Written and directed by Michelle Schumacher, I’m Not Here is a film about an old man reflecting on his past, working through trauma and learning to find peace with his life’s biggest regret through vivid flashbacks of an earlier time. Though it has issues with the substance of its narrative, I’m Not Here demonstrates real talent… Continue reading Alcohol abuse takes its toll in compelling drama ‘I’m Not Here’
Author: Julia Lasker
Thoughtful Satire ‘Isn’t It Romantic’ is a Guaranteed Laugh
Written by Erin Cardillo, Dana Fox and Katie Silberman, Isn’t It Romantic is a satire about an Australian architect who is knocked out and wakes up in her own romantic comedy. Though its purpose in satirizing the genre of rom-coms is somewhat unclear, the satirical recreation of wildly unrealistic rom-com tropes is pretty much guaranteed… Continue reading Thoughtful Satire ‘Isn’t It Romantic’ is a Guaranteed Laugh
‘Untogether’ is a Fresh Take on Romance from First-Time Director Emma Forrest
Created by first-time writer and director Emma Forrest, ‘Untogether’ is about two sisters navigating their uncertain identities, troubled pasts, and imperfect relationships with men who are grappling with the same things. Though it lacks substance and cohesion at points, ‘Untogether’ is certainly a fresh take on romance. (JRL: 3/5) ‘Untogether’ opens with a one-night stand… Continue reading ‘Untogether’ is a Fresh Take on Romance from First-Time Director Emma Forrest
‘Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa’ turns the boy-meets-girl trope on its head
Directed by Shelly Chopra Dhar, ‘Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa’ is a groundbreaking Bollywood film about a failing writer who meets a beautiful girl with a big secret. ‘Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa’ is colorful and entertaining, while at the same time never forgetting the seriousness of the issues it deals with. (JRL:… Continue reading ‘Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa’ turns the boy-meets-girl trope on its head
‘Mary Queen of Scots’ is a fiery drama about love, war and feminine power
Directed by Josie Rourke, Mary Queen of Scots is a historical drama about Mary Stuart, Queen of Scotland, and Elizabeth I, Queen of England, and their fiery rivalry for the throne. Though the plot unfolds a bit too quickly and important details seem rushed, Saoirse Ronan and Margot Robbie positively shine as the queens, and… Continue reading ‘Mary Queen of Scots’ is a fiery drama about love, war and feminine power
‘Head Full of Honey’ a Lighthearted Story about a Heavy Disease
Written by Hilly Martinek and Til Schweiger, Head Full of Honey is the story of a young girl who takes her grandfather with Alzheimer’s on a trip to Venice, where he first fell in love with his late wife. Both funny and heartbreaking, this film is a refreshing and honest story of family love in… Continue reading ‘Head Full of Honey’ a Lighthearted Story about a Heavy Disease
‘At Eternity’s Gate’ is a Beautiful Tribute to the Life of Vincent van Gogh
Written by Louise Kugelburg, Jean-Claude Carrière and Julian Schnabel, At Eternity’s Gate tells the story of Van Gogh’s final years, spent surrounded by nature in the South of France. A heart-wrenching and breathtakingly vibrant tribute to the chaotic Vincent Van Gogh, this film is masterful from start to finish. (JRL: 4.5/5) At Eternity’s Gate… Continue reading ‘At Eternity’s Gate’ is a Beautiful Tribute to the Life of Vincent van Gogh
‘Say Her Name’ Honors Sandra Bland and her Fight for the Black Lives Matter Movement
Directed by Kate Davis and David Heilbroner, Say Her Name: The Life and Death of Sandra Bland is a riveting documentary about a young Black woman, Sandra Bland, who is sent to jail for a traffic violation and found hanged in her cell three days later. Say Her Name is a compelling exposee of our… Continue reading ‘Say Her Name’ Honors Sandra Bland and her Fight for the Black Lives Matter Movement
In ‘The Long Shadow’, Frances Causey Attempts to Right the Wrongs of her Slave-Owning Ancestors
