So's Reel Thoughts: Sundance Film Festival

Showing posts with label Sundance Film Festival. Show all posts

It's a difficult art to translate interpersonal intimacy onto the big screen for any filmmaker but So Yong Kim does it so masterfully, she takes it to another level. Her latest film, Lovesong, follows a relationship between two friends whose bonds deepen during an impromptu road trip. The premise sounds vague and even the trailer only shows a glimpse of the breathtaking transcendental beauty that lies within the film. I got to catch the film at Sundance's NEXT Fest and the film completely broke me with it's delicate portrait of the ebbs and flows of female friendship. I can't wait for everyone to see the film when it comes out February 17th!

It has finally arrived! One of the most buzzed about films to come out of Sundance this year is Andrew Ahn's Spa Night! Ahn perfectly captures the specific yet universal aspect of the Korean-American experience with his directorial debut film. The story follows David Cho, a Korean-American teen who battles with his burgeoning sexuality and the familial expectations when his family's restaurant is forced to close. Joe Seo who plays David won the 'Breakthrough Performance' at Sundance Film Festival and it's clear, that there is immense talent in front and behind the camera. I've seen the film several times before it's LA premiere at Outfest which I was honored to write the capsule for and let me tell you, the film hit me like a rocket (in a good way)! Thank you Strand Releasing for finally releasing it August 26!

There's only been a handful of films that screened at Sundance this year that makes me really excited for this year in film and one of those films is Anna Rose Holmer's The Fits. 11-year-old Toni is training as a boxer with her brother at the community center when she becomes enamored with the local dance troupe. But when a mysterious outbreak of fainting spells plague the team, Toni's desire for acceptance becomes more complicated. What a fascinating story that takes a peculiar turn into different worlds! Give me more!

Newcomer Royalty Hightower as Toni is fascinating to watch as she navigates her different worlds. There is a undeniable hypnotizing quality to the trailer in its structure, plot, and cinematography. I haven't seen a film yet that shows the magical and paralyzing journey of adolescence quite like this so I am beyond elated that Oscilloscope is releasing The Fits on June 3rd!

I've been waiting all year for this year's "wackiest & wtffff" film and it seems like it has arrived. The directing duo Daniels aka Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert's Swiss Army Man starring Paul Dano and Daniel Radcliffe is getting intense buzz and being dubbed as the "farting corpse film" (just watch the trailer). It premiered at this year's Sundance Film Festival where it went on to claim the Best Directing award in the U.S. Dramatic category which is not too shabby for their first feature! Hank (Dano) is on the verge of committing suicide when he finds a corpse (Radcliffe) washed up to shore and together they go on a surreal adventure to get home. Sounds like it's going to be a wiiiiild ride.

There's no denying the spectacularly surreal trailer filled with exhilarating, quirky, and humorous moments that makes Swiss Army Man one of my most anticipated films of this year! The two Daniels are the mastermind behind award-winning music video, Turn Down for What by Lil Jon & DJ Snake which is so outrageously hilarious and bonkers, I don't expect anything less from these two. Whether it is Dano using Radcliffe's body as a rapid-fire machine gun or a racing speedboat, there lies a deeper message of the beauty of life that guts us right in our feels. Larkin Seiple's intensely rich and luscious cinematography boasts vibrancy and sincerity in every shot to bring this farting dead body story to life (literally)! A24 has our backs and is releasing Swiss Army Man to theaters on June 17th. I'll see you guys all there with my very own Bernie by my side!

I named Chloé Zhao's directorial debut film, Songs My Brothers Taught Me one of the best films I saw at this year's Sundance Film Festival. Set on the Great Plains and the Badlands of the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, the film explores the bond between a brother and his younger sister as they navigate through their separate paths as they rediscover the meaning of home. It was Zhao's sensual and delicate filmmaking style and approach to this beautiful story that truly captivated and moved me on an emotional and spiritual level beyond what I had ever expected. Through the eyes of the film's two youthful leads played by John Reddy and Jashaun St. John, we get a sneak peek into the usually reserved and rarely seen world of Native American people and culture with sweeping beauty and sincerity. The trailer is being released by Pharrell Williams and Mimi Waldês' company i am OTHER, so check it out below!

