Ilusiones Ópticas
Because of the opening scenes of blurry shapes and fuzzy colors, I expected “Ilusiones Ópticas” to be muddled and confusing.  I was happily surprised to find a darkly funny film that was smart and pleasantly offbeat during the 30th San Francisco Jewish Film Festival.     “Ilusiones Ópticas” takes a voyeuristic approach to follow four main characters, showing how each is enmeshed in one another’s lives.  Juan (Ivan Alvarez de Araya) has been blind since he was two years old.  He received an operation that restored a fraction of his sight and is trying to adjust to life with limited vision.  Manuela (Paola Lattus) lives with her brother Rafa (Eduardo Paxeco) and works in a dead-end job ... READ MORE >>>

Father's Footsteps
Taken from Director Marco Carmel’s childhood, “Father’s Footsteps” boils down to a so-so coming of age story showing how influential a father can be on his son.  “Father’s Footsteps,” part of the 30th San Francisco Jewish Film Festival, is shown mainly through the perspective of 11 year-old Michel, who adores his felon father Félix.  Félix, seeking financial gain wherever he can, meets Paris gang lord Serge who invites him to be a part of his bank-robbing gang.       When Félix gets busted, Serge “looks after” his family, including his wife and sons Éric and Michel.  Serge brings the kids gifts and gives the wife money.  While Éric isn’t as easily manipulated as Michel, Michel wants to be just like his daddy, even robbing stores and... READ MORE >>>

Great Directors
“Great Directors” is a documentary about ten great filmmakers from different countries, backgrounds and generations, brought together under the umbrella of one film. Director Angela Ismailos sets up her film in the first few minutes: she wants to talk to the filmmakers who inspire her. She does so, and then mostly gets out of the way. The result is an inspiring look at some of the finest directors alive, and even if her search for insight results in as many questions as answers, watching this movie is like dunking your head in a barrel of fresh, cold water – you emerge clear-eyed and invigorated.     Ismailos, working with editors Christine Burchard and Sabine Hoffman, creates a... READ MORE >>>

The Lottery
Directed by Madeleine Sackler, “The Lottery” follows four families in Harlem and the Bronx in the days leading up to the lottery for admission to Harlem Success Academy (HSA). Out of thousands, only a small fraction will win this particular chance at a better future. Award-winning cinematographer, Wolfgang Held (“Mad Hot Ballroom”), directs the photography for this film, which is Sackler’s first feature-length documentary.     Insight from Success Charter Network Director Eva Moskowitz explains the acrimony surrounding the education reform debate and exposes the politics involved. (Newark Mayor Cory Booker and New York schools chancellor Joel Klein also provide their opinions on charter school success). Since it’s impossible to be elected in New York City without the backing of the typically anti-charter school unions, local politicians... READ MORE >>>

Salt
“Salt”, starring Angelina Jolie and directed by political-intrigue-action veteran Phillip Noyce (“Patriot Games,” “A Clear and Present Danger”) resurrects Russian sleeper agents, nuclear missile codes and secret bunkers as viable espionage-flick elements while reminding us why Angelina became a star in the first place: she’s a scary badass when riled up.     When a dying Russian defector accuses happily married CIA agent Evelyn Salt (Jolie) of being one of an untold number of Russian agents currently entrenched in the United States, the scrappy and inventive Salt escapes her co-workers – her immediate boss, Winters (the ever-glowering Liev Shreiber) seems to believe that she’s innocent, while a bloodthirsty counter-terrorism agent, Peabody (Chiwetel Ejiofor) simply wants to catch her. This kicks off a relentless series of chases, stunts,... READ MORE >>>