hey folks, it is a beautiful sunny day here in Montreal, QC. I am just registered and settled into the festival here in the downtown core. I have a couple showings to check out later today, and I had time to see a few screeners.

Two of the films: Embers and The Unseen I will mention more of later. I have interviews with the two directors lined up for later in the week.

The Little Sister-Zack Clarke d.USA 2016 -a great little surprise of a film. Wonderfully shot in the autumn, the story revolves around a young woman who journeys away from her cloistered life at a convent back to her family home in North Carolina. Her return is not of her own choosing, but is precipitated by the return of her older brother from the Iraq war. He is introduced slowly and cleverly and when we first see him it comes as a shock but a good surprise. As the plot unfolds out little sister must not only coax her brother from his shell but help come to terms with her own issues in dealing with her dysfunctional parents.Overall, a very nice film, good flow,editing,use of music,sound, and a nice juxtaposition of cloistered life with modern reality. A bittersweet storyline,about hardships and the strength required to prevail.The director handles the sensitive issue of war and politics, and the human cost of both . A sometimes quirky but one of a kind original story. Starring:Addison Timlin, Ally Sheedy, and Barbara Crampton.

Tank 432. Nick Gillespie d.U.K.-a nice opening montage starts this film off with a battle gone wrong in a forested area. Upon fleeing ,our troop of soldiers come across an abandoned complex where they discover a mysterious woman. After fleeing here they become trapped in an abandoned tank, where they are slowly stripped of their humanity and begin to question the real purpose of their military mission. The plot is unclear and cryptic in its details, but the interpersonal relations and reactions to an extreme and unfathonamable situation, are the focus and highlight of this action/drama…executive produced by Ben Wheatley.

Aloys-Tobias Nolle d.-Swiss/France-2016- an amazing film- part science fiction-part a meditation on rebirth and human connection in the modern world. A private investigator suffering from the death of his father, and living in an emotional shell, becomes involved with a mysterious neighbour through a series of bizarre and transcendental phone conversations. Breaking through his spiritual and psychic barriers is a challenge for our lead character, but trying to breach them in the real world is something more of a struggle. A beautifully photographed and visually conceptualized film, that also make use of a fantastical alternate universe. Wonderful performances and music make this one of the top flicks I’ve seen this year.

Seoul Station-Yeon Sang-Ho d.-South Korea-2016-  an animated feature with little in the way of plot development- just straight ahead zombies attacking Seoul. The annoying characters can’t die fast enough for this reviewer. Cool synth score but a pass on this one…but speaking of South Korea and zombies, I’m just off to see: Train To Busan- hopefully a good one:)