Chicago International Film Festival 2010

The Chicago International Film Festival is over. I had the chance to catch four films this year. Overall, I thought it was an okay year. I noticed a lot more mainstream American films in the mix, which makes me a little sad. When "RED" is playing, you know they're trying to get more people to attend. That being said, there were some good films. A Somewhat Gentle Man won the 2nd place jury prize.

 The Myth of the American Sleepover

Set to a backdrop of a few different sleepovers the last few days before school starts, this movie feels more like a patchwork of ideas, than a fully formed movie. It definitely reminded me of my junior high and high school days. But it meanders from plot to plot and character to character. With another pass at the script this could have been a something special.

Did you enjoy it?
Moreso, that it let me think back to my juvenile days.
Would you see it in theaters again? No.
Would you buy it? No.
Would you rent it? Probably not.
Would you watch it if you saw it was on TV? No.




En Ganske Snill Mann (A Somewhat Gentle Man)

Set in my ancestral land of Norway, this film stars Stellan Skarsgard as a recently paroled convict. He sets off to reconnect with the family he left behind and settle the score with the man who put him in jail. The tone flows from drama to comedy with somewhat ease. Of the films listed here, this one was my favorite.

Did you enjoy it? Yes.
Would you see it in theaters again? Probably Not.
Would you buy it? No.
Would you rent it? Maybe.
Would you watch it if you saw it was on TV? Sure.




Trust

This one is most likely to play at the Landmark Century on Clark Street. Its independent, but has a couple of stars as the parents (Catherine Keener & Clive Owen). It's the story of a girl who meets someone on the internet that turns out to be not who they said they were. I know, I know. How cliche! But the movie is handled very well and at times I thought it was going to go off the rails but reigned itself in. Not wholly satisfying in a Hollywood way, there are a lot of things left unresolved, just like in real life.

Did you enjoy it? Yes.
Would you see it in theaters again? No.
Would you buy it? No.
Would you rent it? No.
Would you watch it if you saw it was on TV? No, the subject matter is really not set up for repeat viewing. Unless you're "that" guy.



 

Cameraman: Life and Work of Jack Cardiff

This documentary about a cameraman who grew up shooting films in the golden age of cinema. It's one part historical, one part technical, and one part portrait of a man. Because of his age, they had only a few talking heads that would have worked with him directly, but a lot of people who grew up appreciating his work (Martin Scorcese) talk about his influence.

Did you enjoy it? Yes.
Would you see it in theaters again? No.
Would you buy it? No. But I might buy some of the movies he shot.
Would you rent it? No.
Would you watch it if you saw it was on TV? Maybe in passing.



And that's a wrap. See you next year.