A woman struggles to break free from the yoke of her father’s authority and become her own person. Matters are complicated when she must care for him after he suffers a stroke. Still, she dreams of moving into a house of her own and helping her friend “Bethan” (Joanna Page) go to Disneyland. In Sara Sugarman’s Very Annie Mary (2001), the titular character charms us with her awkward yet kind-hearted nature. Colorful characters throughout the film make for a quirky, fun, and at times sad story. (RMM: 4/5)
Category: Reviews: U-W
‘The Women Who Loved Cinema’ Illuminates Female Pioneers of Egyptian Film
In her two-part documentary series, The Women Who Loved Cinema (2002), director Marianne Khoury recounts prominent Egyptian actresses and filmmakers’ lives from the 1920s and 1930s. These women would advance the development of Egyptian cinema, leaving their mark on a growing industry. (RMM: 3.5/5)
‘Wasp’ Depicts a Family Strained by Circumstance yet Bonded in Love
A single mother in Dartford, England struggles emotionally and financially to support three young girls and a baby boy as she reconnects with an old flame from high school. Andrea Arnold’s Oscar-winning short film Wasp (2003) is an at-times charming and all-around painfully honest portrayal of a family strained by circumstance yet strongly bonded in love. (RMM: 5/5)
Cheryl Dunye’s ‘The Watermelon Woman’ Sparks Conversation on Subtle Racism Perpetuated in Assigned Symbols
The Watermelon Woman focuses on a queer black novice filmmaker’s quest for clarity on the life of a fictitious Black actress of the 30s and 40s who was known for her roles as the archetypical “mammy”. Director Cheryl Dunye deftly yet subtly comments on racism in its stealthiest forms in this funny and conversation-sparking film. (RMM: 4/5)
‘Wendy’ (2020): Review by FF2 Media
Written by Benh and Eliza Zeitlin, Wendy is a reimagination and modernization of the classic fairy tale, Peter Pan, told from the perspective of Wendy. Visually and auditorily stunning, this film captures the wonder of being a child (JRL: 4 / 5) Review by FF2 intern Julia Lasker Wendy opens on a spritely young toddler… Continue reading ‘Wendy’ (2020): Review by FF2 Media
‘Vitalina Varela’ Forms an Extraordinary Picture of Grief
Vitalina Varela tells the story of a woman who arrives in Lisbon after the death of her husband, and subsequently tries to disentangle the history of his life there without her. (AEL: 4/5)
‘The Woman Who Loves Giraffes’: a Profile of Famous Zoologist and Giraffe Lover Anne Innis Dagg
The Woman Who Loves Giraffes, directed and written by Alison Reid, is a documentary about Anne Innis Dagg, one of the first zoologists to do extensive field research on a wild animal. Dagg fell in love with giraffes at a young age and contributed significantly to what we know about the animal today. However, being… Continue reading ‘The Woman Who Loves Giraffes’: a Profile of Famous Zoologist and Giraffe Lover Anne Innis Dagg
‘Varda by Agnès’ Is a Splendid Retrospective of Varda’s Lifelong Work
Varda by Agnès is a retrospective composite of interviews with legendary French filmmaker Agnès Varda and clips of her films that span the beginning of her career to her final creative endeavors. Varda by Agnès is an exquisitely beautiful portrait of an artist that has done so much for the film industry and acts as… Continue reading ‘Varda by Agnès’ Is a Splendid Retrospective of Varda’s Lifelong Work
‘The Warrior Queen of Jhansi’ Tells a Relevant Woman’s Story for Our Times
From first-time director Swati Bhise, The Warrior Queen of Jhansi is a historical period drama following the matriarch who fought the British East India Company and British troops in the mid-1800s. Written and directed by women and following a historical female protagonist with whom common audiences might not be familiar, Swati Bhise’s directorial debut tells… Continue reading ‘The Warrior Queen of Jhansi’ Tells a Relevant Woman’s Story for Our Times
WATSON (2019): Review by FF2 Media
Lesley Chilcott’s documentary Watson is not a Sherlock Holmes adventure, but it is just as exciting and mysterious as you’d expect one to be. Instead, Chilcott is focusing on a man named Paul Watson who has spent over four decades fearlessly protecting sea life. This film is as educational as it is entertaining–discussing the morals,… Continue reading WATSON (2019): Review by FF2 Media
UNLIKELY (2019): Review by FF2 Media
