5.07.2006

that's a wrap!

I'm not sure if it was the plethora of movies, or just the hectic pace of having something planned every single night, but this past week has raced by. In just two days I'll be back in San Francisco!

With six movies in the past two days, there's just too much for me to write detailed reviews. Plus, I'm lazy. Here's a brief recap of the festival:


4/28: Farewell Bender
Three friends who reflect on life and growing up after reuniting for a funeral.

4/30: Comeback Season
Cleverly disguised chick flick.

5/1: The Promise
I didn't think it could get worse than The House of Flying Daggers.

5/2: One Last Thing
Great movie billed as a family movie, but I think its lessons apply to everyone.

5/3: I'm Reed Fish
Very sweet movie about a small town guy chasing his dreams.

5/5: The Big Bad Swim
You can't beat movies centered around a group of people attempting to overcome their fears and insecurities. I loved the cast and individual storylines.

5/5: Holiday Makers
Another great ensemble movie. I also love foreign movies, especially those that give us an insight into the thoughts and culture of the country of origin. This was a very sweet Czech film about a group of people who find themselves all on the same vacation tour bus to the beach.

5/5: Two Players from the Bench
Andrea and I got to the theater right at the starting time (7:30PM), and the festival had sold our tickets! Shake a fist! I'd been to numerous other sold out shows, and never before had they sold the empty seats so soon after the starting time. In lieu of the Tribeca film, we watched the Sentinel.

5/6: Fifty Pills
Funny, plus it was set in NYC! Best line of the whole film fest: "How do you feel about the Strokes?"

5/6: Goal! The Dream Begins
Great feel-good sports movie, with the added bonus of actually being set in England, not boring Los Angeles. I don't see why they couldn't just call it "Goal!".

5/6: The Shutka Book of Records
I may have just been too tired to really appreciate this humorous documentary about a Roma (gypsy) community in Macedonia. In addition to Shutka, the screening included a weird and slightly disturbing short, which may have just been too artsy for me.

I was thinking about doing a categorical "Best of" listing for all of the movies I watched, but it eally would be too difficult. A lot of these were great, well-made movies, and had the special independent creativity that the Hollywood blockbusters lack. If I had to recommend any of these, the top of my list would probably include "Fifty Pills," "I'm Reed Fish," "Holiday Makers," and "Goal! The Dream Begins."

However, I'm not sure if it's just the huge commercialism of the Tribeca festival, or just that I am new to it, I think as far as festivals go, I still prefer the SF International Asian American Film Festival. Hopefully I'll have another chance to experience Tribeca as a volunteer next year.

Thanks for bearing with me on this lng post!

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