Afghan Star (Afghanistan) - Brings a whole new concern that singing "could lead to dancing" as we follow the progress of four contestants on the Afghanistan equivalent of American Idol. It's not the greatest documentary as a piece of film making that you'll ever see. But it is interesting to watch. It's hard not to just throw up your hands when one of the contestants is threatened with death when she breaks the rules and dances for a few seconds during a song. Why someone would think it's logical to kill a woman for being "flirtatious" is beyond me. If they insisted on sending her to a country that would appreciate it I'd understand. But death? So bizarre - and I'll take the hit for being ethnocentric on this one.
Baby Formula (Canada) - didn't stay all the way through. Though a friend who did said it got worse, not better. Mockumentary style flick that follows a lesbian couple who've conceived via "artificial sperm" mad from a combination of both of their genetic materials. Didn't laugh seriously in the first 45 minutes nor did I care about the characters so decided to bail. Even the joke I did chuckle at ("I know a rabbi") pulled the punch a bit to ensure folks got it (they meant "I know a mohel").
Miao Miao (Hong Kong) - Teen romance genre. Cute and light with perhaps too much of a Chinese music video feel at times. I sort of liked the characters so I was willing to forgive things here and there. Nice in that things aren't necessarily all wrapped up perfectly for all involved. Though perhaps though it helps if you fall for someone who fancies your gender. Girl likes girl who likes boy who likes boy who died 6 months earlier can tough.
Also - to quote the Too Significant blog - "When I added this movie to my schedule, I didn't know it featured young Asian lesbian girls in schoolgirl outfits. I swear I didn't know!" OK - I sort of had a hunch. But it also was the only way I could go to the full series passholder's reception at Boom Noodle. :-)
ZMD: Zombies of Mass Destruction (USA) - combination commentary on post 9/11 paranoia and zombie movie spoof. Funny, very bloody - with tweaks at other genres/stereotypes ranging from "don't worry you'll be fine" to a gay couple coming out to a parent and it going very badly. A decent portion of the dialog is clever with a couple memorable soundbites including, "dad, haven't you ever seen a zombie movie. No son - you know I'm a vampire man" and "Jesus was the first zombie..."
Plus much of the cast and crew were there too - always fun. I still think I prefer Sean of the Dead - but this was good bloody fun. Playing again in Kirkland. This screening was beyond sold out so probably should get there early or buy in advance.
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