Change Your Image
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Reviews
Monkey Warfare (2006)
BC Bud lights up Toronto
Very funny look into the underground life of two Vancouverite revolutionaries who took things a bit too far and are now hiding out in Toronto dumpster-diving, house-sitting and garage-saling to eke out a meager existence that barely keeps them in dope. The packed-house Boomer audience I saw this with loved it and got it, but I guess you have to be a certain age to really appreciate all the late 60's to early 70's counter-culture references. For those of us who remember the little red books and how to make a Molotov Cocktail and know who Che is and growing 16' tall harsh weed on the West Coast and communes and getting paranoid over the man and all that, it's highly entertaining. Long live the revolution!
Run Robot Run! (2006)
Robot takes over your job - what can you do but fry it?
Lighthearted low-budget comedy about a worker drone testing a Michael-Persinger-inspired dream-device who gets jealous about a robot taking over his "dream" job and stealing his dream girl. Very entertaining; I didn't notice a single flat or dull moment in this film. My only beef is the less-than-perfect quality of the Digibeta I saw at the Victoria "Rain Shadow" Film Festival, but it's easy to overlook. Poor Daniel had to mortgage his house to make this. Great soundtrack, too; the robot really rocks when he picks up an ax. Generally OK for kids, no sex, nudity or violence, but does have some swearing and mature themes. Highly recommended - go see it if you get the chance!
A New Day in Old Sana'a (2005)
Compelling look behind the thick old walls of Yemen's Sana'a
Fascinating glimpse behind the veil in Yemen's beautiful city of Sana'a. I was struck by how lovely a city could be without cars. Visually glorious, this film would have been stunning in 35mm - the washed-out Digibeta production left spots before my eyes. Tariq, our young about-to-be married Yemeni has fallen in love with another, but bows to family pressure and custom to abandon his love for a respectable marriage to a thoroughly spoil girl who throws away his token of love. Film provides a fascinating look into how women perpetuate a repressive culture and pull the veil over themselves. Parts of the film that lovingly play over the full lips of an unveiled Yemeni must appear positively pornographic in that culture. Great character development, and quite funny in several places. Sadly, the audience for this rare glimpse into another culture - almost another time - was sparse. Highly recommended; see this if you ever get the chance!