Thursday, January 24, 2013
Movie day(s)
1. Magic magic
Was ... Decent. Odd. Another solid job of Michael Cera playing an unlikable character in South America.
2. Touchy Feely
Good. Pacing could have been better. Road to end was odd.
3. Ain't them bodies saints
Very good, not outstanding. Rooney Mara was great. Character development could have been a little better. Maybe. I don't know what I'm talking about.
4. (This morning) - The Gatekeepers
Fascinating doc about Israeli intelligence and the role it has played in dealings with Palestinians. Oh, and of course, for my last Sundance film, I was seated next to someone from Connecticut.
Any my flight was canceled because a Frontier jet skidded on runway. But I'm on a real airline, damn it! I think I'll get out tonight. I think.
Pic: Juno Temple and Michael Cera, stars of Magic Magic
Was ... Decent. Odd. Another solid job of Michael Cera playing an unlikable character in South America.
2. Touchy Feely
Good. Pacing could have been better. Road to end was odd.
3. Ain't them bodies saints
Very good, not outstanding. Rooney Mara was great. Character development could have been a little better. Maybe. I don't know what I'm talking about.
4. (This morning) - The Gatekeepers
Fascinating doc about Israeli intelligence and the role it has played in dealings with Palestinians. Oh, and of course, for my last Sundance film, I was seated next to someone from Connecticut.
Any my flight was canceled because a Frontier jet skidded on runway. But I'm on a real airline, damn it! I think I'll get out tonight. I think.
Pic: Juno Temple and Michael Cera, stars of Magic Magic
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Wembley, Wembley No. 9
So funky and fine! I was ninth in line. My ticket booth chica - a fellow Burbankian (see, now I'm from Burbank) - rocked it. Got all four tickets I wanted, making the two hours sleep and three hours in a chilly lobby totally worth it.
Day's itinerary:
•Magic, Magic - already had ticket. Same filmmaker as Crystal Fairy
•Touchy feely - a Lynn Shelton pic
•Ain't them bodies saints - Casey Affleck and my future sis in law Rooney Mara
Then Thursday, my final Sundance 2013 film: The Gatekeepers - about Israeli intelligence ops
Yay for me.
Day's itinerary:
•Magic, Magic - already had ticket. Same filmmaker as Crystal Fairy
•Touchy feely - a Lynn Shelton pic
•Ain't them bodies saints - Casey Affleck and my future sis in law Rooney Mara
Then Thursday, my final Sundance 2013 film: The Gatekeepers - about Israeli intelligence ops
Yay for me.
4:38 a.m.
I'm in line.
Well, a pre-line.
Should be all set for top 5 or 10 at ticket office.
This assuming that some nine-deep group of random women doesn't show up and claim to be ahead of us.
Guy no. 1 has a bed.
Well, a pre-line.
Should be all set for top 5 or 10 at ticket office.
This assuming that some nine-deep group of random women doesn't show up and claim to be ahead of us.
Guy no. 1 has a bed.
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Boldly went
Shatner! Traveled to SLC to check out his one-man show. It really was quite amusing. Goes through entire career simultaneously lauding and making fun of himself. Entertaining- glad I made the crazy trip.
Why crazy? One might think public transportation to and fro Park City during Sundance and Salt Lake City (where many Sundance films are being screened) would be plentiful.
One might be wrong.
Actually, there are a couple of good shuttle buses, and I took one of them from PC to SLC. Five bucks. Though I got on wrong one, sort of, and got to venue 20-30 minutes later than I would have. Still plenty early. Besides, there was a crew of geographically lost souls all sitting up front picking the cool driver's brain on how to get places.
Anyway, the shuttles. Last one from SLC back to Park City was the one I was on. He does a loop. And I technically was on the return trip, as that's when he goes by where I needed to get (UU); the other bus went directly there. All means there is no bus back until the morn. But I've got a movie tonight as an early trip to ticket office tomorrow awaiting me, so no go on the SLC stay over.
So ... I get there, pick up ticket, grab a bite at Pi Pizza (those wacky Utes), head back to venue, find my way to my fifth-row seat I bought a few hours earlier (and extended convo with help booth folk at Sundance covering the general lack of transportation options for return trip had me doubting whether I could pull it off), watch the show.
Show ends. Now what? I stand at door asking a bunch of folk if they are going to Park City. No takers. I could take a shuttle, but they only leave from airport. Which is on other side of town, meaning I might not get there before the last shuttle leaves.
So cab it is. No comment on the fare, but so be it. Damn it, Jim, it's Kirk! Totally worth it.
