By Gregg Goldstein gcgoldstein@yahoo.com
Sundance Sales Chart – Day Nine
by Gregg Goldstein
Film | Section | Sales
Co |
Odds | Pros | Cons | First
Screening |
Today’s Top Five | ||||||
Push: Based on the
novel by Sapphire |
DrComp | Cin | 2:1 | Standing O for audacious portrait of abused girl; vivid performances by Mo’Nique and wacky supporting cast (Mariah Carey, Sherry Shepherd, Lenny Kravitz). A TWC/BET partnership one of several possibilities; expected to close before awards ceremony. | … but how long will it take? And how do you sell it? Out-of-town buyer screenings may answer those questions | 1/16, 8p, Racquet Club |
Spread | Prem | CAA/
End |
3:1 | Gigolo satire from sexpert helmer of “Young Adam.” Lots of T (female) and A (Ashton Kutcher). Played like a wide-release commercial film but distributors not putting out what sellers want. Will Summit return to the table? | Some don’t feel it lives up to the sum of its body parts, others low-balling offers. Ashton Kutcher and Anne Heche don’t scream “smart comedy” to prospective moviegoers. | 1/17, 9:15p, Eccles |
Moon | Premieres | – | 3:1 | Compelling 2001-style sci-fi thriller getting good buzz from two P&I screenings. Sony Pictures WW Acq Group has English language rights and looking for theatrical partner | Perennial Sundance fave Sam Rockwell, the only on-screen talent, not a box office draw. If that good, why is Sony looking to partner? | 1/23, 6:15p, Eccles |
The September Issue | Doc Comp | CAA | 3:1 | Rare inside look at the alleged inspiration for “The Devil Wear’s Prada,” Vogue’s Anna Wintour; some positive early buzz. | Sellers still have to convince buyers it’s as theatrical as its subject and that there’s enough Devil with the Prada; no immediate nibbles | 1/16, 6:30p, Rose Wagner |
I Love You Phillip Morris | Prem | CAA/
End |
3:1 | A Carrey/McGregor prison romance from writers of “Bad Santa.”Good reviews flowing in for true con-man story with a dozen twists, some great audience response. | A comedy? A drama? A romance? A crime thriller? One thing’s for sure, lots of gay sex. Buyers dragging feet, waiting for better deal on big names. | 1/18, 9:30p, Eccles |
Other Narratives In Play | ||||||
Paper Heart | DrComp | UTA | 4:1 | Two words: Michael Cera. Sale of flawed all-star “Brooklyn’s Finest” bodes well; some in audience responded well … | … some, not so much. Response at premiere didn’t improve muted reaction to screener much | 1/17, 8p, Racquet Club |
Five Minutes of Heaven | World DrComp | UTA | 4:1 | Liam Neeson, James Nesbitt and director of “Downfall” | Violence in Northern Ireland. Good times. | 1/19, 6:30p, Egyptian |
Cold Souls | DrComp | Cin | 4:1 | Giamatti, Strathairn, Watson, Ambrose in a unique “metaphysical tragi-comedy”; Canadian rights acquired by E1 Films Canada; more screenings warming things up a bit | Chilly response from some south of the border, but buyers may be warming to it. | 1/17, 5:15p, Racquet Club |
Amreeka | Dr Comp | WM | 5:1 | Sometimes humorous, very topical struggle of Palestinian mom on West Bank; some positive reviews could make for a late pickup | No stars, Iraq war backdrop, and some not as enthusiastic; will need more critical response | 1/17, 12:15p, Eccles |
Endgame | Prem | End | 5:1 | Good cast (Hurt, Ejiofor) in South African apartheid thriller garnering a few good reviews | Did anyone get to see it? CNN currently chock full of other real-life political thrillers | 1/18, 6:15p, Eccles |
The Greatest | DrComp | End/
CAA |
5:1 | Tearjerker with Brosnan and Sarandon called “as fine a debut as we can present”; packed an emotional wallop for many and said to be moving. | Son dies in car accident: not a great sales pitch. Buyers interested, but no one is crying for an immediate sale. | 1/17, 3:15p, Eccles |
World’s Greatest Dad | Spectrum | CAA/
Cin |
5:1 | Robin Williams in another dark comedy from Bobcat Goldthwait. Some loved it, and said to be momentous … | … others felt it was just crass with flawed execution of good idea. Buyers won’t kill themselves if they don’t get it. | 1/18, 5:30p, Library |
