14 December 2018. By Neptune SHOPLIFTERS (Une Affaire de Famille) **** There is a delicacy and sensitivity to the films of Japanese master director Hirokazu Kore-Eda that introduce us to a Japan which is often far from our preconceived ideas about that country. He usually deals with the importance of the family unit, portraying it […]
FILM: LETO – indy homage to two Russian rock/punk stars of 1980s Leningrad
7 December 2018. By Neptune LETO ***1/2 (vo Russian) This indy homage to two Russian rock/punk stars of 1980s Leningrad was quite a hit at the 2018 Cannes film festival. Ironically, its director Kiril Serebrennikov was one of two directors in the Palme d’Or lineup (the other being Jafar Panahi of Iran, with his film […]
FILM: THE GRINCH – the pain behind the nastiness revealed with humour and adventure
30 November 2018. By Neptune THE GRINCH *** Now here’s the bittersweet fable from our trusty old Dr. Seuss, about that grumpy, nasty Grinch who hates Christmas. But why is he so, and why the resentment towards all that is friendly and shiny, especially around Christmas time? This latest animation illustrates with humor and lots […]
FILM: BLAZE – the turbulent life of a legendary country singer
23 November 2018. By Neptune BLAZE ***1/2 The talented actor Ethan Hawke, who picked up an Excellence Award at this year’s Locarno film festival, has become an accomplished director and delves here into a biopic on the singular, turbulent life of the legendary (among aficionados), yet little-known Country singer/songwriter Blaze Foley. It’s a ballad, a […]
FILM: KURSK – damning testimony to the Russian mishandling of a submarine crisis – a must see.
9 November 2018. By Neptune KURSK **** It is summer 2000. The crew and families of the Russian nuclear submarine Kursk are celebrating the wedding of one of their sailors before the men set out to sea the next day. It is a typical joyous moment – full of drinking, dancing, speeches and camaraderie. Despite […]
FILM: BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY – a must for Queen fans
2 November 2018. By Neptune Do not miss Geneva’s own International Film Festival – GIFF – running from 2 to 10 November 2018. Click here for more information. BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY **1/2 This is obviously a must for fans of the band Queen and its charismatic, strutting singer, Freddie Mercury. A detailed musical biopic, it reveals […]
FILM: GIFF – Geneva’s own international film festival
Do not miss Geneva’s own International Film Festival – GIFF – running from November 2 -10. Its innovative director Emmanuel Cuenod and his team have put together an ambitious program of 164 works, including exciting films in competition, upcoming TV series, short films, digital and web novelties, moments for children and families, and important guests […]
FILM: PIG – a surreal comedy thriller from Iran
26 October 2018. By Neptune KHOOK (Pig) ***1/2 (vo Farsi) A surrealistic comedy/thriller out of Iran? Is that even possible? Well, it is for actor/director Mani Haghighi who has been breaking the cinematic rules of his country in his previous films such as the intriguing “Modest Reception” or “A Dragon Arrives!”. After having often mixed […]
FILM: CAPHARNAUM – an exceptional film about a Lebanese street kid – 4 stars
19 October 2018. By Neptune CAPHARNAUM **** (vo Arabic) Lebanon: a sweet, hard-working little boy (looking much smaller than his age) among far too many poor siblings; his dearest underaged sister bartered off in exchange for their miserable apartment; the strange world of a dilapidated amusement park; a scared African refugee who takes him into […]
FILM: A STAR IS BORN – Lady Gaga acting from her gut – 4 Stars
12 October 2018. By Neptune A STAR IS BORN **** Here is the fourth version of this melodrama, which originated in 1937 with Janet Gaynor as the rising star, then was repeated with Judy Garland in 1954, with Barbra Streisand in 1976, and has now emerged with Lady Gaga as the lead. Each version obviously […]
