Tag: Anastasia Phillips

TIFF19 REVIEW: Tammy’s Always Dying [2019]

Jared Mobarak

I just want to play the game. You have to give credit to any story that allows its despicable characters to be despicable without also demanding forgiveness from their victim. This is especially true in tales concerning a parent and child considering society seems to crave this ideal that the former is due some benefit of the doubt they’ve never earned. Screenwriter Joanne Sarazen refuses to go that route. She won’t pander to audiences by making Tammy MacDonald (Felicity Huffman) anything but the narcissistic, alcoholic screw-up devoid of self-control she…

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BIFF17 REVIEW: Mermaids [2017]

Jared Mobarak

“All tails are welcome here” On first blush Ali Weinstein‘s documentary Mermaids focuses its glimpse at the titular sea myth’s power towards the whimsical and fun. She takes us from the days of old at Florida’s Weeki Wachee Springs State Park (which is still in operation) to a contemporary trend of mer-lovers creating or commissioning their own tails for public expositions or some much needed private rest and relaxation. Vicki Smith relays fond memories from when she was a teenager performing underwater with an air hose for packed auditoriums. Rachel…

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