Sundance recap 1: My Idiot Brother

One of my favorite movies (of the 11 I got to see) at Sundance was My Idiot Brother. It was laugh out loud funny. Seriously. The Bro and I laughed like crazy. It was also sweet and charming, mostly because of Paul Rudd. His character in this movie is just adorable.

Paul Rudd....who hasn't had a crush on him since Clueless? Can I just say that he is even more adorably good looking in person that he is on the screen?! This was the second time we saw him.

The day before, The Bro and I were sitting in a theater waiting for our movie to start.

He suddenly said, "Hey, there's Paul Rudd." Calm, nonchalant.

To which my instant, instant reply was, "what?! Where?! WHERE?!"

"He just walked in. See? There?" was his calm, much more mature reply.

I turned and spotted him and much more maturely said "oh, my gosh, it IS him! It's Paul Rudd!!" (total celebrity nerd...right here.)

Thankfully, one of The Bro's other friends (a girl) was with him and was freaking out too, so I didn't feel totally stupid. Just a little stupid. Then Paul Rudd sat in our row and I tried my hardest not to turn my head and stare at him every 10 seconds. He was just so darn cute.

The movie started (it was so depressing and disturbing. never will see that one again) and when it was over, he left. No big deal.

The next day, we went to see My Idiot Brother. At the end of the movie, it was Q&A time.

Sidenote: Q&A is the best part of Sundance. Imagine, at the end of every movie, that you get to hear the director/actors/crew/producers come out and answer questions you might have about the movie. All you have to do is raise your hand and hope you get picked to ask your question. That's it. You can ask them anything. You can ask them to explain something that didn't make sense. You can ask them why they used a particular song or who composed the music. You can ask them how they did a particular scene on such a limited budget. You can ask them why they ended the movie the way they did or what made them choose the ending they choose. It's super cool.


Out walked the cast. (I forgot to put Sterling Brown's name on this. Oops. He had my favorite line in the movie too.) I kinda freaked out a bit.

Zooey...I'm a huge fan of hers. I listen to her music constantly. And 500 Days of Summer = so good. Plus, her vintage style is so adorable.

Emily Mortimer....Lars and the Real Girl, anyone?!

Elizabeth Banks...ok, she was JD's girlfriend/baby-mama on Scrubs. Let's just let that soak in for a minute, shall we? We all know how I feel about ZB, right? And then there was Seabiscuit. And she's on 30 Rock.

And Paul again. He's so cute, isn't he?

Rashida Jones is in the movie too, but she wasn't there that day. I adore her on Parks and Rec.



And just so I don't forget, the movie played at Eccles, the biggest (1,200 seats) yet most annoying theatre. Stadium seating = nope. Longest aisles in the world = yes. Staring at the back of someone's head while trying to watch the movie = almost guaranteed. But waitlisting usually has good results.

Also, My Idiot Brother was picked up and will be coming to a screen near you sometime this year.

More Parks and Rec, please

I've become addicted to Parks And Rec.

'tis true.

I didn't like season one, one bit. But I kept hearing rave, rave reviews about season 2. So, I tried it out (thank you, Netflix instant).

It.is.hysterical.

Adorable characters.

Ridiculously funny.

I think my favorite character is Andy (Chris Pratt), but then Ron and April and Leslie come into a scene and change my mind. They're all great.

Give it another try. I think you'll fall in love with it too.

the best part

I saw lots of cool things at Sundance. Movies, documentaries, movie stars, lots of snow, beautiful mountains. But by far, the best part about Sundance is being with my brother for a whole week. I have to gush over him for a minute.

1. He picked me up from the airport and dropped me off. This saved me about $200 in car rental fees. Plus, he skipped a movie Friday morning to take me to the airport. How sweet is that?!

2. He got me tickets to movies before I arrived. Just told me to pick 5 that I thought looked good and got them early before they were available to everyone else.

3. He called me every day when he was finished with work and asked what I wanted to do or got extra tickets to movies he was going to see or asked where I wanted to eat.

4. He introduced me to tons of his friends. This kid is way more popular than I will ever be. He knew people every where we went. EVERY-where.

