I was planning to do these reviews as I saw them, but circumstances prevented that from happening. Better late than never!
Les Revenants [3/5]
This isn’t your average zombie movie. This story is set in a small french town where one day, for no apparent reason, all the people who have died in the past 10 years suddenly return. This causes problems, not because the dead want to chow down on human brains, but because of the attmpt to reintroduce them into society.
It’s an interesting concept, but Robin Campillo takes his idea and crawls with it. Apparently this is a hallmark of french films i see. While there are some interesting character interactions, all the blank stares get boring after a while. In the end I felt as confused as les revenants and their unsuspecting families, and left wondering what the point was.
Saving Face [5/5]
Take a stereotypical family from the culture of your choice, throw in a taboo situation or two, mix it up, and hilarity ensues. It worked for Bend it Like Beckham, and it works in Saving Face. First-time writer/director Alice Wu has come up with a thourougly enjoyable romantic-comedy — a rarity these days.
Wil, a successful surgeon, goes through the motions at the Chinese singles dances for her single mother, who refuses to accept Wil’s lesbianism. Things get even more complicated when Wil’s mother shows up pregnant at Wil’s apartment, ostricized by her own father for disgracing the family.
Well-written and well-acted, this movie is one to look forward to when it (hopefully) makes its way to theatres.
Breaking News [3.5/5]
Primer [4/5]
Sucker Free City [4/5]