Here are my recommendations for films to see this month. As always, check back here to catch of on my thoughts and commentary related to these movies as I watch them.

*Note: some of this theatrical release dates are for limited release before it opens in wide release; all are US dates

[October 18]

“12 Years a Slave”

British director Steve McQueen and actor Michael Fassbender are at it again with another collaboration following Hunger (2009) and Shame (2011), this time bringing to the screen the very true story and unbelievable story of Solomon Northrup, who, back in the 1860s, was kidnapped in the North and sold into slavery in the South though he was born a free man. Separated from his family, he spent 12 years as a slave until he regained his freedom and wrote about this time in a book.   

“Kill Your Darlings”

It’s kinda the story of the start of what we know to be the Beat Generation and the writers of this 1950s period who inspired this moment. In the film we meet some of these famed writers - Allen Ginsberg (Daniel Radcliffe), Jack Kerouac (Jack Huston), and William S. Burroughs (Ben Foster) - and the true circumstances that drew them together.

Keep reading

August is a great month for independent filmmakers. Here are the movies - ones I’ve seen and ones I look forward to - that are on my radar for this month. As always, check back for related posts on this movies as I make my way through them. 

*Note: some of this theatrical release dates are for limited release before it goest wide; all are US dates

[Aug 2]

“The Spectacular Now”

A very sweet romantic tale of beautifully flawed teenagers on the brink of maturity and currently my second favorite film of 2013. Starring Sundance 2013 Best Actor winners Miles Teller and Shailene Woodley and from the writing duo of Michael H. Webber (who I have been having very cool twitter exchanges with) and Scott Neustadter of (500) Days of Summer fame, it’s definitely one that shouldn’t be missed. 

–> Atlanta Film Festival Review: The Spectacular Now

[Aug 9]

“Elysium”

It’s the (bigger budget) tale of the have and have nots, a follow-up to Neill Blomkamp's ult-world sci-fi drama District 9 that Matt Damon just happened to find his way into. Watch the trailer and read some of my trailer commentary here. 

Keep reading

I’m at the Sundance Film Festival, ya’ll! I’ve been in beautiful (but extremely cold) Park City, for about 2 ½ days now and have about that much time left to go. I really don’t have to write film reviews, tweet, take pictures, meet new people AND hang out with my friend that’s here with me so… I’m sacrificing writing all reviews until after I get back home in a few days. I have seen some really great movies this year at the festival as well as had some really cool celeb spotting stories. Stay tuned for all my updates! If you do want to follow some of the festival through my perspectives, follow me on twitter (@shalathomas) In the meantime, feel free to catch up on some Sundance reading with some links on related news, commentary, and happenings coming straight to you from Park City: 

Online hangout with Sundance doc directors.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt talks his directorial debut Don Jon’s Addiction.

12 Sundance 2013 short films you can watch now.

A Teacher trailer.

Twitter feeds of Sundance filmmakers.

First clip from Stoker.

20 questions with Ryan Coogler, director of Friutvale.

Sundance’s Pinterest board.

Robert Rodriguez reminisces on 20 years. 

Cast interview for Kill Your Darlings.

Past Sundance hits and misses. 

Live stream events from Sundance.

Shia LaBeouf is Charlie Countryman.

More photos from jOBS.

6 Ways to Sundance fest from afar.

Every year, the Sundance Institute posts videos of filmmakers discussing their films chosen to be screened for the Sundance Film Festival in their “Meet the Artist” series. With the start of the 2013 Festival only 9 days away, video discussions for some of the most anticipated films for the festival have been posted. Check out three from films that I think will be ones to look out for in theaters this year and next: 

Fruitvale (starring Michael B Jordan, Octavia Spencer, Melanie Diaz, Chad Michael Murray): The film centers on the true story of Oscar, a 22-year-old Bay Area resident who crosses paths with friends, enemies, family and strangers on the last day of 2008.

Ain’t Them Bodies Saints (starring Rooney Mara, Casey Affleck, Ben Foster): the film tells the tale of an outlaw who escapes from prison and sets out across the Texas hills to reunite with his wife and the daughter he has never met. 

Kill Your Darlings (starring Daniel Radcliffe, Dane DeHaan, Ben Foster, Michael C. Hall): The film is the untold story of murder that brought together a young Allen Ginsberg, Jack Kerouac and William Burroughs at Columbia University in 1944, providing the spark that led to the birth of an entire generation – their Beat revolution.

Slowly but surely, I’m still building on my previous list… 

61. Someone can only hold you back from a better life if you let them [Smashed]
62. The group of outcasts is the group I want to be in [The Perks of Being a Wallflower]
63. The best men are the ones that stand up for their beliefs [Hunger]
64. Forget about coming up with a plan for anarchy, saying sentences with more than 5 “v” words, it difficult enough for me. Also, a shaved head can be hot. [V is for Vendetta] 

Keep reading

Last week, I registered to get my time slot for advance ticket purchase for the 2012 Sundance Film Festival. Don’t really think I’ll be able to go this time but here’s hoping. I had such a great time last year that I have to try. As you may know, Sundance, held primarily in Park City, Utah, is one of the world’s greatest film festivals and as it is open to the public, anyone can attend. A year ago this time I decided to stop dreaming about going and actually just get myself there. I found out years before that my old high school friend Lindy lives in UT and offered to take me around. I had been telling her for awhile that I would come and visit her so I recruited my friend Ije to go with me and finally made it all the way to Utah. You have to understand, I was alittle worried about going for a number of reasons. A black girl in Utah? Come on. Also this is Utah in January. I’m from Louisiana so what they hell do I know about cold and snow? It was all worry for nothing. It was an beautiful place to have an incredible experience.

Park City is such a cute little city, and we stayed at this great new hotel right outside of downtown. The festival has an awesome shuttle service that takes you to all the theaters in the area. Just walking around was great because there were so much activity going on connected with the festival including parties, live music, and great eateries. Also, many actors are in and out of the city promoting their films so it’s a great place to spot them (Rob Lowe was standing right in front of me! :).

Keep reading