Reviews

Excellent socio political critique. Funny, timely, well acted and imaginative. Miklos is outstanding- the role of a schizophrenic writer fits him like a glove.

Finely performed and decently written with cynical dark humor and insightful views on human essentiality this Colombian famiy crime saga is a surprisingly refreshing, convincingly violent and efficiently entertaining Latino take on the mobster genre.

A decent #metoo movement revenge tale with the gorgeous Olga in a memorable role: a traumatized soldier hunting the man responsible for wounding her sister. Mysterious, intriguing and we'll executed despite some cliches. Female driven character study worth of your attention.

I always admired this director's style and vision but never got myself really into any of his stories. Unfortunately that happens here again and this is even worse than his previous efforts, which were equally ambitious and imaginative. And yet again, unfulfilling. This is plain terrible, both protagonists are hilariously ridiculous and the narrative is non stop dumb.

Late actor Bruno Ganz's final performance is an impressive farewell to the screen, and to the world of the living. He plays a real figure, the musician George Goldsmith, confronted by his son in order to learn the truth about their escape from Germany's Nazi Occupation. Interviewed by Martin Goldsmith, the real son of the musician, based on the two books he wrote about his parents' escape, the film is a hybrid of faux documentary and dramatization, beautifully composed, narrated and executed. Director Anders Østergaard conducts the material with sensitive, firm and highly emotional tones, focusing on the profoundly melancholic reactions displayed by Ganz's character as he is haunted by memories, both uplifting and traumatic. Stunningly edited, and shot in various forms, the film does a great job putting up the pieces of a puzzle: George somehow traverses a personal crisis, where he denies his Jewish origins. At that moment, the film surges as a relevant and inspiring portrait of the importance of Jewish art and culture, and its continuous effect and influence over Germany and other nations, with their talented operas, concerts, literature and arts in general.

I had fun watching this because I didn't expect much of it. The plot is wacky but it delivered good car chases, cynically funny humor and wonderful landscapes. It's an eccentric road movie, with B- qualities including a horrible CGI sequence (but forgivable) and would fit for a fun night with friends.

Beautiful farewell of a remarkable director reflection of his passions and dreams as well as body of work. Dafoe is astonishing as usual. Candido is a surprisingly effective devoted wife. Realistic, cynically funny, heart breaking and melancholic.

An instant classic. Remarkably beautiful, intensely performed. Love as it is with all of its strength. Jazz all over it. Romance like those 50's classics. One of the best movies of 2020. She deserves a Best Actress nomination.

Gorgeously crafted, well acted but utterly boring, uninteresting and slow. I thought The Case of Benjamin was Fincher's worse...but this one deserves such title.

Prolific Indian filmmaker Deepa Mehta's latest achievement is a tender coming of age gay story with a strong political backdrop. Set in late 70's-early 80's it depicts the horrors of racial prejudice against members of a Tamil community in the awakening of the civil war in Sri Lanka. The narrative focuses on the development and sexual arise of a young boy, who since his early ages demonstrates his interest in the feminine universe, as well as a courageous expressiveness of his true personality. As a kid he battled bullying in school and prejudice at home, while his parents are engaged in the political conflicts; as a young man he discovered the fascination of American/British pop culture, while developing his first romance with a lonely richer boy; As the crisis intensifies and most of his community are threatened and attacked, they plan a escape to Canada, interfering somehow in the boy's sudden process of figuring out his identity and place in the world. The director unveils social, political, gender and cultural issues seen through Arjie's boyhood and varied experiences with a world he doesn't belong to. It's only at the moments of intimacy and entertainment provided by his encounters with his boyfriend, and the acceptance found on his aunt's approach that bring him a sense of ease. Canada's Official entry for the Best International Film at the 2021 Oscars, Mehta composes an affecting, lively and free-spirited, historically accurate and family-friendly LGBTQ tale.

We current live in one of the darkest periods in human history. Solidarity, common sense and compassion are at stake, especially as the world tends to become more and more social isolated, separating the possibilities of interaction among those who need help the most. Even though we live busy lives, solidarity has been the essential part of any Holiday celebrations, for Christians or not- only if the world really knew the true meaning of Christmas. And despite our inclinations to selfishness and individualism, and the impact of the Pandemic changing the course of our routines in 2020, many of us remained helpful and engaged in social activism. That is the case of a centenarian program created by the US Post Office, that provides relief to lower class families across the country, answering to the requests and dreams expressed in millions of letters humbly written to Santa Claus. The "Operation Santa" program has never stopped, and now more than ever, they will be able to reach out families that have been impacted by the Pandemic and the country's economic crisis. These guardians of peace are made of the Post Office employees, as well as social activists, community leaders and volunteers. Award winning director Dana Nachman travels the country on Christmas evening, capturing the magic and warmth of the season and its valuable humanitarian effects. Her cameras reveal the struggles of working-class parents, many stories of survival, including those raged by the California fires, as well as the innocence and hope seen in the children's eyes, with tenderness and enthusiasm. The result is a triumphant, thoughtful, heart-warming, and honest portrait of solidarity and compassion. It also proves that not everything is lost in humanity. Exactly what the world needs right now. (IFC Films. 12/4. In Theaters and On Demand.)

Two women develop an intense and unlikely relationship in a Victorian backdrop. Kate Winslet nails an astonishing character study, profound, melancholic, enigmatic. An intense lesbian romance, sensitive, arrestingly observed and incendiarily erotic. Saiorse Ronan is also remarkable proving to be a courageous and career defying performer. Lee conducts the material with excellence and such skillful storytelling announces a new auteur.

