From IMDb: A look at the working environment of a chambermaid in one of Mexico City’s most luxurious hotels. The Chambermaid opens 6/28. FF2 review coming soon!
Author: Katharine Cutler
WILD ROSE (2018): Review by Katharine Cutler
Written by Nicole Taylor, Wild Rose is a wonderfully multi-faceted story about a young mother whose dreams of being a country singer are at odds with her children’s expectations of her. The film is moving and intricate, delving past the music and into the complicated relationships women have with each other. (KC: 4/5) Review by… Continue reading WILD ROSE (2018): Review by Katharine Cutler
THE SPY BEHIND HOME PLATE (2019): Review by FF2 Media
From IMDb: In this first ever feature-length documentary about the enigmatic Morris “Moe” Berg, award-winning filmmaker Aviva Kempner again focuses her camera on a little-known Jewish hero. From the streets of Newark to five major league teams during baseball’s Golden Age to his secret life spying for the OSS during WWII, Berg’s improbable story is… Continue reading THE SPY BEHIND HOME PLATE (2019): Review by FF2 Media
DECADE OF FIRE (2019): Review by FF2 Media
During the 70’s and early 80’s, the Bronx was burning. The documentary, Decade of Fire, explores the history of this chaotic time, delving deeper and uncovering the many factors that have put the Bronx at risk. (KAC: 4/5) Review by FF2 Intern Katharine Cutler Vivian Vázquez Irizarry is a Bronx native. As a child, she… Continue reading DECADE OF FIRE (2019): Review by FF2 Media
BUDDY (2018): Review by Katharine Cutler
Directed by Heddy Honigmann, Buddy is more than just a movie about dogs; its emotional depth and respect for the subjects propels it miles above its peers. Buddy takes a long look at the special relationship that people have with their dogs. (KC: 4.5/5) Review by FF2 Intern Katharine Cutler Buddy is an emotionally intense… Continue reading BUDDY (2018): Review by Katharine Cutler
CAPERNAUM (2018): Review by Katharine Cutler
Written by Nadine Labaki, Jihad Hojeily, and Michelle Keserwany, Capernaum is a film that works to reframe poor children in a way that doesn’t exploit them or pity them. While powerful and moving, the film moves beyond those terms and creates something that doesn’t beg for attention. (KAC: 5/5) Review by FF2 Intern Katharine Cutler… Continue reading CAPERNAUM (2018): Review by Katharine Cutler
ON MY SKIN (2018): Review by Katharine Cutler
Based on a true story, On My Skin is the haunting death of Stefano Cucchi, killed after being arrested for a minor crime. The film explores the week he spent in custody and attempts to give an explanation of his psyche before his tragic death. (KAC: 4.5/5) Review by FF2 Intern Katharine Cutler Directed by… Continue reading ON MY SKIN (2018): Review by Katharine Cutler
NUMBER 37 (2018): Review by Katharine Cutler
Number 37 is a chilling reimagining of Hitchcock’s Rear Window, throwing many expectations out the door. Despite beautiful imagery and great acting, the films fails to introduce something different. (KAC: 3/5) Review by FF2 Intern Katharine Cutler Directed by Nosipho Dumisa, Number 37 follows glimpses of life in a crime-ridden neighborhood in Cape Town through… Continue reading NUMBER 37 (2018): Review by Katharine Cutler
‘On Her Shoulders’ (2018): Review by FF2 Media
On Her Shoulders is a powerful look into the day to day life of Nadia Murad, an activist who fights for her people by sharing her deeply personal and traumatic story. (KAC: 4.5/5) Review by FF2 Intern Katharine Cutler Nadia Murad Basee Taha is one of the strongest women you’ll ever see. Despite being captured… Continue reading ‘On Her Shoulders’ (2018): Review by FF2 Media
A family gathers to bid farewell to a beloved pet in the wise & winsome ‘Stella’s Last Weekend’
Stella’s Last Weekend reflects the importance of being young and not knowing what to do. Set around the impending death of their family dog, Stella, two brothers learn that they have mistakenly fallen for the same girl and discover that nothing in life is as easy it seems. (KAC: 4/5) Review by FF2 Intern Katharine… Continue reading A family gathers to bid farewell to a beloved pet in the wise & winsome ‘Stella’s Last Weekend’
MOYNIHAN (2018): Review by Katharine Cutler
Moynihan is a film that dares to recount the almost 40-year career of politician Daniel Patrick Moynihan. Unfortunately, the film bites off more than it can chew and gives too little a view of the history that makes it special. (KAC: 2/5) Review by FF2 Intern Katharine Cutler Directed by Toby Perl Freilich and Joseph… Continue reading MOYNIHAN (2018): Review by Katharine Cutler
MOSES AND THE TEN COMMANDMENTS (2016): Review by Katharine Cutler
Moses and the 10 Commandments is a unique retelling of the classic, biblical story. Following the format of a telenovela, this film is the most fun you can have reliving an often told story. (KAC: 3.5/5) Review by FF2 Intern Katharine Cutler Written by Paula Richard and Vivian de Oliveira, this Brazilian version has everything.… Continue reading MOSES AND THE TEN COMMANDMENTS (2016): Review by Katharine Cutler
‘Hale County’ a graceful portrait of small-town Alabama