Songs My Brothers Taught Me is selected to screen in the prestigious 47th annual Directors' Fortnight program at the Cannes Film Festival this year. As one of the three female filmmakers in the program, Zhao is a visionary and tour-de-force filmmaker to be reckoned with. You can already tell from the trailer and poster that the film will be a poetic contemplation on a culture seldom seen on screen. The film provides a portraiture of the Native Americans living on this Indian reservation but the story goes beyond that, to tell an universal and potent story about one's identity and home. It was such a unique and breathtaking experience going into a film without knowing and expecting anything, only to come out questioning and reflecting on my whole existence and journey as a human being. I mean, THAT is powerful. I hope it gets U.S. Distribution soon because I need everyone and their mama's to see it ASAP!

YO! I am back full throttle with my Sundance vlog and this is a real good one! I had the pleasure of going to my first ever Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah and it was everything I had expected and more. The combination of the freezing cold, sleepless nights, and lack of warm food really made me feel like I was a wild chicken running around with my head cut off but it was all part of the great experience! I did not go to as many swanky parties but you bet your ass that I got to watch tons of mind-blowing, forward-thinking, and super duper fresh films! I cannot wait for all these films to come out so you can just gorge on the next level of beauty and innovativeness these films have to offer! And in tribute to Sean Baker's Tangerine which was wholly shot on the iPhone 5s (GASP!), I decided to shoot my entire vlog on my iPhone! So LEGGO!

Top 5 Films: (See full post)

Songs My Brothers Taught Me (Dir. Chloé Zhao) See Trailer
Tangerine (Dir. Sean Baker) See Review
Pervert Park (Dir. Frida & Lasse Barkfors)
The Witch (Dir. Robert Eggers) See Trai ler
The Wolfpack (Dir. Crystal Moselle)

The Nightmare (Dir. Rodney Ascher) A-
Partisan (Dir. Ariel Kleiman) B-
Results (Dir. Andrew Bujalski) C
Welcome to Leith (Dir. Michael Beach Nichols & Christopher K. Walker) A
Dope (Dir. Rick Famuyiwa) B+
Turbo Kid (Dir. Francois Simard & Anouk Whissell & Yoann-Karl Whissel) B+
Hot Girls Wanted (Dir. Jill Bauer & Ronna Gradus) C
James White (Dir. Josh Mond) A
Seoul Searching (Dir. Benson Lee) B+
Knock Knock (Dir. Eli Roth) B+
In Football We Trust (Dir. Tony Vainuku & Erika Cohn) (See Review) A
The Chinese Mayor (Dir. Hao Zhou) A
City of Gold (Dir. Laura Gabbert) A

Best 5 Films // Most Anticipated Films at Sundance

Ya gurl is back from her first ever Sundance and what a thrilling/cold/intense film festival it was! I managed to watch 18 films in the short period I was there running around through the blaring cold with basically my head cut off to every bus shuttle, screening, and party! Scratch the parties, my trip to Sundance was strictly all about the films and what a glorious selection of films I got to watch! Considering that it is Sundance, the standard (& my expectations) of films are always A++, top notch, cream of the crop kind of films and duh, I was not disappointed! There are plenty of films I did not catch but from the batch that I did, here are the 5 best films at Sundance!

Songs My Brothers Taught Me (Dir. Chloé Zhao)

Chloé Zhao's directorial debut feature Songs My Brothers Taught Me was the biggest surprise of the festival! The film had only been on my radar because I saw that every film organization from Film Independent to IFP were huge supporters of her and so I thought why not check it out. I had no expectations of what the premise was about but was wholly blown away by the potently poetic and emotionally enveloping low-key portrait of the life on South Dakota's Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. Without having any pre-conceived notion about Native Americans and the culture, the film gave a sneak peek into their usually reserved lives with sweeping beauty and sincerity. With it's simple narrative, the naturalistic performances and painstakingly intimate bond between a brother and sister brought more emotional feels within me than I had ever expected.

