Overhanging Above Egyptian Theatre

To all us film buffs, or wanna be film buffs, or filmmakers in the beginnings: We did it. We did the Sundance Thing. How awesome is that, really? I know whenever I meet new people, that has been a conversation starter, even my dental technician called me up the other night asking how the trip was. Sundance is a way bigger deal than we can ever believe. I don’t think I’ve spent so much money before going to see movies. Normally, I wait to get Hollywood movies for around 5 bucks on Amazon, even if I do get them six or seven years later. Sundance is a big deal. We got lucky and had a trip pretty well paid for so that we could go and watch quality films, and then schmooze with the director and the entire cast.

I was talking to Emma Lord before one of the shows, and we were both commenting how we would never be able to believe Muvico movie premieres. Those aren’t the authentic film premieres we grew accustomed to in Park City.  She and I both agreed that we would stick around to the end of the hypothetical movies we would see in our home theaters, and not be able to ask questions of the director, and how strange that would be. To be totally honest, I’m still not used to it! Sundance and Slamdance spoiled me! I vowed to go back one day, hopefully being 21 on those days I am there, so that I may help out with the Sundance Festival.

Classes back in regular ordinary life started on Tuesday, and yet I still feel in a daze. I feel like I should be getting out of a giant king sized bed Aprille and I shared downstairs, trudging into my sloppy morning routine, putting on my snowy gear, and going to 830am films. The other day, I even felt like I should have gotten out my snowboots and put them on, just to remember everything.

I know, here comes the part where you can definitely call me a cheeseball or even a suck up, but I have to thank Nate Andersen for setting the entire trip up for us. I thought about how much work it took to create the trip, and believe that on my own, I would have been helpless for planning. So here’s my thank-you-holy-cow-wow and reality checker all mashed into one.

To be totally honest, I am still in shock. I picked a movie I would have never seen in my life, with no idea what I would be walking into, and I watched it completely surprised. I sat down with my friend Aubrey, who is a fairly devout Christian, a peanut butter and honey sandwich, and a clear mind ready for anything. But what I didn’t expect was for Gregg Araki to blow my brain to smitherines with the shocking reality of the subject. I am sitting here once again in the same chair, about a month later, and still unsure of how I feel about it.

The story begins following two men who couldn’t be further different from one another. One man is a very reserved, almost conservative in taste, man who recently learned he is HIV positive. As Jon sits often to chat with his best girlfriend, he begins to feel that his life really is ending, and this is the living end for him. He meets Luke one day, as he picks him up hitchhiking. Jon is running from his problems, which also include being HIV positive. As the two men work through their problems, they bond a friendship unique to them and become a dynamic duo. Their relationship has its own pitfalls and of course, its successes. As their relationship grows, however, Luke admits that the way in which he wants to die, is while having sex with Jon.

As is expected, but not believed, Luke pulls out his gun at the end of the film, much like he had done for the entire film, and tells Jon to shoot him. [Heres the part where I have to ruin the ending, so just skip these sentences if you want to remain unknowing.] Jon cannot shoot Luke, and the two manage to still be alive, for one more day. Though I am still shocked to even think about the film, I know the message hit true. It is a film to see, not only to say “Oh, I saw ‘The Living End’ the other night, it was great!”, but also to understand how others are treated, and the torment in which people get lucky or unlucky constantly in life. I wouldn’t say it is the best film I have ever seen, however, I will say that it is the most provoking and strong film I have seen yet.

Imagine a jigsaw puzzle, that the more pieces you put together the harder it gets. That is my explanation of John Malkovich, and it is indeed a true classic. Stacked with a cast full of huge stars, it prior to watching it seemed almost impossible to fail. The best way to describe being John Malkovich is to think of it as jigsaw puzzle outside the box. Nothing is constricted, and it is clear that the director wants us all to keep an open mind to all possibilities.

The movie itself is something out of the ordinary, because the director seems to have to concern for breaking the barrier. Constantly the film is changing directions, and if you are the one who likes to constantly guess the outcome, than this movie is all you can handle. The film uses visual cues to play games with your mind. John Cusack does an excellent job in the movie representing the unemployed stressful aged man. While there is a strong comedic aspect to the film it has some dramatic aspects as well. Cusack is certainly not the only A list star cast in this movie, as Cameron Diaz plays an integral role cast as Lotee Schwartz. < — Read the rest of this entry — >

In Park City, Utah, on MLK Day, I was trying to get breakfast, and didn’t even realize that places wouldn’t be open.  My friend Lila and I walked up Main Street to the Morning Ray Café Where I had been fortunate enough to completely enjoy a breakfast only days before. As we reached the Ray Café, we found they closed at 11am, and it was 11:15. We trudged back down the street, and the first open coffee-serving establishment we found had a waiting line for about 25 minutes til we’d be seated, and we were beyond hungry. We walked down the street another block further, when (cue angels singing in heaven, “Alleluia’s”) we saw Java Cow.

