Sunday we set out with high expectations. This is the day where we have three Premieres in a row at Eccles, the Park City High School Performing Arts Center, which is the biggest and nicest of the venues.

Higher Ground

Our first film of the day, Higher Ground, was directed by and stars Vera Farmiga (of Up in the Air fame) and is based on a memoir called This Dark World written by Carolyn Briggs. It tells the life story of Corinne, who marries her high school boyfriend, has kids and finds God (not necessarily in that order.) It’s a story of a spiritual journey and a story about being true to oneself. I must admit this film hit close to home for me – I could totally relate to Corinne’s character and I appreciated someone telling an honest story about faith and doubt. It was a very personal and emotional directorial debut. I don’t know if this film will find a wider audience, so I’m glad I was able to score a ticket at Sundance.

Vera Farmiga discusses Higher Ground.

Another Happy Day


Another Happy Day is one of those "Sundancey" films that really has no plot and features dysfunction on every level. An all-star cast tells the story of a family with big issues that completely boil over when they all come together for a family wedding. Ellen Barkin is terrific as a mom at her wits end. Ellen Burstyn and George Kennedy play her parents and Thomas Hayden Church plays her ex-husband. Demi Moore is great as the controlling and somewhat slutty new wife, but I particularly liked the two boys who play Ellen Barkin’s sons. Ezra Miller plays a brilliant, but drug-addicted son with Tourettes while Daniel Yelsky plays his precocious little brother. Together, they provide what little levity exists throughout the film and delivered all the best lines.

Despite the excellent cast, this sarcastically-titled film is so relentlessly sad that it is hard to enjoy and I even found myself wishing it would end. A person can only take so much of Ellen Barking crying.  The truly remarkable thing about this film is that it was written and directed by 25-year-old, Sam Levinson. To be that young and create a story that authentically gives voice to three generations is a true gift. I predict bigger and better things to come – he’s definitely one to watch.

Sam Levinson, unknown guy (sorry, whoever you are), Ellen Barkin, Demi Moore and Kate Bosworth

Cedar Rapids

Cedar Rapids is one of the hottest tickets at Sundance this year – partly due to its well-known cast and partly due to the fact that it is one of the few comedies. It stars the loveable Ed Helms (Andy from The Office) as a small-town insurance salesman who travels to the big city (relatively speaking) for an insurance convention. John C. Reilly steals the show as the glad-handing, potty-mouthed roommate. I wish I could remember all the off-color euphemisms he delivers -- suffice it to say he had colorful phrases for everything from a white guy hugging a black guy to having sex with a red head. This film is part coming-of-age, part moral dilemma and completely hilarious.

Other stars include Ann Heche, Isiah Whitlock and Sigourney Weaver. A little smarter than The Hangover, this could be your guilty pleasure movie for 2011. Here's a link to the trailor if you want a sneak peak: http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi1067817753/.

 Ed Helms, with Director, Miguel Arteta right behind him.

The cast and crew of Cedar Rapids