Month: February 2019

Happy Death Day 2U

Yup!  The movie pickin’s are pretty slim…  With the AMC 14 Theaters three blocks from our house shuttered and the lack of any new releases few and far between, it feels like the dark days of the Depression as far as movie releases go…

That would explain the new movie release above.  It’s the second in its ‘want to be franchise’ but time will tell…

It’s an interesting concept. College student Tree Gelbman wakes up terrified when she realizes she is stuck in a parallel universe.  Her boyfriend is now someone else’s boyfriend.  Her friends are all different students.  The only thing the same is the masked killer who is stalking her.  It’s just goofy enough and different enough to hold your attention, if only for a few moments.

It’s rated PG-13 for violence, language, sexual material and thematic elements.  It’s listed as a Horror film.  We do not feel it is appropriate at all for children.  The run time is (a very long) 120 minutes.

Rating  

Swimming With Men

We wanted to see this movie at the Mostly British Film Festival but ran out of time so we were glad to find it still showing.  It’s a lighthearted story about a man in a mid-life crisis who finds a new perspective after joining an all-male synchronized swimming team.

A dozen actors make up the cast.  Charlotte Riley is the team coach.  Rob Brydon plays a burnt out businessman.  Jane Horrocks plays his wife.  Fellow swimmers include Jim Carter, Thomas Turgoose, Nathaniel Parker, Daniel Mays, Adeel Akhtar, Robert Daws, Spike White, and Christian Rubeck.

It was filmed mostly in central London with shoots in the Lambeth, Lewisham, Southwark and Croydon neighborhoods.

What makes this film work is it doesn’t take itself too seriously.  It is sometimes goofy, sometimes a bit serious, sometimes in angst but mostly funny and ultimately satisfying.

This film is not rated.  Its genre is listed as Art House & International, Comedy, Drama, Romance.  The run time is 97 minutes.

Rating

Fighting With My Family

We are still in the weird zone when new movie releases are scarce.  So we were surprised when this film was released ahead of its national opening scheduled for March 1.

A tight-knit British family are huge wrestling fans when a rare opportunity to join the WWE presents itself to the eldest daughter.  The sports comedy-drama is based on a 2012 documentary The Wrestlers: Fighting with My Family.

The mostly British cast includes Dwayne Johnson “The Rock”, Stephen Merchant, Florence Pugh, Zelina Vega, Nick Frost, Lena Headey, Jack Lowden, Kim Matula, Aquaala Zoll, Vince Vaughn, Jame Burrows, Hannah Rae and Julia Davis.

It’s not a perfect film but it is mostly an interesting and charming look at one family obsessed with professional wrestling and the twists and turns it causes in their lives.

It’s rated PG-13 for crude and sexual material, language throughout, some violence and drug content.  We do not think it is appropriate for young children.  Its genre is Comedy with a run time of 107 minutes.

Rating  

Everybody Knows

Carolina, a Spanish woman from Buenos Aires returns to her home town near Madrid with her Argentinian husband and family to attend a family wedding when unexpected events create chaos for everyone.  During the celebration events Carolina’s daughter mysteriously disappears sending a shockwave through the family and the community.

Oscar winners Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem headline the cast along with a dozen actors as friends, relatives and community.

Iranian Writer/Director Asghar Farhadi almost loses control of  Todos lo Saben (title in Spanish).  The critics feedback was tepid, questioning if the Director has spread himself too thin.

From our point of view, the production was engaging, the flow was appropriate for the story.  The plot was well constructed with lots of intrigue and surprises.

The film is rated R for some language.  It might be appropriate for mature children.  Its genre is noted as Art House & International, Drama.  The run time is 132 minutes.  Spanish with English subtitles.

Rating: 

Isn’t It Romantic

OK.  Let’s take a look at this romantic comedy…first very little is realistic, the way people interact at work, nope; the way people act or engage socially, nada; the way people live in 99% of the world let alone New York City, ain’t gonna happen.

That said, this film does have its bright spots: it’s cleaver, unique, mostly funny, occasionally hilarious, sometimes totally unrealistic and borderline raunchy.

That also said, the acting is fair to middling.  Priyanka Chopra plays the model.  Rebel Wilson is the headliner as an architect in New York City.  Liam Hemsworth is a hoot as an Australian businessman.  Adam Devine is a coworker along with Tom Ellia, Betty Gilpin, Jennifer Saunders and a dozen other bit parts.

There are several scenes that deliver some soft worthwhile messages.  There is a song and dance scene that is well done and quite enjoyable.

