Change Your Image
JudyLuft
Reviews
Sari Red (1988)
Moving Reflection on Tragedy
Pratibha Parmar's film is a reflection on the tragic mauling of three women in Britian because of their race. This short is basic, but moving in its vision of all women as one, all women are affected by any action that is taken against them. Gurinder Chadha adds backing narration on this film which drives home the needlessness of racial attacks. A beautiful experience from a feminist filmmaker who speaks for those marginalized women across the world who don't yet have a voice. Because of films like this I hope we can all open our eyes to the tragedies that are caused by ignorance every day. As Parmar gazes at the 'black' women and children of Britian and their faces reflected in the red sari we see the innocent cloth that works to define a human being without cause or knowledge. This is a timeless film, especially in these years of racial profiling and hate.
Once and Again (1999)
The Best There Is
So few shows are real about divorce, aging, growing up, fighting, loving, confusion...basically all those things that make us human. This show celebrates the frailty of us all with heart and humour, without ever being cheesy. Worth more than the discovery of Evan Rachel Wood (Jessie)and Shane West (Eli), this is worth your time. Sela Ward is full of psychosis as the mother, Lily, who falls for a father (Billy Campbell) at her daughter's school. Their relationship is the basis for the show, but so much time is put into the fabulous supporting cast. The sister, Judy, who cannot live up to Lily's luck; the daughters Zoe, Grace and Jessie who represent the different stages of young womanhood; the son, Eli, who so wants to be his father but whose maturity is questionable; the ex-wife who is discovering her sexuality; the ex-husband who is trying to be his own person with no one left to blame. This is an under-rated and remarkable show.
Savage Messiah (2002)
Good Canadian Film
Canadian films are often lambasted for being arty and full of weird sex. This has been perpetrated from the likes of Atom Egoyan films. Savage Messiah does not stray from this, but it walks the line in an honest way, that is very creepy. The cinematography looks like it was shot for nothing, as it most likely was. The performances, however, almost make you forget that sloppy camera work. Few films can really creep out my media-jaded generation, but this one certainly got through to me. I will not be able to forget it. This film makes up for a lot of Canadian films that have lacked the balls to really send a message. Good on ya.
Last Night (1998)
Canadians can make movies too!
It is so rare to see a Canadian film that is not all weird sex or documentary (no offense to Atom Egoyen), though there are elements of the former here. This film could have been American, but it's not and that's why there is no really happy ending, though it is a version of happy. It is brilliantly written and acted. But because I am not used to seeing Canadian films with any money behind them (with the exception of 'Men With Brooms' and anything Cronenberg does) I was amazed to see Toronto turned into empty streets and over-turned streetcars. McKeller caught me totally by surprise, a really great film. Added props to Sandra Oh, who is always so under-used and shows her abilities in a great role.