Deep Throat, zombies, fists and friendship
It’s the conclusion of the 2017 edition of the Windsor International Film Festival! One of the city’s most popular cultural events, WIFF is wrapping up seven days of great movies from around the world at two downtown venues, from Oct. 30 to Nov. 5.
To help cinema lovers navigate the impressive list of 113 films, the festival’s executive director Vincent Georgie met up with Windsor Star staffers Dalson Chen and Julian Revin to talk about choice screenings on each festival date. Here are their picks for Saturday and Sunday — closing weekend for WIFF 2017.
SATURDAY VINCENT’S PICK Mark Felt: The Man Who Brought Down the White House (Unrated, 7:40 p.m. at Chrysler Theatre)
The Watergate scandal had such an impact on U.S. politics that it’s been the subject of a lot of great cinema. But there’s still a story that hasn’t been told — until now. Liam Neeson plays the title role of Mark Felt — the FBI special agent who became the informant known as Deep Throat. This political thriller explores the motivations of the man whose conscientious decision forever tarnished Nixon’s presidency. DALSON’S PICK The Trip to Spain (Rated 14A, 10:40 a.m. at Chrysler Theatre)
U.K. actors Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon are friends. But you would be forgiven for thinking them enemies with the way they bicker, compete and snipe at each other. Witness their famous battle of Michael Caine impersonations. Now their BBC television series The Trip — mostly consisting of improvised dialogue — has come to the big screen. It’s close to two hours of beautiful Spanish scenery and very, very British wit. JULIAN’S PICK Attack of the Lederhosen Zombies (Unrated, 11:59 p.m. at Capitol Theatre)
Shameless, campy fun is the goal of this over-the-top Austrian horror-comedy. Snowboarders Steve, Branka and Josh find themselves stuck at a trashy ski tavern on the last night of the season. The party takes a gory turn when a science experiment gone wrong fills the slopes with undead cannibals and mutant wildlife. The heroes will need every nasty weapon and trick at their disposal to survive against the onslaught. SUNDAY VINCENT’S PICK Faces Places (Unrated, 5:15 p.m. at Chrysler Theatre)
As the featured WIFF 2017 closing-night film, this uplifting documentary is a celebration of art and art appreciators. French filmmaker Agnes Varda, realizing that she is losing her sight at 88 years old, sets out to capture visions of her country and those who live in it. Joining her on the quest: a filmmaker known as JR, 55 years her junior. A movie that’s as much about friendship and fellowship as it is about cinema. DALSON’S PICK Chuck (Unrated, 5:35 p.m. at Capitol Theatre)
Depending on who you ask, real-life boxer Chuck Wepner was a great underdog story — or a sports history footnote. His brawl with the legendary Muhammad Ali in 1975 was supposedly the inspiration for the character of Rocky. In this funky biopic, Liev Schreiber disappears in his portrayal of Wepner — complete with Jersey accent, disco-era fashion, and manly moustache. Also starring Naomi Watts, Jim Gaffigan, and Ron Perlman. JULIAN’S PICK Good Time (Rated 14A, 9:55 p.m. at Chrysler Theatre)
Robert Pattinson is a long way from the Twilight series in this gritty, neo-noir crime drama. He plays Connie — a bank robber with a heist in mind and a brother in prison. The events of the film all take place on one night, when Connie tries to pull off a breakout plan. Shot mostly in hand-held close-up, Good Time is a tension-filled ride that grows in desperation with every minute of its run time.