In Unlikely, co-director Jaye Fenderson and her partner Adam Fenderson deftly analyze how the systems of student debt and rising unemployment are propping up an unsustainable system that limits access to the highest tier colleges to the elite. The solutions it proposes have been working in their limited environments, though a viewer can’t help but… Continue reading UNLIKELY (2019): Review by FF2 Media
Not Livin’ for ‘The Weekend’
Written and directed by Stella Meghie, The Weekend is a rom-com about a young woman who begrudgingly goes on a weekend getaway with her ex and his new girlfriend. The film is funny and features a strong leading lady, but doesn’t have much merit beyond that (JRL: 2/5) Review by FF2 Intern Julia Lasker At… Continue reading Not Livin’ for ‘The Weekend’
A Complex World of Love, Writing, and Muses in ‘Vita & Virginia’
Chanya Button directs and co-writes Vita & Virginia with Dame Eileen Atkins. The adaptation is a glimpse into the affair between Virginia Woolf and Vita Sackville-West starring Elizabeth Debicki and Gemma Arterton respectively. Based on a 1992 play of the same name, the film swirls us into the complex relationships surrounding these two women, their writing, and their muses. (KIZJ: 3/5)
‘Where’d You Go Bernadette’ a frantic search for a depressed mother
Where’d You Go Bernadette, directed by Richard Linklater and written by Linklater, Holly Gent and Vincent Palmo Jr, is a mystery comedy-drama that centers around a mother and daughter’s relationship. Former architect Bernadette Fox is depressed due to trauma and lack of creative outlet. She decides to embark on a trip to Antarctica for a… Continue reading ‘Where’d You Go Bernadette’ a frantic search for a depressed mother
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
‘Woodstock: Three Days That Defined A Generation’ a nostalgic reminder of a poorly run festival
Woodstock: Three Days That Defined a Generation gives us a look into the ups and down of the historic Woodstock festival in Bethel, New York. It is a magical and nostalgic look into the 1969 festival that set the precedent for what all modern festivals have become. (AEG 3.5/5) Review by FF2 Intern Anika Guttormson… Continue reading ‘Woodstock: Three Days That Defined A Generation’ a nostalgic reminder of a poorly run festival
‘The Wandering Soap Opera’ both Confounds and Enlightens
Through the efforts of his wife and co-director Valeria Sarmiento, the final film of the late Chilean filmmaker Raoul Ruiz has finally made it to the public. The Wandering Soap Opera (in Spanish, La telenovela errante) presents Chilean life as an ensemble of soap operas, exploring their tropes while infusing each scene with its own… Continue reading ‘The Wandering Soap Opera’ both Confounds and Enlightens
Adaptation of ‘We Have Always Lived in the Castle’ Falls Short of Book
Though based on Shirley Jackson’s mystery novel, director Stacie Passon’s and screenwriter Mark Kruger’s We Have Always Lived in the Castle is not very chilling, instead it is quite uncomfortable. Discomfort is arguably a very good response to a thriller, but this unease was unfortunately not due to the story—it came from the storytelling itself.… Continue reading Adaptation of ‘We Have Always Lived in the Castle’ Falls Short of Book
Amy Poehler’s ‘Wine Country’ a refreshing good time
From director Amy Poehler and writers Liz Cackowski and Emily Spivey, Wine Country is a heartfelt comedy wrapped up in a Saturday Night Live lover’s dream. Reuniting for a 50th birthday party on a girl’s trip to Napa, California, a group of friends comes back together in the midst of multiple midlife crises. Perfecting human… Continue reading Amy Poehler’s ‘Wine Country’ a refreshing good time
‘Uglydolls’ a movie made for your inner child
UglyDolls, directed by Kelly Asbury and written by Alison Peck, is a vivacious 3D-animated musical comedy featuring a number of big-name celebrities. It follows the adventures of a doll named Moxy and her friends as they venture outside of their eccentric home, UglyVille, to the Institute of Perfection. The institute is an orderly place opposite… Continue reading ‘Uglydolls’ a movie made for your inner child
WILD NIGHTS WITH EMILY (2018): Review by FF2 Media
From IMDb: Dramatization of the little known side of the writer Emily Dickinson’s life, in particular her relationship with another woman. Wild Nights With Emily opens 4/12 in NYC. FF2 review coming soon!
