film reviews

Film Review: OFFICE SPACE, 1999

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Tribute review for actor Gary Cole, born today September 20th.

OFFICE SPACE MOVIE POSTER
OFFICE SPACE, 1999
Movie Reviews

Directed by Mike Judge
Starring: Ron Livingston, Jennifer Aniston
Review by Matt Lohr

SYNOPSIS:

Peter Gibbons, thanks to a hypnotic suggestion, decides not to go to work at the same time his company is laying people off. When layoffs affect his two best friends, they conspire to plant a virus that will embezzle money from the company into their account.

REVIEW:

Mike Judge’s Office Space is a movie for me. And a movie for you. And really, a movie for anyone who’s ever worked what I call a “joe job”, a job so mentally undemanding and essentially meaningless that any joe can do it. Supervised by idiots who treat you like a bigger idiot, besieged by obnoxious co-workers, strait-jacketed by nonsensical company policy…we’ve all been there, and if Judge hasn’t, he certainly fooled me, because he has captured the deadening, infuriating hell of modern corporate culture with pitch-perfect satirical accuracy. Of course, why, after a day at our awful jobs, would we want to watch a movie about people with awful jobs? Because these people, unlike most of us, finally figure out how to fight back.

Peter Gibbons (Ron Livingston) is a cubicle slave at the monolithic Initech Corporation, one of those companies in which lots of anonymous people work too hard doing things they don’t quite understand. Peter hates his job, his desk, his soulless supervisor (Gary Cole), and pretty much the fact that the sun rises and sets every day. “Every day since I started working at Initech has been worse than the last,” says Peter, “which means that, every time you see me, it’s the worst day of my life.” Willing to try anything to bring him out of his funk, Peter goes to an “occupational hypnotherapist”, who puts him into a serene, I-don’t-care-about-work trance…then drops dead of a heart attack before bringing Peter out of it. That trance stays put but good, and Peter finally starts doing his job the way he’s always wanted to…that is, not doing it. He skips mandatory-overtime days to go fishing, guts the fish on his desk, dismantles the door handle that shocks him every morning, and even finds romance with a cute waitress (Jennifer Aniston) whose own frustrations with her job (and its policy about a mandatory number of funny buttons, or “flair”, on the uniforms) are reaching the breaking point.

The marvelous (and, when you think about it, rather horrifying) thing about Office Space is that even though it is clearly a satire, there is nothing in it that seems so far over the top as to be unbelievable. Everyone’s dealt with a fax machine that always says “Paper Jam” when there’s no such thing, co-workers whose relentless cheerfulness seems like a constant slap in the face, and the stultifying drag of having three different managers caution you about the same infinitesimal screw-up. Arbitrary workstation moves, paranoia-inducing “efficiency experts”, managers who do nothing and still get to drive Porsches home…it’s all here, and it all elicits a laugh of recognition and empathy for the characters’ miserable plight.

Mike Judge is one of those rare things today, a comic filmmaker with a genuine vision. His comedic muse is lower-middle-class America, its frustrations and glories, trials and triumphs, and his satirical approach to this universe can be both affectionate (King of the Hill) and pitilessly savage (the brilliant but barely released Idiocracy). Office Space falls somewhere in the middle of this divide. Surely, many of the jokes are cruel, particularly at the expense of poor Tom Smykowski (Richard Riehle), an office schlump who sweats every day over his tenuous hold on his job, then finally has his dreams of financial security come true when he’s crippled in a horrible car accident. However, Judge is not just poking fun here. He truly feels for Peter and his fellow office drones, and their revenge against corporate America works not just comedically, but emotionally as well; we get our own vicarious charge out of watching the fatcats get royally screwed. This was Judge’s first live-action effort, but there’s no hint of awkwardness or uncertainty in this transition from animation. The directorial hand here is a firm one, and the jokes hit home with all the punch they deserve.

