Showing posts with label Sundance '08. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sundance '08. Show all posts
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Friday, January 25, 2008
Sundance 08 : The Escapist Review by CJ Simonson
Since the 80’s we’ve had many a prison break out/in movies. Shawshanke Redemption, Escape from Alcatraz, The Count of Monte Crisco, the Rock, etc. Earlier in the week I saw The Escapist, a new kind of heist movie. This one is able to recreate the magic of some of those other films but obviously with its own twist.
The Escapist plays out in two parallel storylines, one being the escape and the other being the planning for the escape happen side by side. The movie is able to keep our attention for both stories which is somewhat amazing. The idea that the planning of the escape is just as, if not more, riveting than the actual escape is odd yet somehow true. Brian Cox stars as the planner of the heist. How everything folds out is exciting to watch and the ending feels satisfyingly mind bending.
The Escapist is an extremely clever movie that will hopefully be successful in a wide release. The crew that executes the plan has the usual cast of characters (the kid, the demolitions guy, the badass, the handyman, etc yet that doesn’t stop the movie from being a great rollercoaster of excitement. Grade - A
The Escapist plays out in two parallel storylines, one being the escape and the other being the planning for the escape happen side by side. The movie is able to keep our attention for both stories which is somewhat amazing. The idea that the planning of the escape is just as, if not more, riveting than the actual escape is odd yet somehow true. Brian Cox stars as the planner of the heist. How everything folds out is exciting to watch and the ending feels satisfyingly mind bending.
The Escapist is an extremely clever movie that will hopefully be successful in a wide release. The crew that executes the plan has the usual cast of characters (the kid, the demolitions guy, the badass, the handyman, etc yet that doesn’t stop the movie from being a great rollercoaster of excitement. Grade - A
Desert Cinema "Doc" talk on Sundance 08 with CJ Simonson
Gonzo - B+
American Teen - B
Where in the World is Osama BinLaden - A-
Slingshot Hip Hop - B+
Man on Wire - A
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Sundance 08 : The Assassination of a High School President Review by CJ Simonson
People have been making High School movies since the 80’s. It’s a genre we’ve seen time and time again and not until recently have we seen anything new from it. In 2006 a movie called Brick came out, amazing everyone that saw it. The story didn’t have the usual cast of characters; there was no Jock, there was no Geek, and there was no Preppy Cheerleader. Well, sort of. Brick was unique in the fact that it wasn’t a comedy. It was a noir thriller that kept people watching and didn’t branch out into the idea of high school stereotypes.
This year at Sundance I saw a movie called The Assassination of a High School President. Similarly to Brick, the movie was a noir set in the realm of a Christian high school. Only there’s a difference between the two. Brick wanted to be a gritty crime drama full of suspense and in that way it works. Assassination isn’t trying to be too serious, in fact the reason it works so well is because it plays for laughs. Everything feels so over the top that the movie almost becomes a combination of say Brick and Mean Girls. It has the stereotypes and yet it also has the compelling mystery side to it as well.
The movie focuses on Bobby Funke, a journalist for the school newspaper. After a mysteriously beautiful girl asks him to inspect on the recent stolen SAT’s he begins to snoop around and figure out who it might be. Bruce Willis stars as the principal of the school who is an ex army veteran just trying to run his school. The movie works more as a comedy than as a mystery and the narration that Funke does is hilariously over the top.
The film doesn’t paint high school in the best light, but compared to other teen comedies on the market it’s easy to look past. I had a lot of fun watching Assassination and when the movie is released in August I urge everyone to see it.
Grade - A-
This year at Sundance I saw a movie called The Assassination of a High School President. Similarly to Brick, the movie was a noir set in the realm of a Christian high school. Only there’s a difference between the two. Brick wanted to be a gritty crime drama full of suspense and in that way it works. Assassination isn’t trying to be too serious, in fact the reason it works so well is because it plays for laughs. Everything feels so over the top that the movie almost becomes a combination of say Brick and Mean Girls. It has the stereotypes and yet it also has the compelling mystery side to it as well.
The movie focuses on Bobby Funke, a journalist for the school newspaper. After a mysteriously beautiful girl asks him to inspect on the recent stolen SAT’s he begins to snoop around and figure out who it might be. Bruce Willis stars as the principal of the school who is an ex army veteran just trying to run his school. The movie works more as a comedy than as a mystery and the narration that Funke does is hilariously over the top.
