Arts & Entertainment
Cars and Couture Summer Fashion Show Announced at LeMay
Fashion District NW (FDNW) and LeMay-America’s Car Museum (ACM) have announced a partnership for the 7th annual Couture & Cars Fashion Show, taking place on Saturday, July 19, 2025, at LeMay-America’s Car Museum. This collaboration will blend high fashion with classic cars, offering a unique experience where top designers’ collections are showcased alongside stunning automobiles. The event celebrates the intersection of fashion and automotive craftsmanship, attracting both fashion and car enthusiasts. Tickets will be available for purchase starting February 12, 2025.
FDNW is known for promoting emerging designers, while ACM is one of the largest automotive museums in the world, located in Tacoma, Washington.
City of Destiny Award Nominations Now Open
The City of Tacoma is accepting nominations for the 39th Annual City of Destiny Awards, recognizing local volunteers for their exceptional contributions. Nominations are open until 11:59 p.m. on March 14, 2025. Categories include Adult and Youth Leadership, Lifetime Service, Environmental Sustainability, Disability Advocacy, Economic Development, and more. The City of Destiny Awards have honored over 330 individuals and groups since 1987. Nominations can be submitted online at tacomavenues.org. For questions, contact [email protected] or call 253.573.2523. More details, including sponsorship opportunities, are available on the website.
Step into the world of Velvet Rope – A Prohibition Cabaret & Erotic Art Soiree
Youwen Productions and Tacoma Cabaret are collaborating to present “Velvet Rope: A Prohibition Cabaret & Erotic Art Soiree” on February 15, 2025, at the Dome District Gallery in Freighthouse Square, Tacoma. The event will feature aerialist, pole, and burlesque performances, period-themed drinks, and an uncensored gallery showcasing works from over 20 Pacific Northwest artists. Attendees can also enjoy live nude model painting by Charles Burt, body painting by Frida Haas, and on-site tattoo services by Visualize Tattoos. There are two showtimes: the first begins at 4:00 PM with performances at 5:00 PM, and the second starts at 8:00 PM with performances at 9:00 PM. Tickets are priced at $25 for standing general admission, $45 for seated general admission, and $65 for VIP with table service. All attendees must be 21 or older. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the event page.: https://youwenproductions.org/events/velvet-rope/
Looking for a Hot Spot to Get Your Mardi Gras On?
Several venues in Pierce County are gearing up for Mardi Gras celebrations:
Bourbon Street Creole Kitchen in Puyallup, which has been serving Cajun cuisine since 2013, will host the Buckshot Brass Band on March 1 and 4 with two seatings and a special menu featuring jambalaya, étouffée, and Louisiana platters. There will be line dancing and festive decor.
Chez Lafayette in Tacoma, a newer Creole brasserie, will celebrate its first Mardi Gras with live jazz on Feb. 28, March 1, and 4.
Velvet’s Big Easy in Spanaway, another new spot, will host a zydeco band and offer a special menu with beignets and live music on March 1.
Doyle’s Pub in Tacoma will serve a From the Bayou menu from Feb. 7 to March 4, with New Orleans-inspired dishes and desserts like Doberge cake and bread pudding.
Pasteles Finos del Angel in Tacoma will offer king cake and special king cake doughnuts, known for gluten-free and vegan treats.
Reservations are recommended at many of these spots.
Nancy Callan: Forces at Play Celebration & Artist Reception
Please join the Museum of Glass for a celebration of Nancy Callan: Forces at Play. This celebration and artist reception on March 8th at 4:30 – 6:30pm, will feature a cash bar and light bites during a Q&A with Callan and Museum of Glass Curator Katie Buckingham. Callan will reflect on the exhibition, her career, and where her artistic practice will take her in the future. Following the Q&A, please join Nancy and our team on a tour of the exhibition.
This event is included with Museum admission and free for Museum Members.
→ Learn more and purchase tickets.
Fun and Festivals to Enjoy with Your Valentine
Looking for something fun to do with your valentine this weekend (and beyond)? There’s a few festivals you’ll want to put on your calendar.
Chocolate & Wine Festival
Olympia’s Medicine Creek Winery is hosting from noon-5 p.m. Feb. 15-16 the 21st edition of its Chocolate & Wine Festival. For $25 a person, attendees can get their fill of the namesake treats, all while listening to live music from Pumphouse. Get more details here.
