Hi everyone! I hope you had a great January and that some of you got to enjoy the experience of the Sundance Film Festival both in person and online. I had a terrific time and saw 28 films this year! I also got to be on KSL Movie Show twice- once on their live show and once on the podcast edition.
Overall, I’d say the lineup was pretty good this year at Sundance. There wasn’t that much I disliked although last year was perhaps even better but there were a lot of good films.
You can listen to my recap with Louisa Moore (and the 50th episode of Female Film Critics Panel)
But here are my ranking and reviews of all 28 films I saw:
28. Seeking Mavis Beacon-
I was intrigued to watch this documentary, Seeking Mavis Beacon, because I learned how to type using Mavis Beacon software and thought it might be interesting to learn about her backstory. Unfortunately it was clear the research behind Mavis didn’t come to much so instead of just abandoning the project we were subject to their landlord disputes, attending parties and an occasional interview from one of the game developers. I realize it’s got to suck when your documentary topic proves fruitless but sometimes it happens and you have to move on. Don’t do whatever this was…
1 out of 10
Frown Worthy
27. Little Death-
Little Death is the kind of film I despise at Sundance. So shallow and annoying yet so full of its own virtue you can’t stand it or at least I couldn’t. Everything it does or says I’ve seen a million times and yet I’m supposed to be shocked. For example David Schwimmer’s director character has to change his character into a strong female woman and he goes on a rant about how every character is a strong female character. I’ve heard this so many times. What would actually be interesting is if someone commented on how most of these strong female characters aren’t actually made to appeal to women or for women. That would be insightful. Instead it’s more drivel pretending to be brilliant. Every character is unlikable and the animation and other artistic choices are the most basic of Sundance chic. No thank you! The dog is the only thing I liked.
2 out of 10
Frown Worthy
26. Between the Temples-
Sometimes a director, particularly at Sundance, can’t let himself get out of the way of the story. Such is the case with Between the Temples. Director Nathan Silver has a bunch of good ingredients with a funny story and charismatic performers but unfortunately I couldn’t enjoy the film because of the terrible filmmaking choices he makes. Silver has a love of extreme closeups for no reason, which is distracting to the overall narrative and the sound design was frankly bizarre. Whenever someone is eating we hear the food masticating in their mouth. We hear them scratching and slurping up tea. It’s unpleasant and doesn’t add anything of substance to the story. In the end, Between the Temples was a chore to get through and I couldn’t wait for it to be over.
2 out of 10
Frown Worthy
25. Handling the Undead-
There might be something in Handling the Undead that could make for a piece of a good movie but as presented it’s an extremely frustrating watch. It’s definitely the most lethargic and slow zombie movie ever made. In it we have a zombie uprising where there’s a lot of meaningful staring and sad faces, which sure you’d feel that way in a zombie apocalypse but there might also be some urgency? The cinematography and music are beautiful but almost nothing happens for 98 minutes. We are literally watching people stare longingly for over an hour. No thank you.
3 out of 10
Frown Worthy
24. Love Lies Bleeding-
It’s always interesting when a project or director has a lot of hype going into the festival. It feels like they almost never live up to expectations and that is definitely the case with Rose Glass and her new film Love Lies Bleeding. She had a big indie hit in 2019 with Saint Maud, which I finally watched before the festival (I don’t tend to like possession movies) and it is very well done. Unfortunately Love Lies Bleeding can’t decide whether it wants to be an erotic thriller or an over-the-top revenge fantasy. The performances are good by Kristen Stewart and Katy O’Brian but each new plot development got more ridiculous by the minute until the end is full-on absurd fantasy. I can see some will embrace the madness but it was too much for me and didn’t manage its tone well enough.
4 out of 10
Frown Worthy
23. Winner-
I like an inspirational true story as much as the next person but with Reality Winner’s story the filmmakers have the unfortunate task of making someone heroic who does something incredibly stupid. I’m not sure how the other bio-pic of her story fares but Winner feels extremely mediocre and would make more a home as a movie of the week on channels like Lifetime- but they’d make it more salacious and fun. Emilia Jones is good in the lead role and Connie Britton always adds gravitas to whatever she is in but the movie can’t get around the fact what Winner did was at best misguided and like I said stupid.
4 out of 10
Frown Worthy
22. And So it Begins-
Documentaries are tricky because so much of the entertainment value is unpredictable and depends on the charisma of the subject being profiled. Unfortunately And So it Begins is not able to make the Filipino presidential candidate Leni Robredo interesting. It has a few stirring speeches but most of it feels like watching the dry and dull goings-on of a campaign. Most frustrating is I didn’t feel like I actually got to know Robredo and instead was shown the busy-work and bureaucracy in setting up events and talking with the media. It just wasn’t interesting.
