Parabola's Films Watched in 2015
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- DirectorMaxime GirouxStarsMartin DubreuilHadas YaronLuzer TwerskyIn Félix and Meira, an unusual romance blossoms between two lost souls who inhabit the same neighborhood but vastly different worlds.A bit slow moving, but a "love" (infatuation?) story that doesn't overly dramatize things; hard to say if it's actually a happy ending -- but that's fine, it makes it more realistic. 6/10 (4-Jan)
- DirectorMarie-Hélène CousineauSusan AvingaqSol is a feature documentary that explores the mysterious death of a young Inuit man, Solomon Uyurasuk. As the documentary investigates the truth to Solomon's death it sheds light on the underlying social issues of Canada's North that has resulted in this region claiming one of the highest youth suicide rates in the world.Seemed way too light on the details (which I guess is sort of the point) -- but while the subject's death is certainly tragic, there's not much hard evidence of potential wrong-doing. Some interesting insights into the plight of the Nunavut population, though. 5/10 (4-Jan)
- DirectorXavier DolanStarsAnne DorvalAntoine Olivier PilonSuzanne ClémentA widowed single mother, raising her violent son alone, finds new hope when a mysterious neighbor inserts herself into their household.My TIFF14 review: Another strong film from Dolan, especially for writing such raw and emotional characters, brought to life by great acting performances. I think this is his most effective film yet, without some of his past indulgences. 8/10 (4-Jan)
- DirectorStéphane LafleurStarsJulianne CôtéPierre-Luc LafontaineLuc SenayWhile her parents are away, a young woman and her friend are hanging out for the summer, and are joined by her brother and his bandmates.This film certainly has the 'dreamy' quality the director was going for, in terms of mood (helped by the nice B&W palette) and some unexpected surreal touches. Not the most exciting of movies, but the main character is engaging in a meandering way. 7/10 (6-Jan)
- DirectorAndrew HuculiakStarsDagny Backer JohnsenMari Sofie AndreassenKarl BirdA young woman, and her last memories of the five people who loved her most, recalled while experiencing a catastrophic event.It certainly has some oddball and creepy moments, but the final act is too slow and the main character isn't particularly compelling. 6/10 (6-Jan)
- DirectorAlbert ShinStarsMoon Chang-gilYoon Da-kyungGil Hae-YeonA weathered woman and her odd teen-aged daughter live in isolation on a desolate farm in South Korea. An affluent city woman comes to them seeking help with a sensitive matter and the three women soon fall into a new rhythm of life together, each working to fill a void within. However, as their very different paths converge, their deal becomes more than what they bargained for.This was very nicely directed and the story moves along mysteriously at times by only revealing key details at certain points. The vibe from the very beginning is that things are not going to lead to a happy ending. 7/10 (6-Jan)
- DirectorJames Ward ByrkitStarsEmily BaldoniMaury SterlingNicholas BrendonStrange things begin to happen when a group of friends gather for a dinner party on an evening when a comet is passing overhead.Just the fact that this is still enjoyable to watch on repeat viewings and fun to show to someone who's never heard of it and doesn't know what to expect, I'm bumping it up a point after a third viewing despite some of its flaws. 8/10 (7-Jan)
- DirectorMathieu DenisStarsAnthony TherrienAntoine L'ÉcuyerKarelle TremblayA teenage Québecer in the 1960s evolves from pro-independence activist to radical terrorist, in this gripping chronicle of the origins of the FLQ in the decade preceding the 1970 October Crisis.I never knew about this story from the early days of the FLQ terrorist group. The director really seems to capture the 60s era and keeps the tension up. The young cast is excellent. 7/10 (8-Jan)
- DirectorColin LepperIn order for Ed to continue his comfortable, routine life, he must make the journey into a strange living world.The stylish stop-motion animation certainly shows a Burton aesthetic, but there doesn't seem to be much of interest story-wise. 5/10 (9-Jan)
- DirectorAristofanis SoulikiasStarsDonovan KingLuke LaFontaineLouis RastelliAn animated documentary on the demolition of a row of historic buildings on Montreal's St Laurent boulevard, also known as 'The Main', by politicians and building developers, and the resistance put up by the burlesque artists and local community.Visually interesting style/techniques, but the story content is on the light side. 5/10 (9-Jan)
- DirectorYassmina KarajahStarsAhmed MuslimaniSoad KarimTim O'LearyDevastated by the death of his newborn son, Omar is challenged by his mother's request that he performs religious pre-burial rituals in the confines of a hospital.Subtly and effectively done although a tad long. 6/10 (9-Jan)
- DirectorGrayson MooreStarsPeter SpenceRichard ClarkinSarah OrensteinArthur Zimmer travels to Prince Edward Island to sell his father's house just as detached feet have been turning up on the island's shores.Starts off very promising with some quirky humor and then a subtle standoff, but doesn't hold up in the end (much like the main character, I guess). 6/10 (9-Jan)
