For everything Sundance we’ve published over the past few days (and the weeks leading up to the festival) check this out,, but what did you really want to see out of Sundance? We’ve got a pretty good idea. Our preview of hot sales titles (heavy on the genre films and documentaries) was of big interest and our top pick, Cooper Raiff’s “Cha Cha Real Smooth” sold to Apple for a hefty $15 million.
Also of interest: a look at why Jesse Eisenberg’s long-time friend and frequent co-star Emma Stone got into the producing fray to make his directorial debut, “When You Finish Saving the World.” The film premiered opening weekend and A24 will release it later this year.
Related Influential Awards Bodies Reshape 2023 Best Documentary Feature Race Oscars 2023: Best Documentary Feature Predictions Related Oscars 2023: Best International Feature Film Predictions 24 Famously Queer and Homoerotic Horror Movies, from ‘Psycho’ to ‘Hellraiser’
When it came to reviews, the variety of films that people wanted to read about was thrilling. The number-one story of the festival is about as Sundance as it gets: a review of the Aubrey Plaza-starring crime thriller “Emily the Criminal,” which arrived at the festival with a ton of buzz and earned raves along the way. It’s still looking for distribution as of this writing, but we’re guessing not for long.
Other breakouts included the Rebecca Hall-starring “Resurrection,” Eisenberg’s “When You Finish Saving the World,” megachurch satire “Honk for Jesus, Save Your Soul,” and Lena Dunham’s “secret” third film “Sharp Stick.”
Courtesy of Sundance Institute
Also popping: Reviews of two Searchlight titles, Mimi Cave’s “Fresh” and “Good Luck to You, Leo Grande” starring Emma Thompson; Shudder buy “Speak No Evil,” and Raiff’s “Cha Cha Real Smooth.”
At our virtual Sundance studio, the number-one chat was with the filmmakers behind Netflix Kanye West documentary “jeen-yuhs,” as they addressed swirling questions around the rapper and his demand for final cut. You can watch the rest of our studio interviews right here. Till next year!
Netflix
‘Emily the Criminal’ Review: Aubrey Plaza Is Riveting in a Pitch-Black Heist Thriller
‘Lucy and Desi’ Review: Amy Poehler’s Affecting Documentary Understands Ball and Arnaz on an Emotional Level
‘Resurrection’ Review: Rebecca Hall and Tim Roth Face Off in Impressively Deranged Psychological Thriller
‘Fresh’ Review: Sebastian Stan Is Captivating as Charismatic Maniac in Sleek and Stylish Horror Debut
‘Good Luck to You, Leo Grande’ Review: Emma Thompson Hires a Male Escort in a Touching and Sex-Positive Two-Hander
‘When You Finish Saving the World’ Review: Dueling Narcissists Battle in Jesse Eisenberg’s Terrific Debut
‘Honk for Jesus, Save Your Soul’ Review: Megachurch Culture Gets a Biting Send-Up Straight from Heaven
‘2nd Chance’ Review: A Jaw-Dropping but Unfocused Doc About the Man Who Shot Himself 192 Times
‘Brainwashed’ Review: Nina Menkes’ Eye-Opening Documentary Will Forever Change How You Look at Films
Kanye West Demands Final Cut on ‘Jeen-Yuhs’ Netflix Doc, but Filmmakers Say His Camp Has Already Seen It
Life After ‘Zombieland’: Why Emma Stone Launched Producing Career with Jesse Eisenberg’s First Feature
‘Speak No Evil’ Review: A Chilling Danish Horror Offering That’s the Opposite of Hygge
Sundance 2022: 15 Movies That Could Sell Big at a Festival Heavy with Genre Films and Docs
‘Cha Cha Real Smooth’ Review: A Bar Mitzvah Party Starter Falls for Dakota Johnson in This Low-Key Charmer
‘Sharp Stick’ Review: Lena Dunham’s Secret Film Is a Challenging Examination of Love and Sex Sign Up: Stay on top of the latest breaking film and TV news! Sign up for our Email Newsletters here.
