B+ Family drama Written by Daniel Pearle; based on his stage play Directed by Silas Howard Early on, I found myself wondering if we really need this story? Do I care if this white, comfortable, Brooklyn couple get their four-year-old son (the Jake of the title) into the right private school? But as the story … Continue reading A Boy Like Jake should be part of the film
Category: Drama
Drama
The Rider must discover his own limitations in this excellent film
A Western drama Written & directed by Chloé Zhao When we first meet Brady (Brady Jandreau), he appears to be doing brain surgery on himself. Not quite, but he's removing massive bandages and even metal staples from his head. You get the very strong feeling that he shouldn't be doing this on his own. Brady, … Continue reading The Rider must discover his own limitations in this excellent film
1945: When the Jews returned to town
A Period drama Written by ván Angelusz , Péter Reich, and Ferenc Török Directed by Ferenc Török It's August, 1945. The war in Europe ended scarcely three months ago. In a small Hungarian town, two Orthodox Jews get off the train. Who are they and what are they doing there? 1945 isn't about these two Jews. … Continue reading 1945: When the Jews returned to town
Kodachrome focuses on blurred relationship
A- Road movie Written by Jonathan Tropper, from an article by A.G. Sulzberger Directed by Mark Raso No, this picture isn't about analog vs. digital photography. It's a road movie, and a drama about a father and son reconnecting after a long and strained absence. Road movies feel loose, but they follow a strict story … Continue reading Kodachrome focuses on blurred relationship
2 Judges (both women) and a reluctant Buddhist: Friday at SFFILM Festival
I should explain why some of my reviews are constricted to 75 words or less. Every festival that shows new films sends a Hold Review List to press covering the event. The movies on this list either have an American distributor or are negotiating with one. The distributers don't want long reviews published too soon, … Continue reading 2 Judges (both women) and a reluctant Buddhist: Friday at SFFILM Festival
A Kid Like Jake and Opening Night at SFFilm Fest
This year's San Francisco International Film Festival, also known now as the SFFilm Festival, opened last night at the Castro with a screening of A Kid Like Jake. As opening nights go, it went well. The show began only a few minutes after the official 7:00 starting time. Executive Director Noah Cowan took the stage … Continue reading A Kid Like Jake and Opening Night at SFFilm Fest
All That Heaven Allows at the PFA
I'm not one of those cinephiles who gets excited at every screening of a 35mm print. But when it's a vintage Technicolor 35mm print…well, that's exciting. And it was the print, more than the movie, that drew me to see the 1955 drama, All That Heaven Allows, Sunday afternoon at the Pacific Film Archive. The movie … Continue reading All That Heaven Allows at the PFA
California and Japan clash in Oh Lucy!
A- Comedic drama Written by Atsuko Hirayanagi, from the short film by Boris Frumin and Atsuko Hirayanagi Directed by Atsuko Hirayanagi In Tokyo, a middle-aged woman lives a life of quiet desperation. Then she attends a class in American English and finds herself attracted to her outgoing and handsome teacher. When the teacher suddenly and … Continue reading California and Japan clash in Oh Lucy!
In Between: Secular and Religious Youths
C+ Youth drama Written & directed by Maysaloun Hamoud You'd expect a film that breaks down walls and shatters stereotypes to excite you - to grab you by the heart and fling you across the room. Alas, Maysaloun Hamoud's first feature film doesn't quite blow you away. The content - the wild party life of … Continue reading In Between: Secular and Religious Youths
The Insult has consequences
A Drama Written by Ziad Doueiri and Joelle Touma Directed by Ziad Doueiri Two men of different ethnicities, religions, and political parties meet, and one almost unconsciously insults the other. Neither will back down, and the situation escalates. Sounds like a promising satire, with comic hijinks building on top of each other until everything collapses in … Continue reading The Insult has consequences
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