It's January again, which means it's time for another Sundance Film Festival. The original plan for 2022 was to host a hybrid event - with the usual in-person screenings in Park City, Utah as well as online screenings. But they had to cancel the in-person event again thanks to the pandemic, returning to an entirely virtual / online event like last year. (Along with a few satellite screenings in select cities around the country.) This is our 16th year in a row covering this film festival; I'm always looking forward to returning and watching all the new films premiering at Sundance. Out of the 83 films showing at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival, I've picked 10 films that I'm looking forward to seeing the most. To keep things well balanced, I've chosen 5 feature films and 5 documentaries from the line-up. There's a few gems in the line-up already. As usual with Sundance, you never can really tell what'll good or bad before the fest kicks off, but here's my picks anyway. https://onfs.net/3qFBJ62

"Do something about it!!" Vertical Ent. + Roadside Attractions have revealed the first official trailer for The Desperate Hour, an intense "real time" thriller starring Naomi Watts as a mother. This one originally premiered at the 2021 Toronto Film Festival last year under the title Lakewood (a reference to the suburb in Los Angeles where this takes place), but because it received so many bad reviews, they decided to give it a different name. A mother on a jog in the woods desperately races against time to return and save her child as authorities place her small town on lockdown following a school shooting. In addition to Watts, the cast features Colton Gobbo and Sierra Maltby. The screenplay is written by the same writer as the thriller films Buried, ATM, Mercy, and Greenland. This definitely looks very suspenseful, but the big twist partway through this trailer is a bit strange. So that's what she tries to do? Huh... Not really sure that's a good idea. https://onfs.net/3Ko3rfp

"A LOT of people knew." Showtime has unveiled the first official trailer for a provocative new docu-series titled We Need To Talk About Cosby - which is the perfect title for this documentary about the downfall of Bill Cosby. Or more accurately, the truth will be revealed. "Through archival footage, Cosby reveals who he may have been all along – the antithesis of the principled, public figure" that everyone knew (and loved) when he was on TV. It's directed by comedian W. Kamau Bell and it's premiering at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival before it begins streaming at the end of January. Bell, who grew up idolizing Cosby, unpacks how Cosby's desire for power, which propelled his professional success, could be the same driving force that motivated his alleged crimes against women. We Need To Talk About Cosby peels back complex layers, portraying the genius performer, philanthropist and role model, contrasted by the accused sexual predator that now defines him. Offers viewers the chance to reconsider Cosby's mark in a society where rape culture, toxic masculinity, capitalism, white supremacy are shaping how we re-evaluate sex, power & agency. Damn. https://onfs.net/3FHldXu

"I'm going on a walkabout." XYZ Films has released a full-length official trailer for King Knight, an indie dark comedy about a leader of a coven of witches and his downfall. Set to open in February this year. The first teaser landed last year during its festival run. Matthew Gray Gubler & Angela Sarafyan star in this comedy as Thorn & Willow, husband-and-wife high priest and priestess of a coven of witches in California - basically a hippie commune. When Willow unearths a secret from Thorn's past, their lives are thrown into turmoil and Thorn ventures out on a journey of self-discovery. The film's cast includes Nelson Franklin, Johnny Pemberton, Barbara Crampton, Ray Wise, Andy Milonakis, and the voices of Aubrey Plaza and AnnaLynne McCord. Oh yes this trailer finally leans into the totally wacky, weird crazy stuff going on in this. Right down to the pine-cone heads, third eye, and funky animated sequences. Bring it on. https://onfs.net/3fCsdKw

"I'm here to unmask the truth about this city." In addition to two new posters debuted by Twitter today, a new 60-second TV trailer for The Batman has made its way online. This follows up the fun "The Bat and The Cat" trailer from a few weeks ago. But the focus in this one is on the classic villain The Riddler, played by Paul Dano in this film. Who's ready for another slice of Batman? Warner Bros has dropped a new trailer for Matt Reeves' The Batman dubbed "The Bat and The Cat" about the Batman vs Catwoman feud in the movie. We've already featured numerous trailers, including the full trailer and an extra Japanese trailer with more footage. While in his second year of fighting crime, Batman uncovers corruption in Gotham City that connects to his own family while facing a deranged serial killer. The Batman stars Robert Pattinson as the "Caped Crusader", with Andy Serkis as Alfred, Zoe Kravitz as Selina, Jeffrey Wright as Gordon, plus Colin Farrell as Cobblepot, John Turturro as Falcone, Peter Sarsgaard. These trailers could not be more perfect - just the right amount of awesome footage to keep the hype going. Vengeance has arrived. https://onfs.net/3FLvNN3

