Sundance 2012

Since I am no longer participating in my old Sundance blog, I thought I'd post a quick update here.  It was another light year for Sundance--and by that I mean I only saw seven films.   That may seem like a lot over eight days, but in the past I would see 25, so the reduced participation makes me feel like an outsider.  I had hoped to buy  more tickets and see a few additional international and documentary films, which are usually available when the single tickets are sold, but due to a scheduling mix-up I missed my window.  Anyway, here's a quick recap of the movies:

Red Lights
Written and directed by Rodrigo Cortes, who also directed Buried.   This has all the feel of a paranormal thriller, but there is surprisingly little to find frightening, and I'm an easy mark.  In fact, because of that the tone of the movie seemed inconsistent.  Starring Robert DeNiro, Sigourney Weaver, Cillian Murphy and Elizabeth Olsen.  All but DeNiro were there, and Sigourney Weaver sat right in front of me.  She is quite tall, which gave me the unusual experience of having Sigourney Weaver's head block my view of Signourney Weaver on screen.   The script was weak, finishing with a painfully long soliloquy that left many in the audience dazed and confused. This will make the rounds in theaters, but not for very long.

Arbitrage
Richard Gere, Tim Roth and Susan Sarandon.  (Gere was there, looking like a modern-day Richard Cory.  I hope when my hair turns all grey I'll get slender and taller and better-looking like him.)  I had to see this movie to learn that capitalists are bad and that money corrupts.  Now I'm really glad I'm not a billionaire.  Actually, a lot of people will like this movie.  I didn't, not because it picks on rich people, but because it was predictable and cliched.  It will play the theaters, probably to mixed reviews.

Celeste and Jesse Forever
Andy Samberg (SNL), Rashida Jones (Parks & Recreation, The Office, I Love You Man), Elijah Wood and Eric Olsen--all were there but none said anything particularly brilliant, which isn't unusual for actors at Sundance.  Most of the Q&A's are terribly awkward, with the stars standing on the stage with very little to do or say, while the director prattles on in his/her glory.)  Anyway, while the premise of a post-romantic friendship is anything but new, this film pushes the notion to the extreme.  It's filled with crude humor, which is, admittedly, pretty funny at times.  The script gets a bit tedious and the acting is acceptable, but not inspired.  This will find its audience as a date movie that guys who saw The Hangover three times will agree to.

Escape Fire: The Fight to Rescue American Healthcare
This is a documentary that we managed to get into at the last minute.  (We even had to talk ourselves into the parking lot.)  The title is self-explanatory and the film interesting and, like so many documentaries on social issues, incredibly frustrating.  Although I must admit to being surprised and encouraged by the military's use of acupuncture as an effective substitute for drugs to treat returning soldiers.  If you weren't disgusted by Big Pharma before this movie, you surely will be afterwards.  It's worth seeing, even though it's a small-budget movie.

Lay the Favorite
Directed by Stephen Frears (The Grifters, High Fidelity), and starring Bruce Willis, Rebecca Hall and Cathrine Zeta-Jones (Willis and Hall were there).  Based on a true story by Beth Raymer about her experience moving to Las Vegas and working for a small-time bookie.   Both Hall and Willis bring a lot to the movie and a lively, fast-moving script keeps it interesting.  Plus, there's a cameo by Vince Vaughn (I sat next to his dad the night before, and you can see where Vince gets it from!).  This is by no means great cinema, but more than mildly entertaining.  Writer Beth Raymer was there and on-stage and it was amazing to see her every bit as ditzy as how Rebecca Hall portrayed her in the movie.

The Word

Director/Actress Nadine Labaki

First-time director (but veteran actor) Brian Klugman with Bradley Cooper, Olivia Wilde and Jeremy Irons (all there).  Sort of an interesting premise about a writer who publishes a work that isn't his.  Unfortunately, the script doesn't do enough with the idea.  However, it held my attention because I was genuinely interested in how it would end.   Cooper is pretty good, and Irons is, as always, excellent.   If nothing else, the movie gave me hope that I still might publish a great novel--although perhaps not one that I personally wrote.


Where Do We Go Now?
A Lebanese film directed by Nadine Labaki, who has become something of a rock star in Lebanon, which is not known for its cinematic excellence.  (What is it known for?  Uh ... cedars?)   But this is a terrific film, absolutely my favorite from this year's movies.  It's the story of how a group of Lebanese women try to save their town (well, their unwitting menfolk) from civil war.  It's both inspiring and funny, and well worth living through the sub-titles.   Strongly recommended when it comes to your local arthouse this year.