Hale County This Morning, This Evening is a delicate portrait of a way of life. Shot in director RaMell Ross’s hometown, Hale County, Alabama, this film contains the beauty and the darkness of passing time. (KAC: 4/5) Review by FF2 Intern Katharine Cutler Written by Ross and Maya Krinsky, Hale County is not a typical… Continue reading ‘Hale County’ a graceful portrait of small-town Alabama
Tender performances stand out in narrative biopic ‘Blaze’
Based on the biography by Sybil Rosen, Blaze recounts the life and death of an unknown legend in Texas music history. Gentle and loving, this biopic celebrates the complexities that made up Blaze Foley’s life. (KAC: 5/5) Review by FF2 Intern Katharine Cutler Directed by Ethan Hawke, Blaze is a story of love and loss… Continue reading Tender performances stand out in narrative biopic ‘Blaze’
Puppies find purpose in ‘Pick of the Litter’
Following the birth of five puppies at Guide Dogs for the Blind, Pick of the Litter follows their journey to becoming a blind or visually impaired person’s guide for life. The documentary—co-directed by Don Hardy Jr & Dana Nachman with a screenplay by Nachman—explores this difficult path, but fails to look deeper than the numerous tests… Continue reading Puppies find purpose in ‘Pick of the Litter’
RBG (2018): Review by Katharine Cutler
When discussing an icon as monumental as Ruth Bader Ginsburg, questions always arise: what to show of their life and how to show it. In RBG, directors Julie Cohen and Betsy West chose to investigate her high school through law school years, her married life, a few of her Supreme Court cases, and an overview… Continue reading RBG (2018): Review by Katharine Cutler
YOU WERE NEVER REALLY HERE (2017): Review by Katharine Cutler
Adapted for the screen and directed by Lynne Ramsay, You Were Never Really Here is an exploration of the mind of a man who kills sex traffickers for a living. But without a meaningful narrative, the film becomes monotonous mess even with bullets flying across the screen. (KAC: 2/5) Review by FF2 Intern Katharine Cutler… Continue reading YOU WERE NEVER REALLY HERE (2017): Review by Katharine Cutler
OUTSIDE IN (2018): Review by Katharine Cutler
Directed by Lynn Shelton and co-written with Jay Duplass, Outside In tells the unlikely love story of a man released after 20 years in prison and his high school teacher, the only person to stick by him. The film follows the inner workings of their minds and never loses the audience for a second. (KAC: 4.5/5)
MADAME (2017): Review by Katharine Cutler
Written and directed by Amanda Sthers, Madame is a spin on the romantic comedy genre that falls flat. Chaos ensues after a maid is forced to attend a high-class dinner party and falls in love with one of the guests. (KAC: 2.5/5) Review by FF2 Intern Katharine Cutler Madame takes place in Paris, following the… Continue reading MADAME (2017): Review by Katharine Cutler
A WRINKLE IN TIME (2018): Sneak Peek by Katharine Cutler
Directed by Ava DuVernay and written by Jennifer Lee and Jeff Stockwell, A Wrinkle in Time is a film about trust, love, and self-understanding. With star Storm Reid as pre-teen “Meg,” DuVernay explores what it means to be a girl at that age, especially what it means to be a girl of color. (KAC: 4/5)… Continue reading A WRINKLE IN TIME (2018): Sneak Peek by Katharine Cutler
HONDROS (2017): Review by Katharine Cutler
Directed by Greg Campbell and co-written with Jenny Golden, Hondros is a moving documentary about the late war photographer Chris Hondros. By exploring the field through his body of work and anecdotes from his friends and family, this film brings up questions about the field and the impact of Hondros’ life. (KAC: 4/5) Review by… Continue reading HONDROS (2017): Review by Katharine Cutler
THE BOY DOWNSTAIRS (2017): Review by Katharine Cutler
Written and directed by Sophie Brooks, The Boy Downstairs is a quirky love story about rekindling with an ex years later. With unlikable characters and a toxic atmosphere, this film misses every opportunity to show true love. (KAC: 2/5)
BECKS (2017): Review by Katharine Cutler
Directed by Elizabeth Rohrbaugh and Daniel Powell, Becks is a dazzling romance film with beautiful music. Co-written with Rebecca Drysdale, this film is slightly predictable, but like any other good love story, it draws you in. Funny and thoughtful, Becks is worth watching for a fun time. (KAC: 3.5/5)
MUDBOUND (2017): Take Two by Katharine Cutler
Directed by Dee Rees and co-written with Virgil Williams, Mudbound was recently nominated for 4 Oscars, including the first ever female nominee for cinematography, Rachel Morrison, but missed out on Best Picture and Best Director. Here’s why I think the Oscars made a mistake. (KAC: 5/5)
MARY AND THE WITCH’S FLOWER (2017): Review by Katharine Cutler
When a young girl stumbles upon a magical flower, she discovers who she is beyond how others see her. Mary and the Witch’s Flower, directed by Hiromasa Yonebayashi and co-written with Riko Sakaguchi, doesn’t disappoint, delivering breathtaking animation and a heartwarming story. (KAC: 3.5/5)
LOGAN LUCKY (2017): Review By Katharine Cutler
Written by Rebecca Blunt and directed by Steven Soderbergh, Logan Lucky is yet another exciting heist movie that keeps you guessing. Through bad Southern accents and a sluggish story, this film misses one too many beats to make it the next Ocean’s 11. (KAC: 3/5)