"The Light Between Oceans" Review (***)

Michael Fassbender and Alicia Vikander star in "The Light Between Oceans."

Derek Cianfrance has brought us two of the most heartbreaking films in recent memory with “Blue Valentine” and “The Place Beyond the Pines.” The writer/director’s previous works have proven him to be an auteur with an eye for realism and a nag for telling sprawling stories about complicated people in complicated situations. And while his latest, “The Light Between Oceans,” seems to be right in his wheelhouse, the film is never quite able to be much more than a gorgeous oil painting filled with award-worthy performances.

ATLFF Review: "Eight" (****½)

Editor's Note: This review comes courtesy of the newest member of the Reel Georgia family—Calvin Su. A student at Georgia Tech and a member of the marketing department at the Atlanta Film Festival, Calvin is already a tremendous addition to our team. His interest and intelligence are equally obvious right away and I know you'll all enjoy everything he writes for us. -CM

Libby Munro in "Eight," screening at the 39th annual Atlanta Film Festival.

"Eight" is an Australian, eighty-two minute, one-shot narrative film. You read that right. One shot.

Directed by Peter Blackburn and starring Libby Munro in the leading role, "Eight" tells the story of Sarah Prentice. Sarah suffers from severe OCD and agoraphobia that has left her confined to her home for the past two years, trapped in a repetitive cycle of eights. Her illness has cost her her husband and daughter, both of whom no longer live with her. The film provides just a small snapshot into Sarah's long battle with her mental illness, and I have to admit, it is very unsettling. 

Review: "Adore" (***½)

Naomi Watts, James Frecheville, Robin Wright and Xavier Samuel in "Adore"

“Adore,” premiering at Sundance with its original title “Two Mothers,” is an Australian and French film from director Anne Fontaine. Based on the British novel “The Grandmothers” and possibly known to most as 'the movie where the two moms sleep with each other’s kids,' "Adore" is a strangely well-executed film about desire, boundaries and consequences.

AJFF Review: "Lore" (****½)

Saskia Rosendahl stars in "Lore"

Nele Trebs, one of the young stars of "Lore," was on hand for the film's east coast premiere last week at the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival. Visiting the United States for the first time, the young actress was as astute and well-spoken as I imagined she would be after watching her thoughtful performance in this beautiful film. When asked about the difference between working with male and female directors– such as "Lore" director Cate Shortland, Trebs' delightful response rendered the question almost irrelevant. "Directors don't differentiate themselves from one another based on their gender, but through their artistic vision." And it is quite the artistic vision that Shortland showcases here. "Lore" is an undeniably beautiful film about an undeniably brutal piece of history.

Short Take: "Life Through a Lens" - the best short from the Rome International Film Festival

I was able to screen two dozen shorts at the Rome International Film Festival earlier this month. While  "Douglas," "HowardCantour.com," "In Our Hands," "Shoot the Moon" and "A Story of Our Hero (to 1910)" get special shout outs, the honor of best short film at RIFF goes to Ellenor Argyropoulos' "Life Through a Lens."