And the 'Dance Countdown Begins!

No, this is not a post about So You Think You Can Dance. I’ve carefully programmed my TV so it just doesn’t tune in to that show. Period. Today marks the 45 day countdown to the start of the 2009 Sundance Film Festival. Last year was my first year of dancing in the sun, and – surprise surprise – I’m now addicted and of course have to go back for another round of fun in the snow.

I watched a total of 27 movies/screenings at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival. I’m told this is some sort of record among my rockin’ fellow Torontonian volunteers, as I did this while also volunteering eight hours a day, spending adequate amounts of time in the Stella Artois tent and Filmmaker’s lodge, and trying to figure out how to get around Utah liquor laws.

Since those 27 movies were among the first I watched in 2008, and I’m starting to compile a list of everything I watched this year (it’s getting very, very long, with at least 12 more to see before the clock strikes midnight on December 31st), I thought it a good way to start looking back on this year at the movies. Here’s what I watched – more detailed descriptions of #s 12-27 coming soon.

1) Young @ Heart – great doc about a senior’s choir that sings rock songs. Have seen it a few times since Sundance and still love it. The cover of Coldplay’s Fix You can be described as nothing other than heartwrenching.

2) Mermaid – Russia’s Oscar nomination film for Best Foreign Language film, this was a poetic moving story about a young girl in Moscow, with some groundbreaking cinematography to boot.

3) Adventures of Power – How could you not love a film about a world-class air drummer who’s idol is Neal Peart of Rush? I’m still surprised I haven’t seen this hit theatres in a widespread way, it felt very much like it could have been the Napoleon Dynamite of 2008.

4) Anvil! The Story of Anvil – Documentary about the most influential heavy metal band that no one’s ever heard of. And they’re Canadian to boot. Whether you love heavy metal music or not, this film was a hell of a lot of fun. The members of Anvil even made an appearance at this advance volunteer screening and were received with open arms and rowdy cheers.

5) The Guitar – The directorial debut from Robert Redford’s daughter Amy. I could have been a wee bit tired during this screening, however irregardless the story meandered too much, with parts of the plot receiving too much focus while others were downplayed. Actress Saffron Burrows made the film worth watching in her leading role as Melody.

6) Bottle Shock – Here we have a movie that contained several of my favourite sights – Alan Rickman, Freddy Rodriguez, and California. Oh, and of course lots of wine. This film is often compared with Sideways due to the similar subject matter, and while some will say it doesn’t live up to its predecessor, it is definitely worth spending the time on. I’ve still got to figure out if you can get the Barrett’s wine here at the LCBO.

7) The Last Word – When I heard there was a film with Wes Bentley and Winona Ryder, I had to check it out. While Bentley’s performance was stellar, Ryder’s fell a little flat, and the film overall might have been trying a little bit too hard to be lyrical. Not one of the most memorable screenings I attended, as compiling this list is the first reminder I’ve had that I even watched it – probably not a good sign.

8) TransSyberian – An unexpected edge-of-your-seat pleasure. A last minute decision led me into the press & industry screening of this film, and I was pleasantly surprised. With great performances from Woody Harrelson and Emily Mortimer, and an ending that I did not see coming, this was a film that went far too unnoticed when it had release earlier this year in theatres.

9) The Merry Gentleman – While this film had an interesting premise (Michael Keaton as a suicidal hit man who forms a relationship with a woman starting over in a new city), in the end it just didn’t hold my interest.

10) Meghane – this was the antithesis of almost every other film I’ve ever seen in terms of its tone and pace. Serene & calming, watching this film was a near-meditative experience. The film’s allegory for life of “just when you feel lost, go a little further and turn right” makes sense in a weird but truthful sort of way.

11) Alone in Four Walls – a documentary from Russia about juvenile delinquent boys sent to state reform schools for crimes ranging from petty theft to murder. This documentary was heartbreaking – boys who in many cases are better looked after in this cold, regimented environment – than they would be at home. At least at the school they are provided with schooling, three meals and a bed to sleep in. Many of the boys, upon release, end up committing further crimes so they can be sent back to the school.

12) Be Kind, Rewind
13) Smart People
14) Incendiary
15) Quid Pro Quo
16) Puujee
17) Be Like Others
18) The Escapist
19) Choke
20) New Frontier Shorts program
21) Animation Spotlight
22) Terra Nova
23) Anywhere, USA
24) Funny Games
25) The Visitor
26) Baghead
27) Towelhead