Held throughout Central Florida from April 8-17, Florida Film Festival screens 10 feature films in the Spotlight Features category. These specially selected films were chosen by a selections committee, but are not part of the juried American Independent Competition associated with the Festival.
Three must-see standouts shouldn’t be taken lightly: the darkly comic action movie Super, the darkly disturbing drama Hesher, and the documentary The People vs. George Lucas, which looks at the dark side of the Star Wars series.
Super
Nothing much about Frank’s life is super. He’s a short-order cook at a greasy spoon diner; his recovering-addict wife grows bored and leaves him; and his strong religious convictions of good and evil prevent him from seeing any gray areas in life. In despair, he watches the Jesus television network and seizes upon an idea after watching “The Holy Avenger” helping teenagers make moral decisions.
Deciding that he is indeed one of God’s chosen children destined for greatness, he visits a comic book shop to gain insight into becoming a new superhero called “The Crimson Bolt.” Donning an ill-fitting red suit and possessing no super powers, he watches for criminals so he can beat them over the head with a large wrench. His ultimate goal, however, is to infiltrate a sleazy nightclub where his wife has been seduced by drugs and the manipulative club owner.
The message of this action comedy (which includes some animation) is important and the excellent cast aids the storytelling. Ellen Page as The Crimson Bolt’s over-eager assistant provides an exceptionally spunky performance. It’s tough to pin down a specific genre for this quirky festival entry: At times, Super can be black comedy, action film, gritty drama, animation, fantasy, and morality tale. Which does it do best? My vote goes to morality tale.
Super
- Starring Rainn Wilson, Ellen Page, Liv Tyler, Kevin Bacon, Michael Rooker, Nathan Fillion, Linda Cardellini
- Director: James Gunn
- Genre: Action Comedy
- Run Time: 96
- 4/5 Very Good
Hesher
In this uncomfortable film, sometimes funny, often darkly dramatic, Joseph Gordon-Levitt boldly takes on the role of Hesher, a homeless, tattooed, pyromaniac loner who drifts from place to place, disrupting people’s lives. When he and a bullied young boy named TJ cross paths, Hesher takes advantage of the situation to bully the kid into giving him shelter. Soon Hesher resides in the boy’s home along with his grandmother and recently widowed father. The family’s sadness over the mother’s recent death eventually becomes overshadowed by the current chaos caused by the greasy-haired squatter.
A pretty young sales clerk complicates the situation even further when she befriends the boy and Hesher. This bizarre trio gets into all kinds of mischief instigated by their tattooed leader. The tenuous bond necessarily snaps when the relationship between the two adults leads to more adult situations than can accommodate TJ. With Hesher taking the lead, it’s impossible to predict what will happen next in this disjointed, though entertaining, film.
The always-likable Gordon-Levitt throws himself into this decidedly unlikable role with wild abandon. Natalie Portman’s talent seems wasted as the sales clerk, as well as Rainn Wilson’s comedic abilities in the depressed widower role. Devin Brochu portrays TJ with a sweet vulnerability and charm that should land him plenty more movie roles in the future.
Hesher
- Starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Natalie Portman, Rainn Wilson, Piper Laurie, Devin Brochu,
- Director: Spencer Susser
- Genre: Drama
- Rating: R
- Run Time: 105
- Rating: R
- 4/5 Very Good
The People vs. George Lucas
In its Florida premiere, this enlightening documentary explores the love-hate relationship Star Wars aficionados have with its creator, George Lucas. Authors, journalists, comedians, fans, filmmakers, and a Jedi Elvis provide their opinions on the story, characters, special effects, dialogue, and originator of the Star Wars saga. Interviews combine with fan films and news footage to study three decades of how the films affected pop culture.
Does Darth Vader really symbolize George Lucas’s transition from a passionate headstrong filmmaker to a disinterested merchandising machine? To whom does the Star Wars saga belong? Were Episodes 1, 2 and 3 merely excuses to make more money or do they add value to the story? What really happened with the much-hated Star Wars Holiday Special? Did George Lucas actually rewrite cultural history with his creation? These questions, and other such conundrums examined in this fun doc, keep viewers as hypnotized as that old Jedi mind trick.
Science fiction fans and movie buffs of all kinds can enjoy this entertaining and informative documentary that shifts its focus back and forth from the people, the product, and the producer. Appearances by John Barger, Ahmed Best, David Brin, Matt Cohen, Roger Ebert, Chris Gore, and others add to the fun.
The People vs. George Lucas
- Director: Alexandre O. Philippe
- Genre: Documentary
- Run Time: 93
- 4/5 Very Good
- Additional Information: In English, French, Japanese, Spanish, and German with English subtitles.
Additional Spotlight Feature Films
13 Assassins
- Director: Takashi Miike
- Genre: Historical Action
- Run Time: 126 minutes
- Additional Information: In Japanese with English subtitles.
A Beautiful Belly
- Director: Andrew Kenneth Gay
- Genre: Drama
- Run Time: 92 minutes
- Additional Information: World Premiere.
Incendies
- Director: Denis Villeneuve
- Genre: Mystery Drama
- Run Time: 130 minutes
- Additional Information: In French and Arabic with English subtitles.
Meek’s Cutoff
- Director: Kelly Reichardt
- Genre: Western
- Run Time: 104 minutes
- Additional Information: Southeast Premiere.
Potiche
- Director: Francois Ozon
- Genre: Comedy
- Run Time: 103 minutes
- Additional Information: In French with English subtitles.
Shut Up Little Man! An Audio Misadventure
- Director: Matthew Bate
- Genre: Documentary
- Run Time: 85 minutes
- Additional Information: Southeast Premiere.
Terri
- Director: Azazel Jacobs
- Genre: Comedy Drama
- Run Time: 101 minutes
- Additional Information: Southeast Premiere.
More Florida Film Festival Highlights
The Festival includes 165 movies. Narrative features, full-length documentaries, and international, narrative, and documentary shorts compete in the juried American Independent Competition. In addition, the Festival includes a variety of special programming such as a Florida Film Sidebar, Italian Cinema Night, and free screenings of The Yearling (Clarence Brown, director), Steve Winwood: English Soul (Paul Bernays, director), and The One Man Beatles: Something About Emitt Rhodes (Cosimo Messeri, director).
To watch trailers for these documentaries and obtain a film schedule and list of programs for Florida Film Festival, visit the official website.
Leslie C. Halpern - Leslie C. Halpern, Romantic Films/Comedies Topic Editor, authored Passionate About Their Work, Reel Romance, & Dreams on Film.
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