Dine and Dance at Allenmore Golf Course
From 6-11 p.m. on Valentine’s Day, Tacoma’s Allenmore Golf Course and Events Center is hosting a Dine and Dance event where $100 will get you and your significant other a romantic dinner and some dancefloor fun. Find ticket information here.
11th Annual Black & Brew Imperial Stout Celebration
Starting today and continuing through Feb. 18, Watershed Pub & Kitchen in Northgate is hosting the 11th edition of its yearly Black & Brew Imperial Stout Celebration, which will see 15 different stouts available for visitors to sample. Get more details here.
Tacoma Little Theater Announces Lorca in the Green Dress
Tacoma Little Theatre, in collaboration with The University of Washington-Tacoma Theatre Department, will present Lorca in a Green Dress, a surrealist play by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Nilo Cruz. Directed by Maria-Tania Bandes B. Weingarden and choreographed by Marisela Fleites-Lear, the play honors Spanish poet Federico García Lorca. It explores his life, death, and legacy in a surreal purgatory setting, with six actors portraying various aspects of Lorca’s personality.
The show runs from March 7 to March 23, 2025, with performances at 7:30 PM (evenings) and 2:00 PM (matinees). A “Pay What You Can” performance is scheduled for March 20, and an ASL-interpreted performance will take place on March 23. Tickets range from $22 to $29, with group rates and special passes available. The production is recommended for ages 12 and up.
Neighborhood News
Downtown On The Go’s Friday Forum Panel on Aging in Place
As housing costs continue to rise, our seniors face unique issues in retaining access to services, community, and stability. Join Downtown On The Go for a panel exploring the challenges impacting Tacomans ability to Age in Place, and how addressing them can make Tacoma a better place for everyone to live, work, and play.
This free Friday Forum panel event will be held on February 28th from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. in person at the University of Washington Tacoma in Milgard Hall Room 110, and virtually over Teams Webinar. Panelists Cheryl Lee (Korean Women’s Association), Bucoda Warren (City of Tacoma), and Nalani Linder (TACID). Moderated by Tanisha Jumper (Tacoma Public Schools).
Thank you to UW Tacoma’s Office of Events and Conferences for supporting these forums by providing us with an in-person space.
Downtown On the Go’s Friday Forums bring together local leaders, experts, and the community to talk about transportation issues facing Tacoma and our region. In 2025 we’re exploring how Tacoma – both the City and its residents – is changing, through discussions on new and upcoming policy, the impacts of rising housing costs and displacement, and the future of transit in the South Sound. Learn more about the 2025 Friday Forums series and access recordings of past forums here.
Downtown On the Go events are free to attend but not to put on. Please consider making a donation to support their work here. DOTG works to increase safe mobility for all people in the greater Tacoma area.
Draft Released of One Tacoma Comprehensive Plan. Public Hearing Scheduled
The Planning Commission has approved the release of the draft One Tacoma Comprehensive Plan, and the public can now review and provide comments until March 7, 2025, at 5 p.m. The draft is available at www.cityoftacoma.org/onetacomaupdate A public hearing is scheduled for March 5, 2025, at 6 p.m. at the Tacoma Municipal Building, with options to participate in-person or remotely via Zoom. Written comments can be submitted by email or mail.
City staff will host four events to provide updates on the draft One Tacoma Comprehensive Plan’s progress. Community members are encouraged to attend to hear a presentation of the main changes being made to the Comprehensive Plan as well as updates on other City plans and initiatives, including the South Tacoma Groundwater Protection District Plan, Tideflats Subarea Plan, Neighborhood Planning Initiative, and Pacific Avenue Subarea Plan. Events are family-friendly, and light refreshments will be provided.
Event Dates: South Tacoma – February 20: STAR Center, 3873 S. 66th St., Tacoma, WA 98409, from 6-7:30 PM
Virtual event – February 24: Via Zoom (Dial-in option: 253-215-8782; Webinar ID – 836 6932 7451), from 6-7:30 PM
North Tacoma – February 27: Wheelock Library, 3722 N. 26th St., Tacoma, WA 98407 from 1-2:30 PM
Eastside – March 1: Eastside Community Center, 1721 E. 56th St., Tacoma, WA 98404 from 1-2:30 PM About the One Tacoma Comprehensive Plan
The One Tacoma Comprehensive Plan will guide the city’s growth and development over the next 25 years, focusing on land use, transportation, housing, and public services. Public feedback will help refine the plan, with a final version to be adopted by the City Council in June 2025.
