ANNUNCIO |B+
Geekadelphia contributor Dan Tabor and Steven Denisevicz’s Annuncio is a stylized thriller about a strangler who kills young girls to feel alive, and a young woman who’s also searching to fill a void. Employing shaky handheld shots with rapid editing offers a subjective look into the brain of the killer, but often borders on being sloppy. And while the strangler’s character is chilling and effective, the woman’s motives aren’t clear enough to support the narrative. —Catherine Haas (Sun., Nov. 11, 3:45 p.m., with Junior and Kinderblock 66: Return to Buchenwald.)
DESTINED |C+
A lady with a glowing eyeball can predict the future, but taking her advice usually ends in disaster. Produced in the 215, Destined follows a successful businessman as he tries to uncover the motives behind his wife’s suspicious behavior. The short has a few artistic long shots, but overall remains straightforward in its camera work, focusing on predictable narrative twists and turns. A promising story is hurt by amateur acting. —Catherine Haas (Sat., Nov. 10, 2 p.m., with My Ruined Life, Refresh and From Philadelphia to Fallujah)
ENVY |C+
The protagonist (Emily Letts), a mousy young woman with a jerk boyfriend, wakes up with male genitals that cause her to want to punch people and watch porn instead of go to work. The boyfriend (Stephen Medvidick) is so cartoonish in his hatred of women that it’s a surprise he’s not wearing a dirty undershirt and screaming “make me a sandwich.” Philly-bred director Tara Hall’s Envy wants to make a point about misogyny but ends up reinforcing the stale stereotypes it tries to confront. —Elizabeth Gunto (Sat., Nov. 10, 3:45 p.m., with Thumb Snatchers from the Moon Cocoon, Donor, Bobby’s Girl, Vulture Culture and Tied Up)
FOLLOWING CHASE |B-
A young soldier follows fellow officer Chase on his first mission, which is met by flying bullets and exciting plot twists. Unfortunately, an ear-grating musical score mars local director Greg Koorhan’s short, and kills any potential for suspense. —Andrew Wimer (Sat., Nov. 10, 8 p.m., with Massimo, Leak and The Kill Hole)
FROM PHILADELPHIA TO FALLUJAH |B+
David Hammelburg’s documentary on 2001 Army-Navy football players — which gets its Philly premiere at this year’s FirstGlance Festival — pushes no boundaries but satisfies with a thoughtful examination of three vets in the decade following 9/11. While more constructive criticism of U.S. military affairs in the Middle East would have been welcome, the compelling stories of loss keep the story powerful and the boo-hoos coming. —Andrew Wimer (Sat., Nov. 10, 2 p.m., with My Ruined Life, Refresh, and Destined)
LOVELY IN AKRON |C+
Director Scott Taylor helmed this three-minute music video for Pittsburgh four-piece pop group The Van Allen Belt. The flashy cinematography is a visual treat, but the accompanying bland electropop tune will make your ears bleed. —Andrew Wimer (Fri., Nov. 9, 8 p.m., with Drop Dead Gorgeous, First Match, When You Find Me, and The Normals)
RUNNER |B
Director Nic Reader and producer James Madison (heh) teamed with Brewerytown's Expressway Productions for this slick mini-western that takes a few pointers from No Country for Old Men. A mysterious, tough-talking cowboy (played by the hunky Nick Torrens) shows up in a piss-ant Texas town and raises just enough stink to put the local sheriff on his trail. A few gunshots, a robbed convenient store and a cute little hostage later, however, the old lawmaker realizes he just may be following the wrong lead. The 15 minutes go by too fast, thanks to a talented cast, superb camera work and ... did I mention the hot cowboy? —Josh Middleton (Sat., Nov. 10, 5:45 p.m., with Tracer Gun and Shouting Secrets)
STEVE PHOENIX: THE UNTOLD STORY |B
Writer/director and Philly native Bill Haley’s Steve Phoenix: The Untold Story recounts the hapless misadventures of aspiring investigative journalist Jack Sparks (Josh Lamon), whose mundane Fishtown existence is flipped after his image shows up on a series of cleverly vandalized billboards. Steve Phoenix is strongest — and funniest — when it’s absurd, but the film struggles to maintain momentum after its central mystery is solved. Plus, Sparks’ transformation from schlub who can’t travel six blocks without getting lost to ardent member of a radical underground anti-consumerist organization is a stretch. —Jess Bergman (Sun., Nov. 11, 8 p.m., with Squaresville, Retribution, The Company of Thieves and Manhattan Melody)
All films screen at the Franklin Institute, 222 N. 20th St., $8-$12 per screening or $75 for an all-access pass. For more information, go to firstglancefilms.com.
