TBFF17 Film Review- 9 Rides

9 Rides is an ambitious bordering on guerrilla project that follows an Uber Driver (Dorian Missick) as he picks up and drops off passengers on New Year's Eve 2016. He's working that night to earn extra money as he prepares to cover the finances to his wedding to his girlfriend. As one can glean from the title the film is sectioned into 9 different fares. Between trips the driver thinks about his goals, relationship while trying to reach his girlfriend who has gone out for a supposed quiet New Year's with friends.

Director Matthew A Cherry shot the entire film on an iPhone 6 with the acting taking place in or in the close vicinity to Joe's GMC SUV. The narrative runs though conversation between the driver and passengers, telephone conversations or texts displayed on screen. The film will inevitable bring comparisons to last year's Tangerine that was shot on an iPhone 5 and is also quite similar as it follows the main character on a journey through Los Angeles dealing with family issues while meeting a bunch varying personalities.

The story jumps into ride 5 as a prelude to the action. Joe picks up a single female who begins a flirtation through the mirror that leaves an open ended question as to where reality and ends and the driver's imagination starts with this encounter.  A key theme of the piece is how that vibe in the vehicle changes as each fare enters the vehicle. In the fourth chapter he picks up a couple that are obviously in an abusive relationship. What are the driver's obligations? Should he get involved? What if the female does not accept help to escape the situation if offered?  The warmest episode occurs when he picks up a senior couple from the airport. Their trip to L.A. was a surprise sprung by the husband.  As the driver is about to embark on a new life with his fiancee he wants their key to happiness. The answer is open communication no matter if the subject is good or bad.

The director and cinematographer Richard Vialet do an excellent job creating space in a piece that  could easily give the impression of confinement. Firstly they use the exterior around the vehicle on several occasions to extend the area for the actors. Next shadows and reflections using the vehicles mirrors, natural and artificial light of L.A. at night help to enlarge the films environment.  Lastly shooting several shots from the outside edges of the large SUV help to remove any claustrophobic feelings as well.

Dorian Missick is a strong choice as the driver. He keeps his mind sharply focused on his reason for being out there on New Year's Eve. He engages with his fares the right amount given the situation and the story allows for the silences that naturally occur in a vehicle for higher after the initial polite exchange of conversation begins.

9 Rides tells a series of compelling stories over the course of one evening. The film is shot in a manner that gives the viewer a strong sense of Los Angeles at night. The narrative captures a night in the life of a driver for higher. The different characters met ear fare with a story to tell. It's a compelling bit of modern film making that that is definitely worth a look.

*** 1/2 Out of 4.

9 Rides | Matthew A Cherry | U.S.A. | 2016 |  86 Minutes.

Tags: Uber, Driver, New Year's Eve, iPhone, Los Angeles, Wedding, Abusive, Jealousy, Traffic Stop
            

TBFF17 Film Review - The House on Coco Road

A tribute to strong female role models is at the heart of Damani Baker's The House on Coco Road.  In this very autobiographical documentary feature Baker tells his family story with his mother Fannie Haughton being the central figure of the piece.  The narrative has roots stemming back to Louisiana, through to Los Angeles and on to Oakland with a brief stop in Grenada splitting the Oakland segment. The incredible strength of the females in the director's life is evident throughout along with the uncanny habit of Ronald Reagan poking his nose into the family tale.

The story starts out with the seeming on the surface the most bizarre part of the tale. Why would a mother without telling the father of her two kids, up and move the family to Grenada in 1983 seemingly on a whim. As Damani Baker tells it, in order to understand that action you have to first go backward. From there the film heads back to Geismar, Louisiana to the parcel of land that the family got to control through sharecropping and the grand lady of the family Coco whom Coco road is based. Next during The Great Migration his mother moved as a child to South Central L.A. where she excelled in school eventually ending up at U.C.L.A. in the late 60's at the start of the Black Panther movement. Fannie became the teaching assistant to legendary activist Angela Davis  starting a lifelong friendship. Here we have the first Reagan interference as governor of California who blocked Davis from teaching at U.C.L.A. due to her radical views forcing Fannie out of a job. Later as President Reagan's War on Drugs saw a mountain of drugs flow into the black neighbourhoods of Oakland changing the community forever leading a fearful mom to move her children to Grenada a Utopia in the Caribbean introduced to Fannie by Angela and a spot where she would not have to worry if her kids decided to take a bus on her own.