Rebuilding Hope Sexual Assault Center Reopens After Renovations
Rebuilding Hope Sexual Assault Center has completed initial renovations of its new, larger healing center in Tacoma’s Hilltop neighborhood, reopening in January after a temporary closure. The move expands the organization’s capacity to provide advocacy, therapy, and education services for sexual assault survivors.
The new facility nearly doubles the center’s space and offers:
Increased capacity for therapy and advocacy services, including for Sex Trafficking and Exploitation Program (STEP) clients.
Enhanced accessibility via public transportation and proximity to hospitals.
Dedicated areas for group activities, workshops, and certification courses.
Greater community visibility to raise awareness of support services.
Improved accessibility features for individuals with disabilities.
Plans for future development include adding a client drop-in center, youth space, wellness center, and a healing garden, funded through the Healing Headquarters Campaign, aiming to raise $4.5 million.
Executive Director Carlyn Sampson expressed excitement about the expansion, emphasizing the center’s increased ability to serve victim-survivors with dignity. To celebrate, Rebuilding Hope will host an Open House on February 19 from 3-6 p.m.
Since 1975, the center has been the only state-accredited sexual assault program serving Pierce and Kitsap counties.
The Mat Classic Returns to Tacoma Dome February 20th
The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) Mat Classic will be held at the Tacoma Dome from February 20-22, 2025, marking the return of the event as part of a new four-year agreement. This agreement ensures Washington’s high school wrestling, basketball, soccer, and track and field championships will remain in Pierce County through 2028. Tacoma Venues & Events, Visit Tacoma-Pierce County, Tacoma Public Schools, and the Puyallup School District helped secure the bid. The event draws thousands of athletes, coaches, and spectators, generating an estimated $10.3 million in economic impact for the region. The Mat Classic is a premier high school wrestling event, with tickets available at the Tacoma Dome’s Heritage Bank Box Office or online, offering discounts for seniors, military, and students. Children under five get free admission.
Local Governance
New Tacoma Director of Community & Economic Development Appointed
Tanja Carter has been appointed as Tacoma’s new Director of Community & Economic Development, starting March 24. City Manager Elizabeth Pauli announced the decision, which was confirmed by the Council. Carter brings extensive international experience, having worked in over 60 countries and lived on three continents. She is fluent in German, English, and Spanish.
Carter previously served as the Economic Development Director for Federal Way and has experience in SeaTac and Auburn, focusing on tourism, real estate, and international manufacturing. She is known for supporting immigrant-owned businesses and fostering strategic collaborations with organizations like the IEDC and WEDA.
With a bachelor’s degree in economics and international relations from The American University, Carter is eager to help enhance Tacoma’s business landscape and collaborate with the community.
Business & Other Opportunities
Apply for Summer Internships with Pierce County by 2/16
Applications for our 2025 summer internships are now open!
The following internships are available this summer: Affordable Housing, Child Advocate Program, District Court Resource Center, Environmental Education, Energy Efficiency, Fleet Vehicle Mechanic, Forensic Autopsy, Public Policy (Executive’s Office), Research and Policy (Council) and Water Quality Monitoring.
Applications are due by Feb. 16, 2025.
Ready to get started? PierceCountyWa.gov/Internship.
Artists: Connect with Collectors Through Email Marketing, Workshop
A free workshop titled “Connect with Collectors through Email Marketing” will take place on Saturday, February 22, at 11am CT. The session will cover email marketing basics, how to start and grow your email list, best practices and answer all your questions about email marketing and newsletters – why you should or shouldn’t do it, how it works best, how to get started if you have no list, how to grow your list, and more. Participants are encouraged to come with questions. If you can’t attend, sign up to receive the replay. To prepare, the speaker suggests focusing on what you can control, staying present in your work, and practicing self-compassion. Sign up for the workshop through the provided link.
That Funky Building at Les Davis Pier is Up and Running Once Again
Wide Awake Cafe has opened a new location at 3427 Ruston Way, near Les Davis Pier, on February 11. The cafe, owned by Victoria “Missy” Lovett, offers espresso drinks, specialty beverages, pastries, and breakfast items. The menu includes popular drinks like the Hot Brown Butter Snickerdoodle and Hot Caramel Brûlée Crunch, alongside non-coffee options like matcha and smoothies.