Perfect casting is the main key to the success of Office Space. Livingston’s blandly handsome looks and deadpan manner make him a perfect choice to convey both Peter’s work-induced funk and his later devil-may-care rebellion, and he and Aniston spark nicely in their scenes together. Gary Cole scores big laughs as a soulless middle-manager with a coffee mug permanently welded to his hand. Also quite enjoyable are Ajay Naidu as Samir Nahinanajar, a software programmer who can’t understand why no one in America can pronounce his name, David Herman as a fellow techie cursed with the unfortunate name of Michael Bolton, and Stephen Root (who does the voice of Bill on King of the Hill) as poor put-upon Milton, whose ever-escalating battle to defend his workstation and his beloved red stapler soon leads to hilarious consequences for Initech.

The film’s soundtrack also scores a lot of laughs, mainly by being comprised of what would seem on the surface to be wildly inappropriate music. There’s a little Louis Armstrong and a few mambos by Perez Prado, but the majority of the soundtrack is gangsta rap tunes; a montage of Peter’s office antics is scored with the Geto Boys’ “Damn It Feels Good To Be A Gangsta”, and Canibus and Biz Markie kick in a hilarious end-credits anthem, “Shove This Jay-Oh-Bee”. The hardcore urban black sounds hilariously clash with the images of white-collar white revolt, while at the same time perfectly bringing out the outlaw streak that runs deep within these corporate rebels.

Office Space was not a success upon its initial theatrical release, but has found a loyal fan base in ancillary markets. Almost everyone I know has seen it and loves it, and I have a hunch that as long as people still spend their days trapped in little boxes with desks, doing work they don’t understand for people they don’t like, Mike Judge’s film will be there, easing the pain and offering hope that some day, we can escape and do our own thing. And if you don’t respond to it quite so strongly, at least it should give you some good laughs after a hard day’s work.

 

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Movie Review: Spider-Man (2002)

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Tribute review for Rosemary Harris. Happy Birthday Today!

SPIDER-MAN MOVIE POSTER
SPIDER-MAN, 2002
Movie Reviews

Directed by Sam Raimi
Starring: Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, James Franco, Rosemary Harris, Willem Dafoe, Cliff Robertson and J.K. Simmons
Review by Andrew Kosarko

SYNOPSIS:

Orphaned at a young age, young Peter Parker was always some what of a nerd, living with his aunt and uncle. One day while attending a high school field trip to a science laboratory, Peter is bitten by a genetically enhanced super spider. The next morning, he awakes to some massive superhuman changes overtaking his body, allowing him to climb walls, shoot webs from his wrist and a super keen reflex ability. As any teen would, he attempts to abuse his new power to win points with a girl he’s in love with, Mary Jane Watson. Then, because of an indirect result of his greed, his uncle is shot and killed, leaving him with the knowledge that with his great power, comes great responsibility….

REVIEW:

Alright, let’s begin. I was never, ever a fan of Spider-man, nor Marvel for that matter. But I was pumped for this movie when I first saw the trailer where Spider-man webbed up a helicopter full of crooks between the Twin Towers. It gave me Goosebumps. And while I wasn’t a fan, I knew all about this character and his enemies. I got so jazzed seeing Easter eggs like “Otto Octavius” portrait in the background of the trailer. But it seemed no one around me was “pumped” about it. Then, the day the world stopped. September 11th. The world was in shock. Americans were in confusion. In the time that followed, little was accomplished in bringing those responsible to justice. People where discouraged. Their faith in justice, un-rewarded. All they wanted was a hero. Someone to stand against an unstoppable evil force, and triumph. And that man was Spider-man. I once took a History of film class. The one thing I took away from the lessons was that films have their success by the time they are created. Sure, stories, acting and a whole bunch of other things contribute to a great film. But timing is everything. Spider-man hit at just the right time.

The Story:

This film does a great job of just getting to the point. Within the first few minutes we meet all our central characters and the inciting incident is off and running. And it doesn’t stop. Complication leads to complication. But this film, compared with other films of it’s genre, is able to keep itself fun. You can actually enjoy every scene and not feel all too depressed or upset. Of course the scenes of death may lower the tone a bit, but joy wouldn’t feel as good if it wasn’t for pain. Catch my drift? The plot rarely gets off track and keeps in mind that it has to do two things at once; tell an origin story, and tell the story of a hero battling evil. Everything that happens develops both the plot and the characters in addition to their relationships with those around them. That right there folks, is how you tell a story.

