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San Diego International Film Festival-2017- FOCUS On Impact Film Tour Presents Storied Streets

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The San Diego Film Foundation , best known for presenting The San Diego International Film
Festival, launches their FOCUS on Impact Film Tour, May 2nd – 4th in San Diego Schools. The
tour reaches out to San Diego students of diverse backgrounds with a goal to educate on social justice
and create empathy for social issues – with a 2017 focus on homelessness. They will present the
documentary Storied Streets – shattering stereotypes about our homeless population. The tour provides
teens with a basic understanding of social justice, a personal connection to homelessness and an
awareness of how they can encourage change and empathy within their own community.
Storied Streets is an acclaimed documentary – by Executive Producer Susan Sarandon, Director Jack
Robbins and Producer Thomas Morgan – that explores homelessness across America by telling the
stories of those who live it every day. The San Diego Film Foundation will offer the documentary at 5
local schools followed by discussions with Giuseppe Pizano, the former homeless youth featured in
Storied Streets , Thomas Morgan, Filmmaker and Producer of the documentary and Sarah Hernholm
President and Founder of WIT, a San Diego based organization that works with teens to empower
them to become social entrepreneurs and leaders.

Executive Producer Susan Sarandon embraces the opportunity to make a difference with educational
outreach in the community. She shared, “Our passion for making documentaries allows us to shine a
light on issues of social justice both here at home and around the globe. But making the film is only
the first step. To have an impact, the film has to be seen. We are so grateful to the San Diego Film
Foundation for their partnership to take Storied Streets into the classrooms where it will make a
difference in the overall understanding of the issue of homelessness and provide students with the
knowledge and compassion to make changes within their own community.”
Tonya Mantooth , Executive and Artistic Director of the San Diego Film Foundation shares
Sarandon’s passion for both film and social justice. “We’ve been working with Susan and Thomas to
make the San Diego Film Foundation’s FOCUS on Impact Educational Series Film Tour a reality for
over two years now. We can’t wait to get into the classroom to share these stories and encourage our
youth to step up and make a difference.”

Understanding and addressing homelessness is an active conversation in San Diego as we navigate our
city’s struggles with addressing homelessness. San Diego’s microcosm falls in line with some
unsettling National Statistics. Most homeless individuals – up to 70%, go undetected across the United
States. According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness, there are as many as 2.8 million
homeless youth in the United States – which equates to 1 out of every 30 children . 34% of the
homeless population in the US is under the age of 24 and the average age teen who becomes homeless
is 14.7 years old. 75% of homeless or runaway youth ultimately drop out of school . These national
statistics are reflected in thousands of individuals – adults and children in San Diego.

Storied Streets personalizes homelessness for students by introducing them to individuals instead of
statistics. Giuseppe Pizano , a former homeless youth who is featured in the film – will also be on site
for discussion with students. Abandoned by his mother at age 15, Giuseppe was prepared to fight for
his education. With no other options, Giuseppe moved to the stadium box at his high school and lived
among the bleachers for five months. Toward the end of his freshman year, a teacher stepped in, as he
was unable to enroll for the upcoming school year without parental help. This teacher registered him
for his sophomore year and connected him with the Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth.
Giuseppe praises the association to this day for saving his life. Thanks to the support of the Nevada
Partnership, he was able to attend college and became the first in his family to attend university. He
studied biomedicine and nutritional science at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff. The 22-year
old is willing and eager to create change for others. He believes “every action, no matter how small,
can have a positive effect.”

Filmmaker, Thomas Morgan is eager to speak with San Diego students at the screenings and shared
“The impact of Storied Streets for audiences across the country over the past three years has truly been
remarkable. The opportunity to carry this message with the San Diego Film Foundation into more
schools at a time when the community is truly polarized on this issue is so timely and important. I am
sure that the students will never see the issue the same— and my ultimate hope is that they work
toward and find creative solutions to eradicate homelessness in their community and in this country.”

