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Buried: The 1982 Alpine Meadows Avalanche
What stands out first about Buried: The 1982 Alpine Meadows Avalanche is the confidence with which Jared Drake establishes its documentary identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, Buried: The 1982 Alpine Meadows Avalanche asks Anna Conrad Allen and Mike Alves to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of Buried: The 1982 Alpine Meadows Avalanche is established with useful clarity: A stressed autopsy of that fateful event in which key players dig throug
Aug 103 min read
All My Friends Hate Me
What stands out first about All My Friends Hate Me is the confidence with which Andrew Gaynord establishes its horror film identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, All My Friends Hate Me asks Dustin Demri Burns and Georgina Campbell to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of All My Friends Hate Me is established with useful clarity: Pete is cautiously excited about reuniting with his college crew for a birthday weekend. That direct approach lets All
Aug 103 min read
Ennio
What stands out first about Ennio is the confidence with which Giuseppe Tornatore establishes its documentary identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, Ennio asks Ennio Morricone and Silvano Agosti to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of Ennio is established with useful clarity: A documentary on the legendary film composer Ennio Morricone. That direct approach lets Ennio use its 2h 30m running time for character, atmosphere and consequence. Rath
Aug 102 min read
Juniper
What stands out first about Juniper is the confidence with which Matthew J. Saville establishes its drama identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, Juniper asks Charlotte Rampling and Marton Csokas to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of Juniper is established with useful clarity: When a self destructive teenager is suspended from school and asked to look after his feisty alcoholic grandmother as a punishment, the crazy time they spend together tu
Aug 103 min read
My Love
What stands out first about My Love is the confidence with which Tian Han establishes its comedy identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, My Love asks Greg Han Hsu and Ruonan Zhang to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of My Love is established with useful clarity: During high school, Zhou Xiaoqi fell in love with You Yongci at first sight, but he watched over her secretly and the girl left without saying goodbye. That direct approach lets My Love
Aug 103 min read
Goodbye, Don Glees!
What stands out first about Goodbye, Don Glees! is the confidence with which Atsuko Ishizuka establishes its animated adventure identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, Goodbye, Don Glees! asks Natsuki Hanae and Yûki Kaji to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of Goodbye, Don Glees! is established with useful clarity: Teen misfits Roma, Toto, and Drop call themselves the "Don Glees," an informal name for their backyard adventures. That direct appro
Aug 103 min read
Mission Stories
What stands out first about Mission Stories is the confidence with which Bryce Clark establishes its drama identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, Mission Stories asks Joel Bishop and Louis Boakye to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of Mission Stories is established with useful clarity: Three short films inspired by true stories from the LDS mission field. That direct approach lets Mission Stories use its 1h 50m running time for character, atmo
Aug 103 min read
Censor
What stands out first about Censor is the confidence with which Prano Bailey Bond establishes its horror film identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, Censor asks Niamh Algar and Michael Smiley to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of Censor is established with useful clarity: After viewing a strangely familiar video nasty, Enid, a film censor, sets out to solve the past mystery of her sister's disappearance, embarking on a quest that dissolves th
Aug 103 min read
Three Minutes: A Lengthening
What stands out first about Three Minutes: A Lengthening is the confidence with which Bianca Stigter establishes its documentary identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, Three Minutes: A Lengthening asks Helena Bonham Carter and Guy Clemens to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of Three Minutes: A Lengthening is established with useful clarity: A snippet of 16mm film offers an emotionally charged, meditative glimpse into the lives of the unsuspect
Aug 103 min read
Fortune Favors Lady Nikuko
What stands out first about Fortune Favors Lady Nikuko is the confidence with which Ken'ichirô Akimoto establishes its animated adventure identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, Fortune Favors Lady Nikuko asks Shinobu Ôtake and Cocomi to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of Fortune Favors Lady Nikuko is established with useful clarity: A heartwarming comedy drama about the bonds shared by an unconventional mother and daughter in a sleepy seaside
Aug 103 min read
CatVideoFest 2021
What stands out first about CatVideoFest 2021 is the confidence with which Will Braden establishes its documentary identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, CatVideoFest 2021 asks the lead performer and the principal supporting performer to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of CatVideoFest 2021 is established with useful clarity: . That direct approach lets CatVideoFest 2021 use its 1h 12m running time for character, atmosphere and consequence.
Aug 102 min read
Safer at Home
What stands out first about Safer at Home is the confidence with which Will Wernick establishes its horror film identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, Safer at Home asks Jocelyn Hudon and Alisa Allapach to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of Safer at Home is established with useful clarity: Two years into the pandemic, a group of friends throw a wild online party. That direct approach lets Safer at Home use its 1h 22m running time for characte
Aug 103 min read
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