Goodies aren't as good

I'm starting to agree -- Sundance '07 is definitely one of the worst in memory. I've seen about 16 or 17 films so far, and genuinely liked/admired five -- Once, Grace is Gone, Interview, The Savages and Broken English. I missed yesterday afternoon's press screening of Son of Rambow (described in Variety as "Billy Elliott directed by Tim Burton") but now that it's been picked up for $8 million by Paramount Vantage it'll obviously be viewable down the road. I haven't written about any of the crappos and mezzo-mezzos -- I'm trying to stick to the ones I've given a B-plus grade or better, Most Sundance festivals give up about five or six serious stand-outs. The difference this year is that there haven't been any double grade-As or even solid As, a la Little Miss Sunshine -- the '07 goodies have all been in the B-plus to A-minus range.

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Posted by Jeffrey Wells on January 24, 2007 at 9:54 AM

comment #1

Noel Murray Author Profile Page says ...

Hmmm ... reviews elsewhere seem to indicate otherwise. Have you not seen JOSHUA, MY KID COULD PAINT THAT or ROCKET SCIENCE?

Posted by Noel Murray Author Profile Page at January 24, 2007 10:35 AM

comment #2

dobbsy Author Profile Page says ...

not doubting, only questioning: what were the six "standout" films last year? wanna see if my definition of a "standout" film (which you further define here as "A+") matches mine...since I thought little miss sunshine was the C+ movie of all time, i'm going to assume part of your definition has to do with ultimate marketplace acceptance, ie money, honey, which would clearly make "sunshine" the "A+" you ascribe. cos it ain't based on art...

Posted by dobbsy Author Profile Page at January 24, 2007 10:37 AM

comment #3

Colin Author Profile Page says ...

Have you seen La Misma Luna or The Signal? From what I've read, both of those seem to have been received well.

Posted by Colin Author Profile Page at January 24, 2007 10:45 AM

comment #4

p.Vice Author Profile Page says ...

For all past, present, and future "have you seen film X" posters, allow me to answer your questions.

NO!!!

If the film is at all un-buzzed or no-name or unlikely to be picked up for distribution from the get-go, Jeffrey stays far, far away. He complains that there isn't enough quality at Sundance... but is that kind of quality what you usually find on Hollywood Elsewhere?

NO!!!!

Posted by p.Vice Author Profile Page at January 24, 2007 12:23 PM

comment #5

fnt Author Profile Page says ...

You should check out Padre Nuestro if you can. I loved the script to that.

And what does Mezzo-Mezzo even mean? I like how keep pushing that phrase, very "It's so fetch!"

Posted by fnt Author Profile Page at January 24, 2007 2:20 PM

comment #6

Eric Author Profile Page says ...

Joshua was abysmal. Please...

Posted by Eric Author Profile Page at January 24, 2007 2:39 PM

comment #7

Dan Revill Author Profile Page says ...

Did you watch Away From Her? Or had you already seen it at Toronto? I love that movie!

Posted by Dan Revill Author Profile Page at January 24, 2007 4:18 PM

comment #8

Hallick Author Profile Page says ...

What I'm having a problem with, from my vantage point, is that judging by the number of reviews they've posted, the people who are saying this the most are also the ones who seem to be hardly seeing anything there that isn't a star vehicle (like the John Cusack film) or a shit-stirrer (Hounddog).

There's a clutch of intriguing films there that I've yet to see get a proper review, even on Indiewire. Where the hell is a site with truly exhaustive coverage? Is everyone so bored with the festival they're all just phoning it in this year?

Posted by Hallick Author Profile Page at January 24, 2007 9:33 PM

comment #9

Noel Murray Author Profile Page says ...

Hallick, you can always count on VARIETY and THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER to file reviews on almost everything, even if they're more informational than critical. I also recommend SALT LAKE CITY WEEKLY's "Festival Updates":

http://www.slweekly.com/media/sundance2007/

Otherwise, it's kind of catch-as-catch-can out there. A comment or two on the EW blog; a comment or two on Glen Kenny's blog at the PREMIERE site; a slew of NY-focused coverage at THE REELER. But the wrap-up packages should start soon.

Posted by Noel Murray Author Profile Page at January 25, 2007 4:04 AM

comment #10

christian Author Profile Page says ...

far as i can tell, ain't it cool news has quite a few sundance reviews up.

you just have to wade through quint to read 'em.

Posted by christian Author Profile Page at January 25, 2007 9:33 AM

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