#SUNDANCE: “CUSP”

Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

Cusp follows three teenage girls through one summer in their Texas town.

Directors Parker Hill and Isabel Bethencourt have given us a snapshot reminder of what it’s like to be a female adolescent. We watch as these girls make impulsive decisions, like getting a piercing, and partaking in underage drinking and recreational drug use. However, Hill and Bethencourt have done more than simply scratch the surface of American girlhood, thanks to their subjects. 

Brittany, Autumn and Aaloni speak honestly about their life: past, present and dreams of their future. Through nights partying around a campfire or chilling in a room, they open up and discuss their harrowing experiences. We listen, and sometimes bare witness, to issues within their household. We observe them speak and experience a range of mental, emotional, verbal and physical abuse. At its most heartbreaking are the stories of sexual violence some of them have endured. 

Through listening and witnessing to Brittany, Autumn and Aaloni, we see the complexity of femininity and resilience of girlhood. Overall, Cusp is a rewarding, difficult watch.

Cusp screens at Sundance:

Live Premiere: January 30 at 6 PM (EST)

On-Demand (available for 24 hours): February 1 at 10 AM (EST)

#SUNDANCE: “PRISONERS OF THE GHOSTLAND”

Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

A ruthless banker, aptly named Hero (Nicolas Cage), sits in a cell in the treacherous frontier city of Samurai Town. He gets a chance to seek redemption when he’s hired by the despicable Governor (Bill Moseley) to find one of his missing employees (Sofia Boutella), who he considers his adopted granddaughter. But this journey isn’t going to be easy. The granddaughter is being held a prisoner of the Ghostland, a place no one escapes from. And if Hero doesn’t bring her back within 5 days, the leather suit he’s forced to wear will detonate.

Popular Japanese Filmmaker Sion Sono creates a post-apocalyptic Western that’s just the right kind of bonkers. He’s working off a Script by Co-writers Aaron Hendry and Reza Sixo Safai that tells a mythical journey filled with ghosts, gunslingers and more. One of the greatest scenes happens toward the end. The main fight sequence, that’s expertly shot, is entertaining, funny, and has some splashes of gore. The Film is perfect for a midnight audience and a match for Cage.

The heightened performance style Cage has become known for, labelled Cage Rage by fans, thrives in Prisoners of the Ghostland. His acting matches Sono’s vision and atmosphere. The script offers many characters to give unhinged performances. That extends to some of the lesser-explored female characters working for The Governor. These actors make an impact with great delivery of one-liners and reaction shots.

Although people might come for Cage, they stay for the talented Boutella. She’s written and thought to be the damsel character, but by the end, she becomes a hero for herself and a friend under the Governor’s rule. It’s wonderful to watch her go from voiceless to a sword-wielding fighter. This is refreshing to see in a film where the main character’s name is Hero. But then again, Prisoners of the Ghostland is a mixed bag that is liberated of genre conventions.

Overall, this isn’t going to be a film every audience will love. But it’s an entertaining, wacky ride that is visually stunning thanks to Sono’s creative vision.

Prisoners of the Ghostland screens at Sundance:

Live Premiere: January 31 at 9 PM (EST)

On-Demand (available for 24 hours): February 2 at 10 AM (EST)

#SUNDANCE: “JOCKEY”

Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

Aging jockey Jackson (Clifton Collins Jr.) has become weathered due to decades on the riding circuit. After noticing changes in his hand, he learns he’s facing a debilitating illness. Realizing this might be his last championship race, he practises with the help of trainer Ruth (Molly Parker) and a promising young horse. Further changes begin happening in Jackson’s life when young jockey, Gabriel (Moisés Arias), claims to be his son.

Director and Co-Writer Clint Bentley has brought audiences into the life of a middle-aged jockey. We witness the importance of the relationship between jockey, trainer and horse. And while peaking on the men who ride, we learn of the costs to body and mind. Bentley’s shots, with help from the talents of Director of Photography Adolpho Veloso, of the Arizona sunsets against the stables and track, are breathtaking. They collide with the heartbreaking performance from Collins Jr.

