It's so wonderful to settle into a screening and hear the buzz in the air before a film starts. To listen to the applause and laughter and gasps during a premiere screening. After two years of online screenings thanks to the pandemic, the 2023 Sundance Film Festival has returned with an in-person event in Park City, Utah this January. This is my 17th year covering Sundance, starting way back in 2007, and I'm happy to be back. Yes, as always, there's some generic frustrations with the festival (the local bus lines have changed, there's tons of standstill traffic already, the screening queues are a mess) but overall, it's exciting to see Sundance roaring back to life and bringing everyone together again to watch movies. It's cliche to say, but the glory of film festivals really is the experience of everyone traveling from all around to sit together and watch films together, as one big audience, participating in the magic of watching movies. That excitement in the air, the conversations with people in line or people sitting next to you, is what this is all about. Onward to the films. https://onfs.net/3WoMztx

Let's take a trip into the past, to journey into the future. I am a sci-fi geek and I've always loved spaceship designs and future technology and imagining what it's like to be in a time where we can travel to planets (or even galaxies). This video called The Future of The 1920s examines what it was like to imagine the future in the 1920s. It features drawings and designs created by people living in the 20s, just after "The Great War" and before the next one, wondering what the future might be like. Most of it is pulled from an old magazine called "Science And Invention." They weren't interested in leaving Earth, more into improving livability. The narrator explains the 1920s "took place in the immediate aftermath of a massive, destructive war, and both [the 50s] carried an optimism for the future. The difference was science fiction was not as mainstream... so it didn't quite fully develop a unique look." Just some visual inspiration and vintage sci-fi imagery to peruse. https://onfs.net/3Wr90hX

We must take better care of this planet. We must change our ways and save what we can before it's too late. We must stop treating this planet like an endless mine to make money from. This excellent documentary is a potent reminder we must do more to protect our planet and its natural resources from greedy investors and rich schmucks who simply can't give up their addiction to profiting off of Earth's offerings. Doc filmmaker Matthieu Rytz returns to Sundance (following his 2018 doc Anote's Ark) with his latest feature film titled Deep Rising, a documentary about a precious resource hidden at the bottom of the ocean. I'm always on the hunt for splendid documentaries at Sundance, and this is one of my favorites so far. Not only is it about something important, something I didn't know anything about before watching, but it's an engaging doc in every way. Featuring a score by Ólafur Arnalds, it's hard not to feel moved by this film and everything it's trying to tell us and remind us – this planet is a special place and we need to stop destroying the ecosystem. https://onfs.net/3QVrmXg

It is time for men get out of the way of women. One of the best thrillers at Sundance this year is Fair Play, the feature film debut of filmmaker Chloe Domont. Sitting through this screening at Sundance 2023 was an experience of its own. It was the second screening (not even the first premiere!) and the audience still went nuts for it. They gave it two standing ovations at the end, shouting "bravo! bravo!" as the filmmaker & actors took the stage. And this was genuine applause, deserving enthusiastic praise for a film that rocked me to my core. The best part was listening to all of the audible gasps and uncomfortable shifting as certain scenes play out and the story unfolds, everyone's rapt attention fixated on the screen. Step out of the way Uncut Gems, Fair Play has entered the room. And she isn't going to take any shit anymore. This film deserves to be talked about and become a huge hit, shoving Gordon Gecko out of the way while proclaiming "it's my time now." https://onfs.net/3kBUk2p

"How are we going to pull THIS off?" "We're gonna need a team..." Paramount Pictures has revealed the second official trailer for the epic new live-action Dungeons & Dragons movie, officially titled Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves. Opening in theaters in March, this looks like it will be worth a watch on the big screen after all. A charming thief and a band of unlikely adventurers undertake an epic heist to retrieve a lost relic, but things go dangerously awry when they run afoul of the wrong people. Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves brings the rich world and playful spirit of the legendary roleplaying game to the big screen in a hilarious and action-packed adventure. As expected, but still! The ensemble cast features Chris Pine, Michelle Rodriguez, Regé-Jean Page, Justice Smith, Sophia Lillis, Chloe Coleman, Daisy Head, and Hugh Grant. I'm still pretty excited about watching this, they seem to have figured out the right mix of characters and creatures and comedy to make it worthwhile. Check out the fun trailer below. https://onfs.net/3wu4d4x