Wide Awake Cafe will operate from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. during its first week, with regular hours of 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. starting February 17. The cafe also serves sandwiches from Memoranda Kitchen and Blazing Bagels. This is Lovett’s third location, following two others in Tacoma on Center Street, and the Ruston Way spot was chosen after a formal selection process by Parks Tacoma. The property had been vacant after Kama’aina Grill closed at the end of 2023.
Free Property Tax Exemption Seminar Hosted by Assessor-Treasurer
Seniors and individuals with disabilities are invited to attend a free Property Tax Exemption Seminar hosted by the Pierce County Assessor-Treasurer’s Office in partnership with the South Sound Housing Affordability Partners and Pierce County Human Services (PCHS).
These informative sessions will provide guidance on eligibility and how life changes such as retirement or loss of a spouse may impact tax relief. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and learn how to apply for property tax exemptions. PCHS will also host resource tables offering valuable information on programs and services available to the community, including veterans’ support and aging and disability resources.
Monday, Feb. 24 | 10 AM | Puyallup Public Library
Tuesday, March 11 | 9 AM | Sumner Senior Center
Attendance is free and open to the public, but registration is encouraged. Visit https://bit.ly/3WEb74G to learn more.
Recreation & Wellness
Love Is in the Air at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium’s Valentine’s Event
Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium is celebrating love in all its forms with “Love at the Zoo,” a special Valentine’s-themed event taking place February 17-19. Visitors can enjoy animal enrichments, themed activities, and educational talks highlighting the unique ways animals express affection and form bonds.
Guests will have the opportunity to watch animals interact with heart-shaped treats and participate in conservation-focused activities designed for all ages. The event also includes zookeeper chats about the complex relationships among species, from lifelong partnerships to intricate courtship rituals.
“Love at the Zoo” is included with general admission and offers an engaging way for visitors to learn about the natural world while celebrating the season of love. More information is available at www.pdza.org.
Parks Tacoma Has Lots of Upcoming Events to Look Forward To
Glow Golf
February 14 & 15 | Tee times start at sunset | Meadow Park Golf Course
Spice up your normal Valentine’s Day weekend with a round of Glow Golf at Meadow Park!
Kids Night Out
Friday, February 14 | 6 – 9 pm | STAR Center
(Age 5-12) Enjoy a night off while your kids enjoy a night out! Our 5,000 sq. ft. indoor/outdoor Treetops playground is a blast, and kids can also enjoy themed games, and crafts.
President’s Day Work Party
Monday, February 17 | 9 am – 12 PM | Senator Rosa Franklin Park
Looking to give back on Presidents’ Day? Join Park Steward Nori Kimura to help beautify and maintain the restoration site at Senator Rosa Franklin Park on Monday, February 17 from 9 am-12 pm.
Community CPR Workshop
Tuesday, February 18 | 12 – 1 PM | Center at Norpoint
Free! Celebrate Heart Health month by learning the basics of CPR in our 1-hour workshop at Center at Norpoint, led by Parks Tacoma Aquatics Staff.
Pre-registration is required to attend
This workshop will not certify individuals in CPR
Check out all of the upcoming Parks Tacoma events at their website.
Daffodil Parade Season is Coming Register Your Boat for the Marine Parade
All parade/non-parade boats must register for basin moorage and/or parade participation. The 2025 registration fee is $20 per BOAT [includes Festival Entry Bracelets for 2 people].
Registration fee assists the Basin Crew in providing improved tie up and mitigate artificial registration. It also helps in supporting our weekend’s entertainment and happy hour.
NEW* Festival Entrance Bracelets, to keep the quality and enjoyment of Daffodil Weekend, they have implement a nominal entrance fee of $10 per person for everyone over 18. This contribution covers the whole weekend and will help us provide happy hour on Friday afternoon, along with fun and lively entertainment on both Friday and Saturday evenings, and of course the exciting and a bit rowdy pub-style trivia game.
Boat registration includes Festival Entry Bracelets for 2 people.
The boat registration deadline is March 21, 2025 or until we reach our limit.
