Five films.
THE LUNCHBOX
The Lunchbox is a film that took the VIFF by storm last year. It was one that was very high on the list but unfortunately, one that was unable to fit into our schedule. The expression, “good things come to those who wait” never held truer as it did the other night when at long last this film opened at Park and Tilford theatres.
The Lunchbox is an intricately woven, delightful story of love and opportunity. It touches on many familiar themes and ideas only with a fresh take, and remains but long enough to deliver the goods and moves quickly onto something meatier and clever.
Irrfan Khan (Life of Pi) is brilliant and subtle as Saajan Fernandes and Nimrat Kaur shines as brightly as the woman who shakes the cobwebs from his otherwise forgotten life.
The Lunchbox is an intricately woven, delightful story of love and opportunity. It touches on many familiar themes and ideas only with a fresh take, and remains but long enough to deliver the goods and moves quickly onto something meatier and clever.
Irrfan Khan (Life of Pi) is brilliant and subtle as Saajan Fernandes and Nimrat Kaur shines as brightly as the woman who shakes the cobwebs from his otherwise forgotten life.
OCULUS
Oculus is the story of a possessed mirror with a taste for human blood. It's a creepy, cringe-worthy tale starring Katee Sackoff, Rory Cochrane, Brenton Thwaites, and Karen Gillan. Right up there with the sinister mirror from hell however, are the equally sinister editors who spliced this next-to-impossible-to-follow film that left you wondering whether a little of the possession didn't seep out from the screen onto the workers sitting in the dark. Were we supposed to be paying attention? Did this oculus have a history of some sort: a reason to be trapped in a mirror instead of say, the carpet. And who named it Oculus? If you really want to scare us, why not Oblongus? A pure and simple reflection of ourselves. We'll chew on a lightbulb without your help.
DOM HEMINGWAY
Dom Hemingway showcases Jude Law and Richard E. Grant at their finest. Just look at the poster. That really says it all. Written and directed by Richard Shepard with a very Guy Ritchie feel to it. The story is nicely written and well-paced: a nice blend of humour and tragic disfunction. The opening scene alone is worth the ticket price. The drunken partiers racing down the road scene very reminiscent of the brilliant Canadian film C.R.A.Z.Y. (Jean-Marc Vallée). Limited distribution left viewers chasing this film down at obscure theatres around town, but the effort was well worth it. Fast becoming a cult favourite.
AFFLICTED
Canadian gem Afflicted, starring Vancouver's Derek Lee and Cliff Prowse, will surprise even the seasoned film-goer. Two best friends' dream trip around the world fast turns into a nightmare when one of them becomes "afflicted" with a voracious disease. Nicely shot, perhaps too nice for a supposed on-the-fly travelogue, but wholly appreciated: it actually holds the viewer much better this way. Without giving too much away, this film is a fresh spin on an otherwise exhausted genre. Believable acting, surprising outcomes, and gorgeous settings set this film apart and help solidify it in the Canadian psyche.
DRAFT DAY
Draft Day stars Kevin Costner in this methodical, behind-the-scenes look at the politics behind the football industry on the eve of the draft. You've got to love football (or Kevin Costner) to like or understand this movie. It's kind of a rom-com for sports fans, the players - the lovelorn male, and the team - the sought after woman. There were some strong performances from some of the cast members like Chadwick Boseman, but over all the energy and chemistry simply wasn't there. Having said that, it was far from disappointing.
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