☰
Sundance Channel Blog
fruitvale_440x330 2013 Sundance Film Festival Announces Feature Film Awards very_good_girls_01 Today at Sundance — Day 10: Awards Ceremony, and your last chance to catch Festival premieres jobs_01 Today at Sundance — Day 9: Ashton Kutcher carries the iTorch for Steve Jobs sweetwater_01 Today at Sundance — Day 8: take a trip to the wild west with Ed Harris and January Jones in SWEETWATER

Sundance Film Festival

The Sundance Review Revue: LIBERAL ARTS

Article: The Sundance Review Revue: LIBERAL ARTS

Posted January 27th, 2012, 12:01 PM by

The cast of LIBERAL ARTS is like the independent film version of a rock and roll supergroup. You’ve got your road-tested veterans, Richard Jenkins and Allison Janney, and two of the hottest talents to come out of Sundance in recent years: Elizabeth Olsen from MARTHA MARCY MAY MARLENE and writer/director/star Josh Radnor, whose HAPPYTHANKYOUMOREPLEASE won the Sundance audience award back in 2010. And, yeah, Zac Efron’s in there too. Admittedly, he sabotages the theory just wee bit.

Watch: FILLY BROWN stars Edward J. Olmos, Lou Diamond Philips, Jenni Rivera & Gina Rodriguez

Article: Watch: FILLY BROWN stars Edward J. Olmos, Lou Diamond Philips, Jenni Rivera & Gina Rodriguez

Posted January 26th, 2012, 6:01 PM by

FILLY BROWN is a hip-hop, coming of age story set against the backdrop of a broken family and the less glamorous side of Los Angeles. Edward J. Olmos Lou Diamond Philips and Jenni Rivera support a brilliant performance by festival “it girl” Gina Rodriguez. It’s a gritty performance, but Rodriguez has scored legions of new fans in the criticsphere. Find out what the cast had to say about working with such an amazing ensemble.

Watch Buzz on the Bus and get the skinny on Sundance 2012

Article: Watch Buzz on the Bus and get the skinny on Sundance 2012

Posted January 26th, 2012, 5:01 PM by

Pop quiz: Where is the best place to get honest opinions on Sundance Film Festival flicks? Well, SUNfiltered, but the Park City buses are a close second. This mountain town has a free, killer public transportation system and it ramps up during the festival. It’s the best way to get around and the best place to find out if that weird, Mongolian documentary is really worth braving the waitlist for. Don’t believe me? Watch and learn, grasshopper:

The Sundance Review Revue: ROOM 237

Article: The Sundance Review Revue: ROOM 237

Posted January 26th, 2012, 3:01 PM by

In the last couple years, technology has totally changed the world of film criticism. Affordable, easy-to-use editing software has empowered critics to become filmmakers themselves. You can see their work on YouTube, blogs like Press Play, and in movies like Sundance ’12 selection ROOM 237, a film entirely about another film, Stanley Kubrick’s THE SHINING.

Watch a conversation on WEST OF MEMPHIS with Damien Echols, Amy Berg & Lorri Davis

Article: Watch a conversation on WEST OF MEMPHIS with Damien Echols, Amy Berg & Lorri Davis

Posted January 26th, 2012, 3:01 PM by

Damien Echols spent 18 years behind bars for a murder he didn’t commit. That story has already been the subject of three documentaries and countless appeals, but Amy Berg’s take on the story of the West Memphis Three goes further. The film exposes new evidence and different voices. Echols, Berg and producer Lorri Davis (who is married to Echols) filled in Festival Insider:

2012 Sundance Film Festival announces Jury Prizes in short filmmaking

Article: 2012 Sundance Film Festival announces Jury Prizes in short filmmaking

Posted January 26th, 2012, 2:01 PM by

Sundance Institute this evening announced the jury prizes and honorable mentions in short filmmaking at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival. The awards were presented at a ceremony in Park City, Utah. These award recipients will also be honored at the Festival’s Awards Ceremony, hosted by Parker Posey on Saturday, January 28 at 7:00 p.m. MT and live streamed at www.sundance.org/live.