Why crazy? One might think public transportation to and fro Park City during Sundance and Salt Lake City (where many Sundance films are being screened) would be plentiful.
One might be wrong.
Actually, there are a couple of good shuttle buses, and I took one of them from PC to SLC. Five bucks. Though I got on wrong one, sort of, and got to venue 20-30 minutes later than I would have. Still plenty early. Besides, there was a crew of geographically lost souls all sitting up front picking the cool driver's brain on how to get places.
Anyway, the shuttles. Last one from SLC back to Park City was the one I was on. He does a loop. And I technically was on the return trip, as that's when he goes by where I needed to get (UU); the other bus went directly there. All means there is no bus back until the morn. But I've got a movie tonight as an early trip to ticket office tomorrow awaiting me, so no go on the SLC stay over.
So ... I get there, pick up ticket, grab a bite at Pi Pizza (those wacky Utes), head back to venue, find my way to my fifth-row seat I bought a few hours earlier (and extended convo with help booth folk at Sundance covering the general lack of transportation options for return trip had me doubting whether I could pull it off), watch the show.
Show ends. Now what? I stand at door asking a bunch of folk if they are going to Park City. No takers. I could take a shuttle, but they only leave from airport. Which is on other side of town, meaning I might not get there before the last shuttle leaves.
So cab it is. No comment on the fare, but so be it. Damn it, Jim, it's Kirk! Totally worth it.
Monday, January 21, 2013
Got in!
No. 10 was good enough after the wait-line drama. Also means the guys who left would have gotten in. Oh well.
Too bad the movie was bleh. Lots of LOL moments, but too many useless and lengthy transitions. Kept killing any modicum of momentum the movie had.
But it was at The Egyptian theater- very groovy to see a film there. Though how many venues in USA are named The Egyptian? Also, the process of making this film was pretty cool. Director had a dream with title in it. Kind of worked from there.
Oh, last night - saw "wrong cops" featuring marilyn manson. Really. Look it up. Uproariously funny and stupid simultaneously. And director, while funny, was an incredibly smug dbag. But it was worth seeing the nonsense- definitely entertaining.
And beyond stupid.
Awful Pic - PA director with Emile Hirsch in Egyptian.
Too bad the movie was bleh. Lots of LOL moments, but too many useless and lengthy transitions. Kept killing any modicum of momentum the movie had.
But it was at The Egyptian theater- very groovy to see a film there. Though how many venues in USA are named The Egyptian? Also, the process of making this film was pretty cool. Director had a dream with title in it. Kind of worked from there.
Oh, last night - saw "wrong cops" featuring marilyn manson. Really. Look it up. Uproariously funny and stupid simultaneously. And director, while funny, was an incredibly smug dbag. But it was worth seeing the nonsense- definitely entertaining.
And beyond stupid.
Awful Pic - PA director with Emile Hirsch in Egyptian.
54'40" or fight
Got to pre-wait line for "Prince Avalanche" waaaay early. Was third in line. Then line got shifted and people from previous wait line for different movie claimed they were waiting for ours. Wtf.
Staff suggested to these women that our line was first but refused to intervene. So now I'm 12th-ish (with three fellow ct peeps right behind me ). Might not sound like much, but one movie only let two people in and several didn't admit any wait listers at all. So it absolutely could come down to a spot or two.
Oh, and Melissa and I were 2 of the last four to get into "spectacular now" last night. They need better procedures.
That said, all first-world problems. Still annoying, though. I told the ct folk and the two big guys in front of me that we could take 'em. Guys behind me are plotting some sort of potential military action. Pretty funny.
One ct guy: " if someone antagonizes you and you take the bait, you're still the better person. " -suggesting we take action. Like standing next to them and screaming. Not words - just screaming. I like it.
Ha.
UPDATE: one volunteer say they told people to go to back of previous line, though two others told us where to start line. So volunteers fucked it up. And there was nasty shouting between the feuding lines. Hilarious.
Volunteer said "relax, sundance is supposed to be fun."
I said, "you don't think this is fun? This is great!" Tried to diffuse it a little. Didn't quite work.
Ct guys behind me left, saying to big guy in front of me: "you're still no. 1 on my list." But they might leave. Then I would move up to not no. 1.
...
And they did leave. People were sad. I proclaimed, "now I'm fake no. 1!"
People laughed. Some diffusing ... At least among my people.
(I ended up w no. 10. Shall see ...)
Pic of the perps...
