Sundance winds down today, so we thought we’d give you a wrap up of thoughts on some of the films that myself and our guest bloggers saw throughout the week. Many thanks to Garrick Dion (Director of Development, Bold Films), producer Ryan Seashore and Jen Rudin Pearson (Director, Casting, Walt Disney Feature Animation) for their reviews.

Tamara Krinsky
www.iklipz.com
Documentary magazine

JEN RUDIN PEARSON on TRADE: This movie is on my list of the top ten most disturbing films I have ever seen, right up there with SOPHIE’S CHOICE and SHINDLER’S LIST.

This harrowing film depicts the trafficking industry and I strongly urge everyone to see this powerful film.

The bigger question is why the media is currently obsessed with Dakota Fanning and her rape scene. The media should be focused on the very real global problem of selling children and women into sexual slavery that is so horrifyingly brought to life in TRADE.

TAMARA KRINSKY on FOR THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO: The film is a moving piece about Christianity, homophobia and family. There are a handful of quotes in the bible that have been interpreted over the years as specifically forbidding homosexuality; director Daniel Karslake explores the question: does the Bible really say that it is a sin? He does so by telling the stories of several families from varying strong Christian backgrounds, examining biblical history and scholarship, and looking at current events and hate crimes. Themes that emerge over and over include biblical literalism, whether homosexuality/lesbianism is a choice or not, and the pull for parents between their deeply held religious beliefs and their love for their children.

The main strengths of the doc lie in its compelling subjects and in Karslake’s ability to return to the central question of the piece: what does the Bible really say? The film has the potential to wander because so many topics are explored, but the director has avoided this by always making sure to link the various discussions back to the subject of religion, thus keeping viewers focused. The family stories, which include those of Chrissy Gephardt and Rev. Gene Robinson, the first openly gay bishop in the Episcopal Church's history, serve as flesh and blood examples of the issues discussed in the film, creating an emotional component to what could have been just dry theory. As I watched the film, I was alternately angered by the hatred that I saw and elated by those who were able to open their minds and their hearts to changing their opinions.

JEN RUDIN PEARSON on HOUNDOG: Having cast Deborah Kampmeier’s first film VIRGIN, I am pleased to announce that she has really done a beautiful job with this movie. Everyone seemed to be anticipating Dakota’s rape scene and honestly, after seeing TRADE last night, nothing can compare to that horrifying series of rapes. Dakota deserves an award for turning in a very honest, innocent and beautiful performance. The visual look is also lovely and Kampmeier certainly knows the world of the south well.

RYAN SEASHORE on LOW AND BEHOLD: This was a small movie, made on a micro budget, set in post Katrina Louisiana. They storyline was thin and the acting was mediocre. Putting this aside, it's a movie worth seeing, if only to educate on the current situation. The film inter-cuts interviews of actual survivors recounting their experiences with the narrative portions of the film. The ravished neighborhoods of Louisiana are compelling set pieces.

JEN RUDIN PEARSON on THE GOOD LIFE: I had to walk out of this Sundance 101 overly pretentious film. Poor beautiful Zooey Deschanel was stuck saying such monotone lines as "I don't want to talk about anyone's life anymore. I just want to live ours."

The bland physical and emotional landscape only confirmed that the director Steve Berra loved every over indulgent moment and used the voice over narrative to try to keep us interested. Ugh.

GARRICK DION on DEDICATED: Great cast. Horrible movie. Painfully, annoyingly "quirky", I'm sad to say. And the cast is utterly wasted...Billy Crudup tries very hard, but I hated his character. Mandy Moore's quite good too, but again, I didn't care about these characters or this movie - very contrived, I felt, and the entire movie just tries way too hard. Justin Theroux is a far more interesting/promising actor than he is a director (though his choices of locations were fantastic - very unique). Otherwise, I could not wait for this one to end.

JEN RUDIN PEARSON on STARTING OUT IN THE EVENING: The filmmaker made a lovely film honoring the Upper West Side intellectual scene. Lili Taylor delivered a lovely performance as a single sexy forty year-old creative woman. Frank Langella is a lovely actor but I found him miscast and not frail enough physically to play a man with a stroke.

JEN RUDIN PEARSON on JOSHUA: A creepy thriller featuring commanding performances by Sam Rockwell and Vera Farmiga. This movie will make you think twice before having a baby. Nicely shot in Manhattan and Brooklyn, accompanied by an eerie score to keep you at the edge of your seat.

TAMARA KRINSKY onFINISHING THE GAME: After the intensity of seeing FOR THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO earlier in the morning, this lighthearted spoof was the perfect movie with which to let out some tension via laughter. A martial arts comedy set in the 1970s, the film is about the search to find “the new Bruce Lee” after he dies unexpectedly at the age of 32, leaving 12 minutes of footage for THE GAME OF DEATH, his passion project. The studio is determined to find Lee’s replacement so that they can capitalize on his celebrity and finish the film.

Director Justin Lin skillfully takes aim at racial stereotypes and the ridiculous nature of the film biz, mocking everyone from studio execs to the diligent Asian med student. Lin’s actors, many of whom he has previously worked with, inhabit the world he has created perfectly. Among others, there’s Roger Fan as “Breeze Loo”, the B-movie star who doesn’t do his own stunts; Meredith Scott Lynn as casting director “Eloise Gazdag” who seems to be channeling Barbara Streisand in MEET THE FOCKERS; and Sung Kang as “Cole Kim” the over-eager “serious” actor vying for the part. The costume design adds a wonderful visual element to the piece, and I take my hat off to all who had to don the Bruce Lee-esque jumpsuits.

[SIDEBAR: I ended up sitting next to Michelle Mastrorio, the on set extras coordinator/nude casting director. Yes, you heard me correctly. Nude casting director. There is a scene that features an abundance of nekkid folk and someone did actually have to cast it. Michelle told me that getting the men for the scene was no problem, but finding actresses who wanted to take part sans clothing was very difficult. At the last minute, several of those who had been cast backed out, and she had to quickly recruit some porn performers, one of whom then asked Michelle to manage her! Good thing everyone wants to be a star.]