Tangerine (Dir. Sean Baker)

Sean Baker's Tangerine has been on my hot list ever since I heard it was going to play Sundance and as much as I hyped it up to unparalleled heights, it surpassed everything I expected and beyond! Baker shocked audiences and critics alike when he revealed that the entire film was shot on iPhone 5s and that mind-blowing attribute is just scratching the surface as to why Baker is the visionary filmmaker that he is! Utilizing first-time transgender actresses and on-location shooting on the nitty-gritty streets of Los Angeles, specifically, Santa Monica Blvd--he tells one of the most authentic and heartfelt stories about female friendship following two sex workers, Sin-Dee (Kitana Kiki Rodriguez) and Alexandra (Mya Taylor) as they ravage the streets of LA in search of Sin-Dee's cheating pimp! Tangerine is a ferocious monster that is told with belly-aching hilarity and irresistibly trashy flair that will gobble you alive and spit you back out! It is bound to be one of the best films of 2015! I guarantee it!

The Wolfpack (Dir. Crystal Moselle)

Hands down, The Wolfpack is the most fascinating documentary to come out of Sundance this year, that'll leave you endlessly intrigued all while being freaked the fuck out. Locked away from society in an apartment on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, the Angulo brothers learn about the outside world through the films that they watch. Through the span of four years, Moselle highlights the Angulo brother's lives with unfettered access into their strange situation of being a prisoner in their own home and their eventual progression into society. Their story is told with mesmerizing intimacy and warmth and yet, the underlining fear of unspoken mysteries looming within their family is surely to haunt you for days. In the end, it is the brothers' spunky and die-hard love for cinema that captures our hearts like shown here, a video of them re-enacting word for word their favorite films!

Pervert Park (Dir. Frida & Lasse Barkfors)

Pervert Park is just as brutally tramautizing and tragic as the title sounds. As part of Florida Justice Transitions, a group of sex offenders reside in the run-down trailer park to try to re-integrate into society. In pure observational fashion, Frida and Lasse Barkfors' offers a unbiased look at these sex offenders who confront and reflect on their crimes that have forever brandished themselves as outcasts. These handful of sex offenders share their personal stories of their crimes that range from "simple" mistakes to heinous crimes that all fall under the same umbrella as a sex offender no matter how little or extreme their crime is. Through brazen access, Pervert Park paints the troubling portrait of abuse, injustice, and stigma in America as a sex offender that is equally eye-opening as it is ungodly disturbing.

The Witch (Dir. Robert Eggers)

Robert Eggers' directorial debut film The Witch is a exquisite work of horror unlike anything I have seen in recent years and dare I say, a masterpiece. Seasoned as a production designer, Egger delivers his first film like a veteran auteur with hyper-detailed visual style akin to Kubrick about a colonial family whose superstitions are taken to maddening lengths when one of their family member goes missing. Eggers expertly creates a terrifying new standard of horror with stark historical realism that builds on a family's suffocating anxieties and fears. I almost passed up on this film because I did not want to watch a Salem-esque story about a boring family but good thing I didn't! There's no denying the meticulously daunting world that Egger has built from literally ground up that rides on the screams of human misery. Bonus points: they revived my love for witches again!

- The Most Anticipated Sundance Films -

Year: 2015

Director: Tony Vainuku & Erika Cohn

Cast: Harvey Langi, Leva & Vita Bloomfield, Fihi Kaufusi

Country of Origin: U.S.

Rating: N/A

Time: 125 min.

High school is hard as it is just being a teenager, juggling grades, extracurricular activities and maybe sneaking in some romance in between but the pressures and expectations are held to a stress-inducing standard when you come from an ethnic family who's livelihood depends on your own success. In the spirit of Hoop Dreams, In Football We Trust follows the journey of four Polynesian high school students as they chase their life long and life-changing dream of attaining professional recruitments. Filmed over the span of four years, first time filmmakers Tony Vainuku and Erika Cohn chronicles these NFL hopeful's struggles and pressures to balance cultural and familial expectations in order to find an ticket out from gang violence and poverty.

