R U going to Sundance this year?

Any tips for a successful trip?

Don't drink the water!

No, not really. How about go to Slam Dance instead?

That's my tip.

As one who's been going to Sundance since nearly the beginning (yeah, before Bob was involved) I can say that though the films are okay, they're not on the levels of "Pi", "Blood Simple", or the movies of Yore. Although, I caught Big Kahuna at it a few years back, that was fun!

I don't know, it's just gotten too star studded (the movies and the festival) for my tastes. Slam Dance and No Dance are just smaller, on the cusp of what Sundance used to be about.

So, yeah, my advice? Don't go.

Don't drink the water!

No, not really. How about go to Slam Dance instead?

That's my tip.


>>>> But why not go to both and make a comparison?

As one who's been going to Sundance since nearly the beginning (yeah, before Bob was involved) I can say that though the films are okay, they're not on the levels of "Pi", "Blood Simple", or the movies of Yore. Although, I caught Big Kahuna at it a few years back, that was fun!

>>>> so what films are playing there of any interest? I >>>>downloaded the pdf book on the haps so I have a >>>>good idea but are you saying that the so >>>>called 'top films' being billeted this year aren't up to >>>>snuff or entertaining enough for a warranted >>>>appearance? so over ten days how many films >>>>ARE being showcased in total? do you know >>>>off hand?

I don't know, it's just gotten too star studded (the movies and the festival) for my tastes. Slam Dance and No Dance are just smaller, on the cusp of what Sundance used to be about.

So, yeah, my advice? Don't go.

>>>> I don't know. I was really looking forward to some >>>>skiing. Plus I already have reservations in Park City. >>>>To tell the truth I wouldn't miss it for the world. I'm >>>>not burnt on it... yet! lol... But my guess is it wouldn't take too long considering what you've had to say

I'm hazarding a guess here and saying that maybe 75 films get showcased?

When I used to go, I'd go for a weekend and see about 5 films per day.

Tips are, get to the films early. Like 1.5 hours in advance. Dress warm, as you'll stand in line for a long time. I don't know what passes do for a person, if you get to bypass the line, but if you don't have a pass, I'd suggest looking into getting one. If you can find someone who lives in Utah, there's a few days where residents can get half price passes and tickets.

Go to midnight showings, they're usually less crowded. And the shorts are usually pretty good.

Make sure you see at least one film at the Egyptian.

And if there's a movie you really want to see, but don't have a ticket to, people are always scalping about an hour beforehand.

A few years back some films overspilled into theaters in Salt Lake, if there are any at Trolley Square, I'd suggest going there, as you get to stand in line, inside.

My choices for this years films, if I were going:

Bright Young Things. -- Because I love Stephen Fry and Evelyn Waugh
David Mamet's Gilded Stones -- Cuz it'd be cool, and then you'd have to see "Second Best" since Gilded Stones is a short.
In The Company Of Women -- Looks interesting.
Heir to an Execution
Silent Waters -- Because I've always been interested in Partition
Employee Of The Month -- Because one star studded movie is nec.
I'll Sleep When I'm Dead -- I love Trevor Preston!
Born Into Brothels -- it looks interesting
Super Size Me! -- Interesting looking Docu.
Haute Tension -- It's French, it's horror, could be great!
Raspberry Reich -- Because they call it a "porno-political-polooza"

You get the idea. There's no rhyme or reason for my picks. It's just what interests me. I'm sure a lot could be said about my psyche after reading that list.

Just read the brochure, read about the films, and choose what you want to see. And the point is to see movies. Yeah, skiing is great there, but see as many movies as you can!

Also, tip #314: See early morning movies, even if this means you only get a little sleep. They're less crowded.

tip # 387: Make friends with as many people as you can, they might be able to get you into the parties! If you're not invited, that is

Hey thanks a lot! I appreciate the time you took to compile that list!!!!! I'll definitely look into those! Is everyone at DD as nice as you?

No problem. I just looked at the first couple of day's movies. I'm sure there are loads more, and probably some that are a load more interesting than the ones I picked.

I'm almost tempted to go to Sundance if only to see that Partition flick. And the porno-political-palooza. And In the Company Of Women...

We'll see closer to the time, I guess... Which, I'm assuming is in a couple of weeks?

In regards to everyone being nice here. Everyone, for the most part, is incredibly helpful and nice. There are a few people who stir trouble (myself included), but if you've got a thick enough skin, you should have fun round these parts.

So, welcome!

Thanks for the welcome! From what I've seen so far this place is very impressive.

I ran across another festival: The Freedom Cinema Festival Jan. 15th-25th in Park City at the former home of NoDance in the Main Street Mall 2nd Floor Main Street Mall 333 Main Street Park City. The fest is sponsored by Lost Film Festival, Earthfilms, Bullfrog Films, Equal Exchange, The ACLU of Utah, The Ukiah Organic Brewery, Behind the Scenes Productions and the epic all star mockumentary The Making of Invasion of the Freedom Snatchers.

This first annual event features an activist screening series, expert panel discussions on media and democracy, humor and politics, activist filmmaking, police violence against the independent media, self-distribution and more. Official parties will be held for films playing at Sundance, Slamdance and FCF including Sundance '04 international documentary selection "The Corporation"

Celebrity guests and additional parties will be announced soon.

We are the umbrella festival in Park City for the Lost Film Festival (www.lostfilmfest.org)

Films confirmed for screening include:
Special double bill Mon. Jan. 19th 4-6:30 pm:

Unprecedented
Uncovered: the whole truth about the iraq war (www.truthuncovered.com)
The political satire of Mark Fiore - Short animated humor showcase
Bullfrog films documentaries
Counting on Democracy
Breaking the Silence: the truth behind the war on terror (John Pilger)
Another World is Possible
After the Silence, WWII Internment and the War on Terror
In Search of the Edge
King for a Day
Talk Mogadishu
Drowned Out
McLibel
Afropunk Jan. 23
We Interrupt this Empire
Earthfilms screening series & indymedia newsreel
Independent Media in a Time of War

Sponsoring comedic feature:
The Making of Invasion of the Freedom Snatchers

Midnight Movies and morning guest screeners including:
'Somewhere' www.somewhereinthailand.com
Man With A Van

www.freedomcinemafestival.com

Just thought I'd pass the FYI along to anyone else planning to go.

A little movie called The Malory Effect. I keep hearing 'it's gonna show at Sundance, it's gonna show at Sundance' .

Why is it yours or something? :rolleyes