"I hope that you still want to see me dance, Yeon-jin." Revenge is always intense!! Netflix has revealed a new official trailer for Part 2 of their streaming series The Glory from Korea. Part 1 of this series is already streaming, it launched in late December a few weeks ago. This almost sounds like one of Park Chan-wook's revenge movies. A young woman, bullied to the point of deciding to drop out of school, plans the best way to get revenge. After becoming a primary school teacher, she takes in the son of the man who tormented her the most to enact her vengeance. "From now on, every single day will be a nightmare. They’ll be provocative and terrifying. You can't stop me or make me disappear." Starring Song Hye-kyo, Lee Do-hyun, Lim Ji-yeon, Yeom Hye-ran, Park Sung-hoon, and Jung Sung-il. Seems like it's almost a cathartic revenge story, about a woman getting back at everyone in a very meticulous, carefully planned way. "As Dong-eun's plan begins to unfold, the perpetrators have no idea what’s coming to them." It looks like an intense thriller. https://onfs.net/3XxbU6a

Let's try to envision a scenario on this planet where aliens suddenly arrive, but instead of violently enslaving humanity and eating all of them, they just use cutthroat capitalism to enslave everyone, er, peacefully. No violence necessary, just obedience. Would our world look any different than it does right now? Probably not. Landscape with Invisible Hand plays with this exact concept, adapting the novella by M.T. Anderson into a rather funky sci-fi film. This is easily one of the most ambitious, high concept sci-fi projects I've ever seen at the Sundance Film Festival, produced as a "studio movie" by MGM and Brad Pitt's Plan B. Yet it fits right in at Sundance, somehow, because it's all about integrity in art and rejecting big money offers in order to continue making something that stays true to the purity of artistic expression. It's not an instant favorite, unfortunately, but it is fascinating and entertaining in an especially unique way. Those sneaky, slimy Vuvv. https://onfs.net/3XzeZlY

"I am going to give it everything I have." Netflix has revealed another short teaser trailer for You People, the comedy from the creator / writer of "Black-ish" - Kenya Barris. It's out on Netflix for streaming later this week, hence the new teaser clip debuting now. Though strangely this isn't that funny of a clip, but it might make a few people laugh. A new couple and their very different families find themselves examining modern love and family dynamics amidst clashing cultures, societal expectations & generational differences in this comedy from Barris. Jonah Hill and Lauren London star as the main couple, Ezra and Amira, who try to introduce their families to each other with disastrous results. Also starring Eddie Murphy, Nia Long, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, David Duchovny, Sam Jay, Elliott Gould, Travis Bennett, Molly Gordon, Rhea Perlman, Deon Cole, Andrea Savage, and Mike Epps. This doesn't seem like it'll be the funniest comedy, but Netflix is giving it a strong push for the opening weekend anyway. Check out the teaser below. https://onfs.net/3WtG88R

"I'm very drawn to stories of confinement..." Universal has revealed a behind-the-scenes featurette for M. Night Shyamalan's next new thriller Knock at the Cabin, opening in theaters in just a few more weeks. It's based on a book by Paul Tremblay, about a family who is told the apocalypse is coming and they must "make an unthinkable choice" but they have no connection to the outside world and can't tell if it's all real or not. This video gives us a look at Shyamalan's process and filming on the set. Knock at the Cabin stars Dave Bautista, Jonathan Groff, Ben Aldridge, Nikki Amuka-Bird, newcomer Kristen Cui, Abby Quinn, and Rupert Grint. It's always nice to get a behind-the-scenes glimpse, especially with Shyamalan. I wish there was more footage of the actual sets, but perhaps they're afraid of spoilers. I am so into this concept, I can't wait to find out what's going on and what choice(s) they make in the end. We'll know the answers soon. https://onfs.net/3XCzhew