Set in the heart of Salt Lake City, Utah, the film chronicles four teenage boys going through high school while facing the enormous pressures of carrying the burden of their dreams and their families, presenting a new take on the American immigrant story. Despite their small population with a brief history in the U.S., Samoans and Tongans are 28 times more likely than any other ethnic group to play football for the NFL. Some refer to this phenomenon as a "calling" or a gift from god, crediting their genetics which are agreeably the epitome of a great football player. As much as their hefty attributes and build serve as their greatest strength in being a first-class candidate for football, their culture and familial obligations become their greatest motivation and downfall.

Fihi Kaufusi, like many of the residents of Salt Lake are practicing Mormons deal with the common battle of cultural bond and environment influences of religion and relations. Without the support of his immediate family, Fihi struggles to outshine with unrelenting religious convictions and determination that inevitably does him more harm than good. Two brothers Leva and Vita Bloomfield who's family is affiliated with the most notorious gang in Salt Lake City, struggle to outshine their perceived reputation and not succumb to violence when confronted by peers as a teenage boy. Then there is the star, Harvey Langi whose name has already been circulating around the most prestigious football colleges, carries his family's livelihood on his shoulder as he is their golden ticket from poverty. These four teenage boys all share their passionate stories to succeed and discover the hard truths of growing up with an incredible amount of pressure to succeed and abide by societal expectations.

Like Fihi says in the film that people don't know what Samoans are and think they're just big Mexicans, only further makes this film that much more special as we get such incredible insight and access to a knit-tight community that is rarely seen on screen. Even though I feel as though I am well aware of Asian cultures and communities, the Pacific Islander experience especially in a pre-dominantly Mormon and White town is an entirely unique experience that has yet to be shown. Polynesians are such a small group of minority, it is their will to thrive that propels them to work that much harder. But in moments of adolescence, and just growing up, the greatest challenge for these four NFL hopeful's is the arduous and sobering journey of the high stakes that come with trying to achieve your dreams all while flourishing out of their adolescence. In no time, they are faced with the harsh realities that maybe, Football it is not all it's cracked up to be.

Sundance is less than a week and I am proud to announce that I will be attending this year's Sundance Film Festival! I am continuously impressed by Sundance's extensive and expansive selection of films every year! And of course, I am enthralled by just the sheer fact that I will be breathing the same icy air as these wondrous filmmakers, press, and film lovers alike! Going to Sundance has been a life-long dream of mine so I am definitely starting out 2015 right! There are so many great films at this festival but sadly, I was only able to get 10 tickets for right now. So naturally, I had to ensure that those 10 films were all on my ultimate MUST-SEE list and I am proud to say that I was able to get everything I had wanted. So without further ado, here are the top films I got tickets for as well as the other brilliant films I desperately want to see!

Tickets I've Already Gotten:

Tangerine (Dir. Sean Baker)

A working girl tears through Tinseltown on Christmas Eve searching for the pimp who broke her heart. Cast: Kitana Kiki Rodriguez, Mya Taylor, Karren Karagulian, Mickey O'Hagan, Alla Tumanyan, James Ransone.

Why: I am so drunk in love with Sean Baker's filmmaking style and stories that highlights underrepresented communities with such sincerity and ferocity. And Tangerine especially because the story takes place on the nitty gritty streets of Los Angeles featuring transgender actresses in all their glory! I don't expect anything less than a visceral, intoxicating, and dynamic film experience from Sean. The man basically can do no wrong! His previous films, Take Out, Prince of Broadway, and Starlet are all on Netflix so get on it folks!

Advantageous (Dir. Jennifer Phang)

In a near-future city where soaring opulence overshadows economic hardship, Gwen and her daughter, Jules, do all they can to hold on to their joy, despite the instability surfacing in their world. Cast: Jacqueline Kim, James Urbaniak, Freya Adams, Ken Jeong, Jennifer Ehle, Samantha Kim.

