Reviews of albums, films, concerts, and more from the Bay Area Music and Movie Nerds
If you loved Kieran Culkin as the brutally honest but sensitive Roman Roy in Succession, you’re bound to enjoy his work in A Real Pain. As Benji in Jesse Eisenberg’s new film, Culkin creates a similar character whose lack of social filters and often inappropriate bluntness masks deep empathy and pain. Eisenberg also co-stars as Benji’s more buttoned up cousin, David. The duo’s performances help make A Real Pain one of the year’s best films.
This post must begin with a huge thank you to the entire SFIFF58 staff. Thank you! From the awesome crew that ran the press lounge, those manning the box office, the publicists, and programmers, to the volunteers and event coordinators, your tremendous effort was not overlooked or taken for granted by us covering the festival for Spinning Platters. We can’t thank you enough. We can’t wait for next year! Here’s a last look at one final film (appropriately titled) and the festival winners at this year’s SFIFF Golden Gate Awards:
The End of the Tour
(USA, 2015, 106 min., Big Nights)
Based on Rolling Stone journalist David Lipsky’s Although of Course You End Up Becoming Yourself, The End of the Tour depicts Lipsky’s conversations with author David Foster Wallace during the home stretch of his Infinite Jest book tour. Breaking out of his Apatow-produced shell, Segal proves he is ready for more dramatic roles with his honest and understated portrayal of the late author, who committed suicide in 2008. Comprised mostly of dialogue amidst some gorgeously shot muted midwest colors, The End of the Tour never loses our attention as the two central figures discuss universal topics that we are sometimes too afraid to face, or too afraid to hear.
Info available here.
Continue reading “SFIFF58 Final Spotlight: The End of the Tour/Golden Gate Awards”
Jon Favreau writes, directs and stars in Chef, which is clearly a passion project about the passions of others. HIs main character, Chef Carl Casper, is a genius chef who’s been working for ten years in the restaurant of a man who does not appreciate genius chefs. One big night, a reviewer is coming to the restaurant to see what Chef Carl is making these days, and writes a scathing review which starts the events of the movie in motion. Chef Carl needs to put his life back together while balancing the relationship he has with his son, a child of his divorce.
Continue reading “Also in Theaters — 5/16/2014 — Chef / God’s Pocket / The Double”
Spinning Platters brings you even more spotlights from the 57th San Francisco International Film Festival (SFIFF), which ends today, May 8th. Program notes and tickets available here. There are only a few screenings left, so hurry to catch the last showings, and you can also see many of the films as they open widely throughout the year.
The One I Love
(USA, 2014, 91 min)
Romantic comedy meets The Twilight Zone, Charlie McDowell’s obscure relationship dramedy is a wonderful piece of bizarre metaphorical fiction. The story focuses on an unhappy married couple, Elisabeth Moss and Mark Duplass, who go to a beautifully secluded rural home to rekindle their love. Immediately, anomalies involving the adjacent guest house occur, and the film starts toying with our minds, offering continuous scenarios that beg the question, ‘how would I handle this?’ A quirky tone keeps the film upbeat, but the twists lead the characters down varied emotional routes, resulting in a whole new meaning to “couples therapy.”
The One I Love SFIFF Page: http://www.sffs.org/festival-home/attend/film-guide/the-one-i-love
Continue reading “SFIFF Spotlights #8: The One I Love/Coast of Death/Night Moves”
Spinning Platters coverage of the 57th San Francisco International Film Festival (SFIFF) continues with four more film spotlights. Program notes and tickets available at: http://www.sffs.org/festival-home/attend/film-guide
All About the Feathers (“Por Las Plumas”)
(Costa Rica, 85 min, 2013)
All About the Feathers is a charming tale of an unlikely friendship between a lonely security guard, Chalo, and a fighting rooster he finally purchases, aptly named “Rocky.” The quasi-absurdist narrative, delivered calmly and steadily by first time director Neto Villalobos, is steeped in colorful characters and environments. The film wins our hearts through Charo’s unflinching devotion to his new fowl friend and how such goodnatured care can spark close bonds with others. Odd and hilarious, yet truly touching at its core, All About the Feathers gives us a quirky example of how it’s in our nature to fight being alone.
Screenings:
Tickets: http://www.sffs.org/festival-home/attend/film-guide/all-about-the-feathers