5. He stood in line for 1.5 hours to get me a free ticket to The Greatest Movie Ever Sold. It was the last movie I saw at the festival. He already had tickets and knew that I wanted to go.

6. He got me a ticket to Another Earth and convinced me to go. It ended up being my favorite film of the entire festival.

7. He drove me around several times and rode the bus with me and let me take photos with him.

8. He laughed at me and told me I was being stupid when I needed to hear it.

9. He gave me hugs.

10. We had dinner dates. What 20 something brother is nice enough to go on dinner dates with his older sister? Not many.

11. He let me stay in his condo (Sundance puts him up in Park City during the festival so he doesn't have to commute every day) the first night I got there because my condo wasn't available yet.

12. He included me in his world, his life in Utah and seemed generally happy to have me there.


I'll be honest. I got teary-eyed leaving him yesterday. It was tough. I wanted to run after the car when he drove away and say that I would stay for another 2 months. I wanted to convince him to come back to the East Coast, even though I know he is so happy there and has built a great community/life. I wanted to instantly invent teleportation so that I could go back there this morning and ask him where he wanted to eat lunch today.

So, thank you dear little brother for all you did for me while I was visiting. I loved every minute I got to spend with you. You're the best brother in whole wide world.

Home

My last view of Park City this morning. (edited in Picnik)

I'm home.

And while I am glad to be back in my own bed, back with my friends, back to the East Coast and the river outside my door...I miss it there. I miss the energy. I miss the movies. I miss the buses. I miss the dry, cold air (kinda). I miss my fireplace in my condo that I got to sleep next to. Most of all, I miss my brother.

I have lots of photos (I think) to share and stories galore. And now I finally have a full keyboard and computer to use. Woohoo!


Side note: Picnik. I've raved about it before. I haven't used it in a while because I'm deep into Photoshop and actions now. But tonight I gave it a whirl because it's so compatible with Flickr (and Facebook). I uploaded a photo from my phone to Flickr and then edited it super fast through Picnik. They have tons of awesome free actions. Took me all of 5 minutes to upload, edit and post. You should try it!

handkerchief, please

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Vintage handkerchiefs may be one of my favorite things in the world. I have a small collection. All of them were given to me or found. I love the way they are displayed here. I actually use mine for their intended purpose, but if I didn't this would be the way to go.

Always on the hunt to find more. They are tricky to find in good condition and at a reasonable price, which is why all of mine have been happy finds or passed down from family members. But then the hunt is all part of the fun. And the feeling-like-a-lady when you blow your nose on a pretty piece of fabric. That's pretty fun too.

The one

I've been waiting for the one. The one that would blow all the others away. The one that would end, and instant, happy applause would brake forth without a second thought. The one that would make me fall in love with movie making again. The one that would be an instant Sundance classic for me.

I found it, today, hidden at the Yarrow. I had just finished watching my first full length doc of this year (it wasn't very good). Outside, the snow was coming down like crazy. The roads and sidewalks were covered.

My phone beeped with a text from The Bro. He had scored two tickets to "Another Earth" playing at The Yarrow at noon. I had just enough time to jump on the bus and ride over there before it started. And just enough time to watch it and then run off to the next movie at 3.

At first, I wanted to say no. I wanted to run back home and grab some lunch before my 3:00 movie. And three movies back-to-back? That was a little excessive. But then, I read the description in the catalog and decided to go for it. It's hard to turn down sci fi.

I got to the theater before he did. I sat around and read a Variety (they are free magazines everywhere to take and read). He ran in the door, and we rushed off to the theater. After we got our seats (way in the back because The Bro had forgotten his ticket and had to run back to his condo, poor kid), I was looking around as I always do, checking for celebrities. I noticed someone I'd seen on TV before. I grabbed The Bro's arm and in a semi-whisper hissed, "who is that guy?!" Before he had answered I blurted out, "Oh! That's Ethan from Lost! He's the main character in this movie." William Mapother is his name.

Then the spotlight came on, on the podium. The director came out and said a few words. He was visibly excited to share his movie. Monday night, the first screening of the movie had gone incredibly well. A standing ovation, in fact, which is very rare here. He encouraged us to just enjoy it and he would be back with question and answer as soon as it was over. He was like a giddy school kid.