Why: Just watch the short film version of Advantageous and you will know why. This premise is so dense, I can't wait to see a full-length feature of them really digging into this world that talks about complex social issues about economies, values, and gender disparity. And it doesn't hurt that there is an Asian woman in the forefront of this film that isn't sexualized or a tiger mom in any way.

Knock Knock (Dir. Eli Roth)

Two beautiful young girls walk into a married man's life and turn a wild fantasy into his worst nightmare. Cast: Keanu Reeves, Lorenza Izzo, Ana De Armas, Aaron Burns, Ignacia Allamand, Colleen Camp.

Why: Two Things: Keanu Reeves and two girls. What could possibly go wrong?! Oh man, so many things and I've grown to love Keanu more and more these days after John Wick and Side by Side. So, I'm really hoping shit goes down and Eli Roth is gives us some sexy time with this uber attractive trio. Of course, some gun play wouldn't be so bad either.

Seoul Searching (Dir. Benson Lee)

A comedy set in the ’80s about a group of foreign-born Korean teenagers who meet at a Seoul summer camp to learn what it means to be Korean. The three boys, from the U.S., Mexico, and Germany, then meet three girls who rock their world. Cast: Justin Chon, Jessika Van, In-pyo Cha, Teo Yoo, Esteban Ahn, Byul Kang.

Why: I've been a fan of all of Benson Lee's work since his first documentary about B-Boys called Planet B-Boy so naturally, I was interested in his new work which is a teen comedy, featuring an all Asian cast! In the 80s! In Korea! I've been waiting to see another teen high school comedy since forever and with the merging of Koreans from all over the globe, it is bound to get so culturally diverse in this film! Check out the film's teaser because it looks like a freaking riot!

Pervert Park (Dir. Frida Barkfors & Lasse Barkfors)

Pervert Park follows the everyday lives of sex offenders in a Florida trailer park as they struggle to reintegrate into society, and try to understand who they are and how to break the cycle of sex crimes being committed.

Why: The title alone the reason why I am so intrigued because as much as I fear for my life of having an incident with a sex offender, they are (obviously) people as well who are battling with their own demons. It'll be a nice and eye-opening documentary to see their perspective of their crimes and situation in-depth than what meets the eye.

The Nightmare (Dir. Rodney Ascher)

A documentary-horror film exploring the phenomenon of sleep paralysis through the eyes of eight people. They (and a surprisingly large number of others) often find themselves trapped between the sleeping and awake realms, unable to move but aware of their surroundings while subject to disturbing sights and sounds.

Why: Getting sleep paralysis is LIT.ER.ALLY. my worst nightmare and I wish it never happens to me like it has to so many other people. So why am I watching a film about something that I am so horrified by? Ascher's previous documentary, Room 237 was superbly made and I am continuously fascinated by his work and subjects. So while just the act of watching this documentary will be pure psychological punishment, I'm doing it for the art! And cause I'm a masochist. Horray?

Dope (Dir. Rick Famuyiwa)

Malcolm is carefully surviving life in a tough neighborhood in Los Angeles while juggling college applications, academic interviews, and the SAT. A chance invitation to an underground party leads him into an adventure that could allow him to go from being a geek, to being dope, to ultimately being himself. Cast: Shameik Moore, Tony Revolori, Kiersey Clemons, Blake Anderson, Zoë Kravitz, A$AP Rocky.

Why: Y'all know me and Los Angeles films! We need more of them! Especially ones that show the unfiltered version of LA and not the glitzy glam of Hollywood. And I always love a good coming-of-age storie with a diverse cast like this one! Who can deny Tony Revolori after The Grand Budapest Hotel! Tbh, this film just looks dope, just as the title implies and with a film with A$AP Rocky, I wouldn't expect anything less! *Cue A$AP Rocky's Wild for the Night*

Songs My Brothers Taught Me (Dir. Chloé Zhao)

This complex portrait of modern-day life on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation explores the bond between a brother and his younger sister, who find themselves on separate paths to rediscovering the meaning of home. Cast: John Reddy, Jashaun St. John, Irene Bedard, Taysha Fuller, Travis Lone Hill, Eléonore Hendricks

Why: I have not seen any of Zhao's previous works but as she is supported by every independent film organization including IFP and Film Independent, I would definitely like to see her work! The premise and image seems like she will tell a unique story about Indians like we've never seen before. And to be honest with you, I don't think I've ever seen a film about Native Americans so it'll be great to see a story that explores their culture, land, and identity.

