Sundance 2021 Recap
Let's talk about the Sundance Film Festival
hey y’all. welcome to another edition of working title. before I get into what I saw at Sundance this year, I just want to say a quick thank you. Almost 50 people have signed up for this newsletter since I started it last week. That might not seem like a lot, but I thought I’d be writing this thing for me, my parents, and, like, 2 friends. so, thanks so much for being interested in my dumb thoughts about movies. if you really like it, please spread the word by sharing it with your friends or posting it on twitter!
now, let’s get to the good stuff and talk about what I saw this year at Sundance.
like most major events that have occurred in the last calendar year, Sundance happened virtually this year, with all movies premiering (and then available for a short period of time afterward) online. it’s definitely a bummer to lose the beautiful backdrop of Park City, UT, and the in-person vibe of the festival, but obviously, we’re still in the middle of a pandemic and it’s the right thing to do.
an added benefit to being all virtual this year is that Sundance and the films presented therein are a lot more accessible to general theater-going audiences, myself included. I was able to view several movies over the past weekend that under normal circumstances, I might not have been able to see. Below are the films I saw and some quick thoughts about each. not necessarily reviews or anything, just my opinions on what I saw. if any of these films sound good, I encourage you to seek them out when they are available, with the caveat that I do not know when that specifically would be.
Title: Cryptozoo
Director: Dash Shaw
Starring: Lake Bell, Michael Cena, Louisa Kraus
I really wanted to like this movie more than I did. the premise is an intriguing one: set in the ’60s, a scientist and researcher is trying to track down mythical creatures that are scattered across the world and bring them back to the aforementioned Cryptozoo, where they will be safe. the only problem is that the USA’s military would also like these creatures for much more nefarious, violent purposes. things are further complicated when two stoners find the cryptozoo compound while on a late-night camping trip and sneak into the park.
this film is animated and man is it beautiful to look at. the animation is nothing like I’ve ever seen and the creature design for the cryptids is really, really good. the animation alone held my attention for most of the movie. that said, the story lags behind as far as quality when it comes to the film. it’s meandering and there comes a point when it’s fairly obvious that it’s meandering, which is disappointing because like I said, the animation is so good. this film was purchased by Magnolia Pictures, so it should see a wider release soon.
Title: On The Count of Three
Director: Jerrod Carmichael
Starring: Jerrod Carmichael, Andrew Abbot, Tiffany Haddish, JB Smove
first off, let me just say I love Jerrod Carmichael. his standup specials are great and The Carmichael Show was such a breath of fresh air for sitcoms and it sucks that it only ran for 3 seasons. if you have a chance to watch either of those things, I highly encourage you to do so.
this was probably my most anticipated movie of Sundance (that I had access to.) this movie is Carmichael’s directorial debut and I was eager to see what he would do behind the camera as well as in front of it.
the set up is pretty simple: two friends played by Carmichael and Andrew Abbot (who gives an amazing performance) have both had enough with the various trials and hardships they both face and decide they’re going to kill themselves by pointing guns at each other and pulling the trigger on, you guessed it, the count of three. one of the two decides that they need a “last day” before the big dirt nap and they go from there.
I don’t want to give away too much about this movie, as I expect it to be available to watch other places, but I overall enjoyed it. the story itself is a little messy and tries to do to much. there are moments that don’t land like I imagine they were supposed to and a lot of the emotional stuff feels unearned in places. that said, the movie is insanely propulsive and never lets up speed until it’s over. some of the story elements may have been a little thin, but the performances are not, including a great turn from JB Smoove as Carmichael’s father. Carmichael took some big swings with his debut, and while they don’t all land, he has set himself up nicely as a new exciting director to watch.
Title: Wild Indian
Director: Lyle Mitchell Corbine, JR
Starring: Michael Greyeyes, Chaske Spencer, Jessie Eisenberg, Kate Bosworth
I had a particular interest in this movie for 2 reasons
Native American film is experiencing a bit of a renaissance (see 2020’s incredible zombie film BLOOD QUANTUM) and
My mom’s family are all members of the Cherokee tribe. I grew up going to the reservations outside Tulsa to see my grandmother and I am proud of that heritage.
Wild Indian captures the lives of two native men following a shocking event in their childhood. Makwa, played as a child by Phoenix Wilson and as an adult by Michael Greyeyes (who also stars in the aforementioned BLOOD QUANTUM) and Ted-O, played as a child by Julian Gopal and as an adult by Chaske Spencer (who gives the films best performance, hands down.)
this film is a great reflection on identity, forgiveness, and consequences. it has a distinct MOONLIGHT flavor with its split timelines and strong performances from start to finish. it’s an incredibly personal film and certainly not one that holds back, but I think that’s what makes it work so well. highly encourage people to seek this one out.
