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GenArt & Delta Team Up For Sundance Shorts

Molly — Sun, 12 Aug 2007 11:02:20 -0700

Think you'll never have a chance to get to Sundance? Well, if you're into making shorts this is your lucky day. For the second year, GenArt and Delta airlines are teaming up for a short film competition, "Delta's Fly-In Movies." Filmmakers are invited to submit short films into the contest and five finalists' movies will be shown on Delta flights and flown out to the Sundance Film Festival where the winner will be announced and awarded $10,000 and a pair of round-trip plane tickets.

Viewers on both the selected transcontinental Delta flights as well as online (where the finalists' films will be available) will be able to vote for the winner. I'll probably end up catching the films online, but the inflight viewing idea is great. Considering the impulse to watch whatever an airline is showing, no matter how insipid, the thought of watching a few short films sounds like the perfect way to cut the boredom on a lengthy cross-country flight. Very cool. If you're interested in learning more, check out the full set of rules and regulations here. Thanks to Cinematical for the heads up on this competition!

Plane image source

Buzz News Roundup, 1/29

BuzzSugar — Mon, 29 Jan 2007 15:01:05 -0800

The movie-going populace disappoints me by making Epic Movie No. 1 at the box office this weekend, says Hollywood Reporter.
But I'm holding out hope, because Sundance Film Festival gives the big awards to films dealing with important issues, says Variety.
The Shins new album revives the midnight sale tradition at music stores, says AOL Music.
Wired questions whether MTV can save itself with a new virtual world.
"Arrested Development" star Will Arnett signs on for the new Will Ferrell movie, Semi-Pro, reports Variety.
The Futon Critic has the scoop on the CW canceling "Reba," the network's highest-rated comedy.
An overzealous censor bleeps all mentions of God from a version of The Queen for airlines, the AP reports.
CBS has canceled "Armed and Famous" and ABC is moving "Knights of Prosperity" away from "American Idol," Variety reports.
Meanwhile, unaired episodes of "Day Break" have finally surfaced at abc.com.
I can't wait to hear what Brian Eno does with the next Coldplay album, which Pitchfork says he's producing.
Insanely hyped new artist Mika has the No. 1 single in the UK, according to Billboard.
British television is seeking a real-life Harry Potter, according to the BBC.
Sacha Baron Cohen has been named one of Britain's most powerful people, according to Reuters.

Music Video: Apples in Stereo, "Same Old Drag"

BuzzSugar — Mon, 29 Jan 2007 10:35:41 -0800

I'm always torn when it comes to Apples in Stereo. I like the band's retro-futuristic, lo-fi sound, but sometimes I find the relentless perkiness and Robert Schneider's nasaly vocals a bit grating.

However, I really like what I've heard off the upcoming album, New Magnetic Wonder, which comes out Feb. 6 on Yep Roc and Elijah Wood's label, Simian Records. I particularly like this track "Same Old Drag," with its way-low piano melody, robotic backing vocals, and wah-wah guitar. The geek-chic band recently played at Sundance and shot this funny video while tooling around in the car. To watch the video, read more

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

View 30 Photos ›

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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.

Link Time! 1/23

BuzzSugar — Tue, 23 Jan 2007 17:01:41 -0800

Pop Candy tells us where to watch "24" online for free.
You simply must see Elisabeth Hasslebeck ridin' dirty on Best Week Ever.
BuddyTV chats with "Veronica Mars" creator Rob Thomas.
Idolator declares that the Shins have survived the Zach Braff-lash.
Brian Williams doesn't think Katie Couric sucks, "30 Rock" gags aside, TV Squad says.
Defamer rounds up how Oscar nominees reacted to the news.
Stereogum has a new song from Travis, who you may remember as the original "next Radiohead."
TV with MeeVee gets the scoop on "American Idol" from Simon, Randy, and Paula.
Rainn Wilson of “The Office” guest blogs for Popwatch from Sundance.
SlashFilm has a surprisingly good positive review of Adrift in Manhattan, which - because it stars both Heather Graham and William Baldwin - I had dismissed as pointless.
YumSugar cooks up some "Ugly Betty" flan.
Cinematical reports that Jamie Foxx will produce a Sirius radio station.
I Guess I'm Floating gives us the possibly official Bonnaroo lineup.

Behind the Scenes at Sundance: Portrait Gallery

BuzzSugar — Tue, 23 Jan 2007 06:00:58 -0800

One of my favorite things about the Sundance Film Festival is the portrait studio. Between schmoozing and talking up their movies, the casts of each film pose for a series of casual yet artful shots that are inexplicably fun to look at. Maybe there's just something about seeing people like Sienna Miller and Steve Buscemi, who star together in Interview, mugging like they're old friends.

I've collected my favorite pics so far from the festival films, including Smiley Face starring Anna Faris, Mandy Moore's Dedication, The Nines starring Elle Fanning and Ryan Reynolds, Year of the Dog with Molly Shannon and Peter Sarsgaard, John Cusack in Grace is Gone, Waitress with Keri Russell, and the awesome young cast of The Good Life (pictured above). To see the rest of the portraits, read more

View 36 Photos ›

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Buzz News Roundup, 1/22

BuzzSugar — Mon, 22 Jan 2007 13:24:08 -0800

Sharon Stone and "Lady in the Water" are among the nominees for this year's Razzie Awards for bad movies, according to Variety.
Confirmed acts for the 2007 Coachella music festival include Rage Against The Machine, Bjork, Arcade Fire, Lily Allen, Ghostface Killah, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers, reports Billboard.
"Studio 60" to feature less sketch comedy, more romantic comedy, Aaron Sorkin tells USA Today.
Variety reports from Sundance that the Weinstein brothers have secured the rights to the John Cusack movie Grace Is Gone.
JT will produce a track on former N'Sync-er JC Chasez's new album, says VH1.
United 93 director Paul Greengrass will tackle an Iraq movie next, Variety says.
The Maui News reports that some island residents aren't thrilled with MTV's "Maui Fever."
NME says Alicia Keys is handing out scholarships to college-bound kids in need.
Billboard has details on upcoming albums from Maximo Park and Death Cab's Chris Walla.
The Los Angeles Daily News wonders why "24" had to nuke Valencia instead of some other suburb.

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