The complete list of nominees for the 95th Academy Awards, the most prestigious award in Hollywood, have been announced today (from Oscars.org). The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences revealed the nominees via live broadcast. The nominations from 2022 are, as usual, an exciting and wonderful and curious set of nominees with plenty of surprises and expected picks - including The Sea Beast sneaking in, RRR only getting in for Best Song, Andrea Riseborough from To Leslie somehow pulling off a nod, and The Banshees of Inisherin getting tons of love. Best of all, my #1 of 2022 - Everything Everywhere All at Once - landed 11 nominations in total, a clear sign it's loved by everyone. The Academy chose a total of nine Best Picture nominees from 2022, also including: Top Gun: Maverick, All Quiet on the Western Front, Elvis, The Fabelmans, Women Talking, Triangle of Sadness. Without further ado, view the full list of nominees below. https://onfs.net/3JgOOMV

"If anything, he's the smartest person in this stupid town." Visit Films has revealed an official trailer for the indie sci-fi comedy titled Aliens Abducted My Parents And Now I Feel Kinda Left Out. How's that for a film name! Did it get your attention? This just premiered at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival playing in the "Kids" section of the fest, and it's still seeking a distribution deal. Miserable after her family moves to a small town, a teenage aspiring journalist named Itsy befriends Calvin, her strange, space-obsessed neighbor who believes his parents were abducted by aliens, and joins him on his journey to find them. As an up-and-coming journalist, Itsy decides to write an exposé, but she discovers much more about him. It stars Emma Tremblay, Jacob Buster, Will Forte, Elizabeth Mitchell, Kenneth Cummins, and Matt Biedel. I'm curious to see this! I like the trailer, there's some good lines in here. I'm just wondering if they actually will find aliens! I hope the twist isn't that they were just taken by a government organization or something. https://onfs.net/3kHl94V

"When you become a mother, you feel like you are split in two." XYZ Films has revealed the official trailer for the indie Mexican horror titled Huesera: The Bone Woman, opening in US theaters this February. It first premiered at the 2022 Tribeca Film Festival last year and has been earning rave reviews at other fests including Neuchâtel, Bucheon, Edinburgh, Bergen, Fantastic Fest, and Sitges. Huesera follows the story of Valeria, a young woman expecting her first child who becomes cursed by a sinister entity. Plunged into a terrifying and dangerous world, a group of witches emerge as her only hope for safety and salvation, but not without grave risk. Natalia Solián stars as Valeria, with a cast including Alfonso Dosal, Mayra Batalla, Mercedes Hernández, Aída López, and Martha Claudia Moreno. This looks insanely scary once the trailer gets going, lots of freaky footage in that second half! That part of the crib breaking viscerally like a bone is just terrifying. Horror fans must watch out for this one! Arriving in select theaters and on VOD soon. https://onfs.net/3Hvnb0Y

Is this what dating is really like these days?! I can't believe it. I don't want to believe it. This cannot be real. Can it...?? I'm not one to be extra negative about a film, but I must get this off my chest. Cat Person is bad, really bad. It's one of the worst films I've seen at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival, not necessarily because the filmmaking is bad, but because the entire film is misguided. I didn't think they could extend the cringe and awkwardness of the original story (from New Yorker) this much and make it even more awkward to sit through. But somehow they did... It's such an uncomfortable watch. The film only features annoying idiotic cringe for two hours with absolutely nothing interesting or worthwhile to add or explore or consider or think about. I am shocked by how much of a mess this film is. It's not really about toxic masculinity, it's actually about a young woman who keeps making unbelievably stupid choices and never learning a thing from them. Her best friend is constantly trying to keep her from making mistakes, but she never listens to her... Ever. https://onfs.net/3XBKSuq

