A long day that included some low lows and high highs.
Be on the lookout for my Prisoners of the Ghostland review to be dropping today. I didn’t have time to finish it yesterday, so it will be on my Day 5 recap, however, the review itself will be out at some point today.
At the Ready – B+
Current Tomato Score: 100%
Pleasantly surprised. Didn’t tell the story I thought it was going to, and it was all the better for that.
From my Review:
“At The Ready is not just a look into the paths from high school to Border Patrol for Horizon High School students, but also an intimate peek into the lives of Mexican-Americans with dreams of law enforcement. Maisie Crow shows us three different stories, and intimately puts the kid’s lives into the light instead of their dreams of law enforcement. This is a great telling of the struggles it takes to be a kid today, and the difficult decisions they have to make.”
Wild Indian
Current Tomato Score: 67%
The worst A-list cameo I have ever seen.
From my Review:
“Wild Indian is an absolute mess of a film. For an hour and a half, we are trapped in the mind of a psychotic murderer that ruins the lives of people around him, and we’re supposed to sympathize with him? It would be different if he decided to go off the rails and fully become what he is, but his constant pretending that he’s “changing” just to go back to the same psychotic ways was just annoying truthfully. There’s a strong tonal imbalance that never quite finds its footing. I don’t know what this film was trying to say or accomplish, but at least the score was excellent, and Ted-O gives a good performance. However, that Jesse Eisenberg cameo was… bad.”
Prime Time – C
Current Tomato Score: N/A
So much potential, but the first Sundance film that truly disappointed me.
From my Review:
“Prime Time has enormous potential, especially in Bartosz Bielenia’s absolutely brilliant performance, but the film is too tame to become the thriller it wanted to be. I didn’t hate this film and found many aspects of it compelling, but overall I’m just disappointed.”
The Dog Who Wouldn’t Be Quiet – B+
Current Tomato Score: N/A
A purely poetic movie.
From my Review:
“The Dog Who Wouldn’t be Quiet is a beautiful and poetic look at one mans ever-changing life. Ana Katz uses gorgeous black and white, as well as some incredible drawings, to paint an elegant portrait of the many highs and lows life has to bring. It won’t be for everyone, but I think it’s fantastic. I just wish some moments were given a little more time to breathe.”
Together Together – B+
Current Tomato Score: 71%
I loved the message this film was trying to tell, plus Alex Somers is unreal as a composer. Could be the first real competition that CODA has for the U.S. Dramatic Competition.
From my Review:
“Together Together is an endearing look into a man’s longing to be a father. It is a formula that we have seen before but told in a different way. Ed Helms and Patti Harrison both do wonderful jobs as lonely people longing for connection, and Alex Somers proves to be one of the most intimate composers working. Maybe should have dove deeper in some parts, but that ending will stick with me.”
Jockey – B
Current Tomato Score: N/A
So close to being great.
From my Review:
“Jockey is a beautifully made, sounding, acted, and directed film that shows a legendary Horse Jockey on his last leg. While I did enjoy a lot of what this film brought, the story is as formulaic as a Sports Legend story can get. Wants to be The Wrestler, but ends up being Rocky Balboa. This isn’t a negative thought, just in the case of how the beautiful aesthetic and performances attempt to cover up a weak script.”
Jacob is a Graduate of Western Kentucky University where he earned a History/Film Studies Degree. He is a film critic and co-founder of the Music City Drive-In. He is also a member of the North American Film Critics Association and the Music City Film Critics’ Association. You can find him on Twitter @Tberry57.
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