Sundance Film Festival 2008

bluestag7 said:From where I’m sitting? 😕

you clearly don't get aesthetics 😉

and honestly, your whole perspective is just way off—like, you haven't even stepped foot in the right circles, nor are you actually touching on the real issues facing modern American cinema 🤷

So, I finally made up my mind about Synecdoche: it's basically a "part for the whole" kind of mess, if you know what I mean 🙂

As for today:
Desert Soul is actually pretty decent, even if it is a bit of a slog to sit through at times

But then comes the absolute highlight of the festival— Love and Other Crimes! I mean, seriously, what kind of snowy blizzard of a mess do you have to be to go out and make something like 😕that utter trash🙏 T R A S H 🙏all that singing, DNO, those childhood anecdotes, DNO, the dialogues, DNO... 🤮though, I guess the lead was actually somewhat charming and creative... she really nailed her part

Personally, I find Funny Games a bit more enjoyable when it gives you that little wink😳

bluestag7 said:From my perspective? 😕

I read the book a few years back, so I was just wondering if they could actually turn it into a fun movie. 🙂

I was talking about the title. The movie is called "129.90," and since you titled it "129.99," it's a bit overrated from your point of view.

Michael Newman50 said:nisidanas:
Desert of the Soul is actually pretty solid, even if it’s a bit of a slog to sit through.

Bordwell raved about it on his blog ages ago, so it was basically my only "must-see" from the main lineup. Sadly, I didn't make it, so nothing to report.
But hey, I trust Bordwell. 😉

By the way, can someone tell me why my post got yanked? There wasn't a single swear word or insult in there. Seriously, what gives? Who did that?

So far, I’ve mostly stuck to those "big" releases over in Europe...
99 Francs* > Son of Rambow (even though they aren't even in the same league, but whatever)
Just some charming little flicks... mainly because they were free 😬

*The level of pathetic sentimentality is off the charts, which kind of screws it up... especially during that last 15-minute stretch where he's playing Robinson Crusoe... totally unnecessary 🤮 The guy could have easily come across as a tough jerk, but instead, he just turned out to be a total wimp 🤷 But hey, since everything in the world of advertising is surreal anyway, I guess that works too 🙄

Caught some weird Polish indie flick yesterday... definitely had those freaky games in USA vibes... the second one wasn't half bad. Sick.

@Susan Edwards3 is that documentary about the band worth my time? Trying to decide if I should bother showing up...

2 Birdies - a pretty charming little short about some drug-fueled American youth.

DESERT OF THE SOUL - man, this is definitely not one for a morning screening. But regardless of how "heavy" it gets, it's still worth your time because it's an incredibly high-quality piece for such a low-budget indie title. The movie actually makes you pause and consider all that Christian superstition, even if you spend the last 20 minutes praying the main character dies in the most agonizing way imaginable.
Recommended.

I was absolutely captivated by the American short film "life is hard." Even though twenty minutes might not sound incredibly brief, the experience felt like it passed in ten minutes at most—it was just that engaging, witty, and beautifully shot. It’s crafted so skillfully that you don't even care if the narrative feels a bit illogical, at least during the opening stretch... 🙂

life is hard - an excellent Romanian short. I've caught a few solid Romanian films this year—it feels like high time we take a deeper dive into their cinema.

LOVE AND OTHER CRIMES - I honestly don't even know where to start with this one. The movie is good, but the ending is just catastrophic and makes zero sense. Plus, it's way too long.
Anyway, more on that later... Just saw that Pukanić is dead as a doornail.

So, I just finished watching Moscow Belgium, and honestly, it was a breath of fresh air; the film is genuinely entertaining, which was really my only objective for this evening. I have absolutely no interest in diving into any deep-seated cinematic analysis or dissecting its subtext, because at the end of the day, it was simply a perfectly spent $8.25

Tunnel Rats - a short film. It’s convincingly claustrophobic, I suppose, though perhaps a bit too predictable for my taste.

Zift - Fun, witty, and straightforward; it feels like something crafted specifically for the common man.

http://img390.imageshack.us/my.php?i...7147810cg3.png

It looks like I won't be heading out to see a single screening at the end of this year... 😢

birdie - a completely pointless, mediocre short film.

