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Sundown
What stands out first about Sundown is the confidence with which Michel Franco establishes its mystery identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, Sundown asks Tim Roth and Charlotte Gainsbourg to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of Sundown is established with useful clarity: Neil and Alice Bennett are the core of a wealthy family on vacation in Mexico until a distant emergency cuts their trip short. That direct approach lets Sundown use its 1h 22m
Aug 102 min read
Becoming Cousteau
What stands out first about Becoming Cousteau is the confidence with which Liz Garbus establishes its documentary identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, Becoming Cousteau asks Vincent Cassel and Carol Burnett to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of Becoming Cousteau is established with useful clarity: A look at the life, passions, achievements and tragedies surrounding the famous explorer and environmentalist Jacques Cousteau, featuring an arch
Aug 103 min read
Who We Are: A Chronicle of Racism in America
What stands out first about Who We Are: A Chronicle of Racism in America is the confidence with which Emily Kunstler establishes its documentary identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, Who We Are: A Chronicle of Racism in America asks Chief Egunwale Amusan and Josephine Bolling McCall to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of Who We Are: A Chronicle of Racism in America is established with useful clarity: Interweaving lecture, personal anecdotes,
Aug 103 min read
Once I Was Engaged
What stands out first about Once I Was Engaged is the confidence with which Maclain Nelson establishes its comedy identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, Once I Was Engaged asks Bart Johnson and Tiffany Alvord to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of Once I Was Engaged is established with useful clarity: When Bree Carrington gets engaged while at BYU Hawaii, her loving but over the top mom goes all out to create the wedding of the century. That d
Aug 103 min read
The Automat
What stands out first about The Automat is the confidence with which Lisa Hurwitz establishes its documentary identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, The Automat asks Mel Brooks and John W. Romas to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of The Automat is established with useful clarity: Documentary centers on the vending machine popularized in the 20th century that offered fresh cooked meals in a commissary style eatery. That direct approach lets Th
Aug 103 min read
Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go for It
What stands out first about Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go for It is the confidence with which Mariem Pérez Riera establishes its documentary identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go for It asks Rita Moreno and Justina Machado to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go for It is established with useful clarity: A look at the life and work of Rita Moreno
Aug 103 min read
A Mouthful of Air
What stands out first about A Mouthful of Air is the confidence with which Amy Koppelman establishes its drama identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, A Mouthful of Air asks Amanda Seyfried and Olivia Katz to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of A Mouthful of Air is established with useful clarity: Julie Davis writes bestselling children's books about unlocking your fears, but has yet to unlock her own. That direct approach lets A Mouthful of Ai
Aug 103 min read
I'm Your Man
What stands out first about I'm Your Man is the confidence with which Maria Schrader establishes its comedy identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, I'm Your Man asks Maren Eggert and Dan Stevens to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of I'm Your Man is established with useful clarity: In order to obtain research funds for her studies, a scientist accepts an offer to participate in an extraordinary experiment: for three weeks, she is to live with a
Aug 103 min read
Mothering Sunday
What stands out first about Mothering Sunday is the confidence with which Eva Husson establishes its romance identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, Mothering Sunday asks Odessa Young and Josh O'Connor to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of Mothering Sunday is established with useful clarity: Jane Fairchild, a maidservant for the Niven family, is surprised when her wealthy neighbor, Paul Sheringham, invites her to spend the day with him. That d
Aug 103 min read
Ends of the Earth
What stands out first about Ends of the Earth is the confidence with which Gregory Smith establishes its documentary identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, Ends of the Earth asks Mark Jobe and David Platt to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of Ends of the Earth is established with useful clarity: Imagine flying over breath taking landscapes only to land on an airstrip hand dug by local villagers on a remote mountain deep in the jungle. That di
Aug 103 min read
School of Magical Animals
What stands out first about School of Magical Animals is the confidence with which Gregor Schnitzler establishes its family film identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, School of Magical Animals asks Emilia Maier and Leonard Conrads to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of School of Magical Animals is established with useful clarity: Ida must transfer to a new school, where she soon realizes the students are unkind to each other. That direct appr
Aug 103 min read
India Sweets and Spices
What stands out first about India Sweets and Spices is the confidence with which Geeta Malik establishes its comedy identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, India Sweets and Spices asks Sophia Ali and Deepti Gupta to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of India Sweets and Spices is established with useful clarity: When college freshman Alia returns home for the summer, she discovers secrets and lies in her parents' past that make her question every
Aug 103 min read
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