The Mill Valley Film Festival winds up its first weekend today and there’s something to appeal to any cinematic appetite.
But let’s talk about yesterday first.
A slew of celebs swept Saturday through downtown Mill Valley and San Rafael, while the Mind the Gap Summit kicked off with a panel addressing “Conscious Inclusion in Film and Tech.”
As for the stars, Steve Carell, Timothee Chalamet, director Felix Groeningen and writers David and Nic Sheff appeared at a packed special presentation of “Beautiful Boy” at the Christopher Smith Rafael Film Center. Many scenes featured in this true story based on the memoirs about the struggles of a father and son as the son becomes addicted to meth were filmed in the Bay Area.
Over at the Sequoia Theater in Mill Valley, Anna Paquin, Stephen Moyer and Denis O’Hare were stunning on the red carpet for the national premiere of their “The Parting Glass,” a personal story about the aftermath of suicide. O’Hare wrote it and Moyer directed it.
Today, the festival hosts numerous screenings and spotlights, including one focused on “The Hate U Give’s” Amandla Stenberg and another on “Boy Erased’s” Joel Edgerton. Can’t wait to see “The Hate U Give.”
Which movies should you see? Here are my recs of the ones I’ve watched.
“Boy Erased”: Lucas Hedges again delivers a knockout performance, sensitively portraying a young man sent to a gay conversion camp after he announces to his religious parents (Nicole Kidman and Russell Crowe) that he is gay. Edgerton wrote, costars and directs with an observant, perceptive eye, one that’s focused on the devastating effects and a family’s path to healing and understanding. Based on a true story. (Oct. 7, Oct. 9)
“El Angel”: The soulless evil that lurks behind the angelic looks of a teen gets plumbed in a disturbing portrait of a cold-hearted thief and killer. Set in the ‘70s in Argentina, director Luis Ortega’s journey benefits from strong performances and a striking view of the period. (Oct. 7, Oct. 8)
Another one not to miss is the world premiere of “Who Killed Lt. Van Dorn?” Here’s a link to my take on this documentary with UC-Berkeley ties.
Finally, if you haven’t seen “The Favourite,” the latest from one of the most unique and exciting storytellers working today — Yorgos (“The Lobster”) Lanthimos — you have on more shot at the fest to be amazed by this twisted period piece about a tug-of-war for Queen Anne’s affections and time. Emma Stone, Rachel Weisz and Olivia Colman give a trio of Oscar-caliber performances, with Colman’s standing ever so tall. The mesmerizing film is Top 10 material by a long shot; it screens again Oct. 10.
Randy Myers in Motion 