I have this friend whose taste in movies in spotty to say the least. Recently he admitted to seeing a screener copy of “The Covenant” on DVD. I had to ask why; I couldn’t have been the only person in America who thought this movie’s trailer summed up the film’s suck level quite competently.

His defense? He watched it but didn’t like it.

My answer? “That doesn’t count. If you willingly have sex with five blind men at once, you still had sex with five blind men regardless of whether or not you liked it.” It was early in the morning when I made this odd remark, but my friend is hetero, so I knew he would get what I was trying to say.

The fact that he saw the film was bad enough, and he did agree that it was as bad as I thought it looked. Seeing the film, and going into it with the knowledge that it would be bad, does not excuse not liking it, however. In fact, that makes it worse because he knew he was wasting his time.

I’ve ranted against this before. I’m not going to do it again, but I am going to point out something. No, it’s not the time you’ll never get back. No, it’s not how many IQ points you lost just by witnessing the atrocity on screen. No, it’s not the fact that people like my friend are the reason these movies keep getting made (though in all fairness, he didn’t pay money for his crime). Instead, I’m going to talk about making a stand.

When “The Dark Crystal” came out, my neighbor and I went to see it. My mom gave me money, and my friend’s dad drove us and sat in the back of theatre while my friend and I and sat by ourselves. I was about eleven years old at the time.

I walked out halfway through the show and didn’t go back in. When my friend and his father asked me why I left (they actually followed me out thinking something was wrong), I told them I wasn’t watching another minute of it. “The puppets are creepy, and the story sucks,” I told them. (It may not have been in those exact words.) They were stunned, and went back in to watch the movie. I watched cars and people go by on a sunny afternoon in Allentown, PA. Trust me, I had more fun.

Sometimes you just got to fucking pull out your gun and put it in someone’s face. You got to say, “No more.” You got to stop being a victim to your thoughtless whims and grow some balls. You have to say, “I’m not watching any more creepy puppet things do boring shit on the screen.” If you don’t, you’ll set yourself up for many future falls.

Looking back, I still gave the movie my mom’s money and part of my time. I couldn’t get my mom’s dough back, but I did save a portion of my precious time. (And yes, I did realize the importance of time at that age. When a teacher in school asked the class what was worth suing for, I was the only one who didn’t say money, though one kid did say principles and money. I said, “Time. I’d sue to get my time back, and it’s the one thing they can’t give me.”)

When my friend and his father came out of the theatre, their eyes adjusting to the light, they weren’t talking about the movie. They weren’t discussing their favorite scenes. They were talking about how nice it was outside. And they admitted that they really didn’t enjoy the film and should’ve left when I did. So why didn’t they? Societal programming? The fear of wasting one’s money (which somehow wins out over wasting one’s time)? A streak of masochism? It’s all that and more. But at least they didn’t go into it thinking it would be bad and then tell me they didn’t enjoy it. Even then I would’ve known that was wrong.

There’s nothing evil about guilty pleasures. We all have them. I like a lot of films people would consider horrible. I understand that people often don’t make sense when it comes to their dislikes and likes, and their passions are often contradictory and unexplainable. I know people can like both low and highbrow culture, often in the same breath, and there really is no accounting for taste. But here’s the rub. I also believe you have to have some standards. If you don’t know what you like and why you like it, you’ll end up being sold almost anything.

I’ve done some stupid things in my life despite my best intentions. One of the things I try my hardest to avoid is seeing movies I just know look bad. You can sometimes judge a book by its cover (“Tuesdays With Morrie” comes to mind), and you can sometimes judge a movie by its trailer, too. If I do see one of those films I think looks like an utter disaster, it will always be because I either had to for a gig or because a loved one wanted to see it with me. I won’t do it as a purely social thing with a group of friends or even one other friend. I won’t do it because everyone else is doing it. I won’t because I drew that line in the sand quite some time ago, and I don’t like to step over it without a compelling reason.
There are plenty of movies out there that suck, but if you give into that, not only have you sucked, too, but you’ve also swallowed. Enjoy it while it’s going down, folks, because if you did it once you’ll probably do it again, and that makes people like me believe you like the taste.

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Well guys, my first big Sundance trip with Film Threat is over. I had so much fun seeing movies and just soaking up the atmosphere of Sundance. The Rotten Tomatoes gang was a lot of fun hanging out with (Tim of RT is one crazy guy). I do have to say that I will miss the nachos at the Yarrow Hotel, even though they take forever to get. The thing I won’t miss is how lame the Yarrow was with power outlets and charging for Wi-Fi. So we leave tomorrow night for Los Angeles. Can’t wait for next year since I will no longer be the Rookie, well hopefully. Well until next time guys. -Zack

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It’s been icey of late. Real warm during the day melts the snow, real cold at night freezes the melties into ice. S’dangerous.

