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Do You Go to Film Festivals?

BuzzSugar — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 16:30:46 -0800

As this year's Sundance Film Festival kicks off in Utah, the citizens of Park City are surely prepared for the massive influx of visitors to their fair city. Have you ever been one of these Sundance seekers? Do you attend other film festivals - even if they're far away from your town? Or do film festivals not interest you?

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2007 Sundance Film Festival: The Cold, Hard Cash

BuzzSugar — Sun, 28 Jan 2007 11:58:22 -0800

My coverage of the 2007 Sundance Film Festival is almost over, as the event comes to a close in Park City, Utah. I've brought you previews of some of the promising comedies, dramas, dramedies and documentaries, so I figured I'd also mention some of the films that, thanks to big studios offering lots of money, will probably be coming to a theater near you (or Netflix) relatively soon. Check out which movies attracted the big money - and how much.

The dramedy starring John Cusack, Grace Is Gone, was bought by The Weinstein Company for $4 million.
The documentary questioning child genius, My Kid Could Paint That, handed over rights to Sony Pictures Classics for a cool $1 million.
The Southern small-town comedy starring Keri Russell, Waitress, was bought by Fox Searchlight for $4 million.
Paramount Vintage paid an impressive $7 million for the rights to a British coming-of-age film called Son of Rambow.

To see the rest read more

I don't know how I missed this one, but I can't wait to see it: romantic drama Dedication, starring Billy Crudup and Mandy Moore drew $4 million from the Weinstein Company and First Look.
Not another dance competition movie! Yes, a drama called How She Move and was bought by MTV Films and Paramount Vantage for $3 million.
Psychological thriller Joshua drew in $4 million by Fox Searchlight, while horror flick The Signal was bought by Magnolia Films for $2 million.
Black Snake Moan already has Paramount Classics behind it and will be in theaters on February 23rd.

2007 Sundance Film Festival: Documentaries

BuzzSugar — Thu, 25 Jan 2007 15:20:36 -0800

The Sundance Film Festival has been in full swing for a week, and everyone seems to be having a grand old time out there in Park City, Utah. I've highlighted some of the comedies, dramas, and dramedies that look most promising at this year's festival. Now let's face reality and take a peek at some of the documentaries that have piqued my interest.

My Kid Could Paint That
This movie looks genius, and yet, it causes me to examine the very definition of "genius." It follows a middle-class family in Binghamton, New York, that was shot to international stardom when 4-year-old Marla was billed as a child prodigy for her "abstract expressionist" paintings. The family raked in $300,000 for the paintings, and Marla was heralded as a young Pollock or even Picasso. Then, "60 Minutes" aired a piece casting doubt on Marla's work, and the family's reputation changed instantly. The documentary examines what we consider art, and why our society is transfixed by (and hungry for) child prodigies.

Two more, so read more

War/Dance
In the war zone of northern Uganda, the rebel force called the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) have made life terrifying, as children live in fear of being abducted by the LRA looking to fill their ranks. This documentary focuses on the journey of three children - Dominic, Rose, and Nancy - as their school in the Patonga refugee camp makes its way to the finals of Uganda's music and dance competition. Song and dance are used to capture the strength of the human spirit to rise above incredible brutality and grief.

Hear and Now
Apparently, this documentary received a standing ovation at Sundance, and I can easily see why. Paul and Sally Taylor are a 65-year-old married couple who have shared a satisfying life together, though they haven't heard a minute of it. The two are deaf and have raised a family and been active members of the deaf community. At 65, however, they both decide to undergo a controversial medical procedure to restore their hearing. The film explores how the Taylors' lives change from this procedure: what it means for their relationship, their place in the deaf community, and their sense of identity.

Behind the Scenes at Sundance: Portrait Gallery Part II

BuzzSugar — Thu, 25 Jan 2007 05:30:09 -0800

On Tuesday, I professed my love for the portrait studio at the Sundance Film Festival, where the casts of each film pose for a series of casual yet artful shots that are inexplicably fun to look at.