Everyone remembers that one teacher they had growing up that changed their lives. There is always at least one teacher who goes above and beyond, who approaches teaching as something more than just a job, or a chance to make kids remember some facts. My favorite teacher growing up was one named Mrs. Richards. Radical is a remarkable film from Mexico made by a filmmaker named Christopher Zalla, best known for his Sundance 2007 film Padre Nuestro before (I actually watched this one at Sundance and reviewed it way back then). He returns to Sundance again 16 years later to premiere his latest film, based on a true story about a "radical" Mexican teacher in a small border town called Matamoros (see Google Maps). Going into this film, I was initially expecting a light-hearted comedy, about kids feuding with their teacher. What I was not expecting was to discover a generous, warm-hearted, emotional story about a teacher and his students working together to overcome adversity and carelessness. Education matters, but teachers matter the most. https://onfs.net/3XS0YzG

"You write songs about who you wish you were, not who you are." Prime Video has revealed a new official trailer for a streaming series coming this March titled Daisy Jones & The Six, about a (fictional) rock band from the 1970s. It's made by director James Ponsoldt and the writers behind 500 Days of Summer and The Spectacular Now. The series follows the rise of rock band Daisy Jones and The Six through the '70s LA music scene on their quest for worldwide icon status. While the story is presented in a documentary style, including background interviews with the band, this is an entirely fictional story that captures the essence of creativity in the erratic, wild world of the 1970s. "It's time to hear the real story." Daisy Jones & The Six stars Riley Keough as the titular Daisy, Sam Claflin, Camila Morrone, Suki Waterhouse, Nabiyah Be, Will Harrison, Josh Whitehouse, Sebastian Chacon, and Tom Wright. This looks damn good! The faux documentary style makes it even more intriguing, they really went all out telling this band's story. https://onfs.net/3XuvqjD

"Let's try not to die tonight." Mainframe Pictures has revealed an official trailer for an indie horror comedy titled She Came from the Woods, opening in limited US theaters starting in February soon. It first premiered at FrightFest last year, but didn't hit any other fests in the fall. In this ode to '80s slasher horror, a group of dumb camp counselors accidentally unleash a decades' old evil on the last night of summer camp. As the mayhem and madness turn bloody, the staff of "Camp Briarbrook" are forced to confront what stories are worth telling and what secrets worth keeping. The horror comedy stars Cara Buono (from Stranger Things), William Sadler (Bill & Ted), Spencer List, Clare Foley, Michael Park, Tyler Elliot Burke, Adam Weppler, Ehad Berisha, Giselle Torres, and Dań Leahy. This looks, ahem, campy and not that scary but fun, another throwback riff on 1980s horror - there's always more of these to watch. Have a look. https://onfs.net/3XYBKj4

"Because everybody has one." Yep. One surprise Oscar nominee announced yesterday was a short film with a provocative title - My Year of Dicks. This animated short premiered at the 2022 SXSW Film Festival last year, won the Cristal Award at Annecy in the summer, and is now online for everyone to watch. It's one of the five shorts nominated at the 2022 Academy Awards in the Best Animated Short Film category. If you want to give it a look, watch below. Directed by Sara Gunnarsdóttir, the film is written by and based on the memoir of Pamela Ribon, telling stories about her time as a teen in 1991 - the year she tried to lose her virginity by chasing a number of different boys. Pam tries very hard to lose her virginity and always searches for "the one". She's not alone, her best friends are with her. The voice cast includes Brie Tilton, Jackson Kelly, Klarissa Hernandez, and Chris Elsenbroek. The short runs a bit long - it's 25 minutes in total - but it's a delightfully quirky, amusing, and honest look at young love and the wacky choices we make. Enjoy. https://onfs.net/3WEtYtV