The film doesn’t paint high school in the best light, but compared to other teen comedies on the market it’s easy to look past. I had a lot of fun watching Assassination and when the movie is released in August I urge everyone to see it.
Grade - A-
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Sundance 08 : The King of Ping Pong and Just Another Love Story Reviews by CJ Simonson
It’s ironic that I am generally not a fan of foreign films, yet 2 of my favorite movies from the festival are fall into that genre. Both give off their own vibe and feel, but are consistent in, story telling which for me is the most important aspect of a movie.
The King of Ping Pong
The King of Ping Pong is a sweetly dark comedy about sibling rivalries and the mistakes parents can make. The story revolves around Rille, an obese boy who turns to ping pong as a result of his lack of friends. He constantly is competing with his brother Erik for both ping pong and the attention of their father, who left them when they were little.
The move from real father to new-father (whose fallen for the wife) takes a toll on both boys leaving both in a state of contemplation and disgust. The movie has a very open feel as we see Rille throughout Sweden and the open fields of snow. Our problems with the characters feel like problems anyone could draw on from past family experiences. The characters don’t live in a fantasy world, but in a world where the actions they make alter other characters actions and so on. The King of Ping Pong is a great film that will hopefully be picked up for wider distribution.
Just Another Love Story
My favorite film thus far is a movie called Just Another Love Story. The movie is a take on film noir and the Hollywood thrillers as we know them today. It is done in a stylized way making the film feel dark and mysterious, similar to movies like 2007s Zodiac. The movie follows Jonah, a man whose life seems to be pretty good. He has a wife, two kids, a new apartment, and an old beat up car. While driving his family to the supermarket, his car breaks down in the middle of the road causing a woman to swerve off the road and get into a total car wreck, leaving the driver severely injured.
Jonah becomes obsessed with the woman and in order to see her he pretends to be Sebastian, the girl’s boyfriend. As the movie progresses, things change and Jonah suddenly becomes Sebastian, leaving his family behind for a stranger he’s only just met. The climax of the movie is an adrenaline pumping thrill ride that keeps you guessing even after you’ve figured everything out. The ending shot is beautifully done and completes the movie almost perfectly. The decisions of the characters either lead to harsh consequences or fantasy quality outcomes. The movie feels pitch perfect and makes further projects from the director even more exciting.
Grade – The King of Ping Pong - A
Just Another Love Story - A
The King of Ping Pong
The King of Ping Pong is a sweetly dark comedy about sibling rivalries and the mistakes parents can make. The story revolves around Rille, an obese boy who turns to ping pong as a result of his lack of friends. He constantly is competing with his brother Erik for both ping pong and the attention of their father, who left them when they were little.
The move from real father to new-father (whose fallen for the wife) takes a toll on both boys leaving both in a state of contemplation and disgust. The movie has a very open feel as we see Rille throughout Sweden and the open fields of snow. Our problems with the characters feel like problems anyone could draw on from past family experiences. The characters don’t live in a fantasy world, but in a world where the actions they make alter other characters actions and so on. The King of Ping Pong is a great film that will hopefully be picked up for wider distribution.
Just Another Love Story
My favorite film thus far is a movie called Just Another Love Story. The movie is a take on film noir and the Hollywood thrillers as we know them today. It is done in a stylized way making the film feel dark and mysterious, similar to movies like 2007s Zodiac. The movie follows Jonah, a man whose life seems to be pretty good. He has a wife, two kids, a new apartment, and an old beat up car. While driving his family to the supermarket, his car breaks down in the middle of the road causing a woman to swerve off the road and get into a total car wreck, leaving the driver severely injured.
Jonah becomes obsessed with the woman and in order to see her he pretends to be Sebastian, the girl’s boyfriend. As the movie progresses, things change and Jonah suddenly becomes Sebastian, leaving his family behind for a stranger he’s only just met. The climax of the movie is an adrenaline pumping thrill ride that keeps you guessing even after you’ve figured everything out. The ending shot is beautifully done and completes the movie almost perfectly. The decisions of the characters either lead to harsh consequences or fantasy quality outcomes. The movie feels pitch perfect and makes further projects from the director even more exciting.
Grade – The King of Ping Pong - A
Just Another Love Story - A
Daniel Barnz and his new movie Phoebe in Wonderland.
Barnz introduces Phoebe in Wonderland, his new movie.
Barnz answers if he has ever known someone with Turrets syndrome.
