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"Category: Film Festival
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"
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"
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)"
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"
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"
La Leyenda Negra is the black-and-white narrative feature selected for Sundance that the current presidential administration doesn’t want you to see. It’s one thing for Aleteia (Monica Betancourt) to deal with her fellow classmates. Dealing with the new immigration regulations brings about an entirely different reality. This is certainly reality that the large majority of Americans will never truly understand. It’s an unfortunate case. We can always watch a film but we’ll probably never be…
"Sundance 2020: La Leyenda Negra"
Disclosure: Trans Lives On Screen takes a deep dive into cinematic and television history in order to start a conversation about transgender lives. According to GLAAD, 80 percent of Americans have never met a transgender person. Here’s to hoping that Disclosure changes this statistic because this documentary is the film that we’ve all been waiting for. It’s a film that puts transgender lives on screen in a new perspective. There’s a lot to take in…
"Sundance 2020: Disclosure: Trans Lives On Screen"
Once Upon a Time in Venezuela profiles the Venezuelan village of Congo Mirador and looks at how the community has been impacted by the country’s politics. Politics are a running theme throughout this year’s selection of Sundance documentaries. I know it’s a cliche to say that all art is political but its true. Anabel Rodríguez Ríos takes us on a journey down to Venezuela to share the story of a village in her home country.…
"Sundance 2020: Once Upon a Time in Venezuela"
Whirlybird documents a pair of news reporters in turmoil while soaring high above the ground and taking in the sights of Los Angeles. When it comes to Zoey Tur, there is life pre-transition and post-transition. The large bulk of her news career took place before transition. I can resonate with what she went through in life because I was also assigned the wrong body at birth. Hell, we can see it all happening before our…
"Sundance 2020: Whirlybird"