Acting:

Now we’re going to run into some problems… Tobey Maguire – Peter Parker / Spider-man: Tobey’s 2nd best portrayal of the webslinger is in this film. He takes the cake in the second film, but this one was still strong. He’s able to play a lovable dorky nerd and a true bad ass when he wants to be. His emotional scenes with his Uncle Ben and Aunt May are always touching and some of his best work. But overall, as many others have said before me, it’s a tad “wooden” at times. The emotion comes and goes from him. I don’t think it’s a lack of effort on his part, just a style of acting he’s become accustomed to. It’s really just a nitpick to be honest.

Kirsten Dunst – Mary Jane Watson: Never since Smallville’s Lana Lang have I been so annoyed with a female lead in a super hero portrayal. There’s just something about her that makes me want to drive off a cliff. I’m not saying she’s a terrible actress because she can hit the mark (See: The Virgin Suicides). But I just don’t like her in this role. In an effort to make her an “independent, strong willed woman”. She just comes off as a pain. I’m all for strong women roles. Aunt May is a strong women role. But there’s some actresses that try to show “strong women” and just come off as annoying and bitchy. This is one of those portrayals.

James Franco – Harry Osbourn: Good stuff. I mean, there’s not much all for him to do right now. He’s just a spoiled rich kid who takes up with Peter because he’s outcast from the normal crowd. He does a good job of showing that there is a good side to him, but that he’s headed down the wrong path because of his father’s lead. Which, of course, brings us to…

Willem Dafoe – Normal Osbourn / Green Goblin: By far, one of the greatest villain portrayals ever. He’s crazy. No more explanation needed. When he slips from persona to persona he’s taken the job of working his eye movements differently, different posture, changing up his voice tone, and as my father always said about characters who wear masks in movies; “It’s all about the eyes.” Dafoe does an excellent job of helping to plant the seeds for Harry’s arc in later film as well.

Rosemary Harris / Cliff Robertson: Aunt May / Uncle Ben – this tag team is great. When one sets down the reigns of guiding Peter, the other picks them up in a beat. It’s the anatomy of a good couple. One that holds the same values. So not only is it believable when they guide Peter through his journey, but also makes them realistic characters. I could believe that these two were in love just by the way they compose themselves in scenes where the other is not there. Fantastic acting and characterization.

JK Simmons: JJ Jameson – had to mention this. BEST PART OF THE MOVIE EVER. If anyone ever got a comic book character more perfectly adapted it’s this one. Granted it’s not a prominent role, but still scene stealing none-the-less. Directing: Sam Raimi hit the mark on this film. It’s a perfect balance of tragedy, comedy drama and action. It has all the necessary requirements to please comic fans, movie fans, and the general audiences. The look of the film, the tone, just everything about it, while it doesn’t appeal to me personally, does work and coincide with one another. The hallmark of a good director is someone with a stylistic goal. Raimi never sways away or loses track of what he intended.

Cinematography:

Don Burgess – A great job. The swinging shots through the city are just amazing and everything is well captured and shot. The colors shine greatly like how a comic book film should. It’s not blatantly campy/comic booky ala Batman & Robin or Sin City, but it’s also not gritty and “realistic” as something like Batman Begins.

Production Design:

As cited above, everything is well done and put together. It combines the realistic feel it needs while still giving it that “comic book” style and edge.

Editing:

No real problems here. Nothing special either.

Score: Not Elfman’s greatest work, but he still shines. I’m not a personal fan of the theme for Spider-man that he came up, but it works. The strongest part of his score, in my opinion, is the sad scenes and the use of the piano and the strings. Very powerful stuff that is guaranteed to hit your heart when you’re watching it.

Special Effects:

Top notch. I mean, nothing has topped Jurassic Park in terms of CGI believability, but this doesn’t take you out of the movie or anything. It’s always enjoyable and fun.

In closing:

The movie is solid. It’s a good popcorn flick with a little swig of substance mixed in. It was what we needed in a tough time to give us all that hope that in the end, the good guy will win. Call it what you may. But I find it ironic that the first trailer focused on the WTC and then those terrible events happened, only to come back with the Spider-man movie and give people some hope again. So from me to those who made this film. Thank you. Your film was what we needed.

….oh, but really quick. Next time, do it without Macy Grey. Ok-thanx-bye.

