FANTASIA GETS IT  RIGHT WITH FILMS SHOWING QUIRKINESS AND INSIGHT  SPINNING OUT OF CONTROL IN DANGEROUS TIMES

KING CAR, directed by Renata Pinheiro***

 

 A theme that juxtaposes ecological organic experimentation by a group of forward-looking agronomist student with mechanic advancement innovated by a strange family. Here is a film that makes humans become slaves to a talking car, named King Car.

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This old car was refurbished and brought to life after a new law prohibited old cars on the road.  We see humans becoming monkeys again and cars becoming demonic leaders. It is so well acted and the unusual turn of events makes its own compelling message about our love affair with technology embodied in a car.

ALIEN ON STAGE, DIRECTED BY LUCY HARVEY***

When ordinary working class folk with divergent personalities take their stage show with the silliest plot from the dull life of Dorset, England to London's West End theatre district, lifelong dreams become true for this humble lot of thespians. It's a charming piece that puts their collective pipe dream on the stage. It warms the heart to watch the ordinary become extraordinary.

 

LOST BOYS, directed by  Sadri Cetinkaya & Joonas Neuvonen ****   

It's just so sad to see two bros descend into hell because of drugs. South East Asia has claimed the life of one brother gone missing. Joonas travels bravely to find out what happened to his friend. It's described as a  related sequel to sequel to Reindeerspotting. A Quebec premiere that's terribly human and frightening. It's depressing and compelling.

 

 SWEETIE, YOU WON'T BELIEVE IT, directed by Emar Nurgaliev *

This is a fishing trip gone terribly wrong. Good friends game for adventure are pursued by a rather clumsy gangster, but things really turn dangerous when a psycho killer makes sure they never catch a fish to bring home. They call it a comedy, but I found it a dark badly edited unfunny film to say the least.

PAUL DOOD’S DEADLY LUNCH BREAK, directed by Nick Gillespie ***

A Brit Monty Python-type quirky character named Paul (Tom Meeton) is intent on getting to a talent show audition on time. He misses the train; his mom dies on the way in her wheelchair, but only after the phoney Buddhist tea-shop owner won’t give Paul water to save his mom from choking; and to top it off, the star host of the talent show mercilessly  destroys Paul's solo act and his personality.

 Intent on revenge, Paul peels back the layers of politeness, and gives all the horrid petty people who have deprived him of his moment of fame  -  their own moment to shine... in blood.  Some of the scenes are pure genius especially seen in the way the priest and his partner get their comeuppance.This fun revenge film is totally off the wall. I would say that Paul’s mom steals the on screen show, more than Paul.  Together, they create a crazy mom and son team - each covered in sparkles and fancy dress costume – typical to British comedy culture. 

It really has a fabulous start, but the rest becomes a confusing clutter after Paul finally gets to perform his act in front of the host of the show. 

I think there is a serious social comment in the film. The fact Paul only gets famous after he killed people, who belittled him before, shows -- despite the light-hardheartedness of it all -- just how scary it is that social media can influence people beyond reason.

FOLLOW THE LIGHT, Directed by Yoichi Narata *

Not so good despite the lovely scenery. A wild child named Maki goes on the roof waiting for a space ship to take her away. Meanwhile a young teen is captivated by this strange girl, and puts his talent to work, drawing her.

 He’s a fine artist who will be doing a mosaic mural for the school closing. This film is just so bad in tying together small village life, economic woes and teacher apathy. It all seems to come together by a green light in the sky – perhaps a flying saucer indeed according to reporting. A crop circle does nothing to bring this film full circle. Personally, the characters got on my nerves. A strange coming-of-age film with no impact.