Contrary to the subdued tone of the rest of the film, Nicole Holofcener’s Please Give opens with a series of naked women’s breasts being arranged on uncomfortable mammogram machines.

From there, the Director and Writer moves into more familiar territory: complex characters trying to get through their issues without hurting themselves, or more likely, someone else.

Kate (Catherine Keener) runs an chic vintage furniture shop with her husband, Alex (Oliver Platt), and suffers from guilt every day about how much money she has, how much she’s charging vs. what she paid for each piece, and how everyone else obviously has a much harder life than she does.

more...

I wasn’t sure what to expect going in to Cairo Time, given that it was billed as a “will they or won’t they” romantic comedy, but I left extremely satisfied.

Editor and journalist Juliet (played by the magnificent Patricia Clarkson) is in Cairo awaiting a vacation with her husband Mark, whose arrival is unfortunately delayed by political issues. Mark’s friend Tareq (a smolderingly handsome Alexander Siddig) arrives to pick Juliet up instead, soothing her disappointment and getting her settled in to her posh hotel.

Amidst Tareq rescuing Juliet from boredom and packs of men following her on the street, the two begin to form a strong bond. And while it’s true that they had amazing chemistry together and there was palatable tension between them, I felt like the film was more about Juliet’s journey and how her time in Cairo changes who she is.

There’s a definite Lost-in-Translation’y vibe to this, coupled with amazing shots of both the city and people of Cairo. Beautifully filmed and superbly acted; I’ll definitely see it again and will most likely buy it for keeps when the DVD is released.

{Cairo Time screens at SIFF May 30, 7pm and again May 31, 12:30pm at Uptown Cinemas}

more...

It would not be an exaggeration to tell you that thoughts of how bad Sex and the City 2 was kept me awake all night to the point of a stress-induced headache.

Here’s the thing: I find the Sex and the City movies deeply disheartening because they’ve taken everything that was good about the show and tossed it right out the damn window. Whether or not you believe it, the show was good – at times, it was even GREAT. The characters were all women I could identify with, there were equal parts humor and heartbreak, and most importantly, we got to see each of them grow and change as the seasons passed.

Contrary to that, the movies have stripped out anything that makes the characters likeable have reduced them to the worst caricatures imaginable. It used to be kind of endearing when people matched your personality to the women on the show. But if we were to go by how the women act in the films now (especially this one) – we’d have to interpret such comments like this:

“You’re such a Carrie!” = “You’re a self-absorbed mess who acts crazy and deliberately sabotages everything good in your life” (via EVERYTHING she does)
“You’re such a Miranda!” = “You’re a ladder-climbing bitch who ignores her family in favor of her career” (via her son sniffing back tears as she tells him she has to work instead of coming to his science fair)
“You’re such a Samantha!” = “You’re a youth-obsessed whore who refuses to act her age” (via her wearing the same dress as Miley Cyrus)
“You’re such a Charlotte!” = “You’re a neurotic, suspicious housewife constantly on the verge of a nervous breakdown” (via the fact that her nanny is hot and she can't deal with her 2 kids without breaking into sobs, even with the help of said nanny)

You might think I’m being too harsh, but that is honestly what I took away from Sex & the City 2….but I digress; let’s move on to the "plot" of this thing (SPOILERS ahead).

more...

One part Dazed & Confused, two parts John Hughes: Skateland is leading the pack as my favorite film at this year’s festival (so far).  Set in 1983, the movie’s level of 80s detail is damn near perfect – from the Skateland rink to the clothes, right on down to the Musicland in the mall. And I’m not gonna lie: the soundtrack is AWESOME.

Would-be writer Ritchie Wheeler (Shiloh Fernandez: think young Joaquin Phoenix) is still stuck in his small town after High School graduation, managing the local rolling skate rink – but it doesn’t seem to bother him all that much. When the owner announces that Skateland is being sold, Ritchie has to figure out where his life is going.

Best friend Michelle (Ashley Greene, who is a better actress in this than I could have ever realized by watching her in Twilight) and little sis Mary encourage Ritchie to follow his dreams and pursue college, while Michelle’s older brother Brent mostly encourages slacking and partying.

As with all coming-of-age dramedys, it takes a few tragedies to shake Ritchie up and make him realize what’s important. With an ending reminiscent of the best Hughes films (complete with a dedication in the credits to the man himself), Skateland also earns the title of the first SIFF film this year that made me cry.

My recommendation: Don’t miss this one. Seriously.

{Skateland screens at SIFF May 27, 7pm and May 29, 2:30pm at Uptown Cinemas and again June 6, 8pm at the Kirkland Performance Center}

more...

Inglorious Basterds: I’m a total Tarantino devotee, so of course I’ve been waiting for this thing FOREVER and am super-excited it’s finally here. I’m a little unsure about the casting, but I’m willing to give it a chance. QT hasn’t disappointed me yet (I’m one of those people who loves Jackie Browne), and I’m definitely not squeamish about blood, so here’s hoping he brings it. You’ve got your choice of theaters for this one: the Guild 45th, the Uptown, AMC Pacific Place, or The Big Picture (my choice, since booze + Tarantino =  movie-watchin’ goodness):

Cold Souls: FINALLY! This is playing at the Uptown, and you guys have to go see this now. Especially if you love Paul Giamatti – but even if you don’t, go see it. It’s brilliant and funny and deep and heart-breaking and I heartily recommend it to everyone. For a better descrip, check out my SIFF write-up here. And seriously, I can't imagine anyone skipping it after they watch the preview:

more...