Sundance ’12 acquisitions round-up #3: V/H/S, ARBITRAGE and more

Article: Sundance ’12 acquisitions round-up #3: V/H/S, ARBITRAGE and more

Posted January 26th, 2012, 11:01 AM by

With the clock winding down on Sundance ’12, the market for distribution titles is starting to look like a domino course. Once the first couple titles fell, they all started to fall. We’ve got a lot of news since our last roundup, so let’s get to it.

The latest domino to drop is V/H/S, the found footage horror anthology from a whole mess of directors including Adam Wingard (YOU’RE NEXT), Joe Swanberg (SILVER BULLETS), and Ti West (THE INNKEEPERS). According to The Hollywood Reporter, Magnolia Pictures picked the film (which is supposedly so intense that it made several audience members pass out) for approximately $1 million. Their plans for V/H/S are said to include a video-on-demand preview and then a theatrical release and then, I imagine, a kitschy release on VHS.

Chris Rock and Julie Delpy on TWO DAYS IN NEW YORK, interracial relationships, and Rock’s Love For Melissa McCarthy

Article: Chris Rock and Julie Delpy on TWO DAYS IN NEW YORK, interracial relationships, and Rock’s Love For Melissa McCarthy

Posted January 26th, 2012, 11:01 AM by

Oscar-nominated actress-cum-filmmaker Julie Delpy’s filmmaking debut 2 DAYS IN PARIS centered on Marion (Delpy), a photographer struggling in her relationship with her neurotic, American boyfriend, Jack (Adam Goldberg). The film went on to become a huge indie hit, grossing nearly $20 million worldwide.

The French-American filmmaker has returned with a sequel of sorts, and enlisted comedian Chris Rock to play Mingus, her new boyfriend. The couple lives together in New York with a child from Marion’s previous relationship with Jack and things are going smoothly—that is, until her family, including father Jeannot (Albert Delpy, her real-life Dad) and sister, Rose (Alexia Landeau), decides to pay the couple a visit following the death of Marion’s mother. Rose’s new boyfriend, who just happens to be one of Marion’s exes, ratchets up the awkwardness, attempting to impress Mingus by quoting Salt-n-Pepa and buying weed in plain sight. Adding to her anxiety, Marion has an upcoming make-or-break photo exhibition.

My Premiere photos: Rick Alverson joins Tim & Eric for THE COMEDY

Article: My Premiere photos: Rick Alverson joins Tim & Eric for THE COMEDY

Posted January 26th, 2012, 10:01 AM by

THE COMEDY was one of the more highly anticipated films of this year’s Sundance Film Festival. Despite a mixed critical response, and one of most awkward Q&As I’ve ever seen, people are still talking about it and director Rick Alverson is getting kudos for drawing a stellar dramatic performance out of funnyman Tim Heidecker . Check out our gallery from the big night, featuring Alverson, LCD Soundsystem (ex-) frontman James Murphy, Eric Wareheim & Tim Heidecker.

The Sundance Review Revue: SMASHED

Article: The Sundance Review Revue: SMASHED

Posted January 25th, 2012, 8:01 PM by

It’s possible that a movie like James Ponsoldt’s SMASHED takes on a special resonance at the Sundance Film Festival. It’s a film about a hard-partying married couple — Breaking Bad’s Aaron Paul and Scott Pilgrim Vs. the World’s Mary Elizabeth Winstead — whose lives are turned upside down when one of them decides to get sober. During Sundance, Park City is practically swimming in booze. Client dinners, cocktail parties, after-parties; there are working distilleries pouring less alcohol than this town right now. It’s probably safe to assume a hefty percentage of the people watching SMASHED were drunk when they watched it. Is it any wonder the critics dug it so much?

