"Small Talk": An Incluvie Film Festival Review
The most impressive aspect of this film is the honest and natural performances given by the on-screen duo.

Some people sing in the shower and have dreams of being the next Barbara Streisand, Phantom of the Opera, or Blues Brother. Forget Star Search when there is Karaoke Fever. Shot in verité style, Karaoke Fever follows contestants from preliminary events through the finals of California’s biggest karaoke contest, Karaoke Fest. Participants sing their way to money, fame and a chance at a recording contract. As the Ambassador of Karaoke puts it, “This is the Academy Awards and the Miss America contest for karaoke singers.” Combined with personal interviews and contest footage discover the meaning karaoke has brought to contestants’ lives, the friendships forged, the rivalries built and the deep disappointments felt. This is competitive spirit at its most raw and vulnerable. One can’t stop watching until the emcee calls “And the winner is….”
The most impressive aspect of this film is the honest and natural performances given by the on-screen duo.
The death of Grace's father brings challenges as the family tries to preserve their ranch.
The Suicide Squad's Polka-Dot Man aka Abner Krill, played by David Dastmalchian, helped me come to terms with my own issues of anxiety.
This powerful story shines with poetic animation, an exploration of deeper truths, and the protagonist's complex search for identity.
As this critic continues to look back at some of this Summer's films I have taken in, I would be remiss if I didn't mention one of the most overall unsettling trends in Hollywood over the last several years.....sequels, reboots, and remakes. Look, I am all for seeing more than one film for certain originals that made a splash, ie: "Jurassic Park", "Pirates of the Caribbean", "Transformers", etc.