B romantic road movie Written by Andris Feldmanis & Juho Kuosmanen, from the novel by Rosa Liksom Directed by Juho Kuosmanen You don't expect a romantic road movie to come out of Russia - but then the director is Finnish. Two people are thrown together on a train. At first, they hate each other…or at … Continue reading Opposites attrack in Compartment No. 6
Category: Romance
What’s leaving Criterion when January ends
More than 75 movies will disappear from the Criterion Channel at the end of the month. Here are some that I recommend you watch before February. One brilliant filmmaker, Bill Plympton, stands out on this list. A Idiots and Angels (2008) A man so rotten he pushes a tear of empathy back into his eye … Continue reading What’s leaving Criterion when January ends
José: Gay, but boring
D+ Gay coming-of-age drama Written by Li Cheng and George F. Roberson Directed by Li Cheng A gay coming-of-age story should not be boring - especially if the movie is sexually explicit. But in José, the main character is, himself, exceptionally boring. José lives with his mother in a tiny apartment in Guatemala City. Mom … Continue reading José: Gay, but boring
Rafiki: Forbidden love in Kenya
B+ Coming of age drama Written by Jenna Cato Bass & Wanuri Kahiu Directed by Wanuri Kahiu Gay coming-of-age movies are common in the independent film scene. But Rafiki is different. It's set in a small Kenyan village, which brings bright colors and exciting music. But that setting also brings a threat of violent homophobia. … Continue reading Rafiki: Forbidden love in Kenya
Movies for Valentine’s Day
Valentine's Day isn't an official American holiday. No one gets off with pay for it, yet it's still very popular. Why not? It's all about sex and romantic love. Throughout 2019, I'll be writing articles about holidays and the most appropriate movies to watch on or before those days. And for this holiday, the number … Continue reading Movies for Valentine’s Day
A+ List: Before Sunrise (and a bit about the sequels)
After seeing Richard Linklater's Before Sunrise in 1995, I described the film as My Dinner with Andre, with scenery and sex appeal. Today most people have forgotten the Wallace Shawn/Andre Gregory talkfest, but those who have watched Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy walking and talking and falling in love happily retain the memory. How many … Continue reading A+ List: Before Sunrise (and a bit about the sequels)
Summertime: Lesbian love in 1971
A- Romantic drama Written by Catherine Corsini and Laurette Polmanss Directed by Catherine Corsini Note: I wrote this review almost a year ago, shortly before the film's screening at the 2016 Frameline festival. I assumed that it would receive an American theatrical release. It didn't. I just discovered that the movie is available on several … Continue reading Summertime: Lesbian love in 1971
Love, romance, and a whole lot of problems bubble up in The Intervention
B+ Comedy-drama, but mostly drama Written and directed by Clea DuVall All romantic relationships have problems, and those problems provide fodder for this very funny relationship drama (or maybe it's a very serious comedy). But according to Annie (Melanie Lynskey), only one couple is supposed to have problems here, and everyone else is supposed to … Continue reading Love, romance, and a whole lot of problems bubble up in The Intervention
Before the White House: My review of Southside with You
C Romantic meander Written and directed by Richard Tanne The movie starts like a commercial. The camera moves smoothly over an impossibly clean residential street filled with smiling people. Upbeat, happy music plays over the opening credits. The message is clear: This is going to be a feel-good movie about two people falling in love. … Continue reading Before the White House: My review of Southside with You
Thursday at the San Francisco International Film Festival
I caught two movies on Thursday, both at the New Mission, but this time, not in the big Theater 1. C Southside with You Here we have yet another variation on Before Sunrise. Two attractive people who barely know each other walk through a city, talking, doing fun and meaningful things, and getting to know … Continue reading Thursday at the San Francisco International Film Festival
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