csm1072000

Written/directed and starring Peter Callahan, it's an entertaining/insightful existential look at a middle aged man and his thoughts and interactions with others while on a walk through his hometown (Hastings on the Hudson NY, Callahan's actual hometown). This 88 min walk allows Callahan's character-Jeff to begin to come to terms with his life both by wresting with his own thoughts and by those he interacts with. The film investigates with humor and angst aging, ideals of success and failure in America. All of this is very relatable (especially if you are over 40) and each interaction fascinating and interesting Callahan also wrote and directed the wonderful 2009 indie film Against the Current with Joseph Fiennes and Mary Tyler Moore (also filmed beautifully on the Hudson in NY). This is his first time acting in one of his films and he is a natural on camera. Sincere with a charming/funny vulnerability. This is one of the best and most creative indie films I've seen in a while.

The worst Christie adapation ever. The film has a great cast of good actors: Bill Nighy, Matthew Goode and Luke Treadaway, but that's all that's about all this mess has going for it. Yes, sometimes book adapations have to create narrative that meshes with visual adaptation but what the filmmakers here have done is sabatoge Christie's fine novel. Writer Sarah Phelps admits she's never watched or read Christie. Well that's apparent as she not only destroys Christie's novel but changes character's intentions/wants and the eventual murderers. It's ludicrious. Also director Sandra Goldbacher directs this as it's a serial killer horror film. WTF. Christie novels have style/commentary about English social cultural aspects and are supposed to be fun. This is drab/ugly and down right depressing. Christie would rattle in her grave if she knew what they have done to her novel and her estate should be ashamed of itself for greenlighting this. I have watched many Christie adapations some great/some fun/ some so so. But never have I seen such a ugly/misguided attempt to adapt one of her novels. If I ever see either Phelps or Goldbacher as writer and director of a feature, I'm running for the hills.

The film examines Silverman's character Bernie-a working class middle aged man in Pittsburgh who has to confront two conflicts in his life- his dying mother and his bias against his 8-year old child Matty who his trying to embrace himself and his gender as a girl. Well shot in Silverman's hometown of Pittsburgh, the film is well acted and a honest look at an average Joe who is forced to accept something he never realized. How, Silverman embraces his character's acceptance and chatharsis is handled with grace and conviction. It's a warm film and a compassionate/intelligent look at race, gender/and identity.