Jamie (Michael Cera) an American living in Chile, and his Chilean friend Champa (Juan Andrés Silva) have made plans to go on a road trip into the desert and ingest the psychedelic San Pedro cactus with Champa’s younger brothers (Agustín and José Miguel Silva). While at a house party the night before the trip, Jamie smokes weed, snorts coke and accidentally invites the hippie girl he just met to go on the trip with him. By morning, Jamie has forgotten about the previous night and the boys hit the road. But the girl (Gaby Hoffman), and American who calls herself Crystal Fairy, hasn’t forgotten—she’s on a bus to the desert and calls Jamie, asking to be picked up. … read more
Slamdance Film Review: He’s Way More Famous Than You
The rise of fall of celebrities can either be a sad or amusing thing to watch. But in the film, He’s Way More Famous Than You, director Michael Urie (Ugly Betty, Partners) depicts the latter, with a heavily satirical take on the film industry. … read more
Slamdance Film Review: I Want To Be An American
This collective documentary depicts seven short films from seven different directors, the first of its kind to screen at Slamdance. Unlike other short blocks, which screen several unique films back-to-back, the directors of each short build on the ideas of the previous one. … read more
Sundance Film Review: Big Sur
Punching thru death clouds suffocating the New Zion, foot glued to accelerator with guitar chord change feedback shrieks into high-altitude circle jerk of starfuckers and art cannibals and humble unseen angels to stash auto in strip mall, take pre-noon flask pulls in tribute in anticipation of a dead reluctant god’s silver screen flashback, Jean-Marc Barr is Kerouac incarnate and Polish… … read more
Slamdance Film Review: Pearl Was Here
From the moment you see the seven-year-old Pearl, her big, brown eyes and curious gaze instantly grab your attention. Something tells you that mischief is a close friend of hers. … read more
Slamdance Film Review: Ghost Team One
Although the majority of Slamdance films tend to either be gripping documentaries or dramatic narratives, Ghost Team One is the complete opposite of both. There’s nothing to learn or gain from this film, as the only point is to make you laugh—and that it does. … read more
Slamdance Film Review: Visitors
When a son gives his father a degrading nickname like “the visitor,” that usually indicates their relationship is not going too well. But even though this is a German film with subtitles, director Constanze Knoche delivers a dramatic story that easily translates across language barriers. … read more
Slamdance Film Review: Kohlhaas
After production pulls the funding for his 16th-century film about Hans Kohlhase, director Lehmann (Robert Gwisdek)—yes, the director in the film is named after the director of the film—refuses to abandon his dream and begs his cast and crew to help him finish filming. … read more
Sundance Film Review: In a World…
The concept to immerse a film in the competitive world of movie trailer voice-over gigs is certainly an original notion. Lake Bell, who makes her directorial debut, has molded a hilarious well-rounded romantic comedy that is filled with heart, soul and a handful of delightfully awkward moments. … read more
Sundance Film Review: Stories We Tell
In this unique and introspective documentary, Canadian actress/director Sarah Polley (Away From Her, Take This Waltz) compiles a narrative around the life of her mother, actress Diane Polley, who died when Sarah was 11 years old, and the mystery surrounding a specific time period, which leads to a surprising discovery. … read more
Sundance Film Festival: Cutie and the Boxer
Cutie and the Boxer, more than anything, is a beautiful love story. In this fantastic directorial debut, Zachary Heinzerling captures the tumultuous and oftentimes dissatisfying relationship between Japanese artists Ushio and Noriko Shinohara. … read more
Sundance Film Review: Soldate Jeannette
Fanni tries on an expensive dress at an upscale fashion boutique. After much deliberation, she buys the dress. She dumps it into a mailbox just outside the boutique. Fanni’s landlord and his lawyer walk into her posh apartment. She offers them matcha tea, and they tell her she’s being evicted that afternoon because three years’ rent is past due. … read more