The film is rated PG-13.  That’s a bit of a surprise given some scenes imply sex, and sexual behavior, cleavage, bare abdomens and so on.  We do not recommend this film for young children.

It is listed as a Fantasy/Romance/Comedy with a run time of 1 hour, 29 minutes.

Rating  

How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World

This is an amazing finale to the DreamWorks animation franchise trilogy of How To Train Your Dragon.  There is something old, something new and a surprise just in case you weren’t paying attention.  Most of the old and beloved characters are in force, Night Fury dragon is the headliner when suddenly Light Fury appears.  Night Fury cannot resist the attraction to Light Fury (see where this is going?!)

More than two dozen actors are the voice overs for this animation feature including:  Jay Baruchel as Hiccup, America Ferrera as Astrid, Cate Blanchett as Valka, Gerard Butler as Stoick, F. Murray Abraham as Grimmel, Kristen Wiig as Ruffnut, Jonah Hill as Snotlout, and several more.

The ending is quite a surprise and we will not give it away now because the film was just released.  Let’s just say it’s heartwarming and welcomed (though the film is not definitive).  Let us know your thoughts if you see this film.

It’s rated PG for adventure action and some mild rude humor.  It’s listed as Action & Adventure, Animation, Kids & Family.  The run time is 110 minutes.  It’s a good film for both adults and children.  The animation is excellent.

Rating  

Mostly British Film Festival

In retirement, we have discovered so many new adventures and opportunities are available to us.  It helps living in a world class city with lots of diversity and activities of all kinds.  It’s a huge bonus to enjoy the only Mediterranean climate in the US.

San Francisco is blessed with almost countless film festivals.  You name a genre or affinity, there is probably an annual film festival in San Francisco or the Bay Area.

With almost nothing new released until after the Oscars this Sunday, we decided to check out the Mostly British Film Festival showing 33 films, some old, some new during one week in February.

We selected a few that captured our interest and share them now with you.  Some are available on pay per view from time to time.  Others are available occasionally from streaming sources.

We hope you enjoy the few reviewed below.

J&J

Moon Dogs

This story is set mostly in the Shetland Islands, Scotland where two stepbrothers find themselves competing for the affections of a worldly Irish singer while on the road to Glasgow.

What struck us the most was the fearless honesty, the brash humor, the raw drama and the beautiful charisma these young actors generate.  It’s beautifully filmed and the first film by Welsh writer/director/punk musician Philip John.  If you want a reminder what it felt like to be young again, this is your opportunity.

The acting is excellent.  Irish actress Tara Lee plays the primary love interest.  Christy O’Donnell plays a stepbrother.  Jack Parry Jones plays the other stepbrother.  Claire Cage plays the mom and Geoffrey Newland plays the dad.  Another dozen plus actors fill out the cast.

The film is not rated in the US.  It’s listed as Art House & International, Comedy, Drama.  The run time is 1 hour, 33 minutes.  It was the winner of the 2016 Newport Beach Film Festival.

Rating: 

Elizabeth

Wow!  Talk about a reminder of great epic film making…this one debuted in 1998.  It announced Cate Blanchett as a star.  It was set in history when the United Kingdom struggled with being a Protestant country versus a Catholic country.

The film is both visually stunning, produced with extraordinary sets and exceptional costumes.  It’s a classic.  Our viewing was like watching it on day one.  Headliner performances in addition to Ms. Blanchett include Geoffrey Rush, Richard Attenborough, John Gielgud, Daniel Craig, Jamie Forman and an additional 40 actors.

Just for history sake:  It’s set in 1554.  Elizabeth is the daughter of King Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, who was imprisoned by her half sister Queen Mary when she was 16.  She was swept to the throne as Queen of England at the age of 23.

It was then rated R for violence and sexuality.  It’s listed as a Drama with a run time of 124 minutes.  It’s not really appropriate for youngsters.

Think about downloading this for a long flight or a reminder of some great film making not so long ago.

Rating  

Tell it to the Bees

This film is based on the 2009 novel by the same name.  It’s set in a 1950’s Scotland rural town.  It’s more than a bit heavy handed.  So much so the production is focused on the principle themes and metaphors from the novel.

It was pretty obvious the production wanted to cram as much “subject” material as possible.  Lesbian romance, bewildered children, outraged family members, and widespread community disapproval…  Just about everyone accept the neighborhood bees who seemed to unilaterally approve the conduct with vigor.

