SUNLIGHT – ★★★☆

Low budget film about a monkey (or at least a woman in a monkey suit who wants to be identified as such) and a suicidal man who has an Airstream RV. It begins a buddy/road trip type flick when the monkey saves the RV owner from death in order to pursue her dream of escaping her life and opening a business on a lake in Colorado. Plenty of odd humour going on here, but it grew on me as it went, after initially not engaging much with it. In some ways it kind of reminded me of Dirt from MIFF from 20+ years ago with its odd humour, though I didn’t enjoy this one as much.

THE REMARKABLE LIFE OF IBELIN – ★★★★

Documentary about a young man with muscular dystrophy who died in his mid-20s. His parents were of the belief that he died being lonely and disconnected from society, but only after posting on his blog about his passing did they come to realise a the connection with community he had via online engagements through World of Warcraft. A touching film, possibly somewhat predictable in story, but interestingly presented. I’ve believed for decades that despite the dark, dangerous, and unkind nature of the Internet, that it’s also had the extraordinary benefit of building tribes/villages for those that might otherwise not have them (in good ways, that is). It was wonderful to see someone who was accepted and celebrated by a community when in the real world, he mightn’t have been able to experience the same.

THE OUTRUN – ★★★★

A film that I came out of with a lower score in mind, but as days have gone by I’ve increased it. This was a film where there was nothing wrong; in fact it gets pretty much everything right – I just felt that the subject matter was personally uncomfortable, and that unease reduced the enjoyment for me. It’s about a young woman returning from London to her small hometown after have some difficulties around alcoholism. Brilliantly acted by all, excellent soundtrack, and incredibly beautiful scenery of remote Scottish locations.

A CENTURY IN SOUND – ★★☆ 

I love records, I love Japan, and I love the idea of the listening bars, also known as kissaten/kissa; A ‘third place’ where music fans can go to listen to records and have a drink, and perhaps food. This session was three episodes of a series that is being made by some NZ documentarians, and I was really looking forward to it. Unfortunately, while it was a taste of what was advertised, I wished for more information about the business of running the business. There was much exposition on the background of the people who owned each of the three places, and their history, but not as much ties into the music scene. It also felt a little repetitive in that each person’s story seemed to be pretty similar, despite the bars being classical, jazz, and rock focussed. It hasn’t stopped my interest in visiting one some day, nor potentially starting one (who knows?). I’d watch the other episodes if they’re streaming, but don’t feel like it’s a necessity to see on the big screen.

MY FAVOURITE CAKE – ★★★☆

Amusing dark comedy from Iran about an aging mother, living alone, and far from friends and family. She is lonely, and sets out to try and meet a suitable man for company. I spent a lot of the film ‘waiting for the other shoe to drop’. I liked the premise a little bit more than the execution – some of the plot points felt a little over-simplified and rushed. That said I enjoyed it overall. Worth checking out.

THE STORY OF SOULYMANE – ★★★★

Excellent French film about an immigrant refugee who is yet to be given residency status, and how he is trying to make it through difficult times to support himself financially, while facing hardships and missing his family. Beautifully made and played with an excellent balance of drama and humour.

SUPER/MAN: THE CHRISTOPHER REEVE STORY – ★★★

This is a documentary made by DC Comics and HBO, so likely to be streamable on television some time in the near future. I really liked Christopher Reeve as an actor, and knew him slightly beyond his role as Superman in the 70s/80s; I really enjoyed Somewhere in Time several years ago when I saw it. Nothing terribly bad about this documentary, but it continues the common theme that seems to happen with these celebrity docos; doesn’t feel like it digs very deeply into their lives, it seems almost cliche now to hear about how their acting is an outlet for their desire of acceptance when it didn’t occur in their formative years from their parents. By then end it started feeling close to an informercial for the Reeve Foundation, which undoubtedly does good work. But, was it worth seeing in a cinema? Not really.

DIDI – ★★★★

Really enjoyed this film, and lovely to see Twin Peaks’ Joan Chen in her role as the protagonist’s mother. Story about a teenager of Chinese descent growing up in California in the mid-2000s, and his relationships with family and friends during those difficult and awkward teenage years. Had plenty of excellent tech references to the time, including AOL instant messaging, myspace, razr flip phones, etc. One of those films where they seem to get all the important parts of a good film right; pacing, acting, sets, and story. A bit like a cross between Dazed & Confused and Fresh off the Boat. I miss AIM.