Day 8 at Sundance 2020
CHARM CITY KINGS
Photo courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics
The Midnight Clique rule the streets of Baltimore, and all teenager Mouse (Jahi Di'Allo Winston) wants is to be a part of the notorious dirt-bike riders. He's got the wheels but lacks the confidence to fit into the group but that soon changes under the supervision of fellow rider Blax (Meek Mill). The deeper Mouse gets in with the Midnight Clique, the more he will sacrifice to become a man in this very entertaining hip-hop coming of age story reminiscent of "Biker Boyz" and "12 O'Clock Boys."
Rating: B
THE 40-YEAR-OLD VERSION
Photo courtesy of Endeavor Content
Radha Blank wrote, directed and stared in this breakout comedy that focuses on the challenges of shifting life goals at the age of 40. Blank plays a version of herself in the film, so naturally that main character is also named Radha, and we meet her at her day job, teaching underprivileged kids for way too little money. Her goal is to leave teaching behind and become a rapper at age 40, something that will prove to be extremely difficult. Photographed in black and white, "The 40-Year-Old Version" has a straight-forward narrative but lots of laughs and plenty of heart.
Rating: B
HAPPY HAPPY JOY JOY: THE REN & STIMPY STORY
Photo courtesy of INVADER
You may not know the name of animator John Kricfalusi, but you probably know his world-wide television sensation, "The Ren and Stimpy Show." A smash hit on Nickelodeon, Ren and Stimpy were known for their wild and raunchy animated antics, and Kricfalusi was at the center of it all. This new documentary explores the process of putting together the show, and a lot of ex employees are not shy in trashing Kricfalusi for his sometimes challenging behavior. John K. as he is known to many, takes full responsiblity in front of the camera, but that doesn't seem to change much in terms of mending fences. What begins as a talking heads documentary quickly takes a dark turn as more skeletons are revealed, including Kricfalusi's questionable relationships with young fans.
Rating: B
LEAP OF FAITH: WILLIAM FRIEDKIN ON "THE EXORCIST"
Photo courtesy of Exhibit A Pictures
Documentarian Alexandre O. Philippe spent his previous two films deconstructing seminal horror films "Psycho" ("78/52: Hitchcock's Shower Scene") and "Alien" ("Memory: The Origins of Alien"). For his latest project he tackles "The Exorcist" in "Leap of Faith: William Friedkin on The Exorcist." The major reason this ranks as his best work is right there in the film's title, namely legendary film director William Friedkin. For his past projects Philippe was only able to get limited players to talk about the movies being deconstructed, but here he got Friedkin himself, arguably the heart and soul of "The Exorcist." On top of that major get is the fact that Friedkin is full of fascinating insight and production stories; centering this documentary on him is a no-brainer, and Philippe gets some amazing material that film fans will adore.
Rating: A
THE GO-GO'S
Photo courtesy of Fine Point Films
The seminal 80's band The Go-Go's is at the center of the new documentary bearing the same name; fans of the group will be pleased, but others will be left scratching their heads. The narrative follows the ladies of the trailblazing group through their ups and downs, and that focus, unfortunately, follows the A-B-C structure of most music documentaries. While pace picks up a bit toward the end, "The Go-Go's" a movie mostly for die hard fans of the group.
Rating: B-
LUXOR
Photo courtesy of Creative Artists Agency
Hana (Andrea Riseborough) has returned to the city of Luxor after a long absence. Her former life brought her there as an aid worker, and her return is accompanied by skeletons in her closet, specifically old flame Sultan. As the past is uncovered "Luxor" spins its wheels, never fully engaging its audience.
Rating: C
ACASA, MY HOME
Photo courtesy of Manifest Film
After living for twenty years in the wilderness, several children and their families were captured and thrown out, forced to adapt to city life by any means necessary. That is the basis for the new documentary "Acasa, My Home," and it's a fascinating tale. The way these families are treated after only knowing a certain way of life is brutal, and while the film loses its focus a bit toward the end, it still makes for an engaging watch.
Rating: B-
HIGH TIDE
Photo courtesy of Vega Cine
Laura (Gloria Carra) has contracted some local workers to help build an addition to her lavish home in the outskirts of town. When one of those men catches her eye, flirtation turned to paranoia as the tables are turned on the confined heroine and she must fight to keep her sanity.
Rating: B
LA LEYENDA NEGRA
Photo courtesy of Patricia Delgado Productions, LLC
An undocumented teenager must fight to stay in Los Angeles in the new film, "La Leyenda Negra." It's a modern look at immigration, and how it shapes the people around us.
Rating: B
IDENTIFYING FEATURES
Photo courtesy of Corpulenta
When a distraught Mexican mother gets the news that her son died trying to cross the US border, she doesn't believe a word of it. Instead, she investigates the case herself in the hope that her son might still be alive in this story of love and survival.
Rating: B-