4 out of 10
Frown Worthy
21. Didi-
Didi is where we start to get into the more mixed bag experiences of the festival. There are some positives here. Director Sean Wang has captured authentic moments of a Taiwanese American family in 2008 with the awkward interactions between a teen b0y and his friends and family. Unfortunately the tone is all over the place and the teen is very unlikable at times. He’s not just rebellious but outright mean to his Mother and sister and even rude to his friends without a clear motivations for his behavior. It just made the whole thing kind of unpleasant to watch. Coming of age stories are already a tough sell for me and in the end I couldn’t vibe with this teen.
5 out of 10
Frown Worthy
20. Reinas-
Lately it seems to be a favorite theme of indie films to take on relationships between fathers and daughters- usually divorced Dads with their daughters. Aftersun was a good example last year and this year at the festival there were 2 films, both in the Spanish language that were almost identical, Reinas and In the Summers. Unfortunately for Reinas, In the Summers was the better film so it gets higher on this ranking. I honestly don’t know what they were thinking having such similar films in the same category at the festival. The girls are cute in this one but not much else to find compelling.
5 out of 10
Frown Worthy
19. 10 Lives
10 Lives is our animated entry for the festival and I honestly wanted to like it more than I did. The animation is fairly generic cheap CG and the story feels played out. It perhaps hurts that it is similar in structure to Puss N Boots: The Last Wish (at least the very beginning of that film) and you all know how much I loved that one. In tphis case our cat comes back to earth as different animals which could have been funny but it again felt played out. It’s harmless for little kids but pretty generic.
5 out of 10
Frown Worthy
18. Rob Peace-
Next up we have Rob Peace and this is a tricky situation because it is a well made film. The acting is solid throughout and it is based on a true story so I don’t know how much room they had to work with for the story. However, every beat felt so predictable and played out it was frustrating to watch. As each part of the story unfolded I kept saying to myself what was going to happen and then sure enough it did. It just would be nice to get more stories from the Black experience and to tell them in more cinematically unique ways. This one is what I would call serviceable but totally unmemorable.
5 out of 10
Frown Worthy
17. In the Land of Brothers-
In the Land of Brothers tells 3 stories of Afghan refugees living in Iran which is a people and situations I know nothing about so it was intriguing on that level. However, all 3 stories werevery depressing and it might have been nice to throw in 1 with a little bit of hope for a little bit of variety. My favorite was the last which was about a marriage in a tough spot. They are all slice of life type stories but are well made and it would be interesting to see what these directors could do with a feature.
5 out of 10
Frown Worthy
16. Brief History of a Family
A lot of people at the festival were comparing Brief History of a Family to Saltburn but I didn’t see Saltburn so perhaps that helped in my enjoyment. It’s an impeccably well made film with a beautiful look to it and great performances but I don’t know if I totally got what it was going for in the story. It’s about a young man in China who begins to be attached to another set of parents (everyone only has 1 child because of the one child only policies) and this causes conflict with the couples actual son and with his parents. Still it’s one that I would be interested to watch again outside of the festival.
6 out of 10
Smile Worthy
15. In the Summers
Like I said, of the 2 films In the Summers was the better father/daughter journey over Reinas so it gets the higher placement. Like all of these stories, you have a flawed father who is abusive and angry but still loves his daughters in the best way he can. You have different actresses playing the girls over the years and they do a good job with the young performers and making them all feel like the same characters. I don’t know how I feel about how much Spanish they chose to not translate or subtitle in the movie. I feel like I missed out on a lot of the dialogue and important character interactions because of that choice. My response after I saw In the Summers is that it is ‘very sundancy’ and so I’m not surprised it won awards. It’s just strange they pitted it against another very similar film.
6 out of 10
Smile Worthy
14. Freaky Tales
This anthology of 80’s themed horror shorts got a ton of buzz at the festival and while I enjoyed them I don’t know how buzzworthy they really were. My favorite were the first and fourth. The first is about a group of punk kids who decide to fight the local skinheads (literally in a battle style combat scene) and then the fourth was about an NBA player who takes on some of those same thugs who try to steal from his house. He’s known as Sleepy Floyd but he does anything but sleep on them! These shorts are very bloody and they have a nice sense of humor. There’ s also a really fun cameo that everyone will get a kick out of in the 2nd short. These are enjoyable enough with a nice style and sense of humor to them but nothing outstanding.
