Miss Americana
A Sundance Film Festival 2020 favorite, which used to suggest an air of exclusivity, but in the era of Netflix, you can watch it for free, at home, right now.
A documentary of Taylor Swift, an unusual choice given her major current success and high profile. Obviously had a lot of her participation so it shows the softer side. She cares about our political future! She loves her parents! And her cats! But she just needs someone to call after the show.
Some cool visuals: Taylor at the conference room table running the meeting, Taylor on her private plane with "13" embroidered into the headrests, Taylor on her smartphone. Does Taylor ever love her phone!
A fun little look into her life. She's been singing and writing songs a long time and she sure makes it look easy. The music production process was the best part. The producer seems like her best friend.
* * * * * of 5.
Some cool visuals: Taylor at the conference room table running the meeting, Taylor on her private plane with "13" embroidered into the headrests, Taylor on her smartphone. Does Taylor ever love her phone!
A fun little look into her life. She's been singing and writing songs a long time and she sure makes it look easy. The music production process was the best part. The producer seems like her best friend.
* * * * * of 5.
Getting into Sundance is like getting into Harvard, but it helps to have a billion dollar name behind it.
Ford v Ferrari
Set in the 1960s this is the car equivalent of the Race to the Moon, a bunch a clean-cut white Americans with a lofty goal, money to spend, and an enemy across the Atlantic. Ford Motor Company needs a hit and comes up with a goal to enter European racing. The big prize, 24 Hours of LeMans. They turn to former champ Carroll Shelby and give him a blank check to Git R Done.
Speaking of Larry the Cable Guy, this ended up being like a live action remake of Disney Pixar Cars, with Carroll Shelby playing Lightning McQueen and Christian Bale as Mater.
The live action looked good at some point, but the CGI just didn't translate back into the 1960s setting. The colors reminded me of La La Land, along with the strange ending. I almost didn't make it through to see the end.
Not nearly as good as others thought.
* * * of 5
Speaking of Larry the Cable Guy, this ended up being like a live action remake of Disney Pixar Cars, with Carroll Shelby playing Lightning McQueen and Christian Bale as Mater.
The live action looked good at some point, but the CGI just didn't translate back into the 1960s setting. The colors reminded me of La La Land, along with the strange ending. I almost didn't make it through to see the end.
Not nearly as good as others thought.
* * * of 5
I Still Believe - March 13
Release date is March 13. When your mother in law wants to go see it a month in advance, it's noteworthy!
Body Heat (1981)
A throwback of a film, this one was famously promoted as a tax shelter investment. Written by Lawrence Kasdan (Empire Strikes Back, Big Chill) it's a modern film noir. Starring William Hurt, Kathleen Turner and Mickey Roarke.
The Last Thing He Wanted * Sundance 2020
Having figured out the film festival setup, I enjoyed watching "The Last Thing He Wanted" starring Anne Hathaway, Ben Affleck and Willem Dafoe. A lot of star for this entry in Narrative Film. Produced by Netflix, you should be able to see it likely for a short theater run then streaming.
Based on a novel by Joan Didion, it's the story of a woman who goes into El Salvador during the Contra era to help her father but becomes enmeshed in global intrigue.
Shades of Argo (2012) as well as Body Heat (1981). Three stars of 5
In other Sundance news the story of the year is that acting stars are being replaced in importance by producing stars. The grand jury prize went to Minari, a story about a Korean immigrant family in Arkansas. Brad Pitt is one of the Executive Producers.
The top documentary is Boys State, about the mock government activity for high schoolers. It was picked up for $12 million. Soon to be streaming.
Another Sundance favorite was "Crip Camp" produced by Higher Ground Productions (Barack and Michelle Obama). Wonder how that got selected?
There's definitely the Haves and have-nots at Sundance. With 100 flims you can't see all the winners and you are certainly not getting invited to the parties with Eva Longoria and Kerry Washington. In fact our film didn't even merit a Q&A! It was still fun, particularly buying a ticket out of the wait list area, like an old scalper at a rock concert.
Based on a novel by Joan Didion, it's the story of a woman who goes into El Salvador during the Contra era to help her father but becomes enmeshed in global intrigue.
Shades of Argo (2012) as well as Body Heat (1981). Three stars of 5
In other Sundance news the story of the year is that acting stars are being replaced in importance by producing stars. The grand jury prize went to Minari, a story about a Korean immigrant family in Arkansas. Brad Pitt is one of the Executive Producers.
The top documentary is Boys State, about the mock government activity for high schoolers. It was picked up for $12 million. Soon to be streaming.
Another Sundance favorite was "Crip Camp" produced by Higher Ground Productions (Barack and Michelle Obama). Wonder how that got selected?
There's definitely the Haves and have-nots at Sundance. With 100 flims you can't see all the winners and you are certainly not getting invited to the parties with Eva Longoria and Kerry Washington. In fact our film didn't even merit a Q&A! It was still fun, particularly buying a ticket out of the wait list area, like an old scalper at a rock concert.
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