Sundance Film Festival Coverage - DAY 4

 Today we kick of Day 4 of the Sundance Film Festival! 

Today's coverage will feature more from the features block as well as more from the second block of Live Action Shorts. 

As many of you know, my favorite film of all-time is Back to the Future. One of the films I was looking forward to more than anything was the Apple+ documentary that we start off our day with, "Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie". 

I was so incredibly excited for this documentary and it absolutely ended up delivering. Such a beautifully done film. 

I honestly didn't expect this film to take me on such an emotional journey. There's so much that we all know from his legendary career to his parkinson's diagnosis, but this film takes us to a whole new area. Filled with incredibly authentic, candid, and heartfelt moments that will leave you laughing and have your eyes filling with tears. Look for it on Apple TV+ soon. Such a great film!

Next up: Cassandro

Biopics are always so hit or miss for me, but Cassandro was fantastic!

Following the life of queer icon and "exotico" wrestler Cassandro, AKA Saul Amendariz, this was a story I wasn't at all familiar with and it was so incredibly captivating. Gael Garcia Bernal gives such an incredible performance that I expect we will hear awards chatter about it a year from now. Beautifully shot and so well done. I believe you'll be able to find this on Prime Video soon. 

Sundance Film Festival Coverage - DAY 3

 Day 3 of Sundance is here!!

Today I am diving in the feature films! While I do cover everything at the festival, being a horror writer/producer myself, I do tend to focus a little bit more on those films. But don't worry, I have plenty of features that aren't horror that I will be covering. 

First up, the highly anticipated documentary, "Little Richard: I Am Everything"

I've always been a fan of Little Richard's music, but I knew very little about his life until this documentary. I am an even bigger fan now! He was fearless and played by his own rules. 

It was sad for me to see how much they tried to white wash his music by having Elvis or Pat Boone cover him because people were uncomfortable with a black queer man just rocking out on a piano. Such an educational, fascinating watch. I believe it will be coming to HBO Max soon, so keep your eyes peeled. 

Next up: "The Pod Generation"

This was a fun, intriguing film. Great performances from Emilia Clarke and Chewetel Ejiofor! 

When this film hits theaters it's going to spark some interesting debates. Overall, a fun, original concept for a sci-fi romcom. PS - Don't let romcom sour your expectations. It's not what you expect. 

These were all the features we were able to cover today. More coming tomorrow!

Sundance Film Festival Coverage - DAY 2

 Time for Day 2 of my coverage of the 2023 Sundance Film Festival! 

Today I am starting on the first block of the Live Action Short Films. 6 films ahead for me today! I may possibly start into the second block of Live Action Shorts today as well. Tomorrow is when I will start covering this year's feature films. For now, let's dive into the short block!

The first film I started with today is called, "Help Me Understand". 

When you watch an independent short film you don't typically expect such a stacked cast, but one has some great stars with Ken Marino, Rachel Harris, and Kate Flannery. 

"Help Me Understand" took a really creative approach to the basic concept of empathy and understanding each other. I'll be honest, I didn't see where this was going at first, but it takes you on a journey that really pays off beautifully in the end. 

My next film was called, "PARKER"

I wasn't expecting a documentary short going into this film, but it ended up being incredibly fascinating. 

The film follows three generations of a Kansas City Family as they go through the process of changing their last name. What I didn't know going into this film, is that historically, many black americans did not originally get to chose a last name due to slavery. This family finally get to use the name they wanted. 

Next up: "Sweatshop Girl"

Coming to Sundance from Mexico, the film follows a young woman working in a sweatshop who has to hide her pregnancy or lose her job. 

Absolutely stunning cinematography throughout and the the films coloring really adds to the grim reality surrounding the film. 

Next up: "Inglorious Liaisons"

This film was a lot of fun! The character designs were very creative and I love seeing filmmakers find new ways to use stop motion to tell their stories. 

Next Up: "Ricky"

Damn this film was good! By far the best of the shorts program so far. I won't be surprised if I see this on the Oscar's Short List next year. I really hope that Rashad Frett has plans for a feature. It's excellent as it is, but I want to know so much more! 

That's a wrap on Day 2! Features start tomorrow!

Sundance Film Festival Coverage - DAY 1

 Today is the opening day of the Sundance Film Festival 2023 and I could not be more excited!

I am kicking off the festival this year in the Shorts Program, particularly the animated shorts. There are 8 films in this years animated block. I love that this year's app makes viewing the short films much easier, breaking them down into each block and genre and allowing you to select each film instead of just a running cut of all of them. 