Barnz answers if he has ever known someone with Turrets syndrome.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Yes, This is me at a showing of The Last Word WITH RAY ROMANO
For some reason you people don't know who Patricia Clarkson is so I had to find a bigger star, thus RAY ROMANO.
Yes, This is me at the premier of Phoebe in Wonderland last night WITH PATRICIA CLARKSON
Yes, This is me at the premier of Phoebe in Wonderland last night with PATRICIA CLARKSON
Monday, January 21, 2008
Sundance Director Videos
Ole Bornedal talking about his new movie Just Another Love Story
Lance Hammer talks about the title of his new movie Ballast.
Lance Hammer talks about the title of his new movie Ballast.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Sundance 08 : Shorts Part 1
Overall this festival, I’ve seen a total of 8 shorts. I’ll quickly go overall of the hits and misses. Don’t forget that these can be found on Netflix, Xbox Live, and iTunes.
I Love Sarah Jane – This one actually surprised me quite a bit. It takes place in a futuristic world where Zombies have taken over. The premise is that these kids have survived and managed to catch one of the zombies. The young boy whom the camera follows shows the awkwardness of being alone and he non-verbally expresses his love for the girl Sarah Jane. The backdrop of the story is strange and lovely; the boys torture the zombie unnecessarily (making Sarah angry which is preceded by a shockingly bold statement that makes the viewer feel the pain of these young kids). Grade – A
Plot Point – The ironic twist behind the short is that after 15 minutes, the movie is never able to find a Plot Point. The possibilities behind the police and general scumbags of New York City are an idea used before but not in this way. Director Nicholas Provost would rather taunt the idea of crime rather than actually show it. The most interesting thing he does is recycle old movie lines into the mouths of the people. Grade – C+
Buyo – Buyo is hands down the worst short I’ve seen at the festival. It makes no sense (The man can only BAA like a sheep and the girl has no head on her shoulders because it’s between her legs). The director thought that instead of using the beautiful Sony HD Cam in its fullness, that he would chop it up and make it look gritty and grainy. It doesn’t look cool and the feel of the movie is overwhelming. The girl in the movie seems to have an electronic voice and because her head is by her vagina apparently she’s deaf. On top of all that it’s creepy (particularly the doll head in her pants) and takes its self way too seriously. Grade – D-
SEVILLA – Models are interesting and cool. You look at the models of maybe Detroit or Miami and it’s nice to see a miniature version of that city. The time that models are captivating is maybe 2-3 minutes. This movie does that but is 13 minutes long. Cut me a break people. Overall the fact that the water and people movie is cool but the techno music is too loud and according to the description of the film there is a plot. As a tech-demo the movie works fine but to make us sit and watch small versions of Europe is dull and boring. Grade – C-
Because Washington is Hollywood for Ugly People – Not only is the title funny but so is the movie. Yes, it juggles multiple opinionated ideas in an extremely political short, but the manner of which the cut outs are presented is cool in a way that only one other short could match. The “poem”, a term I use lightly, playing in the back ground is well thought out and the reader sounds genuinely attached to attacking our government. Grade – B+
Please stand back – This is probably the neatest video concept I’ve seen at the fest. Imagine a picture broken up into small blocks and then those blocks coming in and out of focus, getting bigger and smaller until they finally resembled a picture. All of this is happening on a pure white screen making the idea of the short even more predominant. They don’t hit you over the head with the strange concept but make it long enough to be remembered. Grade – B
Count Backwards From Five – This movie feels more like a home video used to celebrate ones life than a short entered into a film festival. Short grainy clips and running water in the background are used over a series of telephone calls on how a man is struggling with cancer. The bizarre visuals make the movie and the narration feel separate and awkward like this is a personal video and not a movie. Grade – D+
Gas Zappers – The best short I’ve seen thus far. It feels original and satirical in a way only one other video matched (See Because Hollywood is for Ugly People). It uses a side scrolling video game style in which we see a polar bear (maybe representative of Mario from the Super Mario Game) fight the powers of global warming including Bulldozers and George W. Bush. The design is unique and visually interesting. Gas Zappers 5 min running time does a great job of intergrading all the aspects and sounds of a video game while still making a compelling political argument and being fun and funny to watch. Grade – A
