This year I was slightly more reasonable about my day off, but only slightly. I saw four films, most of which I absolutely loved, so it was a fantastic day. Let's keep those reviews coming, eh?
Before Midnight
Written description
Trailer for Before Sunrise
Trailer for Before Sunset
Ok, so. Where to being. This is part of the Premire section of the festival. Normally, I don't even bother seeing these because they are most likely going to be bought and I'll be able to see it somehow after the festival. This was my one exception. The second I heard this film was playing at Sundance, I knew I had to get a ticket. It is the third in a long-spanning series of films. I watched the first two for the first time this past fall, and absolutely loved them, even though they upset me at times for a variety of different reasons. At the end of the second film, I was super frustrated thinking that that was the end. Then I was informed that the director and two stars had talked about doing a third film. A tiny spark of hope. When I got out to Utah and they announced the line-up for the festival, when I saw Before Midnight, my excitement could not be contained. So, my expectations were incredibly high. I was not disappointed in the slightest. It was a phenomenal film. I highly recommend all three. The writing is just so superb, and they are so different from traditional films. Ack. Love love love love. Cannot say enough good things about these films.
Blackfish
Director introduces the film
Part of the US Documentary Competition. A very good documentary, although, once again, extremely upsetting. I knew it would be upsetting but it still shocked me a bit by how much it upset me. Many tears. It is infuriating and certainly makes me want to learn more and do more to help. I have never gone to seaworld and I never had a desire to, but now I really have no desire. It is awful. And I will just tell you this one fact - the one killer whale this film focuses on, who has been responsible for 3 deaths in the past 20 years, is still in captivity, at sea world. What. The. Heck. Gaaaaaaaaaaaaah so much frustration. Ok, I'm done venting now. Ish. If you get the chance, try to see it. Worth it.
Stories We Tell
Written description
This was another in the Spotlight category because it has already screened at other festivals. A fantastic documentary. It must have taken so much courage for Sarah Polley to make. Really well made, makes you think a lot about storytelling and secrets and the way different people will tell the same story in different ways. The recreations were seamless. It made me laugh, it made me cry, overall a fantastically done film.
What They Don't Talk About When They Talk About Love
Description of film (dont click on view trailer - it is a trailer for a different film)
This was part of the World Cinema Dramatic Competition. It was a 10pm screening and I thought I was fine, but when I got into the film and it started, I quickly realized how tired I was, and it was very difficult for me to stay awake. That being said, I do think the film was beautifully shot and had some lovely moments, but it was also a bit confusing, made more so by the fact that I kept nodding off because I was so tired, and it was a very quiet, slow film. I hope that somehow at some point I can watch it again, during the day when I am more awake. I think it deserves a second chance.
For those who are keeping count, I am now up to 11 feature length films, and 5 shorts. Not too shabby :) Chances are I will meet and possibly exceed my 19 film total from last year. We shall see!
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