Today is the final day of press screenings. The festival will have normal screenings tomorrow and Sunday, but the cozy, press and industry only bubble we’ve been living in will be popping today.

Started off today with a screening of “The Good Night,” which I enjoyed, though I find it sick that they would program a movie about a guy who wants to live in his dreams, and is constantly trying to sleep, at 8:30am. Not early by normal, working human standards, but since the last film I got out of (”The Ten”) ended at 12:15am, and then Zack and I rushed to SLC for 4 hours sleep before turning around to get back to PC for the early screenings, it was a bit of a chore to watch the film. Good film, hard context to view it within.

Speaking of “The Good Night,” it premiered last night for the public, and the screening had Gwyneth Paltrow (as her brother directed the film AND she starred in it), Danny DeVito and Steven Spielberg in attendance. From what I’ve been told, Kim from Cinematical got to meet Spielberg, and chat him up, making me extremely envious. “Raiders of the Lost Ark” is my favorite movie of all time, and as uncool or un-indie as it is to say it, the man is a hero of mine. Kudos to Kim, but it hurts that I did not get to meet or speak to him. Maybe one day…

Other news, during my interview schedule yesterday, I was able to catch some of the Music on Main concert and… it was unreal crowded. Mostly young kids (methinks this is THE outddor concert event of the year for the majority of the local area youth), great music. Shiny Toy Guns delivered, as I knew they would (I’ve been following them for a bit now in LA, they put on a good show) and I also saw a band I hadn’t heard of, West Indian Girl, and they were unbelievably good. Must track down their music when I get back to LA, looks like I’ve got a new band to follow. Sundance delivers at least one solid concert for me to enjoy annually. …Trail of Dead, “American Hardcore” party… love ‘em…

Majority of today will be spent writing reviews, and I may take Rookie over to Main to check out the Music Cafe, as things have relaxed. All our online journalist buddies are leaving today (or have already left), so it’s just us now.

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The rental car, that is. Got to remember to put gas in the thing before I get passed Kimball Junction this evening or Zack and I could get stranded in the pass… and I’d have to eat him to survive.

The countdown to the end continues, as we still have today-Saturday in town, but most of our festival friends are bugging out tomorrow morning/afternoon. Though I’ll see many of these righteous bastards at SXSW, it’ll still be sad to see them go.

I’ve got a few interviews today, and will try to get some footage of the Music on Main concert (fan of the Shiny Toy Guns), on top of a few screenings this evening. Finally going to get to catch “The Ten,” and I can’t wait for that one. Heard mixed, sure, but I’ve also been told it would fit my sensibilities so… should be fun. Better be.

The interview with Crispin Glover and David Brothers went well, I think, and it went on for a good 40 minutes. Got it all on tape, so it will be edited and posted on the site post-Park City (when I can really focus on editing down the piece). I think it really hit its stride when the two of them started discussing the film, and their ideas, as if I and the camera weren’t there. They did this quite a bit as the questions and answers came, so it was a cool way to see how things developed.

It’s 8:35am. Zack should be starting “Black Snake Moan” right now. I, on the other hand, am updating the site in the press HQ (easiest wireless solution at the festival). This morning’s drive was a rougher one than most, despite getting home and to bed at the same time as practically every other night this week, I feel more tired than normal. Intend to hit the Red Bull and get some real food soon, however, but I am a bit blurry-eyed at the moment.

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Hitting the wall, we all do it and the Yarrow, which poor Zack has practically set up residency at in the hallway by the power socket, has finally become too much. Myself, I don’t mind the Yarrow all that much (just don’t mention the internet service), as I’ve found the fish and chips to be absolutely unreal awesome, but he is right about the missing car keys debacle. That about had me losing my cool, and for anyone who knows me, I tend to not hit that level of annoyance.

It was shaping up to be a rough day, even though I know that Zack and I have passed through that level of exhaustion into the realm of power-festivalites where we review to spite anyone who thinks we can’t. Interviews today, screenings… it’s starting to pile up, and I think both of us were hurting with the idea of catching our next flicks. Still, I lucked out in seeing “Eagle vs. Shark,” which wound up being the most pleasant and happy experience I’ve had thus far. Really funny flick, sweet… it’s a gee-medy (my new word for comedies starring geeks or geek-like outcasts, like “Napoleon Dynamite”), and it’s a good one.

Odd coincidence, the film involves a main character dressed up in an eagle costume similar to my eagle hat, making me wonder if I’ve been promoting their film without knowing it… which I’d be cool with since the film didn’t suck. I’m interviewing the director and leads at 6:15pm tonight, and I intend to wear the hat, just to see what happens.

