Authors: Alexander Ortega
Review: The Lobster
The Lobster is an Orwellian black comedy, and Lanthimos’ capacity for dystopia seems boundless. … read more
Local Reviews: Philosofist
Holy bajoley, Batman, this really is a knuckle sandwich. As they hint with their very name, Philosofist deftly combines thoughtful musicianship with execution that gets my body swaying and hand-fists punching. Each track in Obstruction Of Moustache stands by itself as its own work of art, starkly different from its siblings. … read more
Local Reviews: The Hung Ups
(First and foremost, I need to apologize to The Hung Ups for not getting to this album in time: I’ve played with these guys and they’re fucking awesome. Hands down, they deliver pissy-yet-poppy punk rock that’s in your face with no compromises. All these members have been in the Salt Lake/Utah scene for years now, and they really know how to fuck shit up. Sorry guys, have a round on me. On to the review.) The Hung Ups’ self-titled release hearkens back to the simple pop punk stylings of The Descendents with songs dealing with skating, girls and all-American pizza pies. … read more
Local Reviews: Tough Tittie
Tough Tittie are hitting us with a five-song EP plus the entire album Pink Roid Rage all on one disc. From the first track on the Stomach Transplant portion, “The Introducer,” Tough Tittie takes the goofiness of the Weirdos and reformulates it into a bar-band punk style. … read more
Sundance Film Review: The Land of the Enlightened
Shot on 16-mm. film, The Land of the Enlightened vibrantly fuses documentary filmmaking with fictive storytelling dynamics. The film illuminates the lifestyles of a handful Afghans amid continued U.S. occupation, and also examines the feelings and tensions of sustained U.S. presence in the country. What’s more, this film treats its viewers to the stunning natural beauty of Afghanistan. … read more
Sundance Film Review: The Lobster
In a dystopian future, David must find a partner in 45 days, or else he will be transformed into an animal of his choice. Yorgos Lanthimos’ The Lobster bears witness to the process by which David seeks a mate against this impending consequence. Mind-warping twists abound in this film—The Lobster does not disappoint. … read more
Sundance Film Review: The Eyes of My Mother
My mouth was agape for much of The Eyes of My Mother. Borrowing from horror yet far from it, this film by director Nicolas Pesce disturbs the emotions that accompany our love for our family—our mothers, our fathers and our children—with violence and morbidity. … read more
Sundance Film Review: Wild
Dog may be man’s best friend, but Ania’s lover is a wolf. Director Nicolette Krebitz’s Wild shows Ania (Lilith Stangenberg) in a state of apathy toward her surroundings. She puts up with patriarchal men at her office job and must suffer through her sister’s boyfriend who rudely interrupts their video chats. … read more
Sundance Film Review: Sky Ladder – The Art of Cai...
Sky Ladder pulled me in with its gorgeous cinematography that beautifully captures the color that Cai uses in his artwork. … read more
Sundance Film Review: My Friend from the Park
My Friend from the Park Sundance Film Festival Director: Ana Katz Directed by Ana Katz, My Friend from the Park shows Liz caring for her infant son, Nicanor, in Argentina. Her husband, Gustavo, is working abroad in Chile on a documentary about a volcano. Nicanor’s pediatrician encourages Liz to take him to the park so
Sundance Film Review: The Lure
I would equate Agnieszka Smoczyńska’s The Lure to Twin Peaks + The Forbidden Zone + Grease + Ministry + Rose McDowell. … read more
Sundance Film Review: The Fits
Toni (Royalty Hightower) trains in the boxing gym with the boys in The Fits. She executes more sit-ups than I could dream of doing at this stage in my life—the same with pull-ups. Her jabs look mean. … read more
