On Monday I managed to see two movies and get one interview in. The rest of the day was spent packing for the big move.
The first movie was The Fan starring Patton Oswalt. He plays the world's biggest New York Giants fan. Before and after every game, he calls his favorite sports talk radio show to give his opinions. He spends hours writing down exactly what he wants to say. He is obsessed with Quantrell Bishop, the Giants' quarterback. One night, he and his friend spot Quantrell, stalk him for a while, approach him, and things get ugly. The movie has some really funny parts, but it really dragged in a lot of other places. I really can't recommend the movie.
My second movie was much better. Good Hair is a documentary by Chris Rock. In the movie, Rock investigates African American hair culture. I had no idea how much time and money some African American women put into their hair. Rock interviews celebrities, hair care experts, and even travels to India where Indians donate the hair that is shipped to Beverly Hills and made into weaves. The movie was very funny. I liked it a lot.
I was also able to score a brief interview with John Krasinski (The Office) at the premier of his movie Brief Interviews with Hideous Men. I haven't seen the movie yet, but I will try to see it today or tomorrow. Kraskinski was every bit as friendly as Jim Halpert, his character on The Office. Before hitting the press line, I saw him talking to fans and signing autographs. He is very gracious to his fans.
That was all for Monday. All day Tuesday was spent moving into my new house. I am about to head to Park City for another day of movies.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Sundance - Day 4
I spent the morning packing. The first thing I did when I got to Park City was attend the press and filmmaker luncheon. I got to meet a few very nice and interesting people.
The first was Wendell B. Harris Jr. He wrote, directed, and starred in Chameleon Street which won the Grand Jury prize at the 1990 Sundance Film Festival. I have never seen the film, but I promised I would. I have just put the movie on my netflix queue, and will post a review after I watch it.
I also met Marie-Helene Cousineau, one of the directors of Before Tomorrow. Its the final chapter in the trilogy that started with The Fast Runner. I enjoyed The Fast Runner, and I'm hoping to catch Before Tomorrow before the festival is over.
Last, I got to meet one of the stars of the short film Countertransference about a woman who's therapist may be more disturbed than she is. I thought the movie was weird and quirky.
I only managed to see one movie today: Over the Hills and Far Away. Its a documentary about a boy with autism and his parents take him to Mongolia hoping that a shaman can cure him. It was a very interesting story and the young boy broke my heart, but overall the movie didn't work for me. There is a stretch of about a half hour towards the end of the movie where nothing much happens. We are just watching them ride horses in Mongolia. The movie opens and closes with some talking heads trying to explain autism, and I was surprised to learn that the experts don't even agree about what exactly autism is.
I tried to see a second movie, El General, but I only made it a half hour into it. Its about Mexico's president from 1924 - 1928. I'm interested in Mexican history, but this documentary felt like watching paint dry. My first walkout of the festival. And I rarely ever walk out of movies.
I will be moving on Tuesday, so I am not sure how much I will be able to post for the next couple of days.
The first was Wendell B. Harris Jr. He wrote, directed, and starred in Chameleon Street which won the Grand Jury prize at the 1990 Sundance Film Festival. I have never seen the film, but I promised I would. I have just put the movie on my netflix queue, and will post a review after I watch it.
I also met Marie-Helene Cousineau, one of the directors of Before Tomorrow. Its the final chapter in the trilogy that started with The Fast Runner. I enjoyed The Fast Runner, and I'm hoping to catch Before Tomorrow before the festival is over.
Last, I got to meet one of the stars of the short film Countertransference about a woman who's therapist may be more disturbed than she is. I thought the movie was weird and quirky.
I only managed to see one movie today: Over the Hills and Far Away. Its a documentary about a boy with autism and his parents take him to Mongolia hoping that a shaman can cure him. It was a very interesting story and the young boy broke my heart, but overall the movie didn't work for me. There is a stretch of about a half hour towards the end of the movie where nothing much happens. We are just watching them ride horses in Mongolia. The movie opens and closes with some talking heads trying to explain autism, and I was surprised to learn that the experts don't even agree about what exactly autism is.
I tried to see a second movie, El General, but I only made it a half hour into it. Its about Mexico's president from 1924 - 1928. I'm interested in Mexican history, but this documentary felt like watching paint dry. My first walkout of the festival. And I rarely ever walk out of movies.
