Two documentaries about different types of classroom experiences, now streaming at SIFF DocFest.
Category: Reviews
The Many Saints of Newark digs up the Ghost of Sopranos Past
David Chase spent six glorious seasons creating the world of Tony Soprano in weekly installments on HBO. From start to cut-to-black finish, it felt like complete and fully realized world. Yet, we live in an entertainment ecosystem where established intellectual property is king and our hunger for content is perpetual. So, it’s back to the well of New Jersey crime families we go with a new film whose poster’s tagline “Who Made Tony Soprano” is three times larger than its actual title.
Venom: Let There Be Carnage is at its best when its a Tom Hardy and Venom romance
best when it’s at its most absurd, Venom: Let There Be Carnage makes the most of the Tom Hardy and Venom romance when it doesn’t get bogged down in superhero tedium. You just wish it would let them fully commit and make out already.
SIFF DocFest 2021: a-ha: The Movie
At the beginning of a-ha: The Movie, the three primary and constant members of the legendary Norwegian, synth-pop band tell their likelihood of recording another album. Pål Waaktaar-Savoy says he already has the next a-ha album written; Magne Furuholmen says he’s open to going back in the studio; and Morten Harket says that he sees no point in a-ha putting out another album. It’s a telling story that shows the disparate points of view for this band that’s told through this film. And, for the record, a-ha does have a new album scheduled for release in 2022.
Local Sightings 2021: Shorts, shorts, shorts Pt. 2
Even though Local Sightings came to a close yesterday, I had to fit in one more set of shorts. There were just so very many to choose from I know I missed out on more than a few that deserved attention but following are the ones that really stood out in the bunch I was able to get to. If you’re able to seek them out, I highly recommend finding them and enjoying them as much as I did.
Local Sightings 2021: Manifest Destiny Jesus
A documentary dealing with colonialism, gentrification, racial justice, and religious faith may have bitten off more than it can chew in its 40 minutes, but it’s got some valuable food for thought.
Local Sightings 2021: Native Wisdom, City By The Sound
Two uncoventionally-structured and short-for-feature-length documentaries, each taking a look at the changing face of the PNW.
Local Sightings 2021: Occupying the Megalopolis, Reflecting on Anti-biased Education
Morgen discusses two documentaries, Occupying the Megalopolis and Reflecting on Anti-biased Education, appearing at the Local Sightings festival currently being held by the NW Film Forum both virtually and in person.
Local Sightings 2021: Sing To Me Sylvie, Maxie
Two films – both romantic dramas set in Oregon over the course of one weekend – with two very different tones and outcomes.
Local Sightings 2021: Shorts, shorts, shorts Pt. 1
There’s an enormous number of short films included in this year’s Local Sightings Festival, lucky me! I’ve probably said this many times before, but I seriously love shorts. I’d argue it takes quite a bit more planning, creative storytelling and ingenuity to make a quality short than a feature-length; especially one that stays with the viewer long after the 5, 10, or 20 minutes it shows on the screen. Below are a few of my favorites so far; I haven’t taken a precise approach to my viewing (like grouping them by type or genre) so it’ll seem a little more slap dash, but it also means I won’t limit my favorites to one per grouping… just the best of the best to share with you.