SUNDANCE FILMS: PREMIERES

Black Snake Moan December 31, 1969

Starring: Christina Ricci, Samuel L. Jackson, Justin Timberlake Directed by: Craig Brewer More Info: Reviews, 28 Photos, Trailer, About, Credits, News, Forum Synopsis: Director Craig Brewer follows up his unexpectedly well-received pimp drama, HUSTLE AND FLOW, with this stylish tale of the unlikely connections that are forged when a lost soul attempts to cure a young nymphomaniac of her wicked ways.

 

Trade December 31, 1969
	Starring: Cesar Ramos, Kevin Kline, Alicja Bachleda Directed by: Marco Kreuzpaintner More Info: Reviews, 13 Photos, Trailer, About, Credits, News, Forum Synopsis: At once soft-hearted and hard-edged, TRADE provides a compassionate look at an ugly world. In Mexico City, men kidnap13-year-old Adriana (Paulina Gaitan) with the intent of selling her virginity to the highest bidder.

 

The Good Night December 31, 1969

Starring: Martin Freeman, Gwyneth Paltrow, Penélope Cruz Directed by: Jake Paltrow More Info: Reviews, 10 Photos, About, Credits, News, Forum Synopsis: Jake Paltrow directs his sister Gwyneth in this take on the midlife crisis. Gary (Martin Freeman) was once riding high as the member of a successful pop band. Now, seven years later, the band is no more and he pays the bills by composing mediocre music for commercials.

 

Year of the Dog December 31, 1969

Starring: John C. Reilly, Peter Sarsgaard, Molly Shannon Directed by: Mike White More Info: Reviews, 10 Photos, Trailer, About, Credits, News, Forum Synopsis: Any dog-lover would be a fool to pass up this charming dark comedy from director/screenwriter/actor Mike White (THE GOOD GIRL, SCHOOL OF ROCK, CHUCK AND BUCK). Famous for her iconic portrayal of Mary Katherine Gallagher, SNL alum Molly Shannon shows new range here as Peggy, a timid secretary whose whole life revolves happily around her adorable beagle, Pencil.

 

Away From Her December 31, 1969

Starring: Julie Christie, Gordon Pinsent, Olympia Dukakis Directed by: Sarah Polley More Info: Reviews, 13 Photos, Trailer, About, Credits, News, Forum Synopsis: Canadian actress Sarah Polley makes an impressive directorial debut with AWAY FROM HER, a film adapted from the Alice Munro story "The Bear Came Over The Mountain." The plot concerns the way in which the 50-year marriage of Grant (Gordon Pinsent) and Fiona (Julie Christie) deteriorates with the progression of Fiona's Alzheimer's disease.

 

King of California December 31, 1969
	Starring: Evan Rachel Wood, Michael Douglas Directed by: Mike Cahill More Info: Reviews, 19 Photos, About, Credits, News, Forum Synopsis: Michael Douglas gives a bravura performance in writer-director Mike Cahill's feature-length debut, KING OF CALIFORNIA. Douglas stars as Charlie, a troubled musician who has just been released from a mental hospital.

 

An American Crime December 31, 1969

Starring: James Franco, Ellen Page, Catherine Keener Directed by: Tommy O'Haver More Info: Reviews, About, Credits, News, Forum Synopsis: Based on a true story that gripped the nation in 1965, An American Crime recounts one of the most shocking crimes ever committed against a single victim. The daughters of traveling carnival workers are left for an extended stay at the suburban Indiana home of single mother Gertrude Baniszewski and her seven children.

 

The Savages December 31, 1969

Starring: Philip Seymour Hoffman, Philip Bosco, Laura Linney Directed by: Tamara Jenkins More Info: Reviews, 10 Photos, Trailer, About, Credits, News, Forum Synopsis: Director Tamara Jenkins made audiences sit for nearly a decade for her follow-up to the hilarious dark comedy SLUMS OF BEVERLY HILLS, but it's been worth the wait. Like her previous film, THE SAVAGES is a sometimes-funny, sometimes-sad look at family dynamics, but this time around the sense of humor is more wry than riotous.

