Unrequited love motivates a guy to write about his experiences.
Review
I came into this with low expectations, based on the 5.9/10 IMDB rating, but it was fun. The screenplay is quite garish, with boyish characters and vulgar language.
However, there is a great cast and two mesmerising leads. There are scenes that will make you smile and stories that will leave you heartbroken. It’s an easy movie to watch which leaves a decent impression.
A man trying to get home to his dog gets stuck in a time loop that forces him to relive a deadly run-in with a cop.
Review
This is a simple time-loop movie in which a black man is continually killed by a cop. This tackles the great injustice American black people face daily. An innoxious encounter leaves the protagonist dead and it keeps happening over and over again. Every situation, through action or in-action, leaves the black man dead by the cop. The short concludes with names of many black people killed that were only doing everyday things. A strong story and message in a short movie.
In the aftermath of tragedy, two grieving parents journey through an emotional void as they mourn the loss of a child.
Review
Devoid of dialogue, this animated short story is beautiful yet emotionally brutal. There are joyful touches that spark throughout but this has a very depressing tone. A harrowing tale of being a parent weighs heavy in such a short movie.
Sophie dreams of becoming a writer and travels to Verona, Italy where she meets the "Secretaries of Juliet".
Review
Gael García Bernal’s character, the fiancé, is an annoying caricature, enthusiastic but stupidly ignorant and distant. I’m a fan of the actor, but this role is terrible.
And the other guy is an arrogant posh idiot and also a caricature. The whole enemy to lover trope is just horrible in this story. Obvious but horrible.
Vanessa Redgrave steals the show, as a frail, yet sweet and caring, energised yet blinded by her love for someone she knew fifty years ago.
Unfortunately, there are so much better movies of this type out there. It is easy to watch and very formulaic. The two strong female characters are the best aspects of this story.
The ending, although completely obvious and trite, is good enough. If you can get past the bad characters, you might tear up slightly.
A 15-year-old boy and 27-year-old woman find an unlikely friendship one rainy day in the Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden.
Review
Short and sweet. An unlikely connection set against a beautifully hand-drawn Japanese garden in the rain. This is a bittersweet short about two lonely people. The rain plays a vital role, so does the melodic piano music.
I did a double-take, just like the characters, when an important moment happens.