In “Exhibiting Forgiveness,” Holland is Tarrell, a successful painter and a loving father to his son Tre (Daniel Michael Barriere) and a supportive husband to his singer/songwriter wife Aisha (Andra Day). Lately, however, nightmares so traumatic they cause him to wake up gasping for air have upended Tarrell’s life. To cope, he paints his dreams. … Read more
The following table of contents features all of the alphabetized review dispatches filed at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival penned by Brian Tallerico, Robert Daniels, Marya E. Gates and Monica Castillo. “The American Society of Magical Negroes” by Robert Daniels “Brief History of a Family” by Marya E. Gates “Freaky Tales” by Brian Tallerico “Frida” … Read more
With recent hits like “We're All Going to the World's Fair” and “Kokomo City,” the NEXT program at Sundance Film Festival continues to feature daring new voices unfettered by storytelling conventions. This year brings three boundary pushing films featuring protagonists, who, in some way, feel they’ve been abandoned, either by a lover, a father, or the cover … Read more
It’s What’s Inside is a classic Sundance Midnight Movie thriller. It’s too bad that we can’t tell you what it’s about, but you’ll thank us. PLOT: A group of college friends reunite for a weekend-long party. When one of the gang shows up with a mysterious suitcase in tow; the group gets to know each … Read more
It’s in this tension that the film finds its greatest strength. While Mira has to learn how to navigate the world as a sexual being on her own, eventually she realizes her mother is an ally, that she was once a girl just like her, and together they have an emotional bond and a shared … Read more
Rona knows she’s in this situation because of her own behavior. She’s an alcoholic. Through multiple flashbacks, we learn of the mistakes that Rona made at school in London, ones that led to the break-up of her relationship with a charmer named Daynin (Paapa Essiedu). A night of extreme violence after too much drinking pushed … Read more
Kristen Stewart makes for a memorable Neo-noir antihero in the mean-spirited, violent Love Lies Bleeding, which is good, pulpy fun. PLOT: A gym manager, Lou (Kristen Stewart), falls head-over-heels in love with a female bodybuilder, Jackie (Katy O’Brian). But, their bliss is short-lived, as the two end up getting tangled up with Lou’s criminal father … Read more
Melissa Barrera has a terrific showcase role in the Sundance Midnight selection, Your Monster, a musical/horror/rom-com mash up. PLOT: A young address (Melissa Barrera) ends up being dumped by her louse of a boyfriend while battling cancer. In her recovery, she also learns that he gave away a role he promised her in his upcoming … Read more
The best of the bunch is the latest from someone who deserves his own chapter in any book about the history of Sundance, the masterful Steven Soderbergh. Thirty-five years ago, Soderbergh brough “sex, lies, and videotape” to Sundance on its way to winning the Palme d’Or at Cannes and forever impacting the independent filmmaking scene. … Read more
Sasquatch Sunset will be a hard sell for most, but it’s weird and kind of charming in its own peculiar way. PLOT: A year in the life of a family of Sasquatch, as they forage for food, hook up, and narrowly avoid civilization. REVIEW: Sasquatch Sunset is unique; I’ll give it that. David and Nathan … Read more