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Thoughts on TRANSSIBERIAN
Jan Lisa Huttner, Posted: 9/4/2008 6:41:23 PM
Richard & I went to see TRANSSIBERIAN on Saturday night, primarily because we really like Emily Mortimer. We didn't know much about it, & I didn't realize it was a Brad Anderson film until I saw his name in the credits. I leaned over & whispered in RB's ear: "I think that's the SESSION 9 guy." Meaning: That's a good sign! Well, we both thought TRANSSIBERIAN was terrific, & even tho there were a couple of minor plot gaps, we were riveted right until the end. I was totally tense, & happily along for the ride. It was the most Hitcockian train trip I've taken since NORTH BY NORTHWEST! Not only was this an enjoyable cinematic experience in itself, but it was also something of a relief because several people had tried to convince me that TELL NO ONE was a really good film & it left me totally cold. I had a moment of self-doubt: maybe I don't remember how a good Hitcock film feels anymore??? Wrong: I do. See TRANSSIBERIAN & you will too. PS: Emily Mortimer is terrific in the lead. She's a great actress, definitely one of the best new actresses to emerge in the last decade!

Films by Jewish Filmmakers @ CIFF-06
Jan Lisa Huttner, Posted: 10/3/2006 10:28:00 PM
I've now seen all four of the films directed by Jewish filmmakers (AVIVA MY LOVE, FAMILY LAW, FLANNEL PAJAMAS, & THE FOUNTAIN). Of these four, my top pick is definitely FAMILY LAW, the latest film by Argentinian director Daniel Burman. The others are good, but FAMILY LAW is really terrific. Read our FF2's COLUMN on the, Chicago International Film Festival 2006 for more details.

CIFF Prep
Jan Lisa Huttner, Posted: 10/1/2006 4:17:36 PM
The 42nd annual Chicago International Film Festival begins this Thursday (10/5), so I'm busily attending critic's screenings & watching DVD screeners at home. Once the CIFF begins, I will post daily updates here in my new blog, providing more details about which films I'm seeing & who I'm meeting for f2f interviews. Meanwhile check out FF2's main CIFF webpage for complete details including a link to their website.