The sin continues on Rialto Channel this week with films filled with lies, cover-ups, alcoholism, bullying and desire – you know, all the things that make us human. It’s great to see Matt Dillon in fine form as the wheelchair bound lover of a convenience store worker played by Naomi Watts in the indie flick Sunlight JR. It might not seem like it, but Dillon has been working consistently since his Oscar nominated turn in 2004’s Crash, appearing in a variety of films such as Herbie Fully Loaded, You, Me and Dupreeand Girls Most Likely. This year he joins the growing list of film actors embracing television, appearing in a new mystery drama series called Wayward Pines along with Melissa Leo.
The sin continues on Rialto Channel this week with films filled with lies, cover-ups, alcoholism, bullying and desire – you know, all the things that make us human. It’s great to see Matt Dillon in fine form as the wheelchair bound lover of a convenience store worker played by Naomi Watts in the indie flick Sunlight JR. It might not seem like it, but Dillon has been working consistently since his Oscar nominated turn in 2004’s Crash, appearing in a variety of films such as Herbie Fully Loaded, You, Me and Dupree and Girls Most Likely. This year he joins the growing list of film actors embracing television, appearing in a new mystery drama series called Wayward Pines along with Melissa Leo.
Sunlight JR is my first pick for the week.
Sunlight JR.
Starring: Matt Dillon, Naomi Watt and Norman Reedus
Directed by: Laurie Collyer
Screening: Saturday 21st February, 8.30pm
Written and directed by Laurie Collyer, Sunlight JR. explores the struggles of one middle age couple trying to live on the minimum wage in America. Naomi Watts is Melissa, a convenience store worker who lives in a motel with her with disabled boyfriend (Dillon). Barely getting by, the two have to deal with the reappearance of Melissa’s violent ex-boyfriend and an unexpected pregnancy. A low budget, simple, character driven story that was shot in 22 days, Sunlight JR. isn’t a hopeful film, but does its job reflecting the hardships so many face.
The Tillman Story
Staring: The Tillman Family, narrated by Josh Brolin
Directed by: Amir Bar-Lev
Screening: Rialto Documentary, Thursday 19th February, 8.30pm
The Tillman Story premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in 2010, and four years on, it’s still frighteningly relevant. When the American military decided to cover up the truth about the death of professional football player turned Army Ranger Pat Tillman in Afghanistan 2004, they hadn’t anticipated the determination of Pat’s family to investigate their son’s death. Pat Tillman wanted to be treated like a normal solider both in life and death, so when his passionate and angry family learnt that his death had been glorified by the Military into something it wasn’t, they honoured his memory by setting the story straight. This isn’t just a film about military propaganda. This is a film about a family trying to deal with the devastation of losing a son, husband and brother amid a media frenzy. The family put their faith in director Amir Bar-Lev, and that faith pays off. This is a film filled with raw, honest and powerful documentary.
Tasting Menu
Starring: Stephen Rea, Fionnula Flanagan, Jan Cornet & Claudia Bassols
Directors: Roger Gual
Screening: Monday 16th February, 8.30pm
If you’d like to kick off the week with something light and fluffy, then this ensemble romantic comedy will do the trick. An Irish Spanish co-production, Tasting Menu unfolds on the closing night of a world famous restaurant in Spain. There are plenty of mouth-watering montages of exquisite food, however this dramedy is more about the restaurant’s guests than it’s degustation menu. There are business deals to be made, relationships to sort out and critics to impress. It’s neither hilarious nor overly dramatic, but Tasting Room is a pleasant and easy to enjoy film, and perfect viewing for a Monday evening.