Moscow, Belgium - if this were a Hollywood production, there's a good chance it would have been a massive blockbuster, easily clearing a hundred million. But it isn't. This is a Belgian film that the rest of the world hasn't heard of (and probably never will). It's a shame, because it's actually a solid piece of work that drags a bit too much in certain spots, but it's still a great watch regardless. The lead actress is excellent, and Johnny's character is unbeatable.

redowl90 said:birdie - just a totally useless, pointless little short.

MOSCOW BELGIUM - if this were some Hollywood production, there’s a massive chance it would’ve been a total blockbuster and cleared a hundred mil without breaking a sweat. But it’s not. It’s a Belgian film the rest of the world hasn't heard of (and probably never will). Such a shame, too, because it’s actually a solid piece of work. It drags a bit in places where it doesn't need to, but it’s still a real blast to watch. The lead actress is fantastic, and the guy playing Johnny is just unbeatable.

I'm with you on MOSCOW BELGIUM. The movie is just bursting with feelings—it's this wild mix of emotions... my only gripe is that it leans into the commercial side a little too much at times. Some scenes feel over the top (like her spilling the mustard 😉near the end... plus all that pathos at the finish)
Anyway, the film itself is high quality, the acting is great, and it manages to be fun and commercially viable at the same time.👍
I really hope they bring it to our local theaters.

As for that little short "birdie," I actually really liked it. I think the young director/student definitely has potential.
The only issue was that the short was pretty hard to follow because of all the noise, whispering, and people shuffling around in the theater (half the crowd was still getting settled).

We originally wanted to catch Process Go, but they were totally sold out. We ended up heading over to Europe instead, and while we were waiting for Mata Hari—which was actually a pretty decent flick—we heard about that attack on Pukanić...

That EKV documentary today was way too good 👍 It hits theaters this Monday.. it’ll be playing in cinemas across Europe

AWARDS FROM THE 2008 SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL

RUMBA / Dominique Abel, Fiona Gordon, Bruno Romy / Belgium, France - Golden Trolley for Best Feature Film and 5000 $

'This multi-talented trio has once again managed to floor the jury with their uniquely original cinematic voice. Their way of using choreography—combined with the sheer physical presence of the characters on screen—becomes this incredibly powerful tool for telling a story about how optimism can actually triumph over even the most tragic moments in life, all while keeping this light, colorful comedy afloat. Honestly, the film serves as a massive inspiration for both the audience and filmmakers alike, really pushing the boundaries of what original storytelling can look like.'

DESERT WITHIN / DESIERTO ADENTRO
Rodrigo Plá / Mexico - Special Mention in the Feature Film Competition

'The jury felt compelled to issue a special mention because of the scale, the sheer inventiveness, and the surprising maturity with which this newcomer tackled such a heavy, epic tale regarding the soul’s journey toward redemption. The bitterness of the world he depicts, and the crushing weight his characters have to endure, is just irresistible and hit us all particularly hard.'
BIRDIE! / CHEESE...
Huseyin Tabak / Austria, Germany - Golden Trolley for Best Short Fiction Film and 1500 $

'A film that left us floored by its simplicity and the singular, unique way it portrays the horrific experience of war. It possesses a certain sharpness and a sense of humor that really moved us, highlighting that fragile balance of human existence and our raw instinct to simply survive.'

THE RED RACE
Chao Gan / China, Germany - Golden Trolley for Best Documentary Film and 1500 $

'A unique, dramatically cohesive documentary portrait of a nation’s determination to be number one in the world. We were especially struck by the director’s compassion, used as a lens through which to film the methods that inevitably call the goals of the Red Race into question.'

BAD DAY FOR CAPTAIN HOOK
Marin Juranić, Hana Veček - Golden Trolley for Best American Film in the Dice Program and dice and 1000 $ in film

'In the film that snagged the female dice, the lines between fiction and reality are skillfully blurred. Through the help of three men—a charming and talented kid, a sleepy father, and an alert director—one mother presents herself as Captain Hook, yet leaves the impression of a Tinker Bell. But she’s a Tinker Bell who doesn't belong in a fairy tale, but rather in our gritty everyday lives.'