How Additional San Diego Schools Can Get Involved:
For information on the 2018 tour, schools should contact Cindy Saylor cindy@sdfilmfest.com

How Patrons can Support FOCUS on Impact Film Tour :
To support ongoing education on social justice through film in San Diego through the FOCUS on
Impact Film Tour , patrons should contact Merridee Book at merridee@sdfilmfest.com or donate
online at https://secure.sdiff.com/e/donation/charities

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Movie

Review of “Good Bad Ugly”

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Director: Adhik Ravichandran 

Starring: Ajith Kumar, Arjun Das, Trisha, Simran

Genre: Action / Crime Drama

Rating: 4.5/5


“Good Bad Ugly” centers on Red Dragon (Ajith Kumar), a notorious gangster who chooses to surrender himself in the hopes of turning over a new leaf and reuniting with his estranged son. However, when unforeseen threats emerge, Red Dragon is forced to step back into the dangerous underworld to protect the only family he has left.

“Good Bad Ugly” plays to the strengths of Ajith Kumar, delivering a fan-pleasing portrayal of both his vintage villainy and his matured emotional depth. Ajith’s powerful screen presence, coupled with his iconic voice, shines against Arjun Das’s brooding and intense new-age antagonist, creating an electric old-school versus new-school dynamic. The nostalgic return of Simran is a clever nod to longtime fans, bringing heart and familiarity. Trisha brings a strong, grounded performance as the moral compass in Red Dragon’s life, helping move the emotional threads of the story. The film smartly balances action, comedy, and sentimental fan-service moments.

While the film delivers on fan expectations, its narrative could have benefited from tighter pacing and deeper character development for its supporting cast. Some plot conveniences and an overreliance on nostalgia may limit broader audience appeal beyond the fanbase. Certain dramatic beats felt rushed, leaving little time for emotional resonance to fully land.

The ambition to blend high-octane action with heavy emotional stakes sometimes leads to tonal inconsistencies. At moments, the shift from gritty underworld drama to lighter fan moments feels abrupt. Additionally, though Ajith Kumar’s effort to showcase his dancing skills is commendable and welcomed by fans, it slightly disrupts the otherwise darker tone the film establishes.

“Good Bad Ugly” is a tribute to Ajith Kumar’s enduring legacy, offering vintage thrills while teasing new dimensions to his craft. It’s a solid entertainer that successfully taps into fan nostalgia while hinting at an exciting evolution for AK. While not without its flaws, the film’s heart, energy, and performances make it a must-watch for fans and a compelling action-drama for broader audiences.

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Streaming

Presence: A Horror Movie For People That Don’t Like Horror Movies

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In these uncertain times, you can’t beat a good old-fashioned horror movie. Unfortunately, Presence is not an old-fashioned horror movie. Yet, as I discovered, this is a good thing!

When I heard about the premise of this movie, I was intrigued. The stylishly subtle trailer was, appropriately, haunting.  And was that Lucy Liu? A haunted house movie from the perspective of the ghost? As a seasoned horror movie buff, I was all in!

Like the majority of people I missed the films brief theatrical release. Luckily I was able to catch it on streaming. Visually the film is easy to enjoy from your own home, as it’s rather cosy looking. I never thought I’d be describing a horror movie as ‘cosy’ looking but it’s true! This is not a James Wan type creepy, dusty, decrepit house harbouring a haunting. No, this is a 100 year old jewel toned, oak finished colonial style home. 

Despite this the story follows the beats we are all familiar with: troubled family of four move into a new house. The big deviation from the trope is we, the audience, are seeing events unfold from the POV of the ghost or presence. 

Director Steven Soderbergh (Ocean’s Eleven) chose to film the entire piece using a small (14mm) hand-held digital camera. Soderbergh himself acted as the ‘presence’ following the actors around. From the audiences perspective it is like watching the family through a barrier or pane of glass. Cleverly, windows and mirrors are hugely prominent and integral throughout.

