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Sundance Review: “Seized”

January 28, 2026

Sundance Review: “Seized”
By Christopher Llewellyn Reed
January 28, 2026
Seized (Sharon Liese, 2026) 3½ out of 5 stars On August 11, 2023, police in Marion, Kansas, raided not only the office of the local newspaper The Marion Record, but the home of its editor, Eric Meyer, which he shared with his 98-year mother, Joan. Together they both owned the publication, though sadly Joan (pronounced “Jo-ann”) died the next day, leaving Eric as sole majority owner. In Seized, the jaunty new documentary from director Sharon ... >>
Sundance Review: “Cookie Queens”
By Christopher Llewellyn Reed
January 27, 2026
Cookie Queens (Alysa Nahmias, 2026) 4 out of 5 stars According to the title cards in Cookie Queens, the new documentary from director Alysa Nahmias (Art & Krimes by Krimes), the Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) sell about 250 million boxes of Girl Scout Cookies annually over the course of six weeks. That’s roughly $800 million in revenue, of which the sellers (i.e., the young troop members) receive $1 (out of $6) per box. As someone who ... >>
“Been Here Stay Here” Portrays Vanishing Island
By Christopher Llewellyn Reed
January 7, 2026
Been Here Stay Here (David Usui, 2024) 3½ out of 5 stars Director David Usui makes his solo-feature debut with Been Here Stay Here, a documentary portrait of Tangier Island, located in Virginia’s portion of the Chesapeake Bay. Since the mid-1800s, the island has lost two-thirds of its land mass and is projected to essentially vanish in the relatively near future (as in, it won’t last till the end of this century). That’s rough news for the 400 ... >>
“Happy and You Know It” Offers Good Cheer
By Christopher Llewellyn Reed
December 24, 2025
Happy and You Know It (Penny Lane, 2025) 4 out of 5 stars Writing meaningful music for children is not easy. Just ask the composers/performers featured in Happy and You Know It, the latest documentary from Penny Lane (Listening to Kenny G), which come out Christmas Day on HBO. It’s a worthy profession, however, no matter the challenges, for there’s nothing better than inspiring children to sing, dance, and be merry. ... >>
“American Sasquatch” Engrosses
By Matt Patti
November 25, 2025
American Sasquatch: Man, Myth, or Monster (Gabe Torres, 2025) 3 out of 5 stars Bigfoot. Sasquatch. Skunk Ape. There are many names throughout America that describe this mythical creature: a tall, hairy being that walks on two legs and is found throughout dense forests in the U.S. Whatever your local area calls it, this urban legend has been heavily featured in narrative films, documentaries, and folklore alike. ... >>

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