City of Gold (Dir. Laura Gabbert)

Pulitzer Prize-winning critic Jonathan Gold casts his light upon a vibrant and growing cultural movement in which he plays the dual roles of high-low priest and culinary geographer of his beloved Los Angeles.

Why: Jonathan Gold is my go-to guy when I don't know what to eat and as he is an iconic figure of Los Angeles, I must watch this film! I mean the guy was born in Los Angeles, went to UCLA, and now works for The LA Times! I don't know anyone who is more LA than Gold right here! His eccentric look and positively vivacious writing about food (specifically ethnic food) is what makes him so damn unique as a critic and a figure in the food industry.

Hot Girls Wanted (Dir. Jill Bauer & Ronna Gradus)

Hot Girls Wanted is a first-ever look at the realities inside the world of the amateur porn industry and the steady stream of 18- and 19-year-old girls entering into it.

Why: Why not?! Just the word porn is provocative enough to make me watch this documentary but also considering that it focuses on young women, it would be fascinating to see their perspective of what the porn world is like as a novice. Tackling not only porn but the internet and the theme of the "girl next door" is endlessly alluring as how all these factors have contributed to changing the platform of the adult film industry in many ways since the birth of dial-up.

Films I Want to See:

Fresh Dressed (Director: Sacha Jenkins)

The history of hip-hop fashion from its birth in the South Bronx to its rise as a billion-dollar global industry, “Fresh Dressed” is supported by rich archival materials, in-depth interviews with individuals crucial to the evolution, and the outsiders who study and admire them.

The Hunting Ground (Dir. Kirby Dick)

From the makers of “The Invisible War” comes a startling expose of rape crimes on U.S. campuses, their institutional cover-ups, and brutal social toll. Weaving together verite footage and first-person testimonies, the film follows survivors as they pursue their education and justice — despite harsh retaliation, harassment, and pushback.

The Mask You Live In (Dir. Jennifer Siebel Newsom)

Is there a “boy crisis” in America? Is our male population suffering due to our emphasis on power, dominance, and aggression? “The Mask You Live In” explores how our narrow definition of masculinity is harming our boys, men, and society at large and unveils what we can do about it.

Finders Keepers (Dir. Bryan Carberry & Clay Tweel)

Recovering addict and amputee John Wood finds himself in a stranger-than-fiction battle to reclaim his mummified leg from Southern entrepreneur Shannon Whisnant, who found it in a grill he bought at an auction and believes it to therefore be his rightful property.

The Wolfpack (Dir. Crystal Moselle)

Six bright teenage brothers have spent their entire lives locked away from society in a Manhattan housing project. All they know of the outside is gleaned from the movies they watch obsessively (and recreate meticulously). Yet as adolescence looms, they dream of escape, ever more urgently, into the beckoning world.

Lila & Eve (Dir. Charles Stone III)

Lila, a grief-stricken mother reeling from her son’s murder, attends a support group where she meets Eve, who urges her to take matters into her own hands to track down her son’s killers. They soon embark on a journey of revenge, but also recovery. Cast: Viola Davis, Jennifer Lopez, Shea Whigham, Julius Tennon, Ron Caldwell, Aml Ameen.

Mistress America (Dir. Noah Baumbach)

Tracy, a lonely college freshman in New York, is rescued from her solitude by her soon-to-be stepsister Brooke, an adventurous gal about town who entangles her in alluringly mad schemes. Mistress America is a comedy about dream-chasing, score-settling, makeshift families, and cat-stealing. Cast: Greta Gerwig, Lola Kirke.

