The Sundance Film Festival is back, and 2023 marks the first time the festival is happening in person in three years. Truthfully, as much as I don’t mind watching films at home, I miss being in Park City. When I walked through town earlier today, I couldn’t help but fall in love all over again. Sure, the prices for lodging are outrageous, but there is this vibe at Sundance that you don’t have at any other festival. I know I sound like a broken record when I say this, but Sundance is one of the only BIG festivals where almost every film playing is a discovery. There are no reviews. There is barely any info about the films. There typically isn’t even a trailer or poster. There is something special about that, and I can only hope this year’s line-up will feature a handful of films that really WOW me.
That being said, here is a list of six films I have on my radar. I look forward to seeing each of them in person while I am at the Sundance Film Festival for several days.
6. Sometimes I Think About Dying
This title caught my attention which led me to read the synopsis. Sometimes I Think About Dying seems like it could be a fun yet poignant film that tackles isolation, awkwardness, and loneliness. While Daisy Ridley hasn’t had significant hit since her role as Rey in the recent Star Wars Trilogy, it would be nice to see her in a film that plays against what we are so used to seeing her do. I am hoping this film will allow audiences to see her in a whole new light. Based on the Sundance program description this film sounds like it could be a dramedy that perfectly balances the comedy with the drama.
Sometimes I Think About Dying premieres at the Sundance Film Festival on Thursday, January 19, at the Library Theatre in Park City.
Addition screenings are below:
Jan. 20, 6:15PM MST at the Grand Theatre in Salt Lake City
Jan. 21, 8:00AM MST online at Sundance.org or via the Sundance Film Festival App
Jan. 21, 7:00PM MST at the Redstone Cinemas in Park City
Jan. 22, 8:30AM MST at the Ray Theatre in Park City
Jan. 24, 8:00AM MST online at Sundance.org or via the Sundance Film Festival App
Jan. 27, 3:15PM MST at the Eccles Theatre in Park City
5. Landscape With Invisible Hand
Cory Finley has made two great films already with Thoroughbreds and Bad Education. His third feature film, Landscape With Invisible Hand, seems as though it will be a bit more ambitious than his previous two films. The film’s plot is centered around an alien takeover, but the story also deals with social class. While I don’t know much else but the film, this seems like one of those strange and quirky little films that, in the past, played rather well with the Sundance crowd. I am very intrigued to see how Finley crafted this science-fiction comedy while addiing in some sharp social commentary.
Landscape With Invisible Hand premieres at the Sundance Film Festival on Monday, January 23, at 5:55pm at the Eccles Theatre in Park City.
Additional screenings are below:
Jan. 25, 8:00AM MST online at Sundance.org or via the Sundance Film Festival App
Jan. 26, 12:30PM MST at the Redstone Cinemas in Park City
Jan. 27, 11:55PM MST at The Ray Theatre in Park City
Jan. 28, 2:15PM MST at the Egyptian Theatre in Park City
Jan. 29, 8:30PM MST at the Megaplex Theatres at The Gateway 1/2/3 in Salt Lake City
4. Shortcomings
Randall Park has been playing one supporting role after another for almost a decade now. Sure, he had a breakout hit with the ABC sitcom Fresh Off the Boat, but it’s nice to see him expanding his wings further into other areas like directing. While unfamiliar with the graphic novel that inspired this film, the premise sounds intriguing and seems to blur the lines between comedy and drama. If you haven’t already noticed a bit of a pattern on this list, I am most looking forward to films that not only will break out of the festival bubble but have the potential to be enjoyable rather than sad and depressing. After the past three years, I look forward to feeling good watching movies.
Shortcomings premieres at the Sundance Film Festival on Sunday, January 22, at 3:30pm MST at the Eccles Theater in Park City.
