Monday, January 19, 2009

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.

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

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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.

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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.

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(Not his home, just a random photo.)

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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.

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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. ;)

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Breathtaking views high above Park City.

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And proof that I actually drove my own.

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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.

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

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

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Enjoying a sleigh ride with some new friends from Minnesota.

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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.

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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!!)

26 comments:

mommy24treasures said...

glad you had fun:) Hope you sleep well tonight. :)
You are so brave to go down that hill.

fleur de lis cottage said...

Looks like you had a fun and amazing trip. Glad you had a nice getaway! Love all the images you took...felt like I was there with you.

a Tonggu Momma said...

Michelle ~ What fun! Thanks so much for sharing your trip with us. It was fun getting a glimpse of the festival.

Missy said...

What a winter wonderland!!! I think the snow sure does make for some incredible pics. You go girl, hobnobbing (sp?) with the big stars : ) I'm glad you and your husband had such a nice time. I'm also impressed with your snowmobiling skills.

Amie said...

You are way cooler than me... :)

I love the pic of the two of you in your snow mobile gear.. so cute the two of you are. And those views. Magnificant! I am BIG TIME impressed that you went down that hill on a snowmobile. too cool indeed.

So glad you got some couple time.

And I think I will pass on the AShton Kustner movie, I'm just sayin'.

Hugs!
Amie

Rydley said...

Sounds like a terrific time! Good for you for driving your own snowmobile, that had to be fun (even if you went slowly)!

Tisha said...

Wow, it looks like a fabulous trip. You and Nolan look like such a handsome, well-dressed couple in all of those pics, I would be surprised if the paparazzi didn't take a few shots of you two, thinking, "they must be famous." :)Anyway, glad you are back safe and sound. I haven't forgotten the recipe. I'll send it soon.

Blessings,
Tisha

Leslie said...

That's pretty cool Michelle. Great photo's, and if I was there with you, I would had been still up on the hill with my out of gas snowmobile. Geezzzz

Glad you had a great time with that sweet hubby of yours.

Jill said...

Michelle, looks like you guys had a ball! What stunning pictures!
Welcome home!

Jboo said...

Wow -- what an exciting trip you had! Looks so beautiful there! You were very very brave on that snowmobile!

I'm sure the girls were so excited to have you home again.

Have a great week!
Janet

Half Gaelic, Half Garlic! said...

What an amazing trip!!! The pictures were fantastic...they always are:) I am impressed that you went down that hill....don;t know that I would have had the courage for that one!!

Gail said...

Looks like you had a wonderful trip. Love the pics. I feel like I was right there. :)

Heather said...

Oh Michelle,

It looks just perfect!! I went to Sundance many years ago when I was working for Advanta. I attended a week long seminar and was blessed to have the festival in full swing. I will never forget it.

You and Nolan are such a lovely couple, so happy you had a sweet retreat!

Have a great week.
Love,
Heather

day by day said...

Wow, Michelle!! Sounds like lots of fun! I am so happy you were able to get away and enjoy yourselves...we all need that sometimes!!!dedli

Faye said...

Hi Michelle-- looks like you had fun. The scenery pictures are gorgeous. At least if you had to have snow, it was in a beautiful area.
Let's have a playdate soon. Alex and I miss you guys.
Faye

Patty said...

Michelle,

It was great to see Park City with snow! You got some great pics, even with the low light! I'm with you on the hill...someone would've had to give me a push! Looks like fun!

Anonymous said...

Wasn't the scenery beautiful!! I know as an "Eastern Girl" I thought the mountains were huge!!!Glad to hear you and Nolan had a wonderful getaway.

Hope you all have a wonderful week!

Ashley

Pixel Fairy Princess said...

Looks like a dream trip - I love Park City (becasue they have night skiing :D). Your images are awesome and thx for sharing :D
Ladybug hugs,
;D

Marla said...

What an amazing trip, the pictures are breathtaking!
My dh would have been in heaven to see Ashley Judd. Glad you have a great time.

Stacy said...

It looks like you had a wonderful trip! What breathtaking views! How fun!

Ohilda said...

Sounds like it definitely was an amazing trip!! I went to Park City about 6 years ago and thought it was beautiful.

Glad you had a great time.

Hugs,

Ohilda

Shawnstribe said...

oh wow Michelle
how exciting!!!!
I do love the photos with the horses.
You guys look great
xxx
s

Julia said...

This sounds like such an incredible trip, the photos are wonderful, specially those you got on the snowmobile. I would have been keeping you company in the back of the pack. :-)

Sammy said...

I've never been up that way. I enjoyed the pictures!

Deb said...

sounds like you all had an amazing time!! What a fun getaway!

Stefanie said...

WOW!! Looks like such FUN!!
And what great pics you took!!! You're making me want to go skiing and I REALLY don't like snow ;)
And on the GREAT NEWS you got... Here's your WOOT WOOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
YIIPPPPPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE :)