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Diego Andaluz Jeffery Zhang Tessa Smith Valerie Complex

‘On The Count Of Three’ Review: A Thematically Streamlined Tonal Balancing Act (Sundance 2021)

On this episode of The Global Film Podcast, Editor-In-Chief and Host Diego Andaluz reviews Jerrod Carmichael’s latest film On The Count Of Three. Joined by contributors Valerie Complex (Variety), Jeffery Zhang (Strange Harbors), and Tessa Smith, they discuss their in-depth thoughts on the technical and thematic strengths and shortcomings of the film, among other notable highlights.

Val has reached a place where he feels the only way out is to end things. But he considers himself a bit of a failure—his effectiveness lacking—so he figures he could use some help. As luck would have it, Val’s best friend, Kevin, is recovering from a failed suicide attempt, so he seems like the perfect partner for executing this double suicide plan. But before they go, they have some unfinished business to attend to.

On The Count Of Three premiered at the 2021 edition of the Sundance Film Festival. Listen to our review at the Sundance Special episode below or here on your preferred podcast platform.

You can find the episode and stay up to date with the latest reviews and releases by subscribing to our show on SpotifyApple PodcastsStitcherGoogle PodcastsiHeart RadioRadio Public, AnchorOvercast, Player FM, Breaker, Castbox, Castro, Podchaser, Podlink, Podcast Addict, Pocket Casts, RSS Feed, & more, and you can also follow host Diego Andaluz on social media here!

Rating: 3.5 out of 5.
Categories
Diego Andaluz Jeffery Zhang Tessa Smith Valerie Complex

‘In The Earth’ Review: An Ambitiously Unhinged Pandemic-Adjacent Thriller (Sundance 2021)

On this episode of The Global Film Podcast, Editor-In-Chief and Host Diego Andaluz reviews Ben Wheatley’s latest film In The Earth. Joined by contributors Valerie Complex (Variety), Jeffery Zhang (Strange Harbors), and Tessa Smith, they discuss their in-depth thoughts on the technical and thematic strengths and shortcomings of the film, among other notable highlights.

As a deadly virus ravages the world, Dr. Martin Lowery embarks on a mission to reach test site ATU327A, a research hub deep in the Arboreal Forest. The arduous journey, guided by park scout Alma, is set back by a nighttime attack that leaves the two bruised and shoeless. When they run into Zach, a man living off the grid, they gratefully accept his help. Zach’s intentions aren’t exactly what they seem, however, and a path out of the forest and into safety quickly fades as the line between myth and science blurs.

In The Earth premiered at the 2021 edition of the Sundance Film Festival. Listen to our review at the Sundance Special episode below or here on your preferred podcast platform.

You can find the episode and stay up to date with the latest reviews and releases by subscribing to our show on SpotifyApple PodcastsStitcherGoogle PodcastsiHeart RadioRadio Public, AnchorOvercast, Player FM, Breaker, Castbox, Castro, Podchaser, Podlink, Podcast Addict, Pocket Casts, RSS Feed, & more, and you can also follow host Diego Andaluz on social media here!

Rating: 4.5 out of 5.
Categories
Diego Andaluz Jeffery Zhang Tessa Smith Valerie Complex

‘How It Ends’ Review: A Quirky and Effervescent Pocket Of Joy (Sundance 2021)

On this episode of The Global Film Podcast, Editor-In-Chief and Host Diego Andaluz reviews Zoe Lister-Jones & Daryl Wein’s latest film How It Ends. Joined by contributors Valerie Complex (Variety), Jeffery Zhang (Strange Harbors), and Tessa Smith, they discuss their in-depth thoughts on the technical and thematic strengths and shortcomings of the film, among other notable highlights.

On the last day on Earth, one woman goes on a journey through LA to make it to her last party before the world ends, running into an eclectic cast of characters along the way.

How It Ends premiered at the 2021 edition of the Sundance Film Festival. Listen to our review at the Sundance Special episode below or here on your preferred podcast platform.

You can find the episode and stay up to date with the latest reviews and releases by subscribing to our show on SpotifyApple PodcastsStitcherGoogle PodcastsiHeart RadioRadio Public, AnchorOvercast, Player FM, Breaker, Castbox, Castro, Podchaser, Podlink, Podcast Addict, Pocket Casts, RSS Feed, & more, and you can also follow host Diego Andaluz on social media here!

Rating: 3 out of 5.
Categories
Diego Andaluz Jeffery Zhang Tessa Smith Valerie Complex

‘John And The Hole’ Review: An Atmospherically Cryptic Puzzle Box (Sundance 2021)

On this episode of The Global Film Podcast, Editor-In-Chief and Host Diego Andaluz reviews Pascual Sisto’s latest film John And The Hole. Joined by contributors Valerie Complex (Variety), Jeffery Zhang (Strange Harbors), and Tessa Smith, they discuss their in-depth thoughts on the technical and thematic strengths and shortcomings of the film, among other notable highlights.

While exploring the neighboring woods, 13-year-old John discovers an unfinished bunker — a deep hole in the ground. Seemingly without provocation, he drugs his affluent parents and older sister and drags their unconscious bodies into the bunker, where he holds them captive. As they anxiously wait for John to free them from the hole, the boy returns home, where he can finally do what he wants.