As riveting as the story is detailing Fannie's involvement with the student movement at UCLA including the shooting of the two Black Panther members at a location she had been at that same day. The palace intrigue for the year the family spent in Grenada are the key elements of the film. Maurice Bishop rose to power in 1979 a socialist platform. He had a large number of women in his cabinet along with supporting, equal rights, free health care and education for all. Ideas that are still a struggle for many Western Nations today. Baker comments that under Grenada's New Jewel Movement black people in positions of power for the first time in his life. Baker's mother had a position from the Ministry of Education while he and his sister played freely on the front gardens with the children of the Prime Minister and other senior ministers.

Reagan appears again as the island nation attempted to build an airport for more international travel.   The U.S. sees the socialist nation as a communist threat and the airport as a military staging ground for the Communist to launch attacks on America. An opportunity soon appeared to invade under the cover of saving the 800 US medical students from danger and restore democracy to the island.

The story is foreboding for events today as Donald Trump is an easy stand in for Reagan. American misdirection has moved from the Caribbean and Central America to the Middle East. While the issues of healthcare, female participation in government at the highest levels and protests are at the most critical point since the 60's. Damani Baker has presented a very personal story filled with a mix of family video, audio tapes , archival footage and letters to recreate more than 50 years of history that I can highly recommend.

**** Out of 4

The House on Coco Road |  Damani Baker | U.S.A. | 2016 | 79 Minutes.

Tags: Documentary, Grenada, Black Panthers, Angela Davis, U.C.L.A, Student activism, Maurice Bishop, Peoples Revolution, New Jewel Movement Ronald Reagan.

 

TBFF 17 Film Review - Play The Devil

The frenzy of Trinidad's Carnival season especially The Jab was the jumping off point for Maria Govan's latest feature Play The Devil.  She saw the participants covered in blue and gold paint spitting fire with horns on their heads and tridents gesturing violently to the encircling crowd and wondered what is the back-story of these performers.  From there she constructed the narrative of very smart 18 year old kid Gregory White (Petrice Jones) who is artistic yet a strong all around student that has a real chance to go to med school. Who meets an older rich man James Young  (Gareth Jenkins) though an acquaintance with his daughter that can provide for every family need but at price.

The real exportation of this film is into the island culture. The communities are small and even the whisper of homosexuality can have devastating effects on an individual.  Gregory has a best friend Devin (Akil Nicholas). He has no educational goals destined to be mixed up in some nefarious affair that will have bad consequences. When the two are together they act tough, go back and forth on past and future conquests in a strong local dialect while they draw slowly on marijuana cigarettes.
Devin begins to tease Gregory on his growing relationship with Young calling him Greg's sugar daddy after Greg is seen rolling into their small mountain village in the former's white Mercedes.

Gorvan screenplay acute displays the inner struggle Gregory faces. He has been called soft all of his life the diametric opposite to his farmer older brother Fayne (Nickolai Salcedo) who demands that Greg stand up for himself while he beats back their drug addict father (Che Rodriguez) attempts to reconnect with the family. Greg is definitely attracted to men and to anything that could get him out of the impoverished town of Paramin but James growing obsession begins to effect Greg's studies jeopardizing his best route out and running the risk of disappointing his hardworking family matriarch his grand mother (Penelope Spencer).

James Walls cinematography displays the lush topographical mountainsides and valleys of Parmin. The greens are sharp contrasting the brown dirt roads. A lake where the boys like to hang out features a forceful waterfall released from the rocks above pounding into the deep blue water of the lake below. Walls lens also brings the imperfections of the villages buildings and homes into focus. They are missing paints, have holes in the walls, colours are mismatched and many including Greg's grandmothers house have holes in the roofs.

