Berlinale February 11th – 21st, 2016 Berlin, Germany by Joanna Orland In its 66th year, the Berlin International Film Festival continued its tradition of showcasing a diverse collection of films from around the world.  This year’s film festival jury was presided over by acting legend Meryl Streep who led a panel including Clive Owen […]

Where to Invade Next Directed by Michael Moore by Joanna Orland More of a political comedy than a classic documentary, Michael Moore’s latest film Where to Invade Next takes a satirizing look at America and its shortcomings.  Setting aside audience expectations, this film does not focus on American military critique, but rather it’s a travelogue […]

Things to Come (L’avenir) Directed by Mia Hansen-Løve Starring Isabelle Huppert and Roman Kolinka by Joanna Orland Mia Hansen-Løve was awarded the Berlinale 2016 Silver Bear Award for directing Things to Come (L’avenir), the story of an older woman who must start her life anew.  A philosophical approach to the plight of the modern aging […]

Maggie’s Plan Directed by Rebecca Miller Starring Greta Gerwig, Ethan Hawke, Bill Hader, Maya Rudoloph and Julianne Moore by Joanna Orland Greta Gerwig can often be seen playing a certain type of character, fraught with self-imposed drama going through one personal crisis after another.  Maggie is a more mature version of Gerwig’s quintessential character, a […]

The Commune (Kollektivet) Directed by Thomas Vinterberg Starring Trine Dyrholm, Ulrich Thomsen, Helene Reingaard Neumann, Martha Sofie Wallstrøm Hansen and Lars Ranthe by Joanna Orland At the heart of The Commune is the story of a woman who seemingly has it all yet wants more.  When that more is introduced, her life unravels as does her […]

Goat Directed by Andrew Neel Starring Ben Schnetzer, Nick Jonas, Danny Flaherty, Gus Halper and James Franco by Joanna Orland Ben Schnetzer is an actor that comes around only once in a generation.  A chameleon in every one of his film roles and an actor that can extract empathy from his audience with seemingly little effort.  […]

News from Planet Mars (Des nouvelles de la planète Mars) Directed by Dominik Moll Starring François Damiens, Vincent Macaigne, Veerle Baetens, Jeanne Guittet and Tom Rivoire by Malin Arvidsson Philippe Mars is a nice guy. Maybe too nice. And even though he tries to put down his foot sometimes, people don’t seem to care, they […]

War on Everyone Directed by John Michael McDonagh Starring Michael Peña, Alexander Skarsgård, Theo James, Tessa Thompson and Caleb Landry Jones Watch on iTunes by Malin Arvidsson Terry and Bob are the bad cops in this American comedy directed by Irish filmmaker John Michael McDonagh. They follow no rules but make their own in spite […]

A Dragon Arrives! (Ejhdeha Vared Mishavad!) Directed by Mani Haghighi Starring Amir Jadidi, Homayoun Ghanizadeh, Ehsan Goudarzi, Kiana Tajammol, Nader Fallah by Malin Arvidsson The year is 1965. A political prisoner hangs himself two months before he’s due to be released. Even though many prisoners kill themselves, it seems suspicious that anyone would do so this […]

Little Men Directed by Ira Sachs Starring Theo Taplitz, Michael Barbieri, Greg Kinnear, Jennifer Ehle and Paulina García by Joanna Orland Both what I like and dislike from director Ira Sachs’ previous film Love Is Strange can be found in his latest feature Little Men.  The score can often stray into the sappy and saccharine, […]