John And The Hole premiered at the 2021 edition of the Sundance Film Festival. Listen to our review at the Sundance Special episode below or here on your preferred podcast platform.

You can find the episode and stay up to date with the latest reviews and releases by subscribing to our show on SpotifyApple PodcastsStitcherGoogle PodcastsiHeart RadioRadio Public, AnchorOvercast, Player FM, Breaker, Castbox, Castro, Podchaser, Podlink, Podcast Addict, Pocket Casts, RSS Feed, & more, and you can also follow host Diego Andaluz on social media here!

Rating: 4.5 out of 5.
Categories
Diego Andaluz Jeffery Zhang Tessa Smith Valerie Complex

‘Cryptozoo’ Review: A Spielbergian Acid Trip That Doesn’t Let Up (Sundance 2021)

On this episode of The Global Film Podcast, Editor-In-Chief and Host Diego Andaluz reviews Dash Shaw’s latest film Cryptozoo. Joined by contributors Valerie Complex (Variety), Jeffery Zhang (Strange Harbors), and Tessa Smith, they discuss their in-depth thoughts on the technical and thematic strengths and shortcomings of the film, among other notable highlights.

As cryptozookeepers struggle to capture a Baku (a legendary dream-eating hybrid creature) they begin to wonder if they should display these rare beasts in the confines of a cryptozoo, or if these mythical creatures should remain hidden and unknown.

Cryptozoo premiered at the 2021 edition of the Sundance Film Festival. Listen to our review at the Sundance Special episode below or here on your preferred podcast platform.

You can find the episode and stay up to date with the latest reviews and releases by subscribing to our show on SpotifyApple PodcastsStitcherGoogle PodcastsiHeart RadioRadio Public, AnchorOvercast, Player FM, Breaker, Castbox, Castro, Podchaser, Podlink, Podcast Addict, Pocket Casts, RSS Feed, & more, and you can also follow host Diego Andaluz on social media here!

Rating: 4 out of 5.
Categories
Diego Andaluz Jeffery Zhang Tessa Smith Valerie Complex

‘Strawberry Mansion’ Review: A Lynchian Odyssey Through a Shattered Mind (Sundance 2021)

On this episode of The Global Film Podcast, Editor-In-Chief and Host Diego Andaluz reviews Kentucker Audley & Albert Birney’s latest film Strawberry Mansion. Joined by contributors Valerie Complex (Variety), Jeffery Zhang (Strange Harbors), and Tessa Smith, they discuss their in-depth thoughts on the technical and thematic strengths and shortcomings of the film, among other notable highlights.

In the not-too-distant future, an all-seeing surveillance state conducts “dream audits” to collect taxes on the unconscious lives of the populace. Mild-mannered government agent James Preble travels to a remote farmhouse to audit the dreams of Arabella “Bella” Isadora, an eccentric, aging artist. Entering Bella’s vast VHS archive, which contains a lifetime of dreams, Preble stumbles upon a secret that offers him a chance at love—and hope for escape.

Strawberry Mansion premiered at the 2021 edition of the Sundance Film Festival. Listen to our review at the Sundance Special episode below or here on your preferred podcast platform.

You can find the episode and stay up to date with the latest reviews and releases by subscribing to our show on SpotifyApple PodcastsStitcherGoogle PodcastsiHeart RadioRadio Public, AnchorOvercast, Player FM, Breaker, Castbox, Castro, Podchaser, Podlink, Podcast Addict, Pocket Casts, RSS Feed, & more, and you can also follow host Diego Andaluz on social media here!

Rating: 4.5 out of 5.
Categories
Diego Andaluz Jeffery Zhang Tessa Smith Valerie Complex

‘I Was A Simple Man’ Review: A Beautifully Intimate Exploration of Life After Death (Sundance 2021)

On this episode of The Global Film Podcast, Editor-In-Chief and Host Diego Andaluz reviews  Christopher Makoto Yogi’s latest film I Was a Simple Man. Joined by contributors Valerie Complex (Variety), Jeffery Zhang (Strange Harbors), and Tessa Smith, they discuss their in-depth thoughts on the technical and thematic strengths and shortcomings of the film, among other notable highlights.

A ghost story set in the pastoral countryside of the north shore of O‘ahu, Hawai‘i. Told in four chapters, it tells the story of an elderly man facing the end of his life, visited by the ghosts of his past.

I Was a Simple Man premiered at the 2021 edition of the Sundance Film Festival. Listen to our review at the 20-minute mark of our Sundance Special episode below or here on your preferred podcast platform.

You can find the episode and stay up to date with the latest reviews and releases by subscribing to our show on SpotifyApple PodcastsStitcherGoogle PodcastsiHeart RadioRadio Public, AnchorOvercast, Player FM, Breaker, Castbox, Castro, Podchaser, Podlink, Podcast Addict, Pocket Casts, RSS Feed, & more, and you can also follow host Diego Andaluz on social media here!

Rating: 4.5 out of 5.