#SUNDANCE: “WRITING WITH FIRE”
By Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong
This inspiring Documentary follows the ambitious women who work at India’s only all-female news network Khabar Lahariya. We watch as this group of Dalit women switch from print to digital, armed with smartphones and invigorated to correct injustices. Their conviction and passion lead them to question their government, the caste system, patriarchy and more.
Directors Rintu Thomas and Sushmit Ghosh’s decision to focus-in on Chief Reporter, Meera, a ...
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#SUNDANCE: “SEARCHERS”
By Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong
This Documentary interviews New Yorkers as they navigate online dating during the summer of 2020. Dating is difficult enough, whether using matching-making apps or doing it the old fashioned way. But then the pandemic hit and a need for human connection became even stronger. This is at the heart of Documentarian Pancho Velez’s latest.
Velez places his subjects in front of the lens as they scroll through their preferred apps. This could become dull, ...
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#SUNDANCE: “MASS”
Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong
Years after a mass shooting at a high school, two sets of parents —Richard (Reed Birney), Linda (Ann Dowd), Jay (Jason Isaacs), and Gail (Martha Plimpton) — meet to discuss the tragedy. The interaction is going to be tense. Jay and Gail’s son was killed in the mass shooting by Richard and Linda’s son.
Writer-Director Fran Krantz’s debut Feature is a heartbreaking look at the aftermath of tragedy. He examines guilt, ...
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#SUNDANCE: “PASSING”
Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong
Irene (Tessa Thompson) is an upper-class 1920s woman who lives in Harlem with her husband, Brian (André Holland), and their two sons. One day, while out at the Grand Tearoom in New York City’s Drayton Hotel, she runs into an old high school acquaintance, Clare (Ruth Negga). She finds out that Clare has been passing as white. Her ability to pass is proven as Irene learns she’s married to a white man (Alexander Skarsgård) and have ...
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#SUNDANCE: “MA BELLE, MY BEAUTY”
By Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong
Newlywed musicians Bertie (Idella Johnson) and Fred (Lucien Guignard) are adjusting to their new life in the countryside of France. This new lifestyle is easy for Fred but Bertie is grappling with depression that’s affecting her singing. However, a change begins happening with Bertie when their former shared lover Lane (Hannah Pepper), surprisingly shows up for a visit.
Director-Screenwriter Marion Hill takes audiences through the desires of three ...
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#SUNDANCE: “I WAS A SIMPLE MAN”
Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong
I Was A Simple Man is set on the North Shore of Oahu, Hawai’i. It follows Masao (Steve Iwamoto) and his family through three different time periods. From the pre-World War II sugar plantations of Oahu to Hawai'i statehood, to the present gentrification of Honolulu. In the present, Masao is facing his imminent death and is visited by ghosts of his past, including his wife Grace (Constance Wu).
Writer-Director ...
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#COOKING: SHRIMP SHAKSHUA RECIPE
Shrimp Shakshuka. "Shakshuka" is a Tunisian term for "mixture" and it is one of our favourite brunch items! Fancy, ethnic name aside this dish is incredibly delicious, comforting and real easy to make. Soft-poached eggs in crushed tomatoes, peppers and onions. Topped with some Goat Cheese. And some bread to sop it all up! While this Israeli favourite doesn't contain shrimp normally, we're doing it!
Ingredients: 1 28 oz can of crushed San Marzano Tomatoes 12 large shrimp 4-6 eggs 3 Roma ...
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#SUNDANCE: “ON THE COUNT OF THREE”
Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong
Best friends Val (Jerrod Carmichael) and Kevin (Christopher Abbott) are having a tough go of it. Val is feeling out of control in his life being stuck at a job he hates and the fear of becoming a father. Kevin tried to kill himself three days ago and now sits in a psychiatric hospital attempting to convince the doctors he’s fine. When Val visits Kevin he decides to break him out. This leads to the two make a pact to end their lives by ...
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#SUNDANCE: “JOHN AND THE HOLE”
Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong
While flying his drone, 13-year-old John (Charlie Shotwell) discovers an unfinished bunker in the woods near his family's isolated home. Without any provocation, he drugs his parents (Michael C. Hall and Jennifer Ehle) and older sister (Taissa Farmiga) and places their unconscious bodies into the bunker. While they are held captive, John heads to their home free to do what he wants.
Screenwriter Nicolás ...
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#SUNDANCE: “HOW IT ENDS”
Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong
On the day an asteroid is set to obliterate the world, Liza (Zoe Lister-Jones) decides to head to a friend’s end of the world party. But before she gets there, she intends to right her regrets. With her metaphysical younger self (Cailee Spaeny) beside her, the two walk around the deserted LA Hills. Along the way, they run into strangers and friends seeing how they’re spending their last living day.
How It Ends has a funny premise ...
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