20th Philadelphia Film Festival – Day 1 – 4 Picks

I picked up my press pass for the 20th Anniversary Philadelphia Film Festival tonight! Just to get you in the festival mood, here’s the films I plan to see the first few days (Thursday, October 20th thru Sunday October 23rd). Of course, the festival runs till November 3rd, and I plan to be present throughout most of it; however, during the festival, I’ll be posting on facebook and twitter each day what film(s) I plan to see. In fact, if time runs short and things get hectic, my commentary on a few films may never make it to this blog or PFF blog, but may only be posted on facebook / twitter, so if you’re interested, please follow me.

THURSDAY: Opening night! 8pm Like Crazy

A heartbreaking portrait of young love, embodied by Anton Yelchin as an American college student who falls in love with aEnglish exchange student (Felicity Jones). When Jones outstays her Visa, she is denied access to the U.S., putting a strain on their relationship.

Then on to the Opening Night Party! New venue: The Agora (202 S. 36th Street) University City.

FRIDAY: 7:55pm Shame

Powerful and provocative, explicit and controversial, Shame is the story of a man (Michael Fassbender) who is forced to confront his own sexual compulsions along with the self-destructive acts of his sister (Carey Mulligan).

10:15pm Jeff Who Lives at Home

Living in his mother’s basement without a job, Jeff (Jason Segel) can’t even bring himself to leave the house to run some simple errands. Instead, he sits around hoping that destiny will fall straight into his lap. After interpreting a strange coincidence as a sign that he my have finally discovered his fate, Jeff finds himself on a strange journey. Co-director Mark Duplass will be present for Q & A.

SATURDAY: 2:20pm Melancholia

In this beautiful movie about the end of the world, Justine (Kirsten Dunst) and Michael (Alexander Skarsgård) are celebrating their marriage at a sumptuous party in the home of her sister Claire (Charlotte Gainsbourg), and brother-in-law John (Kiefer Sutherland). Despite Claire’s best efforts, the wedding is a fiasco, with family tensions mounting and relationships fraying. Meanwhile, a planet called Melancholia is heading directly towards Earth.

7:40pm A Dangerous Method

Right at the cusp of hitting the most successful moment in both his marriage and his carrer, Carl Jung (Michael Fassbender), a protégé of Sigmond Freud (Viggo Mortensen), begins sessions with Sabine Spielrein (Keira Knightley), a Russian Jewish aspiring doctor who is in need of treatment for her history of physical abuse. As the two begin to explore innovative ways to cure Sabine,an unexpected affair blossoms.

10:15pm A Lonely Place to Die

When a group of old friends meet for a vacation of rock climbing in the Scottish mountains, a disturbing discovery launches them into a deadly chase in this action packed thrill ride full of surprises.

SUNDAY: 4pm Butter

Bob Pickler (Ty Burrell) is the reigning champion of butter carving and a local celebrity of great proportions. Known throughout the Midwest as “the Elvis of butter,” Pickler’s legendary skill and reputation has brought great acclaim to him and his family, with no one loving it more than his outwardly supportive wife Laura (Jennifer Garner). Imagining Bob’s talent with butter as a steppingstone to the presidency, Laura is devastated when Bob is persuaded to retire. Unable to convince Bob to make a comeback,Laura decides to enter herself in the competition…

7:30pm Amador

In order to support her husband’s spending habits, a poor woman goes through hilarious hijinks to protect her job security in this crowd-pleasing dark comedy

And here’s a link to the Top 8 PFF Film’s to check out per Geekadelphia

Hope any readers in the area, plan to support and enjoy the 20th Philadelphia Film Festival, produced by the Philadelphia Film Society. And as always, your thoughts and comments are welcome!