sundance film festival

For my birthday (and what I'm hoping becomes tradition) Gene gets me tickets to the Sundance Film Festival. You can check out the last time we attended Sundance here. This year I feel especially fortunate to have been able to attend 2 days worth of venues.

For my first day Gene took the day off and we headed to Park City in the morning. We got there early enough that parking wasn't a problem, but the traffic and crowds were starting to pick up significantly! After parking we grabbed a shuttle to the Eccles theater to watch our first movie "Night Catches Us". It was really good and I liked it a lot--that is to say I gave it three out of four stars. There's a couple times in the beginning of the film that, due to editing, we're left confused and interrupted, but it sucks you in and gets better as it goes. We're not allowed to take pics during the film for obvious reasons, but after each film there's a Q&A with the director/cast/crew and I got pics of this young, female director (and even her autograph).

In between shows we grabbed a bite to eat & some herbal tea to warm us up and then got right back in line, as this year both our movies were at the same venue. The second movie (totally would've been rated R. If you watch the clip there's a couple F-bombs at 3:00.) I like a lot less because of the constant use of hand-held cameras--I was starting to get a headache and feel nauseated.

Dear Hollywood,

Why do you feel the need to use hand-held cameras to

give a movie a sense of "realism"? The only time I see things

as jostled and jumpy is when I'm on the trampoline. When I'm

simply walking down the street I feel very focused and steady,

as my body is using it's internal shock-absorbers, but not at all

staggering and drunk-like. So please stop it!

Love, Me

Anyway, the premise was interesting enough and it was star-studded with Orlando Bloom, Laura Liney and Mark Ruffalo (who also directed it), but it was also long and drawn out and I found myself actually yawning and wishing it would end. Gene liked it. There's no accounting for taste. ;)

After the movies we took a shuttle up to Main Street and grabbed dinner--a very yummy moz/tomato/fresh-basil pizza. Then we strolled up and down Main Street checking out some of the shops (got me some Rocky Mountain Chocolate Co. truffles) and popping into lounges--apparently just missing Sir Elton John. Dang. There are elements of Sundance that are very artsy-fartsy "pushing the envelope" so to speak, but mostly it's just a beautiful grunge-chic mountain town experience. I had so much fun and "Thanks hubby" for such a fun birthday gift!

The famous Egyptian theater on Main Street, Park City (pic taken while we were strolling).

Inside the Eccles theater before our first movie. The theme for the 2010 festival is "Re".
As in REbellion, REcharge, REthink, REcreate...

The director for Night Catches Us (the African-American woman, Tanya Hamilton) and the

Director of photography answer some questions after their movie.

Waiting in line outside the Eccles for our second show.

Gene in line trying to stay warm.

The two of us inside the theater waiting for the show to start.

The (partial) cast & crew for Sympathy for Delicious at the Q&A...

...that's Mark Ruffalo wearing the hat, and the guy in the wheel chair is his best friend

and the star of the movie.

An original Banksy piece of art (or graffiti--depending on how you look at it) outside the Java Cow on Main Street in Park City. Rumor has it that he installs his art under the cover of darkness and that no one has seen his face. His art is all around the world and he hit Sundance!

Me posing with the Banksy (sad that the face and camera are a little worn already) he made this one just before opening night at Sundance. Watch the clip about it here.

Gene at our table at the Main Street Pizza & Noodle restaurant (he was hungry!).

The Egyptian theater on Main Street, Park City (very popular among movie stars).

Our view of Main Street while we were out strolling in a light snow.

Picture-esque, no?