I will be moving on Tuesday, so I am not sure how much I will be able to post for the next couple of days.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Sundance - Day 3
First up was a press screening of Taking Chance. Kevin Bacon plays a marine who is escorting a fellow marine's body home to Wyoming. The movie was 85 minutes, but it felt like 120. You really have to be patient to sit thru this movie. The first 10 minutes in, I thought about leaving. But I stuck it out. I will admit, it made me tear up. But it hits you over the head with the emotion of a fallen marine. Too many slow motion shots of Kevin Bacon watching the coffin and saluting.
After that, I went to the premier of The Greatest. I wasn't able to get in to the movie, but I was able to get pictures and sound bites of Pierce Brosnan and Susan Sarandon. I tried to get a couple of questions in, but its hard fighting with TV reporters from Access Hollywood, Reel Talk, ect.
At the moment, I am updating from the Sundance Cafe. I'm trying to decide what to see next. There are so many choices. But I think I am going to focus on seeing more movies, and less celebrity premiers. I think. I may change my mind. Jim Carrey is supposed to be here tomorrow and then John Krasinski (The Office) may be here Monday.
Update: I ended up seeing two more movies. The first was the Documentary Shorts. Most of them were not very good, but the best one was I Knew It Was You, a 40-minute documentary about John Cazale. It was really good.
The last movie I saw was Rudo Y Cursi. Gael Garcia Bernal and Diego Luna from Y Tu Mama Tambien starred. It was not bad, but definitely not as good as Y Tu Mama Tambien.
After that, I went to the premier of The Greatest. I wasn't able to get in to the movie, but I was able to get pictures and sound bites of Pierce Brosnan and Susan Sarandon. I tried to get a couple of questions in, but its hard fighting with TV reporters from Access Hollywood, Reel Talk, ect.
At the moment, I am updating from the Sundance Cafe. I'm trying to decide what to see next. There are so many choices. But I think I am going to focus on seeing more movies, and less celebrity premiers. I think. I may change my mind. Jim Carrey is supposed to be here tomorrow and then John Krasinski (The Office) may be here Monday.
Update: I ended up seeing two more movies. The first was the Documentary Shorts. Most of them were not very good, but the best one was I Knew It Was You, a 40-minute documentary about John Cazale. It was really good.
The last movie I saw was Rudo Y Cursi. Gael Garcia Bernal and Diego Luna from Y Tu Mama Tambien starred. It was not bad, but definitely not as good as Y Tu Mama Tambien.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Sundance - Day 2
The first movie of the day was Lymelife. I'd give it 3 stars. I liked it partly because it reminded me of The Ice Storm, which I really liked. The performances were great, especially Rory Culkin and Alec Baldwin, who has my favorite line reading of the week: "F*** him and his medical bills!"
After that, I went to the Sundance Press Office and watched a screener of Dead Snow, a Norwegian movie about Nazi Zombies. I'd also give that 3 stars. It was gory as hell and it had some humor to it. I could tell the fillmmakers were inspired by movies like Evil Dead II and Shaun of the Dead. Its not as good as those, but its a worthy entry in the attacking-zombie, stuck-in-a-cabin horror category.
After that, I decided to hit a couple of public screenings. First I went to the premier of Brooklyn's Finest, the new movie from Antoine Fuqua, director of Training Day. I wasn't able to get in to the screening, but I did stand with the press and cover the arrival of the director and stars Don Cheadle and Wesley Snipes. That was pretty cool.
After that, I did the same thing for Rudo y Cursi. I was able to briefly interview Gael Garcia Bernal, Carlos Cuaron, and best of all, the great Guillermo del Toro! I asked him if he had his sketch book on him, because I know he carries it around all the time, and I was hoping to see some of his ideas for The Hobbit. He said it was back at the hotel. I also asked him if there was any chance of Ian Holm playing Bilbo Baggins. I know he is like 100 years old, but I don't care. He was so great as Bilbo in The Fellowship of the Ring, I don't want anyone else playing Bilbo. I told him he could slap that brown wig on his head again and it would work. He said he couldn't even discuss it with me, or he would be shot by snipers. He is as friendly as I have heard he is.
Alfonso Cuaron was there also, but I didn't get a chance to talk to him. They were running behind, and I was at the end of the line.
I didn't get in to see the movie. I got a wait list number, but they called it while I was interviewing the guys. Oh well, I will try and catch the movie later in the week.
That's all for today. I may edit this post and add some audio, once I figure out where to host it. And hopefully tomorrow I will add pictures (forgot to charge the camera battery today). I'm still planning out this weekend, but I hope to interview Pierce Brosnan tomorrow, and Jim Carrey on Sunday. Stay tuned.
