by the local vet or have no guts to perform the killing themselves. Each commission also comes with a brutal lecture, as Veijo spills over with Old Testament–style indignation about what shoddy and appalling people his patrons are and how their pets have been mistreated.
Veijo is in reality an animal lover. When his father is hospitalized, he meets the young nurse caring for him. They begin a strange affair, a bit too uncomfortable, I bet to many an audience’s liking.
He also encounters a seedy garage mechanic, Petri (who’s mixed up with a vicious gang of neo-Nazis) who call themselves ‘Soldiers of Finland’ which provide most of the film’s suspense and thrills.
Veijp’s insight and theory of life is intriguing and serves to propel the difficult to fathom plot. But the film works, as director Nikki has the audience constantly rooting for Veijo in this black comedy of manners.
TIFF 2017 Movie Review: MIRACLE (Lithuania/Bulgaria/Poland 2017) ****
Movie Reviews of films that will be playing at TIFF (Toronto International Film Festival) in 2017. Go to TIFF 2017 Movie Reviews and read reviews of films showing at the festival.
Director:
Writer:
Edgy, strange and completely engaging, MIRACLE is the kind of small film from a small place like Lithuania (the country’s first film at TIFF in 15 years) that never gets distribution and should be a pick at TIFF.
The story centres on the owner of a struggling post-Soviet pig farm, Irena whose husband is always drunk and is sort of a pig himself. The farm is failing and Irena’s workers make fun of her behind her back. It is all dark and gloomy till an American suddenly appears and brings the so-called MIRACLE into place.
There is another MIRACLE (a plot twist) at the end of the film as well. But not without a price. The American, Bernardas buys and takes over the farm and gives the workers and Irena money for their shares. Irena ends up sleeping with him too.
Vertelyte’s film, especially its dead-pan humour immediately reminds one of the films of Aki Kaurismaki just like the actress who plays Irena looks remarkably alike Kati Outinen, Kaurismaki’s regular actress.
The only problem of the film is a satisfactory ending. But the weird one is good enough for me.
Trailer: https://vimeo.com/231418027
MOVIE REVIEW: WE WERE SWIMMING, (Art/Surreal)
Played at the August 2017 FEMALE FEEDBACK Film Festival to rave reviews.
by Kierston Drier
We Were Swimming is a metaphorical, musical, poetic short, laced with symbolism and poignance. The story, while abstract, follows two teenage girls who share (or have shared) an intense emotional bond. Directed by May Fisher and hailing from the UK, this short film has an exceptionally beautiful in its impenetrable mystery.
The piece is largely visual set against a dramatic spoken word piece, detailing a the heavy history and powerful bond shared by the two women. There is an emphasis on the symbology of water in the piece, but the meaning behind it is left for the viewer to contemplate.
Excellent performances and beautiful cinematography are found in We Were Swimming. What exalts this short above the standard are the bravely intimate non-dialogue moments shared between the heroines. It captures the closeness clearly shared between them, although the extent of their relationship is left up to the interpretation of the audience. Impactful and often profound, We Were Swimming has the tone of a love poem spoken in whispers, that nevertheless can resonate with any heart.
WE WERE SWIMMING, 3min, UK, Art/Surreal
Directed by Jesse May Fisher
We Were Swimming explores intimacies and tensions between two teenage girls. As the protagonist’s dreams and memories interweave with one another certain intricacies of girlhood and female friendship come to light.
CLICK HERE – and see full info and more pics of the film!
TIFF 2017 Movie Review: THE CRESCENT (Canada 2017) **1/2
Movie Reviews of films that will be playing at TIFF (Toronto International Film Festival) in 2017. Go to TIFF 2017 Movie Reviews and read reviews of films showing at the festival.
After an unexpected death in the family, a mother and son struggle to find spiritual healing at a beachfront summer home.
Director: Seth A. Smith
Writer: Darcy Spidle (screenwriter)
Stars: Britt Loder, Danika Vandersteen, Amy Trefry
Review by Gilbert Seah
This horror film from Nova Scotia, Canada has an excellent though slow beginning. Weird colourful patterns are formed and changed, which seems to flow naturally.
The film, after the opening credits and patterns turns to a funeral service where the preacher talks about suffering and pain before coming to a final rest.