Sundance… we’re almost done…

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All right guys so it is Wednesday and I am seeing four more movies today. I am excited and bummed out at the same time. This has been an awesome experience and I really enjoyed everything. Yeah, there were a few days where I thought the whole thing was crazy. But in the end it was a worthwhile trip.

Right now I am sitting in the Yarrow (worst place ever), next to Jen from Rotten Tomatoes, she is my new festival buddy whether she wants to or not. The thing about the Yarrow is that the internet isn’t free when most places do have it for free, the service in their restaurant sucks, and the people at the front desk lost our car keys when Chris dropped them off one night and it took way longer to find them than was needed. Well guys I hope everyone is having a great week and maybe I will blog again before the festival is up. -Zack the Rookie

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I don’t think many people will dispute the fact that there are films out there which have a social or political subtext (or in some cases, are overtly political or social). Films like “Erin Brockovich,” “Born on the Fourth of July” and “The Truman Show” all have messages. Some of the messages are painfully obvious. Others less so. With that in mind, I don’t understand why people have such a shocked reaction and express downright disbelief when I tell them horror movies also include plenty of political and social commentary.
I firmly believe that almost all films have something to say about political or social issues if only because they aren’t created in a vacuum. Horror films, despite people’s feelings about them, are no different. Some of the messages are liberal in nature (think “Night of the Living Dead”) and others are more conservative (almost all slasher films). This isn’t some theory I came up with, either. There have been books written about this very subject, not to mention countless articles and film reviews.

Looking at slasher films in general, you can find a social message that serves to promote conservative values and societal mores. Young people who engage in drug use, drinking and (especially) premarital sex are killed. A great example of this, which a lot of people have seen, is the original “Halloween.” The virginal “good” character is left alive at the end, while her sexually active friends are wiped out one by one.

A film with a more liberal message would be “Land of the Dead,” which examines classism and class warfare and is very blunt about it.

Even casual horror film fans (ones who typically only watch the hot horror film of the week and have little understanding of the genre’s history or its subtleties) are hard pressed to admit that many of the films have a message. You may be able to get them to agree that “The Exorcist” made a point about faith, but they will balk when you talk about the points “Hostel” made on American mentalities, cultures of excess, capitalistic exploitation, the effects of war on a people and homosexuality. You can even get them to ponder the civil rights message of “Night of the Living Dead,” but it will be next to impossible to get them to even admit to seeing “Cannibal Holocaust” let alone talk about its commentary on sensationalism in the media, xenophobia, colonization, and the line between art, entertainment and exploitation.

Maybe the reason people have a hard time handling this idea is because people don’t think of horror fans as being very intelligent. If they aren’t intelligent, then neither are the films they enjoy. The truth of the matter is that most horror fans I’ve met, the ones who understand the genre, are deeply intelligent and can discuss the social and political points directors are either directly or indirectly making. I know most people have a hard time believing “The Thing” may actually have something to say, but it does. You can choose to ignore the message and still enjoy the film as mindless entertainment, or you can choose to examine what the director and writer ultimately said with the work.

I find that movies are far more enjoyable when you understand or at least acknowledge their messages. I don’t think it’s always obvious at first glance, but when it comes out later it adds depth to what you witnessed. (I had that problem with “Hostel,” which I did not like at first. It has since earned my respect.)

If you’re one of those people who dismisses horror movies as mindless, gory fun, I’ll ask you to reconsider those feelings. Check out something like “Day of the Dead” and then tell me there aren’t any messages there (you can start with the examine of the military/industrial complex). Not only may you be surprised, but you may also find yourself understanding these films on a whole new level, which will cause you to enjoy them more and, hopefully, earn your respect.

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The gossip / rumors continue. Apparently a bidding war broke out over “The Son of Rambow” involving deals in the $8-$10 million range, and I’m still waiting for confirmation / word on who won that one. The buzz around that film from everyone who has seen it has been positive, with the word “cute” being used quite often. Jamie got that one, and she concurred with the popular critical opinion.

In news on a film that was acquired for sure, Harvey Weinstein has supposedly gone on record as stating that the film “Teeth,” picked up by the Weinstein Company and Lionsgate in a joint endeavor, will not go under the editing knife for a theater-friendly rating, and will go out NC-17 if necessary. And I’ll believe it when I see it…

And in an odd bit of karma, I seem to be scheduling all the great buzz flicks to other writers, therefore not getting any first-hand accounts of the films. “The Nines,” “Son of Rambow,” “Hounddog,” “Teeth,” “Rocket Science”… not me. I have seen some great docs over the passed two days, however, in “White Light, Black Rain” and “No End in Sight.” I guess I’m winning in the reality category, though I wouldn’t mind a nice comedy.

