The story of a middle aged recluse stumbling upon a newly-orphaned youngster, as well as that man’s long-since discarded humanity, The Cleaner (originally released in Peru as El Limpiador) is a beautiful, touching, intelligent, and surprisingly moving film.
A fictional drama whose particulars seem entirely plausible to those who have studied the history of German reunification following 1990, this one is a fascinating “what-if” that sheds some light on a post-WWII Europe most Americans don’t even know existed.
‘Flicker’ It all has the whiff of Wes Anderson, Noah Baumbach, and Hal Ashby, yet never clicks like the successful work of those directors works because their characters start with a familiar, human core and radiate eccentricities outward from there.
“Putzel” is a Yiddish slang word meaning dummy, schmuck, or more literally, penis, and like some kind of abandoned love child sprung from the loins of Bob Newhart and Woody Allen, the ineffectual Putzel definitely lives up to his moniker.
‘Jump’ has problems, yet one gets the sense watching it that these are primarily a result of a dearth of inspiration on the page, and not behind the camera.
During the 2013 Seattle International Film Festival, I’ve had an opportunity to see tons of indie films and have conversations with the talent involved in making them. Here is my video interview with ‘Jump’ director Kieron J. Walsh.
One of the major hot-button topics within the social and political landscape of the United States at present, it’s more than a little surprising to find a relevant film confronting the issue of gun control from a Canadian point of view. And while Blackbird isn’t an examination of the wisdom or right to bear arms, it does concern itself with the primary fuel for that conversation: child violence.
Although the set-up for Papadopoulos & Sons presents a seemingly predictable trajectory, what with the family bonding, etc., etc., the path it takes to get to the desired destination is hardly expected.
Currently playing at this year’s Seattle International Film Festival, and in full release today, What Maisie Knew should be commended for breaking the traditional mold of children in movies. Indeed, while it isn’t always pretty, the film at least has the courage to commit to its message: the emotional and spiritual protection of children.
The story of a young husband and wife’s struggles through the personal and professional speed bumps encountered in most marriages during the early just-had-a-kid years, ‘A Song Still Inside’ opens today at SIFF 2013.
Cullen Hoback’s new documentary, Terms and Conditions May Apply, holds that the proliferation of information via the Internet is being used to bilk people and, worse, rob them of their freedoms.
The practical effects and location shooting only further enhance and lend gravitas and a sense of authenticity to The Deep. Having played at this year’s Seattle International Film Festival, it’s in the running for the best film going at that event this year.
Henrik in The Almost Man is a perpetual man-child whose mid-life angst and rudderless existence is on par with anything Will Ferrell, Seth Rogen, or the like ever pulled off.
This is not something one might eagerly to recommend. For a Peter Greenaway fan, yeah: this might be right up your alley. For pretty much everyone else, prepare yourself for one of the weirdest, most obscene, nonsensical cinematic journeys of your life.
‘The Punk Singer’ is a new documentary showing at this year’s Seattle International Film Festival, and it argues that an important piece of rock and roll’s early-90s historical puzzle lies in the punk movement’s feminist roots, and its undisputed champion, Kathleen Hanna.