I Love Sarah Jane – This one actually surprised me quite a bit. It takes place in a futuristic world where Zombies have taken over. The premise is that these kids have survived and managed to catch one of the zombies. The young boy whom the camera follows shows the awkwardness of being alone and he non-verbally expresses his love for the girl Sarah Jane. The backdrop of the story is strange and lovely; the boys torture the zombie unnecessarily (making Sarah angry which is preceded by a shockingly bold statement that makes the viewer feel the pain of these young kids). Grade – A
Plot Point – The ironic twist behind the short is that after 15 minutes, the movie is never able to find a Plot Point. The possibilities behind the police and general scumbags of New York City are an idea used before but not in this way. Director Nicholas Provost would rather taunt the idea of crime rather than actually show it. The most interesting thing he does is recycle old movie lines into the mouths of the people. Grade – C+
Buyo – Buyo is hands down the worst short I’ve seen at the festival. It makes no sense (The man can only BAA like a sheep and the girl has no head on her shoulders because it’s between her legs). The director thought that instead of using the beautiful Sony HD Cam in its fullness, that he would chop it up and make it look gritty and grainy. It doesn’t look cool and the feel of the movie is overwhelming. The girl in the movie seems to have an electronic voice and because her head is by her vagina apparently she’s deaf. On top of all that it’s creepy (particularly the doll head in her pants) and takes its self way too seriously. Grade – D-
SEVILLA – Models are interesting and cool. You look at the models of maybe Detroit or Miami and it’s nice to see a miniature version of that city. The time that models are captivating is maybe 2-3 minutes. This movie does that but is 13 minutes long. Cut me a break people. Overall the fact that the water and people movie is cool but the techno music is too loud and according to the description of the film there is a plot. As a tech-demo the movie works fine but to make us sit and watch small versions of Europe is dull and boring. Grade – C-
Because Washington is Hollywood for Ugly People – Not only is the title funny but so is the movie. Yes, it juggles multiple opinionated ideas in an extremely political short, but the manner of which the cut outs are presented is cool in a way that only one other short could match. The “poem”, a term I use lightly, playing in the back ground is well thought out and the reader sounds genuinely attached to attacking our government. Grade – B+
Please stand back – This is probably the neatest video concept I’ve seen at the fest. Imagine a picture broken up into small blocks and then those blocks coming in and out of focus, getting bigger and smaller until they finally resembled a picture. All of this is happening on a pure white screen making the idea of the short even more predominant. They don’t hit you over the head with the strange concept but make it long enough to be remembered. Grade – B
Count Backwards From Five – This movie feels more like a home video used to celebrate ones life than a short entered into a film festival. Short grainy clips and running water in the background are used over a series of telephone calls on how a man is struggling with cancer. The bizarre visuals make the movie and the narration feel separate and awkward like this is a personal video and not a movie. Grade – D+
Gas Zappers – The best short I’ve seen thus far. It feels original and satirical in a way only one other video matched (See Because Hollywood is for Ugly People). It uses a side scrolling video game style in which we see a polar bear (maybe representative of Mario from the Super Mario Game) fight the powers of global warming including Bulldozers and George W. Bush. The design is unique and visually interesting. Gas Zappers 5 min running time does a great job of intergrading all the aspects and sounds of a video game while still making a compelling political argument and being fun and funny to watch. Grade – A
Sundance 08 : Funny Games by CJ Simonson
The house is dark. A dead boy lies in the corner of a war torn room with a man lying on the floor, a splint on his leg. A beautiful blonde haired woman walks into the room in her bra and underwear and helps the man up, both wondering when THEY will come back. No, this isn’t the latest Tarantino movie, this is Funny Games, a new breed of torture porn in which the scenes you watch aren’t gruesome like Saw or creepy like Hostel, they are psychologically terrifying.
As we watch Paul and Peter, two strangely captivating yet mentally insane well mannered young men, torture the Farber family we can’t help but wonder if this is the direction the “torture-porn” industry is going. The violence is little but the idea of these two villains coming to kill you is so much scarier than the idea of Jigsaw coming to kill you. The movies strengths lay in the talent of new comers Brandy Corbet and Michael Pitt. The two are able to take insanity to a whole new level and the idea that they look like upright citizens is more terrifying that most things you’ll see out in the way of horror this year.
The strangest part of the movie though is the hilarity of it. In the movie at moments the camera pans in on Michael Pitts face and he talks to the audience. The moments are nice touches that separate this movie from others in the industry.
