Thompson on Hollywood

Sundance Review Roundup: 'Blue Caprice' an Eerie Thriller Exploring the 2002 Beltway Snipers

Reviews

Critics are raving about Sundance NEXT section entry "Blue Caprice," directed by Alexandre Moors and based on the 2002 sniper attacks in Washington D.C., Maryland and Virginia. The film is an "eerie, disquieting, veritie-style exploration" of the killers' psychologies, while refusing any easy thrills. Roundup below.

By Beth Hanna
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January 25, 2013 11:40 AM
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Sundance Review Roundup: Documentary 'After Tiller' a Sensitive Look at Third-Trimester Abortion

Reviews

Critics generally agree that Martha Shane and Lana Wilson's documentary "After Tiller" is an intelligent, nuanced and sensitive portrait of the last four remaining doctors in the U.S. who perform third-trimester abortions. Roundup below.

By Beth Hanna
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January 24, 2013 12:06 PM
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Sundance Review Roundup: Tame 'Lovelace' Goes Down Too Smooth

Reviews

"Lovelace," Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman's portrait of the personal life of "Deep Throat" porn star Linda Lovelace (Amanda Seyfried), isn't impressing the critics. While the occasional review finds Seyfried and co-star Peter Sarsgaard's performances to be engaging, most deem the actors' talents squandered in an oddly tame film that's "movie-of-the-week melodrama." Roundup below.

By Beth Hanna
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January 24, 2013 11:19 AM
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New Sleepytime Artwork for Mike Birbiglia's Sundance Winner 'Sleepwalk With Me'

News

Check out the new artwork for Mike Birbiglia's Sundance NEXT winner "Sleepwalk With Me," which translates the comedian's successful 2008 standup routine into a film about a longterm couple who, like a shark, must either keep swimming or die...

By Beth Hanna
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June 27, 2012 2:56 PM
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Sundance Reviews: 'The Debutante Hunters,' Neil Young, and 'We’re Not Broke'

Festivals

It may go down as one of the oddest double-bills in Sundance history. Prior to the premiere of Karin Hayes’ and Victoria Bruce’s earnest and timely documentary about the broken corporate tax system in the U.S., “We’re Not Broke,” Sundance programmers chose to show a short subject documentary entitled, “The Debutante Hunters.”

By Charles Lyons
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January 30, 2012 5:26 PM
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Sundance News: Participant Media and AFFRM Acquire 'Middle of Nowhere'

Festivals

Participant Media and AFFRM have acquired US rights to Ana DuVernay's "Middle of Nowhere." The director's sophomore film is an understated emotional drama chronicling a woman's separation from her incarcerated husband.

By Maggie Lange
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January 27, 2012 7:32 PM
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Sundance News: Entertainment One Acquires Psychological Thriller 'Wish You Were Here'

News

Entertainment One has purchased North American rights to the Australian Sundance opener "Wish You Were Here." Directed by Kieran Darcy-Smith, the mystery thriller stars Joel Edgerton ("Warrior" and Baz Luhrmann's upcoming "The Great Gatsby"). The movie will most likely be released in Fall of 2012. "Wish You Were Here" depicts what happens to three friends after one goes missing on a trip to Cambodia. It was criticized for weak plotting, but praised for its performances and production value.

By Maggie Lange
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January 26, 2012 10:33 PM
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Sundance Reviews: Lean Mean 'Bachelorette' Shocks Festival, Too Hard or Too Soft?

Festivals

Sundance comedy "Bachelorette" boasts an all-star girl comedy-pack: Kirsten Dunst, Lizzy Caplan, and Isla Fisher. They play a hard-drinking and drugging trio who are horrified that their pudgiest gal pal (Aussie comedienne Rebel Wilson) is the first of their high school gang to get married.

By Anne Thompson
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January 26, 2012 10:28 PM
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Sundance Deal Update: 'Simon Killer,' 'Chasing Ice,' 'The Pact'

Festivals

With many of the biggest buyers heading home with depleted wallets, smaller deals are playing out. IFC Films is in final talks to acquire "Simon Killer," a psychological drama; this is IFC's second acquisition after writer-director-actor Josh Radnor's "Liberal Arts."

By Nora Chute
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January 26, 2012 6:08 PM
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Sundance Review Round-Up: Fox Searchlight Plans Oscar Run for 'The Surrogate'

Festivals

Fox Searchlight immediately snapped up "The Surrogate" for $6 million, the biggest acquisition at Sundance so far this year, outmaneuvering at least three other potential buyers for the picture.