Beach Clean Up to Celebrate Beer Release During Beer Week
Silver City Brewery is partnering with Communities for a Healthy Bay (CHB) to create a special collaboration beer, Gose With The Flow, to support clean water initiatives in Bremerton, Tacoma, and beyond. This refreshing gose features lemon balm and San Juan Island sea salt, capturing the essence of Puget Sound with citrus notes and a hint of salinity. A portion of the proceeds from the beer will go to CHB to help protect and restore South Sound waterways. To celebrate the release, there will be a beach cleanup with CHB and South Sound Surfrider at Les Davis Pier on March 1, followed by a beer release party at Peaks and Pints from 2:00 to 4:00 PM.
Film & TV Reviews
Film Reviews: Paddington in Peru
By: Elizabeth Malloy
Paddington has finally returned to the big screen with his latest film, Paddington in Peru, nearly eight years after the heartwarming cinematic masterpiece, Paddington 2. The cinematic franchise following the iconic, well-mannered bear, has become an international phenomenon, not only among families, but among adults as well. However, the mastermind behind the film’s success, Paul King, and Mrs. Brown, played beautifully by Sally Hawkins, have decided not to follow Paddington to his homeland in Peru. So needless to say, you feel the void left by them in Paddington in Peru. It is still a heartwarming family-adventure that feels like a warm hug, but it doesn’t have the magic that made the first two films so special.
After Paddington (voiced again by the wonderful Ben Whishaw) receives a concerning letter about his Aunt Lucy, Paddington and the Brown’s decide to make the journey to his homeland of Peru to search for his Aunt Lucy in the Amazonian jungle. Along the way they receive help from the Reverend Mother (Olivia Coleman, who is simply a delight), and river boat captain Hunter Cabot (Antonio Banderas, who hamming it up) to help find her. However, their search turns out to be more than they bargained for as their search leads them to the lost city of El Dorado.
Paddington in Peru is, at the very least, an entertaining family adventure filled with warmth and heart. It delivers plenty of fun, action-packed moments, complete with Paddington’s signature clumsy charm. However, when you look beyond the surface, the film falls a bit flat. It admirably attempts to explore themes of found family and the immigrant experience, but these ideas never fully take shape, as the film prioritizes spectacle over depth. That’s not to say the thrilling chase through El Dorado or the journey down piranha-infested Amazonian rivers isn’t enjoyable—they absolutely are. But when a film introduces such meaningful themes, it’s fair to expect them to leave a stronger impact on the story.
Overall, Paddington in Peru is an enjoyable and heartfelt adventure, but it lacks the magic that made the first two films so special. While it’s undeniably fun, it doesn’t quite reach the same heights as its predecessors. First-time director Dougal Wilson shows potential with his debut, but there’s still room for growth in capturing the charm and depth that defined the earlier films.
My Rating: B
Sundance Film Reviews: Bubble And Squeak
By: Elizabeth Malloy
Bubble & Squeak is a quirky, Wes Anderson-style comedy that will not work for everyone. We follow Declan (Himesh Patel) and Delores (Sarah Goldberg) on their honeymoon as they are accused of smuggling cabbages into a country where the vegetable is illegal. What follows in a 90-minute long chase across the country side as the couple’s marriage is put to the test as they encounter fellow smugglers, families, government agents and numerous traps. This concept is absurd and falls in line with filmmakers such as Wes Anderson and Yorgos Lanthimos, however it does somewhat fail to understand what makes those filmmakers so great. It felt like the film relied on strangeness of its setting to make-up for the paper thin narrative meant to deconstruct Declan and Delores marriage. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed myself while watching this film, and I especially loved the performances from the ensemble cast. But the strangeness of the film did eventually wore me down. I believe first time director Evan Twohy shows promise in his directorial debut, but it is clear that he has much to learn.