He steers this touching portrait of a man facing the sunset of his career. He embodies a complex man who has spent his life at something that is about to be ripped away from him. He excels particularly in Jackson‘s refusal to accept Gabriel as his son. And then slowly exposing the hope that grows in believing he might be. Collins Jr. and Arias have beautiful chemistry that leaps from the screen. They depict two men at different stages of their career: one ending, one beginning. We get to see the excitement of beginning in the career you yearn for, and the anguish in watching it slip away. 

Arias is strong as Gabriel whose aspiration and ambition are palpable. He’s best in quiet scenes between Gabriel and Jackson discussing the passion for the sport. Additionally, Parker is a standout as empathetic Ruth. She exudes both Ruth’s hunger for a win and her care for Jackson’s condition.

Jockey is a poignant look at the desires of career and family. It brings us right into the world of being a jockey and its taxing costs to the body. Further, it’s an exploration of the importance of family; whether it be through blood or spirit.

Jockey screens at Sundance:

Live Premiere: January 31 at 6 PM (EST)

On-Demand (available for 24 hours): February 2 at 10 AM (EST)

#COOKING: ROY CHOI “GHETTO DOUGHNUTS” RECIPE

Roy Choi’s “Ghetto Doughnuts”. We learned of this handy recipe from watching SELENA + CHEF. Who wouldn’t want doughnuts at home in minutes? These are so simple, quick and satisfying. While Roy normally fries these in Crisco, I did these in the Air Fryer with a brush of coconut oil and honestly, they’re still great and if anything healthier than deep frying. Try them out!

Ingredients:

1 tube of Pillsbury Country Biscuit Dough
1/2 cup granulated organic sugar
3 tbsps black sesame, toasted
1 tsp cinnamon

Coconut Oil

Instructions:

1. Preheat Air Fryer at 360°F for 3-4 minutes.
2. Dough is already pre-portioned (10) so transfer portions to a platter and brush each side of dough with coconut oil. If you like, you can cut holes in the pieces with a round cutter and use those as doughnut holes.
3. Place 4-5 pieces into Air Fryer at a time. Fry for about 7 minutes.
4. While frying, combine sugar, cinnamon and sesame in a large bowl.
5. Once doughnuts are cooked, brush again with some coconut oil and transfer to sugar mixture. If having trouble adhering, use your hand and sprinkle sugar mixture on-top.
6. Transfer doughnuts to a serving platter.
7. Store in air-tight container for a day at room temperature. Blitz quickly in the microwave before serving for a refresh.

Gallery:

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#SUNDANCE: “VIOLATION

By Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

Miriam (Madeleine Sims-Fewer) joins her husband, sister and brother-in-law Dylan (Jesse LaVercombe) on a relaxing trip to a lakeside cabin. As Miriam feels more isolated among the group, she seeks comfort in her friendship with Dylan. However, dynamics change when Miriam experiences an act of transgressive sexual assault. After carefully planning, Miriam embarks on a crusade to get revenge on her vicious assaulter.

Directing and Screenwriting Duo Sims-Fewer and Dusty Mancinelli create an enthralling Revenge Thriller, giving Canada representation at Sundance. Prior filmmakers have tackled the rape-revenge genre, but none have done it like this. Their story is rooted in documenting how acts of sexual violence happen more often from those we trust. That is part of the violation they focus on, which is a unique take on this genre.

Violation is a revenge tale with an intelligent lead. Miriam thoroughly plans exactly what she’s going to do and how she’ll get away with it. This creates a fortifying character who doesn’t solely act out of emotion, but also wit. Sims-Fewer and Mancinelli also root their brutal film in authenticity. Because Miriam is physically smaller than her attacker, each scene is seeping in suspense and fear that her plan may turn eerie. And their build-up leads to a pivotal scene where Miriam loses the upper-hand. This is something that would happen to people with their physical differences. Thus, creating a realistic take on the dynamic within this Thriller.

