Sundance preview!

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by: Mike Sampson Dec. 5, 2008

The Sundance Film Festival kicks off in just over a month and for the lucky bunch of you that are heading to Park City we've compiled a list of some of the early must-sees screening at the fest. While there isn't much at first glance to dispel the notion that Sundance has gone too mainstream, there's certainly enough to keep film fans of all shapes and sizes interested. Keep in mind this is just a preliminary list of films you might want to check out and in no way indicates these are the only good films playing. The best part of Sundance is finding the surprise film that sweeps you off your feet. Let's see what Sundance '09 has to offer...

I LOVE YOU PHILLIP MORRIS

The true story about con artist and imposter Steven Jay Russell, a married father whose exploits land him in the Texas criminal justice system. Based on the novel by Houston Chronicle crime reporter Steve McVicker. Cast: Jim Carrey, Ewan McGregor, Leslie Mann, Rodrigo Santoro.

500 DAYS OF SUMMER

When an unlucky greeting card copywriter is dumped by his girlfriend, the hopeless romantic shifts back and forth through various periods of their 500 days 'together' in hopes of figuring out where things went wrong. Cast: Zooey Deschanel, Joseph Gordon-Levitt.

ADVENTURELAND

In 1987, a recent college graduate takes a nowhere job at his local amusement park and discovers the job is perfect preparation for the real world. Cast: Kristen Stewart, Ryan Reynolds, Bill Hader.

PAPER HEART

Even though performer Charlyne Yi doesn't believe in love, she bravely embarks on a quest to discover its true nature - a journey that takes on surprising urgency when she meets unlikely fellow traveler, actor Michael Cera.

THE INFORMERS

A drama based on Bret Easton Ellis' novel, set in the 1980s, focusing on wealthy Angelinos consumed by a decadent lifestyle. Cast: Billy Bob Thornton, Kim Basinger, Winona Ryder, Mickey Rourke.

WORLD'S GREATEST DAD

A comedy about a high school poetry teacher who learns that the things you want most may not be the things that make you happy. Cast: Robin Williams, Daryl Sabara, Alexie Gilmore, Tom Kenny, Geoffrey Pierson

BRIEF INTERVIEWS WITH HIDEOUS MEN

When her boyfriend leaves with little explanation, a doctoral candidate in anthropology tries to remedy her heartache by interviewing men about their behavior. Cast: Julianne Nicholson, John Krasinski, Timothy Hutton, Dominic Cooper, Christopher Meloni, Bobby Cannavale.

BIG FAN

The world of a parking garage attendant who happens to be the New York Giants' biggest fan is turned upside down after an altercation with his favorite player. Cast: Patton Oswalt, Michael Rapaport, Kevin Corrigan, Marcia Jean Kurtz, Matt Servitto

Source: JoBlo.com

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over the moon
11:54PM on 12/06/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
If you look up the story of I love you Phillip Morris it actually sounds like a hilarious premise and it looks like a perfect fit for Carrey. You guys need to look past the gay part of it. There's so much more to it.
If you look up the story of I love you Phillip Morris it actually sounds like a hilarious premise and it looks like a perfect fit for Carrey. You guys need to look past the gay part of it. There's so much more to it.
 
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Bigglesworthinc
6:15PM on 12/06/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
TWO WORDS!
BLACK DYNAMITE!
BLACK DYNAMITE!
 
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sparkholiday
5:24PM on 12/06/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
I think I Love You Phillip Morris could be really good. It's based on a true story, which doesn't seem to be a straightforward love story but rather something more twisted and complicated (I don't remember either of the leads ending up in jail in Brokeback). Adventureland looks fantastic, and I really don't see a huge relation to Superbad. Motolla did an excellent job directing Superbad, but...
I think I Love You Phillip Morris could be really good. It's based on a true story, which doesn't seem to be a straightforward love story but rather something more twisted and complicated (I don't remember either of the leads ending up in jail in Brokeback). Adventureland looks fantastic, and I really don't see a huge relation to Superbad. Motolla did an excellent job directing Superbad, but it wasn't as much HIS movie as this one is. So it'll be cool to see what happens with it.
 
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Johnny Moreno
10:14AM on 12/06/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Wow, THE INFORMERS is made?! Nice! I hope the story where they kidnap the kid is in there.
Wow, THE INFORMERS is made?! Nice! I hope the story where they kidnap the kid is in there.
 
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luke319
6:03AM on 12/06/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
The one I'm looking forward to the most is definitely 500 days of Summer. It stars two of my absolute favorite rising stars and the premise sounds cool to boot, I'm really hoping the first time director can help this film reach it's potential. I also think Adventureland looks really good. A lot of young comedy directors make great films back to back. (i.e. Adam McKay, Wes Anderson, the Farrelly...
The one I'm looking forward to the most is definitely 500 days of Summer. It stars two of my absolute favorite rising stars and the premise sounds cool to boot, I'm really hoping the first time director can help this film reach it's potential. I also think Adventureland looks really good. A lot of young comedy directors make great films back to back. (i.e. Adam McKay, Wes Anderson, the Farrelly Bros. when they first started out). Motolla's obviously talented, so I expect he'll have back to back hits as well. Plus it's nice to see Kristen Stewart actually smiling and not all gothy and emo.

I'm not a huge fan of Brett Easton Ellis' books, but I must admit he comes up with incredibly cool premises. This also comes from the director of Ned Kelly (very good film), so this should be quite good. I think the premise of Paper Heart sounds cool, the whole blurring real life and fiction by having actors play themselves. I agree that Michael Cera needs to expand his roles, but in my opinion this is a (small) step in the right direction.