 

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Movie Review: NINOTCHKA, 1939

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Tribute review for actor Greta Garbo. Happy Birthday today!

NINOTCHKA MOVIE POSTER
NINOTCHKA, 1939
Movie Reviews

Directed by Ernst Lubitsch
Starring: Greta Garbo, Elvyn Douglas, Bela Lugosi
Review by Patrick Askin

SYNOPSIS:

A stern Russian woman sent to Paris on official business finds herself attracted to a man who represents everything she is supposed to detest.

REVIEW:

“Ninotchka” from MGM released in 1939 and directed by the incomparable Ersnt Lubitsch is one of the great all -time comedies from the classic film era. This movie is like a fine champagne, it is delicate, bubbly and gets better with each viewing. The movie stars GRETA GARBO and is famous for the tag line “GARBO LAUGHS.” She is simply marvelous as a dour Soviet official with no sense of humor sent to Paris to oversee her incompetent but lovable co-workers who have bungled selling Soviet goods to the French.

The movie is basically a subtle satire of THE SOVIET UNION and also a subtle glorification of all things Capitalism. One of my favorite lines in the film is when Melvin Douglass who plays the charming French aristocrat Count Dagou meets the overly serious GARBO he says” Oh A Russian, I love Russians, I’ve been admiring you five year plan for fifteen years.”

So Count Dagou and Ninotchka(Garbo) end up falling in love despite their differences which sets a a confrontation of cultures and lots of comic twists in the plot. Garbo’ s supporting cast is full of wonderful character types and film also stars the wonderful INA CLAIRE as the former Grand Duchess Swana from Czarist Russia now living in exile in Paris.

Ersnt Lubitsch was a German emigree who’s directing style was known as the “Lubitsch touch” and it is never better than in this film. No one was better at sophisticated comedy than he was. There are so many great moments in this film but the comedy is subtly funny not laugh out load uproariously funny.The movie was released in 1939 which is considered the most Golden year of the Golden era. It received many Academy award nominations but that was the year of “Gone with the Wind” so it was overshadowed a bit. Garbo was nominated for Best Actress and it’s a shame she never won one because not only was she a great beauty she was also a wonderful actress and it’s too bad she didn’t make more comedies. Her talent like her beauty is timeless and she has a wonderful time here poking fun here at her own image.

All the elements of this film come together perfectly between the great writing, directing and acting. I’ve watched this film over ten times and it just gets better each time and it is about as perfect a movie as you can get. Unfortunately this sort of sophisticated type of comedy is sorely lacking in today’s films. When you watch this movie it doesn’t feel dated, there is always a market for satire and I think there is still an audience today for this type of movie.

So if you going to pick one comedy to watch from the Golder Age of Hollywood you can’t do any better the “Ninotchka.” But I suggest you watch it more than once because there are many little moments to cherish here. And if you are a Garbo fan or have never heard of her then this is also. a must see film

 

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FILM REVIEWS: SULLY (USA 2016)

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sully.jpgSULLY (USA 2016) **
Directed by Clint Eastwood

Starring: Tom Hanks, Aaron Eckhart, Laura Linney, Anna Gunn

Review by Gilbert Seah

Director Clint Eastwood follows his high successful AMERICAN SNIPER, a story of an unlikely American hero with SULLY, a story of a likely American hero.

SULLY is the movie based on Chesley “Sully” Sullenberg’s 2010 autobiography, Highest Duty that envisions the American sense of common humanity.

The so-called miracle on the Hudson occurred in 2009. This was the safe landing on the Hudson of a plane that had two of its engines blown. The captain of the flight known fondly as SULLY piloted the plane to safety saving the lives of all 155 passengers and crew. Heralded a hero but not until cleared of accusations that his decisions were not the best, this is the film that praises, or over-praises the deed.

The question is that do we need to re-watch a re-enactment of a story already told and known to most Americans? There is always a need at any time for a story of heroism. In these times of terrorist attacks, Americans need to be reminded of their heroes. SULLY seems a film to do just that.

Eastwood, known to be right-winged, has directed SULLY (Tom Hanks) to show a hero with all the right words to say and a man who can do no harm. He is blessed with a loving family and a wife (Laura Linney) who professes her lover for him constantly.

