“Jiro Dreams of Sushi” is the story of 85 year-old Jiro Ono, considered by many to be the world’s greatest sushi chef. He is the proprietor of Sukiyabashi Jiro, a 10-seat, sushi-only restaurant inauspiciously located in a Tokyo subway station. Despite its humble appearances, it is the first restaurant of its kind to be awarded a prestigious 3 star Michelin review, and sushi lovers from around the globe make repeated pilgrimage, calling months in advance and shelling out top dollar for a coveted seat at Jiro’s sushi bar. At the heart of this story is Jiro’s relationship with his eldest son Yoshikazu, the worthy heir to Jiro’s legacy, who is unable to live up to his full potential in his father’s shadow. Beautiful, thoughtful, and engrossing, “Jiro Dreams of Sushi” should prove satisfying even for filmgoers who don’t care for the cuisine. trailer
A suspenseful and gripping psychological thriller, Lynne Ramsay’s “We Need to Talk About Kevin” explores the factious relationship between a mother and her son. Tilda Swinton, in a bracing, tour-de-force performance, plays the mother, Eva, as she contends for 15 years with the increasing malevolence of her first-born child, Kevin (Ezra Miller).
Based on the best-selling novel of the same name, “We Need to Talk About Kevin” explores nature vs. nurture on a whole new level as Eva’s own culpability is measured against Kevin’s innate evilness. — (C) Oscilloscope trailer
Whit Stillman’s “Damsels in Distress” examines the manners and morals of fledgling members of the privileged class at a fictional college. This is news: a movie populated by young people who do not mumble, swear, punctuate their utterances with “like” or think that an incredulous “really?” represents the apogee of wit. Even if it did not have other charms, this peculiar campus comedy would be worth seeing for the delightful felicity of its dialogue.“Damsels in Distress” is a comedy about a trio of beautiful girls as they set out to revolutionize life at a grungy American university – the dynamic leader Violet, principled Rose and sexy Heather. They welcome transfer student Lilly into their group which seeks to help severely depressed students with a program of good hygiene and musical dance numbers. The girls become romantically entangled with a series of men-including smooth Charlie, dreamboat Xavier and the mad frat pack of Frank and Thor-who threaten the girls’ friendship and sanity. trailer
