Sundance: Thandiwe Newton finally gets a film worthy of her with 'God's Country'

by Matt St Clair

Thandiwe Newton has been a riveting screen presence throughout her career whether or not the films haven’t matched her level of excellence. With just a sharp glance or an emotive line reading, she always finds ways to grab your attention . The new Sundance thriller God’s Country, helmed and co-written by Julian Higgins, is finally a star vehicle worthy of her beguiling gifts...

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Sundance: In 'Utama,' home is where you die

by Cláudio Alves

Before he became a film director, Alejandro Loayza Grisi was a still photographer. Looking at his debut feature, Utama, it's easy to see the remnants of a photographer's sensibility, now transmuted into cinematic storytelling. Along with DP Barbara Alvarez, Grisi has framed the Bolivian highlands as a presence more important than any human. The cliché of the landscape being a character is not only present but transcended, to the point that the natural vistas become something of a cosmic deity. They're titan-like, cracked earth making up a wrinkled visage. The river is its mouth, once a gaping maw spewing life. Nowadays, it's just the sliver of a grimace, growing thinner, drying into oblivion.

This land is dying, and so are its people…

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Sundance: The relaxed dramedy of 'Am I OK?'

by Matt St Clair

Films like Am I Ok?, are something of a relief. The new joint directorial effort from Tig Notaro and Stephanie Allyne dispels the myth that we must have our entire life path figured out by the time 30 hits. Your chosen career, who you want to marry, etcetra. 30 may be a milestone, but you've still got plenty of time to find yourself. 

As 32-year old Lucy (Dakota Johnson) discovers, some people even figure out who they want to love later than expected...

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Sundance: Aubrey Plaza shines as 'Emily the Criminal'

By Ben Miller

Comedic actors turning to serious drama is nothing new, but the sardonic stylings of Aubrey Plaza are perfectly utilized in the grim Sundance offering Emily the Criminal, the feature fiilm debut from John Patrick Ford...

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Sundance: Another Inappropriate Relationship in ‘Palm Trees and Power Lines’

By Abe Friedtanzer

In film and television it’s very common to find a romance happening that probably shouldn’t be, with too wide an age gap that’s either just unappealing or actually illegal. That’s a central problem some have with Licorice Pizza. The Alliance of Women Film Journalists actually has a category in their awards titled “Most Egregious Age Difference Between Leading Man and Love Interest.” Palm Trees and Power Lines is the latest reminder that if something feels off, there’s probably good reason to raise alarm…

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