Teaching audiences to view films actively
By Michael Colford
Rating: 4.5 cats
Director: Barry Jenkins
Starring: AlexHibbert | Ashton Sanders | Janelle Monáe | Mahershala Ali | Naomie Harris | Trevante Rhodes
Michael says: “Barry Jenkins second feature film, following the delightful, indie romance, MEDICINE FOR MELANCHOLY, is a bit of a visual poem, exploring race and sexuality in a way that at first glance might seem straightforward, but is surely something
Read the review...By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 2.5 cats
Director: Pou-Soi Cheang
Starring: Aaron Kwok Fu-shing | Gong Li | Him Law | Kelly Chen | William Feng Shaofeng | Xiao Shenyang
Jason says: “Believe it or not, this is not the first Chinese fantasy sequel I’ve seen where not having seen the predecessor was no big deal because it starts with ‘500 years have passed…’ This is a good thing, because
Read the review...By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 4 cats
Director: William Monahan
Starring: Fran Kranz | Garrett Hedlund | LouiseBourgoin | Mark Wahlberg | Oscar Isaac | Walton Goggins
Jason says: “William Monahan’s new film is right on the line between the crime movies where the filmmakers are aware of the genre’s tropes and can therefore share a wink as it uses or avoids them and the movies which
Read the review...By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Director: Jeff Nichols
Starring: Adam Driver | JaedenLieberher | Joel Edgerton | Kirsten Dunst | Michael Shannon | Sam Shepard
Jeff says: “If you liked the Jeff Nichols/Michael Shannon collaboration in 2011’s TAKE SHELTER, you’ll probably find this little sci-fi thriller worth a look. The ending settles for some gee whiz special effects that sort of take the edge off
Read the review...By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 4.25 cats
Director: Stephen Chow Sing-chi
Starring: Deng Chao | Jelly’ Lin Yu | Kitty Zhang Yuqi | Luo Show
Jason says: “About ten years ago, Stephen Chow Sing-chi was briefly kind of popular in the States when the writer/director/star’s quick one-two punch of SHAOLIN SOCCER and KUNG FU HUSTLE, followed by CJ7, had pretty good theatrical runs for foreign
Read the review...By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Director: Michel Gondry
Starring: Agatha Peigney | Ange Dargent | Audrey Tautou | Diane Besnier | Théophile Baquet | Vincent Lamoureux
TC says: “This gem is not getting the notice it should here in the states, and it’s a shame, since it’s one of Michel Gondry’s best. Daniel AKA Microbe is small for his age and often mistaken for a girl.
Read the review...By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 3.5 cats
Director: Ken Lonergan
Starring: Casey Affleck | Kyle Chandler | Lucas Hedges | Michelle Williams | Susan Pourfar
Michael says: “Writer/director Ken Lonergan made a big splash with his directorial debut, YOU CAN COUNT ON ME. Since then, it’s been sixteen years, and MANCHESTER BY THE SEA is only his third directorial effort. He’s written a bunch of
Read the review...By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 4 cats
Director: Joachim Trier
Starring: AmyRyan | Devin Druid | Gabriel Byrne | Isabelle Huppert | Jesse Eisenberg | Ruby Jerins
Bruce says: “Joachim Trier ventures into English-speaking territory with a story of a family grieving for a wife/mother. Grieving, contrary to those who believe in absolutes, has ambivalent dimensions. The acting, directing and production values are way above par; however
Read the review...By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 3.5 cats
Director: Whit Stillman
Starring: Chloe Sevigny | JennMurray | JTom Bennett | Kate Beckinsale | Lochlann O'Mearáin | Morfydd Clark
Thom says: “I’d like to recommend LOVE & FRIENDSHIP. Sire, who doesn’t love Jane Austen & Whit Stillman but this adaptation from Lady Susan a novella from the divine Austen is downright brilliant. Kate Beckinsale is stunning as the wicked
Read the review...By Michael Colford
Rating: 5 cats
Director: Yorgos Lanthimos
Starring: Ben Whishaw | Colin Farrell | John C. Reilly | Léa Seydoux | Olivia Colman | Rachel Weisz
Michael says: “I sure hope you got to see this when it had its very successful run earlier this year in the theaters. Greek director Yorgos Lathimos (DOGTOOTH; ALPS) brings us his first English-language film, a hilarious, dark, and pointed
Read the review...