He stepped away and the lights dimmed and the movie began. It grabbed me from the first few moments. The story was so creative. The characters were fantastic. And Brit Marling, the female lead...you may not know her name yet, but just you wait. She was absolutely enthralling. I couldn't take my eyes off of her. Her performance was a beautiful symphony of a character. There is one scene at the end when she is just running her hand along the siding of a house as she walks by. That was my favorite scene of any movie I've seen in years. Perfectly inspiring to me. So much was said in this movie when no dialogue was even being spoken. It was the type of movie that makes you feel special for just being able to experience it.

The credits finally rolled at the end and the applause was great. The Bro and I just looked at each other with "that look." I said, "I loved that" even though he already knew it and I knew he was going to say the same thing. "We HAVE to stay for question and answer," was his reply (which we always do anyway, even if we don't like the movie. The Q&A is part of the magic of Sundance.)

The questions were asked and answered. All kindly regarded by the director and cast. All the kind comments from the audience were received with glee. And I think all of us in the audience were secretly hoping that a studio exec was there to scoop up this movie with a sweet deal.

We left the theater and brushed against the actors and directors as we headed out of the lobby. So cool. I really hope "Another Earth" gets picked up so you can all enjoy it too.

That's my story for today. Now, I'm back at my condo in front of a roaring fire in my fireplace. My mind is wandering back to some of the great shots from that movie. And thinking about how perfectly the story was edited. So peaceful and relaxing.

Only 2 more full days left. Then I'll have to say goodbye to The Bro (gulp) and head back to work and the East Coast. Till then, I'm going to soak in as much as I can.

xoxo,

Cottage Girl

ps: forgive the typos and mis-spellings. I typed the whole thing on my phone. Just had to get this out of my head no matter how long it took.

by way of public transit

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My love of public transportation (especially buses and trains) continues. Thank you Park City for sharing your buses for FREE!

I want to sneak some photos on the bus like this. Simple everyday moments. Inspiring photo.

On the agenda for today

That little grid in the Sundance catalog is the way a Sundancer plans his day. The buses are filled with chats with strangers about what you've seen, what you liked, what's next on your list.

It's a fun, little, friendly community of movie lovers. Everyone is so nice. And the volunteers are the kindest most patient people ever. It's kinda like Disney world. Sundance knows how to do this thing with style.

Off to see some more movies!

Doc surprise

I didn't have any tickets for movies today. Kinda felt lost. No movies? What to do...

Then, The Bro got off work and called with happy news that he had scored some tickets to the Documentary shorts. Awesome. FREE tickets. Even more awesome.

The one thing I have really missed this year is doumentaries. Last year, all the movies I saw were docs except one. This year, it's been all scripted movies.

I love docs. Big time. I love that so many are available here. I'm excited to end my time here with docs galore.

The shorts were fantastic, and at one of my favorite theaters (the Temple). It's a beautiful, modern, brick and wood building. And there are big amazing windows looking out at the mountains.

It's always so neat to hear the Q & A's with doc directors too. The people who the movies are about are there most of the time too. It's a dream for someone like me who loves biographies.
Signing off cause I can't handle this phone keyboard for another minute,

Cottage Girl

I'd love to come

I wanted to go to this party the instant I saw this photo.

Is it not the most perfectly decorated little get together that you ever seen?!

Banksy was here

I heard it showed up last year during Sundance. His movie "Exit Through the Giftshop" was showing (which is so good). So cool.

In other news it, was Paul Rudd, Zooey Deschanel, Emily Mortimer and Elizabeth Banks today. Their new movie was the funniest, most charming I've seen so far. That Paul is super cute in person and his character is so adorable in the movie.