British Actor Petrice Jones is well cast as Gregory. He is smart, knows James plan immediately and a very willing participant in private. Jones portrayal of the small town boys seduction by toys, wealth  trappings, ambition and desire is finely crafted.  Garth Jenkins easy British accent and quiet boldness suits the role of James Young. He sees himself in Gregory having some regret that he did not live his life instead of getting married and hiding his true nature. He does not want Greg to make the same mistake mainly for selfish reasons. Nickolai Salcedo is strong as the intense, primal, confrontational and impulsive Fayne. He's a man of action and not words. Jumping to act without considering consequences an attitude that eventually leads one toward serious trouble.

Play The Devil is a compelling narrative set in a picturesque setting. Cinematography James Walls brings out the beauty along with the warts of the village. The ensemble cast does not make a wrong step in the production. The Jag where director Govan found the inclining to embark on the film plays a major part in the piece. It's a colourful reflection on social status and moral standards in the Caribbean that is well worth a watch.

*** 1/2 Out of 4.

Play The Devil | Maria Govan | Trinidad and Tobago| 2016 | 89 Minutes.

Tags: The Jag, Carnival, Parmin, Closeted, Medical School, The Devil, Homosexuality, Photography.  

                   

           

TBFF17 Film Review - Destined

Parallel universes are often a topic of popular discussion.  The theory that there are other worlds where your in a different spot has been the subject of endless stories and conversation. In Destined  Cory Hardrict is the lead for two stories. One as Rasheed where he takes the path to be an architect while in the other as Sheed he rises to be the drug lord ruling the seedy areas of Detroit.

We first meet Raseed/Sheed as a young kid working a corner for the local drug dealer. The dealer likes to use 14 year olds because if caught they're juveniles meaning their records will be expunged when they become adults. Sheed is part of a deal gone bad is forced to escape leading to an incident that's life changing for Dylan Holder (Jesse Metcalfe) starting him on a path him to a career of fighting against the perpetrators of the activities that directly effected his life.

In the companion story Rasheed is a young brilliant architect working long tireless hours. He comes up with a plan for his old depressed neighbourhood that his bosses appear lukewarm then champion when the Mayor supports it at a big city event. They introduce Rasheed as the fact of the project but may have ulterior motives.

Several actors do the double dip in the production. Robert Christopher Riley plays city employee Calvin trying to point out to Rasheed the harm his bosses plan to bring to his childhood home. In the other tale he is Sheed's top lieutenant. Zulay Henao is strong as Giselle Sheed's childhood sweetheart who's returned to the community to pursue her education.

Writer director Qasim Basir keeps the intensity high in both stories. A narrative about a drug dealer is a natural high wire act but Basir skill to keep the temperature high recounting the potential critic choices of an architect is where his writing truly shines.

Destined is two stories running simultaneously that meld into one.  The transitions are seamless to the point that the viewer has to really pay attention to know which story is at the fore and could even have the impression that Architect Rasheed is moonlighting as a drug dealer in his down hours. Cory Hardrict is the right choice for the dual leads in this intense drama that I can fully recommend.

*** 1/2 Out of 4.

Destined | Qasim Basir | USA | 2016 | 95 Minutes.

Tags: Detroit, Ford Field, Projects, Corporate Politics, Drug Dealer, Drug Addict, Fatherhood. Family.

Film Review - The Love Witch

Campy in the most exquisite way is the best phrase to describe Anna Biller's The Love Witch. The film is part Valley of The Dolls with a strong nod to 60's and early 70's fashion, feel and style. Elaine (Samantha Robinson) is a practicing white witch who has been forced to leave San Francisco due to an unfortunate incident. Elaine is all about love. Finding a man to love and please by giving him everything he wants. Her attitude brings a sharp and curt response from Trish (Laura Waddell) an acquaintance of Elaine's friend Barbara (Jennifer Ingrum) who offered the small town apartment to Elaine and insists her husband loves her for who she is so she does not have to satisfy all of his needs.