Additional screenings are below:
Jan. 23, 9:00AM MST at the Library Center Theatre in Park City
Jan. 24, 8:00AM MST online at Sundance.org or via the Sundance Film Festival App
Jan. 24, 8:15AM MST at The Ray Theatre in Park City
Jan. 26, 9:45PM MST at the Rose Wagner Center in Salt Lake City
Jan. 27, 3:35PM MST at the Redstone Cinemas in Park City
3. Theater Camp
This is a film that I immediately became interested in solely based on its title. When I looked up the plot and read who was in it and directing it, I knew that Theater Camp was going to be right up my alley. The film’s plot seems like something that will be silly yet fun while also being perfect for someone who is a total theater nerd like me. The casting here intrigues me because Ben Platt, Molly Gordon, and Amy Sedaris are all fantastic actors, and seeing them paired together makes me happy. Here’s hoping that some funny musical numbers are mixed in for good measure.
Theater Camp premieres at the Sundance Film Festival on Saturday, January 21, at 3:25pm MST at the Eccles Theatre in Park City.
Additional screenings are below:
Jan. 22, 12:15PM MST at the Grand Theatre in Salt Lake City
Jan. 23, 11:55PM MST at the Ray Theatre in Park City
Jan. 24, 8:00AM MST online via Sundance.org or on the Sundance Film Festival App
Jan. 26, 9:30PM MST at the Library Center Theatre in Park City
Jan. 27, 9:30PM MST at the Rose Wagner Center in Salt Lake City
2. Flora and Son
Flora and Son was added to the festival line-up last minute, but, along with the number one pick, it is pretty much tied as my most anticipated film to see at Sundance. I didn’t even read the film’s synopsis; I just noticed that it stars Joseph Gordon Levitt (where has he been?) and Eve Hewson, fresh off her breakout Apple TV+ show, Bad Sisters. However, while I like both of those actors, what sold me instantly on the movie was John Carney’s name. I adored Once and Sing Street, two films centered around music, which I am a sucker for. I can only hope that, like the Sing Street premiere, there will be a live performance during the Q&A after the film’s screening.
Flora and Son premieres at the Sundance Film Festival on Sunday, January 22, at 2:30pm MST at the Ray Theatre in Park City.
Additional screenings are below:
Jan. 24, 9:30PM MST at the Eccles Theatre in Park City
Jan. 28, 3:00PM MST at the Screening Room in the Sundance Mountain Resort
Jan. 29, 6:15PM MST at the Grand Theatre in Salt Lake City
1. Cat Person
Honestly, this is the movie that I came to Sundance to see. After seeing Emilia Jones in CODA, I was blown away by her talent that I eagerly awaited her next project. Between Cat Person and Fairyland, here is to hoping that Emilia Jones has another breakout hit on her hands. As for the film itself, while I am not familiar with the short story on which it is based, the premise sounds like a lot of fun. Cat Person seems like one of those films that will connect with a much wider audience beyond the Sundance crowd. It might even become the breakout hit of this year’s Sundance, similar to past titles like Eighth Grade, Promising Young Woman, and CODA. Not to mention that the film is directed by Susanna Fogel and co-stars the underrated Geraldine Viswanathan. While I was admittedly one of the only critics who didn’t care for Blockers, Geraldine was hands down the best part of the film. However, it is her work after Blockers that grabbed my attention. If you haven’t seen Geraldine in Miracle Workers, Hala, or The Broken Hearts Gallery, you should check them out.
Cat Person premieres at the Sundance Film Festival on Saturday, January 21st, at 9:25pm MST at the Eccles Theatre in Park City.
Additional screenings are below:
Jan. 22, 10:00PM MST at the Rose Wagner Center in Salt Lake City
Jan. 24, 8:00AM MST online at Sundance.org or via the Sundance Film Festival App
Jan. 25, 8:45AM MST at the Library Center Theatre in Park City
Jan. 27, 9:15PM MST at the Grand Theatre in Salt Lake City
Jan. 28, 9:00PM MST at the Ray Theatre in Park City
Jan. 29, 5:10PM MST at the Megaplex Theatres at The Gateway 1/2/3 in Salt Lake City
The above are only six of the films I am looking forward to seeing during my time at the festival. I have a handful of others that I am looking forward to watching, whether at the festival in-person or online virtually. I look forward to also watching the following titles: Fairyland, Bad Behaviour, Magazine Dreams, Eileen, Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie, and The Pod Generation.
