March 4, 2015 - "A Way of Life" (2006)

A Way of Life, 2006
Director: Amma Asante
Origin: UK
Language: English
Running time: 91 minutes

Single teen mother Leigh-Anne (Stephanie James) tries to keep her baby's grandmother (Brenda Blethyn) and Social Services from taking her child away in this stark look at life in the British projects. When a social worker talks to a concerned Turkish neighbor (Oliver Haden), Leigh-Anne's racist views mix with utter paranoia and the situation turns deadly. Nathan Jones, Gary Sheppeard and Dean Wong co-star. (from Netflix.com)

Watch the trailer on YouTube.

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Review of last week's film (In Bloom, 4 stars)
Steven says: The lives of teenage girls, as well as their country's traditions, stand in for the bigger ideas of how a new country defends itself in war. The script is educational and the story line both normal and surprising.

February 25, 2015 - "In Bloom" (2014)

In Bloom, 2014
Directors: Nana Ekvtimishvili, Simon Gross
Origin: Georgia | Germany | France
Language: Georgian
Running time: 102 minutes

In post-Soviet Georgia, teen pals Eka and Natia live with their families in decaying high-rises and a social landscape rife with crime and despair. Sticking together in this bleak world, the girls use their nascent sexuality to gain the upper hand. (from Netflix.com)

U.S. box office: $50,000
Watch the trailer on YouTube.

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Review of last week's film ("The Wind Rises", 3.5 stars)Steven says: It's hard to separate this offering from the director's more fantastical previous films. The artistry is top-notch and gorgeous. The plot seemed to try to touch on too many story lines. Overall, it's another worthwhile film from this Japanese master.

February 18, 2015 - "The Wind Rises" (2013)

The Wind Rises, 2013
Director: Hayao Miyazaki
Origin: Japan
Languages: Japanese | German | Italian | French
Running time: 126 minutes

Master animator Hayao Miyazaki spins a decades-spanning tale inspired by the life of Jirô Horikoshi, designer of the World War II fighter plane the Zero. Too nearsighted to become a pilot, Jirô settles for building planes, with spectacular results. (from Netflix.com)

MPAA rating: Rated PG-13 for some disturbing images and smoking
U.S. box office: $5,201,879

Watch the trailer on IMDB.

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Review of last week's film ("The French Minister", 3 stars)
Steven says: This is much more than a slapstick comedy. There is some depth of character and insights into how government offices work, even in the face of debilitating bureaucracy. The foreign affairs minister gets extra points for passion and conviction.

February 11, 2015 - "The French Minister" (2014)

The French Minister, 2014 
(screening at 7 p.m. in Forney Hall, B124)

Director: Bertrand Tavernier
Origin: France
Language: French
Running time: 113 minutes

Though French minister Alexandre Taillard de Worms cuts a striking figure among the power elite, not everyone is impressed by the pontificating politician, prompting him to hire a new young speechwriter -- who ends up in a political cyclone. (from Netflix.com)

U.S. box office: $3,800 
Watch the trailer on IMDB.

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Review of last week's film ("Tabu", 4 stars)
Steven says: I don't think any of the short write-ups do this film justice. There is so much to ponder, to experience, to discover in both halves of the film. It will definitely provoke great discussion.

February 4, 2015 - "Tabu" (2012)

Tabu, 2012

(screening at 7 p.m. in Forney Hall, B124)

Director: Miguel Gomes
Origin: Portugal | Germany | Brazil | France
Languages: Portuguese | English | Polish
Running time: 118 minutes

Named with a nod to F.W. Murnau's famed final film, Tabu weaves two seemingly disparate tales into one unclassifiable narrative, bringing together the tales of an elderly gambling addict in Lisbon and a widowed hunter on the plains of Africa. (from Netflix.com)

Watch the trailer on IMDB.

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Review of last week's film ("Ida", 5 stars)
Steven says: Beautifully shot and superbly acted, "Ida" unfolds with hints and small revelations. They all build to an ending that is suprising and fitting. It's a great film that should be seen.