- DirectorAkreta SaimStarsMaria BrofkasAkreta Saim's cousin Ruby died giving birth to her daughter Elpis. In the preceding months Ruby wrote a series of letters to her unborn child. This film documents those letters.It's a sad backstory, but the film itself is too abstract for my tastes. 5/10 (9-Jan)
- DirectorBreanna CheekA very distinctive and engaging animation style, but it dwells more on slow scenes rather than having any story. 5/10 (9-Jan)
- DirectorJoel SalaysayStarsCharles LysneBrishkay AhmedMathieu Lucien LeBlondWhen you wash dishes for a living, your mind wanders. 'Lifers' follows Kevin on his journey through the inescapable nightmare of working full-time in a kitchen.A decently well-done and observant film. 6/10 (9-Jan)
- DirectorScott BrachmayerStarsJohnny IssalukIsolated in the harsh wilderness of the Arctic, a hunter follows the teachings of survival passed on to him by his grandfather. In an environment government by the spirits of the land, a taboo is broken and he is forced to face the consequences.From TIFF14 review: There was genuine suspense in this interpretation from Nunavut folklore. The desolate landscape looked beautiful, and the low-tech methods of creeping you out (music, brief glimpses of the beast/spirit) and performance of the lone actor were all well done. 7/10 (9-Jan)
- DirectorAndrew CividinoStarsIsaac WiebeReece MoffettNick SerinoFourteen-year-old Adam is spending the summer in a small beach community on the North shore of Lake Superior. His dull summer routine shatters when he meets local boys Foster and Rizzo, two smart alecks who fill their long days with adventures and reckless stunting. When Adam learns he is competing with Foster for the affection of his crush, Taylor, he is drawn into a dark and unfamiliar world which leads the boys to the top of the infamous Todd's Cliff.A nicely realistic portrayal of young kids and summertime. 7/10 (9-Jan)
- DirectorSlater Jewell-KemkerStarsGiacomo GianniottiEmily PiggfordLost in an isolated forest with her abusive boyfriend, Sadie finds a sinister way to get the love she's always wanted.I gave this a poor review after originally seeing it at TIFF14, but I liked it much better this time around. I think I just found the main actress to be unsuitable for the part (or too exasperated by her character, at least). 6/10 (9-Jan)
- DirectorRandall OkitaStarsRandall OkitaTwo brothers, who suffered through a traumatic childhood experience, grow up to became two vastly different people.The visuals were certainly unique, but this was another short that was too abstract at times and really hard to get into and enjoy. 5/10 (9-Jan)
- DirectorKazik RadwanskiStarsTanya Casole-GouveiaCaitlin McIntoshBecky E. ShrimptonAn affecting tale of personal tragedy is told entirely through close-ups of a construction worker's hands.The story itself may be simplistic, in the end, but the method of communicating it all through only short scenes of close-ups of hands was entirely effective. Nicely done. 7/10 (9-Jan)
- DirectorSol FriedmanIn this animated retelling of the Noah's Ark story, various unholy activities fill the great ship, as the animals discover the darker side of their nature.From my TIFF14 review: The greatest biblical adaptation ever? If not, certainly one of the most hilarious and sacrilegious and fun to watch. I hope they're able to fund their feature length version. 8/10 (9-Jan)
- DirectorMatthew RankinStarsEve MajzelsLouis NeginAlek RzeszowskiA completely handmade historical microepic about the final minutes in the life of Winnipeg's doomed Second world war hero, Andrew MynarskyAnother unique animation style, but actually a little too distracting for the story. 6/10 (9-Jan)
- DirectorKevan FunkStarsTyler BurrowsJames MichelDylan PlayfairA meditative and mysterious dramatic film, BISON ultimately explores the violent legacy of colonialism in a contemporary context. The film is anchored by thematic concerns around implicit cultural culpability, systemic issues of failure surrounding the contemporary and historical relationship with First Nations peoples and notions of responsibility in an individual and societal context.I didn't quite get the point of this ... it seemed for a moment there was going to be some mysterious event and then ... nothing. I dunno. 4/10 (9-Jan)
- DirectorGeneviève Dulude-De CellesStarsMilya Corbeil GauvreauAlain HouleWhen Fannie offers her father to cut his hair, he accepts. Alain knows that his daughter will do it carefully and thoroughly, as usual. But an outside incident change their plans and confront the precariousness of this shared moment. The cut tells the story of a father and a daughter, between proximity and detachment, for the moment of an haircut.A nice father-daughter dynamic is on display in this observant and touching story. Good casting of the young girl. 7/10 (9-Jan)
- DirectorAlex MainwaringStarsNicole CarlsonZachary CollisonNathaniel HillabyA bloodthirsty wolf-man is challenged by a not-so-innocent Little Red Riding Hood, in this subversive and creative twist on the famous tale.A nice take on the Red Riding Hood theme, with a twist of an ending. 7/10 (9-Jan)