Latest news with #SanFranciscoInternationalFilmFestival
Daily Record
6 days ago
- Business
- Daily Record
Netflix to remove 'underrated' film with 99% rating this week as it's last chance to watch
The 2023 film has a 99% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and is being described as 'devastatingly underrated' Netflix fans are set for disappointment as the streaming giant is pulling the plug on a family comedy that's been hailed as "devastatingly underrated". The platform is giving users only a short window to catch the heartwarming 2023 film. Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret will soon be unavailable to watch for good. The delightful film is based on Judy Blume's classic novel, and has won over viewers with its authentic storytelling and genuine charm, earning an impressive 99% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The movie, set in 1970, tells the story of 11-year-old Margaret Simon, after her life is turned upside down when her parents, Barbara and Herb, break the news that they are moving away from New York to a new neighbourhood. As Margaret struggles to adjust, she begins to ponder life's big questions, navigating the complexities of friendship and growing up. The film brings the iconic novel to vibrant life, starring Abby Ryder Fortson as the lead character, alongside Rachel McAdams, Elle Graham, Benny Safdie, and Kathy Bates, as reported by the Express. After premiering at the San Francisco International Film Festival on April 23, 2023, the film opened in the US on April 28, 2023, courtesy of Lionsgate. Although it garnered critical acclaim, it underperformed at the box office, pulling in just $21 million worldwide. The verdict from Rotten Tomatoes Critics Consensus is unanimous: "Effervescent and refreshingly frank about the travails of puberty, this long-awaited adaptation does full justice to Judy Blume's seminal novel." The admiration is echoed by a Reddit user who believes Rachel McAdams, who plays Margaret's mum, is Oscar-worthy. The critic penned: "Are You There God? It's Me Margaret is a masterpiece and Rachel McAdams deserves an Oscar." Popcornmeter, awarding the film an impressive 94%, remarked: "Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret. stays true to the classic book right down to its '70s setting, but the story still feels totally current and relatable." Despite showered praise from critics, the movie faces removal by Netflix as part of their broad cull of films this month. The final opportunity to view this touching movie on Netflix is slated for June 16. For those keen to experience this charming movie, it remains available on platforms such as Amazon Prime, Apple TV, YouTube, and Sky Store. Elsewhere, if you are looking for something to binge-watch Netflix have thrilled viewers with the new "gripping" Scots crime drama Dept Q. The new series is filmed in Edinburgh, Scotland, and is highly-anticipated to break viewing records upon its release at the end of last month. It's based on Danish book series of the same name by author Jussi Adler-Olsen. Despite several films adapted from thebooks, Dept. Q is the first English-language take on the popular series.
Egypt Today
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Egypt Today
My Brother, My Brother' Makes History as First Egyptian Film to Win Oscar-Qualifying Golden Gate Award
In a groundbreaking achievement for Egyptian cinema, the animated short film My Brother, My Brother has made history by becoming the first Egyptian film to win the prestigious Oscar-qualifying Golden Gate Award at the San Francisco International Film Festival. This emotional and visually stunning film captured the hearts of the jury with its powerful storytelling and unique artistic vision, marking a proud moment for the Arab world on the global stage and paving the way for more recognition of Egyptian talent in international animation. My Brother, My Brother is directed by Abdelrahman Dnewar.
San Francisco Chronicle
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- San Francisco Chronicle
Review: In ‘Viet and Nam,' war's toll looms over gay coal miners' affair
The United States will soon mark the 50th anniversary of the fall of Saigon, which essentially ended the Vietnam War. April 30, 1975, still haunts Americans with lessons learned and not. The same goes for the Vietnamese people, who are sorting their way through their own hearts of darkness. 'Viet and Nam,' a drama set in 2001, tells the story of two gay coal miners. One of them, Nam (Pham Thanh Hai), agrees to help his mother (Nguyen Thi Nga) search for the remains of her husband, the father Nam never knew, who was killed in the war. The other, Viet (Dao Duy Bao Dinh), is his constant companion, content to carry on their love affair in shadows and darkness, but is not signing off on Nam's plan to leave the country illegally. For director Truong Minh Quy, the film, which recently screened at the 68th San Francisco International Film Festival, is a tale of displacement and loss, and a country that sacrificed perhaps too much for victory. His ruminative, languid style reminds one of Thailand's Apichatpong Weerasethakul and Taiwan's Tsai Ming-liang, two princes of pondering. But while 'Viet and Nam' is filled from beginning to end with outstanding visuals and thought-provoking ideas, it is perhaps too lethargic and, at a little over two hours, overlong. Yet there is still much to enjoy. The first half of 'Viet and Nam' is stark and confining, from the dark claustrophobia of the coal mines — where a gorgeously composed sex scene occurs — to the small flat Nam shares with his mother and uncle (Le Viet Tung). The film opens up in the second half when all five set out on their quest across lush rural areas that still carry the scars of war. Truong clearly didn't make his film for an American audience specifically, though perhaps an international one, much less targeted it for the 50th anniversary of the end of the war, as it premiered a year ago at the Cannes Film Festival. Yet the timing of its release stateside is apt. There was another side to the Vietnam War, and hopefully Americans and Vietnamese can grieve and empathize, if not as one, then together.
Express Tribune
15-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Chris Columbus hesitant to cut Donald Trump cameo from 'Home Alone 2' citing deportation fears
Veteran director Chris Columbus has admitted he is reluctant to remove Donald Trump's cameo from Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, citing fears of political retaliation that could include deportation. The filmmaker, who is being honoured at this year's San Francisco International Film Festival, expressed his concern during an interview with the San Francisco Chronicle. 'It's become an albatross for me. I just wish it was gone,' said Columbus. 'If I cut it, I'll probably be sent out of this country. I'll be considered sort of not fit to live in the United States.' Though born in America, Columbus, who has Italian heritage, joked that any attempt to erase the cameo might lead to him being sent 'back to Italy or something.' His comments come amid a wider pattern of aggressive actions by Donald Trump's current administration toward critics, including journalists, scholars, and public figures. Photo: 20th century Fox The controversy surrounding the scene stems from Trump's demand to appear in the 1992 sequel as a condition for allowing filming inside the Plaza Hotel, which he owned at the time. Trump has accused Columbus of lying about the circumstances of the cameo, claiming the production 'begged' him to participate. Columbus has firmly denied this, stating: 'There's no world I would ever beg a non-actor to be in a movie.'
