Mill Valley Film Festival - 2006

Once again, I took advantage of the proximity to the 29th annual Mill Valley Film Festival and saw the following films over the 11 days from October 5-15, 2006:

Have You Heard from Johannesburg? - ****
Documentary that explores the rise of the anti-apartheid movement in the U.S.

Little Children - ****
In theaters now, the complex fabric of this story is highlighted by a rarely seen depth of character development beyond the starring role.

Live! - ****
This film from the Netherlands centers around a family grappling with the present while analyzing the past.

Drifting Elegant - ***
The intersection of the lives of several characters enables tough questions to be raised as they face their prejudices.

Full Grown Men - ***
Produced by a Smith graduate, this film explores a man's resistance to growing up.

Infamous - ***
Equally worthy of seeing as last year's "Capote", this film also traces the story of Truman Capote's writing of "In Cold Blood".

Read You Like a Book - ***
Engaging story set in a Berkeley bookstore and centered around a book with mystical powers.

Klunkerz - **
Using terrific footage from the last 30+ years, this documentary recounts the birth of mountain biking on Mt. Tam, though in an often repetitive manner.

Ten Canoes - **
Set in remote Australia, this film follows a tribe through the telling of a life-lesson story.

I'll Call You - *
In Cantonese with English subtitles, boy-meets-girl story didn't capture my attention.