
intro:
Welcome to our first edition of CineVibez HQ Presents: Behind the Curtain. Where Behind the Camera focuses on the filmmaking process, Behind the Curtain focuses on Hollywood and the film industry. For example, I’ll talk about award ceremonies and festivals here. Occasionally, I’ll even write about gossip like the time Richard Gere shoved a gerbil up his ass.
This week, however, we’re talking Sundance. I didn’t “go” to Sundance, but I watched a few movies at home. Keep reading for mostly spoiler-free reviews of Good One, Between the Temples, A Real Pain, Love Me, Stress Positions, Handling the Undead, and Realm of Satan.
sundance reviews:
First up, I saw Realm of Satan (2024). The documentary claims to reveal the mundane daily lives of the Church of Satan’s flock … they’re just like us! Unfortunately, we’re only staged vignettes of each Satanist. Each little scene tries its damnedest to create a Wes Anderson aesthetic. The visual style didn’t help this movie, but I really want Wes Anderson to tackle Dante’s Inferno next.

Next up was the Norweigen zombie movie, Handling the Undead. This film takes its time to create a chilling atmosphere, but a gut-wrenching animal cruelty scene immediately took me out of the movie. Look - I love The Thing and Reanimator, but this was so visceral and unnecessary to the plot. I spent the rest of the movie wondering what Thea Hvistendahl was thinking. Rest assured that this film sucks even without the animal cruelty. It’s another “elevated horror” film that serves as an allegory for grief. Just watch Hereditary again.
I saw Stress Positions the same day as Handling the Undead. It was a rough day. John Early is a master of slapstick, but the voiceover schtick drags the whole movie down. You can skip this unless you’re a John Early die-hard. Otherwise, wait for his next project.

Next, I saw Love Me, a film by the husband and wife directing duo, Andrew and Sam Zuchero. The tagline says this movie is a love story spanning billions of years. Kristen Stewart plays a computerized buoy floating in the ocean and Steve Yeun plays a satellite circling the earth. One random day centuries after humanity went extinct, the two devices communicate and strike up a relationship - or at least what the internet depicts as a relationship.
Love Me is a fascinating concept, but it would have been better as a short film. The themes of love, regret, pain, and the human experience take center stage, but the characters are never thoroughly developed. Spending over 30 minutes in a metaverse didn’t help. Nevertheless, I think we should applaud Love Me for trying something new.
I watched A Real Pain a few hours after seeing The Zone of Interest. Suprisingly, the two films compliment each other in simple yet poignant ways. A Real Pain concerns two cousins who take a trip to Poland together following their grandmother’s’ death. Eisenberg uses the Holocaust tour to explore loss, grief, and emotional pain. Everyone will talk about Kieren Culkin, but Eisenberg gives excellent performance in a well-directed sophomore effort.

Between the Temples is a delight. Jason Schwartzman and Carol Kane charm their way through this little movie about grief. Schwartzman’s character is a 40-something cantor who is trying to pick up the pieces after losing his wife. The only one who “gets him” is his 3rd grade music teacher played by Kane. There are some very funny moments, but overall the film is not super memorable. Schwartzman is great in it, but - come on - this should be an easy lay-up for him.
Good One by India Donaldson was my favorite Sundance film this year. The premise is simple - a young lady goes camping with her father and his best friend. In its entirety, the film feels like taking a nice walk with friends in the forest. It’s funny, yet poignant at times. And the most shocking moment is barely a whisper, yet Good One moved me more than anything else I saw at Sundance. I’m excited to see what India Donaldson makes next.

wrap-up:
Except for a few standouts, Sundance was average at best in 2024. Although, I am looking forward to seeing Love Lies Bleeding when it comes out theatrically in a few months.
Next issue, we close out 2023 with the Second Annual Archies! I’m merging the ceremony into one issue because I’m a little behind schedule. Sorry, but I just started Twin Peaks for the first time. Thanks for reading!
Murray