November 5, 2014 - "Take Out" (2004)

Take Out, 2004
Directors: Sean Baker, Shih-Ching Tsou
Origin: USA
Languages: English | Mandarin | Spanish
Running time: 87 min

When an illegal immigrant finds himself behind on a large debt due to crooks who smuggled him into the country, he must come up with the payment in one day by hustling tips as he delivers Chinese food around New York City. (from Netflix.com)

U.S. box office: $66,892
Watch the trailer on IMDB.

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Review of last week's film ("When Father Was Away on Business", 3.5 stars)
Steven says: The Cannes winner in 1985, this film tackles the toll a war takes on one family that has its own dysfunctions. A working knowledge of 20th century Yugolav history would help with comprehension, but it's still an effective story.

October 29, 2014 - "When Father Was Away on Business" (1985)

When Father Was Away on Business, 1985
Director: Emir Kusturica
Origin: Yugoslavia
Languages: Serbian | Hungarian
Running time: 136 min

Yugoslavian director Emil Kusturica won the Cannes Golden Palm award for this drama that conveys the tensions between Russia and Yugoslavia in the early 1950s. The story is told from the viewpoint of 6-year-old Malik (Moreno De Bartolli), who's unaware of the real reason for his father's (Miki Manojlovic) absence. The family insists that he's away on business, but he's really in prison for his affair with the lover of a top-ranking party member. (from Netflix.com)

Watch the trailer on YouTube.

October 22, 2014 - "Black Butterflies" (2011)

Black Butterflies, 2011
Director: Paula van der Oest
Origin: Germany | Netherlands | South Africa
Language: English
Running time: 100 min

This passionate biopic profiles South African poet Ingrid Jonker, whose exuberant nature is destroyed by her repeated betrayals of her supportive lover and her complex relationship with her disapproving father, the minister of censorship. (from Netflix.com)

Watch the trailer on YouTube.

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Reveiw of the previous film (Sister, 3.5 stars)
Steven says: Surprising things are revealed in this film that promises mostly coming-of-age antics and teenage thievery. It will make you question relationships, how they were formed, and how they continue. It's a good film with lingering questions.

October 8, 2014 - "Sister" (2012)

Sister, 2012
Director: Ursula Meier
Origin: France | Switzerland
Languages: French | English
Running time: 97 min

Every day, impoverished 12-year-old Simon sneaks into a posh Swiss ski resort, where he helps himself to the gear of wealthy tourists. Benefiting from his thievery is his lazy older sister, Louise, who refuses to live up to her responsibilities. (from Netflix.com)

Watch the trailer on YouTube.

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Review of last week's film (The Matchmaker, 3.5 stars)
Stevens say: Set in 1968, this is a lighthearted Israeli film is infused with a smidgen of mystery and built on the difficult memories of the Holocaust. The teenaged protagonist learns about love ("why do Americans protest 'make love not war'. Wasn't there more important things than love?", he asks.) from a matchmaker and a free-spirited girl visiting for the summer.