Elaine continues her attempts to find a man to love in her new town. She mixes potions to enhance her chances plus some other creations that she sells in the local magic shop in town. However our heroine is a little too heavy on the pour leading to overdoses resulting in suitors falling completely under her spell obsessed then overwhelmed.

Writer Director Anna Biller uses color, distinct fashion styles and plain dialogue to set the mood for her film. The first time Elaine is on screen red is the dominant palate. She is in a red convertible mustang dressed in red from head to toe with matching luggage. When she enters the apartment for the first time red is the colour that jumps out at the viewer. The narrative also lives on a primary instinctive level. Elaine sees a man; he falls under her spell then they are together at a lightning pace. The filming style uses a lot of tight framing especially on the eyes to communicate the central characters tractor beam like power over men pinpointing the moment it takes hold.  

Relative newcomer Samantha Robinson leads the line as Elaine. She's innocent and submissive at one moment then dominant and forceful the next. Director Biller also did the costume design for the film that's key in presenting the Elaine character robing Samantha mainly in late 60's solid basic colours from head to toe. British actress Laura Waddell is a great foil to Elaine as Trish in her first major role. She is a fiercely independent modern working woman who does not see her primary function to be is  pleasing her man's every desire. Jared Sanford is strong in the supporting role of Gahan. He's the head of the local Wiccan ramping up the creepy meter anytime on screen. He lingers too long on women that are not his wife while constantly introducing very young females into the coven fold.

The Love Witch is a feature that's hard to classify. It's part sexual thriller, heavily wacky, silly and more naturally funny than expected. The costume design and wardrobe both credited to the director set the scene and mood for the film. The cast mainly full of unknowns direct their performances into the best areas of late night fright films from days gone by. It's a unique watch that despite being a bit on the long side is worth a viewing.

*** Out of 4.

The Love Witch | Anna Biller | U.S.A. | 120 Minutes.

Tags: Spells, Potions, Spices, Pleasure, Witches, Ceremony, Rebirth, California, San Francisco, Small town, Minstrels.

Film Review - Sing Street

1985 Dublin, Ireland. Young people are headed to London by the ferry load to search for work. 15 year old Conor (Ferida Walsh-Peelo) sees the hard times hit him directly as his father Robert (Aidan Gillen) is not getting any new work as an architect while his mom Penny (Mary Doyle Kennedy) is down to working 3 days a week. To ease the family burden Connor has to leave the private Jesuit school to attend the rough and seedy Christian Brothers run State school on Synge Street. Here Conor has to try to survive while being confronted by morons, rapist and bullies on a daily basis. After a particularly rough encounter with the school bully Barry (Ian Kenny) Conor meets Darren (Ben Carolan) a budding business man who teams up with Conor to start a band as he has promised to put local aspiring model Raphina (Lucy Boynton) in his band's videos.

As the band takes shape the key member is Eamon (Mark McKenna) a songwriter who can play just about every instrument alongside African Ngig (Percy Chamburuka) to give the outfit street cred  plus a rhythm section that answered the bands ad on the school bulletin board. They start out rough trying to be a cover band until Conor's wise older brother Brendan (Jack Reynor) tells his sibling to do his own songs.

Writer director John Carney went back to his roots to tell the story of a young lad thrown into a foreign situation who uses the power of music to gain confidence, stand up to his rivals and garner attention from the girl that he likes. Carney also had a hand in writing the original songs that are natural head bobbers and foot tappers fitting in well with the vast catalogue of mid 80's Brit pop from the time. Conor spends many a night in his brother's room learning about new bands and life itself. Brendan introduces him to Joe Jackson, The Jam and sings the praises of Duran Duran and Spandau Ballet when their videos appear on Top of the Pops. Brendan flings at him The Head on the Door album by the Cure when Conor wants to know more about Raphina's term Happy-Sad.

