Another Film Fest Comes to a Close

This year Tim and I saw a record breaking 6 movies (yeah, I know, it's not that record breaking for some pass holders, but it definitely is for us) at the Cleveland International Film Fest. Here's the breakdown!

1. Midnight Shorts Vol. 2
There were eight shorts during this installment of the Midnight Shorts, and about five of them were really memorable so I think that's a win. The first two were just okay, and Tim and I were nervous that they would set the scene for the remainder of the movies, but they got increasingly better from that point on. The picture on the left is from a short called "Cold Turkey" about a sound effects engineer trying to find the perfect sound for someone getting punched in the face.

All in all, it was really fun to go out to the movies late at night when I'm usually in bed, ha. 3.5/5 for the group of movies.


2. Rubber: France

This was the story of a rubber tire that learns it can blow things up through telekinesis, so it goes on a killing spree. The plot was really specific and Tim and I were nervous that it may be too constricting, but it was really quite funny.

The movie had a post-modern/self-aware aspect to it that I really liked. There is an audience watching the movie on screen as you are watching in the theater, and the screen audience basically says everything you're thinking. The movie opens with a police officer saying that the movie you're about to watch is a tribute to the "No Reasons" of all other films (ie: the unexplainable from every great movie you've ever seen). Then, he pours out a glass of water, hops into the trunk of a car, and it drives away to prove that point. It was slow at times, but for the most part, just very dryly funny. 3.5/5


3. Bobby Fischer Against the World: USA

This is my absolute favorite movie we saw at the fest this year. This documentary chronicles the rise and fall of chess great Bobby Fischer. I knew a little bit about Fischer's conquests in the chess world, but had no idea what became of him after he won his title. I'm not going to say much about what happened to him because this is a must rent for anyone who likes documentaries, whether you're interested in chess or not. I will say, however, that the pictures of Fischer from the 70s are absolutely incredible. A Life photographer was assigned to Fischer and they showed dozens and dozens of pictures he took over the course of a few years. It made me want to rip the color film out of my camera.

5/5

4. With Love, From the Age of Reason: France

This was just the right amount of French cuteness for me. Margaret (pictured) begins receiving letters from her seven year old self (called Marguerite) reminding her of what she wanted to be when she grew up, who she wanted to marry, and what her childhood was like. Margaret is very shaken when she realizes that she has let herself down and she begins to try and recapture her youth through the letters. The end could have been very obvious, but it was different than I expected and that is what I really liked about this movie. 4/5


5. Black Death: UK

Ok, so, I fell asleep during this one a little bit. It began at 11:50pm, so cut me some slack.

Anyway, it was still really good. The story centers around a town ravaged by the plague. A group of troublesome misfits is attempting to travel to a small town they've heard has not been attacked by the plague. They assume it is because some witchcraft is going on and they plan to kill any pagans they meet. When they get to the town, their thoughts are confirmed as they see a witch bring a girl back from the dead. Then there is a bunch of really realistic medieval torture (two horses tied to the arms and legs of a man running in opposite directions, you know, fun stuff) and a twist (which I love). I am pretty sure I only dozed off for a few minutes, so I have no problem rating it at a 4/5.


6. White on Rice: USA

Cute, cute, cute. This movie was the best way to end our film fest experience. It was funny, quirky, and just all around great. I love being in the theater when the whole place is laughing and smiling.

This is the story of Jimmy (pictured right) who is trying to get back on his feet after his divorce. He is living with his sister and driving her husband nuts, leading to endless giggles. I think I need to see this one again actually.

4.5/5

Cleveland International Film Festival!

Ladies and gents, it is time for the film fest again! One day, I'll have the money to see a full two weeks of movies, but for now, we'll be seeing 3 movies again this year next week Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday so get excited for updates!

Here are the films we'll be seeing:

A TOWN CALLED PANIC

An absurd/surreal French stop-motion romp!

http://www.clevelandfilm.org/festival/films/2010/town-called-panic

Parachuting cows, snowball-throwing penguin machines, tidal waves, exploding houses, and pilfering sea creatures. If that doesn’t intrigue you, what else will? Such is A TOWN CALLED PANIC, the imagination-come-to-life of creative masterminds Stéphane Aubier and Vincent Patar. A true adventure story of three improbable plastic friends — Horse, Cowboy, and Indian — this French film cleverly employs the use of stop-motion animation to create a visual playground for adults and children alike. This delightfully odd comedy begins as Cowboy and Indian devise a haphazard plan for Horse’s birthday, in which everything that can go wrong does just that. Inevitably, the three friends lose their house and must journey through a parallel universe to take it back from the sneaky undersea hellions that stole it. Along the way they are continuously met with hilarious obstacles in which both their bravery and resilience are put to the test. A TOWN CALLED PANIC is a film you won’t be able to look away from and its wacky amusement will leave you smiling well past leaving the theater. (In French with subtitles)

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3uG8LLuVPQ

HIPSTERS

A Russian musical (!!!) about Soviet kids in the 50's illegally listening to jazz and generally acting like the hip american kids of the time.

http://www.clevelandfilm.org/festival/films/2010/hipsters

A smash success in Russia and winner of top NIKA Awards including Best Film, Best Sound, Best Art Design, and Best Costume Design, HIPSTERS is a candy-colored musical set in the drab Soviet Union of the 1950s. More political than "Hairspray," and way cooler than "High School Musical," it inspired a wave of Hipster parties across Russia. The movie sets to music the story of a strait-laced young Communist party member named Mels. In the midst of a raid on a group of kids caught wearing American-style clothes and listening to jazz, he's smitten with an adorable Hipster named Polly, who sports bright red lipstick and a poodle skirt. Casting caution and his grey uniform to the wind, the newly christened "Mel" barters on the street for a saxophone and a snappy checkered suit with huge lapels, and soon he's cultivating an awe-inspiring pompadour. But as the Hipsters face growing up in Cold War society, they realize that life isn't always a song and dance. (In Russian with subtitles) – B.B.

Trailer (sorry, can't find a subtitled/English one... the film fest site isn't much help either): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5Geb5zO4co


THE LAST DAYS OF EMMA BLANK

A Dutch dark comedy about a dying woman being a royal bitch to all the people around her during her final days.

http://www.clevelandfilm.org/festival/films/2010/last-days-of-emma-blank

Looming like a giant blot on nature, there’s a tar-colored mansion in the dunes of the Dutch North Sea. There, cut off from civilization as well as any sense of reality, a group of sullen servants waits hand and foot upon a despicable tyrant with the no-nonsense name of Emma Blank. Emma Blank has come to the black house to die, and she demands that everyone cater to her every last whim. They must cook incredible delicacies on short notice and stand at attention as she dines alone; they must mix her paints and hold them out for her attentively. Emma Blank insists that her butler grow a mustache overnight and that one servant act the role of family dog. Gradually the relationships among these put-upon servants become clear, explaining why they all can’t wait for Emma to get her dying over with. THE LAST DAYS OF EMMA BLANK is as dark as comedies come, a hilarious and unsettling meditation on mind games and family power struggles. (In Dutch with subtitles) – B.B.

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXwbK9duCbE

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