The 2021 edition of Tribeca Film Festival returned again, this time providing both virtual at-home screenings as well as the option to take in fresh new films at various outdoor screenings across the city.
This year we took in some films virtually from the comfort of our home from a variety of fresh new cinematic voices featuring films wide variety in subject matter and tone.
Below find recaps of all the films that we took in, presented in the order in which I viewed them.
See For Me (directed by Randall Okita)
A home invasion thriller with a disabled lead and use of technology that offers a compelling enough setup. Then once it gets going it trends towards a more predictable territory and doesn’t always hold up logic-wise. It has its flaws, but even so, it kept my interest all the way through.
Score: 6.2/10
7 Days (directed by Roshan Sethi)
7 Days is a Covid-themed rom-com from director Roshan Sethi that goes about the way you think it will. Yet it is a worthwhile excurision mainly thanks to the performances of Karan Soni and Geraldine Viswanathan. Sethi thankfully avoids going overboard on sentiment/cheese and there is a charm to it, although it does flirt with it during the somewhat abrupt ending.
Rating: 6.5/10
Mark, Mary + Some Other People (directed by Hannah Marks)
Mark, Mary + Some Other People from Hannah Marks is a look at a youthful stumble into the world of open relationships and the freedom/chaos that it causes. It has an electric and high-energy start that doesn’t quite sustain but I kind of enjoyed this, flaws and all. Marks captures the youthful chaos of modern dating and venturing into the unknown.
Surprised by some of the hate I’m seeing from others out there, especially in regards to the ending, which I found painfully fucking real and made up for some of the film’s stumbles during the latter half.
Rating: 7.0/10
Poser (directors Noah Dixon + Ori Segev)
A confident and assured debut effort from directors Noah Dixon & Ori Segev that has a singular vision and feel that pretty accurately captures the indie music scene and the culture that develops around it.
Fully entrenched in the Columbus, Ohio music scene, you could have mistaken this for many spots in Brooklyn. The directors and cast take you on a feverish journey, one that is stylish but has something substantial to say about the validity and authenticity of being an artist.
This film has a distinct feel to it, one that has me locked in on this duo as filmmakers to watch.
Rating: 7.5/10
Italian Studies (directed by Adam Leon)
An experience that is equally frustrating and hypnotic from director Adam Leon. Kirby’s performance and Nicholas Britell’s score almost kept me involved but the “story” is too abstract and thin to pull from to pull you in. There are some interesting moments, but I struggled quite a bit with this one that kept me at a football’s field of an arm’s length.
Rating: 5.0/10
12 Mighty Orphans (directed by Ty Roberts)
12 Mighty Orphans is the sort of inspirational sports biopic that many critics will write off for having been done before better, sappy, and safe. And they aren’t wrong. But it’s also the sort of film that audiences will hold dear to their hearts in the ensuing years. Critics be damned.
Yes, you have indeed seen this before and it goes literally how you expect it to. It’s not original or different, and there are some saccharine moments that feel overly forced and sentimental.
And it doesn’t even matter. The story does most of the legwork and you can’t help but be won over. It features a great latter-day performance from Luke Wilson, who shares terrific chemistry with Martin Sheen. When the sentiment and inspiration do land, it works mightily.
This made me want to watch football more than the Giants have for nearly a decade..so there is also that.
Rating: 7.0/10
Outsiders (directed Delmar Washington)
Outsiders, from director Delmar Washington, showcases a nightmare situation when a teenager’s girlfriend goes missing and he is deemed guilty just because of the color of his skin. While it may be a well-intentioned timely social commentary but ends up being a rather forgettable sci-fi film that just fell flat and sorry to say, but cheap.
Rating: 4.0/10
Dating & New York (directed by Jonah Feingold)
When Harry Met Sally… meets Girls for the dating app generation. It comes dangerously too close to its influences (Woody Allen, Seinfeld) and gets a bit too cute but even despite its glaring flaws, I had a good time with it. Goes about how you expect but I didn’t mind…though Jerry Ferrara’s (who is a producer) narration is … a choice.
Rating: 6.5/10
All My Friends Hate Me (directed by Andrew Gaynord)
Andrew Gaynord’s All My Friends Hate Me is as uncomfortable of a watch as I’ve had in a while. Captures that feeling of social anxiety and self-doubt in a relentlessly tense psychological warfare between people that your supposed to feel safe and comfortable around. Does it stick the landing? I got to sit on it a bit more, but this was an experience, one that had me squirming yet glued to the screen.
Rating: 7.0/10
The Novie (directed by Lauren Hadaway)
The Novice is an enthralling look at the obsession to become the best and the mental toll it takes. Psychological sports thriller that doesn’t sit easy, as if the rowing scene from The Social Network was made into a feature-length film influenced by Whiplash.
Fully realized vision by director Lauren Hadaway and a demanding performance by Isabelle Fuhrman. The score, the editing, it all culminates in a way that never leaves you at ease.
Hard to believe this is Hadaway’s debut, but damn, keep an eye out for her.
Rating: 8.0/10
Catch the Fair One (directed by Josef Wladyka)
Josef Wladyka’s Catch the Fair One is an intense thriller with executed tension that revels in mood and a slow burn, but keeps you on your toes with some shocking bouts of violence. A rare time that I think I could’ve used an extra 10-15 minutes to finish it off but all in all this was a ride. A star-making performance from newcomer Kali Reis.
Rating: 7.0/10
Ultrasound (directed by Rob Schroeder)
Rob Schroeder’s Ultrasound is a trip. A mind-bender that keeps you guessing all the way through – one that is best left going is as blindly as possible (stop reading!?). It can get a bit tangled in its own web and will frustrate some as it got a bit too Nolan-esque at times for its own good but it actually picked up steam during its final act and stuck the landing.
It’s also really good to see Vincent Kartheiser getting some good work again.
Rating: 7.0/10
Do Not Hesitate (directed by Shariff Korver)
A look at the tolls of war from both sides, shot in a 4:3 ratio, putting you into the claustrophobic and tense nature of this world. It doesn’t feel fleshed out enough to accomplish its goals but in-between it all are some powerful moments, but it just doesn’t feel totally complete.
Rating: 6.0/10
The Justice of Bunny King (directed by Gaysorn Thavat)
The Justice of Bunny King, from director Gaysorn Thavat is a touching film practically made for festivals that flirts with greatness and has some really powerful moments, and although it doesn’t always maintain it’s impossible not to be moved utterly and completely.
But there is no denying that this is an awards-caliber performance from Essie Davis that cuts deep to the core. This is an Oscar-worthy turn, one that I know will be completely ignored, which is a damn shame.
Rating: 7.8/10
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