The film then focuses on the single mother (Danika Vandersteen) and young son (Woodrow Graves), and advised by her mother than in order to survive: “You have to keep a level head.” Smith plays around with sounds effectively as he uses different sizes images to frame his film.
The frame sizes change when showing an image as seen from a window or from Beth’s paintings. Smith also uses tilted and upside down images, the latter as seen from the reflection of the sea water at low tide as Beth and Lowen walk along the beach.
The intermittent blaring sound is used at many points in the film. Smith’s film might be a bit too slow paced for a Midnight Madness selection. Normal horror fans will also not be too happy at this too arty piece of work that looks too smug for its own good.
TIFF 2017 Movie Review: WHAT WILL PEOPLE SAY (Norway/Germany Sweden 2017)
Movie Reviews of films that will be playing at TIFF (Toronto International Film Festival) in 2017. Go to TIFF 2017 Movie Reviews and read reviews of films showing at the festival.
Sixteen year-old Nisha lives a double life. At home with her family she is the perfect Pakistani daughter, but when out with her friends, she is a normal Norwegian teenager.
Director: Iram Haq
Writer: Iram Haq
Stars: Maria Mozhdah, Adil Hussain, Ekavali Khanna
Review by Gilbert Seah
When Nisha (Maria Mozhdah) is caught with a boy in her bedroom, though nothing really happened between them, her concerned parents kidnap her and send her to Pakistan. The film traces Nisha’s kidnap to her abode in Pakistan where she lives with her cruel aunt and uncle. Things get even worse, after a failed escape attempt and her being caught by the police smooching with her cousin.
They call Nisha’s dad (Adil Hussain) to take her back to Oslo. The father is madder than ever and at one point forces her to commit suicide, which she doesn’t. Director Haq has the audience clearly on Nisha’s side. Firstly, she is largely innocent, only guilty of wanting to have some fun any normal teenager seeks. When she suffers, she is also shown to earnestly want to turn over a new leaf.
The film benefits from superior performances from both Mozhdah as Nisha and Hussain as Nisha’s dad. It also helps that Haq has developed real characters, not just one dimensional cardboard ones. The film is not devoid of humour (like the egg lady on the bus in Pakistan). Haq also shows the different culture and lifestyle in Pakistan compared to Norway.
WHAT WILL PEOPLE SAY is an engaging film that makes its point, while sending a message at the same time.
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8_dBOzufWQ
TIFF 2017 Movie Review: CALL ME BY YOUR NAME (France/Italy 2017) **1/2
Summer of 1983, Northern Italy. An American-Italian is enamored by an American student who comes to study and live with his family. Together they share an unforgettable summer full of music, food, and romance that will forever change them.
Director: Luca Guadagnino
Writers: James Ivory (screenplay), André Aciman (based on the novel by)
Stars: Armie Hammer, Timothée Chalamet, Michael Stuhlbarg
Review by Gilbert Seah
The gay coming-out story CALL ME BY YOUR NAME arrives at TIFF after rave reviews from its Sundance and Cannes premieres.
It boasts the direction of Italian auteur Luca Guadagnino ( I AM LOVE and A BIGGER SPLASH) and a script by James Ivory. The film explores the tender, tentative relationship that blooms over the course of one summer between a 17-year-old boy on the cusp of adulthood, Elio (Timothée Chalamet) and his father’s research assistant, Oliver (Armie Hammer).
The father is American professor Perlman (Michael Stuhlbarg) and each summer, the professor invites a doctoral student to visit and help with his research. While Elio has a beautiful girlfriend who takes up most of his emotional time, he also finds a growing physical attraction to the visitor.
The film is a major disappointment being all good-looking on the outside and feeling like a fairy tale, neglecting the downers of coming-out gay. Things never turn out this perfect in any gay coming-out story. The film feels even more awkward as Elio looks way under below the age of 18.
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3AMgliTBFKU
TIFF 2017 Movie Review: DON’T TALK TO IRENE (Canada)
Movie Reviews of films that will be playing at TIFF (Toronto International Film Festival) in 2017. Go to TIFF 2017 Movie Reviews and read reviews of films showing at the festival.
When Irene – the fattest girl in high school – gets suspended, she must endure two weeks of community service at a retirement home.
