One Week Only - Podcast

Episode 72 of One Week Only! This week's key film is "The Girl Without Hands," a stunningly beautiful animated drama adapted from the Brothers Grimm fairy tale about a young peasant girl who loses her hands when she will not submit to the Devil. Directed and animated by Sébastien Laudenbach, this a gorgeous piece of art that tells a harsh & painful story of good vs evil with lush, painterly animation that flows effortlessly from scene to scene. Now Playing in New York, it's an incredible achievement in the field of animation. (34:20)

We also review the abstract coming-of-age drama "Kékszakállú" from Argentina, directed by Gastón Solnicki (5:05); the twisted Mexican sci-fi drama "The Untamed" directed by Amat Escalante (13:05); and the inspiring period sports drama "The Fencer" from Finland & Estonia, directed by Klaus Härö (23:35).

Hosted by Carlos Aguilar & Conor Holt. Music by Kevin MacLeod at www.incompetech.com

Episode 71 of One Week Only! This week's key film is "False Confessions," an 18th century French farce adapted to the modern age but retaining its delightful mix of romantic entanglements and complex deceptions. Directed by Luc Bondy and starring Isabelle Huppert and Louis Garrel, it's a theatrical but entertaining comedy about a hive of colorful characters bouncing off each other in pursuit of love and money, and featuring another wonderful performance from Huppert. Now Playing in New York, and coming soon to Los Angeles. (45:30)

We also review the thrilling period drama "Lady Macbeth" directed by Wiliam Oldroyd (14:50); the gorgeous and exhilarating "Endless Poetry" directed by Alejandro Jodorowsky (26:35); and the delightful musical comedy "Footnotes" directed by Paul Calori & Kostia Testut (37:40).

Hosted by Carlos Aguilar & Conor Holt. Music by Kevin MacLeod at www.incompetech.com

Episode 70 of One Week Only! This week's key film is "A Ghost Story," which is easily one of the best films of the year. A moving fable about the loneliness of eternity, we follow a ghost as he haunts his house and watches people come and go as time passes him by. Embracing the classic bed-sheet ghost costume, Casey Affleck's phantom drifts from scene to scene, a striking, solitary figure lost in a constantly changing world that has forgotten him. Director David Lowery has crafted a deeply powerful meditation on life and loss, the tragic nature of existence, and the inevitability of change. Now Playing in New York and Los Angeles, it's a must see. (28:05)

We also review the powerful documentary "City of Ghosts" about the war in Syria, directed by Matthew Heineman (8:05); and the whimsical slapstick comedy "Lost in Paris" directed by & starring Fiona Gordon & Dominique Abel (20:10).

Hosted by Carlos Aguilar & Conor Holt. Music by Kevin MacLeod at www.incompetech.com

Bonus Episode of One Week Only! With 2017 half way done, it's time for us to pick our favorite films of the year so far! We've seen over 100 films already, so we had to make some tough decisions. What's your favorite film of the year so far?

Carlos's Top 10: Personal Shopper, Metamorphoses, The Woman Who Left, A Quiet Passion, The Ornithologist, The Lure, Raw, My Entire High School Sinking Into The Sea, We Are The Flesh, Colossal

Conor's Top 10: The Lure, Metamorphoses, My Entire High School Sinking Into The Sea, Raw, Personal Shopper, A Quiet Passion, Graduation, Colossal, Sami Blood, I Am Michael

Hosted by Carlos Aguilar & Conor Holt. Music by Kevin MacLeod at www.incompetech.com

Episode 69 of One Week Only! This week's key film is "Pop Aye" about a middle-aged architect who happens to find his childhood pet elephant Pop Aye, and decides to walk him across Thailand to his family's farm. Directed by Kirsten Tan, it's a delightful, charming road trip, with unique characters and a touching central friendship, as well as a heartfelt meditation on regret and trying to reclaim the past. Now Playing in New York, and coming soon to Los Angeles. (38:10)

We also review the R-rated medieval comedy "The Little Hours" starring Alison Brie & Aubrey Plaza, directed by Jeff Baena (6:25); the documentary "The B-Side: Elsa Dorfman's Portrait Photography" directed by Errol Morris (12:40); the period biopic "Marie Curie: The Courage of Knowledge" directed by Marie Noelle (20:05); and the true-crime documentary "The Skyjacker's Tale" directed by Jamie Kastner (28:50).

Hosted by Carlos Aguilar & Conor Holt. Music by Kevin MacLeod at www.incompetech.com

Episode 68 of One Week Only! Our key film this week is the documentary "Night School" about three African-American adults in Indianapolis struggling to earn their High School diplomas and turn their lives around. Filmed with nuance and compassion, the documentary captures moments both heartbreaking and inspiring, bringing the audience into a painful world that never-the-less is filled with hope for a better tomorrow. Now Playing in Los Angeles, from Oscilloscope Laboratories. (41:25)

We also review the documentary "Raising Bertie" about African-American students in rural North Carolina, directed by Margaret Byrne (12:25); the powerful morality drama "Paulina" from Argentina, directed by Santiago Mitre (20:25); and the symbolic religious fantasy "The Ornithologist" from Portugal, directed by João Pedro Rodrigues (32:40).