"There isn't much time... and you're deteriorating very quickly. Lionsgate has revealed an official US trailer for Expired, an intriguing sci-fi thriller from Australia set in the future in a "neon-drenched" world similar to Blade Runner. In a futuristic Hong Kong, young assassin Jack crosses paths with a nightclub singer. As Jack becomes increasingly drawn to April, his body mysteriously deteriorates. Jack tracks down reclusive life extension scientist Dr. Bergman, who unearths Jack’s long buried secret and is forced to confront his own murky past. "Every frame encourages life and emotion, an optimism as much as heartache, of what could be, and what will be." Ryan Kwanten and Hugo Weaving star with Jillian Nguyen as April. This looks very cool, I can't deny with this footage, I just hope the rest holds up. This trailer also has a rad score. https://onfs.net/33S5uHz

"I live to fight." Well Go USA has revealed the a new official US trailer for The Pilot, originally known as Лётчик (Letchik) in Russian. This opened in Russia last December, and is one of three new Russian movies from the last few years made about pilots during World War II surviving after crash landing. We posted the trailer for V2 Escape from Hell last year. December of 1941, Northwestern Front. During a mission to stop the enemy advance, Nikolai Komlev's IL-2 is shot down. Komlev manages to crash-land his plane. He's alive, but far from friendly territory. Ahead of him is a relentless trial of severe physical and mental endurance. After battling hunger and extreme cold, evading packs of wolves and detachments of Nazi soldiers out to find him, the wounded Komlev finally nears the homefront. Pyotr Fyodorov stars as Komlev, with Anna Peskova, Pavel Osadchy, Maksim Emelyanov, and Nikoloz Paikridze. Another action packed story about how heroic it is to fight for your country. They never stop making these films, all about that heroism. https://onfs.net/33zlLS8

"This woman you're dealing with... she needs to be stopped!" Netflix has unveiled the official trailer for a martial arts action film titled Fistful of Vengeance, made by a Dutch filmmaker named Roel Reiné. A revenge mission becomes a fight to save the world from an ancient threat when superpowered assassin Kai tracks a killer to Bangkok, Thailand. Kai Jin, a young Chinatown chef in present day San Francisco, becomes entangled with the Chinese Triad's pursuit of deadly ancient powers known as the "Wu Xing". Iko Uwais stars with Lewis Tan, Lawrence Kao, and Pearl Thusi in this fast-and-furious martial arts action film. Also featuring JuJu Chan Szeto, Jason Tobin, and Yayaying Rhatha Phongam. This is a crazy cool, fully action-packed trailer with all kinds of fun characters and fight scenes. I dig it! Looks like a good time. https://onfs.net/32mF7JK

"The heart breaks... music escapes... that's how it gets out." Apple TV+ has unveiled the first official trailer for The Sky is Everywhere, an uplifting new film made by acclaimed filmmaker Josephine Decker - of the films Madeline's Madeline and Shirley recently. For some reason this is skipping festivals entirely and debuting directly on Apple for streaming in February. A shy, teenage musician tries to keep things together in the aftermath of her older, more outgoing sister's death. When Joe, the charismatic new guy at school, enters Lennie's life, she's drawn to him. But Lennie's complicated relationship with her sister's devastated boyfriend, Toby, starts to affect Lennie and Joe's budding love. Through her vivid imagination and honest, conflicted heart, Lennie navigates first love and first loss. Starring Grace Kaufman as Lennie, with Jason Segel, Cherry Jones, Pico Alexander, Ji-young Yoo, Julia Schlaepfer, and Jacques Colimon as Joe. Um wow this looks extraordinary! So much creativity in every scene, all the colors & magical moments. https://onfs.net/3qNmXu6

"The boys are ready for action!" Disney revealed another short new trailer for The Beatles: Get Back - The Rooftop Concert, a special one-hour cut of the epic documentary, that will be playing exclusively in IMAX theaters. This version focuses on the final part of the 4-hour doc series by Peter Jackson, when they come together for their concert performed on the rooftop in London. The doc film features in-studio footage that was shot in early 1969 for their 1970 film Let It Be. "Made entirely from never-before-seen, restored footage, it provides the most intimate and honest glimpse into the creative process and relationship between John, Paul, George, and Ringo ever filmed." The full docuseries debuted on Disney+ back in November, and most people have probably already seen it by now. But have you seen the perform in IMAX?! If not, now is your chance! Your one-and-only chance to go see The Beatles bigger than ever before. "I'm thrilled that the rooftop concert from The Beatles: Get Back is going to be experienced in IMAX," Jackson states. "It's The Beatles' last concert, and it's the absolute perfect way to see and hear it." Yes indeed. Check out the preview. https://onfs.net/3ImFYt1