The excellent acting included Anna Paquin, Holliday Grainger, Emun Elliott, Steven Robertson, Lauren Lyle, Gregory Selkirk and Kate Dickie.

The film is not rated.  Be advised, there are several scenes including sex and nudity, mild profanity and some violence and gore.  We feel this film is not appropriate for children.

This film is noted as a Drama/Romance with a run time of 1 hour 46 minutes.

Rating: 

Good Day to all!

We are pleased to present you with Jim and John’s Oscar Picks for the 2019 91st Academy Awards, February 24 at 5 PM PST on ABC, from the Dolby Theater, Los Angeles, CA.

This year we’ve changed our format a bit.  Below is a link to our official ballot.  We know some of you host Oscar parties.  The attached ballot in RED is a PDF meaning you can customize and print the document as needed.

That said, you will notice OUR picks are noted in its column.  You and/or your guests may select their picks in the other columns.

Since we crashed and burned with our predictions last year, we doubled down our efforts to read the Oscar “tea leaves” this year.  We can say we have seen ALL but four of the nominated films.  (You will see our predictions for Hair and Makeup and Documentary Feature based on what we did see and our best research.)

Those four films are:

Border, Nominated for Makeup and Hair

Hale County This Morning, This evening, Nominated for Documentary Feature

Minding the Gap, Nominated for Documentary Feature

Of Fathers and Sons, Nominated for Documentary Feature

Click here to download your 2019 Oscar Ballot.

We would love to hear back from you regarding any of your favorite movies from this year, any parties/events, or any other related functions/insights.

We have planned a quiet evening at home with our traditional Oscar dinner of steamed Dungeness crab and a bottle of Champagne.  Our first toast will be to all of you!

Cheers!

J&J

PS:  A big THANK YOU to our friend and blog guru, John H, for all the help and support this year when we needed it.

What Men Want

If you have seen the previews it should be obvious what the tone and theme of this film will be.  To be sure, it’s mostly predictable, often quite funny, occasionally audacious, sometimes corny, but also surprising with moments of both serious topics and real issues like integrity and social/gender equity.

There is an ample cast of characters headlined by Taraji P. Henson as a Sports Agent in a male dominated industry, Aldis Hodge as the love interest, Josh Brener as the assistant, Kellan Lutz as Captain F**tastic.  Other notable cast members included Erykah Badu as a hilarious fortune teller, Tete Davidson, Max Greenfield, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Tracy Morgan, Brian Bosworth, Phoebe Robinson, Shaquille O’ Neal and Mark Cuban.

The film is rated R for language and sexual content throughout and some drug material.  There are a few scenes showing sexual acts.  There is frequent profanity, women fighting and references to marijuana, cocaine and other drugs.  Needless to say this film is not appropriate for children.

The film is listed as Fantasy/Romance/Drama with a run time of 1 hour, 57 minutes.

Rating  

Alita: Battle Angel

The big release this week was the 20th Century Fox opening of Alita: Battle Angel.  It’s directed by cult filmmaker Robert Rodriguez and co-written and co-produced by James Cameron.  Weta Digital, Peter Jackson’s special-effects company, make the razzle-dazzle possible.

There is an impressive cast:  Rosa Salazar plays Alita.  Christoph Waltz is perfect as Dr. Dyson Ido. Jennifer Connelly plays the good/bad ex-wife Chiron.  Mahershala Ali plays a really bad guy Vector really well.  Other really bad guys are played believably by Ed Skrein as Zapan, Keean Johnson as Hugo, Leonard Wu as Kinuba and Marko Zzror as Ajakutty.

There is a lot of story built into this film.  The special effects make this film work.  The scenes are complex yet stunning.  The sets are elaborate and somewhat overwhelming but essential to the story.

The film is rated PG-13.  There is plenty of ‘fantasy violence’ (fighting, stabbing, blood, death).  Female characters are objectified and there is some poor language.  We do not feel this movie is appropriate for younger children.

The genre is listed as Action & Adventure, Romance, Sci-Fi, Thriller.  The run time is 122 minutes.

Rating: 

Never Look Away

We were delighted to see this film finally released to US audiences just in time before the Academy Awards.  This film is nominated for Best Foreign Film this year.  It was also the only one we had NOT seen…until today.

It’s an interesting film that is “loosely” based on the life of German artist Gerhard Richter, a noted artist who experienced WWII as a young child and later used these life experiences as inspiration for his artwork.