More to come when I'm not typing on a keyboad made for The Littles. (Anyone else remember that cartoon?) Remind me to tell you my James Franco story, too.

xoxo,

A Sundance-happy Cottage Girl

Sundace brief

• It's snowing like crazytown right now. Like CRA-zy. So I popped into the library to say hi.
• So far, I've seen two movies and both were sad, depressing things. (think Revolutionary Road, but worse). The one this morning was well done, just so sad. Time to find something exciting and fun.
• Well, Paul Rudd did sit in my row this morning at the movie. I think that was the highlight of the whole thing. He's adorable.
• Last night, I saw Liv Tyler and Terrance Howard at a premiere. The movie wasn't great, but it was cool to see them.
• Tonight, I'm headed to see a film about the Oregon Trail. Hopefully it will be a bit more cheery.
• It's been fun to hang with The Bro. He knows so many people here. Cool kid.
• Everyone here has an iphone.
• My condo is nice. HUGE for me, but right behind the library and right next to great bus stops.
• Ah, the buses. I love them. Free!
• Sundance is so fun. Truly. I love the energy of all these people who love film and film makers.
• I spotted a Banksy when I was wondering around Main Street yesterday. Just there, on the wall of the local coffee shop. Kinda geeked out a bit. Gotta go back and grab a photo when this snow clears up tomorrow.

xoxo,

Cottage Girl

Favorite dress from 2011 Golden Globes

I didn't like her hair at all, but that dress....I think any girl would feel like a princess just putting it on. Don't you think?

here

Catalog browsing for extra movies to see.

Then off to Main St. to see all the craziness.

The end.

The time has come

I'm off to do some of this:

Celebrity watching (Who will it be this year?!)
City bus riding (Free buses all over Park City. No rental car)
Walking gingerly on snowy sidewalks (did I tell you I slipped and fell on the ice this week? got the bruises to prove it.)
Reading (Mansfield Park, Anne, Wheel of Time)
Writing (3 journals cause I'm OCD)
Eating (so many yummy restaurants to visit)
Making new friends (The Bro is planning play dates for me)
Chatting (with whom is the question...)
Watching of independent movies (4 tickets in hand)
Watching of documentaries (1 ticket in hand and hoping for more)
Shaking off the cold (going from cold here to colder there)
Making my brother give me hugs (cause I love them and he hates them)


Will pop in when I can.

gross

Do you have these vile creatures in your house?

Are you killing bunches of them every day like we are?

Especially on days that reach above 40 degrees.

One of them smacked into my head today while I was watching TV in my living room. All I can smell is stink bug.

The worst part of it is, I can't find anything in my research that will get rid of them.

And I'm dreading the spring warm up and the plague that will ensue.

the exactly right kind

Are you a pen snob like me? It doesn't have to cost much. It can be a free sample in the mail, in fact. But it has to write well. Smooth. Gliding ink. Even today, a friend and I were out to lunch and we both commented on the pens that we used to sign our names on our receipts. They were "good" pens.

In the office at camp, we all have a "good pen." It's the one that you guard with your life. The one that you will hunt down if it disappears from your desk. The one that you get kinda angry over if it suddenly grows legs and walks away. That pen.

I found a new one that I really love. Sharpie started making pens. I've already had a love affair with Sharpies for years, but now I can write in my journal with one and it doesn't bleed through the paper. Thanks, Sharpie. You read my mind. Thanks for making a "good pen."


My other favorites are these by Paper Mate.
They offer the perfect blue shade. They glide perfectly across lots of different types of paper.

I love what Anne writes to Gilbert at the beginning of "Anne of Windy Poplars." This quote has stuck with me since the first time I read it years, upon years ago...

"..this won't be a love-letter. I have a scratchy pen and I can't write love-letters with a scratchy pen...or a sharp pen...or a stub pen. So you'll only get that kind of letter from me when I have exactly the right kind of pen." -L.M. Montgomery

Leave it to Anne (L.M.) to describe things perfectly.

Here's to good pens. The exactly right kind of pen.

Self-timer: Campfire

Self-timer from last year, but still...a self-timer.
Campfires are the best.
Nothing says "you are on vacation" like s'mores and campfire chit chat.

That was such a perfect weekend.

I want to go to there

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I just pop this in the old DVD player every once in a while to get a fix. But one day....I really want to see it in person. In spring time, I think. With the flowers all blooming and warm sunny days. I'd want to wear a pretty vintage dress and take along several cameras. A self-timer would be a must. I think a few days would be necessary to drink it all in and truly appreciate each nook and cranny. Maybe sit in a corner and journal for a while.

