See it at the movies

Posted 3/14/23

AVON

2023 OSCAR NOMINATED SHORT FILMS * * * *

We love short films!

We get to see them twice a year: At the RI International Film Festival in August, and at the Avon at Oscar time in …

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See it at the movies

Posted

AVON

2023 OSCAR NOMINATED SHORT FILMS
* * * *

We love short films!

We get to see them twice a year: At the RI International Film Festival in August, and at the Avon at Oscar time in August.

The Avon had so many people at their showing last week, they are holding them over.

Here is the schedule:

Animation: Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 4:15 and 6:20. “The boy, the mole, the fox, and the horse” was our favorite. The college crowd went for the more bizarre shorts.

Documentary: Monday ay 3:15 and 6:20; Tuesday at 7:15. The Netflix film “The Elephant Whisperers” and “Haulout” a film about walruses, were our favorites. “The Martha Mitchell Effect” was also very good.

Live Action: Wednesday at 4:00 and 6:20 and Thursday (3/16) at 6:20. Everyone was worth seeing, with “Night Ride” and “an Irish Goodbye” both outstanding.

   

NETFLIX

CHRIS ROCK: SELECTIVE OUTRAGE

One year after the slap—or was it a punch?—heard ‘round the world, comedian Chris Rock performs stand up in Baltimore lashing out at Will Smith and his wife in a vicious attack at the beginning and end of his routine.

He also attacks bigotry, racism and even his Black brothers. Some of it is very funny, but I found his sexist humor to be offensive.

   

WARWICK SHOWCASE

CHAMPIONS
* * * 
(Feel-Good Basketball Film)

Rhode Island’s own Bobby Farrelly directs this feel-good film about Marcus, an ornery, troubled NBA assistant coach (Woody Harrelson) who gets fired when he argues with his coach and pushes him to the court on live TV.

Marcus gets arrested for DUI and is assigned a 90 day Community Service project of coaching the local (Des Moines, Iowa) ”intellectually challenged” basketball team, preparing them for the Special Olympics tournament in Winnipeg.

The team is terrible. Marcus goes through the motions, while calling his friends to help him get back in the NBA.

He has a “friends with benefits” relationship with the sister of one of the team members.

The story centers around Marcus slowly changing into a good person and ending up in love the sister (Caitlin Olson), caring for the kids, and leading them to the tournament and the BIG GAME.

Marcus is questioned by everyone as to his motives for coaching the kids.

There are some good points made about how many people treat our brothers and sisters with disabilities.

When Marcus uses the R word, asking “What should we call them?”, the Social Worker suggests “Why not call them by their names?”

The one female on the team  tells a coach, “I have Downs Syndrome, I’m not deaf” as he shouts at her.

The ending appears like it was put together in a rush, with the Big Game ending unexpectedly and Marcus’ future not clearly explained.

It helps if you know where Drake University is.

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