TIFF movie review

TIFF 2016 Movie Review: I AM NOT YOUR NEGRO (USA/Fr/Belg/Switz 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.

i_am_not_your_negro_poste.jpgI AM NOT YOUR NEGRO (USA/Fr/Belg/Switz 2016) ***
Directed by Raoul Peck

Review by Gilbert Seah

Appropriately titled I AM NOT YOUR NEGRO, this solemn documentary by Raoul Peck attempts to reveal that the ‘negro’ thought understood by most Americans is in fact a stereotyped misunderstood one The doc is based on the unfinished book by James Baldwin and looks at the impressions made by 3 murdered negroes – Medgar Evers, Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr.

The film offers many arguments illustrated with many archive stills. The most interesting revelation of the film is the argument between King and Malcolm X – showing the two different approaches of dealing with black racism. The doc also includes rare clips of ‘negro’ old movies which were acceptable then but considered unacceptable now.

Also shown are unforgettable scenes like one on on a bus with the segregation of black and white seating at the back and front of the bus respectively.

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TIFF 2016 Movie Review: HANDSOME DEVIL (Ireland 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.

handsome_devil_poster.jpgHANDSOME DEVIL (Ireland 2016) ****
Directed by John Butler

Starring: Andrew Scott, Nicholas Galitzine, Michael McElhatton

Review by Gilbert Seah

On would never tie a gay film with the sport of rugby with the climax of the film being the crucial rugby match.

HANDSOME DEVIL is the new sweet little Irish film that addresses both the topics of coming out and coming-of-age. Though coming out is a well-worn theme in gay films, Butler introduces a few neat approaches. “It does get better,” is the advice a gay adult gives to the gay lad who is facing trouble after trouble about his coming-out.

The film’s setting is a rugby-mad boarding school. An unlikely friendship develops between a dashing new roommate, the HANDSOME DEVIL, Conor (Nicholas Galitzine) of the title and the bullied kid, Ned (Fionn O’Shea). Ned’s voiceover claims that the most embarrassing thing he ever did in life is the best thing that ever happened to him.

With this notion, Butler’s feel-good film is a real surprise. It would be difficult to dislike this one. Openly gay actor Andrew Scott (he played “C” in SPECTRE) delivers a spirited and commendable performance as the English teacher.

Free logline submissions. The Writing Festival network averages over 95,000 unique visitors a day.

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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: DEATH IN SARAJEVO (Bosnia and Herzegovina /France 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.

death_in_sarajevo_poster.jpgDEATH IN SARAJEVO (Bosnia and Herzegovina /France 2016) ****
Directed by Danis Tanovic

Starring: Snezana Vidovic, Izudin Bajrovic, Vedrana Seksan

Review by Gilbert Seah

Another winner from director Danis Tanovic of NO MAN’S LAND. The setting is the financially troubled Hotel Europa where the camera skillfully moves in and out of the rooms and corridors.

The hotel staff are about to strike but if they do, the hotel will foreclose to the bank. The hotel needs be open two more days to get paid by a staying E.U. delegation.

Tanovic ties in lots of politics into the hotel drama. Above all this, on the rooftop, a TV show broadcasts discussions occasioned by the anniversary, covering topics ranging from Gavrilo Princip to Bosnian independence.

It is very intricate film, thankfully extremely well executed, with the hotel proceedings serving as a metaphor for the country’s past and present troubles.

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=in4feDE3GII

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: DAGUERROTYPE (LE SECRET DE LA CHAMBE NOIRE) (France/Belgium/Japan 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.

daguerrotype_poster.jpgDAGUERROTYPE (LE SECRET DE LA CHAMBE NOIRE) (France/Belgium/Japan 2016) **
Directed by Kiyoshi Kurosawa

Starring: Tahar Rahim, Constance Rousseau, Olivier Gourmet

Review by Gilbert Seah

Non French directors often do not translate well when making a French film. The latest casualty is Japanese director Kiyoshi Kurosaw (TOKYO SONATA, CURE). His latest film is a ghost story, a genre that Kurosawa is already familiar with. He is blessed with some great French speaking talent including Tahir Rahim (UN PROPHET, UNE SEPARATION), Matthieu Amalric and Olivier Gourmet.

