RADICAL – ★★★☆

If you’re of a certain age, you’ve almost certainly seen a riff on this film before; To Sir With Love, Dead Poets Society, etc. It’s a story about an inspiring teacher that changes the lives of their students. In this case it’s in Mexico at a school that has very low results for its grade six contingent. Based on a true story, it was pretty much by-the-numbers effort, but I still felt inspired by the teacher’s efforts to make a difference in the kids’ lives. We also shared similar opinions of national testing of students as a bearing on their abilities (or value of the school). I disagreed with one scene where the teacher suggested that computers would be teaching the kids if they had them (computers are tools, not teachers).

LA CHIMERA – ★★★

Funny-ish Italian film about an English archaeologist let out of prison, and rejoins with his gang of grave robbers, looting ancient tombs for artefacts, whilst mourning the loss of his girlfriend. Very cool style to it, shot with grainy film, and for most of it, you might not be able to place that it was shot in current day at all.

ONE LAST EVENING – ★★★☆

I liked this German film about a couple hosting a dinner party in their Hannover apartment, prior to a planned move to Berlin. Shot almost entirely in their apartment, there are various characters from a newly met neighbours to old friends. As the film progresses you learn more about the people add their history. Has some similarlities to The Party (MIFF 2017), so if you like one, you’ll probably like the other.

THE MAIDEN – ★★☆

I don’t know what to make of this film. A Canadian drama, it’s about youth and death, and was beautifully filmed, though at some points dragging on more than needed. It’s art for sure, because I felt an emotional response. But I didn’t enjoy it. However, I’ve been thinking about it a lot post credits. So, the rating may be either high or low. I know that I felt wiped out after seeing it to the point that I skipped the next two sessions for the day. Maybe I’m just coming down with a cold. This was shot in Calgary, a city I lived in when I was an early teen. So, maybe there was something resonating within me there. If this review is confused, then you know how I felt watching this.

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)

MILLENNIUM MAMBO – ★★☆

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.

THE ETERNAL MEMORY – NO RATING

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.