(Synopsis via Indiewire)

Year: 2014

Director: Alex Ross Perry

Writer: Alex Ross Perry

Cinematographer: Sean Price Williams

Cast: Jason Schwartzman, Elisabeth Moss, Jonathan Pryce

Country of Origin: U.S

Rating: N/A

Time: 108 mins

Jason Schwartzman has now made a lifetime acting career out of his typecast as an pompous and inconsiderate intellectual from the start with Max Fishcher in Wes Anderson's Rushmore. So it's no surprise that Alex Ross Perry casted him in a film where the character and the film alike share the same arrogant qualities that is braised with New York literary comedy to the likes of Woody Allen and Noah Baumbach. Perry's third film, Listen Up Philip is well aware of it's influences and bathes in the tradition of the voice-over narration, self-loathing banter, and light-speed quip all while sticking to his guns by presenting despicable characters in the most harsh and unfiltered light. But its in that process of piercing honesty that we witness a genuine sincerity in these characters no matter how ugly they are.

Schwartzman plays Philip, a tragically incorrigible and spiteful writer with a knack for unapologetic asshole tendencies who is on the cusp of releasing his sophomore novel. When Philip is not hell-bent on making everyone bleed dry of happiness with his sharp mouthy fangs, he is pestering his painfully vulnerable and kind-hearted girlfriend Ashley (Elisabeth Moss). Either way, he is an insufferable, self-involved bastard who just doesn't know when to quit and just smell the roses. More fire is added to the fuel when Zimmerman (Jonathan Pryce) who is the splitting image of Philip but thirty years plus, is added to the picture, only to make the plagued atmosphere even that much more venomous. Naturally, the collision of these two forces only ignites a blistering game of one-upping one another to ceaseless ends. No one said being an "artist" was easy.

It's only a matter of time before we completely forfeit to Philip and Zimmerman's incessant piercing jabs. Luckily, Philip's girlfriend Ashley, tells her own story sandwiched in between these other two guys we do not care for. I first and foremost know Elisabeth Moss as Peggy Olsen from Mad Men and wasn't sure how good she would be playing a modern day woman but boy, was I wrong. Moss' breathtaking performance as a fragile and vulnerable woman on the path to independence was breathtaking light the film desperately needed. She brought such a painfully genuine performance that just swoops up your heart and hugs the shit out of it! It was at this very moment where I realized rare and immense talent Moss possessed that skyrocketed her to a league of greats actresses like Kate Winslet and Natalie Portman.

Shot in 16mm, the film emits a seventies vibe that embraces the almost claustrophobic yet intimate scenery of New York City even though the story is clearly set in present day. What is also enthralling and refreshing is the fact that even though it tells very revelant stories about our current times, there is never once a shot of any technology-related items (ie: lap tops & smart phones)!

I had the privilege of watching Listen Up Philip at this year's Sundance Next Festival where Schwartzman and Perry was in attendance! And guess who else joined their Q&A? None other than the revered writer, Bret Easton Ellis! Check out my video if you haven't seen it! Underneath all the grumbling rants the film spits, it is for certain that Ross has a knack for compelling storytelling with razor-sharp dialogue that'll make your stomach sore from boisterous laughter. He is face of the next generation of filmmakers emerging on the scene and like him and so many others, be sure to be ready to witness a mixture of both old and new traditions to bring a wholly refreshing and revitalizing movement to the future of film! A

Gregg Araki is back. It's been four years since Kaboom (2010) and even though, I haven't seen his previous film, I am estatic to know that he is coming out with a new film. I've been a huge fan of Araki after seeing The Doom Generation (1995) and Mysterious Skin (2004). It is just one of those film experience that can wholly change your perspective on the world as well as cinema. Sundance is premiering White Bird in a Blizzard which is based on the novel of the same name by Laura Kaischke. Shailene Woodley is Hollywood's most prominent and rising stars and after seeing her incredible performance in The Spectacular Now, I am hopeful that she will knock it out of the park once again in this film.

The film tells the story of Kat Connors (Shailene Woodley), a young woman whose life is turned upside down by the sudden disappearance of her beautiful, enigmatic mother (Eva Green). Christopher Meloni, Shiloh Fernandez, Gabourey Sidibe, Thomas Jane and Angela Bassett also star in this film.

