SQUARING THE CIRCLE (THE STORY OF HIPGNOSIS) – ★★★☆
This documentary was about the design studio that produced many famous record covers from the late 1960s to the early 1980s, including many of Pink Floyd’s. They also worked with Led Zeppelin, 10cc, Peter Gabriel, Paul McCartney and more. Very well made, which is unsurprising given it was directed by Anton Corbijn, who is responsible for many pop and rock artist photos, as well as directing music related films like Control about Joy Division (MIFF 2007)
Beautifully shot film, and a decent soundtrack as well. But, there was no discernible story as far as I could tell. Basically about a young woman set in 2001 who is in an unhealthy relationship with her DJ boyfriend. The amount of endless smoking in this film makes me wonder if it was funded by Phillip Morris. I was not surprised to read that the director worked on In The Mood For Love. The moods set were incredible. I just wish that it had been the complete package.
I had a very enjoyable session at the Kino, snoozing through this seemingly sweet Chilean documentary about an aging journalist with Alzheimers and his actress/politician wife. I heard mixed reviews, but can’t provide one beyond stating how comfortable and warm the Kino cinema is on a brisk Winter’s day. I’ll try and catch it one day if it comes to streaming services
THE BREAKING ICE – ★★★☆
A Chinese film set on the border of North Korea. It’s about three people; a local tour guide, her friend a local restaurant chef, and a young man who works in finance visiting the area that is suffering from depression. All three have histories of struggle, and together over several days, it appears that they manage to find new hope. I say it appears, because the final third of the film became increasingly unclear to me in its messaging. The film work was incredible though and the scenery of the area was beautiful.
HOUNDS – ★★★
As the John Wick series teaches us, sometimes it’s best not to mess with another man’s dog. Moroccan film about a father who is a low impact mobster, and takes his adult son on a “small job” that goes wrong. The rest of the film follows them over a night where they try to get things right. I found it alright but somewhat frustrating watching people fail to solve the problem at hand, and the mess become bigger and bigger.
First official walk out of MIFF 2023. I was tired. It was a dialogue heavy Chinese animation and my eyes closed one time too many. People seemed to be laughing, so maybe it was good. I got to the point where a coffee seemed like my better option than sticking around.
RIDDLE OF FIRE – ★★
I kinda get that they were going for something quirky with this, and maybe someone totally baked would find it great. This picture, which put a fantasy adventure type element into a story of three kids who try and complete a real life quest for a pie so they can play a game console just didn’t hit the mark for me. The acting was poor, and the plot was poorly thought out. Was a good swing, but it was a miss.
THE ADULTS – ★★★☆
American comedy/drama about three siblings coming to terms with the state of their relationship years after the death of their mother and their own directions in life. Very nicely made, well acted, and certainly quirky. Loved the party scene with Men at Work’s “Overkill” playing. If I didn’t give rating in half star increments, I’d probably bump it up to four stars.
This was a documentary about a retreat/resort/camp during the 1960s for cross dressing and trans people who identity as women, and focuses on a few of them. I found parts of it intriguing, learning more about the complexities and difficulties experienced back then, but often felt like the documentary was leaving me behind. It was like I was sitting at a reunion of people talking about the old days, sometimes at length, often flicking through old photos, but not providing a level of context and background that would have made it more relatable to those that weren’t there. I will admit to shutting my eyes at points and letting my mind wander, so perhaps my assessment is unfair.
THE NATURE OF LOVE – ★★★☆
I mostly liked this Canadian romantic comedy; it’s about a female academic in a long term relationship who begins an affair with a builder. The film unsurprisingly explores the … nature of love. It’s interesting from the perspective that it makes one ponder the subject, and includes several philosopher’s thoughts about this throughout.
