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2021

“To All the Boys 3: Always and Forever” flirts with maturity, but can’t commit

To All the Boys 3: Always and Forever
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Netflix’s sickly-sweet teen rom-com series finally reaches the limits of its charm offensive with an overlong, stakes-less conclusion.

Clint Worthington Posted on February 11, 2021February 11, 2021

“Little Fish” is a pandemic-set love story you don’t have to throw back

Little Fish (IFC Films)
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Olivia Cooke and Jack O’Connell shine in a melodramatic, but immersive romantic tragedy that mimics the isolation and loss of our current moment.

Oluwatayo Adewole Posted on February 7, 2021February 7, 2021

“PVT CHAT” offers a peep show into parasocial obsession

PVT CHAT (Dark Star)
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The latest from NYC-based filmmaker Ben Hozie is a taut drama about sex, money, and the Internet.

Theo Estes Posted on February 5, 2021February 5, 2021

“Fake Famous” asks the question, “What price Instagram fame?”

Fake Famous (HBO)
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Nick Bilton’s documentary-slash-zoomer ethnography investigates whether you can game your way to social media fame.

Sarah Gorr Posted on February 2, 2021February 2, 2021

Sundance 2021: “Life in a Day 2020” is a 90-minute vlog compilation

Life in a Day 2020
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The gimmick to Kevin Macdonald’s worldwide snapshot of 24 hours has lost its novelty this deep into the social media age.

Matt Cipolla Posted on February 1, 2021February 2, 2021

Sundance 2021: “Street Gang” is a joy for Sesame Street fans

Sundance Street Gang
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Marilyn Agrelo’s documentary soaks you in the warm bath of nostalgia for Jim Henson’s long-running Muppet masterpiece.

Peter Sobczynski Posted on February 1, 2021February 1, 2021

Sundance 2021: “Pleasure” is a painful, provocative viewing

Pleasure
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Ninja Thyberg’s tale of a woman’s attempt to make it in the adult film industry is a feature debut that doesn’t pull any punches.

Matt Cipolla Posted on February 1, 2021February 3, 2021

“The Long Song” – Masterpiece’s end-of-slavery miniseries is excellent

The Long Song
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Mahalia Bello’s study of the end of slavery in Jamaica, “The Long Song” is incisive, insightful and prioritizes the humanity of the enslaved.

Oluwatayo Adewole Posted on January 31, 2021January 31, 2021

Sundance 2021: “All Light, Everywhere” knows no bounds

All Light, Everywhere
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Theo Anthony’s new documentary threads together film theory, politics, and philosophy to great success.

Matt Cipolla Posted on January 31, 2021January 31, 2021

Sundance 2021: “Violation” is a work of shocking cinematic provocation

Sundance Violation
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Madeleine Sims-Fewer and Dusty Mancinelli’s rape revenge thriller tests the boundaries of narrative and sensibility to gruesome effect.

Peter Sobczynski Posted on January 31, 2021February 1, 2021

Sundance 2021: “Eight for Silver” lacks bark and bite

Eight for Silver
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Sean Ellis’ werewolf period piece is a humorless medley of conflicting approaches that somehow ends up dull.

Matt Cipolla Posted on January 31, 2021January 30, 2021

Sundance 2021: “In the Earth” never fully blossoms

In the Earth
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Ben Wheatley’s pandemic-shot sci-fi effort is a derivative and predictable trip through the fog despite a few choice moments.

Matt Cipolla Posted on January 29, 2021February 3, 2021

Sundance 2021: “John and the Hole” is damn near empty

John and the Hole
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Pascual Sisto’s debut feature is a surprisingly toothless psychological thriller with very little on its mind.

Matt Cipolla Posted on January 29, 2021January 30, 2021

Sundance 2021: “Cryptozoo” is a visually bonkers trip

Cryptozoo
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The new film from Dash Shaw and Jane Samborski uses its breadth of bold psychedelic inspirations to distract from a tepid script.

Matt Cipolla Posted on January 29, 2021January 29, 2021

“The Ultimate Playlist of Noise” is treacly YA that can’t find its voice

Ultimate Playlist of Noise (Hulu)
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Bennett Lasseter’s teen romance plays like Sound of Metal for the YA set, but sags under a heaping helping of misconceptions about deafness.

Charlotte Little Posted on January 15, 2021January 15, 2021

“Night Stalker: The Hunt for a Serial Killer” charts a scary LA summer

Night Stalker
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Netflix’s latest true-crime docuseries expands its scope not just to the famed LA murderer, but the community he […]

Marshall Estes Posted on January 13, 2021January 13, 2021

“Outside the Wire” is a droning, ideologically confused sci-fi thriller

Outside the Wire
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The Netflix Action Movie Industrial Complex continues abated with a deeply mediocre military thriller that can’t get a handle on its lukewarm critique of drones.

Clint Worthington Posted on January 13, 2021January 12, 2021

“Herself” finds gentle grace in a simple story about trauma

Herself (Amazon Studios)
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Phyllida Lloyd and writer-star Clare Dunne delicately handle tough subject matter in a responsible, deft character drama.

Sarah Gorr Posted on January 8, 2021January 7, 2021

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