As an ice cream bar, coffee house, and bakery, Java Cow is amazing. It has the perfect mocha and the greatest carmel machiatto, a phenominal chocolate croissant which has gooey fresh dark chocolate inside, not that petrified once melted chocolate chip kind either.

I have only met one kind of caffine which I have not enjoyed, and even Java Cow, everything seems to have that extra touch. All of the coffee beans used are shade grown, organic, and fair trade coffee. As far as environmentally friendly, it definitely has my money.

Everything (and I mean everything) was cow themed

The pastries are all beautifully arranged, and I can personally attest that there is only one delicious item which I didn’t like, their tiramisu, has been well over looked by myself and friends who visit the coffee shop on a daily basis. I have done my best to try every single coffee they serve, one a day, and each of them is unique and so far from Starbucks, it’s really fantastic. 

To top it off, Java Cow has the best ice cream, hands down. I have eaten about 5 flavors, my favorite being one called Wowie Cowie, consisting of vanilla ice cream, soft carmel and soft toffee, and carmel filled chocolate cups hidden in the cream greatness. I recommend this café to anyone who has a love for coffee, an eye for environmentally and people friendly beans, and taste buds not burned with over-roasted coffee.

Sundance is over, and it’s kind of a kick in the butt to get back into reality. I loved this false world I was living in, at the same time that it was real life. It was one man’s livelyhood on the line for his film, and another woman’s family backing her entire production costs. Real life and great worlds blended together to create a phenominal experience, and I want to share it with you now.

Friday Jan 16th

“Before Tomorrow” Sundance

Probably one of the most amazing films I have ever seen, it told the story of a family, and later a grandson and his grandmother. It definitely was amazing as my first film, and so beautifully shot. It had me and my seat neighbors in tears at the finale.

“Unmade Beds” Sundance

As I was one of the first to see the film for the class, and this was only my second film, I was excited for it. And I was excited for one of the great films at Sundance this year. While it had little plot line, I loved that it followed only the main characters around their less seen city. It was definitely a great coming of age film. < — Read the rest of this entry — >

My ten day stay in Park City was an experience I won’t soon forget. Though I have no other winter terms to compare it to - yes, God help me I’m a freshman - it was the perfect blend of an exciting and relaxing trip. I dedicated myself to doing nothing but movie hopping, and the result was a (to me) staggering 25 films viewed during the trip. Thinking them all over there were definite front runners. Movies that resounded to me as a viewer for their original plot lines, jokes, filmmaking and informative q and a. For my own amusement, I tried to rate my 25 films from favorite to least, for there were also some movies that completely missed the mark!

1) I have to say my favorite movie had to be Lulu and Jimi, a love story set in 50’s Germany. A beautiful German girl rebells from her crazy mother and follows her heart to Jimi, a black american who works at the theme park. Together they go on a road trip to escape Lulu’s mother who is trying to abort Lulu’s baby and kill Jimi. The movie was touching, hilarious and filled with a cast of sexy, charismatic actors, it blew me away.

2) Mystery Team: Though not for everyone, the movie comic styling of Derrick Comedy Group made me a fan of this quirky detective movie from the start. It follow three naive boys as they try to solve a mysterious murder. As they see darker and more jaded youth around them they loose heart, but in the end, with many comedic twists and turns, solve the mystery as well as begin to understand themselves.

3) Peter and Vandy: A realistic portrayal of a love story told out of order. Touching and much more true to life than many romantic comedies, it left me hopeful for love in my life.

4) Paper Heart: A mocumentary following a comedian who doesn’t believe in love. Though her interviews with ordinary people are real, her romance with popular boy actor Michael Cera and her relationship with her director are scripted. This movie was hilarious in all its awkward and quirky moments.