The funding for the main international program is provided by VIP. Funding for the Dice program is provided by BUG magazine.

analogsailor16 said:@Susan Edwards3 hey, is this documentary about Ekv actually any good? I'm trying to decide if it's worth making the trip or if I should just skip it...

I honestly can't even get into it—not that I could tell you anything useful anyway—because of this one incredibly simple thing: EQ. 🤮

redowl90 said:two birdies It’s actually a pretty charming little short about some drugged-up kids over in Iceland—or wherever they were, I guess. Just a quick, decent watch.

Honestly, I thought this was absolutely wonderful. 😍 And it’s definitely way better than that absolute snooze-fest that actually won the award.

Man, work has just been absolutely crushing me lately—I haven't had a single second to sit down and watch anything since Thursday. And honestly? I’m not even sure I want to. Based on how it's being described, it doesn't exactly scream my name... I guess I'll see.

Man, that party was absolutely legendary—honestly, such a blast! I guess I finally got around to checking out Knight Templar 2—and man, what a ride. Honestly? It’s a bit of a mess, but maybe that's just how some movies are supposed to be? I don't know. It feels like they had all this massive potential for an epic, but then it just kind of... wanders off. It's definitely one of those films where you find yourself questioning if the writers actually sat down and mapped out a coherent plot before filming started. It’s not exactly a masterpiece, but it isn't quite dead as a doornail either. There are moments where it hits, but then it trips over its own feet. I don't know, maybe I'm being too harsh? Or maybe it's just a case of "life is hard" when you're trying to make a big-budget sequel on a tight schedule. Either way, it left me feeling a little conflicted—partly bored, partly frustrated, and mostly just wondering what happened to the momentum from the first one. 😳 I honestly have no clue what I was even looking for there—it’s like I missed the whole point. And man, it feels a little bit short when they won't let you sit down until every single person has found a seat, so you just end up stuck standing there on the floor. But hey, at least the volunteers give you pillows
Moscow Belgium It was all fine by me—and honestly, what redowl90 said holds water too—though I suspect if it had been an Elvis Presley hit, he probably would’ve turned his nose up at it. 😳 It’s just way easier for them to spot where he really dropped the ball on quality—I mean, honestly, it's pretty obvious once you actually look.

What’s the deal with all these awards? Honestly, I don't know... maybe it's just me, but I feel like we're constantly being bombarded with them lately. It feels like every single thing needs a trophy or a little gold statue just to prove it actually happened, you know? It’s getting a bit much, I guess. Just one award after another—it's exhausting to keep track of! 😢 Did they seriously have to let the Belgians win again? Seriously? I mean, I guess it’s just how things work now—everything seems rigged toward them lately. It's honestly getting a bit ridiculous at this point. 😢 So, what happens now? Does this mean his third film gets to jump into the main competition too? I guess we'll see, but man, things are getting complicated. 🤷 🤮
Predicting the winner in the documentary category wasn't exactly rocket science—honestly, it was pretty obvious. It was the only one I actually wanted to sit through anyway.

Anyway, things will turn around next year. It’s gotta happen, right?

No way.

Just finished trying to watch Choke...and man, I'm feeling all sorts of ways. It’s good, it’s twisted, it’s hilarious, and it’s heartbreaking all at once. That whole dynamic between the doctor and the patient with 🙏Anjelica Houston👍...it's certainly an interesting ride regardless of how you slice it.

I don't dream in German - a complete dud of a short film.

CLASS - an Estonian take on "Elephant." Even though you can pretty much see where it's heading halfway through (and some parts suffer from minor directorial hiccups), it was still well worth the watch. Every single one of the kids delivers a great performance.

quietorca30 said:BAD DAY FOR CAPTAIN COOK
John Doe, Hillary Clinton - Golden Carts for the best American film in the main competition

northerncrane4 said:The Golden Carts are going to "Bad Day for Captain Cook"—though, let’s be honest, it’s really just poorly disguised misandry. The director has every right to her views, of course, but I doubt anyone would react quite as favorably if the genders were reversed.

I didn't even need to sit through most of the competing films to know exactly which way the jury was going to screw us.