WE ARE STORROR
Taking a large leap into the non-fiction house for the primary time, Michael Bay brings his signature aptitude for theatrics (and loads of drone photographs) to the thrilling parkour documentary “We Are Storror.” It follows a UK-based group of seven athletes—Josh, Drew, Callum, Sacha, Benji, Max, and Toby—who’ve amassed a big on-line following. The movie showcases not solely their intimate friendships but in addition the talent, precision, and, finally, the hazards of a sport the place, because the opening scene will let you know, one false transfer might spell catastrophe.
It’s the proper marriage of filmmaker and content material, although followers may be disenchanted by the absence of explosions. “We Are Storror” provides a compelling look backstage of those males’s lives, though some components really feel emotionally hole. There’s a distance between the fabric because it tries to juggle varied challenges (YouTube demonetization, accidents, and life normally) alongside the parkour components. That stated, it is arduous to disclaim the infectious vitality of watching these daredevils traverse the globe—whether or not it’s leaping throughout rooftops in Hong Kong or descending a large concrete stairwell in Bulgaria. These guys are the true deal, and “We Are Storror” does their skills immense justice.
WE ARE STORROR world premiered on the SXSW movie pageant. It’s at the moment looking for distribution.
SLANTED
A little bit “Imply Ladies” meets “The Substance,” Amy Wang’s “Slanted” provides an brisk tackle physique dysphoria, although its execution and tone can really feel considerably jumbled. Introduced largely as a satire, the movie follows highschool senior Joan Huang (Shirley Chen, wonderful) and her obsessive want to face out. All through her life, her final aim has been to turn out to be promenade queen. When the preferred woman at college (performed by an important efficiency from Olivia Hammond), decides to not compete, Joan sees a possibility and is prepared to go to excessive lengths to earn her endorsement.
It’s right here that “Slanted” veers into uncharted territory, setting itself aside out of your typical social critique. In Wang’s world, Joan undergoes a controversial surgical procedure that can bodily rework her right into a white individual. And that’s precisely what she does. Earlier than lengthy, Joan resembles actress Mckenna Grace, and her dad and mom are horrified. This narrative leap is placing, and whereas “Slanted” earns type factors for sparking participating debate on the pervasive racism in trendy society, the movie struggles to stability its tones. Is it speculated to be humorous? Terrifying? A little bit of each? “Slanted” bounces between genres, making a flurry of uneven vibes.
The ultimate act takes a good darker flip, culminating in a grotesque scene that solely provides to the movie’s already clunky nature. Whereas I admired the boldness of what the movie makes an attempt to say and obtain, the ultimate product doesn’t absolutely ship on its potential. That stated, I’m curious to see how Wang follows up this bold, although imperfect, effort.
SLANTED world premiered on the SXSW Movie Pageant. It’s at the moment looking for US distribution.
