Free Fall

Marina Ajaja introduced this film. She is my anti-programmer.

The film is a series of surreal vignettes. I would have been happier watching some of them on vimeo. I can't recommend the film as a whole. It's uneven and the pacing is a bit slow. I considered a walkout but it wasn't really torture and I was going to be here for the next film. It did have some cool moments and the section with the germophobe couple was a highlight. If you were to come across it online, you could just watch that part. Meh.

Snow on the Blade

Beautiful Japanese film about duty in the transition into the Meiji era. I was hoping for more swordplay, but the acting was great and it was so pretty. I didn't get to stay for the entire q&a...the director was charming and his translator was quite good. I love hearing the Japanese -speaking part of the audience react before the rest of us. Good experience. I need to read more about the period.

Beautiful walk down to the Egyptian for the next film.

Slow West

This time New Zealand plays the American West. It's a bit like True Grit with a Scottish boy, sub love for vengeance. Michael Fassbender plays Rooster Cogburnesqe. I enjoyed it but find it hard to believe it was an award winner. Anyway, it has a diverse cast, a wry sense of humor, and nice unpredictability. Worth streaming.