With my bat internship at an end, I find myself wandering a bit aimlessly at the moment. Recently I have been thinking more and more about going back to work at Sundance again this winter. I had such a blast last year, and it would be great getting to see my friends again, as well as to experience another film festival (plus you can't really beat the setting.... I miss the mountains!).
It is appropriate that while I am having these thoughts, I'm beginning to see films from last years' Sundance festival appearing in theaters, or at least seeing trailers for them. It was seeing a few of these trailers that propelled me to create this new blog, so that I could have a place to write about anything and everything, including films! So here's the deal. I shall attempt to give my opinions on some of the films that are now making their way to wide release, that I either saw at Sundance, or heard about while at Sundance.
First up? *drumroll*
First up? *drumroll*
Beasts of the Southern Wild
(winner of Sundance Grand Jury Prize: Dramatic and Excellence in Cinematography Award: U.S Dramatic)
(winner of Sundance Grand Jury Prize: Dramatic and Excellence in Cinematography Award: U.S Dramatic)
In theaters now, this was the first film I saw at the festival, and even so, it remained one of my favorites (and remember, I saw 19 films during the 10 days of the fest). It is an extremely unique storyline, with some poignant concepts and some truly stupendous acting from a cast of almost entirely new actors and actresses. Check out the trailer and give it a shot! I think it is totally worth seeing on the big screen.
Chasing Ice
(winner of Sundance Excellence in Cinematography Award: U.S. Documentary)
(winner of Sundance Excellence in Cinematography Award: U.S. Documentary)
Unfortunately this documentary does not appear to have wide release (at least not yet). However, I need to mention it now and will just hope that it makes it to the big screen soon, because it was without a doubt one of my favorite films of the festival., as I figured it might be. The concept is obviously one that is dear to my heart so I was expecting to find it enjoyable and fascinating, but it exceeded even my high expectations. The cinematography is nothing short of stunning. For that reason alone, if it does make it to wide release, I HIGHLY recommend seeing it in theaters. It is most definitely one of those films worthy of the big screen.
Compliance
I am extremely wary of plugging this film. It remains one of my favorite films of the festival (although favorite doesn't really seem like the correct term to use...). It is one of the films that stands out the most to me because it made me think. I saw it late at night and literally could NOT stop thinking about it. For days on end. Even now, watching the trailer, I am reminded of everything and thrown right back into it. But let me just say, it is NOT an easy film to watch. At all. In almost every screening at Sundance multiple people would walk out before it over. So if you do decide to go see it (that is assuming that it is released in theaters), just be warned that due to subject matter and the way they chose to film it, it will be an extremely uncomfortable and upsetting and disturbing hour and a half. Well then why should I see it you say? Something that can make me think and question myself I find to be worthwhile, no matter how uncomfortable the viewing experience may have been. This is a decision every person must make for themselves. But at least now you have heard my opinion and can perhaps better make the choice as to whether this film is one for you.
The House I Live In
(winner of Sundance Grand Jury Prize: Documentary)
This was a film that I had wanted to see while at Sundance but it wasn't at the top of my list and so I would not have seen it, except that it won grand jury prize for documentary and as such, was shown on the final day of the festival at a time when it worked out that I could go. And I am incredibly grateful for that because it deserves all the hype it is getting; a truly impressive documentary that will rip at your heart and make you seriously question our legal system, particularly when it comes to this "war on drugs". Haunting and upsetting, hopefully by getting exposure, this documentary will help to bring this subject into the spotlight so that hopefully things can start to change. The sooner the better.
The Sessions (formerly called The Surrogate)
(winner of Sundance Audience Award: U.S. Dramatic)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fy2y7UIpgP4
So this one has not made it to theaters yet, but I am assuming it will at some point soon(ish) because I know it was picked up by a major label while at Sundance. It was an incredibly sweet and moving story that makes you laugh and cry. What more could you want? Highly recommend it if/when it makes it to theaters. So enjoyable.
Safety Not Guaranteed
(winner of Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xE94RKIE7xQ
One of the last films I saw, and also one of my absolute favorites. Smartly written, both clever and poignant, a really sweet story, tons of fun to watch. Loooooooved it. As with The Sessions, I'm not sure when this one will hit theaters on a broad scale (I know it was in select theaters earlier in the summer), but I am assuming it will happen eventually and when it does I highly recommend going to see it. :)
(winner of Sundance World Cinema Directing Award: Documentary)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XID_UuxiGxM
Very powerful, very moving documentary. Doubt it will make it to theaters but if it gets on netflix or something similar, I highly recommend trying to see it. Definitely worth seeing.
Celeste and Jesse Forever
I wanted to see this film while I was at Sundance but did not have the chance. It is in theaters now and I am going to try to go and see it in the coming weeks. I heard really good things about it, so from word-of-mouth I would recommend it. I will make sure to let ya'll know what I think after I have seen it for myself.
For A Good Time Call....
This is another one that I did not see while at Sundance but I heard good things about and was told I would like it. It hadn't been on my list of things I wanted to see, but I trust when people tell me I will like something, so when this one hits theaters I will try and go see it, at which point I will let ya'll know my thoughts. :)
Ok, I think I am going to leave it there for now. Those were some of my favorite films/films that are in theaters now that I want to see because I didn't get a chance to while at the fest. If you go see any of them, let me know what you think! Hopefully you all will enjoy them as much as I did. :)