Similar to Javier Bardem in No Country For Old Men these two are bad guys who don’t run but walk. They don’t curse because they don’t need to. We know as well as the victims know what Paul and Peter are capable of. That said, there comes a point at the end of the movie that something so outrageous happens that you wonder how fair these “funny games” really are. Also Tim Roth is completely wasted here and really just moans for the entire movie.
The film does end on an excellent note that leaves you shivering in your seat but also contemplating the rest of the movie and what else happens. It’s not the movie I was hoping it would be but it does put the “torture-porn” industry in a better position. Grade – B+
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Filmspotting Meet Up
For those of you who are not cine-crack addicts Filmspotting is a weekly Podcast available on Itunes. Check them out at Filmspotting.net. Both guys, Maddy and Adam, are real cool guys who had a meet up in Park City for all the listeners so I met them at the Eating Establishment on Main Street. Check out their show IMMEDIATELY.
Here are some pictures I took of the Group at the restaurant.
Here are some pictures I took of the Group at the restaurant.
Friday, January 18, 2008
Sundance 08 : In Bruges Review
In Bruges is a good movie that is at points overly crass and unfunny. While I respect the semi-original hit man sightsee story, points of it are refreshingly simple storytelling that can do no wrong. The other side to that coin has a miscast Colin Farrell whose jokes are not funny.
The problem in reviewing the movie for me is that it was the first movie I saw at Sundance and the excitement was finally setting in (Farrell and Brendan Gleason were there). Sure I enjoyed the shoot ‘em up aspect of the movie but the comedy was hit or miss (pardon the pun). The movie is also real predictable and 45 minutes before the end you know what happens.
Brendan Gleason generally steals all the scenes he’s in and Ralph Fiennes also has several funny moments. Farrell seems like his role would have been better suited for actors like Ewan McGregor or Cillian Murphy.
The movie has its share of laugh out loud moments but when it comes out in several months I don’t think it’s going to be something for everyone. Grade - B
The problem in reviewing the movie for me is that it was the first movie I saw at Sundance and the excitement was finally setting in (Farrell and Brendan Gleason were there). Sure I enjoyed the shoot ‘em up aspect of the movie but the comedy was hit or miss (pardon the pun). The movie is also real predictable and 45 minutes before the end you know what happens.
Brendan Gleason generally steals all the scenes he’s in and Ralph Fiennes also has several funny moments. Farrell seems like his role would have been better suited for actors like Ewan McGregor or Cillian Murphy.
The movie has its share of laugh out loud moments but when it comes out in several months I don’t think it’s going to be something for everyone. Grade - B
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Monday, January 14, 2008
Most Anticipated Movies for Sundance 08 for CJ Simonson
Here is my Top 6 Anticipated Movies of Sundance 08.
6. I Always Wanted To Be A Gangster - The movie is a thoughtful comedy about a life wishful of crime. It’s a French film shot in black and white and tells of people loving the idea of being a gangster with out the actual premise. There are 4 stories of people like this that all focusing on the afore mentioned statement.5. Just Another Love Story – Another foreign film this time in Danish. Flashbacks, Noir, Curiosity and Irony all combine for a scary yet realistic portrayal of an amnesia patient caught between truth and fantasy.
4. Where in the World is Osama Bin Laden – Morgan Spurlocks first movie since Sundance favorite Super Size Men in 2004. The film chronicles Spurlocks journey to the Middle East and his “hunt for Osama Bin Laden”. He answers questions like : Who are these people? As well as Who in the Middle East appreciates a good joke.
3. The Wackness – Mary Kate Olsen hasn’t been in a good movie since…..ever. Hopefully though, this is a turn for the better. Josh Peck (he of Drake and Josh the Nickelodeon Show) stars as a loser kid who is trading therapy sessions for pot to his therapist Ben Kingsley. Olsen stars a love interest for Peck's Character as his life becomes more complicated.2. Funny Games – Two strange blonde haired young men bet a family that they will be dead in 24 hours. Yes, that really is the premise and it looks extremely interesting. Naomi Watts and Tim Roth both star in what is one of my most anticipated movies not just of Sundance but also of the Year.
1. Sunshine Cleaning – From the people who brought you Juno and Little Miss Sunshine comes an untraditional comedy about the always great Amy Adams and the always great Emily Blunt as sisters who were not prepared for the world their parents left them in. They take a job in the biohazard removal industry and hilarity ensues. On top of the leads Steve Zahn and Alan Arkin also star. Any aspect being a star or a studio or a premise can get you excited for a movie but putting them all together makes it extraordinary.
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