6 out of 10
Smile Worthy
13. Frida-
Next up is a documentary Frida about the painter Frida Kahlo who was quite the personality. When I first saw this on the schedule I thought maybe it might be destined for the PBS Masters series but Kahlo has quite the tongue and isn’t afraid to use it! It was funny and surprising but does make you wonder where this can eventually land. They did all they could in this documentary to add animation in Kahlo’s style and make it as entertaining as possible but it still felt a little dry. Still, if you are interested in Kahlo and her art it’s a must watch.
6 out of 10
Smile Worthy
12. Girls State-
Girls State was a fun way to start off the festival especially because I saw Boys State a few years ago at the festival. I also got to give my review to the KSL Movie Show, which was a fun surprise. This is similar to Boys State but it isn’t quite as cynical. They did a very good job picking the girls to be featured and they try to show the differences between the 2 organizations. There is even one girl who starts doing an investigation into the differences between Boys State and Girls State. However, I did start to feel manipulated as I know so little information about both programs- perhaps the boys programs has a lot more applicants and interest? There could be reasons the programs are different besides just sexism. Still, it’s interesting to see the type of rhetoric effective on young girls and what is of concern to them right now.
6 out of 10
Smile Worthy
11. Skywalkers: A Love Story-
Next up we have another documentary Skywalkers: A Love Story that is about 2 legitimately crazy people and their love story. It’s too bad it is going straight to Netflix because these daredevils and their stunts are incredible to watch on the big screen. This tells the story of a couple Angela Nikolau and Vanya Beerkus who climb to the tops of high buildings and post about it on their social media. The pictures they get hanging off of poles and rooftops are unbelievable. Don’t watch this one if you have a fear of heights! Fortunately it is also a compelling love story as the title suggests. Think Free Solo but with actually nice people at the lead.
7 out of 10
Smile Worthy
10. Suncoast-
Starting the top 10 of the festival we have Suncoast which is another moving coming of age story. This time about a mother and daughter but it is also a story of loss and the burdens of caregiving. Nico Parker is excellent as a teen who has a terminally ill brother who has moved to the same hospice care center that Terri Schiavo was at in 2005 when her family battled whether to take her off of life support. Laura Linney lays Parker’s mother and she is a very flawed character but it is understandable under such a stressful situation.
We also have a Schiavo protestor and activist played by Woody Harrelson that I kept thinking was going to be a more untrustworthy character but he wasn’t. It was just unusual to have an adult man be so interested in a teen like Parker. However, the less compelling part was her various interactions with a new cooler group of friends who are actually quite accepting and kind (not the mean girls you think they will be at the beginning.) Still, this one is worth seeing for the good performances and a few very effective moments that got the tears flowing. It’s on hulu now and I think definitely worth a watch.
7 out of 10
Smile Worthy
9. Will & Harper-
Next up we have a sweet documentary most anyone will love called Will & Harper. It follows Will Ferrell as he takes a roadtrip with his longtime friend Harper Steele who has recently transitioned as a trans woman. It perhaps has 2 stops too many and is a bit too long at 114 minutes but I love stories about friendship and so I really enjoyed this one. It warms the heart.
7 out of 10
Smile Worthy
8. A New Kind of Wilderness-
When I first saw the blurb for A New Kind of Wilderness I didn’t know if it would be for me because there have been a lot of ‘living off the grid’ documentaries at Sundance and usually they aren’t for me. However, I’m really glad I saw this one because that’s actually not what it was about. It follows a family in Norway who have to transition away from their idyllic homeschool-led off the grid lifestyle when the Mother and primary breadwinner of the family dies of cancer.
In the end it becomes a story about grief and loss and how it can wound us not just emotionally but practically as well when a person is suddenly gone- especially someone as important as a Mother. It was neat to have the entire family there at the screening and the whole thing had huge heart. I cried my eyes out.
7 out of 10
Smile Worthy
7. The Greatest Night in Pop-
I have to admit I am not the biggest fan of the 1985 anthem “We are the World” but I saw The Greatest Night in Pop because it fit into my schedule and I’m so glad I did. This is an extremely entertaining and well put-together documentary that is more about capturing a moment than this particular song.
Director Bao Nguyen does a wonderful job combining new and archival interviews along with footage from the recording studio to bring the night of the recording to life. Getting together so many stars of the day was a feet and managing to make a listenable song is pretty impressive. One of my favorite moments is when Stevie Wonder helps Bob Dylan have the confidence in his solo and When Stevie helps Ray Charles find the bathroom- the blind literally leading the blind!
This is just extremely well done. I highly recommend it.
7 out of 10
Smile Worthy
6. Your Monster-
If any of you saw the recent Lisa Frankenstein and were disappointed you might find Your Monster to be more your cup of tea. It combines elements of romantic comedy and horror more successfully and makes for a fun campy wathcing experience. Melissa Barrera plays a recently dumped woman who finds a monster (Tommy Dewey)in her closet who just might be the key to her getting over he breakup.
