...comes the void. Or at least a temporary lull in New York film festival/series activity. Which gave me a chance to catch up with some new releases of varying degrees of quality (mostly low). In addition to the links below, Slant has reposted my review of Michelangelo Frammartino's Le Quatro Volte from last year's New York Film Festival which makes its theatrical debut this week.
With New Directors/New Films firmly underway, Slant Magazine's coverage (both on the main site and on the blog, The House Next Door) has been fully posted. Among the gems reviewed in my second - and final - batch of ND/NF reviews are Curling and Winter Vacation. Do see these two if at all possible.
With all eyes on MoMA tonight as New Directors/New Films kicks off its 2011 incarnation, it's easy to forget there are other good films opening this week in New York, including two small gems which I had the opportunity to review.
Lincoln Center and the Museum of Modern Art's 40th annual New Directors/New Films festival opens today and Slant's coverage has gone live. So far three of my reviews have been posted, including my take on arguably the series' best film, Attenberg. I also contributed the introduction. Check back later as Slant's ND/NF page is updated with more pieces from yours truly.
The films I reviewed this week seem positively brilliant compared to last week's selection but, as usual, they're a mixed bag. Still, as promised, New Directors/New Films reviews will be posted shortly, with coverage of several movies very much worth seeing. And just in time for spring!
Though neither quite approach the wretchedness of last week's Happythankyoumoreplease, the films covered in my latest Slant Magazine reviews, I Am and Monogamy, comprise a pretty sorry pair. Things continue to look pretty bleak for low-budget cinema with the upcoming release of Skateland, but some much needed vitality promises to be injected into the scene with the 4oth anniversary edition of MOMA/Lincoln Center's New Directors/New Films festival looming. Look for ND/NF reviews starting next week.
Just two reviews this week, both from Slant Magazine. First up is Michael Dowse's intermittently amusing, ultimately dull-minded '80s-set coming of age comedy, Take Me Home Tonight. For all its shortcomings, though, the film is infinitely superior to some unholy thing known as HappyThankYouMorePlease.
