Tuesday, October 16, 2007

Festival Gems

Back from Texas (and feeling much too exhausted after my first day back at work . . . )

Viewed quite a few interesting films over the course of the weekend but felt that the following warranted a special shout-out:

In the realm of narrative features:

JUNO (narrative feature directed by Jason Reitman and written by Diablo Cody). In my opinion, the best written and most entertaining of the very few films I managed to see. Wouldn't be surprised to see it get Oscar attention.

RESERVATION ROAD (directed by Terry George, written by John Burnham Schwartz and Terry George). Intense and sometimes difficult-to-watch drama. Very well-done.

KABLUEY (narrative feature written and directed by Scott Prendergast). Small in scope but delightfully warm and funny.

Documentaries for me are often notoriously difficult to sit through, but I really liked TIME PIECE by UK director Kat Mansoor. Also, over the course of the weekend, I heard a lot of great things about CHASING THE DREAM, a documentary about eight high school surfers seeking a career in professional surfing. Really wish now that I had been able to find a way to squeeze that one in.

In the category of animated shorts, I have to list as my favorites OVER THE HILL (Peter Baynton) and THE PEARCE SISTERS (Luis Cook). There is also lots to like in ZOOLOGIC (by Nicole Mitchell) and YOURS TRULY (Osbert Parker).

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