"We will either be bombed by the foreigners, or killed by the Taliban." Though love persists. Netflix has unveiled a trailer for a documentary called Three Songs for Benazir, an award-winning 22-minute short film from filmmakers Gulistan & Elizabeth Mirzaei. This is in contention at the Oscars, currently on the long list, for Best Short Film this year. It also won Best Short at the Full Frame Documentary Film Festival and is a nominee at the 15th Annual Cinema Eye Honors. Three Songs for Benazir reveals the extraordinary story of two Afghan teens in a camp for displaced people in Kabul. Even as Shaista's love for Benazir is palpable, the choices he must make to build a life with her have profound consequences. A story about "modern-day Afghans who live, love, and seek space for themselves amid constant instability." Yeah it looks remarkably compassionate and hopeful, showing us the personal lives of people most of us probably never think about. https://onfs.net/3Ku7BlL

This is a trip and a half. There is a long history of animated music videos being edgy and totally ridiculous, and this one joins the ranks as another animated music video you just have to see. An indie Montreal-based animator named Jordan Minkoff has created a video for a song by Yu Su - a Chinese-born, Vancouver-based electronic musician. The downtempo track is called "Melaleuca" and it features some nice vibes. But what is going on in this video...? "So there's a buncha ppl and they go on a plane and then the plane falls in love w/ another plane! In the sky!!! The pilot also ends up with a super bad case of fomo cause he ejected before they arrived at a beach!" The animation style is funky, but it works, making this video unforgettable. https://onfs.net/3qO1cdD

"You boys think you rule everything..." 1091 Pictures has revealed the trailer for an indie comedy titled The Fabulous Filipino Brothers, which premiered at the SXSW Film Festival last year. Actor "Dante Basco is making his directorial debut with The Fabulous Filipino Brothers, and he's not at it alone. With his family in real-life playing his family onscreen, the definition of 'family affair' is taken to the next level with the beautiful chaos that plays out throughout the film." From Nor-Cal to The Philippines, four brothers confront their issues with love, family, and culture, surrounding a highly controversial Filipino wedding. Told in four vignettes featuring cockfights, adultery, romance, food, & family. It stars Dante Basco with Darion Basco, Dionysio Basco, Arianna Basco, Solenn Heussaff, Liza Lapira, Tirso Cruz III, Joey Guilla, Aida Basco, Darius Basco, Aurora Basco, Cheryl Tsai, and Crystal Kwon. This looks charming and funny. https://onfs.net/3nLODxv

"You taste like screwdrivers." Awww aren't they adorable? Fighting all friendly and cuddly like that. A kick ass little Canadian animation studio called Little Mountain Animation made two amusing 30-second short videos riffing on Pacific Rim. They ask: What If Pacific Rim Was Cute? The first video dropped last year, and the second one just showed up this week and they're both must watch. The "kaiju" cute green dino in this is actually from one of LMA's other projects called Big Dinosaur, though perfectly reused for this series of adorable videos, too. But this one is all about the cuteness: "We explore some really interesting questions in this one. We love giant robots. We love giant monsters. But what if they were cute?" Well, now we know! And it's amazing! I agree, "we need this to be a real movie." Maybe it could happen? Who knows. https://onfs.net/3KurcT1

"I'm worried about her." Factory 25 has revealed an official trailer for an indie film titled Superior, which initially premiered at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival last year. This grainy, retro indie is about a woman on the run who returns to her hometown to hide out with her identical twin sister, Vivian, which alters the trajectory of both their lives. Described as an "Almodovarian psychodrama" with touches of Lynch and De Palma and 80s psychological thriller cinema. She realizes that she can pass as her sister and gets into even more trouble pretending to be her while trying to stay out of any trouble. Starring Alessandra Mesa and Anamari Mesa as sisters Marian and Vivian; along with Pico Alexander, Jake Hoffman, and Stanley Simons. This has a very specific pastiche that will some will be very attracted to, but for others it may just be grueling. But there's intricacy in the two lead's performances playing off each other throughout the film. https://onfs.net/3tRozon