So fun, in fact, that I've put together another gallery of celebs at Sundance. This one feature Parker Posey, Justin Timberlake and Christina Ricca from Black Snake Moan, Chapter 27 star Jared Leto, Ira Glass of This American Life, and the guys from The Ten. (Is it just me or is Paul Rudd totally rocking that beard?) To see the portraits, read more

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2007 Sundance Film Festival: Dramedies

BuzzSugar — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 15:29:21 -0800

The stars seem to be having a great time at the Sundance Film Festival, which kicked off last Thursday in Park City, Utah. You've seen my picks for some of the most promising comedies and dramas at this year's festival, and now it's time for my third installment: dramedies.

One of my favorite dramedies of all time is last year's Little Miss Sunshine. It encapsulated so many aspects of the human experience that I laughed, I cried, I danced to "Superfreak." Perhaps one of these films will be this year's Little Miss Sunshine.

If I Had Known I Was A Genius
Michael (Markus Redmond) is a precocious African-American boy with a genius IQ, struggling to fit in at school and deal with his dysfunctional family. His mother (Whoopi Goldberg) and other family consistently challenge Michael's sense of self-worth, refusing to encourage his abilities. But he finds a mentor in his wacky drama teacher, who gives him the courage to dream of becoming an actor.

Three more, so read more

The Good Life
The Good Life tells the story of small-town soul suffocation through the eyes of Jason Prayer (Mark Webber). Jason works two jobs, is regularly bullied, and finds his only relief in the old town cinema, which is on its last legs - as is its owner, Gus (Harry Dean Stanton). His listless routine gets a shock, however, when a stranger (Zooey Deschanel) comes to town and turns around his desperate life. Bill Paxton and Chris Klein also star.

Delirious
Steve Buscemi has been in countless films, but rarely does he play anything but the weirdo or the hapless goofball. So it's refreshing to see him have a hand in different projects that focus on him instead of shoving him to the periphery of the movie's storyline. In Delirious, Buscemi plays Les, a paparazzo who befriends the amiable and homeless Toby (Michael Pitt). Toby learns firsthand about the world of sleazily staking out celebrities and, in the midst of chasing down photo ops, falls for sexy pop tart K'harma (Alison Lohman). Les grows jealous of Toby's romance, and their friendship is called into question.

The Savages
The synopsis for this movie on the Sundance site calls it a "coming-of-middle-age" film. A brother and sister (played by Philip Seymour Hoffman and Laura Linney) suddenly find themselves having to take care of their ill, aging father, a man who never seemed to care for them. Though stories of youthful growing pains are plentiful, it's refreshing to see a tale about the challenges facing adult children of aging parents, and it's likely to resonate with audiences just as much.

2007 Sundance Film Festival: Dramas

BuzzSugar — Mon, 22 Jan 2007 11:42:33 -0800

The Sundance Film Festival kicked off on Thursday in Park City, Utah, and I've been busily seeking out the films that look the most promising. I already shared what look to be this year's must-see comedies, and for today's installment, I'm back to introduce you to four more picks, this time in the drama category.

Chapter 27
Given the subject matter (John Lennon's murder) and the star power (Lindsay Lohan, Jared Leto), Chapter 27 is likely to be a mainstream hit in no time. Leto plays Lennon assassin Mark David Chapman as he increasingly turns to J.D. Salinger's book Catcher in the Rye. The anti-hero takes on Holden Caufield's mannerisms and actions until even the film itself seems to merge with the book, with first-person stream of consciousness narration from the future.