The presence mainly follows and tries to interact with the daughter of the family, Chloe (Callina Liang), who has recently suffered the trauma of her best friend dying suddenly. Through Soderbergh’s experimental filming, we feel the dysphoria and frustration the ‘ghost’ is feeling at trying to affect the world around it, particularly during the anxiety-inducing final scene!

However, in what could be yet another mismarketing of a film, the trailer promised to be the ‘scariest movie you will see this year’ and ‘terrifying’; instead, they delivered this subversive, character-driven, family drama. If you are expecting jump scares and dramatic music stings, this is not your movie. I could understand if someone was disappointed that the only seemingly scary thing is the mother’s and son’s relationship, right up until the gut-punch of the final scene. 

Presence is definitely a slow burn, tension building until the final scene, and the unveiling of the ‘presence’ giving us a new understanding of the whole story. The ending is disturbing and stays with you as you re-analyse earlier scenes. 

My one complaint is that the character Ryan (West Mulholland) with his Chesney Hawkes hair, perhaps needed more subtlety. The rest of the cast was completely solid and believable as a family with so many unspoken issues. 

I wouldn’t recommend this film for everybody but maybe be as so bold to say it’s a horror movie for people that don’t like horror movies. It’s well-lit and cerebral with realistically flawed characters.

Presence is available to stream.

Three and a half stars.

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Streaming

Anime Review: Fog Hill of the Five Elements (Wu Shan Wu Xing)

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Genre: Action, Fantasy, Martial Arts, Historical
Runtime: Each episode runs approximately 20-30 minutes
Director: Lin Hun (also the Creator)
Studio: Samsara Animation Studio
Main Voice Actors (Chinese Cast):Liu Zhi Shi as Wen Ren Yu Xuan Zhou Qi as Shen Nong Fang Yuan as Xuan


Overview

Fog Hill of the Five Elements is a breathtaking Chinese anime (donghua) that merges traditional Chinese ink-painting aesthetics with high-intensity martial arts action. Created and directed by Lin Hun, this series delivers a spellbinding visual experience that rivals, and in many ways surpasses, mainstream Japanese anime. Produced by Samsara Animation Studio, the anime is a labor of love, known for its hand-drawn animation and meticulous detail.

Set in a mythological world where elemental beasts roam free, the series follows the Five Elemental Envoys tasked with protecting humanity. The story focuses on Wen Ren Yu Xuan, the Fire Envoy, whose actions set off a chain of events threatening the delicate balance between humans and beasts. The tale is steeped in Chinese folklore and myth, weaving a complex narrative of duty, power, and sacrifice.

Without question, Fog Hill of the Five Elements is one of the most visually stunning animated series in recent memory. The blend of traditional Chinese ink wash painting with modern dynamic action scenes is masterful. Every frame looks like a moving scroll painting, with fluid character movements and kinetic fight choreography that puts many mainstream series to shame.

The characters are deeply tied to traditional archetypes found in Chinese legends but are fleshed out with emotional depth and conflict. Voice acting by Liu Zhi Shi, Zhou Qi, and Fang Yuan brings authenticity and gravitas to their respective roles. The dialogue is steeped in poetic language, enhancing the mythic feel of the story.

The soundtrack complements the epic visuals with traditional Chinese instrumentation mixed with modern elements. The sound design heightens the impact of every battle and emotional moment.


Rating: 9/10

Fog Hill of the Five Elements earns a 9 out of 10 for its groundbreaking animation style, deep mythological storytelling, and heart-pounding action. The only downside is its limited number of episodes and slow release schedule, which leaves fans craving more.


Pros

  • Unparalleled hand-drawn animation
  • Unique art direction inspired by traditional Chinese painting
  • Rich mythological lore
  • Epic fight choreography

Cons

  • Sparse episode release
  • Story pacing can be uneven at times

Final Verdict 9/10

If you’re an anime enthusiast or a fan of animation artistry, Fog Hill of the Five Elements is a must-watch. Its fusion of stunning visuals, martial arts action, and mythological storytelling makes it one of the standout titles in modern animation. Whether you’re into Japanese anime or Chinese donghua, this series deserves a spot on your watchlist.

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