What place do you often dream of visiting?

and

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I'm working this weekend.
And doing some AOW stuff.
And working on a secret project that I hope I'll get to reveal soon.
And watching all 8 hours of the Golden Globes while packing for Sundance.
Oh, and I'm listening to this song about 48 times a day.



I'm a "play that song on repeat till you can't stand it anymore" type of girl.

Classic Movie Friday

After a brief discussion over how many classic movies we (especially I) haven't seen, my roommate and I put a new plan into action. Classic Movie Friday. Most Fridays, one of us (if not both) is working and stuck at home for the night after we finish work around 8pm. What better way to enjoy a night at home than with the classics.

Last week we began with a true classic.

It really was wonderful. Ingrid Bergman is so young and beautiful. I know her better from one of my all time favorite top 5 movies. And I can see why people gushed over Humphrey Bogart so much too. He's debonair in this role. Not really handsome to me, but dashing.

Then, since our library has a wealth of classics free for the taking, we watched another famous one.

For me, it was another one of those "ooohhh, that's why people love her" moments. She's fantastic in this role. I really loved this one. Funny and endearing and sad all rolled into one.



This weekend, I'm super excited for this one.


I started watching it on Netflix instant one night. I hit stop to finish it in the morning, but by then it had been kicked back into the "mail only" line. Boo. Can't wait to see the end. It's adorable. Marilyn is perfectly hilarious.


We have a list we will be working through this winter during the long cold months when we are trapped inside. It's written on our chalkboard wall in the kitchen. Friends like to add their favorites to it as well, which makes it feel like a group project. Plus, they like to come over and share in the fun too.

So, do you have any movies to add? What are your favorite classics? We still have room on the wall for additions and room on our couch for friends!


admission time: It's embarrassing how ridiculously, giddy happy this made me today. Seriously. I couldn't stop grinning for a long time. Um, yeah. I have issues.

Brrrr

I keep trying to tell myself that this is good preparation for Utah.

But truth be told, I hate every freezing moment.

Come quickly, hot summer weather. I miss you so desperately....

me sized

Sometimes I think I dream too small.

What I mean by that is this:
I think I put God in my Cottage Girl sized box. I think that sometimes I ask Him to bless my plans instead of coming to Him completely open with nothing at all to offer. I wonder how many times His amazing, way-out-of-my-simple-frame-of-mind ideas have floated right past me because I'm so focused on something else more me-size oriented.

How many times have I missed out on something that would change my world? I know it's happened. I know that I'm often fearful. I know that I will push ideas aside because they seem "too crazy" or "too scary" and "surely God doesn't want me to be that reckless."

I was faced with this ugly trait that I have today as I was listening to a sermon podcast. It wasn't about this topic, but something completely different. It got me thinking in a way that I haven't in a long, long time. The Holy Spirit convicted me and had me asking for forgiveness for my lack of faith.

Because...that's what it is. I can candy-coat it and call it "safe" or "responsible" or "wise," but what it really is, is faithless. I don't trust the Lord to really be God. I trust Him to be my Cottage Girl sized "god" and that will be just fine.

But what if I start asking Him to blow me away. To do the unthinkable. To do GOD-sized things in my life.

The only thing holding me back is me.

"Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen."
- Ephesians 3:20-21

10 things

1. The power AND the heat are back on in the Cottage. There was a celebration and much giving of thanks. Truly.

2. We are getting a snowstorm tomorrow. Just a few inches, thankfully.

3. I now understand why people have been raving over Parks and Rec. Season 2 is hilarious. How did that happen after the "ho-hum-ness" of season one?

4. Smallville addiction continues, she ashamedly admits whilst hanging her head.

5. I'm puppy sitting, and it's divine. Ok, more like old dog sitting, but she acts like a puppy.

6. I miss this one...


....and I've decided that if I ever become rich and famous, she is the one that I will require to call me constantly to keep me grounded. She's the best at tough love. Sometimes I miss her so much it hurts. I need that "rich" thing to happen, so I can afford to see her more than once every other year.