Gourmet plays a photographer who after the suicide of his wife becomes obsessed with her portrait being able to live forever. His obsession turns towards his daughter and soon, his new assistant (Rahim) also falls for the apparition.

The story is not well told with bouts of reality and fantasy flowing into each other uncomfortably. Kurosawa loves filming trains, and again the TGV trains are shown in the opening segment. If only his film would run as fast.

The film is a slow burning process with an unsatisfying and open ending.

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

TIFF 2016 Movie Review: THE COMMUNE (Denmark/Sweden/Netherlands 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.

the_commune_poster.jpgTHE COMMUNE (Denmark/Sweden/Netherlands 2016) ***
Directed by Thomas Vinterberg

Starring: Ulrich Thomsen, Fares Fares, Trine Dyrholm

Review by Gilbert Seah

The latest from Thomas Vinterberg (CELEBRATION, THE HUNT) details what happens in a commune Communes were popular in the 70’s in Denmark, also the time when the film is set. Vintergberg does not judge the workability of a commune environment but shows both sides of its workings – both good and bad.

All this is demonstrated through the downward spiral of a couple Anna (Trine Dyrholm, who won Best Actress at this year’s Berlinale for her performance and is the best thing about the movie) and her husband, Erik (Ulrich Thomsen).

It all happens when Erik’s father passes away. The couple must decide what to do with the huge house that Erik grew up in, as it’s too expensive for them to occupy on their own. So, they decide to form a commune. The events that occur are well conceived and well executed.

The main message of commune living would be that it works if one works at making it work.

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KsEXwrgKjQ0

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: THE UNTAMED (Mexico/Switz/France/Germany/Denmark 2016) ***

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tiMovie 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.

the_untamed_poser.jpgTHE UNTAMED (Mexico/Switz/France/Germany/Denmark 2016) ***
Directed by Amat Escalante

Starring: Kenny Johnston

Review by Gilbert Seah

Director Amat Escalante stars and directs this supernatural mystery in a family drama setting.

There is a sex monster loose in the country. Though its keepers have described it as one that will give extreme sexual pleasure and will not harm anyone, the monster has done some harm, both physically and emotionally.

This monster gives a new meaning to the saying of having a snake in ones pants. The main protagonist is Ale (Ruth Ramos) who has a husband and two kids and a gay brother. It turns out that her husband is also having sexual relations with her brother.

Ale is not that sexually monogamous either, having a fling with the sexual snake herself. If all this sounds silly, Escalante’s film actually works because he is always several steps ahead of the story.

THE UNTAMED ends up quite an intriguing film despite the abrupt ending.

Trailer: http://remezcla.com/film/trailer-amat-escalante-the-untamed-clip/

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

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

TIFF 2016 Movie Review: GODSPEED (Taiwan 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.

godspeed_poster.jpgGODSPEED (Taiwan 2016) **
Directed by Chung Mong-Hong

Starring: Leon Dai, Na Dow, Michael Hui

Review by Gilbert Seah

The main attraction of this drug caper comedy is Michael Hui who in his hey day was directing his brothers in the funniest of Hong Kong comedies. In GODSPEED, he plays a cab driver caught in a drug delivery racket. Na Dow (Na Dow) is a drug mule who travels across Taiwan delivering top-quality heroin.

He found the job by simply answering an ad, and his method of transporting the illegal goods is equally mundane: he hails a cab in the morning, rides it from the north of the country to the south, delivers a package, and returns in the same cab that night.

