Film & TV

The Six Best Films from Sundance Film Festival 2021

February 16, 2021 by

The (virtual) 2021 Sundance Film Festival showcased the immense talent and uncompromising vision of some of the best independent filmmakers working today.
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In Review: Carey Mulligan Delivers a Career Highlight in “Promising Young Woman”

January 23, 2021 by

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

January 19, 2021 by

“Tenet'' is not a good film but a collection of interesting ideas let down by the muddled, disjointed nature of its writing.
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In Review: “Mank” Marks David Fincher’s Big Return in a Small Way

December 21, 2020 by

“Mank,” a film about filmmaking in the Golden Age of Hollywood, never quite manages to elevate itself above the trappings of the repetitive trope. 
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In Review: “The Queen’s Gambit” Should Be Everyone’s Next Binge

December 10, 2020 by

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

October 25, 2020 by

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

October 19, 2020 by

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

September 28, 2020 by

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

August 28, 2020 by

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

August 24, 2020 by

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

August 18, 2020 by

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

August 5, 2020 by

“Trail Heads" depicts the community established between previous rival biking and hiking groups after the devastating impacts of the Thomas Fire and mudslides. 
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“Grasshopper for Grandpa”: A Storied Essence of an Antique Santa Barbara

July 27, 2020 by

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

July 17, 2020 by

The film portrays the unfortunate yet legitimate human issues of struggling with a sense of belonging, self-identity and the meaning of life.
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In Review: Spike Lee’s “Da 5 Bloods”

June 23, 2020 by

“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.
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