THE WIND (2018): Review by FF2 Media
The Wind is a stylish feast from director Emma Tammi and writer Teresa Sutherland. It’s prairie-Gothic style makes for a refreshingly new kind of horror aesthetic, though the ultimate twist at the end of the movie was a bit of a let-down. Overall an excellent experience, though! (GPG: 3.5/5) Review by FF2 Contributor Giorgi Plys-Garzotto… Continue reading THE WIND (2018): Review by FF2 Media
‘A Vigilante’ is a Powerful Must-See
Sarah Daggar-Nickson’s directorial debut A Vigilante is a moving and incredibly important story about one woman’s journey to heal from domestic abuse. It is compassionate, beautiful, and deserves to be celebrated.. (HRM: 4/5) Review by FF2 Intern Hannah Mayo Sadie lives on the road working as a vigilante who helps people who are victims of… Continue reading ‘A Vigilante’ is a Powerful Must-See
WORKING WOMAN (2018): Review by Farah Elattar
A film by feminist filmmaker Michal Aviad, Working Woman chronicles the painful story of a woman who returns to the workplace to support her family and their new business, and is faced with increased sexual harassment from her employer, in a job she comes to depend on. (FEA: 5/5) “Orna” (Liron Ben Shlush) finds her… Continue reading WORKING WOMAN (2018): Review by Farah Elattar
‘Water Makes Us Wet’ is an underwhelming ecosexual adventure
Written and directed by partners Annie Sprinkle and Beth Stephens, Water Makes Us Wet: An Ecosexual Adventure is a documentary about the ecosexual community and our impact on our world today through our destruction of the planet. Annie and Beth are ecosexuals, educators, and activists that travel across California to take a better look at… Continue reading ‘Water Makes Us Wet’ is an underwhelming ecosexual adventure
A Glimpse into Battling Structural Poverty and Racism in ‘Wrestle’
Wrestle, written and directed by Suzannah Herbert and Lauren Belfer, is an emotional coming-of-age documentary centering on four boys and their struggle for recognition by participating in their high school’s wrestling team, as an attempt to overcome the cycle of poverty they’ve been born into. (BV 4.0/5.0) Review by Intern Beatrice Viri Wrestle takes the… Continue reading A Glimpse into Battling Structural Poverty and Racism in ‘Wrestle’
‘The Unicorn’ Brings Courage and Hope through the Music
Isabelle Dupuis and Tim Geraghty co-direct The Unicorn, a documentary about Peter Grudzien—the creator of the first openly gay country album. Dupuis and Geraghty’s film is not for the faint-hearted; it digs deep into a family wrought with mental disturbances where the musician finds his sole escape in the world of his music. (KIZJ: 3.5/5)
A Proposal Gone Awry Sparks Countryside Romance in ‘Under the Eiffel Tower’
Under the Eiffel Tower is a romantic comedy co-written by Judith Godrèche, in which a middle-aged man is rejected by his best friend’s daughter but finds romance in the French countryside. (BV 3.0/5.0) Review by Intern Beatrice Viri Under the Eiffel Tower starts off with protagonist Stuart (Matt Walsh) in a rut due to a… Continue reading A Proposal Gone Awry Sparks Countryside Romance in ‘Under the Eiffel Tower’
‘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
‘What Men Want’ is Predictable Fun
What Men Want is a refreshing and hilarious comedy that celebrates women and people of color. While it follows the formula of Hollywood blockbusters, it will make you laugh and warm your heart. (HRM: 3/5) Review by FF2 Intern Hannah Mayo Career driven sports agent “Ali Davis” (Taraji P. Henson) is constantly struggling to… Continue reading ‘What Men Want’ is Predictable Fun