Staff suggested to these women that our line was first but refused to intervene. So now I'm 12th-ish (with three fellow ct peeps right behind me ). Might not sound like much, but one movie only let two people in and several didn't admit any wait listers at all. So it absolutely could come down to a spot or two.
Oh, and Melissa and I were 2 of the last four to get into "spectacular now" last night. They need better procedures.
That said, all first-world problems. Still annoying, though. I told the ct folk and the two big guys in front of me that we could take 'em. Guys behind me are plotting some sort of potential military action. Pretty funny.
One ct guy: " if someone antagonizes you and you take the bait, you're still the better person. " -suggesting we take action. Like standing next to them and screaming. Not words - just screaming. I like it.
Ha.
UPDATE: one volunteer say they told people to go to back of previous line, though two others told us where to start line. So volunteers fucked it up. And there was nasty shouting between the feuding lines. Hilarious.
Volunteer said "relax, sundance is supposed to be fun."
I said, "you don't think this is fun? This is great!" Tried to diffuse it a little. Didn't quite work.
Ct guys behind me left, saying to big guy in front of me: "you're still no. 1 on my list." But they might leave. Then I would move up to not no. 1.
...
And they did leave. People were sad. I proclaimed, "now I'm fake no. 1!"
People laughed. Some diffusing ... At least among my people.
(I ended up w no. 10. Shall see ...)
Pic of the perps...
Sunday, January 20, 2013
Movie Manila
In theater now to see interesting-looking Filipino flick. Not William H. Macy as Mark Twain is sitting behind us.
Meantime, this is Lisa's dog ...
Meantime, this is Lisa's dog ...
If at first
Third base!
Lucky 27 didn't pan out for me last time. Now Melissa has it and I'm one up. Will "spectacular now" be spectacular now?
If we get shut out, maybe we'll just check out Les Mis.
Lucky 27 didn't pan out for me last time. Now Melissa has it and I'm one up. Will "spectacular now" be spectacular now?
If we get shut out, maybe we'll just check out Les Mis.
Shafted again
My lucky wait list no. 27 didn't pan out. No "Saints" for us. It's Rooney Mara's film. If Kate is in the building and I'm missing her.... Craptastic.
Now trying for "The Spectacular Now" at a different theater. Still in waiting lines. Still in need of nap. Or moderate coma.
Now trying for "The Spectacular Now" at a different theater. Still in waiting lines. Still in need of nap. Or moderate coma.
Late fate
Early start, long wait, 2 tickets to one film acquired. Not a total shutout, but we missed out on our top 5-6 -- all if which allegedly were available when box office opened. Damn.
So now back to pre-waiting line line waiting. 20th-ish in that line. No clue if it'll pan out.
At least that plant is rocking.
So now back to pre-waiting line line waiting. 20th-ish in that line. No clue if it'll pan out.
At least that plant is rocking.
Sleeping is for sleepers
1130 showing of crazy movie last night. Got back to house around 2 a.m. i probably fell asleep around 2:45.
We were up at 6, to ticket office by 640ish. Every day at 8 more tickets are released. A few actually spend the night camped out here. Guy in first 10 in line got here at 430.
We are in the 75-80 range in line. Should get tickets. To something. I think. Before losing consciousness.
As for crazy movie, read here: http://touch.latimes.com/#section/-1/article/p2p-74083779/
Filmed in Disney without permission. That and likely lawsuit aside, it was a bizarre, headache-inducing movie that's probably worth watching if anyone ever is able. It is a small world, after all.
The line just moved. We no longer are in front of door. Now in front of garbage can. Just a few feet short of a fake plant. Is it fake? i have no idea. Go team.
I'm sleepy.
There's a movie for chimps. Starring chimps. No, not Space Chimps. But that would blow my mind.
UPDATE: The plant is real. IT IS FREAKIN REAL!!
We were up at 6, to ticket office by 640ish. Every day at 8 more tickets are released. A few actually spend the night camped out here. Guy in first 10 in line got here at 430.
We are in the 75-80 range in line. Should get tickets. To something. I think. Before losing consciousness.
As for crazy movie, read here: http://touch.latimes.com/#section/-1/article/p2p-74083779/
Filmed in Disney without permission. That and likely lawsuit aside, it was a bizarre, headache-inducing movie that's probably worth watching if anyone ever is able. It is a small world, after all.
The line just moved. We no longer are in front of door. Now in front of garbage can. Just a few feet short of a fake plant. Is it fake? i have no idea. Go team.
I'm sleepy.