The cab driver is middle-aged Hong Kong native who came to Taiwan some 25 years ago, Old Xu (Michael Hui) goes out of his way to be hired and, even though he’s been driving all night, agrees to take Na Dow down south in hopes of making some extra cash and getting a little closer to retirement. Chung’s film is funny in parts but not consistent as a comedy. The uneven mix of violence and slow rendering of the humour both create a very odd comedy, with the laughs coming too few and far between.

Hui is still a pleasure to watch, but he has done better in his earlier comedies.

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=6&v=HdHhJL0WQgE

Free logline submissions. The Writing Festival network averages over 95,000 unique visitors a day.

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

TIFF 2016 Movie Review: FREE FIRE (UK 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.

free_fire_poster.jpgFREE FIRE (UK 2016) **
Directed by Ben Wheatley

Starring: Brie Larson, Enzo Cilenti, Sam Riley, Michael Smiley

Review by Gilbert Seah

Irrelevant as his A FIELD IN ENGLAND, tho hate it or love it British film set entirely in the U.S. in 1878 for no apparent reason, Bn Whetaley returns to his black comedy roots of SIGHTSEERS, the film that shot him to recognition. his is a 70’ crime caper set totally in an abandoned warehouse where a guns deal takes place.

But a previous altercation between two separate members of the different sides results in a free-for-all shoot out hat lasts the entire joie.

The humour and violence is entertaining initially, but greadullay wears out its welcome. Known names Sharlto Copley, Armie Hammer, Oscar Winner Brie Larson and Cillian Murphy do their best to liven up the proceedings but they can only do so much with the limited amtrial.

Director Wheatley works with his loving wife, Amy Jump who wrote the script and co-edited the film with him.

FREE FIRE may work for a few but will not for the majority as FREE FALL is a queer piece for a select few.

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDD3I0uOlqY

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: THE DUELIST (Russia 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.

the_duelist_poster.jpgTHE DUELIST (Russia 2016) ***
Directed by Alexey Mizgirev

Starring: Pierre Bourel, Nikolay Butenin, Pyotr Chubko

Review by Gilbert Seah

THE DUELIST is a very accomplished film very handsomely mounted and shot in IMAX and a film that has to be seen in IMAX. The period setting shows aristocratic Russia and is set in both Russia and Germany.

The audience is introduced to the rules of nobility as well as the rules of duelling. The film centres on dashing Yakovley, returning to Saint Petersburg after a long exile. Yakovley makes a comfortable living by winning other people’s duels. An enigmatic, focused, and extremely skilled professional, he leaves a trail of dead bodies behind him as he swirls through polite society, frequently called upon to wield a pistol as a surrogate in duels at dawn.

But when Yakovlev meets the naïve young Prince Tuchov and his beautiful sister, Princess Martha, the normally cold-hearted mercenary is surprised by hitherto undetected emotions. He falls in love. The film has magnificently suspenseful duels as well as some graphic scenes of flogging.

Stunning art direction, costume design and cinematography.

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQZQg4KT-YY

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: SAFARI (Austria 2016) ***

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ffMovie 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.

auf_safari_poster.jpg SAFARI (Austria 2016) ***
Directed by Ulrich Seidl

Review by Gilbert Seah

Austrian director Ulrich Seidl is known for his ‘shock’ movies that are more than provocative. His films DOG DAYS, the PARADISE trilogy and his latest SAFARI are not for everyone.

At least half a dozen critics walked out dying the press screening for SAFARI. There is a lot of blood and guts, displayed when the animals shot on SAFARI are gutted in real time. Seidl’s film is also very sly in its humour – the way the over privileged hunters justify the killings as humane.

Seidl provides his audience with access points into the thrill-seeking and power-hungry tourism of the “sport.” Guided by an official hunter and a local hunting caddy, his protagonists appear as nothing more than opportunist marksmen.

A lot of his scenes are set up with his stationary camera while his characters move in and then out of the frame. Occasionally, the camera would track his characters after they move into the frame.

SAFARI is an unforgettable and remarkable feature, if one can handle it.

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVMktu2Seuk

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