Three more dramas, so read more

Black Snake Moan
This film stars Samuel L. Jackson, Christina Ricci, and Justin Timberlake and is directed by Craig Brewer, who gave us the 2005 Sundance favorite, Hustle and Flow. Black Snake Moan introduces Lazarus (Jackson), a love-bitter ex-blues guitarist who comes upon the town tramp, Rae (Ricci), lying beaten on the side of the road. Lazarus takes it upon himself to save her soul, which includes chaining her to his radiator and giving Bible lectures. Brewer is known for his skillful use of music (Hustle and Flow won Best Original Song at lsat year's Academy Awards), and with a release date of February 23rd, you won't have to wait long after the festival to check this one out.

Grace is Gone
John Cusack has finally succumbed to the fact that he's beyond the age when he can realistically play the scruffy, vaguely depressed playboy (as in High Fidelity). Instead, he's going the route of so many favorite actors, like Kevin Spacey and Robin Williams, and playing The Dad. Yet have no fear, he still gets to be moody and distraught as Stanley Phillips, father of two who learns that his wife has died in the Iraq war. He knows he must tell his daughters about their mother's death, but first decides to bring them on a road trip to their favorite amusement park. On the journey, the daughters try to understand their father's strange behavior, and Stanley realizes that he needs to know who his children are before he can help them with this sorrowful turn of events.

Hounddog
As Dakota Fanning matures, it only makes sense that she should take on more complex roles. She gets her chance in Hounddog, playing Lewellen, a spunky Southern girl who finds comfort from her dark memories in the music of Elvis Presley. A difficult tale of abuse and lost innocence, Fanning lends her natural charm to the story, cutting the bleakness with childlike hope.

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2007 Sundance Film Festival: Comedies

BuzzSugar — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 05:34:47 -0800

The Sundance Film Festival kicked off on Thursday in Park City, Utah. It's tough to underestimate the significance of Sundance, since the awards handed out and the subsequent buzz have helped to make many now-mainstream films successful, including Clerks, Memento, Murderball, and Hustle and Flow. I did some research to find out what films look the most promising and thought I'd share what look to be this year's stand-out projects. For today's installment, I'll focus on the must-see comedies.

Smiley Face
Starring The Office's John Krasinski (the beloved Jim Halpert), Anna Faris, and Adam Brody, Smiley Face looks like it will become popular with the same crowd that so warmly embraced Napoleon Dynamite. Faris plays an actress whose day goes in an interesting direction when she accidentally consumes her roommate's pot cupcakes.

Three more, so read more

Waitress
Keri Russell is at the heart of this Southern small-town film, playing diner waitress Jenna who bakes pies and then gives them endearing names. Unhappily married, she tries to come to terms with her new-found pregnancy when a new man comes to town, turning her little ol' life upside down.

The Ten
The cast of MTV's sketch show "The State" have been very productive since the show went off the air, churning out Wet Hot American Summer, Reno 911! and "The Michael Showalter Showalter." This year several of the cast members are going to Sundance with The Ten, a film that intersects ten different stories, each having to do with one of the ten commandments. The cast list features some of my favorite actors: Rob Corddry, Paul Rudd, and Gretchen Mol, as well as big names like Jessica Alba, Adam Brody, and Winona Ryder, so there's someone for everyone in this film.

Broken English
The darling of the independent movie industry, Parker Posey gets to play yet another quirky lady in this romantic comedy. Written and directed by Zoe Cassavetes, Broken English tells the story of thirty-something Nora (Posey), whose mother loves to remind her of all she doesn't have: a good job, and the "perfect marriage" enjoyed by Nora's best friend Audrey. Enter an intriguing, oddball Frenchman. A crazy-Posey/crazy-Frenchman love affair? Sounds like a sure bet to me.

Highlights From the 2009 Treasure Island Music Festival

BuzzSugar — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 12:30:05 -0700

As expected, this year's Treasure Island Music Festival was a well-rounded weekend of awesome live music, dancing, and pretty views of San Francisco. The gorgeous and warm weather on Saturday fit the bill for the lineup that had a heavier concentration of electronic music and DJs (like MGMT and Girl Talk), while on Sunday I bundled up and chilled out to The Decemberists and Grizzly Bear. All in all it was an awesome weekend that ended with a bang as The Flaming Lips closed down the party. Check out some photos of my favorite acts from the weekend.