Don’t Let Me Drown | DrComp | Loeb
Loeb |
6:1 | Latino high schoolers in post-9/11 romantic drama; getting some very positive reaction and potential awards traction | No stars, premise depressing on paper. | 1/18, 12:15p, Eccles |
Motherhood | Premieres | End | 6:1 | Harried-mom comedy with Thurman, Edwards, Driver | Urban anxiety can make for anxious audiences; may be a bit slower than hoped for in finding the right parents. | 1/21, 9:30p, Eccles |
Peter and Vandy | DrComp | End | 6:1 | Some good buzz behind Manhattan romance with Sundance “Teeth” award-winner Weixler | Unclear if played well enough to break out, overcome lack of star power | 1/19, 8p, Racquet Club |
Shrink | Premieres | WM | 6:1 | “In Treatment” has proven the appeal of therapy dramas | Spacey’s star power has shrunk; Hollywood inside baseball? Experiencing some shrinkage | 1/20, 11p, Holiday Village II |
The Messenger | Premieres | UTA | 5:1 | Talented scribe Oren Moverman’s directing debut, and some seem to like it | Another Iraq war drama; Ben Foster, Harrelson have spotty track records | 1/19, 9:30p, Eccles |
Brief Interviews with Hideous Men | Dr Comp | CAA | 7:1 | Hot star John Krasinski directing, starring and adapting from David Foster Wallace novel | Response not hideous, but not great | 1/19, 3:15p. Eccles |
Arlen Faber | Dr Comp | CAA/
ICM |
8:1 | Daniels, Graham, Pucci in romantic tale of reclusive author | Jury still out, but some mixed-to-negative reactions. | 1/18, 5:15p, Racquet Club |
The Killing Room | Mid | CAA | 8:1 | Psychological thriller with compelling premise and solid indie cast slayed some audience members … | … while others feel it’s a pretentious “Saw”; could middling response kill its chances? | 1/16, 11:30a, Prospector |
Big Fan | DrComp | Andr
Hur |
8:1 | Some champions for dark sports fanatic spoof directed by “The Wrestler” scribe. | Others not such big fans; momentum slowing. Despite good performance, star Patton Oswalt an unproven commodity. | 1/18, 8p, Racquet Club |
The Vicious Kind | Spectrum | ICM | 8:1 | Tough portrait of emotionally damaged man; getting some good buzz | See “Pros”; more need to see for verdict | 1/17, 8:30p, Library |
Dare | DrComp | xCin | 9:1 | Sex-charged teen romance featuring Emmy Rossum | Not great buzz. | 1/19, 5:15p, Racquet Club |
Manure | Premieres | v | 10:1 | Thornton, Leoni, McLachlan in what could be the Polish Bros’ Coen Bros moment with a ’60s period comedy | Polish Bros artiness sometimes overwhelms all else | 1/20, 9:30p, Eccles |
Mary & Max | Opening Night | Icon | 10:1 | Quirky Aussie claymation from Oscar-winning director good enough to attract Hoffman and Collette | Too quirky for many at the opening night screening, garnering mixed reactions | 1/15, 6p, Eccles |
Mystery Team | Midnight | Sub | 10:1 | Potential sleeper with foul-mouthed teens; could hit right chord; got some good reviews. | Others not as enthused by comedy troupe’s feature as their online shorts. No-name cast. | 1/17, 11:30p, Library |
Toe To Toe | DrComp | WM | 10:1 | Complicated relationship between two female high school teammates; interracial issues a hot topic. A few good reviews. | No stars, and some uncertainty. Buzz not strong, but can later word-of-mouth help? | 1/16, 3:15p, Eccles |
Helen | Spectrum | Little | 12:1 | Ashley Judd sinks her teeth into bipolar role, and can sell some ancillary | Seems to be depressing buyers, and audience response is tepid; living up to its name for some. | 1/16, 8:45, Library |
Other Documentaries In Play | ||||||
Art & Copy | Doc Comp | Sub | 4:1 | Ad industry study getting good word of mouth; could it be this year’s “Helvetica?” | Amidst interest, some are questioning commercial appeal | 1/16, 5:30p, Prospector |
The Carter | Midnight | Cin | 4:1 | One of the hottest selling rappers in a hurting music biz, Lil’ Wayne. | Not much rapping among buyers, but the fest is young; will the audience for this film go to the theater or wait for DVD? Or copy the DVD making the rounds at festivals? | 1/17, Midnight Eccles |
