What happens when you pack a large group of people in very small quarters? Absolute Madness. Ironically, some of the most amusing moments throughout my trip here came on the Park City Free Shuttles. Let me start off by saying you got what you paid for. In all seriousness, or no seriousness at all, the Park City shuttles offered by the festival are pure, exotic, and efficient. Yes, I said exotic … perhaps it was the group I was constantly traveling with, or maybe the fact that Tom The Tickler accompanied us to most of the showings but it seemed like every single time I boarded a tale was sure to ensue.

To emphasize the seriousness of my blog, I would like to go over the #1 rule in the event of an evacuation on a park city shuttle. USE COMMON SENSE. The buses’ maximum capacity was  likely around 50, but sometimes we reached upwards of 100. This definitely affects the turning radius at times. Nonetheless, when you pack so many people in such close quarters something is bound to happen. Just ask Eckerd’s own Tom the Tickler, who earned his well-deserved nickname en route. With some substances involved, Thomas was clearly in the right state of mind and could not stop tickling the gentleman in front of him. This selfless act earned him the nickname. There were other moments on the shuttles but none as sentimental as this. 

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At the start of every film shown at Sundance they show a short clip with various directors sharing funny stories about Sundance (OK funny the first time, not so much after the 15th time…). So here is our own version…

Ben Hamburger should be credited as the editor of this clip.

The Sundance Film Festival has been a learning experience for me in many ways, good and bad. I got to meet many of the celebrities that I had only seen in movies or heard about. Many of them were nice and down-to-earth individuals, who would engage in conversations and would answer any questions that one could have about their movie or performance. However, I also met some who were really snobbish and would completely ignore people who were just willing to talk to them or ask them any sort of questions. This gave me a better outlook on the lives of these individuals and how extreme their personalities could be, just like normal people. I also had the opportunity to interact with some upcoming directors and filmmakers, such as Kanji Nakajima (Clone Returns Home) and Ross Katz (Taking Chance), who had made an impact on me with their respective movies. I heard about the difficulties and experiences that they had in making these independent movies, and was able to experience a different side to cinema that is often overshadowed by mainstream movies.

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Kevin Spacey and Robin Williams

Lined with an all-star cast including  Kevin Spacey, and with actors taking pay cuts, the movie Shrink was destined to succeed. The film is a masterpiece.  “What happens when the people we count on to hold it together are barely holding it together themselves?” That question gives a synopsis of the movie at hand, and really explains the life of Dr. Carter (not to be confused with Little Wayne), as shrink of the stars.

Like many of the characters throughout the films this year Kevin Spacey (Dr. Carter) is haunted by a mistake from his past. So much so that his life appears to be in ruins, even though he is the one who is supposed to be helping others.

The film begins in Dr Carter’s home, and he is clearly in despair, waking up disshevelled next to a bottle of alcohol. Throughout the film, he attempts to help others while battling with his own demons, some of which he conquers, others of which he does not. One really strong suit to the movie was that each individual character was utterly unique, with problems of their own that needed to be solved. It was very interesting to watch the character development and note how they fed off one another. Each individual’s problem was the answer to another’s, and it was very interesting to see how they all tied together.

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We Live in Public

It’s Saturday night in Park City and another festival is winding down. The first weekend of the festival is always the most chaotic and crowded. I find the second weekend more pleasant even if it is a bit sad to see things coming to a close. Shuttle buses are less frequent, people more relaxed. For the first time in ten days it is snowing, and with the weather everyone seems to be mellowing out, finding some place to stay warm.

I had a ticket to the Grand Jury Prize Documentary Award winning film - and had settled down into a cozy seat in the Library theater, waiting for the announcement as to which film it would be. I was slightly disappointed to hear it was something I’d seen just yesterday - I’d been hoping to catch something I’d missed - but in hindsight the award makes complete sense: Ondi Timoner’s We Live in Public was disturbing but brilliant, a powerful portrait of an internet pioneer with a remarkable vision of the future we are living now. Unlike many of the documentaries that played at Sundance this year, this one (by the director of Dig!) makes inventive and entertaining use of the possibilities of the medium, and was definitely not made for a PBS audience.

