Sundance 2018 - Pregame

Well, it's that time again and I'm here on my long neglected movie blog. There are at least five movies I want to see before the madness begins, but I don't know if that will happen. I'll do my damnedest, though.
Anyway the entire Sundance process was a bitch again this year. I, and several friends who usually get passes, failed to get Salt Lake locals passes this year. I've heard tell of people who happened to check back the next day and were able to get passes. Apparently there were computer problems.
I'm sorry, Sundance, when you say the passes are sold out keep them sold out or notify your email list that some have opened up and let us all take our chance again. So I have a Grand Pass and an overpriced ticket package - buying tickets individually would have cost me less and I might have gone to Park City for a few movies for the first time in years. C'est comme ça.
Yesterday was what I am considering my first pregame, Darkest Hour. I'm not going to give any more review than to say I really liked it. No attempt at a review because if you've stumbled upon this post you've either seen the film our have no interest.
I'll make a sincere effort to be back more often. At least before four more years have passed.

Preparing for Sundance 2014

Well, it's that time of year again: inversion, ice, hopefully more snow and Sundance. I trained the last two weeks by seeing lots of movies, and avoiding them this week. Unlike last year I have every intention of being a good blogger this year.

So let's go over the preparation. 

Plan your films by location as much as possible. You don't want to run across town, either in Park City or Salt Lake City, with too little time or you may not get in no matter if you have a ticket or a pass. 

Respect the parking regulations, especially in neighborhoods.

Hydrate. Use that water bottle and limit your caffeine and alcohol to only what is essential.

Walk around between films if you have time. Stretch in line if you don't get to walk. It's a lot of hurry up and wait as well as a lot of sitting.

Avoid wearing too much perfume, cologne, lotion, etc. It can cause a lot of discomfort for people with allergies or multiple chemical sensitivity. Take time to bathe instead. If you need lotion avoid putting it on in the theater or use unscented.

Tip your servers well (not that you need to be told).

Be nice. Respect the volunteers and staff, do what they ask. Don't be afraid to strike up a conversation in line. Do not talk during the movies.

Shut off the electronics during the movies. Again I say it and assume you don't need to be told.

When you snack go for protein and produce over sugar. 

Indulge in popcorn and a soda at least once.

Most important of all, enjoy.

Sundance 2012 - Hello, I Must Be Going

What a charming show.
A 35 year-old woman moves back in with her parents in the wake of a separation leading to divorce. In an effort to pull her out of her despondency her parents insist she attend a dinner party for her father's new clients. Their 19 year-old actor son is smitten.
This leads to a summer fling and regained confidence.
Charming and worth full ticket price.

Sundance 2012 - The Orator

This Samoan film is lovely and slow in the good way. It moves at a pace that reflects the mix of tradition and accidental modernity of the film.
It is the story of Saili, a man lacking the confidence to vie for his late father's roll as chief and orator in his village. Part of his lack of confidence comes from his stature, more because he lets his dissatisfaction rule him.
It is only after his wife, banished from her village and disowned by her family for having an illegitimate child, dies and her brother steals her body to bury it at "home" that he stands up for himself and takes his place in the world.
Worth at least the price of a matinee.

Sundance 2012 - Simon Killer

I'm not cut out to be a reviewer, because I have a hard time being mean. I can make an exception for Simon Killer.
The main character, Simon, is an American in Paris after breaking up with his college girlfriend. Not a bad start. The story is ok until the end. The character of Simon uses people, especially women. He is loathsome and goes through life and the film with hardly a scratch.
People may not always learn lessons or get what's coming in real life but I expect a little of that from the movies.

Sundance 2012 - Red Lights

Sigourney Weaver, Robert De Niro, not a bad start and both were wonderful as a professor investigating claims of metaphysical phenomena and a famous psychic respectively. Weird things happen to Weaver and her assistant, most are explained away with physics or as simple scams with assistants and ear pieces.
The performances were all strong, the characters interesting, and the ending left a lot of the audience head scratching.
I suspect this movie has great box office potential but it wasn't my cup of tea. And I got the ending.

Sundance 2012 - Tim and Eric's Billion Dollar Movie

I laughed, a lot. Some truly fun, practically slap-stick moments. Some disgusting, look away moments (people left). I laughed and never have to see it again. Maybe for two am insomnia channel surfing. But if you're a Tim and Eric fan you'll probably enjoy it.