The Sundance Review Revue: THE SURROGATE

Article: The Sundance Review Revue: THE SURROGATE

Posted January 25th, 2012, 6:01 PM by

The 2012 Sundance Film Festival has had no shortage of well-received movies. BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD, DETROPIA, THE RAID and more have drawn very strong, very positive reactions from both audiences and critics. But they all pale before the response to THE SURROGATE, whose reception in Park City has been nothing less than orgasmic.…

Photos of festival faves John Hawkes & William H. Macy: Indie duo in town for THE SURROGATE

Article: Photos of festival faves John Hawkes & William H. Macy: Indie duo in town for THE SURROGATE

Posted January 25th, 2012, 3:01 PM by

They must be shooting Shameless, because William H. Macy was rockin’ his Frank Gallagher look. It works for him, so much so that John Hawkes grew a moustache to match. The hirsute duo joined THE SURROGATE director Ben Lewin at Sundance Channel HQ to talk about the film and their $6 million sale. THE SURROGATE is one of the most buzzed about film in the festival this year, so catch up with our gallery a quick

The wackiest sci-fi flick at Sundance: Paul Giamatti and filmmaker Don Coscarelli on JOHN DIES AT THE END

Article: The wackiest sci-fi flick at Sundance: Paul Giamatti and filmmaker Don Coscarelli on JOHN DIES AT THE END

Posted January 25th, 2012, 3:01 PM by

JOHN DIES AT THE END, the latest bizarro sci-fi flick from genre filmmaker Don Coscarelli (of BUBBA HO-TEP fame), opens with a bang.

A designer drug called “soy sauce” grants users a paranormal, out-of-body experience, but also transforms them into disgusting, insect-filled zombie creatures. John (Rob Mayes) is frantic. He calls his best friend—and fellow slacker—Dave (Chase Williamson), who rushes over to his house. They soon encounter a cute, unassuming girl with a scar on her face. Before the two guys can say “soy sauce,” she explodes into hundreds of snakes that bite and tear at the two pals. John runs up the stairs to try and escape, but the door handle turns into a penis, which he refuses to turn. Then, various meats from the basement freezer—sausages, steaks, chickens, etc.—begin shooting across the floor, forming a “meat monster” with a turkey for a head who addresses the boys in a demonic voice.

Visit Sundance's inner sanctum: Check out video from the director's brunch

Article: Visit Sundance's inner sanctum: Check out video from the director's brunch

Posted January 25th, 2012, 2:01 PM by

One of the most exclusive events each year at the Sundance Film Festival is the director’s brunch. It’s an opportunity for all of the directors, from opening night hits to shorts, to kick back, relax and talk craft. There is no stress over sales or audience reactions, just bagels and a chance to mingle. It’s one of Sundance founder Robert Robert’s favorite festival events. And now you can get inside and see why.

Vera Farmiga, David Duchovny and Common party in Park City

Article: Vera Farmiga, David Duchovny and Common party in Park City

Posted January 25th, 2012, 1:01 PM by

Lots of folks were packing up and heading out this morning, but they were obviously out in force last night. And it’s not an indie festival if Vera Farmiga doesn’t show up looking understadedly amazing. That woman just looks awesome in a hood. I could go on, but I won’t. Check out all the party people on our gallery.

The Sundance Review Revue: BACHELORETTE

Article: The Sundance Review Revue: BACHELORETTE

Posted January 25th, 2012, 1:01 PM by

Timing is everything. It doesn’t seem to matter much that BACHELORETTE was first staged as an Off-Brodway play back in 2010. Every — and I mean every — review of BACHELORETTE compares it to BRIDESMAIDS, last year’s runaway smash hit (and now Oscar-nominated smash hit) about the wacky misadventures of a crazed bridal party. When you hear what it’s about — the wacky (and kinda druggy) misadventures of a crazed (and kinda mean) bridal party — the comparison makes sense. But that doesn’t necessarily make it any more fair.

Adorable photos of fashionable puppies in Park City

Article: Adorable photos of fashionable puppies in Park City

Posted January 25th, 2012, 1:01 PM by

Dogs love indie films. That’s a fact. My aunt has two labradors who are big Almodóvar fans. But, they’re not really snobby about it. They enjoy big budget Hollywood movies, too! They’ve never been to Park City, like the dogs in this gallery, but maybe one day.

Sundance Channel Network Sites SundanceChannel.com
Rainbow Media AMC IFC Sundance Channel WE tv IFC Entertainment