This film doesn’t take itself too seriously and the two leads have an odd but effective chemistry. Some of the antics with the best friend and ex get a little old but still I had a great time with this and if you can handle some blood particularly at the end I recommend it.
7 out of 10
Smile Worthy
5. Thelma-
Readers of my reviews know I love movies about old people- the crankier the better so Thelma had my name written all over it. June Squibb plays a 90-year-old Thelma who goes on a revenge outing with her best friend played by Richard Roundtree to retrieve money scammed from her. The story gets very ridiculous especially by the end but everyone involved is so charming you cannot help but have a good time. I loved Parker Posey and Clark Gregg as her daughter and son-in-law and Fred Hechinger as her insecure but loveable grandson. Thelma also doesn’t overstay its welcome at only 97 minutes. Watch it with your Grandma. They will love it. I wish I could watch it with mine.
7 out of 10
Smile Worthy
4. A Real Pain-
A Real Pain is an interesting film because it has a lot of elements that might normally turn me off. Kieran Culkin and Jesse Eisenberg (who directs and writes) play cousins who go on a Poland Holocaust tour to honor their beloved Grandma. Culkin’s character is a lot of personality and a little of him goes a long way but the movie knows that and gives us enough breaks to make it palatable. It’s also mercifully short at just 90 minutes so we don’t get too sick of him.
The part I connected with most was the love both men have for their Grandma, who we never see, but that love spoke to me and was something I could relate with as I was very close to my Grandma Wagner. In the end, A Real Pain is a heartfelt and poignant film anyone who has an annoying cousin or loved their grandma will be able to connect with.
8 out of 10
Smile Worthy
3. Luther: Never Too Much-
Next up we have the biggest surprise for me at the festival in the documentary Luther: Never Too Much. I went into it knowing nothing about the singer aside from a few of his songs especially “A Whole New World” from Aladdin but I left really relating with his story and journey as a human being. There’s nothing particularly special about the structure of this documentary. It’s your standard bio-doc of a musician but they did an excellent job of showcasing Vandross’s work but also his internal struggles and challenges.
I connected most with his being a singer of cheesy love ballads who had never fallen in love himself. As someone who covers cheesy romantic movies for my job but have never fallen in love I could relate to this story. We never talk about the people who never fall in love in this world but there are lots of us who it never happens to and I appreciate this documentary addressing that honestly. Of course, it may be that Vandross was closeted gay man but he never came out in his lifetime so that is an added layer.
Again this is not any great feet of filmmaking but I just connected with Luther Vandross as a person and so it was a special experience at the festival for me.
9 out of 10
Smile Worthy
2. Hit man-
Hit man was definitely one of my most hyped films of the festival. Having had big runs at other festivals and coming from director Richard Linklater I was pretty sure I would like it and I did. It’s one of his more lighthearted romps compared to something more serious like Boyhood but it is slick and extremely well put together.
It tells the fictious account of a real life undercover hitman in Texas played by Glen Powell and what happens when his undercover persona becomes his real persona. Powell is incredibly charismatic and he has terrific chemistry with Adria Arjona (and some very sexy scenes!) This is not to be realistic or tense but zippy engaging little comedic thriller. It’s just a shame it is going straight to Netflix because its very entertaining and theatergoers would love it. Stupid Netflix
9 out of 10
Smile Worthy
- 1.Ghostlight
Finally we have a movie practically made for me, Ghostlight. It tells the story of a family deep in grief who are struggling to move on with their lives. The father stumbles into a community theater production of Romeo & Juliet which starts to change this rough and gruff construction worker. What’s really special about this film, aside from the pitch perfect script, is that the family (Mother, father, daughter) are played by an actual family- the Kupferer family. This allows them to have natural chemistry and we really feel like we go on a journey with these people as drama and community helps them cope with tremendous loss.
It’s also not a downer but can be quite funny and charming with Dolly de Leon playing our older Juliet actress who is paired with the gruff father. I know it is a bit on the nose, but it all worked for me. I was moved to tears multiple times and it made me immediately want to recommend it to friends and family- particularly all my theatre friends! I would be shocked if Ghostlight doesn’t end up in my top 10 of 2024 films (although I have no idea why it is called Ghostlight).
9 out of 10
Smile Worthy
So there you have it! I know it took me over a month to finish this ranking but I sincerely had a great experience at the festival and saw a bunch of films I’ll not soon forget. Which ones look the most intriguing to you? I would love to hear what you think. Happy movie-watching!
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