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San Diego International Film Festival-2017- Presents​ ​Military​ ​Film​ ​Track​ ​2017

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The San Diego International Film Festival (Oct 4-8, 2017) produced each year by the San Diego Film Foundation is proud to announce the continued focus of the importance of San Diego as a Military town with their Military Film Track in the 2017 San Diego International Film Festival. The San Diego International Film Festival features topic specific tracks that present groundbreaking, independent films telling stories that resonate with San Diego patrons in a variety of areas. Other returning unique film tracks include American Indian, Environmental, and Social Justice with an additional new Equestrian Film Track.

Military Track film submissions are curated by the SDiFF staff and the Military Track Advisory Board. Some of the founding members of the Military Advisory Board include Wendy Anderson, former Deputy Chief of Staff to Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel and Chief of Staff to Ashton
B. Carter now Partner in Strong Eagle Media, David Salzberg, Managing Partner, Strong Eagle Media, Matthew Shillingburg, United States Army Retired, 2nd Vice Commander American Legion Post 416 and Erik Sabiston, Veteran Rescue Pilot and author of Dustoff 7-3: Saving Lives Under Fire in Afghanistan.

Executive and Artistic Director of the Festival, Tonya Mantooth shared, “Military plays a vital part in the San Diego Community and we are aware that there is a widening Military-Civilian Gap.
Telling the stories of these brave men and women will help create empathy and understanding of the challenges they face in reintegrating back into civilian life. Film brings brings people together for a much needed dialogue to help bridge this gap.”

David Salzberg, Director, Producer, and a Partner at Strong Eagle Media shared “Serving on the Military Advisory Board for the San Diego International Film Festival is very important to me. I immediately connected with leadership of the Festival after learning of the senior leadership’s Military service and passion for sharing those personal, often untold stories. Our company, Strong Eagle Media focuses on producing inspirational Military films – and I welcome the opportunity to help shepherd these stories into the San Diego community and beyond with the SDiFF.”

Erik Sabiston, veteran rescue pilot, author of the bestseller Dustoff 7-3: Saving Lives Under Fire in Afghanistan and member of the SDiFF’s Military Advisory Board shared “having witnessed the effect that military service has on the life of so many people I care about, I recognize the importance of sharing military stories on a platform that is accessible to everyone. Film provides a medium that gives the larger community the opportunity to see military service in a very personal way. I look forward to working with the San Diego International Film Festival to provide a filter that creates empathy and understanding in our community.”

The Films that have been chosen to be screened for the Military Track of the 2017 San Diego International Film Festival are as follows:

APACHE WARRIOR – WORLD PREMIERE
Sat, Oct 7 | 2:00pm | Regal UA Horton
APACHE WARRIOR is an eye-opening, feature-length documentary that puts the viewer in the cockpit of an Apache helicopter during some of the most intense moments in aviation history. Telling the story of the Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Calvary, this film highlights the evolution of Apache strategy in the Army through missions that span three decades.

HEART OF A SOLDIER SHORTS TRACK
Sun, Oct 8 | 11:00am | Regal UA Horton
Trauma of war doesn’t end when the guns stop firing. WORLD PREMIERE – CORPSMAN
ONE HALLOWEEN ORION
TANGO ON THE BALCONY WANDERING SOUL

LEGION OF BROTHERS
Sat, Oct 7 | 6:30pm | ArcLight UTC
Immediately after the 9/11 attacks, less than 100 US Troops were sent on a secret mission to overthrow the Taliban. What happens next is equal parts war origin story & cautionary tale, illuminating the impact of 15 years of constant combat.

A complete list of the 2017 Films to be screened at the San Diego International Film Festival can be found on the website www.sdfilmfest.com

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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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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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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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