I’ve seen just over 30 films here in Park City, at both Sundance and Slamdance, and in my opinion this is the strongest lineup I’ve encountered in the years I’ve been coming to the festival. As usual, the documentaries tend to be among the best that Sundance has to offer. While I was laughing out loud at Black Dynamite, amused and entertained by Larry Fessenden and Ron Perlman’s performances in We Sell the Dead, intrigued by the ideas in Moon and in the even more profound The Clone Returns Home and even brought to tears by Slamdance’s Mississippi Damned, it was the documentary films that will have a lasting impact on my thoughts and attitudes and actions. (more…)

The Egyptian at Sundance

While attending a variety of films at Sundance I couldn’t help but notice how different each theatre was from one another. The first theater I attended was Prospector theater, which was located in prospector square. This theater had a makeshift concession stand with over priced food and unorganized staff but it came in handy to get a bit of food while rushing around between films. The theatre was a decent size it would compare to a smaller screen at a mainstream movie theater. What I really enjoyed about prospector was the leg room between seats and overall comfort of the chairs. It was also the only theater that I can recall that allowed people to bring their food into the theater.

The second theater I attended was Eccles theater. (more…)

I enjoyed the experience of Sundance. Its not the coolest thing I’ve ever done with myself, but wasn’t a total waste of time either. I succeeded at making some great connections with people who might be able to help me out to one extent or another after I graduate, which honestly was the objective for me. My second priority was seeing a good deal of documentaries, because unlike the features, who knows where else I’d ever learn all that I did through my week of exploring this versatile genre. My biggest regret here at Sundance would probably be that I didn’t weave more New Frontiers films into my docu-marathon.  After all Sundance is about the new frontiers and experimental, never before seen film making.  The few films in this series which I did see, I really appreciated and know that I would never watch outside of a festival setting, so…maybe next time. Hopefully there will be a next time that I find myself watching quirky festival movies, and not necessarily at Sundance either– of course this is an immensely important gathering for both US and international film makers, but at the risk of whining, the weather here in Park City isn’t my thing. Hey, maybe Cannes! Anyway, in the order in which they are listed in the official Sundance Film Guide, here is a list of all the great movies I was lucky enough to see over the past ten days, hopefully some of the titles stick with those of you reading, and if you ever happen to come across it at a funky video store, you’ll decide to give it a whirl.

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It’s no secret that if you want to eat out in Park City, you have to be willing to drop a fortune on what may seem to be less-than-gourmet cuisine. Of course, some of it IS the bombest, tastiest food, and I was more than willing to spend 20 bucks to get a decent meal. But some of it is the blandest, most unappetizing food I’ve been served, and it’s never less than $10 a pop if you want satisfaction.

Davanza’s Bar & Grill on Park Ave. was one of my personal favorites here in Park City. An appealing local joint where the walls are lined with rows upon rows of beer cans. It’s quite a sight to see. I went there on a few different occasions and everything I ordered proved more than satisfactory. The tacos come highly recommended for a reason: they are delicious. If you haven’t been, then go. If you’ve gone, then I’m sure you agree: Davanza’s is prime eating for little $$

Bandits Barbeque on Main St. was another favorite of ours (mine & the boys, to be clear). Best nachos in town. Maybe even in the state! (But I’m not qualified to make that distinction)

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Sundance… When faced with the task of blogging a summary of this trip, I find myself drawing a blank. Not because of lack of memorable moments, but because there were so many amazing moments. From walking down main street and shmoozing to watching films and sitting in on Q and A’s I’ve learned about film and the philosophies each director presents to us. Also I grew tight with many of my fellow bloggers on this trip gaining connections we never had developed before, especially through Tom’s tickling. All together I think this experience has been priceless and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

I met incredibly awesome and interesting people that either shared words of wisdom or just simply encouraged me on my life journies in environmental studies. Some stand out experiences were seeing Steven Soderbergh and Gregg Araki in their discussion pannel. Another gratifying experience was meeting 3 of the members of Broken Lizard some of the largest comedic influences on my life, I never thought I would have Farva’s arm around my shoulder. Also it was rewarding meeting Pedro from Napolean Dynamite, though I was disappointed he didn’t have his signature meak accent. (more…)

It is hard to say what my favorite films were here at Sundance as there were so many great innovative films. Sin Nombre definately stood out as one of the best and most moving films about gangs and immigration. It was beautifully shot and masterfully intimate. TheImmaculate Conception of Little Dizzlei was one of the weirdest for sure, but was really well done and edited fantastically. Men poop out fish after getting addicted to cookies that warm up in your mouth… need I say more? Shrink was also a really multi-dimensional film about a Hollywood shrink going through tough times. It was ballanced perfectly with the right amount of halariousness and sincerity.

On the other end of the spectrum was Mystery Team which was the stupidest comedy I have ever seen. It was not witty or redeeming in any way. The Missing Personwas a boring film that was a slow paced noir very little that grabbed my attention. Overall, the movies at Sundance this year were great and below is a list of others that I saw, most of which moved me in one way or another and will stay with me for a long time. (more…)