Director: Pat Mills
Writers: Pat Mills
Stars: Michelle McLeod, Anastasia Phillips, Scott Thompson
Review by Gilbert Seah
Irene Willis (Michelle McLeod) lives in a town of a small fictional town of Parc supposed to be just north of Toronto. It is described in the film as the worst of small towns, where Irene goes to the worst of high schools.
Her cycle of life is predictable and bland. Fuelled by the dream of becoming a cheerleader, but constantly told by both her overprotective mother (Anastasia Philips) and classmates that she does not fit the role of a cheerleader. But Geena Davis, speaking to Irene via the A League of Their Own poster on her bedroom wall tells her “Never quit!”
She rounds up her new-found circle of elderly friends in a senior home into an unlikely dance troupe. The film has the age old story which audiences have seen time and again.
Despite the story’s limitations, the film benefits for the sly humour of its writer/director Pat Mills. McLeod is a rare find and is able to carry the film well. The film contains a nice surprise with the actual appearance of Geena Davis. Everyone loves a feel-good movie.
Undemanding viewers should lap this tale up, with no problem at all. Critics can only wince at the goings-on of this girl that finally makes good.
TIFF 2017 Movie Review: LOVELESS (Russia/France/Germany/Belgium 2017) ****
Movie Reviews of films that will be playing at TIFF (Toronto International Film Festival) in 2017. Go to TIFF 2017 Movie Reviews and read reviews of films showing at the festival.
A couple going through a divorce must team up to find their son who has disappeared during one of their bitter arguments.
Director: Andrey Zvyagintsev
Writers: Oleg Negin, Andrey Zvyagintsev
Stars: Maryana Spivak, Aleksey Rozin, Yanina Hope
Review by Gilbert Seah
Russian director Andrey Zvyagintsev’s latest film of a boy gone missing, is one that appears simple on the surface but is in reality an extremely powerful film on the tragedy that emerges from the result of a lovelessness. When the film begins, Boris and Zhenya are in the midst of a nasty divorce.
They still live together which makes matters worse. In one of their fights, they argue that their 12-year old boy, Alyosh was a mistake. Neither one wants custody of the boy and the father remarks that he best be sent to boarding school, in preparation for the army afterwards.
She says she never wanted him in the first place. The boy, meanwhile, in the film’s most moving scene is shown crying his eyes out, after hearing what has been said by his parents. He is clearly, in his opinion unloved. He disappears. Boris and Zhenya are forced to come together to search for their missing son.
One can only wonder where their love (if ever they had any) had gone. Zvyagintsev explains in one scene that this love never existed in the first place. Meanwhile Zhenya has another man while Boris another woman. They do not find the boy but life must go on.
LOVELESS is a powerful film that instead of showing the power of love, shows the opposite, how life cannot survive with love.
A terrific movie that won the Jury Prize at Cannes!
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLegoO4NdD8
TIFF 2017 Movie Review: THE RIDER
Movie Reviews of films that will be playing at TIFF (Toronto International Film Festival) in 2017. Go to TIFF 2017 Movie Reviews and read reviews of films showing at the festival.
After suffering a near fatal head injury, a young cowboy undertakes a search for new identity and what it means to be a man in the heartland of America.
Director: Chloé Zhao
Writer: Chloé Zhao
Stars: Brady Jandreau, Tim Jandreau, Lilly Jandreau
Review by Gilbert Seah
The film centres on a rodeo hopeful’s life after his dreams are dashed following a serious rodeo accident.
The audience sees the pain right at the very start when Brady Blackburn, a South Dakota cowboy (Brady Jandreau) manually takes off the medical staples from his wounds. Zhao emphasizes the claustrophobic life of Brady, despite having the open ranges.
He lives with his often drunk and gambling father and mentally challenged sister, Lilly (Lilly Jandreau). His few friends provide him a drinking outlet but it is the rodeo that makes Brady, the man.
If a cowboy cannot ride, then what good is he? These be Brady’s own words. With his injury his brain is sensitive and riding rodeo might be the end of him. Zhao builds good characterizations. The father is not a one sided cardboard has been.
Despite his constant arguments with his son, it is shown at the end that he understands Brady and his decisions. Brady’s anguish, anger and decisions are also well displayed. The horse training and rodeo segments are effectively shot and exciting enough.
Joshua James Richards captures the landscape of the open areas of the west, where horses run free. Simple storytelling, a good human story and one dealing with nature always make a good film.
Cannes Clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DbhO6MkO78U
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