After that, I went to the Sundance Press Office and watched a screener of Dead Snow, a Norwegian movie about Nazi Zombies. I'd also give that 3 stars. It was gory as hell and it had some humor to it. I could tell the fillmmakers were inspired by movies like Evil Dead II and Shaun of the Dead. Its not as good as those, but its a worthy entry in the attacking-zombie, stuck-in-a-cabin horror category.
After that, I decided to hit a couple of public screenings. First I went to the premier of Brooklyn's Finest, the new movie from Antoine Fuqua, director of Training Day. I wasn't able to get in to the screening, but I did stand with the press and cover the arrival of the director and stars Don Cheadle and Wesley Snipes. That was pretty cool.
After that, I did the same thing for Rudo y Cursi. I was able to briefly interview Gael Garcia Bernal, Carlos Cuaron, and best of all, the great Guillermo del Toro! I asked him if he had his sketch book on him, because I know he carries it around all the time, and I was hoping to see some of his ideas for The Hobbit. He said it was back at the hotel. I also asked him if there was any chance of Ian Holm playing Bilbo Baggins. I know he is like 100 years old, but I don't care. He was so great as Bilbo in The Fellowship of the Ring, I don't want anyone else playing Bilbo. I told him he could slap that brown wig on his head again and it would work. He said he couldn't even discuss it with me, or he would be shot by snipers. He is as friendly as I have heard he is.
Alfonso Cuaron was there also, but I didn't get a chance to talk to him. They were running behind, and I was at the end of the line.
I didn't get in to see the movie. I got a wait list number, but they called it while I was interviewing the guys. Oh well, I will try and catch the movie later in the week.
That's all for today. I may edit this post and add some audio, once I figure out where to host it. And hopefully tomorrow I will add pictures (forgot to charge the camera battery today). I'm still planning out this weekend, but I hope to interview Pierce Brosnan tomorrow, and Jim Carrey on Sunday. Stay tuned.
Sundance - Day 1
The first item of the day was New Frontier on Main. This is where they show a bunch of new technology and how it can be implemented for movies and storytelling. Some cool stuff, movie-wise, but nothing incredible technology-wise.
Next up was the opening press conference with Robert Redford and Geoffrey Gilmore. They talked for a while and then took questions. Redford wasn't sure if this year was the 25th anniversary of Sundance, or 24th or 26th, or what. He reiterated several times the difference between the Sundance Institute and the Sundance Film Festival. He mentioned that they have had international labs in the mideast (Iran and Jordan) for some time, and there has been talks about a festival in Abu Dhabi.
They talked about the wall between art and commerce, distribution issues for independant films, they touched on proposition 8, and someone asked Redford if he would serve on the NEA board if he was asked (he said no, he wouldn't).
A couple of hours off and then it was the opening film - Mary and Max, a claymation movie about a 40 year-old obese man in New York and his 10 year-old pen pal, a little girl living in Australia. The movie was funny and charming, but I thought it would have worked much better as a short. Halfway thru the movie I was ready for it to end.
The last item of the day was the opening night party. I quickly realized that it doesn't matter how cool a party is, its no fun if you are there alone, and don't know anybody. I did bump into a couple local critics that I chatted with, and met a few other people, but nothing interesting happened. They had a DJ, free food and free drinks, and there were so many people in there it was a nightmare trying to move around. And no, I didn't see anyone famous.
Next up was the opening press conference with Robert Redford and Geoffrey Gilmore. They talked for a while and then took questions. Redford wasn't sure if this year was the 25th anniversary of Sundance, or 24th or 26th, or what. He reiterated several times the difference between the Sundance Institute and the Sundance Film Festival. He mentioned that they have had international labs in the mideast (Iran and Jordan) for some time, and there has been talks about a festival in Abu Dhabi.
They talked about the wall between art and commerce, distribution issues for independant films, they touched on proposition 8, and someone asked Redford if he would serve on the NEA board if he was asked (he said no, he wouldn't).
A couple of hours off and then it was the opening film - Mary and Max, a claymation movie about a 40 year-old obese man in New York and his 10 year-old pen pal, a little girl living in Australia. The movie was funny and charming, but I thought it would have worked much better as a short. Halfway thru the movie I was ready for it to end.
