Native Son is a compelling film with strong performances but I can’t help but feel that something is lost in updating the story for present day. Like the novel its based on, Native Son is set in Chicago. Instead of the 1930s, Suzan-Lori Parks updates the story for a contemporary telling. Is this a good idea? I don’t know. I haven’t read the novel written by Richard Wright so I’m not in a position to compare the…
"Native Son: Compelling, falls short"Tag: Sundance Film Festival
The Hours and Times imagines a weekend getaway to Barcelona during the early years of Beatlemania for both Brian Epstein and John Lennon in April 1963. This film is one that may be running on the short side but we get some fascinating insights into the late manager and guitarist. Nobody can truly say that they know what happened when the duo departed on April 28, 1963. There has been some suggestions that maybe the…
"The Hours and Times: A Fictional Beatles Story"
The 2019 Sundance Film Festival has come and gone but some films and performances have left a lasting impression on my mind. TOP NARRATIVE FEATURES Brittany Runs A Marathon Late Night To The Stars Little Monsters Corporate Animals The Report Greener Grass Blinded by the Light Adam Luce TOP DOCUMENTARIES Apollo 11 Sea of Shadows Raise Hell: The Life & Times of Molly Ivins Stieg Larsson: The Man Who Played With Fire Mike Wallace Is…
"The Best of Sundance 2019: Solzy Awards Edition"
The cast and crew took some time to speak with Solzy at the Movies about Top End Wedding during the 2019 Sundance Film Festival. Director Wayne Blair, actress/co-writer Miranda Tapsell, actor Gwilym Lee, and co-writer Joshua Tyler were among those that I spoke with during the interview. The interview took place on the Tuesday prior to the world premiere at the Eccles Theater. It also took place less than a week after a story was…
"Sundance 2019: Cast, crew talk Top End Wedding"
Tim Mason and Abby McEnany took the time to speak about Work in Progress with Solzy at the Movies during the 2019 Sundance Film Festival. The duo are also a pair of improvisers from Chicago. Naturally, it makes perfect sense to interview Chicago improvisers in Park City rather than just down the street. But hey, at least I got to avoid the polar vortex that hit the city of Chicago! This interview took place on…
"Tim Mason, Abby McEnany talk Work In Progress"
Maribeth Monroe, Sam Richardson, Stephanie Laing, and Dave Hill sat down during the 2019 Sundance Film Festival to discuss Bootstrapped, an Indie Episodic. Unfortunately, series creator and star Danielle Uhlarik was unable to make the trip due to her pregnancy. Bootstrapped is a very funny pilot set in Kansas City. The pilot alone features so many alumni of the Chicago and Detroit improv families in minor and cameo roles–including Brad Morris, Andy St. Clair, Jaime…
"Sundance 2019: Bootstrapped Interview"
Richard Ladkani and Andrea Crosta took some time to speak with Solzy at the Movies about Sea of Shadows during the 2019 Sundance Film Festival. The interview took place a few days after the premiere but before the film took home the Audience Award for World Cinema Documentary. When I first watched Sea of Shadows, I knew that this would be a very important film. One in which I immediately requested an interview after watching…
"Richard Ladkani, Andrea Crosta talk Sea of Shadows" Actresses Kara Hayward and Liana Liberato took the time to speak about To The Stars with Solzy at the Movies during the 2019 Sundance Film Festival. This interview took place on the day after the world premiere. Congrats on the premiere of To The Stars. Kara Hayward: Thank you. Liana Liberato: Thank you so much. What was it about the script that appealed to you? Kara Hayward: Well, when I first got it—I read it…
"Kara Hayward, Liana Liberato talk To The Stars" Martha Stephens took some time to speak with Solzy at the Movies about her new film, To The Stars, during the 2019 Sundance Film Festival. My interview with Martha took place on the day after the world premiere of To The Stars. Congrats on the premiere of To The Stars! Martha Stephens: Thank you! It was a whirlwind. How is it to get it out of the way and in front of an audience for…
"Sundance 2019: Martha Stephens talks To The Stars"
Led by a riveting performance from Alfre Woodard, Clemency took home the U.S. Dramatic Grand Jury Prize during the 2019 Sundance Film Festival. Life for prison warden Bernadine Williams (Alfre Woodard) isn’t getting easy. She appears to be married to her job more so than to husband Jonathan Williams (Wendell Pierce). It isn’t just any ordinary job. She’s the one who is in the room when prisoners get executed by way of lethal injection. We first meet…
"Sundance 2019: Clemency"