Eastwood’s film, shot in IMAX shows the plane’s landing on the Hudson in all its glorious images. But there is no suspense or thrills as the audience is well aware of the fact that everyone on board survived. The landing is shown in clumsy flashback, when Sully is having a drink at the bar, again congratulated at very possible moment in the film. Parts of the landing are shown twice as if the audience need be reminded of the heroic deed.

But with the story of SULLY already known, and no real facts provided or insight on the story, Eastwood’s film grows to be quite a bore quite soon, and remains so throughout its full 2 hours and 10 minutes, that seems to be the staple running time for all of his films.

Though Hanks has been praised for his portrayal of SULLY, his performance is nothing new. Like his role in HOLOGRAM, Hanks looks as if he is sleepwalking through his performance. Often sleepless like his character in HOLOGRAM and always thinking of what would have happened or what would have not, Hanks sulks most of the time, looking as if the plane landing was all a dream. Laura Linney who plays Lorraine, Sully’s wife mopes all the time too. The audience gets a glimpse of the real Lorraine Sullenberger, i.e. Sully’s wife at the closing credits.

The audience at the promo screening applauded and seem pleased with the film. Who would not applaud a hero? Still Eastwood’s SULLY is nothing more than a recounting of events, overpraising its hero and lacks any solid thrills or imagination.

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mjKEXxO2KNE

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Movie Review: FOOTPRINTS (2016)

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MOVIE POSTERFOOTPRINTS, 13min, Canada, Horror/Family
Directed by Kevin Saycharuen

Deep in the forest, Cahng, an injured hunter searches for his family who are being haunted by a supernatural force.

Seen at the August 2016 HORROR/THRILLER FEEDBACK Film Festival in Toronto.

Movie Review by Kierston Drier

Footprints, a Canadian film by Kevin Saycharuen, will surprise an audience at first with its’ exceptional attention to cinematic details and a level of luminous colour and brightness that is not characteristic of a traditional Horror. Cahng, an injured hunter lost in the forest, seems compelled to track down the monstrous beast that has ruthlessly murdered his wife and child. He is tortured by their absence, plagued by visions and nightmares of them, and appears to be constantly falling in and out of delusions including them.

One tradition that is held onto with stunning effectiveness is that the audience never sees the monster. It can be heard, and often palpably felt- but we are only once ever shown anything remotely supernatural, in the form of a sort of demon ghost who briefly appears in lieu of Cahng’s missing son.

There are cinematic moments in this piece that are no less than stunning. There are breath-taking moments of utter natural beauty that capture of the setting of the forest that truly make us feel that monster in this film lurks somewhere within the disconnect humans have put between themselves and nature. However the demon that is responsible for Cahng’s tragedy is not within the forest- it is within himself.

Footprints is not a clear film. It is debatable if the plot is linear. The pay-off, while impressive, does not answer all the questions the audience is bound to have by the end of the film. Yet, Saycharuen’s work has a poignancy to it that stirs deep, primal emotions in those who watch. It is a true piece of cinema, a true piece of art, in the sense that is leave us with more questions than answers.

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Movie Review: KADDISH! (2016)

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MOVIE POSTERKADDISH!, 6min, France, Horror/Comedy
Directed by Emeline Castaneda

When, on his way back home, a man stops at a motorway service area, he did not imagine that by talking to his urinal’s neighbor, it will trigger some terrible events.

Seen at the August 2016 HORROR/THRILLER FEEDBACK Film Festival in Toronto.

Movie Review by Kierston Drier

Kaddish! directed by Emeline Castaneda, is an absolute delight. Engaging, immediately suspenseful and unflatteringly hilarious, it is an example of the element of surprise doing everything a horror-comedy film should do.

It must be noted that horror-comedy as a genre is one of the hardest sub genres to execute without latching on the comfort of cinematic cliches, and yet Kaddish! does this flawlessly. With undeniably originality, Castaneda is able to weave tradition, religion, ethnicity, suspense, humour, music and zombies (yes, zombies.) into six minutes of your life well spent.

Kaddish! follows our devoutly Jewish and incredibly compassionate hero as he makes the unfortunate discovery that the man at the urinal beside him is a Neo-Nazi, and decides to put his fate in Gods’ hands. And God responds with a standing ovation. This knowledge alone was enough to make me grab my popcorn and watch this film- please, do the same.

