Great movies today (except for that really awful one)
I have this Pollyanna-ish rule that I try not to badmouth books or movies or people on the blog (although maybe I’ve violated that sometimes–and I’m sure you’ll be happy to point it out if I have). That said, I’m only going to tell you about the films I love up here at Sundance, and let the others sink into blog obscurity.
First was The Wackness, starring Ben Kingsley and a guy named Josh Peck, whom I’d never seen before, but I understand he’s a big deal on Nickelodeon’s Drake & Josh. Ben plays a very messed-up psychiatrist, and Josh is his high school-aged pot dealer. As Ben’s and Josh’s lives begin falling apart in both comical and sad ways, they discover they are the only friends each other have. More complications arise when Josh falls in love with Ben’s stepdaughter–another one of Josh’s pot customers. I’m not into drug movies as a general rule, but this one charmed me to pieces. Josh is great–so bare-faced and emotional, while trying to seem cool and unaffected. Ben is just a freak–also fun to watch. This one should be coming out this summer, I think the director said, so look for it.
Second was my favorite high school movie in a long time: Assassination of a High School President, a film noir set in a Catholic high school in New Jersey, where Bruce Willis is its former-military principal. Very funny performance. But the star is a teen named Reece Daniel Thompson, whom you might have seen in last year’s Rocket Science, where he played a stutterer who joins the debate team–also a great Sundance flick that made it into theaters, and is now out on DVD. The femme fatale is played by Mischa Barton of The O.C. (someone in the audience asked her tonight when she was finally going to go to college, since she keeps playing all these high school roles. She handled it graciously, saying tomorrow is her 22nd birthday, so maybe she’ll start taking older roles now).
The film is sharp, witty, laugh-out-loud funny, and appropriately complex. This one should be coming to theaters this year, too, so keep an eye out.
And now what you’re really waiting for: what celebrities did I see in person?
Josh Lucas (remember him from Sweet Home Alabama? With those killer blue eyes? I was two steps away from him, and man, is he gorgeous in person, too)
Jacqueline Bisset (those French women really know how to keep themselves up)
Lukas Haas (still looks exactly like he did in Witness, only now longer and more stretched out)
Reece Daniel Thompson (so lovable you wish you could go back to high school and date him)
Mischa Barton (wearing lethally-tall high heels tonight–and actually able to walk in them)
I think that’s it for today. And call me star-struck, but I always really, really like this part of being at Sundance. It’s fun to see screen people in person. But I love even more getting to hear from the screenwriters about how they came up with and wrote their films, and how they got their movies made. (Hint: a lot of them are both the writers and the directors of their films, and many come through the Sundance Screenwriters and Directors Labs. I’ll enter again this year if I can come up with a good screenplay idea by May.)
Okay, time to go to bed. My first flick tomorrow is at 9:00–a late start compared to today.
I’ll check in with y’all tomorrow!
Technorati Tags: Sundance Film Festival, The Wackness, Josh Peck, Assassination of a High School President, Reece Thompson, Rocket Science, Films, Movies, Sundance Films, Sundance Movies, Independent Films, Independent Movies, Screenwriting, Screenwriters
January 24th, 2008 at 5:07 am
Robin, you make an awesome advance screening reporter. What about if I give you access to my Netflix queue and you just pile ‘em in?
January 24th, 2008 at 5:36 am
What a fun experience! Thanks for the movie reviews and recommendations. I’m with Sara–you do a great job reporting on the films.
And I, for one, would love to see any movie you happened to write. (:
January 24th, 2008 at 9:05 am
My word verifier today is “hugs.” Awww.
I’ve been behind on my blog reading, but I did want to stop by and say hello.
January 24th, 2008 at 6:41 pm
That’s awsome Robin! sounds like your having a really great time! ^^
January 24th, 2008 at 8:30 pm
I may be the only person reading your blog to think “Wow, Josh from Drake and Josh made a movie. Cool!” But that’s because I’ve got those youngsters at my house watching every D&J episode, and I’m right there with them drinking my coffee and trying to make sense of the world. (Yes, they watch TV when they eat breakfast. Don’t judge me!)
Have fun at Sundance, you lucky dog!
January 24th, 2008 at 9:07 pm
And tonight my anti-spam word is “snow.” Yes, we did have a lot of that today.
Mother Reader, I wouldn’t judge you for anything. I don’t have children at home. I don’t know how people who do have any of their own thoughts at all. And reading that exchange between Patrick and his 5-year-old on that last post proves it.
Sara, I’m on it. Send me the list. You know I love to be in charge of people’s lists.
Kelley, thank you! I’m cooking up a screenplay right now–have been all day. I’m so inspired up here!
Alkelda, always nice to see you. I’m so behind on blog reading myself–no worries here. Stop by whenever you want.
Dylan, I am having a great time! I had a humongous peanut butter cookie for dinner–what could be a better time that that? Oh, plus I ate it right before seeing another fabulous movie. So I guess that could be better than just the cookie.
January 25th, 2008 at 4:35 am
MotherReader, I had to post and say turning on the television for my gal in the morning is about the only way I’m able to start the day with any sanity. Content varies from PBS to animated Disney films to, right now, The Wizard of Oz. But it’s a must! Oh, and she also gets to watch one additional show after lunch as her “rest” time, as she no longer naps. So no guilt. None!
January 25th, 2008 at 10:39 am
YAY! Can’t beat a giant cookie! lol I bet the food’s great there! ^_^ Eat another cookie for me! xDand try not to get sick from eating to much! e_e I feel like were only a few blog posts away…
January 25th, 2008 at 11:08 am
I’m so jealous. Josh Lucas. Sigh. He’s amazing. I’m mad you didn’t get to see Sir Ben Kingsley, I’ve heard he is so interesting to listen to and looks EXACTLY like you’d expect in person.
Ahh, Mischa…did anyone act really rude and ask her about her recent DUI?
January 25th, 2008 at 5:24 pm
Sarah, I was not aware that Mischa is another young DUI starlet. SIGH. So stupid, those girls. No wonder she was wearing such high high heels–more recklessness.
Dylan, I’m eating my full-on weight in cookies here. Today a white chocolate macadamia (spelling?) nut cookie as big as my head. Perfect.
Kelley and Mother Reader, you know this is a no-guilt zone anyway–see my comment above re cookie.