Boyhood (Richard Linklater, 164 mins, USA, 2014)

Boyhood may be director Richard Linklater's best film.  It's certainly his most ambitious, shot over 12 years using the same principle actors to cover a 12-year-period in the main character's life. That main character is Mason, Jr. (Ellar Coltrane).  He lives with his mother Olivia ( Patricia Arquette) and older sister Samantha (Lorelei Linklater).   …

SIFF 2014: Centerpiece Film, Q & A, and Gala–Saturday, May 31

The film Boyhood may be Richard Linklater's best film.  It's certainly his most ambitious.  Shot over a 12-year period using the same principle actors, the film follows Mason, Jr. (Ellar Coltrane) from 1st through 12th grades.  A full review will have to wait until it's released in July.  For now, I will focus on the Q & …

SIFF 2014: Week Two of Press Screenings

Note: On Sunday, we had our annual staff meeting pre-festival.  The difference this time is that we got goody bags -- and a staff photo that included a wardrobe change and balloon hats, in including the ones below:   Monday May 5 Movies today were Ballet 422, Hellion, and Clownwise.  Of the little I heard about each film, …

The Seattle International Film Festival Turns Forty

This year, the Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF) turns 40, which means that some surprises are in store.  In addition to announcing the opening night film before the festival begins (as is customary), Moira Macdonald published an article today in The Seattle Times that lists some of the guests, including Richard Linklater (for Boyhood, which will …

Ebertfest, Day Three: ALMOST FAMOUS

I woke up at 7:30, already deciding that, while I would go to the first panel this morning, I would find someplace to take a nap for the second one. At least I'll be able to get some sleep tonight, as I won't be going to any panels tomorrow, and the first film is at …

What Happens in Between Sunrise and Sunset

 Edvard Munch, Separation (1900), Oil on Canvas I have seen Before Sunrise more than any other movie, save Amadeus (about nine times for Before Sunrise, about fifteen times for Amadeus).  In fact, it was at one time my favorite movie, before Lost in Translation came along and knocked it from its pedestal.  Still, it remains one of …