Tag Archives: Gina Torres

‘THE EVERYTHING POT’ (Tribeca 2024) cooks up a snack versus a meal

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tribeca 2024 logoTHE EVERYTHING POT


https://tribecafilm.com/films/everything-pot-2024

THE_EVERYTHING_POT-Clean-16x9In the Tribeca 2024 feature film THE EVERYTHING POT, two couples in vastly different places collide, and it all starts with a wedding gift.

Claire and Charlie are engaged. Charlie insists on inviting his former co-worker Rachel and her husband to the wedding. Newly empty-nesters, their overly enthusiastic RSVP triggers both couples to reevaluate their feelings.

Claire is irrationally jealous but without any specifics. Rachel and Adam are a lovely pair, filled with the familiarity of being with a partner for a long time. The film suggests that Rachel has lost interest as of late, but the mention of marital boredom only comes in the form of eye-rolls and innuendos from neighbor Gail.

There are many gaps that the audience needs to fill in. Charlie’s unresolved feelings towards Rachel go without much detail, and his waffling in making a move leaves Charlie coming off as flaky and inconsistent. It is a common theme as THE EVERYTHING POT plays out.

The most successful aspect comes in the natural dialogue between Rachel, Adam, and Gail. In the scene where they co-opt Adam’s phone over Claire’s childish shenanigans, the plot finally picks up the pace. Lisa Edelstein, Erik Griffin, and Gina Torres‘ talents feel wasted. Despite their delicious chemistry, there is a feeling as if entire scenes were left on the cutting room floor. Not that I’m suggesting making the runtime longer because I’m not.

The cast delivers enthusiasm and charm, but that “it” factor is missing in the script’s flow and pace. THE EVERYTHING POT ultimately falls flat.

Spotlight Narrative

Feature | United States | 90 MINUTES | English

Director

Sherise Dorf

Producer

Callie Bloem, Sherise Dorf, Lisa Edelstein, Christopher J. Ewing, Sean Patrick Kelly, Emily Sheehan, James Wolk

Screenwriter

Sherise Dorf

Cinematographer

Steven Breckon

Editor

Christopher J. Ewing

Composer

Jina Hyojin An, Shirley Song

Executive Producer

Edward Burns, Aaron Lubin

Co-Producer

Julianne Gabert

Cast

Lisa Edelstein, James Wolk, Gina Torres, Erik Griffin, Delaney Rowe, Deja Monique Cruz

For more Tribeca 2024 coverage, click here!

Fantastic Fest 2022 review: ‘GIVE ME AN A’ for autonomy, damnit.

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GIVE ME AN A

A wild ride of an anthology reacting to the overturning of Roe v Wade through horror, dark comedy, and sci-fi. Created by an all-female filmmaking team, this 17-segment series focuses on the visceral gut reactions of each filmmaker to expand conversations about women’s reproductive rights and the importance of bodily autonomy and also addresses the issues of a democracy that does not protect the needs of the majority of the population.

A kickass self-aware cheer squad presents this all-female-created feminist horror anthology. Each of the shorts is introduced by a call and response board, football game style, featuring the title on one and writer(s)-director(s) on the other. This phenomenal group of films made me want to scream, “Hell yeah!” But it also scared the shit out of me.

The Voiceless
A terrifying body horror short is a supernatural and bloody physical manifestation of body autonomy.

DTF
A dating app couple has a straightforward conversation but during foreplay. Hilariously respectful and legal chat about consent and expectation. This one turns the tables on reality.

Good Girl
This short is a direct takedown of religious indoctrination that women exist to produce children. It features Catholic school girls in a warped version of sex education class.

Our Precious Babies
This laugh-out-loud short, backed up by a laugh track, is a sitcom version of a fertility facility. It speaks to the extremism since the overturning of Roe and what could be coming next.

The Walk
A young woman attempts to make it to the front door of an abortion clinic only to be swarmed by frenzied protestors.

Medi-Evil
The cultivation of women’s bodies like that of a beehive was a visceral and disturbing watch. It made me squirm.

Sweetie
This complex short tackles the familial fallout and generational effects of forced birth.

Abigail
Alyssa Milano plays Abigail Adams reading her letters to her husband and his colonial cronies. Who knew she was such an eloquent badass?!

Plan C
This one is a mock commercial for government-approved birth control. It’s a real nightmare that simultaneously tackles abuse. Molly C. Quinn is riveting.

Hold Please
A secret support group for women I wish existed in real life. It’s a visual and emotional powerhouse.

God’s Plan
A pregnant woman is pulled over and threatened with a ticket. The dialogue is ripped from the headlines.

Crone
A woman harassed in her car has vengeful fantasies. Or maybe they’re flashbacks.

Crucible
Reality competition show spoof. Jackie Tohn hosts a show the men are less than thrilled about the “prize.” This is a vicious reality check, and I want to watch this show. Who’s your Daddy?

The Last Store
Ten years into the future, Gina Torres stars as a store owner with a particular set of skills, hounded by a local cop. It made my palms sweat.

Traditional
This sci-fi short brings conspiracy theories surrounding IVF to gestation.

GIVE ME AN A: The Cheerleaders
Writer-director-creator Natasha Halevi leaves us with the film’s creative finale, featuring our beloved cheer squad (oh, and some dudes.) A choreographed dance from Stephanie Landwehr is deliciously sinful.

directors

Natasha Halevi, Meg Swertlow, Bonnie Discepolo, Danin Jacquay, Erica May Wright, Monica Moore-Suriyage, Caitlin Hargraves, Megan Rosati, Hannah Alline, Avital Ash, Mary C. Russell, Valerie Finkel, Loren Escandon, Francesca Maldonado, Kelly Nygaard