There's a movie for chimps. Starring chimps. No, not Space Chimps. But that would blow my mind.
UPDATE: The plant is real. IT IS FREAKIN REAL!!
Saturday, January 19, 2013
Saw stuff
Saw "Emanuel and the truth about fishes" on Friday. Already mentioned that.
Actors were terrific. And entertaining during panel. One audience member asked about chemistry between Jessica Biel and Kaya Scodelario and whether they had to spend time together outside of filming to develop that.
Kaya's reply:
"Have you seen her? It was easy (having chemistry)."
Ms. Biel blushed. Was funny. Also called Alfred Molina the best dad ever. Alfred Molina is from somewhere else. So are everyone and peoples.
There were more fun quotes, but I'm not writing a damn article here. Go bing that shit if you want to know more.
Later we go to a shorts showing. A couple good, couple ok, one totally effed up (about a fish- sort of). As we go into theater and pick seats, we notice a tall guy in row in front of us. Need to pick seats carefully.
Melissa says she is waiting to see where big guy sits. Then she sits right behind him. Well played.
Then earlier Saturday I saw "The Lifeguard." Solid. Took place (mostly) in Connecticut. Afterward the director says, "i grew up in idyllic Connecticut suburbs."
I clap lightly. Alone.
"I wasn't happy in high school," she said. "I'm a writer- of course I wasn't happy."
Funny.
As for screening her film at Sundance: "This is the most awesomest thing that's ever happened to me"
Kristen Bell also was very funny. And very pregnant.
After the panel, as everyone is leaving, this Australian guy asks a security guard, "what's her first name?"
"Kristen."
Then pregnant Ms. Bell, surrounded by entourage, makes her way to waiting car.
Aussie: "Krysten, can you sign?" As he holds out something for autograph.
Different security guy: "they'll be no signing. Not happening."
Aussie: "fuck you, I'm not asking you."
Dude didn't even know her name 5 seconds earlier and now he is all worked up. Laxative, stat.
Last film on Saturday? "Escape from tomorrow." Starting ... Now. Ish.
Actors were terrific. And entertaining during panel. One audience member asked about chemistry between Jessica Biel and Kaya Scodelario and whether they had to spend time together outside of filming to develop that.
Kaya's reply:
"Have you seen her? It was easy (having chemistry)."
Ms. Biel blushed. Was funny. Also called Alfred Molina the best dad ever. Alfred Molina is from somewhere else. So are everyone and peoples.
There were more fun quotes, but I'm not writing a damn article here. Go bing that shit if you want to know more.
Later we go to a shorts showing. A couple good, couple ok, one totally effed up (about a fish- sort of). As we go into theater and pick seats, we notice a tall guy in row in front of us. Need to pick seats carefully.
Melissa says she is waiting to see where big guy sits. Then she sits right behind him. Well played.
Then earlier Saturday I saw "The Lifeguard." Solid. Took place (mostly) in Connecticut. Afterward the director says, "i grew up in idyllic Connecticut suburbs."
I clap lightly. Alone.
"I wasn't happy in high school," she said. "I'm a writer- of course I wasn't happy."
Funny.
As for screening her film at Sundance: "This is the most awesomest thing that's ever happened to me"
Kristen Bell also was very funny. And very pregnant.
After the panel, as everyone is leaving, this Australian guy asks a security guard, "what's her first name?"
"Kristen."
Then pregnant Ms. Bell, surrounded by entourage, makes her way to waiting car.
Aussie: "Krysten, can you sign?" As he holds out something for autograph.
Different security guy: "they'll be no signing. Not happening."
Aussie: "fuck you, I'm not asking you."
Dude didn't even know her name 5 seconds earlier and now he is all worked up. Laxative, stat.
Last film on Saturday? "Escape from tomorrow." Starting ... Now. Ish.
A'waitin' agin'
The pre-wait list line for "The Lifeguard."
Melissa and Lisa took off for SLC to see a cool-looking doc about corporations working to keep AIDS meds out of Africa. But i opted to wait one out again here -- and I'm around 30th in line this time, which is within the success average for this theater. Of course, that done din't count fer squat this very morn.
Morn. Like norm. Cheers to DS9. Kids are sledding here. Dogs are peeing and playing. Middle-aged women from Long Island are complaining about the line, the cold (actually, the weather is amazing) ... And anything else.
Couple in front of me is playing words w friends. Good way to pass time. So I'm now caught up on my 37 games. Play, damn it!