Sweet, warm and finely executed this Christmas set rom com is a fresh surprise. The pair of protagonists are really good and appealing, the story resonates to familiar themes with accuracy and magical realism. it's funny, lovable and emotional (it subtly depicts the effects of being apart from Loved ones, especially during holidays). Perfect for all ages.

Coherent and satisfying low-key action flick about a highly skilled security guard who brings his two kids to work: an arena hosting a crowded Baseball game. A group of terrorists take the Mayor as hostage while they claim revenge on the system. The guard's daughter is mistakenly taken by one of the terrorists and the clock starts clicking as he runs through the place fighting them on search of his daughter. The film presents a few flaws but the actors are pretty good and keep it interesting. It's an atmospheric thriller as well as a fine fighting/shooting hunting story. It never levels the Van Damme original, but it entertains without any judgement.

Beautifully designed and atmospheric, this elegant but uneven remake of the Hitchcock classic is able to deliver a few chills and thrills despite its script exaggerating flaws.

Tender, emotionally effective and masterly performed by two of the greatest contemporary European actors, it's a remarkable story of solidarity, artistic passion and family virtues.

In a Chilean town surrounded by UFO's, an aging widow forms a special and risky bond with a bon-vivant lady, leading to a revolutionary romance. As both women explore elements of time lost and regrets, they open up for a new chance while awakening their sexuality. Living in such conservative and small village, the only place they find solace is a forbidden night club, whose owner, an elderly glamorous gay man, is one of her childhood friends. They dream of escaping the archaic system and community, especially when the protagonist's daughter rejects her mother's new lifestyle, but will have to deal with unexpected challenges. Impressively performed, First-time Writer-Director Nicol Ruiz Benavides crafts a tender, mysterious and metaphorical romance.

Based on real events, this poignant and melancholic romance focuses on the complicated relationship developed by two Manhattan wounded souls, the former promiscuous painter Ben, and the African-American tomb researcher Sam. Directed by Matthew Fifer and Kieran Mulcare, from a screenplay by Fifer, who also plays the lead character Ben, the film subtly blends fiction and doc, as both men delve into a personal self-analysis, exploring their real experiences as modern gay men. Contagiously delicate and humane, it depicts the obstacles imposed by trauma against love and commitment, and how we must fight it. Highly emotional and intimate, it also points to relevant facts on racism, intolerance and abuse.

Sensitive and uplifting, director Eric Steel's coming-of-age sexy drama won the Best U.S. Narrative Feature Prize at Outfest. Channeling the obstacles of growing up gay in a conservative Russian-Jewish community in 1980's Brooklyn, it brings a career-changing performance by Broadway's The Inheritance's Samuel H. Levine, in the role of the rabbinical student David, a teen struggling with hormones and family expectations. A beautiful portrait of a Brighton Beach boy exploring his sexuality, identity and culture, as well as a rich meditation on generational values (he's educated by his grandfather and other local elders), Steel conceived a powerfully perceptive debut.

Tensions rise and social classes crash during a Jewish funeral in this impressive satire about capitalism, faith, family values, betrayal and secret sex-services, brilliantly conducted by director Emma Seligman. Making her feature directorial debut, she proves to be a filmmaker to watch. Masterly crafted, irreverent and chilling, it centers on the conflicts surging during such grieving reunion in New York, seen through a young college student who comes to term with her married sugar-daddy, and her lesbian lover, while scrambling herself around trying to hide her double life from her parents. Delivering witty humor and sharp commentaries on society behavior, it's an absorbing and unashamed moral tale.

Observational and lyrical, Acclaimed BAFTA-nominee director Hong Khaou follows the personal journey of Kit (the hunky Henry Golding from "Crazy Rich Asians"), a British man who returns to modern Vietnam, his childhood place, in order to find relief for his emotional crisis. Exploring his roots and cultural identity, he meets Lewis (Parker Sawyers) and they ignite a sexually-charged relationship while dealing with each other's traumas, loneliness and lust. The result is a fascinating and inclusive, sexy and nostalgic redemptive story. (Strand Releasing will release the film in November 2020.)

Brazilian master of provocation Daniel Nolasco's fictional feature debut puts him on the radar as a major Queer filmmaker. Raw, intense and a guilty-pleasure for any gay cinephile, Nolasco explores the fetishes of an industrial middle-aged man, as he secretly satisfies his desires and leather obsession, meeting up partners in the woods. A hardcore drama filled with explicit sex, it presents an Oscar-caliber cinematography by Larry Machado, marvelously capturing luscious angles, natural and neon lights. Scandalously hot and unique, Nolasco is definitely a promising new auteur.

A trans-social media-diva girl fiercely challenges the oppressive system found inside her new school in accomplished Brazilian filmmaker Gil Baroni's extravagantly delightful comedy. Facing the physical and emotional difficulties of transitioning from the big city to the country, and her early trans process, she battles all sorts of bullies with the support of her father and a group of outcasts, while dreaming of a first kiss. With Anna Celestino Mota giving life to the protagonist in a glittering first-time performance and accurately addressing intolerance and equality, it's a magically funny, inventively crafted and honest look at the teen trans world.

In her third feature film, Zhao continues to prove she's going to dominate Hollywood.

Excellent drama about the force of desire. Well acted, provocative and particularly a precious look at LGBT Millennials' perspectives.