Their realistic gaze coincides with their ability to throw us into the physical and emotional challenges Miriam faces. We are thrust into her thirst for revenge by the filmmaking-duo’s camera work, which causes us to become disoriented. This places us in Miriam’s state-of-mind throughout. And this is where Violation stands-out: it has something to say about the destructive power that comes along with the most righteous of rages. They challenge the audience to question if Miriam’s gruesome acts of revenge are giving her the catharsis she’s searching for.

Sims-Fewer does triple duty by taking on the main role. She gives a fully committed performance as Miriam and displays all of her characters complexities. At times Miriam could be considered going too far in her desire for revenge. But Sims-Fewer steadies Miriam in her quest and constantly portrays dual emotions. She’s both fragile and strong, vengeful and remorseful. It’s a masterful performance.

Overall, Violation is more than just a gruesome and brutal Revenge Thriller. It has a complex lead character and something to say about warranted vengeance. It’s a must watch.

Violation screens at Sundance:

Live Premiere: February 1 at 12 AM (EST)

On-demand (available for 24hrs): February 2 at 10 AM (EST)

#SUNDANCE: “MARVELOUS AND THE BLACK HOLE”

Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

Teenage delinquent Sammy Ko (Miya Cech) is going through a hard time. She’s still mourning the loss of her mother, and her father’s (Leonardo Nam) blooming relationship with Marianne (Pauline Lule) isn’t helping. However, life slowly becomes easier to handle when she has a chance encounter with magician Margot (Rhea Perlman). As Margot teaches Sammy the art of magic a bond develops that nourishes them both.

Marvelous and the Black Hole is a hilarious and heartwarming film. The central storyline involves a young girl dealing with her grief. This could slip into drama territory, but Writer-Director Kate Tsang builds her Script with honest humour that creates a quirky comedy. At the heart of her story is the theme of family. She takes us for a magical ride with two characters who are equally delightful — especially when Sammy is seeping in teenage angst.

Writing a young teen female character like Sammy, who smokes and has a short-fuse, is original on-screen. However, Sammy is an accurate depiction of the inner emotions and outward actions of many teenage girls (specifically those suffering). Tsang has perfectly cast this feisty and charming character with newcomer Cech. At such a young age she delivers each line like a pro, making us laugh and empathize from beginning to end. She has great chemistry with Perlman who is wonderful as Margot. 

As the story unfolds, we learn more about Margot and how she’s yearning for her long-lost family, just as Sammy aches for her mother. This is the tie that binds these two kooky characters together, along with the magic; which is exciting to watch, especially when done in one frame with no edits.

Marvelous and the Black Hole screens at Sundance:

Live Screening: January 31 at 12 PM (EST)

On-Demand (available for 24 hours): February 2 at 10 AM (EST)

#SUNDANCE: “TOGETHER TOGETHER”

Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

Writer-Director Nikole Beckwith’s second Feature is a beautiful portrait of platonic love during one of life’s most intimate experiences: pregnancy.

Middle-aged App Designer Matt (Ed Helms) wants nothing more than to be a father. There’s only one catch, he’s single. After interviewing gestational surrogates, he chooses 26-year-old Anna (Patti Harrison). Together Together follows them through each trimester, observing how these strangers grow into friends.

Helms is a joy to watch in a departure role in this Indie gem. He’s typically cast in goofball comedies as a stressed-out character. Here we see the range of his comedic and dramatic talents. He gives a heartwarming performance has an eager single father-to-be. Helms is great at showing the simmering anxiety below Matt’s calm exterior. Harrison is wonderful at expressing the emotional barriers Anna has created to protect herself. It’s lovely to watch her slowly take them down and admit to the connection she feels with Matt. They work brilliantly together at showing the platonic love written into Beckwith’s script. 

Together Together is a touching film about surrogacy and a rare cinematic examination of platonic relationships.

Together Together screens at Sundance:

Live Premiere: January 31 at 3 PM (EST)

On-Demand (available for 24 hours): February 2 at 10 AM (EST)

#SUNDANCE: “AT THE READY”

Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

At The Ready is an enthralling, insightful and all-around excellent Documentary.

