screenzealots

[screenzealots]

"Wakhri (One of a Kind)"

Despite the repetitive nature of thematic bullet points, it's refreshing to see such a spirited female perspective represented in Pakistani cinema.

There’s a powerful effectiveness that flows from director and co-writer Iram Parveen Bilal‘s “Wakhri (One of a Kind),” a story that benefits from its strong female voice on the page and behind the camera. The film expresses the complexities surrounding women’s roles and their treatment in contemporary Pakistani society, wrapped within the harrowing journey of a widowed school teacher thrust into…

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#Bakhtawar Mazhar #Faryal Mehmood #Iram Parveen Bilal #Sohail Sameer #SXSW

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"Resynator"

A film that starts out with one goal in mind but midway through, takes an unexpected detour that’s surprising, sad, and cathartic to the filmmaker and her family.

The casual nature of director Alison Tavel’s documentary “Resynator” fits like a familiar glove, making it the perfect style for such a highly personal story. This is a film that starts out with one goal in mind but midway through, takes an unexpected detour that’s surprising, sad, and cathartic to the filmmaker and her family. When Tavel unearths the Resynator, a revolutionary synthesizer…

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#Alison Tavel #Documentary #SXSW

[screenzealots]

"Sew Torn"

Excellent visual storytelling offers a unique take on this multi-layered story about the choices we make.

Writer-director Freddy Macdonald has a good eye for directing, and his debut feature “Sew Torn” has a wonderfully suspenseful opening. Macdonald’s an excellent visual storyteller and despite some minor amateurish mistakes, this dark comedy thriller offers a unique and different take on a multi-layered story about the choices we make. Barbara (Eve Connolly) owns a mobile sewing business where she…

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#Calum Worthy #Eve Connolly #Freddy Macdonald #John Lynch #SXSW

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"Adrianne & The Castle"

This true story of love, loss, and the role of grief in the artistic process isn’t executed well. As a result, nothing about this documentary works.

I never found myself able to form any type of connection with the mediocre documentary “Adrianne & The Castle,” a love story featuring subjects that aren’t the slightest bit compelling. In director Shannon Walsh’s true story of love and loss, she explores the role of grief in the artistic process. The ideas are all there, but the film isn’t executed well and just doesn’t work.   Alan and…

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#Documentary #Shannon Walsh #SXSW

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"The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare"

A historical WWII film based on incredible true events that's lively, refreshing, and feels like it's operating on a different level of creativity and vision.

Blending fact and fiction, “The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare” isn’t the movie I expected, but it’s a movie I highly enjoyed. Fully embracing his signature slick visual style, action-packed storytelling, and sly wit, director Guy Ritchie has made a historical WWII film based on incredible true events that’s lively, refreshing, and feels like it’s operating on a different level of creativity…

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#Alan Ritchson #Alex Pettyfer #Cary Elwes #Eiza González #Freddie Fox #Guy Ritchie #Henry Cavill #Henry Golding #Rory Kinnear #Til Schweiger

[screenzealots]

"Love Lies Bleeding"

I absolutely adored the bold and audacious “Love Lies Bleeding,” director Rose Glass’ sordid story of romance, violence, and redemption. Combining a lesbian love story with a brawny thriller, this gritty, bloody, and brash film was one of my favorites to come out of this year’s Sundance Film Festival. Lou (Kristen Stewart), a reclusive gym worker who spends her days mopping floors, unclogging…

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#Anna Baryshnikov #Dave Franco #Ed Harris #Jena Malone #Katy O&039;Brian #Kristen Stewart #Rose Glass #Sundance

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"Backspot"

While the story may not be particularly original, the film's strength lies in its authentic portrayal of teenage life and the complexities of relationships both on and off the mat.

“Backspot,” offers a refreshing take on the world of cheerleading, presenting it not just as a flashy spectacle, but as a serious sport filled with dedicated athletes striving for perfection. Director D.W. Waterson captures the modern world of the sport with her story of a teenager who is defined by her drive, determination, ambition, and genuine love of competition. Riley (Devery Jacobs) is a…

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#D.W. Waterson #Devery Jacobs #Evan Rachel Wood #Sundance #SXSW #TIFF

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"Abigail"

With a wicked sense of humor, slightly taunting tone, talented cast, and plenty of bloody gore, this is one entertaining horror ride from start to finish.

I feel like “Abigail” is going to be one of those horror movies that audiences and genre fans really like. This latest project from Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett has everything you’d want in a film, and it delivers on them all. From its wicked sense of humor and slightly taunting tone to its fully committed, talented cast and plenty of bloody gore, this is one entertaining ride from…

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#Alisha Weir #Angus Cloud #Dan Stevens #Giancarlo Esposito #Guy Busick #Kathryn Newton #Kevin Durand #Matt Bettinelli-Olpin #Melissa Barrera #Stephen Shields #Tyler Gillett #William Catlett

[screenzealots]

"Ghostlight"

A sad and smart comedy / drama about the healing power of the arts that will make you laugh and cry in equal measure.

