I wasn't familiar with Susunu! Denpa Shōnen until encountering Clair Titley's new documentary, The Contestant. The first half is a fascinating glimpse in the ethical dilemmas of an early reality TV competition show in 1998 and its mostly unware participant, Nasubi. The second half strains for uplift in Nasubi's story. Still, it's amazing how prescient this show would be!
My Film-Forward review here.
I loved Challengers!
Masterful direction by Luca Guadagnino and silk-smooth editing by Marco Costa.
My Film-Forward review here.
I feel like Olivia Colman can do no wrong. Even when a movie she's in is a bit middling, she always brings so much personality and gravity to her performances.
My review of Wicked Little Letters is up at Film-Forward.
My review of the Kimi Takesue's film Onlookers is up here at Film-Forward.
An intriguing, observational-based doc (no voiceovers) of Laos and its people and its tourists.
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I enjoyed The Monk and the Gun: a buoyant parable about democracy arriving in Bhutan in the mid-aughts from filmmaker Pawo Choyning Dorji.
My Film-Forward review here.
My review of Molly Manning Walker's How to Have Sex up at Film-Forward.
A vibrantly filmed & riveting tale of consent.
Transfixing, hypnotic. Many wonderful compositions and shots in this debut from Vietnamese filmmaker Thien An Pham. My Film-Forward review here.
My review of Monica is now up at Film-Forward. I really liked the movie, especially Trace Lysette's performance alongside the per usual excellent Patricia Clarkson.
Here are some stills from the film. The movie was shot by Katelin Arizmendi.
