Category Archives: International

Atlantic Film Festival 2014: Day Five—Shorts, Turkey, Paris, and the 1984 Miners’ Strike

September 16, 2014 flawintheiris

I'm a little confused by the many programs of Atlantic Shorts. In previous editions of the AFF, the Atlantic Shorts were separated from the general Shorts and the International Shorts, all of which were separated from the Animation programs. Seems like they've all been gathered together as Atlantic Shorts, despite the fact that, say, Father,…Read More

Atlantic Film Festival 2014: Day Four—Doc Zoning (Part Deux)

September 15, 2014 flawintheiris

Every year I digest the AFF guide with an eye to what Atlantic films might be anointed with awards. I even ask around to see what other folks are saying. I never get it right. For example, the big winner this year was Cast No Shadow, a feature from Newfoundland written by Joel Thomas Hynes,…Read More

Locke review

August 19, 2014 flawintheiris

Written and directed by Steven Knight I make a big deal about it when a quality film doesn't get distribution in cinemas here in Halifax, but I also understand the reticence of distributors—some feature films just don't have that crowd-pleasing vibe. And I get that the people making decisions might consider Locke and wonder whether anyone…Read More

The Zero Theorem review

August 10, 2014 flawintheiris

Directed by Terry Gilliam, written by Pat Rushin I've always admired Terry Gilliam, even when I haven't loved his movies. His legend as a giant slayer—largely due to his masterpiece Brazil having found an audience in his preferred version despite the studio meddling—still carries serious weight today, 30 years later. And the Monty Python alum's favourite themes—the…Read More

Lucy review

July 28, 2014 flawintheiris

Written and directed by Luc Besson I don't think I've ever used the word "gawp" in one of my reviews, but here we go: I couldn't help but repeatedly gawp at the screen while watching Lucy. Early on, French director Luc Besson feels it necessary to splice a stock footage of a mouse approaching a…Read More

Tracks review

June 19, 2014 flawintheiris

Directed by John Curran, written by Marion Nelson from a book by Robyn Davidson Tracks is one of the summer's gems, and easily one of the best movies so far this year. I saw it last year at the Atlantic Film Festival, and am happy to see it a second time. It's based on the true…Read More

Bob Hoskins and Mona Lisa

May 1, 2014 flawintheiris

When I heard the sad news that Bob Hoskins died today at age 71, it made me think of the first movie I saw him in. I'd lived in London for less than a year when Neil Jordan's Mona Lisa came out. It was a tough year for me. A new high school, much larger than the…Read More

Reviews: Ain’t Them Bodies Saints, Kill Your Darlings, Short Term 12, Top Of The Lake, The Look of Love, I Give It A Year, The Iceman

April 5, 2014 flawintheiris

I'm still writing semi-regular reviews of features and series for Halifax Alternative Weekly The Coast. Check out my thoughts on some recent gems (and semi-precious stones): Ain't Them Bodies Saints Kill Your Darlings Short Term 12 Top Of The Lake The Look of Love I Give It A Year The IcemanRead More

The Wind Rises (Kaze Tachinu) review

March 9, 2014 flawintheiris

Written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki If this is to be Miyazaki's final film with Studio Ghibli—which, despite many false retirements, he says it will be—a romantic, historical drama about an engineer is an unorthodox subject matter to go out on. That said, it still has plenty of the fantastic and surreal whimsy he's become…Read More

The Great Beauty (La Grande Bellezza) review

February 20, 2014 flawintheiris

Directed by Paolo SorrentinoWritten by Sorrentino and Umberto ContarelloThis picture is very well-titled. The Great Beauty. It's an astonishingly opulent and fetching film. But have you ever marvelled at a piece of art, wondered at the craftsmanship on display, and yet find you are unmoved by it? I'd say that's how I felt by 90%…Read More