It follows students at Horizon High School in El Paso, Texas who are enrolled in law enforcement classes and join the after-school program: Criminal Justice Club. The program puts students in mock-up situations in order to prepare them for a career with the police force, border patrol or DEA. The Documentary primarily focuses on Mexican-American students Mason (known as Kassy in the film), Cesar and recent graduate Cristina, who each strive toward their law enforcement aspirations.

The Documentary is set in 2018-2019, at which time migrants were seeking asylum at the U.S-Mexico border. The teachers of these classes and program ask the students to debate if what the Government was imposing was warranted. In these captivating scenes we witness the students respectfully and clearly voice their differing opinions. It’s inspiring to watch and insightful to listen to.

The Film is focused in these debates and the impact the Government orders have on those working within law enforcement. Director Maisie Crow also includes the Texas Senate Race which saw Ted Cruz beat Beto O’Rourke. All of these clips come together to show that law enforcement takes command from the Government. Yet, it’s the enforcement officers who many blame for carrying out the orders.

Crow directs this powerful Film in a way that makes audiences view enforcement officers as individuals rather than collective units. She humanizes the individuals working in these positions, allowing us to see the person and not the label. Therefore, we question our own opinions of these careers and those working within them. Crow does this while reminding us that there are good and bad people within every profession.

At the heart of the Documentary are the adolescents, primarily Mason, Cesar and Cristina. Each struggle with the Government’s orders, the realities of these jobs, and how they may be at odds with those they love most. It’s their stories that make At The Ready have immense emotional impact that will stay with us for years to come.

At The Ready screens at Sundance:

Live Premiere: January 31 at 12 PM (EST)

On-Demand (available for 24 hours): February 2 at 10 AM (EST)

#SUNDANCE: “IN THE EARTH”

Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

As a deadly virus is loose in the world, Dr Martin Lowery (Joel Fry) and park scout Alma (Ellora Torchia) embark on a mission to reach a research hub deep in the Arboreal Forest. However, their journey is set back after an attack that leads to a spiral of wicked events.

Writer-Director Ben Wheatley is back with this pandemic-filmed Horror, thriller that will make you happy you stayed home. In The Earth is a brutal trip into the forest to examine the desire humans seek with nature. 

This Film kicks into high-gear when Martin and Alma run into Zach (Reece Shearsmith), a man living illegally in the woods. At first, they believe he’s harmless, but things quickly turn sinister as they learn Zach has abandoned all science. Instead, he believes in hearing a commanding ‘power’ and completing rituals to honour it. It’s during their time with Zach that there are suspenseful, gruesome scenes involving stitching and severed toes.

Wheatley makes In The Earth a disorienting and visual feast with his use of strobe lights and piercing sound. Both thrust the audience into Martin and Alma’s unsettled positions. The entire Cast — Fry, Torchia, Shearsmith, and a delightfully complex Hayley Squires —is outstanding.

In The Earth screens at Sundance:

Live Premiere: January 29 at 9 PM (EST)

On-Demand (available for 24 hours): January 31 at 10 AM (EST)

#SUNDANCE: “WILD INDIAN”

Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

Years after covering-up a murder as teenagers, Makwa (Michael Greyeyes) and Ted-O (Chaske Spencer) must face the truth of what they did and who they’ve become.

Wild Indian has a storyline that has been done before, however, Writer-Director Lyle Mitchell Corbine Jr. makes it his own. Through Makwa, Corbine Jr. studies the trauma of familial abuse as a child, while showing the lasting effects into adulthood. Refreshingly, Corbine Jr. doesn’t create characters who are good or evil, they exist in between. Particularly Makwa who has experienced trauma and has committed acts of violence himself.

Greyeyes is commanding as Makwa and helps blurs the lines between the good and bad in his character. He’s at his best when his past threatens to rip away the established life he’s created for himself as an adult. This is where Corbine Jr’s script is also the strongest, seeing the lengths one will go to keep their past hidden and their idealized life intact. Additionally, Spencer gives a compelling performance as the accomplice friend who’s consumed with guilt.

Wild Indian screens at Sundance:

Live Premiere: January 30 at 3 PM (EST)

On-Demand (available for 24 hours): February 1 at 10 AM (EST)