The “old” year isn’t closed yet but we’re about to jump into a new cycle of film viewing and Sundance has announced their 2009 line-up of films, a handful of which we’ll get to see in the new year with a peppering of a few more that will likely end up on some shelf somewhere.
My first thought checking out the list is that there’s nothing all that outstanding in the dramatic competitions though there are some great sounding documentaries. A few that did catch my attention:
John Hindman’s Arlen Faber about two strangers who intrude on an author’s life and stars Jeff Daniels, Lauren Graham, Lou Pucci, Olivia Thirlby, Kat Dennings. Sounds interesting enough though I’m more curious about the cast and especially keen on checking out Thirlby and Dennings, two young actresses I like, playing off of each other.
I don’t watch “The Office” but it’s worth noting that John Krasinski is showcasing his first feature titled Brief Interviews With Hideous Men, an adaptation of the book by the late David Foster Wallace.
Cold Souls which is described as being “about a Russian mobster keen to extract the soul of an actor” doesn’t sound all that interesting but features a great cast including Paul Giamatti, David Strathairn, Emily Watson and Lauren Ambrose.
Director Oliver Hirschbiegel returns after the debacle that was The Invasion with Five Minutes of Heaven about two men at political odds and starring Liam Neeson, James Nesbitt and Anamaria Marinca of 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days fame.
Then there’s the “super secret” Michael Cera starring Paper Hearts.
The documentary side of things is looking very strong and includes:
Surfwise (our review) director Doug Pray’s new film Art and Copy about the effects of art and advertising on culture.
I was a big fan of Ondi Timoner’s DiG! and am looking forward to his newest offering We Live in Public which looks at the dotcom boom, art and the impact of the Internet. Considering how much of my life revolves around the web, this is a must see.
And to cap things off, Ben Addelman and Samir Mallal’s Nollywood Babylon, which I posted about a few weeks ago, will also be at the festival.
Though it’s looking a little less mainstream than last year, there are still some great titles in the lineup. The full round-up of films is tucked under the seat.
The Sundance Film Festsival will run from January 15th to 25th.
North Vancouver isn’t exactly slumming it. One of the pricier neighbourhoods in BC, the city is full of prized mansions and million dollar views but hidden amongst those riches is a group of roamers – individuals living on the streets, collecting bottles and participating in the most extreme of extreme sports: shopping cart riding.