 

Introducing The Dwights December 31, 1969
	Starring: Brenda Blethyn, Richard Wilson, Khan Chittenden Directed by: Cherie Nowlan More Info: Reviews, 25 Photos, Trailer, About, Credits, News, Forum Synopsis: This Australian coming-of-age comedy/drama features SECRETS AND LIES star Brenda Blethyn as Jeannie, a semi-monstrous mom who gave up a promising career as a British comic to move Down Under and marry a one-hit wonder country singer.

 

Resurrecting the Champ December 31, 1969

Starring: Kathryn Morris, Josh Hartnett, Samuel L. Jackson Directed by: Rod Lurie More Info: Reviews, 17 Photos, Trailer, About, Credits, News, Forum Synopsis: In RESURRECTING THE CHAMP, Samuel L. Jackson sheds the cooler-than-thou persona he's perfected in films such as PULP FICTION. But even previous turns as the downtrodden characters in CHANGING LANES and BLACK SNAKE MOAN are nothing compared to the role of Champ in this film from director Rod Lurie (THE LAST CASTLE). Jackson transforms into a homeless man, completely changing his voice and carriage to reflect someone who has lived on the street for years.

 

The Nines December 31, 1969

Starring: Melissa McCarthy, Ryan Reynolds, Hope Davis Directed by: John August More Info: Reviews, 5 Photos, Trailer, About, Credits, News, Forum Synopsis: John August, who has written such diverse films as GO, BIG FISH, CORPSE BRIDE, and CHARLIE'S ANGELS, makes his directorial debut with THE NINES, a complex, thought-provoking work divided into three sections and featuring the same actors playing different roles, with the number nine always lurking in the background.

 

Son of Rambow December 31, 1969

Starring: Bill Milner, Will Poulter, Jules Sitruck Directed by: Garth Jennings More Info: Reviews, 8 Photos, Trailer, About, Credits, News, Forum Synopsis: Writer-director Garth Jennings and producer Nick Goldsmith, who as Hammer & Tongs have made music videos for such groups as Fatboy Slim, Supergrass, Blur, and REM, follow up their 2005 film, THE HITCHHIKER'S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY, with the charming indie SON OF RAMBOW, a love letter to the movies.

 

Chicago 10 December 31, 1969
	Directed by: Brett Morgen More Info: Reviews, 12 Photos, Trailer, About, Credits, News, Forum Synopsis: Brett Morgen follows up his dazzling THE KID STAYS IN THE PICTURE with another daring, inventive work of nonfiction. CHICAGO 10 tells the raucous story of the trial that resulted after the tumultuous Democratic Convention in Chicago in 1968.

 

Chapter 27 December 31, 1969
	Starring: Judah Friedlander, Jared Leto, Lindsay Lohan Directed by: J.P. Schaefer More Info: Reviews, 2 Photos, About, Credits, News, Forum Synopsis: What went on in the mind of the man who felt compelled to assassinate John Lennon? Chapter 27 deftly pilots us into the dark psyche of Mark David Chapman the weekend before the December 8, 1980, shooting.

 

Life Support December 31, 1969

Starring: Carlo Alban, Darrin Henson, Queen Latifah Directed by: Nelson George More Info: 4 Photos, About, Credits, News, Forum Synopsis: Nelson George makes an auspicious directorial debut with a film based on the life of his sister and family. At its core, Life Support delivers a personal, yet potent, message. It uses its mix of actors and people from the Brooklyn HIV/AIDS community to tell the story of Ana Wallace, who channels her energy and regret over past drug addiction into her work with an AIDS outreach group.

 

Longford December 31, 1969

Starring: Jim Broadbent, Lindsay Duncan, Samantha Morton Directed by: Tom Hooper More Info: 10 Photos, About, Credits, News, Forum Synopsis: A drama inspired by real events, Longford spans 32 years in the life of Lord Longford, a religious man who treats everyone he meets with a childlike goodness and innocence. His life changes when he is summoned to a routine prison visit by Myra Henley, the notorious accomplice in the "children murders," one of the most horrific and infamous crimes in British history.

 

Summer Rain December 31, 1969

Starring: Victoria Abril, Juan Diego Directed by: Antonio Banderas More Info: 5 Photos, About, Credits, News, Forum Synopsis: Summer Rain is a lushly romantic, beautifully crafted paean to young men coming of age in southern Spain in the 1970s. Antonio Banderas's feature-film debut as a director, although an adaptation of a novel, is infused with a very personal quality, unfolding as if from a memory.