Sundance 2020: Black Bear

Parks and Recreation actress Aubrey Plaza manages to go for a career-best performance in the Sundance-premiering Black Bear. The lake house-set Black Bear takes us on a wild ride of twists and turns.  Don’t worry–the film does deliver on its title by making sure the animal shows up in both parts.  There’s no intermission but there is both a part one and part two.  By the time that the film finishes, you’re going to need…

"Sundance 2020: Black Bear"

Sundance 2020: Downhill

The recently premiered Downhill re-imagines Swedish filmmaker Ruben Östlund’s award-winning Force Majeure as an English-language comedy. Imagine going on a vacation and eating your lunch when an avalanche hits.  What would it do to the family dynamics?  For one American family on vacation, the dynamics get tested.  Pete (Will Ferrell) and Billie Stanton (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) have taken their two boys with them for a week in the Alps.  What looks like a fun family vacation…

"Sundance 2020: Downhill"

Sundance 2020: Promising Young Woman

If there’s a film that you should go into without watching a trailer or reading reviews, Promising Young Woman is that film. The large majority of filmgoers will have until mid-April December before they can see this film.  As a result, I’m going to be extra careful in writing about this film.  It’s a film that ought to be treated like that of a Marvel or Star Wars film.  Go into it knowing very little…

"Sundance 2020: Promising Young Woman"

Sundance 2020: Crip Camp

Crip Camp is more than just a documentary on Camp Jened but a film about the drive to pass the Americans with Disabilities Act. I’m going to cut straight to the point here.  Jimmy Carter’s presidential administration is not painted in a good light here.  In fact, this film will only lead to angry feelings at Carter’s administration for what they didn’t do.  No, the anger doesn’t go away.  The George H.W. Bush admistration would…

"Sundance 2020: Crip Camp"

Sundance 2020: Dinner in America

Dinner in America may be a love letter to the 1990s punk rock scene in the American Midwest but it’s also a surprising love story. After an failing to make money during a medical study , Simon (Kyle Gallner) ends up making a run for it.  He ends up with Beth’s (Hannah Marks) family but relations sour with Betty (Lea Thompson) very quickly.  A fight ensues and he tries burning the house down.  Basically, anything…

"Sundance 2020: Dinner in America"

Sundance 2020: Worth

Worth examines the cost of human lives in the true story of the efforts that went into launching the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund. How much is life worth?  Is a Fortune 500 CEO worth the same or more than a dishwasher?  How do you breakdown the money when parents disapprove of their children’s lifestyle?  This is really what it all comes down to with compensating victims and their families. When we first meet Kenneth…

"Sundance 2020: Worth"

Sundance 2020: Siempre, Luis (Always, Luis)

Siempre, Luis is a documentary that tells the story of Puerto Rican political activist Luis A. Miranda Jr., also known as the father of Lin-Manuel Miranda. It’s unknown yet as to how the film will change when HBO airs it later.  At the world premiere screening, there was a scene after the end credits.  Will this stay the same for the television premiere or be moved to before the credits? Even if Luis A. Miranda…

"Sundance 2020: Siempre, Luis (Always, Luis)"

Sundance 2020: Natalie Wood: What Remains Behind

Natalie Wood: What Remains Behind goes beyond the mystery surrounding the death of the iconic actress by giving us insight into the life she lived. There’s a certain sadness in watching the documentary.  Maybe it is because of knowing the actress didn’t live a full life.  Or maybe its because of my hormones that I couldn’t stop crying.  I don’t know but you should always hug your loved ones no matter what.  Okay, I digress.…

"Sundance 2020: Natalie Wood: What Remains Behind"

Sundance 2020: Palm Springs

The charming Palm Springs puts a different spin on the romantic comedy genre in a way that will certainly feel familiar to viewers. Nyles (Andy Samberg) takes the attention away from maid of honor Sarah (Cristin Milioti) at her sister’s destination wedding.  Her speech was a recipe for disaster so its naturally for the best.  Subsequently, the two of them hit it off together.  But this film isn’t just about them.  No, it’s about Abe…

"Sundance 2020: Palm Springs"

Sundance 2020: Save Yourselves!

What should be a relaxing trip to a cabin for a week without smart phones or the Internet becomes something completely different in Save Yourselves! The film is a zany sci-fi comedy that has a lot to offer in terms of lessons.  For one, unplugging sounds like a great idea in theory.  Some of us unplug for 25 hours a week–myself included.  It’s a great way to escape from the troubles of the day.  But…

"Sundance 2020: Save Yourselves!"