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. (more…)

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. (more…)

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.

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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Never in my wildest dreams would I think I would see Robert Redford just standing on the side of the road. Never would I have thought I would have the opportunity to see World Premieres, or attend parties as the celebrities I see in Entertainment Weekly. So far to me this film festival has been an unbelievable experience, and it’s only just the beginning.

Me and Ali and Sam with the Big River Man (Martin Strel and crew)

 Prior to my arrival I really had not the faintest idea of what was to come or what to expect. The Sundance film festival is like another country, another world within a world and I observed that within my first 24 hours. So far I have seen several movies, starting with Big River Man, which entails the incredible story of overweight alcoholic, swimming the Amazon for a cause greater than himself. Myself alongside several of my classmates had a strong desire to see the film after reading several blogs and hearing about through word of mouth. We were so intrigued that we decided to waitlist, which is an experience in itself.

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There are cop movies, and then there is Bad Lieutenant. Directed by Abel Ferra, this has many of the makings of a typical cop drama, yet for some reason simply is not. You have the corruption, the scandal, and the gambling yet there is something so satisfying about this film, it leaves you with a feeling of satisfaction and self-prophecy. Bad Lieutenant is a Miami Vice, with excellent acting, screenplay, and directing. Bad Lieutenant is everything a good cop film should be.

Harvey Keital plays a NYPD detective, with a destructive yet addicting personality, whose desire, for money and competition finds him on the outskirts of where he should be. He has a very grotesque presence to him, and director Abel Ferrara clearly wanted to show the audience how crude a member of authority could be. His wide range of ludicrous behaviors ranging from sticking needles in his arm to masturbating in front of teenage girls.  He is portrayed as the character that we simply should hate but do not. There was one scene that I found quite very disturbing and comical at the same time. Keital had the uncanny ability to go from father to drug addict in seconds for instance dropping his kids of at school to only blow coke, sent a strong message to myself as well as the audience about his character.

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Every director, has their own path to stardom, some attend film school while others just are in the right place at the right time. Richard Linklater took a less conventional approach, with his desire to be in the film industry absent at an early age. Born in Houston Texas, Richard Linklater attended Sam Houston State, but left mid semester as he felt was not the right area for him at the time. Surprisingly, Linklater’s departure let him down a completely different path working offshore at an oilrig. Ironically it was here that he discovered his love of film, and used money from this occupation to buy a Super 8 camera.

Linklater has made dozens of films some of his more notable ones being, Dazed and Confused, Slacker, School of Rock, and his most recent remake of Bad News Bears earning him the most recognition. Linklater is most noted for his wide repertoire of films, with his productions ranging form slackers, a film following individuals with no real direction in their lives, to Scander Darkly, which is a sci-fi future thriller. Richard Linklater is a self-made success without having, any real mentor, or guided instruction.

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