The fresh-faced cast don't set a foot wrong in their roles. Ferida Walsh-Peelo shines as Conor using the pain from a difficult home life and trouble at school to fuel his art. Lucy Boynton has her own demos to fight as Raphina. She resides in a home for girls having had complexed relationships with both of her parents. Raphina is prone to fantasy determined to get to London to model thinking she has found an older fellow to get her there. Jack Reynor continues a run of strong roles as Brendan. The older wiser college dropout brother who has a tuned ear for music and a keen eye for reading people.

Sing Street at its core an optimistic film that will appeal to both young people and older audience members who grew up during the time period of the film. Look for the running gag of Conor's march into the schoolyard dressed and coifed as the latest act seen on the Top of the Pops the night before. The soundtrack is a solid mix of 80's new wave hits and original tracks. It's a film that I can definitely recommend.

**** Out of 4.

Sing Street | John Carney | Ireland / UK / USA | 2016 | 106 Minutes.

Tags: Dublin, Jesuits, Christian Brothers, Duran Duran, The Cure, London, Brit pop, New Wave, School Dance, Legally Separated.

Film Review - River of My Dreams: A Portrait of Gordon Pinsent

Canadian acting icon Gordon Pinsent left his beloved Newfoundland to head to Canada a year before the Island entered Confederation. He began his acting career in Winnipeg where he met his first wife and had his first two children. Pensent in his own words was not ready for family life in his mid twenties so he hitch hiked to Toronto to embark on the next level of his acting career.

Director Brigette Berman crafts her film mainly from interviews with family and creative friends with Pinsent being the chief recounter telling barbs from his past starting from his days as a boy in Grand Falls, Newfoundland. His kids Beverly, Barry and Leah are also interviewed extensively along with director Norman Jewison and Mary Walsh. Pinsent who is now entering his 87th year is sharp as a tack as he gives a living history of his 70 year in Canadian television and film. He is at his most compelling when he recounts soliloquies from his roles on stage; Macbeth, the Tempest, Cyrano de Bergerac with a knowing slight smile fixed on his lips. The only drawback in production is the ill-advised choice to mix in stop action motion recreation of scenes from the actor's childhood plus a few additional episodes from his adult life.

The documentary is at its best when Pinsent is on camera. One particular sequence describing his first meeting with Christopher Plummer at Stafford is very juicy. Plummer remembers Pinsent as a young and annoying leaving Plummer (in his mind) with no alternative but to use a pointed expletive to get Pinsent out of his space. The actor clearly shows his devotion to Canada as he found several success in Hollywood notably in the Norman Jewison directed Thomas Crown Affair where he held his own on screen along side Steve McQueen and Fay Dunaway. Despite his success he wanted to come back to Canada to tell Canadian stories on Canadian soil such as The Rowdyman shot in his native Newfoundland.

A strong element of the piece is the inclusion of Pinsent's paintings that serve as a snapshot of many moments in his life. There are several portraits that feature his beloved late wife Char normally with a cigarette in hand along with several of his third child daughter Leah as she grew from child to adulthood. Pinsent does not exclude the not so shining moments in his life. From leaving his first wife in Winnipeg with two very young kids that he would not see again for 25 years to a need to seek attention of other women while married to or during the separation periods from Char.

The River of My Dreams is a complete study of a revered Canadian actor. It touches on his television successes starting with Quentin Durgens M.P. John and the Missus and a wonderful turn on This Hour Has 22 minutes doing a serious read of the memoirs of a 16 year old Justin Beiber's book. His films including his recent tour de force performance in Sarah Polley's Away From Her is also highlighted. A certain generation may not know any of his films but might remember that he was the voice of Babar in their youth. If your're a fan of the Canadian arts from Stage to TV to Film and like a story of an actor that came back to working in Canada despite the potential of the potential of bigger and better opportunities south of the border then this production is for you.

*** Out of 4

The River of My Dreams | Brigitte Berman | U.S.A. | 201 |104 Minutes .

Tags: Documentary. Biography, Grand Falls, Winnipeg, Stratford, Shakespeare, Divorce, CBC.