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Paradise

Paradise, a Holocaust drama from Russian filmmaker Andrey Konchalovsky, is surprisingly mannered considering the film’s potential.  The movie murmurs its story while over-rehearsed interviews with individual characters interject break up the pacing with intimate perspectives.

Reviews

The Better Angels

By: Addison Wylie Terrence Malick is a filmmaker who marches to the beat of his own drum.  His unorthodox work has made audiences ponder, and his unique direction and screenwriting has challenged the actors he’s worked with.  He’s certainly a one-of-a-kind with a sixth sense for beauty. I imagine collaborating under his mentorship would provide an artful view of how to express yourself using poetic language and imagery.  However, the point of being a protege…

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STRANGE PARADISE: Coffee and Cigarettes

By: Addison Wylie TIFF Cinematheque opens up a wonderful world of  weird with Strange Paradise: The Cinema of Jim Jarmusch. The retrospective – which began on July 24 and runs until August 16 – screens Jarmusch’s unique filmography in pristine condition at the TIFF BELL Lightbox.  The scheduling of the program jumps around, so faithful watchers are never following the career in chronological order.  Something tells me this quirk is much like Jarmusch’s unpredictable sensibilities. Wylie…

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Ida

By: Addison Wylie The concept of a devout character finding out their secret past is always going to be an intriguing premise – especially when the unexplored involves religion. That’s what happens to Anna in Pawel Pawlikowski’s Ida.  Before she takes her vows of being a nun, Anna’s urged to meet with her only living family member.  She sets out to meet her estranged Aunt Wanda, and fortunately does.  She’s informed by her agitated Aunt…

Reviews

A Field in England

By: Addison Wylie A Field in England is a shock to the system.  However, the film’s fine print entails a different definition of that phrase to movie goers.  I certainly am not using that description to be complimentary. Some are going to find Ben Wheatley’s trippy drama an enigmatic experience that has them coming back for more.  It’s a film that seems as if its been tailor-made for the patient arthouse crowd. Others – like…