My Rating: B-
Sundance Film Reviews: Omaha
By: Elizabeth Malloy
The moment you thought events affecting this family couldn’t get any worse, it decides to punch you in the gut while you are lying down. We follow nine-going-on-ten-year-old Ella (Molly Belle Wright) and six-year-old Charlie (Wyatt Solis), as they are taken on a spontaneous trip cross country by their father (John Magaro), after their mother dies. Told from the point of view of Ella, Omaha unfolds like a slow-burn mystery where we are forced to piece-together the reasons for this unexpected road trip. And what follows is a tragic tale of the reality of the American Dream. The key to Omaha’s success are the performances from the familial trio. John Magaro, gives a beautiful restrained performance that captures the sadness, shame, and helplessness his character faces, as he is forced to make an impossible choice that will not only scar him, but his children forever. While Molly Bell Wright stands out with her heartbreaking performance that captures the beautiful wonder of being 9-years-old but also the perception that begins to form at that age, when you realize that not everything is right at home. Even though, Omaha is a bit emotionally manipulative and the accusation of poverty porn can be pointed out, Cole Webley makes a remarkable debut that will make you cry your heart out by the films end.
My Rating: B+
Film Reviews: The Monkey
By: Elizabeth Malloy
“Everybody dies and that’s life” is a line repeated throughout Osgood Perkins latest feature, The Monkey. When it comes to the topic of death, many would wish to avoid it due to either fear or existentialism. Even though it is the one thing that is shared between all of humanity. Some are taken too soon while others are taken brutally, but death is coming for us all and typically comes when we least expect it. Most of the time, we grieve over the death of ourselves and our loved ones, but Perkins laughs at the face of death as he explores it in some of the most fucked up ways imaginable as he embraces the absurdity of death.
Adapted from the Stephen King short story of the same name, The Monkey follows twin brothers, Hal and Bill and their quest to destroy their wined-up toy monkey that with a turn of a key, kills off their loved ones in really fucked up, yet cartoonish ways. However, destroying this monkey is no simple task as it keeps coming back as it has latched onto this family. We open with Hal and Bill’s absent father (Adam Scott) trying to get rid of the monkey to protect his boys. However, it doesn’t go to plan and soon the boys (both played by Christian Convery) find the monkey and it doesn’t take them long to figure out how the monkey works as strange deaths begin to surround them. Their cynical mother (Tatiana Maslany) tells them “Everybody dies and that’s life”, but so much death has inflicted a permanent trauma on them. 25-years-later that trauma still haunts them as Hal (Theo James) faces the monkey with his son Petey (Colin O’Brien) one last time before it wreaks havoc on all of humanity.
If you are expecting this adaptation to stick to the source material, then I am afraid you may be disappointed. Stephen King has a wide range of diversity amongst his stories. Many of them are terrifying horror, while others are more heartwarming or comedic. Taking inspiration from King’s early works, Perkins decided to take a more comedic take on The Monkey. Embracing the surreal absurdity of this tale, Perkins creates a hysterically dark comedy that embraces the gore of the grindhouse B-horror films from the 1980s. The Monkey is strongest when it fully embraces the absurd, over-the-top kills caused by the toy monkey whose kills splatter the silver screen in blood. The kills are creatively-cartoonish, similar to a Rube-Goldberg machine, where we see every little foreshadowed detail leading up to the untimely death. And the kills are filled with all the explosive blood and guts that you can imagine.
Furthermore, you can tell the entire ensemble is having a blast making this film as they find a perfect balance between deadpan and over-the-top acting. Led by Theo James, who not only does a remarkable job differentiating Hal and Bill from each other as both processed their grief and trauma differently, but perfects deadpan comedy as everyone around him dies from terrible deaths. His younger counterpart, Christian Convery, does the same as the young angsty tweens. Tatiana Maslany also perfects the deadpan humor with her cynical nature. The over-the-top cameo performances from Adam Scott, Elijah Wood, and even Osgood Perkins himself prove that you don’t need a lot of screen time to make a memorable mark on the film.
However, when The Monkey shifts away from the explosive deaths and dives into the more serious cinematic metaphor of “daddy issues”, the film starts to crumble, especially during the final act. The message is by no means subtle and feels ham-fisted into this story as it sticks out like a sore thumb. During the first two acts, this theme was treated as a joke and it worked perfectly in the sense as the story was focused on the brutal deaths caused by the monkey. However, during act three this theme, as well as the paper-thin motivations of the antagonist, overwhelms the final act as the joke was turned into a serious commentary that totally fell flat, leading to a very anticlimactic and abrupt finale. If The Monkey just focused on the monkey causing a lot of really fucked up deaths and the “daddy issues” theme was kept as a joke, The Monkey would have been grindhouse, B-movie perfection.