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TIFF 2016 Movie Review: SAND STORM (Israel 2016) ***

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Movie Reviews of films that will be playing at TIFF (Toronto International Film Festival) in 2016. Go to TIFF 2016 Movie Reviews and read reviews of films showing at the festival.

sand_storm_poster.jpgSAND STORM (Israel 2016) ***
Directed by Elite Zexer

Starring: Lamis Ammar, Ruba Blal, Hitham Omari

Review by Gilbert Seah

SAND STORM is the Grand Jury Prize Winner at Sundance in the Contemporary World section. The film details a little known culture in a Bedouin village. Jalila is preparing to host an awkward celebration: the marriage of her husband to a second (and noticeably younger) wife – something unheard of n western society.

To make matters worse, her eldest, Layla, is involved in a clandestine relationship with a boy at school, all her suppressed emotion finds an outlet. Emotions run high and very member of the family feels the pressure.

Zexer moves her efficient film covering all the details and tying her film up neatly towards the end with a classy ending.

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Film Review: MORGAN (USA 2016). Starring: Kate Mara, Paul Giamatti

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morgan.jpg
MORGAN (USA 2016) **
Directed by Luke Scott

Starring: Kate Mara, Anya Taylor-Joy, Rose Leslie

Review by Gilbert Seah

MORGAN is the new sci-fi thriller not to be confused with the 1966 British comedy by Karel Reisz also called MORGAN or in full : MORGAN: A SUITABLE CASE FOR TREATMENT. The Morgan in the new film is also another case for treatment being a female created by a group of scientists.

MORGAN (Anya Taylor-Joy) is not like any other girl. Created and raised in a laboratory environment by a group of over-dedicated scientists, she defies nature with her super-human qualities. But do not push her beyond the limit! Walking and talking within one month and self-sufficient after just six, her rapid progression is remarkable, exceeding the expectations of her creators. But nothing ever goes as well as planned. There is a vicious accident. After Morgan has a “tantrum” in which she viciously attacks and injures one of the scientists (Jennifer Jason Leigh taking as much abuse here as she did in Tarantino’s THE HATEFUL EIGHT), corporate troubleshooter Lee Weathers (Kate Mara) is called in to make the ultimate choice of “terminating” Morgan or letting her live before she causes anymore havoc and escapes into the outside world. Her decision is to terminate Morgan but the scientists protect Morgan.

The script by Seth Owen and direction by Luke Scott is tight and well paced during the first two thirds of the film. The film is always one step ahead of what is revealed to the audience and this is where the film works best. No one knows what to expect – except for the last third of the film. An excellent cameo from Paul Giamatti helps spice up the tension. The inclusion of Michelle Yeoh and Toby Jones in the ensemble cast also adds to the excitement of the film. A neat segment involving Mandarin dialogue (Michele Yeoh is Malaysian Chinese) also works well.
For a film written and directed by males, it is interesting to see how females are depicted. They are either strong and forceful as in Weather’s character or a crying quivering mess as in Dr, Amy Menser (Rose Leslie), Morgan’s friend. The females are all sexy looking in different forms – fighting, vulnerable or smart. The eye candy for the female audience is provide by hunk Boyd Holbrook playing another doctor, who makes an unsuccessful pass at Weathers.

It is only in the last 15 minutes that the film starts to fall apart. Once Lee starts fighting Morgan and ends up indestructible, it becomes an easy guess to the twist in the story. It does not take a gnus to figure things out. That is when all the mystery and intrigue are lost in predictability.

Given the story’s limited potential, it has to be taken it to a predictable conclusion. Director Scott fares pretty well with the material. MORGAN is absorbing for the most part and provides sufficient thrills for the typical sci-fi thriller. The film has a beautiful setting, where the scientific facility is located, the film being shot in Northern Ireland.

MORGAN is up for stiff competition a week opening after DON’T BREATHE which caters for the same male target audience. Given its differentiation from a horror flick, MORGAN should do well enough at the box-office.