First up, Maddie Brewer's film, "Burger World"

Such a fun, crazy film. I absolutely loved this! I want a feature version of this crazy film. I really want to see more from Maddie Brewer. I look forward to what she does next. 

Up next: Oxytocin

I honestly have no idea what I watched haha. I'm not saying that as a bad thing, this film was just so weird. It was described as "cash for organs and anything for love". Sure. This film wasn't for me, but there will definitely be an audience that is going to love this!

Next: Fur

This film was described as "a crush gone moldy." Such a unique animation style for honestly another kind of odd film. However, it really drew me in with the fluidity of the unique animation style and story

Next: Well Wishes My Love, Your Love

This film from Gabriel Gabriel Garble is such a beautiful film. Such a sweet story about a boy who lends his friend his prosthetic arm for the day. The animation style is so calming and inviting. I really look forward to what they do next!

Next: By Water

This film tells the story of a man's reconciliation and healing for himself and his sibling. With a mix of live action video and narrative, the animation was simplistic and warm, letting me sink into the film. Very unique and a great story. 

Next: The Sea on the Day When the Magic Returns

A beautiful, and at times tragic film of love, loss, determination, and magic. One of the few foreign films in this years animation block coming to us from South Korea. I expect to see this film on next years Oscar shortlist. 

Next: Garrano

Another foreign film in the animated block, this time coming to us from Portugal and Lithuania. While two stories intersect through this short film, it gets its name from the Garrano horse who acts as the unsung protagonist of the film. The animation in this film is absolutely stunning. Like an oil painting come to life. 

Final: Christopher at Sea

The last film in the animation block. Christopher sets out on a cargo ship to explore what it is that drives men to the sea. Another kind of strange film, riddled with jealousy, heartache, and self pity. 

That is a wrap for Day 1 of Sundance. Tomorrow I'll be diving into the first block of Live Action shorts, and possibly the second as well. 

Stay tuned! 

Sundance Film Festival Starts Tomorrow!

 The Sundance Film Festival kicks off tomorrow in Park City, Utah!

It has been several years since I have been on the ground in Park City for the festival, but since the pandemic the option for press to cover the festival digitally this has been such a great innovation into this festival. Being the ground, I was never able to cover the number of films I'm able to digitally. This year I am expecting to cover just over 50 films, both shorts and feature length films. 

My first time covering Sundance Film Festival in 2013

It's kind of crazy to embark on this year's festival realizing that I have been covering this festival for a decade now. Up until 2020, I had the privilege of producing the live broadcasts for X96's Radio From Hell Show, but with the uncertainty of the world going into 2021, I decided to pursue the festival simply with On the Mic. This is my 10th year and 11th festival. 

I have a lot of films I am incredibly excited about going into the festival this year. Some of those that have really peaked my interests are: Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie, Little Richard: I Am Everything, Infinity Pool (new film from Brandon Cronenberg starring Mia Goth and Alexander Skarsgard), Onyx the Fortuitous and the Talisman of Souls, Magazine Dreams, and Fairyland. 

Make sure you follow along with my on Instagram where I will share my daily viewing and thoughts on the films. 

FOLLOW TIM ON INSTAGRAM HERE

Bundy Manor coming to Another Hole in the Head Film Festival in San Fransisco!

We are thrilled to announce that Bundy Manor has been accepted into Another Hole in the Head Film Festival in San Fransisco!

This is a festival that we have really admired and are so excited to be a part of it. You can join myself, Writer/Director Alexander Watson, my fellow producers Terrence Kiriokos and Clyde Ratliff, as well as a few other cast and crew members making the journey out to San Fransisco. 

Can't make it to San Fransisco? No problem! You can still watch the film on demand through December 18th! Just click on the link below to buy your tickets!

BUY TICKETS FOR ANOTHER HOLE IN THE HEAD HERE

Bundy Manor is headed to Dublin, Ireland!

 We have our first festival announcement for Bundy Manor!!!

We are very excited to announce that we have been selected for the 13th Underground Cinema Film Festival in Dublin, Ireland. It's crazy to see the film we've spent the last few years working on finally starting to get out into the world, and even crazier that the first place it is going to play is in Ireland! 

Sadly we won't be able to attend the festival due to other work and production schedules, but myself, Alex, and Terrence will be sending a short welcome video to all of you in attendance in Dublin. 

If you're in the same boat as us and can't attend, you can still stream Bundy Manor at home with a festival pass! Click the link below to get yours today!

BUY YOUR TICKETS TO THE 13TH UNDERGROUND CINEMA FILM FESTIVAL HERE!