"Make the invisible visible." Madman Films in Australia has released their official trailer for Between Two Worlds, a French drama from writer / filmmaker Emmanuel Carrère. This premiered last year at the 2021 Cannes Film Festival in the Directors' Fortnight section, and is opening sometime later this year. It is based on French journalist Florence Aubenas's bestselling non-fiction work Le Quai de Ouistreham, investigating rising precarity in French society through her experiences in the northern port city of Caen. The original French title is Ouistreham in reference to this location. Juliette Binoche stars as Winckler, who goes to live in northern France to research for her new book on the subject of job insecurity by working in various low end cleaning jobs. The cast includes a group of authentic unknown actors, including Hélène Lambert, Louise Pociecka, Steve Papagiannis, & Aude Ruyter. The film looks a bit like a Ken Loach drama but made in France, a social realist look at the honest struggles of low income workers. Definitely worth a watch. https://onfs.net/3fQpWLG

"I think this wilderness trip is gonna do you both a whole lotta good." Vertical Ent. has released an official trailer for the indie thriller film In the Forest, arriving on VOD at the end of January for anyone curious about this. In the Forest follows Helen and her daughter Emily as they reluctantly accompany Helen's father Stan, played by Lyman Ward, on a family camping trip, driving deep into the forest for a real experience. Only to have an angry landowner arrive and force them to leave. When their RV gets stuck, Helen decides to seek help but discovers a disturbing secret on the man's property. She must then fight to protect her family and make it out of the forest alive before being hunted down. Starring Debbon Ayer, Cristina Spruell, Don Baldaramos, Sharon Sharth, Kaitlyn Dias, and Time Winters. There's not much to watch here. https://onfs.net/3KwZmFx

"This could change everything. I can write without feeling guilty." Juno Films has released the official US trailer for an acclaimed Danish biopic titled The Pact, which originally opened in theaters in Denmark last year. The film examines the intense friendship between Karen Blixen, the Danish author best known for her autobiographical novel "Out of Africa" (written under the pen name "Isak Dinesen") and Thorkild Bjørnvig, a young and promising poet. She offers him a Faustian bargain and promises him stardom if he will obey her unconditionally. What a strange relationship. From director Bille August comes this sterling adaptation of Bjørnvig's bestselling memoir. Birthe Neumann stars as Karen Blixen, joined by Simon Bennebjerg, Nanna Skaarup Voss, Asta Kamma August, Anders Heinrichsen, and Marie Mondrup. This looks like a smart character study of an arrogant woman going mad at the end of her life. Perhaps worth a watch. https://onfs.net/3AnNGAg

Another delay for these two highly anticipated action movie sequels. Paramount Pictures and Skydance have confirmed an extra year delay for the back-to-back next Mission: Impossible movies. The next two sequels, directed again by filmmaker Christopher McQuarrie (of both Mission: Impossible 5 & 6 - Rogue Nation & Fallout, Jack Reacher, The Way of the Gun), were filmed back-to-back and will be released back-to-back. The rumor is that this means the storyline will play out between both movies - with a big cliffhanger ending tying them together. Mission: Impossible 7 was set for release in September of 2022 later this year, but it has been rescheduled for release on July 14th, 2023 next summer. And the sequel, Mission: Impossible 8, has been moved from that July 2023 spot to June 28th, 2024. Nothing to do but wait 'till they're ready. https://onfs.net/33ZScsA

"What color do you see when you think about yourself?" This entrancing animated short film is worth 15 minutes of your time to watch. It will make you question your own thoughts about love and romance... The Windshield Wiper is the latest animated short made by Spanish animator / filmmaker Alberto Mielgo - best known for directing the short The Witness for Netflix's "Love, Death & Robots" series (which has the same style as this). The Windshield Wiper is a very personal and particular vision on Love and relationships. Presented by Pastel. Written, directed, designed by Mielgo. "Inside a café, after lunch and while smoking a whole pack of cigarettes, a middle-aged man asks himself and the audience an ambitious question: What is Love? A collection of vignettes and situations will lead the man to the desired conclusion." I like seeing all the different visualizations of "love" in here. But watch out - there's some sex & nudity so it's NSFW. Enjoy. https://onfs.net/3FQlHKI

"If you could die at any moment, what do you leave behind?" That's the important question at the core of this documentary – because that's what the filmmakers were wondering when they were putting it together. Fire of Love is an extraordinary new documentary feature premiering at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival. Directed by doc filmmaker Sara Dosa (of The Seer and the Unseen and The Last Season previously), the film tells the story of Katia & Maurice Krafft – two world famous French volcanologists. Unfortunately they died researching a volcano in Japan back in 1991. But the rest of their story hasn't been told before. The filmmakers got their hands on the entire Krafft archives, tons of old video footage and more, and figured out how to tell one of the most compelling and beautiful and inspiring stories of love and adventure ever made. https://onfs.net/3KxL5sw