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TIFF 2016 Movie Review: IXCANUL (VOLCANO) (Guatemala, France 2015) ***1/2

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Movie Reviews of films that will be playing at TIFF (Toronto International Film Festival) in 2016. Go to TIFF 2016 Movie Reviews and read reviews of films showing at the festival.

ixcanul_.jpgIXCANUL (VOLCANO) (Guatemala, France 2015) ***1/2
Directed by Jayro Bustamante

Starring: María Mercedes Coroy, María Telón, Manuel Antún

Review by Gilbert Seah

It i the age old story of a human being’s quest for a better life despite mounting odds. Here is Maria’s desire to marry the one she loves and to escape to a better place, where the grass is greener. But she is betroth to someone else, while she gets pregnant in the meantime by her jilted lover. This story has been told many times in many films before but never in this new and mesmerizing and dreamlike fashion.

Maria is the daughter born into a poor family that work the plantations under a stern landlord who is never seen. Maria is match-made to Ignacio, the boss’s favourite. But Maria has someone else she desires – Pepe. But Pep is fond of drinking and not the chivalrous hero one would imagine. After getting drunk one night and impregnating poor maria, he abandons her while he takes off illegally to cross the border to the U.S. Maria’s mother attempts to, but fails to abort the baby.

The occasionally brilliant debut by Guatemalan filmmaker Jayro Bustamante is a mesmerizing fusion of fact and fable, a dreamlike depiction of the daily lives of Kaqchikel speaking Mayans on a coffee plantation at the base of an active volcano. The title of the film IXCANUL means volcano, which the family prays to and give offerings, hoping to begat wealth, happiness and if not, at least a decent living.

Bustamante immerses his audience into its characters’ customs and beliefs. IXCANUL chronicles with unblinking realism, a disappearing tradition and a disappearing people.

IXCANUL emerges an impressive chronicle of the lives of a people as seen by the observation of the hardships o a single family. This kind of film seldom earns a commercial release. Shot in the languages of Kaqchikel and Spanish. Entertaining and mesmerizing!

Also, Free logline submissions. The Writing Festival network averages over 95,000 unique visitors a day.
Great way to get your story out: http://www.wildsound.ca/logline.html

Deadlines to Submit your Screenplay, Novel, Story, or Poem to the festival:http://www.wildsound.ca

Watch recent Writing Festival Videos. At least 15 winning videos a month: http://www.wildsoundfestival.com

TIFF 2016 Movie Review: ZOOLOGY (Russia/France/Germany 2016) ****

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Movie Reviews of films that will be playing at TIFF (Toronto International Film Festival) in 2016. Go to TIFF 2016 Movie Reviews and read reviews of films showing at the festival.

zoology_.jpgZOOLOGY (Russia/France/Germany 2016) ****
Directed by Ivan I. Tverdovsky

Starring: Masha Tokareva, Natalya Pavlenkova, Aleksandr Gorchilin

Review by Gilbert Seah

My personal favourite of the festival so far, ZOOLOGY which won the Special Jury Prize at this year’s Karlovy Vary Film Festival is part comedy of errors, part social satire, and part tender love story.

The film follows Natasha (an excellent low keyed performance by Natalia Pavlenkova), a lonely middle-aged woman who still lives at home with her mother, unfolds in an ordinary, uneventful manner at first. Stuck behind a desk at the local zoo, ignored by her malicious, clucking colleagues, Natasha lives her solitary existence in withdrawn defeat.

That is, until something unexpected turns her life upside down: one day she discovers that she has grown a tail. The comedy comes from how she reacts with the tail. She tucks it in her panties and dances with it. It is hilarious how it does not bother her though rumours are going on about the town of a demon human with a tail.

The satire comes from the runarounds she is given when she gets X-Rays for her tail as well as her work at the zoo. Her love arrives unexpectedly from a hospital staff who has a tail fetish. Funny, intelligent and totally unpredictable, this surreal comedy is a total delight from start to finish.

Also, Free logline submissions. The Writing Festival network averages over 95,000 unique visitors a day.
Great way to get your story out: http://www.wildsound.ca/logline.html

Deadlines to Submit your Screenplay, Novel, Story, or Poem to the festival:http://www.wildsound.ca

Watch recent Writing Festival Videos. At least 15 winning videos a month: http://www.wildsoundfestival.com