“A Kid Like Jake”
Director: Silas Howard, Screenwriter: Daniel Pearle, Producers: Jim Parsons, Todd Spiewak, Eric Norsoph, Paul Bernon, Rachel Song
Official synopsis: As married a couple, Alex and Greg navigate their roles as parents to a young son who prefers Cinderella to G.I. Joe, a rift grows between them, one that forces them to confront their own concerns about what’s best for their child, and each other.
Cast: Claire Danes, Jim Parsons, Octavia Spencer, Priyanka Chopra, Ann Dowd, Amy Landecker
Why it’s one to watch: When I spoke to Octavia Spencer earlier this month she lit up when I asked her about it. Some concerns about Parsons in this context, but Spencer insinuated its far from its TV movie of the weeks sounding synopsis.
“Blindspotting”
Director: Carlos Lopez Estrada, Screenwriters: Rafael Casal, Daveed Diggs, Producers: Keith Calder, Jess Calder, Rafael Casal, Daveed Diggs
Official synopsis: A buddy comedy in a world that won’t let it be one.
Cast: Daveed Diggs, Rafael Casal, Janina Gavankar, Jasmine Cephas Jones
Why it’s one to watch: Don’t let its short synopsis make you ignore it. There’s a big reason it’s one of the opening day films. People are going to be buzzing about it all weekend.
“Madeline’s Madeline”
Director and screenwriter: Josephine Decker, Producers: Krista Parris, Elizabeth Rao
Official synopsis: Madeline got the part! She’s going to play the lead in a theater piece! Except the lead wears sweatpants like Madeline’s. And has a cat like Madeline’s. And is holding a steaming hot iron next to her mother’s face – like Madeline is.
Cast: Helena Howard, Molly Parker, Miranda July, Okwui Okpokwasili, Felipe Bonilla, Lisa Tharps
Why it’s one to watch: Miranda July. A movie with Miranda July. There we go.
“Damsel”
Directors and screenwriters: David Zellner, Nathan Zellner, Producers: Nathan Zellner, Chris Ohlson, David Zellner
Official synopsis: Samuel Alabaster, an affluent pioneer, ventures across the American Frontier to marry the love of his life, Penelope. As Samuel, a drunkard named Parson Henry and a miniature horse called Butterscotch traverse the Wild West, their once-simple journey grows treacherous, blurring the lines between hero, villain, and damsel.
Cast: Robert Pattinson, Mia Wasikowska, David Zellner, Robert Forster, Nathan Zellner, Joe Billingiere
Why it’s one to watch: Pattinson collaborates with another pair of directing brothers after “Good Time.” Pattinson is in his Armie Hammer phase of just wanting to do interesting material so chances are this should at least have a unique point of view.
“Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get Far On Foot”
Director: Gus Van Sant, Screenwriters: Gus Van Sant (screenplay), John Callahan (autobiography), Producers: Charles-Marie Anthonioz, Mourad Belkeddar, Steve Golin, Nicolas Lhermitte
Official synopsis: John Callahan has a talent for off-color jokes… and a drinking problem. When a bender ends in a car accident, Callahan wakes permanently confined to a wheelchair. In his journey back from rock bottom, Callahan finds beauty and comedy in the absurdity of human experience.
Cast: Joaquin Phoenix, Jonah Hill, Rooney Mara, Jack Black
Why it’s one to watch: Van Sant hasn’t made a good movie since “Milk” almost a decade ago (you didn’t have to endure “Sea of Trees” did you?) and we’re not so sure about Jonah Hill playing a gay character, but the festival programmers are excited about it, so…
“Futile and Stupid Gesture”
Director: David Wain, Screenwriters: John Aboud, Michael Colton, Producers: Peter Principato, Jonathan Stern
Official synopsis: The story of comedy wunderkind Doug Kenney, who co-created the National Lampoon, Caddyshack, and Animal House. Kenney was at the center of the 70’s comedy counter-culture which gave birth to Saturday Night Live and a whole generation’s way of looking at the world.
Cast: Will Forte, Martin Mull, Domhnall Gleeson, Matt Walsh, Joel McHale, Emmy Rossum
Why it’s one to watch: You’ll eventually see it on Netflix, but we love the concept and, at worst, it should be a funny diversion from the more serious films at the festival.
“The Catcher Was a Spy”
Director: Ben Lewin, Screenwriter: Robert Rodat, Producers: Kevin Frakes, Tatiana Kelly, Buddy Patrick, Jim Young
Official synopsis: The true story of Moe Berg – professional baseball player, Ivy League graduate, attorney who spoke nine languages – and a top-secret spy for the OSS who helped the U.S. win the race against Germany to build the atomic bomb.
Cast: Paul Rudd, Mark Strong, Sienna Miller, Jeff Daniels, Guy Pearce, Paul Giamatti
Why it’s one to watch: Lewin showed some talent as a director with “The Sessions,” but we’re much more intrigued with the idea of Rudd playing a secret agent in a period piece (a true story mind you). It could be great or it could be a mess, but it needs to be seen.
The 2018 Sundance Film Festival runs from Jan 18-28 in Park City, Utah.