Month: January 2013
Slamdance Film Review: Big Words
Set against the backdrop of the 2008 presidential election in beautiful Brooklyn, New York, Big Words revolves around three friends who, 15 years ago, were once members of an unsuccessful hip-hop group. John (Dorian Missick), aka Big Words, is a lyrical genius who, perhaps subliminally, expects himself to fail and thus puts success out of his own reach. … read more
Slamdance Film Review: Hank and Asha
If you want to get to know somebody who lives far away from you, sending a bunch of short videos back and forth to one another seems like an outdated approach. With so many social media outlets to choose from, it is now longer a pain-in-the-ass to get in touch with friends living anywhere in the world. Hell, even sending a basic email is by far an easier method than shooting, editing, and sending a video to someone, and then waiting for a response.
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Sundance Film Review: Austenland
Directed by BYU grad, SLC local and the co-writer of Napoleon Dynamite, Austenland is big. The jokes are over-the-top, the costumes and set are gaudy, Jennifer Coolidge is practically bursting at the seams in both hilarity and bosom, and the flops, well, they’re pretty big, too. … read more
Slamdance Film Review: The Last Shepherd
Renatol Zuchelli is a very large Italian man wearing a dirty tank top, sporting a scruffy beard, and plodding his way through some remote, green hills in Italy. Your first impression “The Last Shepherd” isn’t much at all. But by the end of this great documentary, you’re view of Zuchelli makes a complete 180-degree turn.
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Sundance Film Review: Virtually Heroes
In the fashion of Disney’s “Wreck-It-Ralph”, G. J. Echternkamp’s “Virtually Heroes” trails a video game character who begins to question his pre-programmed lifestyle, but, unlike the children’s animated feature, gamers can find vulgar pop culture references embedded throughout this R-rated live-action creation. … read more
Sundance Film Review: Valentine Road
In the wake of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, the issue of firearms and classrooms has sadly become a daily topic of discussion. When you add the element of a hate crime to these unspeakable acts, it only adds fuel to the vicious fire. … read more
Slamdance Film Review: Fynbos
In his first feature-length film, Harry Patramanis presents a story of mystery and doubt. Richard (Warrick Grier) is nearly finished building a lavish glass house in a remote area in the Western Cape of South Africa, but the expense of it all has brought him near bankruptcy and he is now hopelessly running out of time to sell the property. … read more
Slamdance Film Review: Glory Days
Glory Days tells the story of a dead-beat dad’s attempt to remain in the past. Jack (Mike Lubik) hauls his two young children (Cory Nichols and Paige Elizabeth Smith) to a New Years Eve party that clearly wasn’t intended for little kids.
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Slamdance Film Review: Shale
Shale is a short film that examines the importance of a balance of power within a relationship. John (Walter Dalton), the owner of a shale pit, is being divorced by his wife, Sheila (Sandra Seacat), and is prepared to destroy everything he owns rather than split things with her. … read more
Sundance Film Review: Pussy Riot: A Punk Prayer
On February 12, 2012, the punk-informed feminist art collective Pussy Riot stormed the altar at the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow, clad in colorful dresses and balaclavas, screaming “It’s God’s shit!” in a performance art piece that would be heard of around the world. … read more