More than a dozen plus German actors fill the screen as the cast of characters.  The script spans over three decades starting in 1937 Dresden, Germany and ending in 1967 Dusseldorf, Germany.

The movie is rated R for graphic nudity, sexuality and brief violent images.  It is not suitable for children.  It is listed as a Drama running an astounding 3 hours, 9 minutes.  German with English subtitles.  Try to see it if possible, before or after the Oscars.

Rating  

 

 

Cold Pursuit

We thought this film looked familiar when we saw the previews several weeks back.  We now know this film by Director Hans Petter Moland is based on the 2014 Norwegian thriller released in the US under the title In Order of Disappearance.  (Who can forget launching vehicles into the sky using giant snow plows at full speed?!)

This rendition continues with lots of drama, lots of really bad guys of all makes and models, multiple ‘kingpins” and plenty of snarky dark humor that must be intended to soften the protracted scenes of extreme violence.

The cast is impressive.  Liam Neeson is the headliner.  Tom Bateman, William Forsythe, Raoul Trujillo, Ben Hollingsworth, Domenick Lombardozzi, Tom Jackson and Ben Cotton are enough bad guys to take over a small country or in this case a small ski town in Colorado.

There are only a few ladies: Emmy Rossum, Julia Jones, Laura Dern and Elysia Rotaru round out the girls.

The movie is rated R for extensive strong violence, drug material, language including sexual references.  It is not appropriate for children.  It is listed as an Action & Adventure, Drama, Mystery & Suspense with a run time of 118 minutes.

Rating  

Arctic

This Danish production has all the traits you would expect from a small plane crash in the Arctic.  First a survivor, Danish actor Mads Mikkelsen, who knows what to do in such a situation.  Food, shelter, rescue.

In the next day or so an unexpected helicopter appears on the horizon and suddenly crashes, leaving one survivor injured but alive.  Icelandic actress Maria Thelma Smaradottir plays this survivor.

These two characters are basically the entire cast.  What makes this film work is the focus on survival.  It feels like you are there first hand, a chilling, death defying experience without any bells or whistles.

The film is rated PG-13 for language and some bloody images.  It’s listed as a drama with a run time of 98 minutes.  We do not think this film is suitable for children.  See it because it is different, insightful, humbling and loaded with suspense!

Rating  

The Prodigy

This recent film release is a haunting throw back to numerous possession stories, this one occurs in a child.  There is a big twist that makes the story quite unnerving.  The tension builds quickly and the visuals become more and more difficult to watch.  Upon reflection the story is a bit easier to comprehend.

The cast is quite small.  Award winner Taylor Schilling is excellent at the mom.  Peter Mooney plays the dad.  Ten year old Jackson Robert Scott plays their son. Canadian Actor Colm Feore plays the Psychiatrist.  Brittany Allen plays the victim.  Another dozen actors play bit parts to round out the cast.

The tension that is created in this film is both subtle and yet intense.  Much of the story is unique and different than similar story lines.

The film is rated R for violence, disturbing and bloody images, a sexual reference and brief graphic nudity.  It is listed as a Horror film with a run time of 92 minutes.  It is absolutely not appropriate for children.

Rating  

Hi everyone,

This year the 2019 Oscar Nominated Short Documentary Films were released to the general public, albeit in extremely limited release.  While one crummy old theater in San Francisco was showing these shorts, we were happy to find these films in San Rafael (hum…a broken down flea bitten fire trap or a renovated/updated classic Art Deco movie palace?  The drive north was definitely worth it.)  J&J

Black Sheep/UK, 27 minutes

This film was based on true events.  An immigrant Nigerian family is living in London when a 10 year old girl is killed in their neighborhood for no apparent reason.  The family moves to Essex with the hopes of a better future only to discover worse racist attitudes.

The immigrant teenage son named Cornelius suddenly finds the local teenage “toughs” take a shine to him for some unclear reason.  Cornelius immediately decides to change who he is to match their approval, behavior, lightening his skin color and even wearing blue contact lenses.  Cornelius struggles with “making friends with monsters” leaves the audience contemplating the situation with no easy answers.

Rating  

End Game/USA, 40 minutes

WOW!  The title refers to “palliative care” and “hospice treatment”.  To be clear, in general, it looks at end of life treatment for terminally ill patients of all kinds.  It’s a look behind the curtains inside San Francisco’s Zen Hospice Project and UCSF’s Palliative Care Program.

It’s a tough look in clear language.  It’s often heart wrenching, sometimes amazing, but mostly respectful, sensitive and loving.  All the patients, staff and family’s collectively reveal perspective’s that are concurrently based on love, compassion and peace.