Finally saw Gore the last two days, both instances for less than 10 minutes, but it at least proves that he is indeed out here. For a while there I believed he was “fake Sundancing” from an artificial snow-covered studio backlot back in LA.

Weak-ass celebrity sightings for those who like them: saw Leonard Maltin after “No End in Sight.” He smiles as much in person as he does on TV. Saw Jake Busey numerous times at the Yarrow. At one point he took out the stanchions set up to corral the journalists for the press screenings, just took out a whole row of them… but he did pick them up quickly and without a big stink. And though I did not witness this, I believe it took place as Winona Ryder bummed a cigarette from Scott Weinberg, who also met Paul Rudd and admitted to his man-crush of the master thespian. And tomorrow I should be interviewing Crispin Glover, though Gore already did so for G4. I will discuss my momentary sickness when we talk for sure.

We’ve got three real days left of screenings, and I think we’re going to hit our goal of reviewing every film playing the festival as the schedule seems to be cooperating, which makes me extremely happy. Sure I haven’t gotten out to get you more celebrity interviews, but I’m going to try.

Oh, and the “Hounddog” press screening just emptied and the buzz on everyone’s lips is: Dud. Big, bad pile of dud.

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Got a decent five hours of sleep last night and woke up at six in the morning and got to the Yarrow theater for the first film of the day. Mark and I went and got some energy drinks and Mark decided to take a quick nap before the first film. So I was able to get a funny little video of the boss in his slumber. Then we sat down with Jen of Rotten Tomatoes for some lunch and we got a fun little video of it, which should be up on the site very soon. Well today was another four-movie day and it wasn’t bad. I think I am slowly getting acclimated to the entire Sundance situation and I enjoy it so far. Samuel L. Jackson was pretty awesome in the indie boxing movie, “Resurrecting the Champ”.

Now I have to share with you guys a funny little story. Mark, Jamie, and myself got on the shuttle after the long day at the next stop and Jewish Reggae artist, Matisyahu got on the shuttle and stood right by us. Let me know if you guys aren’t familiar with this musician and I will send you links because his music is amazing. Well anyways I was quite nervous to say anything to him but then he started asking the shuttle driver directions. Mark then started giving Matisyahu directions and it was pretty cool. I thought wow this guy is a pro when talking to celebrities. When we got off the shuttle, I asked Mark if he knew whom that was. He was like no and I guess he has never heard of Matisyahu but the song “King With Out a Crown” has been on the airways since last year so I am sure he has heard at least that song.

Well guys hope you haven’t gotten sick of my ramblings yet because I am starting to get the hang of this whole thing. I think that my first blog for the site was absolute crap so I hope the rest of these aren’t as atrocious as the first one. Well have a good one everyone and I will be bogging’ again soon.

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It’s 6am, and I’m stirring the troops for another day in the field. Yesterday we all tackled a hefty load, each seeing 4 films, and today will be more of the same. The major difference? First screening today is 8:30am, whereas yesterday it was 11am. Whaa-whaa, right?

Listen, no two ways about it, this is a blessed job, so I’m not complaining. If the most challenging thing I’ve got to do is wake up really early, see 4 films, write reviews for said films and then try and get to bed at a decent hour, well, things are looking good for me. It can be tolling physically (hence my blacking out the other day), but it’s all do-able, and it’s all for the love the movies.

I’ve had a number of people come up to me and say “hello” who have been reading the coverage of the festival thus far, and this blog specifically, and to those people I’d just like to say, in writing, that I appreciate the conversations and the interest in what we do at Film Threat. I also want to apologize if any conversation with me is a scattered affair, with instances of spacey-ness (not Kevin Spacey-ness). It’s the festival grind, not the conversation, that’s wearing me down.

And thanks for all the compliments on the hat. Definitely drop by SuicideGirls and give Noir the kudos, as she made the hat and all I’m doing is rocking it whenever I can. Hopefully I’ll be able to hit Main Street soon for some insanity coverage. The press screening theaters have taken up the majority of my day, but I want to get out and about so I can share the full experience with you. Check for more videos, definitely, as today and tomorrow go on.

Anyway, must get the shoes on and head out. Going to see a doc about the guy who got fucked to death by a horse up in Seattle (he didn’t get fucked to death in his “Seattle,” the death happened in Seattle). The mental images I can’t erase are already piling up, so this should be a fun addition. I never thought I’d see a chick climax and then piss all over a guy without paying for it on the internet, but well, that’s Sundance…

Yeah, there’s a final thought: I’ve seen more sexual graphic-ness and weirdness at this Sundance than a lonely night of web-surfing usually serves up. And not one hard-on… for me that is…

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