You’ll feel a wide range of emotions when watching co-directors Kelly O’Sullivan and Alex Thompson’s “Ghostlight,” a sad and smart comedy / drama that will make you laugh and cry in equal measure. It’s a story about the power of the arts to heal and give purpose, but also the true adage that art often imitates life. After an outburst on the job and subsequent suspension, construction worker Dan…

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#Alex Thompson #Dolly De Leon #Katherine Mallen Kupferer #Keith Kupferer #Kelly O&039;Sullivan #Sundance #SXSW #Tara Mallen

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"We’re All Gonna Die"

A clever, inventive, low-budget film that defies expectations with its highly creative storytelling, imaginative use of limited resources, and surprisingly heartfelt narrative.

The clever, inventive, low-budget gem “We’re All Gonna Die” defies expectations with its highly creative storytelling and imaginative use of limited resources. Co-directed by Matthew Arnold and Freddie Wong, this quirky indie film takes audiences on a wild ride through the end of civilization, blending elements of humor, grief, and hope into a surprisingly heartfelt narrative. The story centers…

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#Ashly Burch #Freddie Wong #Jordan Rodrigues #Matthew Arnold #SXSW

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"Hunting Daze"

I like being surprised by a film, and this one did it effectively and often, subverting expectations at almost every turn.  

With its mix of horror, pitch black drama, and psychological thriller, “Hunting Daze” delivers an unpredictable viewing experience. Writer / director Annick Blanc takes audiences on a disturbing journey into the darkest depths of human nature in her story about identity, belonging, and the consequences of reckless behavior. I like being surprised by a film, and this one did it effectively and…

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#Annick Blanc #Marc Beaupré #Maxime Genois #Nahéma Ricci #SXSW

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"Natatorium"

The obtuse nature of the storytelling is frustrating, but there’s enough thematically interesting about this psychological thriller to earn it a mild recommendation.

Rampant manipulation, unsettling familial power dynamics, and years of estrangement set the tone for “Natatorium,” writer / director Helena Stefansdottir’s dark, slow-burn psychological thriller. It’s a well made, tense film that manages to remain interesting, even if the easily-solvable mystery and eventual reveal prove to be a bit of a letdown.   Awaiting the results of her audition for a…

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#Elin Petersdottir #Helena Stefansdottir #Ilmur María Arnarsdóttir #Jónas Alfreð Birkisson #Stefania Berndsen #SXSW

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"The In Between"

The pacing is painfully slow and the storytelling leisurely lyrical, which both prove to be extremely frustrating.

“The In Between” is a heartfelt yet modest film that treads the delicate line between personal memoir and cultural exploration. From its low-quality, grainy visuals and unfortunately sluggish pacing, it’s evident that this production was made on a shoestring budget. Within its unassuming framework lies a story that feels deeply personal and genuine, even if it’s not well executed as a…

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#Robie Flores #SXSW

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"Frida"

A must-see for lovers of art and admirers of Kahlo's works, but those seeking to broaden their horizons will find the film easily accessible.

Director Carla Gutierrez’s documentary “Frida” offers a deeply intimate journey through the tumultuous life, passionate relationships, and stunning works created by the legendary artist Frida Kahlo. With most of her story told through Kahlo’s most famous (and also rarely seen) drawings and paintings, Gutierrez has crafted an enchanting documentary about the icon that will make art lovers…

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#Carla Gutierrez #Frida Kahlo #Sundance

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"Brandy Hellville & the Cult of Fast Fashion"

A damning exposé of the dark, toxic underbelly of the clothing industry, told through the controversial Brandy Melville fashion brand.

Documentary “Brandy Hellville & the Cult of Fashion” is a damning exposé of the dark underbelly of the clothing industry, focusing its lens on the controversial brand Brandy Melville and its toxic impact not only on its core customer base of teenage girls, but also the detrimental effects fast fashion has on the global environment. Directed by Eva Orner, this documentary shines a harsh light on…

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#Documentary #Eva Orner #SXSW

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"The Uninvited"

Set within the confines of a palatial Hollywood Hills home, “The Uninvited” presents a captivating exploration of female issues, including the delicate act of balancing motherhood with a career, aging, and the relentless pressures of society’s impossible beauty standards. In her thought-provoking debut feature, writer / director Nadia Conners crafts a sharp and clever story that unfolds against…

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#Elizabeth Reaser #Eva De Dominici #Lois Smith #Nadia Conners #Roland Rubio #Rufus Sewell #SXSW #Walton Goggins

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"Wicked Little Letters"

The deliciously vulgar “Wicked Little Letters” is a foul-mouthed, mild-mannered comedy that brings a farcical letter writing scandal to a 1920s English seaside town. Based on a true story, this is a tale of misogyny, hypocrisy, repression, and female rage against overly restrictive and discriminatory societal norms. Director Thea Sharrock and screenwriter Jonny Sweet don’t break a lot of new…

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#Anjana Vasan #Jessie Buckley #Jonny Sweet #Olivia Colman #Thea Sharrock #TIFF