The fine folks who put on this brand spanking new film festival did a bang up job and left me fully entertained during the time I was able to attend. With a Lynchian lineup of off the wall offerings including feature films, short film blocks, a virtual reality experience, and a literal reality experience (hiking excursion) there was no shortage of unique ways to be entertained. During the four day event, I had the fine fortune of taking in several of the feature films and have compiled them in this very post for your perusing pleasure..
The North Bend Theatre is a truly iconic piece of Pacific Northwest cinematic history and it was the perfect location to host this particularly peculiar selection of films all of which were chosen for having a style and feel that evokes the film making feelings of the one and only David Lynch. If you didn't know, he made a little TV show called Twin Peaks, you may have heard of it, that was filmed on location in and around North Bend including the one and only Twede's Diner. Yes, I did stop in to have a slice of their world famous cherry pie.
These are the movies I watched during the festival, some of which I am including a brief recap and others you will find a link to my full review.
Billy: This movie was a one trick pony that relied on the puppet being mean to everyone as it's primary source of comedy and, with nothing else going for it, I lost interest pretty quickly. Not sure what I was expecting, but it didn't really deliver for me.
Braid: Bold, colorful, frightening, crazy, and half of an outstanding movie. Okay, maybe two thirds. There is a point in the movie where the story had been constantly building in intensity and insanity and then, all of a sudden, it stopped short of where I thought it was going and became, for me, something less. Still, it was very entertaining and a beautifully and brutally photographed visual treat.
Model Home: So creepy, it will get under your skin and just sit there while you are enthralled by Monique Gabriela Curnen's performance as a struggling single mom who takes a trip down a mentally unstable journey that will scare the crap out of you but will also give you a glaring glimpse into the mind of someone suffering from mental illness.
Relaxer: This movie was really nothing more than 91 minutes of grossing the audience out. Nothing really happens and the story takes some very odd turns, but somehow it worked and I did enjoy the heck out of it. At first, I wasn't even sure I enjoyed it, but after giving it some thought and letting it all sink in, I had to say yes. It sort of reminds me of Cheap Thrills but in a totally different way.
Sarah Plays a Werewolf: This movie reminded me a lot of Blue My Mind which was at SIFF this year with all of its teenage angst and young girl coming of age drama, it just didn't quite get to the same level of quality. The story is solid, it's just a really slow burn and I found it hard to stay engaged. Decent effort, but could have been better.
Shirkers is a wonderfully crafted documentary that nails the heart and soul of indie film struggles and shows how anyone, anywhere can have the potential to create, or in this case almost create, something truly magical. Sandy Tan proves why, as a teenager back in 1992, she was so determined and seemingly destined to become a film maker when she set out to make her debut feature. (Full Review)
Anna and the Apocalypse is a gift to genre fans and should become an instant holiday classic. There is an obvious emphasis on projecting a sense of joy and optimism during a time when the world is crashing down into chaos and that is definitely the type of holiday spirit we so desperately need. Go watch this movie as soon as you have a chance. (Full Review)
North Bend Film Festival 2018 Awards:
Cinema Vista
Best Film - My Name Is Myeisha
Special Jury Award - Shirkers
Something Strange
Best Film - Time Share
Special Jury Award - Piercing
Audience Award
Shirkers
Shorts
Cinema Vista - Bailaora
Something Strange - Circle
Special Jury Award - BFF Girls
VR
Best Immersive Storytelling - Meeting A Monster
Best Out of Body Experience - Museum of Symmetry
TwoOhSix.com coverage of NBFF 2018.
Thank you for following along during this year's festival and please take a look at the other festivals and events that I cover over the course of the year.
- GeekGirlCon
- Hawaii International Film Festival
- Local Sightings Film Festival
- New York Asian Film Festival
- Portland Film Festival
- Seattle Asian American Film Festival
- Seattle International Film Festival
- Slamdance Film Festival
- Tacoma Film Festival
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