Overall, The Monkey marches to the beat of its own bloodstain drum as it embraces the absurdity of its own tale as it laughs at the face of death. Balancing horror and comedy, Osgood Perkins makes a film for all the sickos. It does lose its pacing in the final act, but it is still a fun ride for those who love this genre.
My Rating: B+
Sundance Film Reviews: The Things You Kill
By: Elizabeth Malloy
While watching Alireza Khatami’s The Things you Kill made me appreciate how sane my family is. We follow Ali (Ekin Koc), after he returns home from America to find that his family has changed for the worse. His father is still abusive and his mother’s health has turned for the worse. Soon he finds out that he is infertile, and it is news that he cannot break to his wife. He is burden by the in-action in his life as he slowly spirals down a path of depression. This depression is accelerated after his mother dies from a suspicious death and after he meets Reza (Erkan Kolcak Kostendil) where all of his internal demons begin showing their faces. Many of compared The Things You Kill to the works David Lynch, and it is hard not to see why. What starts off as a conventional family drama soon turns into a surreal nightmare shrouded by grief, anger, and emasculate shame. This surrealist nature, will leave some areas of the story a bit muddled and confusing, but it is a fascinating nightmare, nonetheless. Make sure to keep The Things You Kill on your watchlist.
My Rating: B
Sundance Film Reviews: Atropia
By: Elizabeth Malloy
I am not going to lie, these mock villages meant to acclimate soldiers to the violence and cultures of the war they are about to be deployed in sounds like a fun time. Hailey Gates divisive, Atropia, takes place in one of these mock villages built in the wake of 9/11. We follow Fayruz (Alia Shawkat, who is a delight here), an aspiring and ambitious actress, during her days in “The Box”, a simulated Iraqi war zone. This “war zone” is filled with every stereotype and every American soldier is as clueless as you can imagine, with Fayruz is stuck in the middle of this culture war. She wants to be a Hollywood actress but she also deeply cares about the share community within The Box. That changes when she meets an American Soldier, playing a violence insurrectionist dubbed Abu Dice (Callum Turner who is as charismatic as always). What follows is a chaotic, satirical love story about American perception of the Middle East and the Iraqi War. Does all of it work? No, it’s satire is a bit muddled at points and feels like it becomes the very thing it was meant to mock. But is it still an enthralling story about complexities of the America’s war on Iraq? Yes, as the setting and characters make for a fascinating breakdown of that complicated war. Overall, an interesting watch.
My Rating: B
Sundance Film Reviews: Mad Bills to Pay (or Destiny, deli que no soy malo)
Mad Bills to Pay (Or Destiny, deli que no soy malo), is microbudget filmmaking at its finest. First-time director, Joel Alfonso Vargas, has a remarkable sense of confidence in his directorial debut. He knows the film he wants to make and he executes it to near perfection. We follow Rico (beautifully played by Joan Collado), a 19-year-old man-child, who spends his days selling nutcracker drinks and bathing on the beach. However, his life is turned upside down when he knocks up 16-year-old, Destiny (Destiny Checo, who gives a charged but restraint performances). However, instead of reevaluating his life to provide for his baby and Destiny, he continues to act like a child, and it doesn’t take long for tensions to rise within Rico, and his family’s claustrophobic apartment. Using the close walls of the apartments or the tight conditions of a subway, Vargas creates a haunting atmosphere of self-destruction and fear of when life moves too quickly. It is a beautiful, and intimate portrait of the uncertainties of life and a worthy winner the Special Jury Award for Ensemble Cast in the NEXT category.
My Rating: A
Sundance Film Reviews: East of Wall
By: Elizabeth Malloy
East of Wall is a film that blurs the lines between narrative fiction and docu-fiction. Outside of a few establish actors like Scoot McNairy and Jennifer Ehle, who are both wonderful, everyone in this film isplaying a fictionalize version of themselves through their daily lives. We follow Tabatha Zimiga, as herself, a horse rancher who makes a living selling horses on social media with her daughter, Porshia (who also plays herself), and her found family of children who have found a home with Tabatha. However, the ranch has been hit with financial strains and law enforcement and child protective services are breathing down their necks. Despite having established actors to help push into fictionalized narrative, East of Wall is Tabatha’s story. Her story is grounded with intimate realism that very few films are able to capture. Its authentic filmmaking that few filmmakers have captured. A perfect film that represents what Sundance used to be.
My Rating: B