?Grandpa, are you a good guy?? ?I want to be.? Written and directed by Mark Williams, Blacklight is another fun and furious entry into the Liam Neeson canon of films that feature ?one man against the world?. Though, this may be one of the first ones that starts to ask what that looks like in an ever-changing culture….
With a film called Parallel Mothers, it comes as no surprise that the film’s double narratives attempt to mirror each other. However, it would be so much more powerful if they managed to connect in some way. Directed by Pedro Almodovar, Parallel Mothers tells the story of Janis (Penelope Cruz), a fashion photographer who becomes enamored with…
It?s fair to say that almost everyone loves a good whodunit.? Especially over the last few years, it seems like murder mysteries have become big business once again. From?Rian Johnson’s Knives Out?to Adam Sandler?s?Murder Mystery?or even reality shows like?Tiger King, people can?t seem to get enough of untangling a web of murderous intrigue. Now, with…
As I finish up my Slamdance viewing, I want to thank the festival for giving me access to all these films. I always enjoy covering Slamdance, in part because it pushes me beyond my comfort zone at times. The films here are always very diverse, just as the festival wants them to be. That means,…
By Ben Dower The crew of a ship that was wrecked on the nuclear testing site Infant Island reports meeting natives there. An entrepreneur from the country of Rolisica named Clark Nelson (Jerry Ito) mounts an expedition to Infant Island. He gives orders to everyone on the expedition, including stowaway reporter Zen’ichir? Fukuda (Frankie Sakai) and scientist…
Yes, there are more films to cover from Slamdance, especially short films, so let?s catch up on some of them. The festival awards have been announced, and I note some of the winners here. Little Berlin (15 minutes), directed by Kate McMullen, is based on a true story. When Germany was divided after World War…
As Slamdance Film Festival continues, I?ve spent some time with some of the features that are part of the festival. Paris Is in Harlem, directed by Christina Kallas, is a collection of intertwining stories that take place in the day before the Cabaret Law (which prohibited dancing in bars and restaurants and was mainly used…
Built around a riveting presentation by lawyer Jeffrey Robinson,?Who We Are: A Chronicle of Racism in America?re-examines the story we thought we knew from the perspective of racial oppression. As a former ACLU Deputy Legal Director, Robinson has meticulously studied the intricacies of American history and draws a direct line from slavery to today?s post-racial…
Say what you will about Poly Styrene but she was anything but a clich?. Directed by Celeste Bell and Paul Sng, the new documentary Poly Styrene: I Am a Cliche is a fascinating exploration of one woman?s legacy through the eyes of the daughter she left behind. Starring Oscar nominee Ruth Negga as the voice of Poly…
?I?m standing on the sideline of my own life.? Joachim Trier?s The Worst Person in the World is Norway?s submission for Best International Feature and has been shortlisted for Oscar consideration. Renate Reinsva was honored at Cannes as Best Actress. Trier, in comments before the Sundance screening, called this a Scandinavian take on romantic comedy,…