Rating  

Period. End of Sentence/USA, 26 minutes

OK.  Now we’ll travel to India and an upbeat story set in a small village outside Delhi, India.  It’s a blunt conversation about women’s menstruation.  Most local men don’t know what it is, the village women giggle and avoid the topic if possible.

Fast forward, the film is about “The Pad Project”.  Gender and subjective issues aside, this film is focused on local women taking control and ownership of a program where women develop, produce and sell/distribute sanitary pads to neighboring towns and villages spawning micro businesses that change lives and promote healthier behaviors.  Hindi with English subtitles.

Rating: 

Lifeboat/USA, 34 minutes

This film is based on the German non-profit organization dedicated to helping refugees fleeing Libya (and numerous other countries) in recent years.

An over arching sense of disconnection for the refugees is palatable on many levels.  Ultimately, these people are seeking a better life in another place.  The risks are terrifying and the future clouded at best.

Special note:  We were in Sicily a few years ago while these humanitarian rescues were occurring.  We had the opportunity to meet with recently “assimilated” arrivals to Italy.  It was a profound experience to connect with these refugees.  The guarded stories of their experiences are still fresh in our minds.

Rating: 

A Night at the Garden/USA, 7 minutes

OH MY!  Considered by some as “the best of the bunch” this film is shockingly different.  Using archival footage, this film is a powerful reminder of  historical events from Madison Square Garden in New York City, February 20, 1939, shortly before the beginning of WWII.  Over 20,000 “Pro-American Patriots” gathered to cheer on Nazism and fascist ideology.

Europe was already in disarray.  Adolf Hitler’s troops were already in the process of building concentration camps.  The result is a riveting and revolting reflection on a dark event and the tumultuous politics of the time.  Lest we forget.

Rating  

Wow!  This year’s Oscar nominees for Live Action Short Subject are all worthy of global recognition.  It’s one of the best selections of films in recent years.  That said, three of the nominees involve intense children topics, two involve racial violence and one involves end of life sexual acceptance.  Talk about tough material to watch and absorb?!

Enjoy. J&J

Oscar Nominated Live Action, Short Subject

Detainment/Ireland

This true story set in Liverpool, England is difficult to watch when a pair of 10 year old boys are part of an astounding crime against a toddler.  The story is often intense.  This short subject film feels like an eternity.  It’s an incredible story condensed to 30 minutes.

Rating  

Fauve/Canada

This 17 minute film takes place in a Quebec “surface mine” so huge and bleak its visual presence itself is other worldly.  Nonetheless two young adolescent boys are drawn to a soft hole in the surface.  What begins as two boys rough housing around turns into a life threatening event.  The film is haunting, unnerving and heartbreaking.  French with English subtitles.

Rating: 

Madre/Spain

This 19 minute film opened the show.  The mother, along with her mom receives a telephone call from her six year old son who’s vacationing with the ex-husband in France.  Her son is lost, cannot find his father and begins to panic. The mom tries to calm her son and tries to gather information that might help her help her son.  The film ends in angst as the child’s cell phone battery dies.  Spanish with English subtitles.

Rating  

Marguerite/Canada

Here is another 19 minute film about an elderly woman and her daily caregiver.  It’s a charming and sensitive end of life experience story.  It’s the only entry by a woman Director, French-Canadian Marianne Farley.  The on screen chemistry between the two actors is powerful, concurrently heart warming and heart wrenching.

Rating  

Skin/USA

This was the most disturbing film of the day.  A family of skinheads is led by the tattooed alpha male who clearly loves his family.  While shopping for groceries at a supermarket, the young son has a casual contact with a friendly African American man.  This brief exchange leads to a horrid act of racism.  The ending is extremely difficult to watch.  It carries a powerful message for all.  The run time is 20 minutes.

Rating  

 

HELLO ALL!

We are in the final two weeks before the 2019 Oscars.  This week the 2019 Oscar Nominated Short Films just opened nationwide.  Yesterday we viewed the five Oscar Nominated Animated Short Films, along with two Highly Commended Animated Shorts.

This review will be the first of three.  Next will be our reviews of the Live Action Shorts, and finally the Documentary Shorts.  Soon after we will publish our  Oscar Ballot with our predictions for all 2019 Oscar categories.

Cheers to all!  J&J

ANIMATION SHORTS

Late Afternoon, Canada

This 10 minute animated short is quite sad.  It’s about an elderly woman at home reflecting on memories only to confuse them with the past or another place.  That said, it’s heart warming and ultimately upbeat.