Good Hair | Doc Comp | ICM | 4:1 | If every black hair magazine reader buys a ticket to producer/star Chris Rock’s comic, celeb-filled take on the topic, it’s a hit. Great early reaction. | Interest in niche topic could be hair today, gone tomorrow | 1/18, 9p, Temple |
Passing Strange | Spectrum: Docu Spotlight | End | 4:1 | Spike Lee filmed this unconventional, Tony-nominated musical, and both names will help sell the project: some good initial word growing | Still has to show its theatrical pull | 1/16, 2:30p, Library |
The Cove | Doc Comp | Sub/
WM |
5:1 | Fascination with dolphins may propel sale of this dark tale; some very emotional audience reactions and sold-out screenings | Animal Planet shows wade in similar waters | 1/18, 3p, Temple |
We Live In Public | Doc Comp | Sub/
Cin |
5:1 | Stranger than fiction dot-com boom art experiment from Web entrepreneur; living up to some initial hype/ | Must rise above Discovery Channel audience interest to sell | 1/19, 6p, Temple |
Reporter | Doc Comp | Films
Trans |
6:1 | A New York Times reporter’s valiant attempt to put an African crisis on the map speaks volumes about the state of journalism today | Most political docs have had a tough box office ride | 1/16, 9:30p, Temple |
When You’re Strange | Doc Comp | Sub/
Cin |
8:1 | Indie vet Tom DiCillo unveils all-original footage of The Doors | Video sales assured, but will it break on through to theatrical? Some not loving it two times … or even once. | 1/17, 9p, Temple |
No Impact Man | Spectrum: Docu Spotlight | Cin | 8:1 | Family undertakes controversial experiment to live a year with no carbon footprint; could tap “An Inconvenient Truth” audience | Another inconvenient truth: many socially conscious docs have no theatrical impact | 1/16, 11:30a, Library |
Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy | Spectrum | WM | 8:1 | Robert Townsend interviews a Who’s Who of top comedians. The next Kings of Comedy? | DVD co. is a producer, so no pressure for theatrical sale | 1/17, 5:30p, Prospector |
Big River Man | World Doc Comp | Salt | 20:1 | Slovenian man’s attempt at record swim could be Michael Phelps meets “Grizzly Man” | No waves just yet. | 1/16, 3:15p, HV4 |
FILMS SOLD SO FAR …
Film | Buyer | Sales
Co |
Section | Pros | Cons | First
Screening |
Adam | Fox Searchlight | Film Sales Co. | DrComp | Manhattan 20-something romance with Hugh Dancy and Rose Byrne; hey, they did well with “Once” | Common quote from execs on Monday night party circuit: They’re buying that movie? | 1/16, 6:15p. Eccles |
Brooklyn’s Finest | Senator Ent
& Sony Pictures |
WM/
CAA |
Prem | Gere, Cheadle, Hawke, Snipes, Barkin in cop drama from “Training Day” director. Film went out with a bang audiences hated, but director is cutting. | Not the feel-good film of the year. Audience liked sections of it, hated others, but helmer has until fall to tweak. | 1/16, 6:15p. Eccles |
Black Dynamite | Sony Pictures | End | Mid | Good response leads to overnight sale. | May be too culty for its own good, but at 2 million a safe bet. | 1/18, 11:30p, Library |
Humpday | Magnolia | Sub | DrComp | Straight best buds link for gay porn; those who loved it really have a hard-on for it… | No stars, a premise not for the squeamish, and failed to turn a few on | 1/16, 12:15p, Eccles |
An Education | Sony Picutres Classics | CAA | 3:1 | ’60s coming-of-age romance from scribe Nick Hornby with Sarsgaard, Molina, Thompson and a breakout Mulligan | Despite the pedigree, still no bankable stars. | 1/18, 3p, Egyptian |
In The Loop | IFC Films | Prot/WM | 3:1 | James Gandolfini in satire of war and politics could be a sleeper hit; seemed to live up to initial promise for most | Small, filled with unknown Brits and distinctly British humour | 1/19, 11:15a, Yarrow |
The Winning Season | Lionsgate | Cin | 4:1 | Female “Bad News Bears” dramedy centering on high school basketball team, Emma Roberts, late add like top-seller “Hamlet 2”; some found very charming … | Sam Rockwell films sell big at Sundance, but haven’t performed. | 1/19, 8:30p, Library |