Teaching audiences to view films actively
By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 3.5 cats
Director: Stacy Peralta
Michael says: “I’ve been racking up the docs as the year approaches a close, and I’d meant to catch DOGTOWN & Z-BOYS in the theatre after it opened to strong, positive reviews. DOGTOWN uses amazing historical footage and an impressive
Read the review...By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 3.5 cats
Director: Knut Erik Jensen
Janet says: “THE BUENA VISTA SOCIAL CLUB with snow. This documentary about a men’s choir in the small fishing village of Belgevad, Norway, starts out seeming like it will be short, skimpy, funny, then goes much deeper than you’d ever
Read the review...By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 3.5 cats
Director: Daniel Gold | Judith B. Helfand
Laura says: “When Judy Helfand’s parents had her childhood home sided with blue vinyl, she was determined to find a cost-effective, more environmentally friendly, alternative. Judy and her co-director Daniel Gold (who won the Sundance cinematography award for this) begin
Read the review...By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 3.5 cats
Director: Paul Schrader
Starring: Greg Kinnear | Maria Bello | Rita Wilson | Ron Leibman | Willem Dafoe
Laura says: “Michael Gerbosi’s adaptation of the Robert Graysmith book The Murder of Bob Crane by Robert Graysmith suggests that Carpie wanted more than companionship from Crane and fed the man and ever increasing stream of women to maintain the
Read the review...By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 3.5 cats
Director: Chris Weitz | Paul Weitz
Starring: Hugh Grant | Natalia Tena | Nicholas Hoult | Rachel Weisz | Sharon Small | Toni Collette | Victoria Smurfit
Laura says: “ABOUT A BOY establishes Will and Marcus by intercutting between their lives until it brings them together. Young Nicholas Hoult immediately gains our sympathy. He’s terrified of being abandoned by his mother, which makes him brave enough to
Read the review...By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 3.5 cats
Director: Nagisa Oshima
Starring: Ryuhei Matsuda | Shinji Takeda | Tadanobu Asano | Takeshi Kitano
Marc says: “I would strongly suggest missing TABOO. Saw it yesterday and it lacked intellectual challenge, stunning visuals, and narrative coherence. I imagine that culture differences play some part to not understanding this film. Impenetrable may be the best discretion
Read the review...By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 3.5 cats
Director: Ye Lou
Starring: Hua Zhongkai | Jia Hongshen | Zhou Xun
Laura says: “SUZHOU RIVER questions identity and reality within the confines of a harsh environment. It’s tough, edgy, jaded and romantic. Lou Ye’s accomplished a lot with very little.” 3 1/2 cats For Laura’s complete review: “http://www.reelingreviews.com/suzhouriver.htm” Michael says:
Read the review...By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 3.5 cats
Director: Jonathan Glazer
Starring: Amanda Redman | Ben Kingsley | Cavan Kendall | Ian McShane | Julianne White | Ray Winstone
Michael says: “I found this film to be lots of fun, with some really terrific performances and visuals. Basically a caper film with Gal (a terrific Ray Winstone) retired from the business and enjoying the life of leisure in Spain
Read the review...By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 3.5 cats
Director: Jacques Rivette
Starring: Jeanne Balibar | Marianne Basler | Sergio Castellitto
Diane says: “VA SAVOIR is a lowkey (and long!) romantic comedy about an Italian troupe performing Pirandello in Paris. Camille is strong on stage but falling apart offstage, looking for her former lover who lives in Paris. “The interplay between
Read the review...By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 3.5 cats
Director: Baz Luhrmann
Starring: Ewan McGregor | Jim Broadbent | Nicole Kidman
Diane says: “I call it a confection. So sue me! I was pulled in by the wonderful color and chaos in the first third, bored by the middle chunk, regained interest when the drama picked up toward the end. I
Read the review...