As for "I Love You Phillip Morris" I agree with a lot of other posters that it's probably not the best move. I think the real problem is that it just makes Carrey and McGregor look like their trying to piggyback on the success of Brokeback Mountain, even though that's surely not their intention. Them hoping this will be the same sort of hit as Brokeback is like hoping that lightning will strike the same spot twice, it happens occasionally but you better not count on it.
 
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VincentCostigan
12:33AM on 12/06/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
My two cents.
Just my two cents on the above list. Granted, I know more info on some more than others but this is just a quick judgment from all the info I know about each one so far:

-I Love you Phillip Morris: Looks like the infamous end to two great film careers. Carrey and McGregor will be missed.
-500 Days of Summer: Very interesting premise and two great leads.
-Adventurela...
Just my two cents on the above list. Granted, I know more info on some more than others but this is just a quick judgment from all the info I know about each one so far:

-I Love you Phillip Morris: Looks like the infamous end to two great film careers. Carrey and McGregor will be missed.
-500 Days of Summer: Very interesting premise and two great leads.
-Adventureland: No way Motolla's gonna top Superbad right away (if ever) but it looks like worth giving a shot.
-Paper Heart: I think it's the fault of casting agencies; nobody wants to take a different chance on Cera.
-The Informers: I'll wait for a trailer.
-World's Greatest Dad: Hopefully Williams will have a funny comedy of recent years for once, cause God knows License to Wed was horrendous.
-Brief Interviews with Hideous Men: Like I said, too early to judge, but seems like typical festival fare.
-Big Fan: Oswald's cool and Michael Rapaport is awesome (esp. currently on Prison Break).
 
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TC10
10:10PM on 12/05/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Big Fan Sucks
Any time a movie hates on the Dallas Cowboys I don't even get near it.
Any time a movie hates on the Dallas Cowboys I don't even get near it.
 
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UrNeighbor'sDog
9:03PM on 12/05/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
The Informers, while my least favorite Ellis novel, should be amazing. I think the stories will play out nicely on film, and the many characters will be easier to tell apart, unlike when I read it and couldn't keep track of everyone. Last I heard was they cut the vampire story line from it. Thats sad because it was very interesting.
The Informers, while my least favorite Ellis novel, should be amazing. I think the stories will play out nicely on film, and the many characters will be easier to tell apart, unlike when I read it and couldn't keep track of everyone. Last I heard was they cut the vampire story line from it. Thats sad because it was very interesting.
 
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Dead as History
7:06PM on 12/05/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
I'm pretty stoked about Patton being in a movie. Should be worth checking out
I'm pretty stoked about Patton being in a movie. Should be worth checking out
 
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Canto
6:03PM on 12/05/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
im excited
im really anxious to see a lot of these movies. especially Big Fan, it stars Patton Oswalt and was written by the guy who wrote The Wrestler!
im really anxious to see a lot of these movies. especially Big Fan, it stars Patton Oswalt and was written by the guy who wrote The Wrestler!
 
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jluckhurst41
4:19PM on 12/05/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Sundance
Seriously, I'm exited about the majority of these films. Seems like a great line up of films. Too bad I'm on the wrong side of the Atlantic to attend, so I hope they'll get released over here as well.
Seriously, I'm exited about the majority of these films. Seems like a great line up of films. Too bad I'm on the wrong side of the Atlantic to attend, so I hope they'll get released over here as well.
 
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gameslave
2:44PM on 12/05/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
PS
Looks like Michael Cera is once again expanding his acting abilities!

dude seriously will be playing the exact same role his entire career. I'm going to start calling him the new Bob Goldthwait.
Looks like Michael Cera is once again expanding his acting abilities!

dude seriously will be playing the exact same role his entire career. I'm going to start calling him the new Bob Goldthwait.
 
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gameslave
2:42PM on 12/05/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
WTF?
Why is Jim Carrey kissing Ewan McGregor?!?! This is the first time hearing about this movie.
So what, now that Brokeback Mountain was released, every actor is gonna hop on the bandwagon and play a gay guy and kiss some dudes?!? seriously though, i could see it with the actors in brokeback, i could see it with the actors in Milk, but no fucking way can i see Jim Carrey making out with Ewa...
Why is Jim Carrey kissing Ewan McGregor?!?! This is the first time hearing about this movie.
So what, now that Brokeback Mountain was released, every actor is gonna hop on the bandwagon and play a gay guy and kiss some dudes?!? seriously though, i could see it with the actors in brokeback, i could see it with the actors in Milk, but no fucking way can i see Jim Carrey making out with Ewan McGregor.
 
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TonyJay
2:40PM on 12/05/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
AHHH!!!!
I'm so excited! I got to see Sunshine Cleaning last year and it was awesome. I live in Utah, only about an hour away from Park city. I hope I see Kristen Stewart there. She is hot. And Zooey Deschanel! And Michael Cera and Jim Carrey and Ewan Mcgregor! Ha I didn't see anyone famous last year. I want to see almost all of the movies you mentioned! I didn't know that most of them were premering at...
I'm so excited! I got to see Sunshine Cleaning last year and it was awesome. I live in Utah, only about an hour away from Park city. I hope I see Kristen Stewart there. She is hot. And Zooey Deschanel! And Michael Cera and Jim Carrey and Ewan Mcgregor! Ha I didn't see anyone famous last year. I want to see almost all of the movies you mentioned! I didn't know that most of them were premering at Sundance, but I knew of them. I'm so stoked now! Even more than I was!