April 29, 2015 - "Land Ho!" (2014)

Land Ho!, 2014
Directors: Aaron Katz, Martha Stephens
Origin: Iceland | USA
Language: English
Running time: 95 minutes

In a bid to gain life perspective, retired Mitch persuades his ex-brother-in-law to join him on a journey through the frigid landscapes of Iceland. This freewheeling road comedy follows the pair through a series of encounters that changes them both. (from Netflix.com)

MPAA rating: Rated R for some language, sexual references and drug use
U.S. box office: $727,430
Watch the trailer on IMDB.

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Review of last week's film ("Siddarth", 3.5 stars)
Steve says: As a father begins a quest to find his missing son, we see him change from slightly concerned to near obsessive. His story is told over the backdrop of poverty and child labor in India.

April 22, 2015 - "Siddarth" (2013)

Siddarth, 2013
Director: Richie Mehta
Origin: Canada | India
Language: Hindi
Running time: 96 minutes

After sending his 12-year-old son away to work, impoverished street merchant Mahendra Saini launches a search for the boy when he doesn't return on the expected date. But Mahendra has no money and no picture of his child, hampering the hunt. (from Netflix.com)

U.S. box office: $59,808
Watch the trailer on IMDB.

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Review of last week's film (The Selfish Giant, 4 stars)
Steven says: The British have a knack for depicting the poor and downtrodden. Poverty affects lives in ways most people will never understand, which is how the main characters end up in a dangerous situation. This is a well-told story that is both raw and eye-opening.

April 15, 2015 - "The Selfish Giant" (2013)

The Selfish Giant, 2013
Director: Clio Barnard
Origin: UK
Language: English
Running time: 91 minutes

Two teenage boys band together to steal copper wire from power stations and railway lines to sell to a local scrap dealer in this dour drama. Their friendship sours when Kitten, the scrap dealer, begins to favor one of the boys over the other. (from Netflix.com)

U.S. box office: $10,531
Watch the trailer on IMDB.

Information about the film's Cannes Award.

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Review of last week's film ("24 City", 4 stars)
Steven says: Don't go looking for a plot. Instead, embrace this variety of stories from Chengdu, China, residents (real and imagined). In a world where we learn life lessons from "Humans of New York" and TED Talks, the experiences of the film's characters have mass appeal and poignancy.

April 8, 2015 - "24 City" (2008)

24 City, 2008
Director: Zhang Ke Jia
Origin: China | Hong Kong | Japan
Languages: Mandarin | Shanghainese
Running time: 112 minutes

From director Zhang Ke Jia comes this drama about changing times in Chengdu, China, where state-owned factory 420 is closed by the government to make way for a high-end apartment complex called 24 City. The film tells the story through the lens of several distinctive characters, from factory workers to executives to the newly monied, who are all affected in different ways by the newfound dynamism and economic growth of their nation. (from Netflix.com)

Watch the trailer on YouTube.

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Review of last week's film ("Miele", 3.5 stars)
Steven says: Here is a look at relationships, colored by the controversial topic of euthanasia. Miele's secret career highlights her detached nature until one client breaks through her tough exterior. Caring for and loving people is hard work, no matter what form it takes.