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andie-grace
Reviews
Let's Ruin It with Babies (2014)
A rare rom com about already-marrieds and the choice of parenthood
"Let's Ruin It With Babies" is the perfect title for this cheeky and sleek modern comedy from Kestrin Pantera, about a young woman with a perfect-looking hipster life -- a sweet husband, a cool house, great friends, and a kick ass career with a pop culture creative project (an all- comers-welcomed mobile karaoke RV) that's taking off on a great trajectory. It seems like she's got it all.
But while her husband is ready to drag her across the threshold into parenthood, she's not sure she's ready to go quietly; what follows is a road-movie/romantic comedy narrative that tests the connection between a likable young married couple as they work through their major life decision across the miles through a thick haze of karaoke and her road-trip party bus responsibilities.
The rich is cinematography a perfect complement to the ever-so-hip but entirely earnest lifestyle of its characters and their emotional immersion in their karaoke project. The fact that the RVIP Lounge is a real-life mobile karaoke RV that actually exists in the world, and that the fictional couple are its real-life proprietors who filmed the movie while on the road with said project, adds generously to its charm and their chemistry -- which makes the viewer all the more eager to see what will come of the couple's conundrum.
It's nice to see a romantic comedy that begins with a married couple already very much in love, and tackles a real and relevant issue for our culture, as more women face the parenthood vs. career decision and wait longer and longer to have children, or choose not to do it at all. If there is any criticism, it's that one might wish for more of the on board karaoke experience that the characters swear "changes peoples' lives!" but this is a minor squabble; for an indie it probably would have been cost prohibitive to actually license more pop music for such scenes, and in the end, the important thread is the lead character's connection to the view of the rest of her life. The end result is a very funny and emotionally aware film about the sometimes-conflicting realities of marriage and family.
A Line in the Sand (2008)
Great performances in this gritty cop drama with sprinkle of dark humor
Halfway through this film, I found myself thinking, "This is like watching a really good play!" (in all the best ways); I researched and realized that yes, the film is based on a theatrical performance called "The Mayor's Limo."
It shows in the performances -- this is a well-acted, well-told drama that takes place one night at the precinct after a homeless man, Banzai, urinates on the Mayor's limo and gets himself locked up for the night. The cops on duty are surly and all- business at first, but as they work to unpack Banzai's backstory, a nuanced tale unfolds - complicated by sudden interest from a nosy reporter and Banzai's unspoken leadership with the local homeless population.
Homelessness and mental illness are treated with a deft touch here, as we begin to uncover Banzai's backstory and figure out who he really is; the human side of police work, when explored sensitively, makes for rich and mineable territory in this genre and A Line in the Sand does not disappoint. A gently used but enjoyably dark sense of humor lend a subtle charm to the story and it's definitely carried by solid performances from some stellar actors.
One Couch at a Time (2014)
A smart and highspirited overview of an emerging culture
One Couch at a Time really is a great introduction to the world of sharing -- we get to travel along as Alexandra leaves her home behind and unfolds into the experience of being hosted by total strangers in their homes all over the world. Along the way, she connects with fellow Couchsurfers and travels with them for several weeks at a time, offering a mechanism for natural conversation around the global experiences of the new technology-enabled "sharing economy."
This is no mere travelogue, though -- while the viewer does laugh along with Alexandra's enjoyable trip adventures (fish pedicures, dancing at a street festival), the intimacy of staying with strangers, and sometimes sleeping side by side with other travelers, begins to unpack a complicated exploration of the cultural implications of a world where we spend less and share more. She turns her camera on her own conversations with her travelmates (notably an adventurous but conservative Pakistani woman, and a warm and erudite South African man), people she has never met before; the intimacy that develops in these friendships as they sleep side-by-side provides a platform for frank discussions of race, privilege, and gender. Narration and graphics wittily punctuate the lessons Alexandra takes away from each stop on the trip.
Through interviews with preeminent experts, the academic side of the sharing economy weaves in alongside the personal experiences of the travelers in the film, creating an undeniable argument for the future of sharing the modern age. Definitely of interest for anyone who travels -- even if you'd never sleep on someone else's couch if you were paid to do it! By the end of the film a compelling argument has been made that we would all do well to open our doors a little wider and consider what we might be willing to share with strangers.
Cancerpants (2011)
Brutally and lovingly honest about the experience of cancer treatment
Our heroine, Rochelle Poulson, is someone I know I'd love to hang out with. Sweet, emotionally aware, and well-spoken, she's knocked sideways by a sudden breast cancer diagnosis while trying to conceive a child. Rochelle and her community must act bravely to confront this reality -- staring down treatment options and future possibilities, Ro's erudite self-awareness makes for a compelling window into the mind of a cancer patient. A practitioner of holistic health, it's interesting to watch her integrate and assimilate the sometimes-brutal realities of western medicine and the body's response to it -- on minor points, like facing down her cravings for comfort food instead of her usual hyperhealthy fare, and on the major ones, like wrestling with her own fiercely positive demeanor when chemo's suffering gets her down.
You wouldn't expect to laugh or smile much watching a cancer documentary, but the warm embrace of Ro's community, family, and her partner infuse the story with grace and humor throughout. It's not without difficult moments (and be prepared for quick but very intense glimpses of some of the tougher parts of treatment - brutal!) but it's honest and lovingly constructed, and I think even those who've been fortunate to avoid the touch of cancer in a loved one's life will learn from Ro's attitude and her experience with her community.