Season 2, Episode 10 (1/28/07)

Hi everyone!

Our final volunteer shift was full of fun and excitement. Our first screening was scheduled to be the Documentary Grand Jury Prize winner. Unfortunately, the award ceremony was going on while people were lining up to get into the movie. Everyone in line was wondering what movie they were about to see, but we couldn't tell them until we got official word from the ceremony. Definitely a silly scheduling mistake. Most people took it in stride, but some were getting quite upset that we wouldn't tell them. (If we knew, we would tell you. We're not just holding out on you!) Most of the people were in the theater by the time the winner was announced - "Manda Bala (Send a Bullet)" (I guess it was good, but I didn't see it.) Only one person came out for a refund, because he had already seen it.

The final movie of the night was called "Fido" and I was able to watch that one. This is one of those movies with a great premise, but poor execution. It is a zombie movie, but not in the traditional vein. The zombies in this one are all domesticated by a collar that they wear that suppresses their urge to eat living flesh. Many households in this 50s-set story have zombies as their servants and many of the menial jobs around town are held by zombies. There are many comic scenes of zombies not learning their jobs too easily, and even when some zombie suppression collars are deactivated and they start going on a killing spree, it is with comic overtones. However, the movie overstayed its welcome and became tedious near the end. This is the type of feature that would have worked much better as a short film. 2 1/2 stars.

And with that, my 2007 Sundance experience came to an end. In the next couple days, I'll send out a final missive to recap my experience and rank the movies that I have seen.

Until the epilogue...

Your Sundance correspondent,

Ted

PS -- I've attached a couple pics from my last day - one with me and a bear statue in the middle of town and one with me and part of the crew from the Prospector Square Theater -- Jeromy and Vicki (my cohorts in the "John Henry" experience) and Jeromy's Mom, Karen (my box office partner).

Season 2, Episode 4 (1/22/07)

Hi everyone!

It was a beautiful, sunny day here in Park City. Still not above freezing, but it's warmer than it has been.

We finally had a smooth volunteer shift last night with the computer cooperating for once. Our 11:30pm screening was much busier than normal, because a popular film called "Interview" was screening. There was a packed house to see this film that Steve Buscemi directed and starred in.

This morning, I continued my trend of getting up for an early morning movie, despite a lack of sleep. Once again, I wasn't disappointed. I saw "The Nines" which is the feature directorial debut of John August who wrote "Go," "Big Fish," "Charlie's Angels," among others. It starred Ryan Reynolds, Melissa McCarthy (Sookie from "Gilmore Girls"), and Hope Davis. I loved this movie. Each of the principal actors played three different roles in three sections of the film. The storylines twisted and turned on themselves and I may have to wait to see it again to figure it all out. It was very "Donnie Darko"-esqe with many spiritual and religious overtones. I'd have to say that this is my first Sundance movie that I will rate 5 stars (out of five).

That was the only movie I saw today. Afterwards, I went to the gym and worked out next to Sam Rockwell ("Charlie's Angels," "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy," etc.) He has a couple movies playing in the festival and I hope to catch one of them in the next couple days.

Then it was time for a much-needed nap. When I woke up from that, I ventured down to Main Street to see who I could see and to pick up the swag that everyone is giving away. I think I may have seen Yul (the latest Survivor winner), but it was getting dark and he was across the street, so it could have been a look-alike.

Now it's time to head back to the theater.

Until the next episode...

Your Sundance correspondent,

Ted

PS - You may notice in the picture of me and "Sookie" that I'm starting to sport my annual goatee. I only grow one when Dan won't get scratched by it. :)

"Interview" - Jeromy leaving Steve Buscemi hanging:


"The Nines" - Melissa McCarthy, some member of the crew, and Ryan Reynolds:


"The Nines" - Ryan Reynolds:


"The Nines" - Melissa McCarthy and Ted:

Season 1, Episode 8 - 1/27/2006

Hi All,


Sorry that I missed out on sending the Missives yesterday - just never found myself near a computer yesterday.


The Festival is starting to wind down. You can tell that there are fewer people walking around the streets of Park City and there are certainly fewer celebrities to see. Most of the movies have screened multiple times, so many of the directors and stars no longer do Q&A sessions after the movies. There is one more movie that will premiere tonight - Alpha Dog, starring Bruce Willis and Justin Timberlake (yes, that Justin Timberlake - apparently he acts now). I'll be trying to see that flick tomorrow.


So, a couple nights ago, I was able to see "The Darwin Awards" but it really wasn't worth it. The plot involved stupid people doing stupid things and dying because of them. Actually those scenes were quite funny and if it had just been series of those scenes, it may have been better, but they had to put in a story of two insurance investigators (Joseph Fiennes and Winona Ryder) and how they figured out how these things happened. It was quite a disappointment. 2 stars (out of five).


Yesterday, I tried to get into a documentary, which has had lots of buzz, called "Wordplay" about Will Shortz, the writer of the NY Times crossword puzzles. Unfortunately, it was playing a small theater and was not able to get in off of the waitlist. Later that day, I attended a screening of a horror film called "The Descent." The story was about six women who begin descending an unexplored cave and then come across a bunch of blind humanoid creatures who start attacking them. That description sounds pretty lame, but it was such a scary film. Great camera work and lots of "jump out of your seat" moments. I liked it a lot. 4 stars.


Also yesterday, I saw a film called "Man Push Cart" about a Pakistani immigrant who lugs around a food cart around New York City. This immigrant develops a variety of relationships with different customers and fellow vendors. There was some touching on the hardships that a Muslim living and working in NYC after 9/11 (especially one who has to carry around a propane tank for his job). It was a well-done film and you could really care about this character. 4 stars.



Today I took a break from seeing any movies. My roommate/theater manager, Jeromy, and I decided to take some snowboarding lessons. Neither one of us had ever snowboarded before and we decided that we should take advantage of some of the great slopes that Utah has to offer. We found a lesson package at a nearby resort that included the lessons, lift tickets, and equipment rental. We had such a good time. Our instructor was great and really took us along in baby steps. We certainly fell down a lot, but that was to be expected. By the end of the day, we had mastered getting on and off the ski lift and we had started getting into doing some turns down the hill (I mean mountain - really we were on a mountain). It was a fun day, but we're both going to be sore tomorrow (actually I'm already a little sore).


So, we have two more volunteer shifts to go (tonight and tomorrow night) and then I head back home on Sunday. I will try to send out another volume tomorrow, and I will send some of the pictures once I get back home.


Your Sundance correspondent,

Ted