December 2, 2015 - "The Clouds of Sils Maria" (2014)

Clouds of Sils Maria, 2014

Director: Olivier Assayas
Origin: France | Germany | Switzerland
Languages: English | French | German | Swiss German
Running time: 124 min

Twenty years after her breakthrough role as a young woman who beguiles and ultimately destroys her mentor, Maria Enders is invited -- in an ironic twist -- to play the part of the older woman in a stage production of the same drama. (from Netflix.com)

MPAA rating: Rated R for language and brief graphic nudity
U.S. box office: $1,811,138
Watch the trailer on IMDB.

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Review of last week's film ( '71, 3.5 stars)
Steve says: This film is heart-pounding, explosive, and confusing, much like the fighting between the nationalists and the unionists. Set at the beginning of the Irish "Troubles" in 1971, a British soldier is left behind in a war-torn area of Belfast where the IRA is becoming more violent and support from outsiders is fluid and dodgy. It's a welcome addition to the growing number of films about this era in Irish history.

November 18, 2015 - " '71" (2015)

'71, 2015
Director: Yann Demange
Origin: UK
Language: English
Running time: 99 min

When a young British soldier is separated from his unit in Belfast at the height of Northern Ireland's Troubles, he must survive the night alone in a city that's swarming with would-be enemies. (from Netflix.com)

MPAA rating: Rated R for strong violence, disturbing images, and language throughout
U.S. box office: $1,268,760
Watch the trailer on IMDB.
Nominations and awards.

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Review of two previous films ("Life, Above All", 4 stars; "Zero Motivation", 3 stars)
Steven says:

Life, Above All: The contrast of AIDS-related films from the U.S. and Africa is stark. Because of the epidemic in South Africa, the fear of and animosity toward those infected creates dire living conditions and outright ostracism. This film provides a glimmer of hope through education, compassion and sheer will.

Zero Motivation: Non-Israelis may not understand everything that goes on here, but it does paint a different picture of the experiences women have during their compulsory military service in Israel. It's funny, series, odd, and not at all kind to powers that be.

November 11, 2015 - "Life, Above All" (2010)

Life, Above All, 2010
Director: Oliver Schmitz
Origin: South Africa | Germany
Language: Southern Sotho
Running time: 100 min

In a tiny village near Johannesburg, 12-year-old Chanda is left to care for two younger siblings when her infant sister dies and her mother becomes gravely ill. But this isn't the only challenge she faces; the town has turned against her. (from Netflix.com)

MPAA rating: Rated PG-13 for mature thematic material and some sexual content
U.S. box office: $132,960
Watch the trailer on IMDB.

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Review of last week's film ("The Amazing Catfish", 3.5 stars)
Steven says: With the feel of an American indie film, The Amazing Catfish offers a realistic look into the lives of one Mexican family trying to survive as their single mother fights a terminal illness. They invite an young woman with no family to be part of their tribe. Interesting observations abound.

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*** We had a malfunctioning machine last week, so we screened an upcoming film that was streamable. "Zero Motivation" was shown last week, we will move "Life, Above All" to this week, and " ’71" will screen Nov. 18.