Top Picks for the Film Festival

The 2nd Annual Tacoma Film Festival starts Thursday, October 4.

72 films will play here over the course of a week. Many have played prestigious festivals around the country and this may be your only chance to see them. For a lot of the films, the filmmakers will be at the screening to discuss their movie and answer questions. If you’ve never had a film festival experience, now that Tacoma has its own going, you owe it to yourself to see what it’s all about.

Need help picking a few films for the week? 72 films might feel overwhelming. With help from Mike Bottorff, Andrew Fry, Erik Hanberg, David Schrodel, and Kimberley Tibbert we’ve previewed the films and have a short list of recommendations. (Special thanks should also go to Owen Bates and Matthew Jones for jumping in at the last minute to help screen films, even though the don’t have reviews below.)

Click on the movie title for a full review and showtimes.

Top Picks – Feature Films

Arid Lands
A documentary about the Hanford nuclear site in Eastern Washington. Review by Andrew Fry

Beyond the Call
A documentary about three men who try to do good in the most devastated parts of the world. Review by David Schroedel

Forfeit
A suspenseful thriller about greed, obsession, and revenge some great actors—Wayne Knight (Seinfeld), Sherry Stringfield (ER), and Gregory Itzin (24). Review by Kimberley Tibbert

Her Best Move
A family film about a 15 year old soccer phenom trying to balance high school life and soccer. Review by Kimberley Tibbert

The Metrosexual
A Los Angeles metrosexual looks for love in this funny comedy. Review by Mike Bottorff

My Eating Team Has a Paddling Problem
Welcome to the wild sport of dragon-boat racing. Where it’s as much about hanging out with the team as it is about racing. Review by David Schroedel

The Wedding Video
A wedding videographer takes matters into his own hands when the wedding is called off. Nothing is going to stop him from finishing his film. Review by Kimberley Tibbert

Top Picks – Short Films

Full Disclosure
A man decides he’s going to lay it all on the table on the first date. Review by Mike Bottorff

South 5 – True Grit
A sequel to the winner of the 72-Hour Film Competition in May. An opening night selection. Review by Andrew Fry

Spitfire 944
A WWII pilot sees footage of a risky landing he made during the war for the first time.

We saw a lot to like in addition to our Top Picks above that are worth mentioning as well. These are some very strong movies.

Well Worth It

For all the Marbles will bring you back to the high stakes of childhood games
Greetings from the Shore, a drama set on the Jersey Shore. Paul Sorvino co-stars.
Moviebonics, because loving film quotes is universal.
Rapping with Shakespeare about an English teacher who uses rap and hiphop to teach in an inner city high school
River Ways, a documentary about the controversy of removing dams from the Snake River
Soup Ladle, a one-joke movie that nails its joke perfectly
Twilight of Youth, a short “what-if” about a young man who ages rapidly and suddenly
When the Magic’s Gone — Think Alien Nation meets the Fairly Oddparents

For the true film buffs we have short review on some of the films that come very close to a recommendation. So … If you have a festival pass check these films out.