5) The Immaculate Conception of Little Dizzle: Thank God for Sundance Film festival, otherwise a movie like this one would never be viewed. It is the very strange story of night janitors who find cookies in the garbage that cook while in your mouth. The men get addicted to the cookies which cause them to become pregnant with blue fish that they birth anally. Though the concept was certainly out there it was really artfully written, acted and shot, making it a creative gem instead of a self-indulgent waste of time. < — Read the rest of this entry — >

My experience at Sundance overall was extraordinary, and was something I could never dream of doing in a lifetime. I was able to experience movies firsthand before the public, including both the successes and the flops. The rare combination and diversity of films available for public viewing where what made the festival so special. It was a combination of everything, the people, the food, the location, and the nightlife. As a class we there from January 15^th to the 25^th, but it felt like much shorter than ten days. . While ten days is a long time, in the culture of Park City it feels like two. There simply is too much to experience in park city so sadly something’s are left unturned.

Cool Photo Offline

Entering the festival it is true, I did not know what to expect, I was much of a virgin to the film culture, and joined for the experience. It didn’t satisfy any requirement on my major, or fulfill some expectation. I joined the course, because it was something I have always wanted to do, and something I hope to experience again. As a class we were required to watch 15 films and here is my list in no particular order. < — Read the rest of this entry — >

Here we are, the glorious Sundance Film Festival 09′ in Park City Utah has come to an end! Man, it has been one awesome / exhausting trip. I just want to start by saying I am so grateful that I was given this opportunity to go on such an enriching journey that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. Ever since I can remember, which is pretty much back to my terrible twos, I can remember having a deep interest which blossomed into full on love for film. I have always been the person who gets overly emotional during a film and will start tearing up or straight out bawling. Or I will be on the floor laughing uncontrollably, preferrably the latter. Although, I do like a good cry every now and then, it’s therapeutic.

I have been lucky to indulge in this interest and study film at Eckerd, taking some extremely interesting and fun courses where I have actually worked on the making of short films. I hope to pursue a career which can be like a creative outlet for me, like tv and film!

I made various connections both business wise and friend wise! I climbed the never ending staircase to heaven (our beautiful condo, situated perfectly on Empire Avenue, looking over mainstreet.) I walked wide-eyed up the infamous main street, taking in all the people and places. I shmoozed with the rich and famous, (mostly extremely friendly and talented filmmakers I met at slamdance) which was an experience in it of itself. I feel as though I soaked up as much as I could, although I do wish I took the time to watch a few more movies, since the whole point of the trip was watching film! I have taken away a new understanding and appreciation of independent films and I definitely hope to be able to attend the Sundance Film Festival again, and bombard my brain with more films that will leave me questioning and anticipating more.

I also want to note the great experience I had volunteering at Slamdance, Slamdance might be (according to some) a smaller festival formed by the “reject” films from Sundance, but to me it is right up there with Sundance if not cooler! All the people I met / worked with were super friendly and made my time there quite pleasant. I also saw most of the films that Real Ideas Studio worked on with Slamdance in the aspiring filmmakers film competition, all of these films were quite good and inspiring! 

Here is a quick review of all the films I saw and what they were each about: < — Read the rest of this entry — >

I love the fact that I can say I’ve been to the Sundance Film Festival! I can honestly say that I had a great time. The people, the places, the films were all amazing.

I think I’ve picked up a new appreciation for what it means to be a filmmaker. I never really thought about what it takes to get an independent film made, but I just spent the last three weeks pondering this and it’s a little overwhelming. If I were a filmmaker, I’d say thank God for Sundance and other such festivals. That includes Slamdance, where I happily volunteered for the alternative festival housed in one hotel near the top of Main Street. < — Read the rest of this entry — >

So the day we traveled back to Florida, we flew out of the Salt Lake City airport. While waiting in the terminal at our gate, I happened to be sitting in front of one of the televisions showing the news. I started watching the coverage for one of those award shows where the celebrities come and all the media outlets go crazy. I thought to myself, why doesn’t Sundance get this kind of national coverage?

I thought about this some more and then I felt stupid for thinking Sundance should have been on that screen in the news. If it were, it would completely undermine the point of the point of the festival. Yes, Sundance is well known and gets plenty of recognition in print around the world. I mean, how else would it get such great directors, like Alexis Dos Santos of Unmade Beds, to fill the world cinema categories? But it still, somehow, maintains a quiet existence in a way. The kind of existence that allows filmmakers, actors, and their audiences to casually interact. Where else can you walk down the street in a small mountain town and run into the directors or the stars of the movies you just saw? < — Read the rest of this entry — >