
Vickie Kelber
Typically, art galleries and stores on Main Street rent out their spaces for the makeshift hospitality lounges that spring up during the festival. Some of them are by invitation only and many of them offer food, giveaways, and a chance to promote a particular brand. These tend to be the bane of Sundance organizers as most of them are not official sponsors of the festival.
Because of the current economic situation, there are fewer of

While in-between movies, (and snowstorms) you can always — go shopping!
Pre-festival audience buzz is all about the film Howl. A biopic about Alan Ginsburg, it stars James Franco, Mary-Louise Parker, Jeff Daniels, and Treat Williams and promises to feature ‘mind-expanding’ animation that reflects Ginsburg’s originality.
Until the hot films of this year’s Sundance are revealed, here are some recommendations from last year’s film festival. You’re certain to hear about some of them at Academy Awards time as some are in theaters now; all of them will be out on DVD in the future.
Last year’s buzz film was titled, Push: Based on the Novel by Sapphire. Retitled Precious, it received a lot of publicity once Oprah Winfrey signed on as a promoter. It’s tough to watch, but worth it. In a recent edition of Newsweek, Barbara Bush urged everyone to see this film.
Arguably, the best film at Sundance in 2009 was An Education, with a screenplay by author Nick Hornby. Carey Mulligan is a delight to watch as a schoolgirl seduced by the exotic life of an older man. Set in the early 60’s, the film also features Peter Sarsgaard, Alfred Molina, and Emma Thompson.
In the Loop is a British political farce with memorable performances by James Gandolfini, Mimi Kennedy, and David Rasche. You have to pay attention to the dialogue as the jokes come fast and furious. This might be a good film to see on

With outstanding performances by Woody Harrelson and Ben Foster, The Messenger is a compassionate story of a military notification team. Although some feel it is slow paced, it’s worth a view.
For a light, off-beat, romantic comedy, try 500 Days of Summer. Spoiler alert: be prepared for a quixotic dance scene reminiscent of a Disney film; it’s unconventional, but fun. Uma Thurman graces Motherhood as a talented mother of two, somewhat overwhelmed by the challenges of modern domesticity. Minnie Driver adds humor and balance.
Amreeka is a heartwarming portrayal of a Palestinian single mother trying to reinvent her life in a small town in Illinois. A real, but amusing story, it gives clarity to and appreciation of today’s immigrant experience.
For foreign film enthusiasts, The Maid and The Anarchist’s Wife are recommended. The Maid (“La Nana”) is from Chile, Spanish with English subtitles and won both the Grand Jury and Special Jury Prizes at Sundance. The Anarchist’s Wife, which takes place during the Spanish Civil War, is also in Spanish with English subtitles.
Vickie Kelber is familiar to many as an ex-City councillor as well as one who has served in many volunteer positions including work with Christmas Island Style, the Marco Island Film Festival, Citizens for a Safer Marco, the Marco Island Historical Society, and the Collier County Environmental Services Turtle Monitoring Program. Before establishing permanent residence in Marco Island with her husband George in 1999, for 25 years she was School Psychologist and Director of Special Services for the New Jersey Department of Education.
Vickie currently enjoys travel, photography, and as you can see, is an avid fan of films.
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