THOROUGHBREDS – ★★☆ – Another year and another film inspired by Heathers. This time, two girls decide that step-dad’s gotta go, but there doesn’t seem to be much building of empathy for them. Rather, they come across as spoiled and slightly unhinged in their logic. From a story perspective, it didn’t fit well either. I much preferred previous films like Tragedy Girls (MIFF 2017) and Pretty Persuation (MIFF 2005). #MIFF2018

THE MISEDUCATION OF CAMERON POST – ★★☆ – A dramedy(?) set in the 1990s about a young lesbian, who when discovered by her aunt, is sent to a religious school to ‘help’ fix her through therapy. In a sense, the laughter in the session was expected given how insane some of the beliefs were around the treatment, but I couldn’t help but feel how tragic it was for the poor kids that had to live through this (and some who still may). I guess the world is getting more tolerant, but it would be nice if history could stop repeating. #MIFF2018

The mothership has landed at the Regent Theatre. Loved the re-introduction of this venue for #MIFF2018.

SHOPLIFTERS – ★★★☆ – I was looking forward to this film, as I really enjoyed Kore-Eda’s ‘Still Walking’ (MIFF 2009). Safe to say that if you like one, you’ll like the other, as this also is a family based drama that runs at a pleasant, leisurely pace, and gives some insight into Japanese family life and culture. The final act was a little surprising to me and altered the tone of the film, but I still very much enjoyed it. #MIFF2018

POPE FRANCIS: A MAN OF HIS WORD – ★★★☆ – I don’t believe in any single religion’s god, and am skeptical of one that isn’t based in science, so I was hesitant to see this, but what a great doco. If you could hope for a leader of a church to say the best possible things, it seems that he is doing that. An inspiring film that makes you want to do better for the world, not because God said so, but because it’s the right thing to do. #MIFF2018