Afterhours

VIFF, September 28, 2008

I saw three films today:

Crossing Very powerful story about crossing borders illegally out of desperation – reminded me a bit of El Norte. I teared up near the end, and I wasn't alone.

Religlous If you're religious or think that organized religion should not be criticized or mocked, this is not a film you'll enjoy. I found it very funny and true - humour with a punch – and thought-provoking. Played to a sold-out audience.

The Witch of the West is Dead I'm ambivalent on this one, or maybe just wasn't really impressed that much. Simple story, too predictable in places, and almost cloyingly sweet. But magnificent cinematography.

I'd certainly see the first two films again, but probably not the third.

VIFF, September 26, 2008

The Vancouver International Film Festival is on for the next couple of weeks. I'll put a few comments on the films I see here, but isolated impressions only, nothing meant as a full review.

Films I saw today:

Sparrow A comedy about four brother pickpockets and their rescue of a damsel in distress. Middling funny, but corny and unconvincing in places.

Good Cats Interesting, if a bit confusing (I had to reread the synopsis to figure out what happened). It seemed to be meant as a commentary on corruption in the modern Chinese economy; however, the interspersed musical numbers made it feel macabre and unreal. Unsubtle characters and plot.

O'Horten Funny and easily the best of today's four films. The humour comes more from the quirky characters than from the plot – reminded me of the TV series Northern Exposure. A definite "would see again".

Charly I dozed off during the first part of this one and probably missed bits that would have clarified what the point of it all was. The synopsis calls it a coming-of-age picture, which I guess it is, if that phrase means the first time the mono-syllabic, spaced-out protagonist has sex. If the phrase refers to some development of a mature perspective on life, then no, I don't think so – his immediate response is to cut and run, and the film ends shortly thereafter. Boring.

Vacation, Day 21: Labour Day

The day was gray but warm. We went out on the barge for a bit.

Jacob was brave and let Daddy Scott take him into the water. Hated it at first, then loved it.

Mom Tina keeping Jacob and Laurel warm after a dip.

Sister Sharon and brother Mike shooting the breeze.

Typical Grand Pond scenery

Home base

Spent the rest of the day and evening enjoying family, playing cards and eating - I dread getting on the scale in a few days. Today (Tuesday) is the last day of my vacation, and I'm already in recovery mode.

A bent-over tree nearby. The slant of the tree is due to the prevailing wind direction, not to any current wind. There are whole forests of these trees visible along the highways in Newfoundland. Weird enough looking to record in a photo.