7. Today was a good hair day. I wish I could figure out what made it so, and repeat the process everyday. I'm sure it won't happen again for a long time.

8. I owe my friend, S, a nice long email. Every time I sit down to write it, I get pulled away. I love you, S! Really!

9. Only 9 more days till Sundance....

10. Only 9 more days till I spend a week with The Bro....

Cursed

The Cottage felt cursed this past weekend.

How, you ask?

Well, the heat broke again (second time in two weeks) yesterday. Brrrr. Thankfully smarter people than I am got it semi-fixed so it would work until Monday when it will get permanently fixed. Fingers crossed...

Then, this morning, the cused continued. The power blew out in the entire cottage except for two outlets and the heat. Why? We don't know. So, now the electricity must be fixed tomorrow as well.

I'm learning lots about patience and repentance this weekend.

snapped

One of my goals for oh-one-one

Take more photos with the self-timer.
Capture the everyday moments.

good...better....best

I've seen 3 good movies lately. Shocking. That's almost as much as the entire summer. Anyway, here they are from lowest to highest.

3. Good: Tron I know the reviews have been "so-so" on this one. (sorry, Bro) I really enjoyed it. It's not the best movie ever. It isn't a shocking storyline. The effects are incredible though. I would watch it again, just to see the motorcycle pit of doom again. Wow.

I wasn't expecting much. I wasn't disappointed. I liked it. And it was fun on the big screen in a dark theater.



2. Better: Exit Through the Gift Shop. This one is out on video finally (on Netflix instant at the moment, too). It never came to theaters around me. I've been wanting to see it, badly. It didn't disappoint. Great documentary. Interesting subject. I already thought Banksy was cool. It was neat to see him create.




1. Best: The King's Speech. Fantastic-o. I wanted to see it because it's Colin Firth and Helena Bonham Carter, for goodness sake. Love. But the story really is as good as everyone is saying it is. And I totally agree that they all deserve nominations for awards. CF is really, really good. If you like movies with great stories, see it.



Now, I'm trying to be patient and wait for Somewhere to come to a theater near me. It's really hard to be patient. I just keep reminding myself that Sundance movies are only 2 weeks away. Movies galore....

I journal. Do you?

I was having a discussion with my roommate a while ago and I was asking her about journals. She said that she doesn't keep one. I was kinda shocked. Not that it's a bad thing, but I just can't imagine not writing down my thoughts. Not ever. How? Journaling is my sanity.

I've been keeping journals since...I was 11 or 12, I think. Some have lasted. Some are still around somewhere. It became a more serious thing when I got into college. I would keep two. One for every day stuff and one that was my Bible-time journal. Then after college the two became one.

I have a whole shelf full of my old journals. All different sizes and shapes. I don't back through them very often. I think it's the process of writing out my thoughts and getting them "out" of my head that is the most therapeutic for me. If I can get them out, then I don't feel as crazy in the head.

I think that's why blogging appealed to me so much. Writing. Getting my thoughts out of my head, not necessarily so a bunch of people can read them, but so I don't have them jumbled up all over each other in my head.

I go through phases. Sometimes I journal each and every day. My journals are flooded with scripture and tear stained ink. Writing is how I handle stress and frustration and sadness. I write my prayers, a lot. Reading back through those can be a little crazy. It is cool to see how God answers my prayers and how I have changed.

Right now, I have 3 journals. One for my Bible-time. It's for verses that God is speaking to me through and prayers of me talking to Him. The second is for a specific thing. I like having it all organized in one little Moleskin. The third is full of ideas and quotes and blog posts and a bazillion other random thoughts that pop into my head throughout the day. It stays in my purse or next to my bed for easy access.


So I'm curious...are you a journal-er? Do you write out your thoughts?


***the Smallville obsession continues. Now, I'm re-watching favorite parts (especially Oliver and Chloe's scenes) of the last 2 seasons. Oh, boy. I'm pathetic.

Um....help.

I

can't

stop

watching

xoxo,

ps...Clark Kent is an orphan who finds loving parents that adopt him when they find him in a field alone and scared. No wonder he's always been my favorite.