Written and directed by Frances Causey, The Long Shadow traces the repercussions of America’s “original sin”: slavery. In the film, Causey explores the lesser-known stories and details of the country’s racial history, demonstrating how slavery has cast a “long shadow” over the whole matter. The Long Shadow provides valuable information and a fairly comprehensive review… Continue reading In ‘The Long Shadow’, Frances Causey Attempts to Right the Wrongs of her Slave-Owning Ancestors
‘What They Had’ is a Masterful Family Drama
Created by first-time writer and director Elizabeth Chomko, What They Had is a heart-wrenching family drama about the family of a woman with Alzheimer’s. With a raw and emotional storyline portrayed by excellent actors, What they Had is certainly a successful first film for Chomko. (JRL: 4 / 5) ‘What They Had’ is a Masterful Family… Continue reading ‘What They Had’ is a Masterful Family Drama
‘Above and Beyond’ is a love letter to NASA
Directed by Rory Kennedy, Above and Beyond showcases NASA’s 60-year history. It documents NASA’s many important milestones and mystifying discoveries, then brings it all back to our own planet that we must now save. Above and Beyond is not only a beautiful exposé’ of our universe, but an invigorating push to restore the Earth. (JRL:… Continue reading ‘Above and Beyond’ is a love letter to NASA
‘Trouble’ lacks cohesion but has lots of heart
Written and directed by Theresa Rebeck, Trouble is a heartfelt comedy about a brother and sister in a heated feud over property rights. (JRL: 3/5) Review by FF2 Media Intern Julia Lasker Maggie (Anjelica Huston) lives on a large plot of land in Vermont, spending her days gardening and taking in the view from her front porch.… Continue reading ‘Trouble’ lacks cohesion but has lots of heart
‘Jane Fonda in Five Acts’ is a triumph for women
Directed by Susan Lacey, Jane Fonda in Five Acts explores Jane Fonda’s life to date divided into five movements: her childhood, her three marriages, and finally herself. Emotional, honest and strikingly brave, this film is a masterpiece. (JRL: 4.5/5) In Jane Fonda in Five Acts, Jane Fonda recounts her life experiences in five distinct parts.… Continue reading ‘Jane Fonda in Five Acts’ is a triumph for women
‘Reversing Roe’ explores abortion’s evolution from personal to political
Directed by Anne Sundberg and Ricki Stern, Reversing Roe is a well-informed, illuminating and powerful resource for those who want to know more about one of the country’s most controversial topics. (JRL: 4/5)
‘A Whale of a Tale’ Explores the Controversial Whaling Industry of Taiji, Japan
Directed by Megumi Sasaki, ‘A Whale of a Tale’ follows an American journalist as he explores the traditions and culture of the whaling industry in Taiji, Japan, a town that has become a site for protest and debate due to its whaling,which American activists have deemed inhumane. (JRL: 4/5) ‘A Whale of a Tale’ Explores… Continue reading ‘A Whale of a Tale’ Explores the Controversial Whaling Industry of Taiji, Japan
‘Christopher Robin’ delightfully revives the world of Winnie the Pooh
Filled with all of the same love, kindness and charm of the books that inspired it, Christopher Robin is an absolute delight. (JRL: 5/5)
Dystopian ‘Hover’ taps into our fears about artificial intelligence
Written by and starring Cleopatra Coleman, Hover is a dystopian film set in the near future. Despite flaws in the plot and technical execution, Hover taps into the fears that are ruminating in the back of our minds as technology advances more and more. (JRL: 2.5/5)
‘How to Talk to Girls at Parties’ is lovably bizarre
Written by Philippa Goslett and John Cameron Mitchell, How to Talk to Girls at Parties is the story of Enn, a teenage boy from London, who meets Zan, a mysterious girl from somewhere very far away. The film is beautiful, bizarre, and an adventure from start to finish. (JRL: 4/5)
SUMMER 1993 (2017): Review by Julia Lasker
Written and directed by Carla Simon, Summer 1993 brings us six-year-old Frida (Laia Artigas), who is newly orphaned and must move in with her aunt and uncle. Much to its credit, the film is both a heart-wrenching tale of grief and an endearing tribute to childhood. (JRL: 4.5/5)
THE GUARDIANS (2017): Review by Julia Lasker
Co-written by Marie-Julie Maille, Frédérique Moreau and Xavier Beavois, The Guardians – or Les Gardiennes – depicts life on a farm in France in the throes of World War I. The Guardians is a powerful film about both intense love and intense loss. (JRL: 3.5/5)