SUNDANCE 2017
THE GOOD, THE BAD & THE UGLY
I loved these films. they made my day:
an inconvenient sequel
Time flies, and it’s been ten years since An Inconvenient Truth warned us
about the seriousness of climate change. Once again, Al Gore takes us with
him on a journey to find solutions to the environmental disasters we have
wrought. Engrossing and important.
fun mom dinner
Four women with children in the same pre-school get together for a “fun mom
dinner” … thus begins a funny and FUN film about disparate personalities
who – it turns out – have a lot in common. Watch this movie after a hard
day at work. A light and breezy first screenplay from Julie Rudd (wife of
Paul). Toni Collette, Molly Shannon, Adam Scott and Adam Levine star.
newness
From the writer and director of the 2010 Sundance hit Douchebag, this
complicated tale of finding love in the internet age is totally engaging.
After swiping to find a soulmate for the night, a pharmacist (Nicholas
Hoult of X-Men, Mad Max fame) chances on a free spirit (Laia Costa who
gives an award worthy performance). Before too long they are “together”.
Well, sort of. Neither can figure out if they are really committed to one
another and “the other” are so enticing. Be prepared for a surprise ending.
the big sick
My favorite film of the festival. Based on the real life love story between
a Pakistani comedian (Kumail Nanjiani – The Daily Show) and a (white) grad
student (Zoe Kazan), this is a funny, breezy, serious, thought provoking,
eye opening film with culture clash at it’s center.
the incredible jessica james
Jessica Williams (The Daily Show) stars as Jessica James and she IS
incredible in this role. She’s a struggling playwright suffering through a
recent breakup. Then, in walks a recently divorced Chris O’Dowd (always
wonderful). Somewhat reluctantly they strive to make life fun again.
the last word
Shirley MacLaine stars as a nasty, controlling businesswoman mad at the
world. On a whim, she decides she wants her obituary written while she’s
still alive so she can critique and mold it. Amanda Seyfried, a struggling
newspaper writer is assigned this dubious writing job. Searching for the
truth about her subject’s life, what begins as instant dislike turns to
grudging respect as she learns more about her subject. Somewhat
predictable, but well done and heart warming.
sidney hall
A unique, engrossing and beautifully made film about a high school romance
between Elle Fanning and Logan Lerman (Percy Jackson fantasy films, Perks
of Being a Wallflower). While he aspires to be a writer, he’s surprised
when, after a a teacher submits his first novel to a publisher, it becomes
a wild success. He and his love thrive for awhile until something happens
and he vanishes. When a determined searcher (Kyle Chandler – Friday Night
Lights) locates him … and that’s all I’ll say because I don’t want to spoil
the ending.
walking out
A teenager, estranged from his father (Matt Bomer), meets him in Montana to
hunt big game. Struggling to survive in the wilderness each learns from the
other. A small, intimate story made large by the landscape.
From OK to it won’t hurt you, to ???:
the hero
Sam Elliott IS a former Western film icon who has been reduced to doing
voiceovers for commercials. After receiving an unexpected lifetime
achievement award and meeting an up and coming comic (Laura Prepon – Orange
Is The New Black) he begins to reexamine his life. Engaging but slow at
times.
mudbound
This is a “big” movie with a big cast. The cinematography is arresting. So
why wasn’t I moved by this film? Not sure. It aims to pull your
heartstrings with a story of post World War II in the South. Carey Mulligan
marries Jason Clarke, though she’s probably in love with his brother who
goes off to war. They move to a desolate plot of land where they eek out a
living. Their family becomes inextricably tied to the black tenant farmer
family who is even more destitute. When one of their sons comes back from
the war he is forced to deal with the stultifying bigotry he escaped while
fighting in France.
Maybe the acting was good or the filmmaking slick, but my reaction was …
ick:
ingrid goes west
Aubrey Plaza (Parks and Recreation) is a very, very weird, lonely and
depressed girl who stalks via Instagram her “idol”, Elizabeth Olsen).
Unsuspecting, the girls become friend/acquaintances until she is exposed as
a fake. Strange and at times engaging, this film just falls flat. Too bad,
since the phenomena of becoming obsessed with a person you “meet” online is
a timely subject.
Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award
the bad & UGLY:
beach rats
A bored teenager from the outer edges of Brooklyn hangs with a bunch of
do-nothing, delinquent pals in an effort to escape his bleak home life.
Drugs and sex ensue. Woven into this mind-numbing chronicle of his daily
life is him furtively talking to and meeting older men he pursues online.
Repetitive and uninspired cinematography made watching this film a chore.
Directing Award: U.S. Dramatic
Good “buzz” from the line:
casting jonBenet
A documentary about the unsolved death of a six year old beauty contestant.
chasing coral
A documentary about the vanishing coral reefs around the world.
Audience Award: U.S. Documentary
crown heights
When his best friend is convicted of murder, Carl King devotes his life to
proving his innocence. Based on a true story.
Audience Award US Dramatic.
I don’t Feel at Home in This World Anymore
A depressed woman takes revenge after having her home burglarized.
U.S. Grand Jury Prize: Dramatic
to the bone
Lilly Collins plays Ellen, who has battled anorexia for years. Entering a
group home to try to recover her doctor (Keanu Reeves) she meets others who
ponder, “Is life worth living?”.