Title: Together Together
Director: Nikole Beckwith
Starring: Ed Helms, Patti Harrison, Tig Notaro, Julio Torres
I really, really wish Hollywood made more of this type of movie. it’s small and intimate and funny and charming without selling out its core ideas.
The film stars Ed Helms as Matt, a divorced 40 something guy who decides it’s time for him to have a family. The only problem? He’ll need a surrogate. Enter Anna, played by Patti Harrison.
if you are unfamiliar with Patti Harrison, I suggest you start correcting that. she is astoundingly funny and has a very nice screen presence. you might recognize her from I Think You Should Leave, Tim Robinson’s incredible Netflix sketch series.
this film grabbed me from the second it started and ended up being my favorite of the weekend. I’m usually not a fan of Ed Helms’ “aw shucks, me?” energy that he slips into. I was never a big “The ‘Nard Dog” guy when he was on The Office, but it works really well here. Harrison plays Anna with a very nice touch and mixes some very sharp humor (she absolutely destroys Woody Allen films in a great moment of dialogue) with some wonderfully soft, human moments. also, keep a lookout for Julio Torres as Anna’s coworker Jules. he steals every scene he’s in.
Title: Prisoners of the Ghostland
Director: Sion Sono
Starring: Nick Fuckin’ Cage, Sofia Boutella, Nick Cassavetes
Nic Cage is back baby and with a VENGEANCE.
Prisoners of the Ghostland marks the English language debut of Japanese director Sion Sono. Sono has been making batshit crazy movies in his native Japan for some time now (for my money, check out 2001’s SUICIDE CLUB or 2013’s WHY DON’T YOU PLAY IN HELL) and he finally brings that insane energy to western audiences.
Here’s the basic setup: Cage plays a guy named Hero (not kidding) who is in jail following a failed bank robbery in which he was set up. he’s pulled out of jail by the guy named The Governor to venture into the ghostland, a post-apocalyptic nightmare desert, to rescue The Governor’s daughter, Bernice (Sofia Boutella). Here’s the rub: he’s wearing a suit with explosives placed strategically on his body including his neck, arms, and balls. if he doesn’t complete his mission on time, the suit explodes. one more problem: Bernice is in no particular rush to return to The Governor, for reasons that become quite clear.
I don’t wanna spoil to much, but this movie is bugshit crazy and a weird, wonderful ride. I haven’t had this much fun with Cage since his incredible 2018 film MANDY, which I also encourage you to seek out.
There were a ton of other great films screened at Sundance this year, but unfortunately, I was either unable to get a ticket or didn’t have the time to set aside to see them all.
I know it’s frustrating to hear about movies you can’t go out and watch, so below are some movie recs of the week to dig into this weekend. thanks again for reading working title and I’ll see you next week!
Title: The Kid Detective
Where To Stream: rent on Amazon prime for $5
Why Watch: Adam Brody stars as a former prodigy kid detective who fell out of favor when he couldn’t solve the mystery of a schoolmate’s disappearance. as a now grownup, he’s still a detective solving mostly missing pet cases and getting the cold shoulder from the entire town that once adored him so much. he gets a break when a client brings him his first adult case. her boyfriend has been brutally murdered and she wants to know whodunnit.
Adam Brody is amazing in this film and it’s good to see him back. I always thought he was going to be a huge star and while he’s certainly been in some big movies, he never approached what I thought he could be. this movie is a great showcase for his talent. his dry humor and wry wit really shine here, but he’s also incredibly wounded throughout the film. it doesn’t hurt that the mystery has several layers that add some nice twists, including a terrific ending. the score is also dynamite and makes The Kid Detective feel like a crime drama from 1930. highly recommend.
Title: Brick
Where To Stream: streaming free on Amazon Prime Video
Why Watch: After I watched The Kid Detective, I immediately wanted to watch BRICK, so I did and I encourage you to do the same. BRICK is Rian Johnson’s directorial debut and foreshadows a lot of the work he would go on to do (shoutout to KNIVES OUT). this is another hardboiled crime movie, with the main players being high school students. it’s a cult classic for a reason. BRICK rocks.
Title: The Way Back
Where To Stream: streaming free HBO MAX
Why Watch: look, I get it. it’s easy to make fun of Ben Affleck. it’s easy to make fun of this movie. just look at the trailer! it looks like pure Academy Award bait. tears, redemption, bon iver in the soundtack. it’s all there.
don’t be fooled. this movie is extremely solid and well worth your time. Affleck gives one of his strongest performances in years and elevates what could be a melodramatic affair into something completely real and emotionally affecting. this movie ended up being one of my favorites of 2020. if you have some time this weekend, sit down and hop back on board the Affleck train baby.