An open-hearted, engaging documentary that follows the lives of a group of young autistic kids for the 18 months leading up to them placing out of a special needs school at age 21, Best Kept Secret is a movie that flirts with heartbreak and despair while also showcasing — in the form of both struggling yet involved parents as well as its strong, crusading teacher protagonist — the better angels of human nature. In telling a more compact, focused story than recent, similarly themed nonfiction feature The United States of Autism, the film packs an undeniable emotional punch, throwing a spotlight on characters one won’t soon forget. For the full, original review, from ShockYa, click here; for more information on the film, which opens today in New York City at the IFC Center and in Los Angeles at the Laemmle Playhouse 7, click here to visit its website. (Argot Pictures, unrated, 85 minutes)
Daily Archives: September 6, 2013
Amber Stevens Boards 22 Jump Street
According to the Wrap, Greek star Amber Stevens is joining Jonah Hill, Channing Tatum and Ice Cube for the sequel to last year’s 21 Jump Street, a spring box office hit to the tune of just over $200 million worldwide for distributor Sony. Phil Lord and Christopher Miller will direct.
Director Jill Soloway Talks Afternoon Delight
In Afternoon Delight, when a well-off, thirtysomething Los Angeles mother, Rachel (Kathryn Hahn), visits a strip club to try to spice up her marriage and ends up getting a private dance from McKenna (Juno Temple), an unlikely friendship is born, setting in motion waves of colorful and unexpected change. I recently had a chance to talk to writer-director Jill Soloway (The United States of Tara) about her feature film debut, the state of indie film, and notions of “the divided feminine.” The conversation is excerpted over at ShockYa, so click here for the read.