The Sundance Film Festival kicks off in just over a month and for the lucky bunch of you that are heading to Park City we’ve compiled a list of some of the early must-sees screening at the fest. While there isn’t much at first glance to dispel the notion that Sundance has gone too mainstream, there’s certainly enough to keep film fans of all shapes and sizes interested. Keep in mind this is just a preliminary list of films you might want to check out and in no way indicates these are the only good films playing. The best part of Sundance is finding the surprise film that sweeps you off your feet. Let’s see what Sundance ’09 has to offer…
I LOVE YOU PHILLIP MORRIS
The true story about con artist and imposter Steven Jay
Russell, a married father whose exploits land him in the Texas criminal justice
system. Based on the novel by Houston Chronicle crime reporter Steve McVicker.
Cast: Jim Carrey, Ewan McGregor, Leslie Mann, Rodrigo Santoro.
500 DAYS OF SUMMER
When an unlucky greeting card copywriter is dumped by his
girlfriend, the hopeless romantic shifts back and forth through various periods
of their 500 days ‘together’ in hopes of figuring out where things went wrong.
Cast: Zooey Deschanel, Joseph Gordon-Levitt.
ADVENTURELAND
In 1987, a recent college graduate takes a nowhere job at his
local amusement park and discovers the job is perfect preparation for the real
world. Cast: Kristen Stewart, Ryan Reynolds, Bill Hader.
PAPER HEART
Even though performer Charlyne Yi doesn’t believe in love,
she bravely embarks on a quest to discover its true nature – a journey that
takes on surprising urgency when she meets unlikely fellow traveler, actor
Michael Cera.
THE INFORMERS
A drama based on Bret Easton Ellis’ novel, set in the 1980s,
focusing on wealthy Angelinos consumed by a decadent lifestyle. Cast: Billy Bob
Thornton, Kim Basinger, Winona Ryder, Mickey Rourke.
WORLD’S GREATEST DAD
A comedy about a high school poetry teacher who learns that
the things you want most may not be the things that make you happy. Cast: Robin
Williams, Daryl Sabara, Alexie Gilmore, Tom Kenny, Geoffrey Pierson
BRIEF INTERVIEWS WITH
HIDEOUS MEN
When her boyfriend leaves with little explanation, a doctoral
candidate in anthropology tries to remedy her heartache by interviewing men
about their behavior. Cast: Julianne Nicholson, John Krasinski, Timothy Hutton,
Dominic Cooper, Christopher Meloni, Bobby Cannavale.
BIG FAN
The world of a parking garage attendant who happens to be the
New York Giants’ biggest fan is turned upside down after an altercation with his
favorite player. Cast: Patton Oswalt, Michael Rapaport, Kevin Corrigan, Marcia
Jean Kurtz, Matt Servitto