(Second photo result of the pre-wait waiting. No. 33 - odds are ok. Maybe. )
Melissa and Lisa took off for SLC to see a cool-looking doc about corporations working to keep AIDS meds out of Africa. But i opted to wait one out again here -- and I'm around 30th in line this time, which is within the success average for this theater. Of course, that done din't count fer squat this very morn.
Morn. Like norm. Cheers to DS9. Kids are sledding here. Dogs are peeing and playing. Middle-aged women from Long Island are complaining about the line, the cold (actually, the weather is amazing) ... And anything else.
Couple in front of me is playing words w friends. Good way to pass time. So I'm now caught up on my 37 games. Play, damn it!
(Second photo result of the pre-wait waiting. No. 33 - odds are ok. Maybe. )
Denied, Spectre Man!
No "Touchy Feely" for us today. It was the premiere, so apparently people with tickets might not even get in.
Though some wait-listers got in. Two of 'em. We were in the 90s. Total maybe an hour, hour:15 of waiting, but also an hour in between killing time. Oh well. Damn heathrow.
(Pics: wait list ticket and us being sad)
Though some wait-listers got in. Two of 'em. We were in the 90s. Total maybe an hour, hour:15 of waiting, but also an hour in between killing time. Oh well. Damn heathrow.
(Pics: wait list ticket and us being sad)
Waiting on some toast
The pre-wait list line. Chances of getting into movie? Lets say ... Moderate.
But they do have open parking today. Almost as good as open tacos.
But they do have open parking today. Almost as good as open tacos.
Friday, January 18, 2013
Constitutionality
Ticket office is place to be eeeeaaaaarrrrllllyyy in the morning to get last-minute tickets. Ran by this morning, but too late for tix. Still got some info on how to attack the ticket game. And had fun flirting with a couple of the lasses volunteering there.
I'm walking by line and some woman laments, "I can't believe there's nobody here from Connecticut."
What? I make sure I'm not wearing ct stuff and she's just messing with me. I'm not, she's not. I turn to her and say, "um... I'm from Connecticut."
Jeanne from Trumbull thinks I'm messing with her. But I assure her that Jon from Storrs is not. Good stuff. What are the odds I walk by at that moment?
I tell story to Melissa. Then, when in line for crystal fairy, I jokingly say, "I can't believe nobody here is from Connecticut."
Woman behind me: "I used to live in Greenwich."
Guy in front of me: "I was born in East Haven."
Nutmeggers unite! Good stuff.
People have said chatting with fellow line-waiters is one of the better parts of this experience. So far, so good. Also got water bottles. And random pins. And some greeting cards.
Later we went to a music cafe. Kenny Loggins performed. iPhone autocorrected to Kenny logins.
Get on the highway. To the danger zone.
(Photo: me, Greenwich lady, Melissa)
I'm walking by line and some woman laments, "I can't believe there's nobody here from Connecticut."
What? I make sure I'm not wearing ct stuff and she's just messing with me. I'm not, she's not. I turn to her and say, "um... I'm from Connecticut."
Jeanne from Trumbull thinks I'm messing with her. But I assure her that Jon from Storrs is not. Good stuff. What are the odds I walk by at that moment?
I tell story to Melissa. Then, when in line for crystal fairy, I jokingly say, "I can't believe nobody here is from Connecticut."
Woman behind me: "I used to live in Greenwich."
Guy in front of me: "I was born in East Haven."
Nutmeggers unite! Good stuff.
People have said chatting with fellow line-waiters is one of the better parts of this experience. So far, so good. Also got water bottles. And random pins. And some greeting cards.
Later we went to a music cafe. Kenny Loggins performed. iPhone autocorrected to Kenny logins.
Get on the highway. To the danger zone.
(Photo: me, Greenwich lady, Melissa)
Sundance!
I'm here. In Utah. Watching movies and stuff. Will try to document stuff. And post stuff. And make this blog format prettier when I'm not posting from phone.
Lisa hosting, Melissa also here for the shindigging.
First movie: Crystal Fairy. Michael Cera, Gaby Hoffman, some director dude. Interesting film. Solid start.
"Our budget was six (fire) logs," said one actor.
"I'm a judgmental person. I want people to judge me. The world would be so boring if we didn't judge each other," said director dude.
Lisa hosting, Melissa also here for the shindigging.
First movie: Crystal Fairy. Michael Cera, Gaby Hoffman, some director dude. Interesting film. Solid start.
"Our budget was six (fire) logs," said one actor.
"I'm a judgmental person. I want people to judge me. The world would be so boring if we didn't judge each other," said director dude.
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