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Sundance Sales Chart - Day Six
by Gregg Goldstein

Film
Section
Sales
Co
Odds
Pros
Cons
First
Screening
Today's Top Five

An Education

World DrComp
CAA
3:1
'60s coming-of-age romance from scribe Nick Hornby with Sarsgaard, Molina, Thompson and a breakout Mulligan; Miramax's Daniel Battsek left I Love You Phillip Morris to powwow, dropped out, but circling back
Despite the pedigree, still no bankable stars, and patient buyers
1/18, 3p, Egyptian

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. Some mixed on its quality, some low-balling offers. Ashton Kutcher and Anne Heche don't scream "smart comedy" to prospective moviegoers 1/17, 9:15p, Eccles

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, and any excuse for a buyer to be cautious… 1/18, 9:30p, Eccles
In The Loop
Premieres
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
World's Greatest Dad
Spectrum
CAA/
Cin
4:1
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.
1/18, 5:30p, Library
 
Other Narratives In Play

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 Greatest
DrComp

End/
CAA

4:1
Tearjerker with Brosnan and Sarandon called "as fine a debut as we can present"; packed an emotional wallop for many.
Son dies in car accident: not a great sales pitch. Buyers' feet keep dragging.
1/17, 3:15p, Eccles

Moon

Premieres
-
4:1
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
Motherhood
Premieres
End
4:1
Harried-mom comedy with Thurman, Edwards, Driver
Urban anxiety can make for anxious audiences
1/21, 9:30p, Eccles

Push: Based on the
novel by Sapphire

DrComp
Cin
4:1
Standing O for audacious portrait of abused girl; vivid performances by Mo'Nique and wacky supporting cast (Mariah Carey, Sherry Shepherd, Lenny Kravitz). Should eventually sell ...
... but how long will it take? And how do you sell it? Upcoming out-of-town buyer screenings may answer those questions
1/16, 8p, Racquet Club

The September Issue

Doc Comp
CAA
4:1
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
The Winning Season
Premieres
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 ...
... but not as commercial as hoped. Sam Rockwell films sell big at Sundance, but haven't performed.
1/19, 8:30p, Library
 

Amreeka

Dr Comp
WM
5:1
Sometimes humorous, very topical struggle of Palestinian mom on West Bank; some positive reviews.
No stars, Iraq war backdrop, and some not as enthusiastic; will need more critical response
1/17, 12:15p, Eccles

Arlen Faber

Dr Comp
CAA/
ICM
5:1
Daniels, Graham, Pucci in romantic tale of reclusive author
Jury still out, but some mixed-to-negative reactions.
1/18, 5:15p, Racquet Club
Endgame
Prem
End
5:1
Good cast (Hurt, Ejiofor) in South African apartheid thriller
Did anyone get to see it? CNN currently chock full of other real-life political thrillers
1/18, 6:15p, Eccles
Five Minutes of Heaven
World DrComp
UTA
5:1
Liam Neeson, James Nesbitt and director of "Downfall"
Violence in Northern Ireland. Good times.
1/19, 6:30p, Egyptian
Paper Heart
DrComp
UTA
5:1
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
Peter and Vandy
DrComp
End
5:1
Some good buzz behind Manhattan romance with Sundance "Teeth" award-winner Weixler
Not enought people saw, so Jury still out.
1/19, 8p, Racquet Club
Shrink
Premieres
WM
5:1
"In Treatment" has proven the appeal of therapy dramas
Spacey's star power has shrunk; Hollywood inside baseball? Press screening bumped to Tuesday ... at 11PM?
1/20, 11p, Holiday Village II
 

Brief Interviews with Hideous Men

Dr Comp
CAA
6:1
Hot star John Krasinski directing, starring and adapting from David Foster Wallace novel
Response not hideous, but not great
1/19, 3:15p. Eccles

Cold Souls

DrComp
Cin
6:1
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
1/17, 5:15p, Racquet Club

Don't Let Me Drown

DrComp
Loeb
Loeb
7:1
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
The Killing Room
Mid
CAA
7:1
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
The Messenger
Premieres
UTA
7:1
Talented scribe Oren Moverman's directing debut
Another Iraq war drama; Ben Foster, Harrelson have spotty track records
1/19, 9:30p, Eccles

Dare

DrComp
xCin
9:1
Sex-charged teen romance featuring Emmy Rossum
Not great buzz.
1/19, 5:15p, Racquet Club
Helen
Spectrum
Little
10:1
Ashley Judd sinks her teeth into bipolar role, and can sell some ancillary
Seems to be depressing buyers, and audience response is tepid
1/16, 8:45, Library
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
The Vicious Kind
Spectrum
ICM
10:1
Tough portrait of emotionally damaged father
See "Pros"; more need to see for verdict
1/17, 8:30p, Library
 
Other Documentaries In Play
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?
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
5:1
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

Art & Copy

Doc Comp
Sub
6:1
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

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

We Live In Public

Doc Comp
Sub/
Cin
6:1
Stranger than fiction dot-com boom art experiment from Web entrepreneur
Must rise above Discovery Channel audience interest to sell
1/19, 6p, 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
The Cove
Doc Comp
Sub/
WM
7:1
Fascination with dolphins may propel sale of this dark tale; some very emotional audience reactions
Animal Planet shows wade in similar waters
1/18, 3p, 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

 


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