Sundance-Day#5

(Sign found on Main Street Store, Silver Queen)

Mixed emotions all day. Oscar noms announced. Tragedies revealed.
Heavy hearts on our last shoots. It’s a wrap on interviews.
Time to go back home.

R.I.P. HL

Sundance- Day#4

(Morning)

Scary day to drive. 17 feet of snow landed. Gorgeous views and powder all around. Made some hot totties in our snow lodge.

(Potters Lane, V Mag house)

More talent rolled through today. We all fell in love with Bijou Phillips and Mischa Barton. Cool ladies. You’re going to have to buy June 08 issue of V Magazine to see this beautiful portfolio shot by Mark Abrahams.

Regarding other films — some sibling action felt today.

I am so mesmerized by this little girl, Elle Fanning, who steals the show in Phoebe in Wonderland. You should hear this girl talk in interviews! Elle stars alongside two other intense women — Felicity Huffman and Patricia Clarkson. The 9 year old actress plays a girl (with a twisted family) seeking enlightenment at all costs, especially through a maverick schoolteacher. The film had its world premiere here this week.

(Phoebe in Wonderland -Photo Still)

Elle is the little sister to the other mature-as-hell kid actor Dakota (13 yrs old) who also had an indie film here last year (called Hounddog) where her character got raped. Most audiences saw sister Elle in Babel as the little girl lost in the desert. Can you say double-whammy-Jodie-Fosters-Part-2?

Keep an eye on this new little woman as she blossoms into her lifetime career.

(Elle with Sister Dakota. Elle in Babel)

Mysteries of Pittsburgh

Based off a book by the same author who wrote Wonderboys, this one’s about a love triangle — played by Peter Sarsgaard, Sienna Miller, and newcomer Jon Foster (brother of incredibly talented Ben Foster of 3:10 to Yuma).

(Brothers Jon and Ben Foster)

Not a perfect movie, nor is it a “wow” for me. It is a little sincere film with its flaws to bear. As far as the talent goes: Jon’s got a whole different vibe than his brother and feels like he’s only warming up. I’m curious to see his career and voice evolve in future projects. Peter will always be Peter and give a 150% performance. Sienna’s becoming a real treat to see on screen. She’s good at owning her screen time.

That’s my 2 cents. The following thoughts are Greg’s opinions from his film rounds…
-Jauretsi

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More of Greg’s Sundance coverage:

Mysteries Of Pittsburgh
“I’m predisposed to love anything that the radiant Sienna Miller appears in-though this film was underwritten and I wanted more of a backstory, I walked out thinking Jon Foster could be the inheritor of the roles used to be played by Tobey Maguire in films such as The Ice Storm and Wonder Boys (film is based on Michael Chabon’s first novel)!”

Patti Smith: Dream of Life
“Pretentious from the opening credits. Worth seeing for the early archive footage of Patti, but I don’t know if this was quite the tribute to the queen I would’ve liked to see.”

Assassination of a High School President
“The dark high school comedy starring Sundance prince (my favorite film from last year’s fest Rocket Science) actor Reece Daniel Thompson and Mischa Barton, as well as newcomers like your next crush Luke Grimes. Smart and funny script in the vein of Election. I almost forgot to mention Bruce Willis is the principal.”

The Year Of Getting To Know Us
“The crowd walked out in droves, but I really fell for this family drama starring the always appealing Jimmy Fallon. Lucy Liu plays his girlfriend and Sharon Stone is the dressed down hippie mom. Also, any Illeana Douglas supporting role is always fun!”

Choke
“Fox Searchlight is smart to buy this edgy comedy based on the book. This will be big for Sam Rockwell and Anjelica Huston (who channels her 70’s fashion looks in flashback scenes which was major!). I also loved Bijou Phillips as the hot milkmaid. The movie is set against the backdrop of sex addicts working in a colonial theme park.”

Sugar
“Perhaps I just saw too many films this day but I was simply bored during this film about a Dominican Baseball player by the team that directed one of my favorite films Half Nelson.”

Funny Games
“Lots of controversy is bound to brew over this shot-by-shot remake of Michael Hanekes’ original about one night of terror for a family on holiday terrorized by two rather sweet looking boys, Michael Pitt and Brady Corbet. Hanekes’ devices allow this movie to be something more intellectual than a straight psychological thriller.”

“Films I missed that were all the buzz…. American Teen, Anvil, The Wave”
-Greg

A reminder

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NYTIMES TIMES SLIDESHOW OF MLK STREET ART

Sundance- Day#3

(Marianna Palka getting her make-up done)

Another good day of shoots. This is Marianna Palka. She’s 26 years old, and stars in the film playing here at Sundance called Good Dick. She also wrote and directed it! Smart girl. Remember her name.

(Patti Smith T Shirt)

We’re kinda hoping one of the actresses we shoot this week will wear this awesome T-shirt Olivia found in a Tokyo street market. It’s sort of an homage to Patti Smith and a “shout-out” to the fact her documentary is playing at the festival this year too.

(Stylist goodies at the table)

(Zoe Kravitz pickup, entrance of her neighborhood)

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And of course, Greg went to go see a few films today.
Here are more of his thoughts…..

August
Josh Hartnett surprised me in this really smart drama. This is the second film for director Austin Chick (of XX/XY).

Good Dick
Charming unconventional romantic comedy written directed and starring Marianna Palka. Her boyfriend in the movie, Jason Ritter, is also her boyfriend in real life.

What Just Happened
Robert De Niro stars as a super producer. It’s a look at insider Hollywood.

The Last Word
I was just happy to see Winona Ryder on screen again.

Incendiary
Knockout performance by Michelle Williams.

Sundance- Day #2

Today we had a long day of shoots. Great talent rolled through. Good stuff.

This is the shoots stylist, Mel Ottenberg (pictured above) with his lovely assistant Olivia. It is important to note that Mel ordered 3 Virgin Pina Colada’s against the backdrop of a snowy Utah last night. Strange. Here they are on a cigarette break before the day began.

Greg escaped the house to go check out 3 movies. Here was how he described them in his own words:

(1) The Great Buck Howard
“A fun romp about a washed up magician played by John Malkovich. Loved Emily Blunt (from Devil Wears Prada) as the bitter publicist.”

(2) The Guitar
“Saffron Burrows is gorgeous and her performance is inspiring.”

(3) The Wackness
“Definitely dope. The first breakout — Josh Peck. Loved Mary Kate Olsen as a Phish-loving-hippie. The first candidate for my favorite film of the festival.”