Rating  

One Small Step, USA

In this 8 minute film a Chinese American girl, Luna, aspires to be an astronaut.  She lives with her father Chu, who earns a living repairing shoes.  Luna struggles in college.  It has excellent style and animation.  It’s both touching and positive.

Rating  

Bao, USA

This Pixar created animated short film is an absolute delight.  It’s the product of a Chinese Canadian filmmaker.  It requires the viewer to have an open mind and an active imagination given its title.  Bao is a steamed Chinese bun that can be filled with any number of ingredients, i.e. BBQ pork or veggies…  It runs 8 minutes.

Rating  

Animal Behavior, Canada

This 14 minute Canadian film is too funny.  Six animals meet together with their psychotherapist for a session.  There is a snail, a bird, a pig, a cat, a cricket, a gorilla and a dog (as the therapist).  What is funny is the creatures are all just being themselves until all falls into chaos.  It’s truly a hoot.

Rating  

Weekends, USA

This animated short takes on a the serious topic of a young boy shuffling between divorced parents.  This 15 minute short toggles between surreal and a dream-like reality.  The film is quite open about the confusion, emotional torment, and disruption caused by fractured families.

Rating  

Wishing Box, USA/China

This 6 minute animated short was not nominated for an Oscar but was listed as “Highly Commended”.  It’s a production by China and the US.  It’s the story about a pirate and a monkey with a treasure box that yields food but no treasure…at first.  It’s both charming and funny.

Rating  

Tweet Tweet/Russia

This is also listed as “Highly Commended” in the Animated Shorts category.  It’s quite unique.  It is the story of “life cycles” depicted in the form of seasons and life forms.  It is very thought provoking.  The run time is 11 minutes.

Rating  

 

 

The Wandering Earth

In these weeks before the Oscar presentations, with few new releases, many of our theaters are as bleak as the political landscape.  When suddenly China releases a sci-fi blockbuster where our sun is about to vaporize our solar system.  The world unites and hatches a plan to move Earth to a new star, Proxima Centauri.

We chose to see the film in our largest IMAX theater in 3D.  Rare for us, but a monumental film with incredible visual effects just demands all the bells and whistles a five story theater screen and a Dolby surround sound system can muster.

The production is world class and reflects the rapid evolution of the Chinese film industry.  That said, some parts of the production wander into the odd to goofy section but overall it’s a unique, visually stunning story that will challenge the imagination.

It’s listed as Science Fiction.  The language is Mandarin with English subtitles.  The run time is 125 minutes.

Rating: 

Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga

The literal translation according to Google is “A girl saw it.”  Obviously something is lost in translation.  This is an unusual film on several levels.  The director of the film states “it’s a film about a family, a community and a brother understanding the emotion about love”.

It’s our opinion there is a cultural/religious gap that keeps the LGBTQ conversation from an open and honest dialog.  In any case, the film is both interesting and highly entertaining.

There is a great Bollywood production that opens the film.  It’s classic, bawdy, colorful, semi-goofy and beautiful.  That actually describes the movie in general.

There are several scenes that start to reveal some conflict but the story never really walks through that portal.  Just as well.  The film would be completely different if the subtle conflicts were confronted on screen.

This film is not rated.  It’s listed as a Drama with a run time of a staggering 170 minutes.  Hindi with English subtitles.

Rating: 

Tito and the Birds

Oy!  This is a most unusual animated film from Brazil.  It’s touted as a “boy- against- the-world” allegory about the far-right politics currently in control of Brazil society.

That would explain the darkly colored scenes, “seasick colors” and the distorted animation.  The central theme is about a 10-year-old boy who develops a machine that helps humans understand birds.  It was also the life’s work of his father, a scientist, banished from the family after a failed experiment.  As an epidemic of fear takes over the adults shrink into lumps of “human rocks”.

Tito on the other hand believes he has the solution and following his father’s footsteps, develops another machine that captures the songs of doves that counteracts the paranoia consuming the nation.  Pretty heavy stuff.  We assume the message was a metaphor for the confusing ending.

Critics have been applauding the story, animation and the reflection on current generations and the society they live in.  It’s all a bit tedious, macabre and esoteric for us.

The film is not rated.  It’s listed as Action & Adventure, Animation, Drama with a run time of 73 minutes.  We saw the dubbed English version of this film.  The original is Portuguese with English subtitles.

Rating