Monday, February 01, 2010

Sundance TwentyTen

My Sundance list is going to be a little shorter than usual this year. Not because I didn't have a desire to go, but because I took such a huge chunk of time off for Christmas that I didn't feel good about taking vacation time for it.

First, was a set of documentary shorts. I went with the creative team from work (me and the 6 guys on my team) The only thing I can say about this series of 7 short films is this. . . I watch a lot of movies. I'm a relatively intelligent human being. But in 4 of the 7 cases, not only did I not understand how the short got in to Sundance, I didn't understand the point of having made it in the first place. There was no narrative. They didn't tell a remotely clear story. . .

But maybe it was just me. . .

So, to start the stretch of full length films, Nick, Cort, Melissa & I went to see Lourdes. The story of a pilgrimage to Lourdes in France, the movie was made by Austrians, but the language was French. It was really really interesting. It brought up huge themes like faith and jealousy and love, all through the story of one young woman, trapped in a wheel chair by paralysis. . . Why would one person be healed and not another? Why are some stricken by illness and not others? It was really interesting. I would not be surprised if it showed up on Netflix, and I would definitely recommend it, though the pace is a little slow.

The second day of films Nick & his cousin Katie & I first saw The Kids Are All Right. The cast was fabulous, the acting was great, and the story was really interesting. Unfortunately, there were a few graphic moments that cause me not to suggest it to those that are sensitive to such things. . . It's one time I'd be grateful to have Cleanflix. . .

And that was followed by Nick & I meeting Melissa at the Broadway for Night Catches Us. I have to admit, I wasn't sure how well I was going to like this. It could have gone either way. . . but this movie was character driven enough, and well enough written, that I found it really really interesting. I have never known much, if anything, about the Black Panther movement, but I dare say this is a perspective that hasn't been taken before.


1 comment:

Stefanie said...

I wish I could've been there this year. Next year I promise to not get knocked up, ok??