DeKalb Elementary Steven, a mentally unstable twentysomething, enters an elementary school with a semi-automatic rifle. After he orders the school receptionist, Cassandra, to have the building evacuated, he holds her hostage and instructs her to call 911. With Cassandra as his go-between, Steven tries to navigate the troubled waters he has entered. Timely, but only ordinary. 2.0 Stars
The Silent Child Libby, a profoundly deaf four-year-old, is the youngest child in a family who are all hearing. Unable to communicate but about to start school, Libby is assigned a social worker who teaches her sign language. Libby's skeptical parents are reluctant to be involved, however, and pose a potential block to Libby's education. It's poignant, sweet, and sad, and very well done. A definite contender to win. 3.5 Stars
My Nephew Emmett In 1955, two white men invade the home of Mose Wright, an African-American preacher in Mississippi, to abduct his 14-year-old nephew, Emmett Till, who is visiting from Chicago. Emmett has been accused of whistling at a white woman, and Mose knows that his fate will be sealed if the men succeed in taking him. A well-known story told as if you were there experiencing the terror firsthand. Solid but not special, but it could sneak in. 3.0 Stars
The Eleven O'Clock A psychiatrist earnestly tries to help his delusional patient, but his efforts are complicated by the fact that the patient believes himself to be the doctor. With each trying to out-analyze the other, their session spirals out of control. A one-joke joke that falls totally flat. 1.0 Stars
Watu Wote/All of Us. Jua, a Christian living in Kenya, boards a chartered bus to visit a relative and is uncomfortable being surrounded by Muslim passengers. The bus is stopped by the violent terrorist group Al-Shabaab, whose members demand that the Muslims identify the Christian passengers. Powerful and upsetting. Another contender 3.0 Stars
| Movie title | |
|---|---|
| Release year | 2017 |
| MPAA Rating | NR |
| Our rating | |
| Summary | Three of the nominees have a chance of winning, but I'm going with the one that felt the most like a full-length film in terms of story development. |
