Indie Spirit Revue: "Problemista"

by Nick Taylor

As a fan of Julio Torres's work on SNL for years who's had only intermittent contact with his other ventures, I am so goddamn delighted by Problemista. Every loopy, queer, topical, cubist dimension to his art is so fruitfully deployed while allowing the colors and slashes of every single collaborator to shine as brightly as he does. As a showcase of singular, unpredictable comedic instincts, this beats almost every other 2024 film for mining laughs from all directions. Bizarre art objects, wry narration, ridiculous tableaus, fantasy costumes, goofy-ass behavior, incredible commitment to the bit from all sides. She's got it all…

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Everyone is boarding Ruben Östlund's madcap flight

by Cláudio Alves

TRIANGLE OF SADNESS (2022) Ruben Östlund
Though the movie's but a premise in its director's imagination, The Entertainment System Is Down is shaping up to be a starry affair. Ruben Östlund's follow-up to Triangle of Sadness, his second Palme d'Or winner, has been on the news. The Swedish provocateur even did a press conference at the Croisette, joined by Keanu Reeves and Kirsten Dunst, both set to take part in the satire cum disaster movie. Other cast members include Samantha Morton, Daniel Brühl, Nicolas Braun, and Vincent Lindon.

In case you've forgotten, the French thespian presided over the Cannes Jury that decided on that Triangle of Sadness victory…

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What Movies Give You Nightmares?

by Cláudio Alves

There's no stopping A24, its ascension as distributor and studio one of the last decade's biggest success stories. Just this month, Civil War marked their most successful opening weekend, even expanding to IMAX. Speaking of those giant screens, A24 has been re-releasing some of their greatest hits in the format, starting with Ex Machina back on March 27th. Uncut Gems is coming May 22nd, while April's selection hits theaters tomorrow, beckoning audiences to relieve a movie nightmare like none other. It's Hereditary, Ari Aster's promising debut and one of the few theatrical experiences that caused me sleepless nights. Believe me, when you watch as many horror flicks as I do, that's rather special…

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Which star would you want to haunt your dreams?

by Cláudio Alves

Maybe Mitzi Fabelman was right. Maybe films are dreams you never forget, imagination unbound and projected wide at 24 frames per second. And yet, the reverse trajectory can happen, too. From dreams becoming movies to dreams made from movies– who hasn't been lost in some oneiric reverie with one or two elements borrowed from a cinematic favorite? I know I have on multiple occasions, and sometimes it's not even the pictures themselves but the faces that shine brightly within the frame. Movie stars can feel bigger than life, already a step removed from reality with a foot planted in myth, making them perfect fodder for the unconscious mind. 

In Dream Scenario, soon in theaters, Nicolas Cage stars as Paul, a hapless man manifesting across strangers' slumbering fantasies. He's a nobody whose unlikely place in other people's dreams transforms him into somebody. He's a star of sorts, just like the man playing him…

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Sundance: A24’s Very Hyped ‘All Dirt Roads Taste of Salt’

By Abe Friedtanzer

A24 is known for taking leaps of faith on many of their projects. Their films aren't necessarily for everyone, but there’s something unique about most of them. That’s most definitely the case with All Dirt Roads Taste of Salt, a drama that makes no effort to present its events in chronological order. In between any given screening at Sundance, all anyone is talking about is how incredible this film is. Whether or not future audiences have a similar response \will be dependent on their ability to appreciate its glacial pace and its unconventional approach to storytelling, one that reminds very much of Terrence Malick, which is not a light statement…

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