Sundance Recap

We are back and we had a FABULOUS time!!! I can't say enough good things about our trip. I saw five movie premieres (Nolan saw three) and we saw a few celebrities, but the highlight of our trip was meeting some great people and doing some really fun activities - all with the gorgeous views of Park City. (We could have seen many more celebrities if we were big party-goers, but partiers we are not! Plus, I value my sleep way too much.)

Nolan and I at the S*undance F*ilm Festival Opening Night Premiere of "M*ary & M*ax"

We had just come from a reception and dinner and I was expecting everyone to be dressed up, but none of the premieres were dressy. Everyone was very casual. Surprisingly, they don't have enough theatres in Park City, so they show the movies in a high school auditorium, the library and a Jewish temple, to name a few. As for the opening night movie, it was a claymation film made for adults. I'm really not sure how they are going to market this one. Not exactly my cup of tea, but I did appreciate all of the work that went into making it.

Friday morning, I woke up and caught a shuttle downtown. I strolled Main Street while Nolan was attended the executive forum.

Paparazzi were everywhere. And I mean everywhere! Unfortunately, the celebrities were probably still sleeping in from big parties the night before. Just moments after I took this picture, this guy went up the lift on his snowboard - lugging his cameras with him. I can't imagine snowboarding with thousands of dollars of camera equipment on my arms! He was trying to catch some celebrities on the slopes.

Friday afternoon, I went to see the premiere of "H*umpday". I really considered not going to this one, but it ended up being pretty funny. It was neat to learn that there wasn't any real dialogue written for this film and that the actors ad-libbed basically the entire movie. I can't really say I'm recommending it, but at the same time I went in with really low expectations and was pleasantly surprised.

On Friday evening, Nolan and I attended a dinner at the beautiful second home of the CEO of the company that hosted us.

(Not his home, just a random photo.)

On Friday night, we saw the premiere of "H*elen". A*shley J*udd, G*oran V*isnjic and the entire cast did a phenominal job with a very difficult theme of mental illness and depression. At the end of each movie, the writer and director and many times the cast come up front to answer questions from the audience. It was really cool to hear how and why the films were made.

On Saturday morning, I went to see "B*rooklyn's F*inest." The cast included R*ichard G*ere, Don C*headle, E*than H*awke, W*esley S*nipes and E*llen B*arkin. This movie was far too bloody and violent for me, but I have to say that the actors did an outstanding job portraying some very deep characters.

In the afternoon, we went snowmobiling. I was the cautious one in the back, driving way too slowly. ;)

Breathtaking views high above Park City.

And proof that I actually drove my own.

It took me about 10 minutes to get the courage to go down this huge hill. I sat at the top and took photos... procrasting. The photos don't do it justice. It was a near-vertical drop.

Some pics of Deer Valley - the #1 rated ski resort in America in 2008 and 2009.

Saturday evening, we had an amazing dinner at an old ski resort-turned restaurant and took a sleigh ride.

Enjoying a sleigh ride with some new friends from Minnesota.

On Saturday night, we went to see "S*pread" with A*shton K*utcher and Anne H*eche. I was really looking forward to seeing this movie, dubbed as a romantic comedy, however it was painfully uncomfortable sitting through this. I don't know how the actors and their spouses could sit through this. Why oh why do movie-makers feel they can't leave things to the imagination??? I've got to believe they are going to edit out some of the VERY graphic scenes before they take it to the theatres. That's all I'm saying...

I only took my little point-and-shoot to the premieres and I didn't get any good pics. It typically does really well in low-light conditions, but I just couldn't find the right setting.

Nolan and I got back to the room at midnight and had to get up at 4:00 a.m. Sunday morning to head home. We had an AMAZING time, but it was so great to get back home to see the girls. (Thanks again, Mom, for taking such good care of Leila and Mia!!)