March 2, 2016 - "Runoff" (2015)

Runoff, 2015

Wednesday, March 2, 2016
Stanley Coulter Hall, Room 239

Director: Kimberly Levin
Origin: USA
Language: English
Running time: 90 min

With her husband's health and business failing, Betty Freeman is forced to take on a host of burdens -- including preventing foreclosure of the family's rural Kentucky home. Before long, she learns that desperate times require desperate measures. (from Netflix.com)

MPAA rating: Rated R for some drug use
U.S. box office: $29,227
Watch the trailer on IMDB.

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Review of last week's film ("Cirkus Columbia", 3.5 stars)
Steven says: Where is home? How do you fit in to society? Small questions with big implications when a war is looming in a country divided by ethnic backgrounds. In the calm before the storm, see one family's story of upheaval, as well as their road to reconciliation.

February 17, 2016 - "Cirkus Columbia" (2010)

Cirkus Columbia, 2010

7 p.m., Wednesday, February 17, 2016
Stanley Coulter Hall, Room 239

Director: Danis Tanovic
Origin: Bosnia and Herzegovina | France | UK | Germany | Slovenia | Belgium | Serbia
Languages: Bosnian | Serbian | Croatian
Running time: 113 min

With communism dismantled, refugee Divko Buntic returns to his Herzegovina home bearing a new paramour and old grudges. His first act of comeuppance is disturbing the peace of Lucija, the wife who refused to flee with him 20 years before. (from Netflix.com)

U.S. box office: $3,163
Watch the trailer on IMDB.

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Review of last week's film ("The Farewell Party", 4 stars)Steven says: The topic of mercy killing (aka euthanasia) is examined from several angles, including the fluid sense of acceptability depending on one's relationship to the patient. Viewers who have older family members with similar situations will find many scenes familiar and heartbreaking. This Israeli award winner if definitely worth the time.

February 10, 2016 - "The Farewell Party" (2015)

The Farewell Party, 2015Wednesday, February 10, 2016
7 p.m., Stanley Coulter Hall, Room 239

This is the second of two films we are screening that involve director Sharon Maymon.

Directors: Sharon Maymon, Tal Granit
Origin: Israel | Germany
Language: Hebrew
Running time: 95 min

Inventor Yehezkel lives at a facility for the elderly, where he comes up with gadgets to assist his fellow seniors. When neighbor Max asks him to build a machine that will enable Max to take his own life, Yehezkel must decide whether to oblige. (from Netflix.com)

U.S. box office: $171,963
Watch the trailer on IMDB.

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Review of last week's film ("A Matter of Size", 3 stars)
Steve says: This creative look at obesity in Israel (can you say, "Sumo"?) asks viewers to understand the broader perspectives of discrimination (real or imagined), insecurities and social norms. It is funny and has a message, even as it furthers some other stereotypes.