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 2, Episode 1 (1/19/07)

Hi all!

Well, I had a fun-filled day of training yesterday. It was good to get a refresher about everything that we need to do. Now if we can just remember how to put it into action during our first shift tonight.

I saw a couple movies last night. Last night was the opening night film of the festival. Since only one film is showing, they try to keep the volunteers from over-running the place by giving us our own screenings of two other films from the festival. They showed two films that I would not have picked out of the guide to see on my own, but I'm glad I saw them because they were both really good.

The first movie was called "Chasing Ghosts" and it is a documentary about people who were very serious about arcade gaming in the early 80s. The title refers to the object of Pac-Man. It showed parts of the lives of people who were ultra-competitive and lived to get the highest scores on a wide variety of arcade games. It also focussed on where they are in they're lives at the present time. It was a very fun and funny documentary. 4 stars (out of five).

The second movie was a French film entitled "Angel-A." It's about a desperate guy living in Paris who is about to throw himself into the Seine when he encounters an angel who helps him to see the beauty of his life. Ok, that description made it sound very trite, but it really wasn't an episode of Touched By An Angel. Even though it was filmed in black and white and had elements of "It's a Wonderful Life" and "Splash," it had a very modern feel to it. The film was directed by Luc Besson and it certainly was unlike any of his other movies that I've seen. Again it wasn't something that I was planning to see, but I'm glad I did. 4 stars.

Today, I saw a couple of interesting films. I saw "Weapons" which starred Paul Dano (from "Little Miss Sunshine") and Nick Cannon. It was very violent and intense and the story was told a rather non-linear fashion. The camerawork was very shaky which was a little annoying (and could probably give some people motion sickness). The director and many of the actors were there for a Q&A session afterwards. I'll give it 3 1/2 stars.

Then I went to see the North American premiere of "Delirious," starring Steve Buscemi, Michael Pitt, and Alison Lohman. This movie was a little bit of everything - comedy, drama, suspense. The story involved a young homeless guy (Pitt) who befriends a papparazzi photographer (Buscemi) and falls in love with a Britney Spears-type character (Lohman). Well-acted and a good story. 4 stars. Steve Buscemi was there, along with some other cast members (David Wain, Gina Gershon).

My first shift starts in about an hour. Wish me luck!

Your Sundance correspondent,

Ted

PS - I've attached a few photos from today's films.



Cast of "Weapons" Adam Bhala Lough (Director), Paul Dano, Nick Cannon, Mark Webber:





"Weapons" star Nick Cannon:





"Delirious" stars Steve Buscemi and Gina Gershon: