Bride of The Talkies...

Part 2

The following SIFF 2009 previews are offered in order of their press screening dates. Two from this group are must-sees, The Hurt Locker and The Exploding Girl.

The Hurt Locker (2008)
Thursday May 28, 7pm, SIFF Cinema
Saturday May 30, 4pm, Uptown Theater

The day to day lives of three American soldiers in a bomb disposal unit are explored as they struggle to survive their tour of duty in Iraq.
A narrow, unsteady photographic style lacking cinematic strength manages to achieve a surprisingly intimate look at the dark humor, numbing fear and ultimate resignation of these men, unlikely in a film with broader technical ambitions. The measurably understated use of explicit violence, which convincingly illustrates the persistent terror in this story is handled with a mastery often unseen in far more costly and notorious films. Memorable performances, great writing, a straight-up war picture. (130 minutes)

Nurse.Fighter.Boy (2008)
Friday May 22, 7pm, Harvard Exit
Saturday May 23, 4.30pm, Harvard Exit
Saturday June 6, 1.30pm, Admiral Theater

A trio of characters unexpectedly find themselves forming a family at various stages. Nurse.Fighter.Boy is a quiet, thoughtful neighborhood story with symbolic imagery that is occasionally interesting, (93 minutes)

Humpday (2009)
Friday June 5, 7pm, Egyptian Theater
Sunday June 7, 1.30pm, Egyptian Theater

Local filmmaker Lynn Shelton’s third feature reveals an encouraging progress in production and content that bodes well for her fourth. Two straight college roommates reunite after ten years and inexplicably determine to make a gay porno together in what amounts to a ridiculous throw-down. Mark Duplass (The Puffy Chair) is hilarious. (92 minutes)

The Yes Men Fix the World (2009)
Friday May 22, 7pm, Neptune Theater
Saturday May 23, 11am, Neptune Theater
Thursday June 4, 4.30pm, Kirkland Performance Center

Two high profile imposters pass themselves off as corporate executives and government officials at various public events to further their agenda of environmental responsibility and human rights. How these gentlemen successfully carry out their frat-boy antics while avoiding prison is a mystery. The gravity of their cause becomes somewhat lost in the lighthearted and humorous, poke-in-the-eye style of The Yes Men Fix the World. (85 minutes)

The Exploding Girl (2009)
Friday May 22, 7pm, Pacific Place
Saturday May 23, 1.30pm, Pacific Place

Two college kids come home for their summer break. A Brooklyn setting lends The Exploding Girl predictable scenes of museums and club life as Ivy (Zoe Kazan) and Al (Mark Rendall) occupy their idle time in what could potentially be a dull and empty story. Surprisingly, the subtle and introspective performance of Kazan in the foreground is so enchanting, a complex story would be a distraction. A perfect balance of melancholy and joy. (79 minutes)

Pop Star on Ice (2009)
Sunday May 24, 6.45pm, Egyptian Theater
Friday June 5, 11am, Kirkland Performance Center

Amateur figure skater and three time US champion Johnny Weir mugs for the camera, from childhood to the present. It seems heartless to criticize any character so silly and loveable, but Pop Star on Ice only shows us the reasons Weir failed so often to achieve his goals. The hilarity of Johnny in a blond wig, speaking in a fake Russian accent and BFF Paris Childers sharing a bubble bath is worth sitting through the entire film. The possibilities of Weir turning pro for Stars on Ice or a Las Vegas review makes my head explode. World Premiere. (85 minutes)