"You know what's on his hands? More rings than fingers." Netflix has revealed an official trailer for a two-part documentary titled Bill Russell: Legend, profiling the basketball icon and his life & career. This will be streaming on Netflix starting in early February, just before the 2023 NBA All-Star Game. On the court, Bill Russell was a force to be reckoned with - a champion who sacrificed himself for his teammates and love of basketball. Off the court, Bill Russell was a force in the fight for human rights - marching with the great Martin Luther King Jr., pioneering NBA boycotts and fighting against racism. From Sam Pollard, Bill Russell: Legend tells the remarkable life and legacy of an NBA superstar and civil rights icon. Featuring the last interview with Russell prior to his passing in 2022. Narrated by actors Jeffrey Wright and Corey Stoll and interviews with his family & friends as well as Steph Curry, Chris Paul, "Magic" Johnson, Larry Bird, Jim Brown and more. Looks damn good! No surprise from Pollard, he always makes must watch docs. https://onfs.net/3HsBxiN

"You can't just pluck people out of their lives and then throw them back in with nothing." Good Deed Ent. has revealed an official trailer for a low budget indie sci-fi called TwoTwo, the latest from a filmmaker called Jun Hoskulds. This premiered at a few small festivals last year and will be out on VOD in February for anyone to watch. David had the dream life... Good education, suit-and-tie job in the corporate world, an apartment with a view. His life collapses when he loses his job. He randomly encounters a homeless man who makes David an offer: to "give it all up, in order to find it all over again," in a mostly similar, but much better, parallel universe. Intrigued? "TwoTwo is a fantasy film, a metaphor about life, purpose, connecting, spirituality, love, creativity, parallel universes, and the unseen presence of a power always watching." The film stars Joel Ballard as David, Morgan Makana as the woman called "22", Kenneth Best, and P.K. Simone. The acting in here is really bad, and it looks like the sci-fi concept is much bigger than the budget. https://onfs.net/3Hudccw

I did not know what I was getting into with The Deepest Breath. I did not know I was about to watch one of my favorite documentaries of the year. I went on a journey with all these people and can never forget this experience. The Deepest Breath is a extraordinary and awe-inspiring work of cinematic art. I was lucky to attend the world premiere screening at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival of this A24 / Netflix co-production, directed by Irish filmmaker Laura McGann. This exceptional documentary film is this year's Fire of Love (nominated for an Oscar!) – both films follow the beautiful story of a couple, examining their lives living on the edge and doing something radical that few other people on this planet do. The Deepest Breath is about a freediving couple and the incredibly dangerous sport of freediving - the act of holding your breath for long periods of time while diving or swimming. It moved me beyond words, I was wiping away tears by the end. https://onfs.net/3HwjmZr

"Your world will not survive this!" Warner Bros revealed a second official trailer for their superhero sequel Shazam! Fury of the Gods, now opening in theaters in March. It was previously set for December, but then they moved it back again - probably a better strategy after Black Adam didn't do so well. From New Line Cinema comes Shazam! Fury of the Gods, which continues the story of teenage Billy Batson who, upon reciting the magic word "SHAZAM!," is transformed into his adult Super Hero alter ego, Shazam, played again by Zachary Levi. In this next one he will confront Hespera & Kalypso, daughters of the Greek god Atlas, while introducing us to an entire Shazam! family of (young) heroes. In addition to Levi, the new cast features Helen Mirren as Hespera, and Lucy Liu as Kalypso, Rachel Zegler, Meagan Good, Grace Fulton, and Marta Milans; with Djimon Hounsou, Asher Angel, and Jack Dylan Grazer returning from the first one. This looks like a much darker sequel, though it still seems like one big CGI fest with more than half this trailer being full CGI scenes. That big dragon looks cool, and the rest of it seems entertaining. https://onfs.net/3ZZpPUd