
And so it is that our first indication of the year to come in cinema has officially ended. After providing complete coverage of Sundance Film Festival 2013, we are here to wrap up the event with our picks of the 10 best films we screened, along with the rest. A birthplace for new talent, Park City had its fair share of break-outs this year both in front of and behind the camera, so get reading below and check back with us all year for more information on when you can see the mentioned films. For our full reviews from the festival, if available, click any of the film titles.
The Best:
Ain’t Them Bodies Saints (David Lowery)

With his directorial break-out David Lowery has crafted a subdued, slow-burn drama that aches with excellent performances from its ensemble, which includes Rooney Mara, Casey Affleck, Ben Foster, Nate Parker and Keith Carradine. Following the aftermath of a crime-filled life, the film skirts around the major peaks one may find in another drama of its kind, instead focusing on quiet, sublime exchanges. – Jordan R.
Before Midnight (Richard Linklater)

The perfect end to a near-perfect trilogy, Richard Linklater’s Before Midnight once again stars Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy as Jesse and Celine, two lovers working through the dos-and-don’ts of life. If it sounds like a general description, it’s deceivingly so. These films, simple as they are, speak to many truths, painful and otherwise. - Dan M.
Blue Caprice (Alexandre Moors)

In Blue Caprice, a taut character study of the two men behind the 2002 D.C. Sniper shootings, writer-director Alexandre Moors does an effective job of offering insight into the minds behind such senseless killings. Featuring two fantastic performances from Isaiah Washington and Tequan Richmond, playing the infamous criminals Allen Muhammad and Lee Malvo (respectively), the film strives to capture an uncomfortable mood. Featuring one of the best performances from the festival in the form of Washington’s frightening portrayal of Muhammad, Moors has crafted a multi-layered dissection of one of the countries most incomprehensible crimes. – Raffi A.
Don Jon’s Addiction (Joseph Gordon-Levitt)

A cross between Jersey Shore and Shame, Don’s Jon Addiction, the directorial debut from Sundance vet Joseph Gordon-Levitt, is a sincerely personal and comedic examination about Internet porn addiction. Writing, directing and starring as the titular Don, Levitt injects a personal feel, giving an intimacy to Don’s issues, fantasizing about sexual experiences that are ultimately selfish. The film is both strangely relatable and intimate while also maintaining a brisk comedic pace, not an easy feat. – Raffi A.
Escape From Tomorrow (Randy Moore)

Easily one of the strangest films at this year’s Sundance festival is the audacious and provocative Escape from Tomorrow, a film shot guerrilla-style in both Disneyland and Disney World without the permission of Mickey Mouse. The premise is simple: on the last day of their family Disney vacation, Jim (Roy Abramsohn) is laid off from his job, which serves as a catalyst for a hallucinatory Disney experience. As the spiraling spectacle of madness becomes more bizarre, complete with memorable Disney rides getting demonic makeovers, Escape from Tomorrow delivers an engrossing take on what the family vacation represents in corporate America. – Raffi A.
Check out the rest on the next page >>
Chris Evans One of Stephen King’s ‘People,’ Anthony Hopkins Joins ‘Gotti’ & Viggo Mortensen Is ‘Far From Men’
May 19, 2013 at 7:20 pm
Cannes: Sony Pictures Classics Take Farhadi’s ‘Past’; Music Box Acquire Mads Mikkelsen-Led ‘Kohlhaas’
May 19, 2013 at 5:43 pm
Ridley Scott’s ‘Exodus,’ Michael Fassbender’s ‘Assassin’s Creed’ and Jason Reitman’s ‘Labor Day’ Set Release Dates
May 19, 2013 at 2:55 pm
Watch: Three New Clips From Refn & Gosling’s ‘Only God Forgives’ Ahead of Cannes Premiere
May 18, 2013 at 11:20 pm
‘The Dance of Reality’ Trailer – Alejandro Jodorowsky Returns After 23 Years With Personal, Meta Cannes Drama
May 19, 2013 at 4:15 pm
More of the Same in Latest Teaser For ‘Anchorman: The Legend Continues’
May 18, 2013 at 8:40 pm
‘Europa Report’ Trailer Promises Realistic Sci-Fi Thrills
May 18, 2013 at 12:00 pm
First Trailer for Arnaud Desplechin’s Cannes Entry ‘Jimmy P.,’ Starring Benicio Del Toro and Mathieu Amalric
May 17, 2013 at 2:05 pm
There is truly something magical when you combine the French Riviera, the global film market and thousands of hungry filmgoers and critics. The end result is what has come to be known as the most prestigious film festival in the world, the Cannes Film Festival, currently in its 66th iteration. This is my third year [...]
The Archive is a collection of cinephile-friendly findings around the web, including rare or never-before-seen photos, interviews, footage or any other bits related to classic or independent cinema. If you have any suggestions, feel free to e-mail in or tweet to @TheFilmStage. Check out the rundown below. Above, an unused Taxi Driver poster made for SpokeArt’s Martin [...]
Since any New York City cinephile has an almost suffocating wealth of theatrical options, we figured it’d be best to compile some of the more worthwhile repertory showings into one handy list. Displayed below are a few of the city’s most reliable theaters and links to screenings of their weekend offerings — films you’re not [...]
© 2008-2011 The Film Stage. All rights reserved. | About | Privacy | Terms of Use | Advertising | Staff | Contact | RSS Feed
Follow us on: Twitter | Facebook
Latest posts from Beats Per Minute
