?I wish I could live through something.? The senior year of high school, the cusp of adulthood, is the setting for Lady Bird, the coming-of-age comic drama from writer/director Greta Gerwig. Christine ?Lady Bird? McPherson (Saoirse Rowan) is at that point where she is...
As Summer 1993 opens, children are playing in the street. One of them looks at six-year-old Frida (Laia Artegas), and asks, ?Why aren?t you crying?? Is that part of the game or does Frida have reason to cry? As viewers we don?t yet know why she should cry, but when we...
Strange things happen in Thelma, the horror thriller from director Joachim Trier. Thelma (Eili Harboe), who has been raised by very protective, devoutly Christian parents, goes off to university. Her parents are fearful of what might happen. All seems to be going well...
?He mobilized the English language and sent it into battle.? Winston Churchill is an icon. He is most certainly counted among the greatest (if not the greatest) statesmen of the twentieth century. His voice and inspiring speeches are well known. He led Britain when...
AFI Fest this year screened 137 films (93 features, 44 shorts) representing 53 countries. The program included 14 official Best Foreign Language Film Oscar??submissions. I managed to make it to 18 films (17 features) during my time at the festival. My top films for...
The final day at AFI Fest gave me a chance to finish off with two more films before I made my way home to a more reasonable schedule and eating habits. Both films played before good sized crowds for a Thursday afternoon. Claire Denis?s Bright Sunshine In (aka Let the...
Before each screening at the festival there is a short promo for AFI which is celebrating its 50th year. It features its three purposes: to preserve film?s history, to honor those who have achieved high levels of artistry, and to educate. The promo has three brief...
?I believe God?s plan is for all people. All different, but all the same? 1971 was a year of turmoil in many places. But most of that seemed far away from a village in Switzerland. Life just goes on there. But there is to be an election about giving women the right to...
There comes a time at a festival when you?re standing in line and someone asks what you?ve seen that?s good. You know you?ve seen a lot of movies when you can?t remember the titles anymore. It?s a good thing I take a notebook with me. Claire?s Camera (World Cinema...