FirstWitch A movie that not only functions as a solid scarefest but a razor-sharp satire.

Rio Hayward All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

Leoni Haney Yes, absolutely, there is fun to be had, as well as many, many things to go boom, all amid an atmospheric urban jungle.

Ginger Very good movie overall, highly recommended. Most of the negative reviews don't have any merit and are all pollitically based. Give this movie a chance at least, and it might give you a different perspective.

Python Hyena The Event (2003): Dir: Thom Fitzgerald / Cast: Don McKellar, Parker Posey, Sarah Polley, Olympia Dukakis, Brent Carver: Sad and depressing film about final stages of life for an A.I.D.S. victim. As played by Don McKellar he is seen mainly in flashbacks through images that family and friends reflect upon. He is gay and he informs his mother that he has contacted the disease. His male lover runs a treatment centre and suddenly all pieces come together in what looks like suicide. Well structured screenplay with a somewhat divert ending. Director Thom Fitzgerald previously made another bizarre independent film called The Hanging Garden but here he is too uneven especially when factoring in the Parker Posey footage. Posey's role as a reporter is not a bad part but often too straight forward but develops nicely during concluding scenes with her mother. McKellar is sympathetic as the dying man who wishes not to sit around and grow weaker. He desires to have his remaining days be a celebration of how everyone viewed him. Sarah Polley is terrific as his actress driven sister. Olympia Dukakis is also featured in scene stealing moments. Well made independent feature that is hardly entertaining but nonetheless very involving. It argues a case over mercy killing requested by the potential victim but these are not events to celebrate so much as the life in question. Score: 7 / 10

philip-1 Only one thing saves The Event from being a total loss; Olympia Dukakis! When she is on screen, the warmth of her being and the grace of her acting temporarily convince you that this is a good movie. She plays a pivotal character and she packs an arsenal of subtle and powerful emotion!Unfortunately, there are many, many minutes of film dealing with the other characters, most of whom have a faceless, gray presence that gets annoyingly boring. They are not helped by an episodic, way too long screenplay and episodic and short-on-creativity directing. The climax of the film is genuinely moving (thanks mostly to Dukakis), but it takes so long to get there that you feel cheated that you didn't care more for these characters during the balance of the film. The little coda after the climax is unconvincing and unsatisfying.Lots of unnecessary pop songs intrude along the way. Parker Posey is the only other actress to induce any sparks. If you can wade through the slow spots, its worth seeing for Dukakis; but barely.

mtoda I just got home from seeing this at the 2003 San Francisco ILGFF. It is an extremely powerful movie by the director of The Hanging Garden and Beefcake. There are some familiar faces like Olympia Dukakis, Parker Posey, and Jane Leeves (Frasier's Daphne Moon). The Event shows many different sides of the issue and does not impose an opinion on you. You will leave the theater discussing the issues and characters with your friends. And that's the mark of a good movie. I don't want to spoil it, just go see it!

taracienna i saw the premiere of this moving film at the sundance film festival. i found the beginning of the movie a little hard to get into. about halfway through the film as the story began to unfold, i started to really care about the characters. by the end of the movie, i didn't think i was going to be able to control the sobs that were welling up in my throat. thom fitzgerald did an amazing job keeping the story interesting as well as informative. it was a real look at the effects AIDS has on the victim, as well as everyone around him. the shocking scene in the film that completes the story is almost unbearable to watch. i have never been more emotionally affected by a movie. and i was extremely thankful to thom fitzgerald for having a good sense of humor and for not crying, like many directors at the festival had done when speaking about their movies. the audience was in shock and it was almost certain that there was not a dry eye in the theater. i also want to comment on the woman in the crowd who gave an emotional thanks to thom for creating this movie because she had recently lost a best friend to AIDS. it was so moving. i'm still touched by this movie-going experience.