Misha and the Wolves tells the story of Misha Defonseca in this-really-happened documentary that is truly stranger-than-fiction. Misha Defonseca was only 7 years old when her parents were arrested and taken by the Nazis. They were taken to Auschwitz. Sadly, we all know what happens next. You cannot blame her for doing what she can to survive. From watching films like Defiance, we know that many Jews would turn to the woods and hide. Misha…
"Sundance 2021: Misha and the Wolves"Tag: Sundance Film Festival
My Name is Pauli Murray, the newest film from Julie Cohen and Betsy West, introduces a new generation to the social justice activist. The film is a tight 91 minutes (including the credits, of course) but hits on all the main points. Going into the film, I didn’t know much about Pauli Murray. To be fair, I had never even heard of them until I saw that Cohen and West were making this documentary. In…
"Sundance 2021: My Name is Pauli Murray"
The 2021 Sundance Film Festival Awards Ceremony, honoring CODA and Summer of Soul among others was held tonight virtually over YouTube. Patton Oswalt hosted the ceremony tonight in a way that only he can. In typical Patton Oswalt fashion, the comedian took swipes at Pfizer and Moderna for what they would do with wooing A-list stars to their suites. Tonight’s ceremony followed the World, International, North American, U.S., or Utah premieres of 73 feature films…
"2021 Sundance Film Festival Awards"
The World to Come–launching in Venice last year–is the third period lesbian romance drama to grace the screen in as many years. Your eyes do not deceive you. Rather than France (Portrait of a Lady on Fire) or the United Kingdom (Ammonite), we find ourselves in the United States. The American Northeast to be exact. This is where we find Abigail (Katherine Waterston) and new neighbor Tallie (Vanessa Kirby). To no surprise, Abigail and Tallie…
"Sundance 2021: The World to Come"
Mass is one of the most devastating films to premiere during the 2021 Sundance Film Festival but it has so much to say about grief. There is so much to say here and I honestly do not know where to began. Cinematically speaking, there’s a lot in this film that reminds me of American Son (2019). Much of this is due to how the film is limited to just the one room. To be fair,…
"Sundance 2021: Mass"
We’re All Going to the World’s Fair is a film that plays more like a midnight movie than a Sundance selection in the NEXT program. Anna Cobb makes her feature film debut as a teenage girl, Casey, immersed in the World’s Fair Challenge. That’s really the gist of the film. What this requires is reciting a phrase three times, pricking a finger, and smear blood on the screen. If you ask me, it’s a cultish…
"Sundance 2021: We’re All Going to the World’s Fair"
First Date, screening in Sundance’s NEXT program, is will certainly a contender for the best debut feature whenever it comes out in theaters. Or streaming. But hopefully theaters. I should stress that there is a scene during the credits. It takes a lot of guts to ask someone out for the first time. I get it, Mike (Tyson Brown). Taking the first step isn’t easy but you’ve got to do it sometime. Okay, so the…
"Sundance 2021: First Date"
Jockey is a character-driven drama set in the world of horse racing but the film is unlike movies such as Seabiscuit and Secretariat. Jackson (Clifton Collins Jr.) is in the last leg of his career as a jockey. Numerous injuries over the years have taken a toll on his physical health. And yet, he’s still here facing down the twilight of his career. For all he knows, this season could be it and like all…
"Sundance 2021: Jockey"
Critically acclaimed actress Robin Wright marks her feature directorial debut with Land, a film about the search for meaning in the wilderness. Edee Holzer (Robin Wright) retreats into the Wyoming wilderness after events leave her feeling withdrawn from the world. What is her reason for doing so? Will withdrawing from society lead to her being able to find meaning in life? Only time will tell. What I can certainly tell you is that she is…
"Sundance 2021: Land"
Street Gang: How We Got To Sesame Street is a nostalgic look at the beginnings of one of the most iconic children’s TV program. It’s honestly surprising the Sesame Street story has not been told before as a documentary. What we get in the film’s run time barely touches the surface. I’m not saying that this is a bad thing because it certainly is not. What I am saying is that there is so much…
"Sundance 2021: Street Gang"