Jennifer Weiss Movies
- 2009
Sammy Smalls (Cristin Milioti), a twenty-something tomboy, wants to find love that will stick, and a job that doesn't make her queasy with guilt (she hunts down shoplifters at the local grocery stoe and delivers them to her abusive boss). Most of all, she wants to be better in bed -- but how does a quirky girl with limited experience pursue a more worldly existence? The indie romantic comedy-drama Year of the Carnivore tracks her charmingly laviscuous journey towards self-discovery and sexual self-confidence. ~ All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Cristin Milioti
Director Atom Egoyan explores the concept of cyberspace as a place for redemption in this drama about an adolescent boy named Simon (Devon Bostick) who reinvents his life on the Internet. Before long, Simon's deeply personal journey provokes strong reactions from around the globe. Rachel Blanchard and Scott Speedman co-star. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Arsinée Khanjian, Scott Speedman, (more)
Director Brian De Palma turns his lens on the Iraq War with this "fictional documentary" about the experience of U.S. soldiers involved in the conflict. Based on a news item about the rape of an Iraqi schoolgirl by wayward grunts assigned to patrol a checkpoint, the film depicts a scenario not unlike the one De Palma covered in Casualties of War. Shot on high-definition video, Redacted also addresses the ever-evolving manner in which war is covered by the media by focusing on such journalistic innovations as blog coverage and web reporting. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Patrick Carroll, Rob Devaney, (more)
Filmmaker Atom Egoyan -- a longtime onscreen collaborator with the gifted young actress Sarah Polley (The Sweet Hereafter) -- executive-produced Polley's directorial debut, Away from Her, starring Julie Christie, Olympia Dukakis, Michael Murphy, and Wendy Crewson. Adapted by Polley from a short story by Alice Munro, this small-scaled two-character drama concerns Grant (Gordon Pinsent) and Fiona (Christie), a long-married couple, well into their golden years, who are much in love and connected to one another on every level. "Soul mates" in the purest sense of the term, the two feel a sense of ease and tranquility in their rural home. But when Fiona's memory begins to slip away and she insists on being taken to a rest home, the decision stirs up torrents of guilt and regret in Grant's heart. The rules of the center only complicate matters, as they forbid visitation and communication with Fiona for an interminable period of time. He determines to support his wife at all costs, even if must happen at the expense of his own peace of mind. ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Julie Christie, Gordon Pinsent, (more)
Upon learning that the object of her affections only has eyes for an Americanized Korean girl, a recently arrived teenage Korean immigrant is forced to journey inward to ponder her outsider status in director So Yong Kim's melancholy tale of acceptance and isolation. Aimie is a stranger in a strange land, and her only connection to the new world that surrounds her is her best friend, Tran. Eager to take their relationship to the next level but frightened at the prospect of losing her only friend, Aimie keeps her growing feelings to herself even as Tran shows increasing signs of affection for another, more Americanized Korean girl. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jiseon Kim, Taegu Andy Kang, (more)
- 1998
In this lightweight Canadian romantic comedy, a couple in their thirties discovers that love in the '90s can be a messy and complicated proposition. Jack (John Kalangis, who also directs) and Jill (Shauna MacDonald) are going to get married, until Jack changes his mind and coldly announces his reluctance on a voice-mail message. The two later talk in person and decide that rather than breaking up completely, they just allow themselves to see other people. Jack and Jill find their new flings at the same bookstore. Jack takes up with Laura (Tara Johnson), a beautiful customer, while Jill becomes seriously involved with store-clerk Stephen (Scott Gibson). When Jack and Laura realize that they don't have the right chemistry for a long-term relationship, Laura decides to help him win Jill back. Jack and Jill was screened at the 1998 Toronto Film Festival. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- John Kalangis, Shauna MacDonald, (more)
