Film & TV

February 16, 2021

The Six Best Films from Sundance Film Festival 2021

By Luc Le

The (virtual) 2021 Sundance Film Festival showcased the immense talent and uncompromising vision of some of the best independent filmmakers working today.

January 23, 2021

In Review: Carey Mulligan Delivers a Career Highlight in “Promising Young Woman”

By Katie Caracciolo

As we look back on 2020, “Promising Young Woman” stands as an example of the thrilling work that can come out of even the darkest of times.

January 19, 2021

In Review: Christopher Nolan’s “Tenet” Offers Far Greater Frustration Than Spectacle

By Luc Le

“Tenet'' is not a good film but a collection of interesting ideas let down by the muddled, disjointed nature of its writing.

December 21, 2020

In Review: “Mank” Marks David Fincher’s Big Return in a Small Way

By Jonathan Kim

“Mank,” a film about filmmaking in the Golden Age of Hollywood, never quite manages to elevate itself above the trappings of the repetitive trope. 

December 10, 2020

In Review: “The Queen’s Gambit” Should Be Everyone’s Next Binge

By Sophie Lynd

The series documents Beth Harmon (Anya Taylor-Joy) from her life as an orphan in rural Kentucky to her journey in Moscow, where she becomes the greatest chess player in the world.

October 25, 2020

Defeating Fear With Laughter: “The Great Dictator” in a Modern Context

By Jonathan Kim

Associate Professor Maggie Hennefeld, from the University of Minnesota, invited UCSB students for a Zoom discussion as part of the Carsey-Wolf Center’s ongoing series on subversive cinema.

October 19, 2020

In Review: Is “Emily in Paris” Binge-Worthy or Cringe-Worthy?

By Tam Le

Overall, “Emily in Paris” falls very short of becoming an iconic series and instead is more like a dollar store’s “Gossip Girl.” That being said, it was difficult to stop watching.

September 28, 2020

In Review: “I’m Thinking of Ending Things”—I’m Thinking I Need to Watch This Again

By Liliana Linan

From the beginning, the film fulfills its dark and cerebral labels, and though not quite a horror movie, the cinematography contains elements of new wave horror films.

August 28, 2020

SBIFF Film Talk: “Vera Cruz” Showcases a Colorful Hidden Gem of Santa Barbara Architecture

By Joshen Mantai

The film footage was captured over two years, using time-lapse photography and constructed camera poles to show the growth of the property’s art over time. 

August 24, 2020

In Review: It’s No Big Dill If You Don’t Watch “An American Pickle”

By Liliana Linan

Yes, “An American Pickle” is a comedy starring one of the genre’s most well-known actors, but it’s not the laugh-out-loud movie the trailer makes it out to be.

August 18, 2020

“The Beelievers:” An Insider Glance Into the Bee-Loving Community of Santa Barbara

By Joshen Mantai

The short film “The Beelievers” presents an insider glance into the unconventional world of beekeeping and those involved in the upkeep of the bee population in Santa Barbara.

August 5, 2020

SBIFF Film Talk: “Trail Heads” Presents a Glimpse Into the Collaborative Spirit of Santa Barbara Adventure

By Joshen Mantai

“Trail Heads" depicts the community established between previous rival biking and hiking groups after the devastating impacts of the Thomas Fire and mudslides. 

July 27, 2020

“Grasshopper for Grandpa”: A Storied Essence of an Antique Santa Barbara

By Joshen Mantai

“Grasshopper for Grandpa,” a short film documentary about Jimmy’s Oriental Gardens directed by Casey McGarry, narrates the story behind this beloved spot and the legacy it left behind. 

July 17, 2020

“Palm Springs”: The Perfect Film For This Never-Ending Quarantine

By Liliana Linan

The film portrays the unfortunate yet legitimate human issues of struggling with a sense of belonging, self-identity and the meaning of life.

June 23, 2020

In Review: Spike Lee’s “Da 5 Bloods”

By Liliana Linan

“Da 5 Bloods” deals with emotional trauma caused because of the war, trust issues, complex relationships with fathers and the never-ending injustices experienced by Black people in America.

June 20, 2020

In Review: “8:46” by Dave Chappelle

By Aayush Dixit

The special comes in the wake of nationwide and worldwide protests denouncing the murder of George Floyd and police brutality and systemic racism against Black Americans as a whole.