A lot of foreign films that compete at the Oscars deal with heavy emotional or political themes, often in the context of world-changing events. Whether they're narrative films or documentaries, there's a ton of high-concept, game-changing ideas out there, which is why the Academy likes to curate them in the specialty feature categories (International, Animated, … Continue reading Back Row Thoughts – Doing the Work
There's a tantalizing intrigue to Switzerland's Oscar entry, Thunder, that keeps the viewer engaged throughout its relatively short runtime. Like the most enticing yet cruelest tease, the 90-minute affair is slowly drawn out, begging for an almost orgasmic release, a catharsis in the form of satisfying answers to the heavy questions it poses. Is there … Continue reading A Sister’s Act – Thunder
Directed by Stephanie Chuat and Veronique Reymond, My Little Sister, Switzerland's entry for the Academy Awards, works with a lot of familiar themes and family melodrama. At times it hints at something poignant, but on the whole it comes up short because of a reactionary lead that can't catch a break. The titular "little sister" … Continue reading Can’t You Find Another Way? – My Little Sister
I Actually Paid To See This 