If this year’s crop of summer blockbusters aren’t scratching your movie-going itch, the 2024 Tribeca Film Festival is back with a trove of diverse and innovative fare.
There are character-driven indies with Hollywood stars, a documentary about one of the world’s greatest sports figures of all time and an entire mini-festival celebrating Tribeca co-founder Robert De Niro.
Here are 10 films and events I’m most looking forward to at the Tribeca Film Festival, which runs June 5 through June 16.
‘¡Casa Bonita Mi Amor!’
Matt Stone and Trey Parker have led the charge to save Casa Bonita restaurant in Colorado.
Who can forget Cartman’s trip to the magical restaurant Casa Bonita on “South Park”? But the Mexican eatery is not just the stuff of animated blobs who say “Screw you, guys! I’m going home!” — it’s a real place in Colorado. This new documentary reveals “South Park” creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker’s mighty efforts to save the favorite spot from closing.
‘Between the Temples’
“Between the Temples”
The fabulous breakout star of the Oscar-nominated “Triangle of Sadness,” Dolly De Leon, is one of many top-drawer comedic talents in director Nathan Silver’s latest film, including Jason Schwartzman, Carol Kane and Robert Smigel (a k a Triumph the Insult Comic Dog). It’s about a Jewish cantor whose grade school music teacher, in a twist, becomes his new bat mitzvah student.
‘Federer: Twelve Final Days’
Roger Federer retired from professional tennis in 2022. Courtesy of PrimeTennis fans will remember the emotional image of 20-time grand slam winner Roger Federer crying on a bench with rival Rafael Nadal as he retired at the 2022 Laver Cup. It was a moment the sports world knew was coming, but wasn’t at all ready for. This doc, well-described by its title, goes behind the scenes of the end of the global superstar’s on-court career.
‘Lake George’
Carrie Coon (left) and Shea Whigham star in “Lake George.”
Carrie Coon is, for my money, one of the best working actresses in entertainment today. Extraordinary on HBO’s “The Leftovers” years ago (and on Broadway), too often she ends up in projects not worthy of her talents (such as, sorry, “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire”). “Lake George,” a darkly comic road-trip noir written and directed by Jeffrey Reiner and co-starring Shea Whigham, is right up her alley.
‘Brats’
“BRATS” features Rob Lowe (left) and Andrew McCarthy.
A member of the 1980s clique of hot young actors dubbed the Brat Pack, director Andrew McCarthy looks back on that formative time in his and other stars’ careers in Hollywood — and how it paved the way for where they are today. The doc features interviews with the likes of Emilio Estevez, Jon Cryer, Lea Thompson, Rob Lowe, Ally Sheedy and Demi Moore.
‘Sacramento’
Michael Cera (second from right) and Kristen Stewart (far right) star in “Sacramento.”
Another road-trip comedy — why not? — features indie stalwarts Michael Cera and Kristen Stewart (who was terrific in the recent “Love Lies Bleeding”). But the movie about a spontaneous adventure from Los Angeles to Sacramento stars and was co-written by Michael Angarano.
‘Elizabeth Taylor: The Lost Tapes’
Elizabeth Taylor tells her life story in her own words in “Elizabeth Taylor: The Lost Tapes.” Getty ImagesElizabeth Taylor is an enduring object of Old Hollywood fascination. Here, her life story is, for the first time, told through recently recovered, never-before-heard audio tapes (and video — this is still a movie, after all) that have quietly been in the possession of her biographer for decades.
‘Daddio’
Sean Penn and Dakota Johnson star in “Daddio.”
Forget the debacle that was “Madame Web.” Dakota Johnson is an often wonderful, deep-feeling actress who is at her best outside the narrow confines of big studio pictures. In “Daddio,” a cab ride with a driver, who is played by Sean Penn, takes her to more enlightening places than her Manhattan apartment.
‘Diane von Furstenberg: Woman in Charge’
Diane von Furstenberg’s life is explored in “Diane von Furstenberg: Woman in Charge.”
This documentary tells the life story of Diane von Furstenberg, the legendary fashion designer who created the wrap dress. But far more than just a chronicling of runaway runway success, the film delves into her childhood as the daughter of a Holocaust survivor, and the ups and downs of her early years trying to get a foothold in an exclusive industry.
‘De Niro Con’
An entire convention will celebrate the work of actor Robert De Niro (second from left).
Robert De Niro, a co-founder of the Tribeca Film Festival, turned 80 last year. And in honor of the milestone, he will be honored with a whole convention celebrating his immense body of work. There will be screenings of classics such as “The Godfather Part II,” “Mean Streets,” “Raging Bull,” “Goodfellas” and “Taxi Driver.”
And the multi-day event will also include talks with his famous collaborators, including Martin Scorsese, Christopher Walken, Billy Crystal, Quentin Tarantino, Whoopi Goldberg and Chazz Palminteri. It’s an “only in New York, kids” lineup.