Hosted by Carlos Aguilar & Conor Holt. Music by Kevin MacLeod at www.incompetech.com

Episode 67 of One Week Only! This week's key film is "Harmonium," about an ex-con who moves in with an old friend and his family, but brings up dark secrets about their shared past. A complex moral drama about buried secrets and the consequences of our past actions, it's a tightly wound thriller about average people trapped by their own mistakes. Directed by Koji Fukada, this Cannes Film Festival award-winner is now playing in New York, and comes to Los Angeles in a few weeks. (47:20)

"The Man From Earth" is a beloved cult sci-fi film from 2007 with a devout fan-base who love science-fiction about big ideas & concepts instead of action-packed special effects. At last week's Dances With Films, the sequel "The Man From Earth: Holocene" made it's debut. We interview director Richard Schenkman about continuing the story of John Oldman, bringing in new characters & ideas, and what's in store for the future. (WARNING: Minor Spoilers) (57:40)

We also review "Score: A Film Music Documentary" about the creative process of film composers, directed by Matt Schrader (16:10); the tense revenge thriller "Moka" directed by Frédéric Mermoud (26:00); and the haunting documentary "Dawson City: Frozen Time" about a miraculous discovery of lost silent films, directed by Bill Morrison (35:15).

Hosted by Carlos Aguilar & Conor Holt. Music by Kevin MacLeod at www.incompetech.com

Episode 66 of One Week Only! Our key film this week is the quirky love triangle comedy "I Love You Both" about two inseparable Twins who live together, but find their relationship tested when they both fall in love with the same guy. With sharply drawn characters and biting humor, this is a richly entertaining take on the romantic comedy, along with a touching portrait of a brother & sister. Directed by Doug Archibald, who stars with his real-life sister (and co-writer) Kristin Archibald, it is now playing in Los Angeles and available on VOD. (51:45)

It's a big weekend for film festivals in Los Angeles! We talk about what to see at Dances With Films, Hola Mexico Film Festival and the LA Greek Film Festival. Carlos will be moderating the Q&As for the disturbing horror film "We Are The Flesh" on Friday and Saturday night! We reviewed the film back in Episode 46. (1:00)

We also review biting social satire "Beatriz at Dinner" starring Salma Hayek and John Lithgow, directed by Miguel Arteta (14:55); New York crime drama "11:55" directed by Ari Issler & Ben Snyder (24:00); Puerto Rican multi-story drama "La Granja" (The Farm) directed by Angel Manuel Soto (34:10); and the Russian ensemble drama "Moscow Never Sleeps" directed by Irish filmmaker Johnny O'Reilly (41:45).

Hosted by Carlos Aguilar & Conor Holt. Music by Kevin MacLeod at www.incompetech.com

Episode 65 of One Week Only! This weekend, Carlos is attending the Seattle International Film Festival, and Conor is checking out the Dances With Films festival in Hollywood! Our key film this week is the "Sami Blood," a powerful historical drama about a young girl of the Sami indigenous people of Scandinavia who experiences racism in 1930's Sweden and tries to assimilate into the mainstream culture. With terrific performances and tough, direct look at the bigoted people & beliefs of the time, this is a compelling drama about Sweden's buried history and the harsh truths about facing adversity and the struggle to embrace or repress your true identity. Now Playing in New York, and coming to Los Angeles in a few weeks. (42:45)

Our interview this week is with director Jamie Greenberg about his indie sci-fi comedy "Future 38" about a man from 1938 who travels to the distant future of 2017. We talk with Greenberg about making a science-fiction film on a tiny budget, hiring Neil deGrasse Tyson for a cameo, and more. The film won the Audience Award at this year's Slamdance Film Festival, and the Grand Jury Prize at the Gasparilla Film Festival/ See it in New York next week at the Art of Brooklyn Film Festival! (54:00)

We also review Japanese period epic "Tatara Samurai" directed by Yoshinari Nishikori (12:00); the musical comedy "Band Aid" written, directed by & starring Zoe Lister-Jones, along with Adam Pally (18:05); the Israeli drama "Past Life" directed by Avi Nesher (28:00); and the Irish LBGT high school comedy "Handsome Devil" directed by John Butler (36:00).

Hosted by Carlos Aguilar & Conor Holt. Music by Kevin MacLeod at www.incompetech.com

Episode 64 of One Week Only! This week's key film is "Hermia & Helena," the new film by Argentinian director Matías Piñeiro. A playful comedy about relationships and personal change, it follows Camila, a playwright in Buenos Ares, as she moves to New York for an artistic residency to work on her Spanish translation of Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream." A fun mix of romantic comedy and identity drama, with a healthy dose of Shakespearean wit & wisdom, it's a smart reinvention of a classic text for the modern era. (35:20)

We also review the kidnapping thriller "Berlin Syndrome" starring Teresa Palmer, directed by Cate Shortland (6:35); the Israeli box-office hit "The Women's Balcony" directed by Emil Ben-Shimon (15:05); and the conceptual art film "Manifesto" starring Cate Blanchett in 13 unique roles, directed by Julian Rosefeldt (25:00).

Hosted by Carlos Aguilar & Conor Holt. Music by Kevin MacLeod at www.incompetech.com