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Disney's A Christmas Carol: A Fun New Spin on an Old Favorite

BuzzSugar — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 20:00:00 -0800

Charles Dickens' classic A Christmas Carol is, quite literally, a tale as old as time. Hollywood has already turned the novel into countless films, so how do you keep it fresh to entertain old and young audiences alike? You give them a pair of 3-D glasses.

I was a bit skeptical about Disney's newest remake of the flick, even with the super stylized animation and all-star cast behind the voices. But once you put on those glasses, you'll be oohing and aahing right along with the kids, making the film a fun ride. It doesn't tug on the heartstrings the way other versions can, but it's not devoid of emotion either. To see what I mean, just read more.

Robert Zemeckis brings the story we already know and love; old Ebenezer Scrooge (voiced by Jim Carrey) defines miserly and crotchety, spending his days counting his pennies and bitterly snapping at those around him. On one particularly Christmas Eve, he his haunted by the ghost of his former partner, Jacob Marley. Sporting chains and a ghastly demeanor, Marley warns Scrooge that he will suffer the same miserable fate if he doesn't take heed of three spirits who will visit him over the course of the night.

The film stays very true to Dickens's short novel, borrowing much of the text straight from the book and incorporating some of the darker elements that I hadn't seen before in versions designed for kids. That said, I still feel like some of the scenes waver on the side of being too scary. Marley's introduction with the chains is frightening but funny, whereas the progression of the ghost of Christmas present to the ghost of Christmas future (complete with full decay from giant to skeleton) probably would have given me nightmares when I was younger.

The special effects are all you could want and more; the 3-D pulls you right in, carrying you along with Scrooge as he flies overhead in his nightgown (and later spits in your face). You're in the midst of Victorian England at Christmas time, from the snowstorms to the festive music. It's dazzling - until you hit the emotional stuff.

The tale is one with a great big heart, but the actors can only go so far using their voices alone. In the most sentimental scenes, I found myself just wishing I could see the big name actors (which includes Gary Oldman, Colin Firth, and Robin Wright Penn) gazing into each other's eyes pointedly. Instead, it feels a bit like watching two mannequins standing face to face. Still, you're never bored for long, and there's always another thrill waiting at every turn.

In the end, Disney accomplishes its goal, producing a film that looks amazing and will entertain kids and adults alike. It may not be the best version of the tale to date, but it will leave you feeling plenty merry on your way out of the theater.

Photos courtesy of Walt Disney Pictures

Rewind: This Week's Buzz

BuzzSugar — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 07:00:00 -0700

Halloween is around the corner! Take a peek at these festive TV pics and 10 fun film-inspired costumes. Plus, don't forget to vote in my scary movie bracket!
Speaking of spooky stuff, are you pumped for New Moon? I am - despite all those spoilers. Check out the brand new TwilightSugar.com (you can win a DVF bag!) and what the stars from the film (including Robert Pattinson himself) looked like before they hit it big.
So You Think You Can Dance judge Adam Shankman got another gig directing a Rock of Ages movie, and he helped narrow down the dancers on SYTYCD. Finally, we have our list of the Top 20!
Do you care about albums by American Idols? I'm mixed, yet I'm kind of liking Adam Lambert's music video.
Melrose Place is being revamped. No surprise there, since many of you have said that you're not into it - but what returning shows have let you down?
I spoke with the lovely Paula Patton for Part 1 of my exclusive interviews with the cast of Precious. Check back next week as I talk to the director, Lee Daniels!
New movies this weekend include Amelia, Cirque du Freak, and Motherhood. None of 'em knocked my socks off, but if you go this weekend, be sure to tell me what you think - and if you have any annoying audience members like these Buzz readers did!

Photo courtesy of The CW