Sundance 2021: Together Together

Together Together marks a cinematic game-changer in terms of opportunities given to transgender talent on the big screen. Transgender talent are have really just begun to start getting more opportunities in big screen roles.  More often than not, it’s usually a supporting role or a mere cameo in a big screen film.  What we see in this film is a complete game-changer in every sense of the word.  Not only does Patti Harrison have a…

"Sundance 2021: Together Together"

Sundance 2021: At the Ready

At the Ready is a documentary that looks like one type of film on paper before providing viewers with a twist in the film’s second half. The film focuses on a group of Mexican American students in the criminal justice club at Horizon High School in El Paso, Texas.  These students also take law enforcement classes.  They are only ten miles away from the border between the US and Mexico.  As you can imagine, people…

"Sundance 2021: At the Ready"

Sundance 2021: A Glitch in the Matrix

A Glitch in the Matrix makes a deep dive into the concept of “simulation theory” and whether or not the theory goes beyond sci-fi. What filmmaker Rodney Ascher seeks do to with the film is explore this concept of “simulation theory.”  This theory holds that what we believe to be our reality might actually be a cover for something else.  Is there something legitimate here or is the idea way out there? The average person…

"Sundance 2021: A Glitch in the Matrix"

Sundance 2021: How It Ends

How It Ends is the existential comedy-drama (mostly comedy) filmed during the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic that I didn’t know I needed. Liza (Zoe Lister-Jones) is on a mission to get to a party before the end of the world.  Joining her for the day is her younger self (Cailee Spaeny).  Because it is the last day on the planet, people can see her younger self.  This film takes place in some sort of metaphysical reality…

"Sundance 2021: How It Ends"

Sundance 2021: Ma Belle, My Beauty

It turns out to be business as usual when polyamorous lovers reunite in France in the Sundance-premiering Ma Belle, My Beauty. Before we meet them in France, Lane (Hannah Pepper), Bertie (Idella Johnson), and Fred (Lucien Guignard) used to be polyamorous lovers in New Orleans.  Everyone loved Bertie so things worked out.  All good things come to an end.  Out of the blue, Lane would soon depart from their lives.  But when we meet them…

"Sundance 2021: Ma Belle, My Beauty"

Sundance 2021: Playing with Sharks

Right when you thought it was safe to go back in the water, Sally Aitken gives fans a documentary of Valerie Taylor in Playing with Sharks. Listen up, Jaws fans.  This film should certainly capture your attention.  I know you watch Jaws every summer because I do the same thing, too.  After all, the Steven Spielberg film is a cinematic classic.  What Playing with Sharks does is take viewers where the Jaws bonus features (sorry,…

"Sundance 2021: Playing with Sharks"

Sundance 2021: Son of Monarchs

Son of Monarchs holds its international premiere this Sundance as the winner of this year’s Alfred P. Sloan Feature Film Prize. A Mexican biologist, Mendel (Tenoch Huerta Mejía), calls New York home for the moment but he returns home upon his grandmother’s death.  Family relationships have changed since leaving for New York.  You can sense some bitterness coming from older brother Simon.  The two of them were left as orphans following their parents death in…

"Sundance 2021: Son of Monarchs"

Sundance 2021: Rita Moreno

Rita Moreno: Just A Girl Who Decided To Go For It is an eye-opening documentary exploring the life of EGOT winner Rita Moreno. Rita Moreno is among the select few to receive the EGOT.  She also is a recipient of a Kennedy Center Honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and many more.  The list of honors goes on and on.  But awards are not all there is to her story.  She persevered in the industry…

"Sundance 2021: Rita Moreno"

Sundance 2021: Sally Aitken talks Playing with Sharks

Sally Aitken spoke to Solzy at the Movies earlier this week about her new documentary, Playing with Sharks, launching at Sundance. How honored were you to have Playing with Sharks selected for Sundance? Sally Aitken: Are you kidding? It’s the email that you don’t want to go to your junk mail, right?!? It’s such a great thrill for all of us. A lot of us are going to be watching from home. Is there some…

"Sundance 2021: Sally Aitken talks Playing with Sharks"

Sundance 2021: CODA

CODA is a crowd-pleasing film that will bring about tears and laughter by the end in telling a heartwarming story on screen. I regret that I almost didn’t even watch this film on Opening Night.  In glancing at the comedy listings, I saw CODA listed and the rest is history.  But in all fairness, this isn’t only a comedy but mix of drama and coming-of-age story, too.  At the end of the day, it’s still…

"Sundance 2021: CODA"