Reviewing the Florida Film Festival
Brendan Monroe
Issue date: 4/23/10 Section: Life & Times
After 10 days, nearly 150 films, and countless packages of Cranberry Rasinets, the curtain has closed on the 2010 Florida Film Festival. I must say I am somewhat relieved. After all, keeping up a schedule where I watch a minimum of four films a day can be exhausting. But looking back there is little doubt that I am all the better for it!
As is the case in any festival, some films were good, some bad; some revolutionary and others bloated with wasteful excess. I have compiled a list of both for your reading pleasure. Here are some that, when released, you will not want to miss, and others that you better hope to God that you do.
1. "The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo"
Appropriately enough, the best film in this year's festival, a Swedish thriller adapted from Stieg Larsson's exceptional novel, has already garnered a release date of May 7 at the Enzian Theater. Without giving anything in this tense, provocative thriller away, I will simply say that you would be a fool to miss it!
2. "Wild Grass"
It is the most bizarre, unusual, undeniably "French" film I have ever seen… and one of this year's best! Love it or hate it, (and you are bound to do one of the two) you cannot deny that Alain Resnais has pulled off something extraordinarily unique and original with this, the most quintessentially perfect festival film. No film at this year's festival sparked as much debate or disagreement as this one, a bright, acidic meditation on obsession and desire. The last scene in the film will have you scratching your head, asking yourself, did I really see what I just saw? The answer? Yes. And for better or worse, you will never forget it.
3. "The Secret of Kells"
A remarkably beautiful journey which takes place in an excitingly new world of animation. Nominated for Best Animated Film in this year's Oscars, "The Secret of Kells" deserved to have won that prize. It is the best the category has seen years.
4. "Don't Let Me Drown"
Riveting and heartwrenching, "Don't Let Me Drown" won the Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature. For telling what could have been a clichéd story in a totally unique way, Director Cruz Angeles deserved it.
5. "The Lottery"
Easily the best documentary in this year's particularly strong class, "The Lottery" shares the plight of Harlem schoolchildren who struggle to succeed in a country where all too often, what school you go to determines everything. By taking a fresh, political angle on the issue, "The Lottery" is a winner!
6. "Mid-August Lunch"
Breezy, fun, delicious… in other words, what Italian Cinema should be! One word of advice, do not come on an empty stomach!
7. "How I Met Your Father"
Actually a short Spanish film shown as a part of the International Shorts Program, How I Met Your Father manages to convey in only 9 minutes what the majority of feature length films fail to in two full hours. It is sexy AND has heart!
8. "Welcome"
A wonderful drama about a soft spoken French swim coach who decides to give lessons to a Kurdish refugee, a decision that changes both of their lives.
As is the case in any festival, some films were good, some bad; some revolutionary and others bloated with wasteful excess. I have compiled a list of both for your reading pleasure. Here are some that, when released, you will not want to miss, and others that you better hope to God that you do.
1. "The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo"
Appropriately enough, the best film in this year's festival, a Swedish thriller adapted from Stieg Larsson's exceptional novel, has already garnered a release date of May 7 at the Enzian Theater. Without giving anything in this tense, provocative thriller away, I will simply say that you would be a fool to miss it!
2. "Wild Grass"
It is the most bizarre, unusual, undeniably "French" film I have ever seen… and one of this year's best! Love it or hate it, (and you are bound to do one of the two) you cannot deny that Alain Resnais has pulled off something extraordinarily unique and original with this, the most quintessentially perfect festival film. No film at this year's festival sparked as much debate or disagreement as this one, a bright, acidic meditation on obsession and desire. The last scene in the film will have you scratching your head, asking yourself, did I really see what I just saw? The answer? Yes. And for better or worse, you will never forget it.
3. "The Secret of Kells"
A remarkably beautiful journey which takes place in an excitingly new world of animation. Nominated for Best Animated Film in this year's Oscars, "The Secret of Kells" deserved to have won that prize. It is the best the category has seen years.
4. "Don't Let Me Drown"
Riveting and heartwrenching, "Don't Let Me Drown" won the Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature. For telling what could have been a clichéd story in a totally unique way, Director Cruz Angeles deserved it.
5. "The Lottery"
Easily the best documentary in this year's particularly strong class, "The Lottery" shares the plight of Harlem schoolchildren who struggle to succeed in a country where all too often, what school you go to determines everything. By taking a fresh, political angle on the issue, "The Lottery" is a winner!
6. "Mid-August Lunch"
Breezy, fun, delicious… in other words, what Italian Cinema should be! One word of advice, do not come on an empty stomach!
7. "How I Met Your Father"
Actually a short Spanish film shown as a part of the International Shorts Program, How I Met Your Father manages to convey in only 9 minutes what the majority of feature length films fail to in two full hours. It is sexy AND has heart!
8. "Welcome"
A wonderful drama about a soft spoken French swim coach who decides to give lessons to a Kurdish refugee, a decision that changes both of their lives.
Be the first to comment on this story