TIFF: While at War
Director Alejandro Amenábar’s While at War/Mientras dure la guerra about writer Miguel de Unamuno’s last stand during the Spanish Civil War offers a grand production and fine performances but lacks in emotion.
TIFF: Sea Fever
An enthralling sci-fi film from Irish filmmaker Neasa Hardiman. Feels both classic and brand new. Stays true to its story and doesn’t rely on splashy special effects to be thrilling.
The Narcissists
The Narcissists is a contemplative study on filmmaking and relationships that is not afraid to spend time with its characters.
Rafiki
Directed by Wanuri Kahiu, Rafiki stars Samantha Mugatsia and Sheila Munyiva as two young Kenyan women who fall in love and have to face the ramifications of their anti-LGBTQ culture. Available on DVD from Film Movement.
The Heiresses
The Heiresses is a quiet and spare lesbian drama. It will resonate with anyone who has settled into their ways and suddenly finds themselves having to reinvent their life.
Nothing Really Happens
Nothing Really Happens is a quirky, offbeat film that serves as a metaphysical exploration of how disconnected we are as a society.
Ekaj
Written, directed and produced by Cati Gonzalez, Ekaj is a modern day Midnight Cowboy with queer Latinx characters told from a female POV.
Summer Night
Summer Night offers a lighthearted drama with comedic moments and is a great vehicle for its up-and-coming young talent.
TIFF ’19 – Preliminary Picks
TIFF ’19 list of Gala and Special Presentations and Raquel’s top ten picks from the first slate of announced films.
Queering the Script
Queering the Script is an enlightening documentary that shines a much needed spotlight on queer representation.
Greta
Greta is a psychological thriller that had potential but instead of taking a deep dive it stays in the shallow end leaving viewers wanting more. Review sponsored by DVD Netflix.
Rojo
Argentine drama Rojo explores how government corruption enables the worst in human behavior. Moody, atmospheric and unsettling.
Armstrong
Armstrong is an intimate portrait of an extraordinary individual and required viewing for anyone who appreciated Damien Chazelle’s biopic First Man but craved more.
The Spy Behind Home Plate
Part baseball history part WWII history. A new documentary explores the life of Moe Berg, a catcher for MLB and a spy for the US during WWII.
The Lavender Scare
You may know about the red scare but do you know about the lavender scare? A new documentary shines a spotlight on the US government’s persecution of LGBT employees.
Starfish
A.T. White’s new film Starfish transforms the mourning process into a cosmic and post-apocalyptic drama that is as quiet and spare as it is fraught with tension and mystery.