Day 3 - 2008: Four Movies, No Breaks

Here we are waiting in line to go into the theater for our second movie of the day. We weren't nearly this happy or energetic by the end of the day. Sitting for a large percentage of the day and subsisting on granola bars and coffee is not exactly a healthy lifestyle. We saw some excellent movies, but (Jenn and I in particular) decided three movies in one day is our limit. Here's what we saw:

Shorts Program 1

There were eight films in this program, ranging from 3 - 19 minutes. There was quite an assortment, we are a little baffled about how they decide which ones to group together. Some we all liked, some we disagreed on and some we all disliked. Here they are in a nutshell: The Second Line: a story set in post-Katrina New Orleans - it was great. Dennis: A terribly sad story of a bodybuilder who still lives with his mother and is socially and emotionally still a little boy. The Adventures of Baxter and Maguire: The Boss - Animated male genitalia (hilarious). If you are intrigued by the thought of talking testicles, you can check out further Adventures of Baxter and

Maguire on Comedy Central's website. Harvest Time: A woman who is tired of tending her farm without any help from her husband decides to get rid of him in a most final way - really good and even funny. Teat Beat of Sex: Another animated film about sex - Jois liked it, but I think I'm getting prudish in my old age. Smile: A charming film about a Chinese-Canadian family having a portrait taken for the relatives back home. Bend It: Skip it, nuf said! Aquarium: a nerdy boy is misunderstood in his own family, but manages to connect with the cute girl next door -- a really sweet story, with a terrific cast of characters.

Sunshine Cleaning

This was an excellent flick about two sisters who start a crime-scene, bio-hazard removal business. Amy Adams, Emily Blunt and Alan Arkin are all terrific in it. Unfortunately, none of them were there, but the director did answer questions afterward. We are wondering if Alan Arkin has found a new niche and only stars in movies with the word "Sunshine" in the title where his role is that of eccentric grandpas. I hope this film makes it into theaters because it is a very real story about life not turning out as you expected and making the best of it.

Be Kind Rewind

This film was packed and people had camped out in the waitlist line for hours trying to get in. Why? Because it starred Jack Black and was a comedy. It was a thoughtful story that takes place in Passaic, New Jersey. What's interesting is it was written and directed by a French man, who live in Paris. It tells the story of a young black man (played by Mos Def) who is entrusted with the care of his mentor's (Danny Glover) video store for a few days. His best friend (Jack Black) messes everything up and in the process of making things right they become filmmakers. I won't tell you any more, except to say it will be in theaters soon and, while it has some teenage comedy elements, it's worth seeing.

Here's a photo of the director (on the left, Mos Def, Jack Black and Danny Glover (hanging back in the shadows) before the screening.

Smart People

This quickly bumped Sunshine Cleaning out of its position as my favorite film so far. Quality acting, original writing and very human characters all added up to an excellent film. It stars Dennis Quaid, Sarah Jessica Parker, Thomas Hayden Church, Ellen Paige (of Juno Fame) and Ashton Holmes. It's the story of a widowed English Professor, his mixed-up family and his unlikely romance with a former graduate student. Thomas Hayden Church plays the screw-up adopted brother of the professor and he is the only one brave enough to call things as they are. He also has the funniest lines. Ellen Paige is brilliant as the super-achieving, Young Republican daughter. And, of course, you can't go wrong with Sarah Jessica Parker and Dennis Quaid in the leading roles.

The entire cast (excluding Ellen Paige -- it seems she's pretty these days), the director and the screenwriter were there to answer questions, but Thomas Hayden Church stole the show. He claimed to have a letter from Ellen, which he went on to read (see photo on right) and it was hysterical! We were, however, a little annoyed by all the star-seekers in the audience, who proceeded to gush over all the stars as they entered the theater, stood up to take photos, applauded after every word they said, etc. It's the World Premier people! Those with a role in the film are there! Get over it!

I also started collecting pictures of Sundance fashion "do's" and "don'ts." I will post those photos when I get back to Oregon.

Tomorrow it's back to three movies starting at 9:15 AM. We are planning an even earlier start, however, because a huge storm is headed our way and they are predicting 12-16 inches of new snow. It may be tricky getting out of Jenn's driveway, let alone into town.