SHIRLEY – ★★☆ – the preview film for MIFF 68 1/2. Well made biopic set in the late 1940s about Shirley Jackson, an author, and the young couple that come to stay with her. It becomes obvious early on that Shirley and her husband are leading somewhat unusual lives with a dash of dysfunction. Elizabeth Moss is, as usual, excellent. Unfortunately though, not really my cup of tea.

“MIFF 68 1/2” is coming this August, and will be online. I’m looking forward to seeing how it’s all handled. Coming tonight, is a preview test screening. It appears that it will be a browser based steam, which should be shareable to the big (TV) screen. Not expecting that it will be as smooth as a dedicated app, but we’ll see.

BRITTANY RUNS A MARATHON – ★★★★ – great way to end #MIFF2019. Crowd pleasing film about Brittany and her journey to improving her life, both physically and emotionally. Spoiler: She runs a marathon.

PORTRAIT OF A LADY ON FIRE – ★★☆ – French period film about not too much really. Well made, but lacking in story. Great choral piece in the middle though. #MIFF2019

THE FAREWELL – ★★★☆ – Funny and touching story about a daughter of Chinese immigrants and her return to China, where the family is gathering to be around her terminally ill grandmother. Except grandma doesn’t know about her illness, and everyone is there under the guise of being there for a family wedding. Interesting perspectives on culture between East and West. #MIFF2019