Frozen River

We picked this movie out of the SIFF lineup because it was on a day and time that we had free. This is not a good reason to see a movie...or is it? We knew very little going in, and were pleasantly surprised....sort of.

At first, I was completely put off by the dialog and storyline. It felt forced and contrived. But after about 30 minutes, I began to see another side of it: a creative tale of two women helping each other. Women doing what needs to be done to care for their children. Above all, I think the location was the best character in this film...bleak and cold and frustrating -- the environment really added to the feeling of hopelessness and desperation.

I wouldn't recommend this movie to everyone, but as a writing and directing debut it was solid and captivating.

Man on Wire

I was sure we were watching a mockumentary for most of this movie...there were such wonderfully silly moments that I would have bet money they were staged and I watched in delighted disbelief. Later, when I realized the events in the film were real, I felt these great touches of true whimsy lightened the mood in just the right way.

This is an inspirational and shocking and silly film and utterly delightful.

Surfwise

Fascinating documentary about a family of nine children who grow up somewhat wild under the iron first and open heart of their surf-guru dad, Dorian "Doc" Paskowitz, an ex-doctor who dropped off the grid to raise child after child in a 24-foot long camper wherever he had the whim to take them all. He was obsessed with health, fitness and surfing, told his kids that school is dangerous, and taught them to be good people using the laws of nature and "clean living." He's obviously crazy, but some of his philosophy does work out in the end...his kid love him (despite his foibles) and they turn into good, loving parents, overall. The story is well told with old pictures and footage mixed with modern-day looks at the family and who they have all become.

The Fall

We saw this hours ago and I am still completely blown away. I think some time might need to pass before I write anything meaningful about it. Here's what I want to say now: It is gorgeous. Sincere. The performance by 11 year-old Cantinca Untaru is spellbinding. The saturated colors, quirky, beautiful costumes and otherworldly images are all completely mesmerizing. The two stories are perfectly entwined, sad, dark, funny, timeless, surreal. It might go to my top 20 of all time. I know I'm gushing. I'll stop...and maybe I'll be able to put something more coherent together about it later. This is was just perfect film making for me. I had very high expectations based on seeing one preview and those were totally blown out of the water.

Before the Rains

Trite and disappointing. I at least hoped for an intelligent period piece and if not that than a good love story and if not that than at least a pretty picture with nice camera work and stunning, sweeping shots of the gorgeous Indian countryside. I was let down on all accounts. The politics of the time are dumbed down for the viewing public and the stunning camera work was all displayed in the previews. The love story never develops beyond the heartless white spice baron conquering the exotic Indian "landscape." Colonialism is bad. Everyone loses. In the end the Indian woman's soul is freed and she turns back into a dragonfly. The end.