The last item of the day was the opening night party. I quickly realized that it doesn't matter how cool a party is, its no fun if you are there alone, and don't know anybody. I did bump into a couple local critics that I chatted with, and met a few other people, but nothing interesting happened. They had a DJ, free food and free drinks, and there were so many people in there it was a nightmare trying to move around. And no, I didn't see anyone famous.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Sundance - Day 0
The Sundance Film Festival begins tomorrow. This will be the first time I have covered the festival as a member of the press. I have always tried to attend a few movies during the festival, but between my schedule and ticket prices, I've only been able to average 2 movies per festival for the last few years. This time I will be seeing several movies per day. I hope to keep this up until the end of the festival, but I have a feeling that I have no idea what I'm getting myself into. Its no coincidence that some local critics take a week's vacation right after the festival ends.
Today I went to the press office at festival headquarters to pick up my press credentials. As I was driving to Park City I had this image in my mind of a ballroom full of press, and waiting in line for an hour to get my pass. Imagine my surprise when I only had to wait about 30 seconds. There were only two people in front of me.
So I picked up my press pass, my FilterForGood reusable bottle, and my festival guide. Then I waited a minute for someone to tell me what came next. I quickly realized that they were wondering what I was still standing there for. I guess I assumed that there would be more to it. I was really hoping some helpful person would say "Orientation for first timers is right over there." I introduced myself to some of the publicists, went to the general information booth, asked a couple of questions about press screenings, and left.
Tomorrow the plan is a press preview at noon, opening day press conference at 2, then a screening of Mary and Max at 6:30. Good times.
Today I went to the press office at festival headquarters to pick up my press credentials. As I was driving to Park City I had this image in my mind of a ballroom full of press, and waiting in line for an hour to get my pass. Imagine my surprise when I only had to wait about 30 seconds. There were only two people in front of me.
So I picked up my press pass, my FilterForGood reusable bottle, and my festival guide. Then I waited a minute for someone to tell me what came next. I quickly realized that they were wondering what I was still standing there for. I guess I assumed that there would be more to it. I was really hoping some helpful person would say "Orientation for first timers is right over there." I introduced myself to some of the publicists, went to the general information booth, asked a couple of questions about press screenings, and left.
Tomorrow the plan is a press preview at noon, opening day press conference at 2, then a screening of Mary and Max at 6:30. Good times.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Gran Torino - 3 1/2 stars
I have to make a confession right away: I have never seen a Dirty Harry movie. But I think I know enough about the character to compare Dirty Harry to Walt Kowalski, Clint Eastwood's character in Gran Torino. Of course, just about every other critic has already made the comparison. Imagine an old, retired version of Dirty Harry. Imagine he worked on the Ford assembly line instead of being a cop.
I loved this movie. It was a lot funnier than I expected it to be. Sometimes I laughed from embarassment, like when he says to a room of Asian Americans "What are all you fish heads staring at?" I've always felt that the best kind of humor comes from characters. If a character is well developed, then he doesn't have to do much of anything to make you laugh. We know Walk Kowalski so well in this movie that all he has to do is look at the old lady next door, narrow his eyes a little, and its hilarious.
There are several scenes that show what a fearless badass he is. When the Hmong gang is fighting with the neighbors, he doesn't hesitate to pull his gun and threaten to kill them. He says "We used to stack gooks like you 5 feet high in Korea. Use you as sandbags." When he sees the black gang picking on Sue, the girl from next door, he isn't afraid to get out of his truck and say right to their faces "What the hell do you spooks think you're doing?"
I've seen this movie 3 times now, and I will probably see it again soon. Make sure you stay thru the credits so you can hear the beautiful title song.
I loved this movie. It was a lot funnier than I expected it to be. Sometimes I laughed from embarassment, like when he says to a room of Asian Americans "What are all you fish heads staring at?" I've always felt that the best kind of humor comes from characters. If a character is well developed, then he doesn't have to do much of anything to make you laugh. We know Walk Kowalski so well in this movie that all he has to do is look at the old lady next door, narrow his eyes a little, and its hilarious.
There are several scenes that show what a fearless badass he is. When the Hmong gang is fighting with the neighbors, he doesn't hesitate to pull his gun and threaten to kill them. He says "We used to stack gooks like you 5 feet high in Korea. Use you as sandbags." When he sees the black gang picking on Sue, the girl from next door, he isn't afraid to get out of his truck and say right to their faces "What the hell do you spooks think you're doing?"
I've seen this movie 3 times now, and I will probably see it again soon. Make sure you stay thru the credits so you can hear the beautiful title song.
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