If you didn't know already, Sundance Film Festival just released their MEGA line-up for their 2014 festival! Everyone's eyes should always be peeled considering that any films that are showcased at Sundance are most likely to be the biggest and best films of the year. There are literally a trillion films being shown and obviously, I am not doing any justice by only sharing a sliver of their mind-blowing line-up. But I've compiled a small list of films that I am excited to see in the upcoming year. I am probably missing the best ones but these ones that sound just fantastic as of right now!

PREMIERES:

Frank / Ireland, United Kingdom (Director: Lenny Abrahamson, Screenwriters: Jon Ronson, Peter Straughan) — Frank is an offbeat comedy about a wannabe musician who finds himself out of his depth when he joins an avant garde rock band led by the enigmatic Frank—a musical genius who hides himself inside a large fake head. Cast: Michael Fassbender, Domhnall Gleeson, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Scoot McNairy.

I Origins / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Mike Cahill)—A molecular biologist and his lab partner uncover startling evidence that could fundamentally change society as we know it and cause them to question their once-certain beliefs in science and spirituality. Cast: Michael Pitt, Brit Marling, Astrid Bergès-Frisbey, Steven Yeun, Archie Panjabi.

The Raid 2 / Indonesia (Director and screenwriter: Gareth Evans) — Picking up where the first film left off, The Raid 2 follows Rama as he goes undercover and infiltrates the ranks of a ruthless Jakarta crime syndicate in order to protect his family and expose the corruption in his own police force. Cast: Iko Uwais, Yayan Ruhian, Arifin Putra, Oka Antara, Tio Pakusadewo, Alex Abbad.

They Came Together / U.S.A. (Director: David Wain, Screenwriters: Michael Showalter, David Wain)—This subversion/spoof/deconstruction of the romantic comedy genre has a vaguely, but not overtly, Jewish leading man, a klutzy, but adorable, leading lady, and New York City itself as another character in the story. Cast: Amy Poehler, Paul Rudd, Ed Helms, Cobie Smulders, Max Greenfield, Christopher Meloni.

White Bird in a Blizzard / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Gregg Araki)—Based on the acclaimed novel by Laura Kasischke, White Bird in a Blizzard tells the story of Kat Connors, a young woman whose life is turned upside down by the sudden disappearance of her beautiful, enigmatic mother. Cast: Shailene Woodley, Eva Green, Christopher Meloni, Shiloh Fernandez, Gabourey Sidibe, Thomas Jane, Jacob Artist.

DOCS:

Life Itself / U.S.A. (Director: Steve James) — Life Itself recounts the surprising and entertaining life of renowned film critic and social commentator Roger Ebert. The film details his early days as a freewheeling bachelor and Pulitzer Prize winner, his famously contentious partnership with Gene Siskel, his life-altering marriage, and his brave and transcendent battle with cancer.

All the Beautiful Things / U.S.A. (Director: John Harkrider) — John and Barron are lifelong friends whose friendship is tested when Barron's girlfriend says Barron put a knife to her throat and raped her. Not knowing she has lied, John tells her to go to the police. Years later, John and Barron meet in a bar to resolve the betrayal. (In Competition)

Love Child / South Korea, U.S.A. (Director: Valerie Veatch) — In Seoul in the Republic of Korea, a young couple stands accused of neglect when "Internet addiction" in an online fantasy game costs the life of their infant daughter.Love Child documents the 2010 trial and subsequent ruling that set a global precedent in a world where virtual is the new reality. World Premiere (In Competition)

Mr leos caraX / France (Director: Tessa Louise-Salomé) — Mr leos caraX plunges us into the poetic and visionary world of a mysterious, solitary filmmaker who was already a cult figure from his very first film. Punctuated by interviews and previously unseen footage, this documentary is most of all a fine-tuned exploration of the poetic and visionary world of Leos Carax, alias Mr. X. World Premiere (In Competition)

THERE ARE SO MANY MORE FILMS! (HYPERVENTILATING*) Check out the full guide here!