Spent at Sundance

Every January the Sundance Film Festival brings filmmakers, indie enthusiasts and superstar wannabes to Utah. While the celebs generally migrate to Park City, the humble theaters of Salt Lake City are classy enough for the likes of us and where we choose to experience this indie influx without the distracting glitz. This year Jason and I attended six Sundance screenings. They were all very different shows but each had merit.

To Be Takei, a documentary about the space and civil rights colossus George Takei, was our favorite film this year. It was just the right mix of serious and hilarious and meeting the man himself made the experience even better.

Jason and I got a chance to meet George Takei. He was a nice and genuine kind of guy.
Jason and I got a chance to meet George Takei. He was a nice and genuine kind of guy.

The Overnighters, a poignant documentary about the strained relationship between the hopeful labor force that has been continually flooding into North Dakota in recent years to seek employment in the oil fields and the long-time residents, was thought-provoking. Fittingly, this film received an award at the festival for intuitive filmmaking.

Young Ones premiered at Sundance and featured one of my favs, Nicholas Hoult. This flick was an interesting futuristic fantasy with a retro texture. It was a bit of a downer really but still captivating.

The director of Young Ones, Jake Paltrow, provided one of our many fascinating Q&As this year.
The director of Young Ones, Jake Paltrow, provided one of our many fascinating Q&As this year.

The Double, directed by Richard Ayoade of The IT Crowd fame, was dark, I mean really dark, and depressing and funny all at once. It was an unexpected mix of sci-fi and stark reality.

Land Ho! was an amusing romp to Iceland with a pair of ex-brothers-in-law, a journey to reclaim their youthfulness. Jason and I found this film both believable and quite comical.

The Signal was a fun sci-fi thriller that kept us confused and guessing. And, days later, still thinking.

It's more than okay to be Takei!
It’s more than okay to be Takei!

All but one of the shows we attended this year were accompanied by Q&A sessions with the directors, actors, subjects, etc. That might be a record for us. Since hearing straight from the horse’s mouth is our favorite thing about Sundance, we were pleased indeed to be in the presence of so many fine steeds.

It was another great year for Sundance cinema. On that note, I still don’t understand why more locals don’t make a point to be part of this annual event. Why not take advantage of your proximity to a little culture? God knows that most Utahns could use some more of that.

A Family Grande

As a family Christmas present, my grandparents sent money for my parents’ whole lineup of offspring to go out to dinner. All 20+ of us hit a little Mexican place I had never heard of: La Hacienda in Draper. It turned out to be pretty tasty and the staff was very accommodating to our extra-large group. Jason was especially happy that they didn’t squish us onto an insufficient number of tables, which avoided the old “put one butt cheek on your neighbor’s lap and accidentally stab their hand with your fork” routine.

This enormous string of tables was required to seat our bulky group.
This enormous string of tables was required to seat our bulky group.
Tara and Savanna have a lot of energy, which they like to focus on mischievous endeavors.
Tara and Savanna have a lot of energy, which they like to focus on mischievous endeavors.
Wesley is ever ready to make a funny face.
Wesley is ever ready to make a funny face.
dinner-2014-full-table
Our lengthy row of tables did eventually fill up.

It’s been many years since my family has all eaten out together. Last time we did we fit on one table. Yeah, it’s been that long. So it was a treat to have an outsourced meal. Thanks Grandma and Grandpa for giving the family horde a feast!

A Brave New Year

It’s funny how varied people’s responses are to the arrival of a new year. Some herald that annual transition with excitement and hope. To others, it means resolutions that are never kept and, to a few, it’s only a source of discontent because, after a short stay, it’s guaranteed that that “new” year will depart again leaving deeper wrinkles and bigger waistlines as parting mementos. I’m not one for resolutions. They never last and why wait for the year to change before implementing important changes in your life? There’s no time like the present. I’m also not among the mopers: those that look back at their accumulation of days with mournfulness rather than looking forward at the thrilling days still ahead of them with anticipation. There’s no time like the present. Thus, with that optimistic attitude, Jason and I awaited 2014 and celebrated its coming by attending two parties.

Jacob lost a round of Killer Oompi for which he had to roll in the snow while dancing like a crazy person. He pulled off crazy pretty well.
Jacob lost a round of Killer Oompi for which he had to roll in the snow while dancing like a crazy person. He pulled off crazy pretty well.

First, we visited the Rowleys’ and participated in the embarrassing and amusing tradition that is Killer Oompi. (It’s basically Speed Uno with penalties.) I only lost once but it was a big loss. I had to go through a very long spanking tunnel multiple times while singing my own version of “What Does the Fox Say?” to the snickering spankers. I bet you always wanted to know what the crab, iguana and narwhal say.

This group of giants represents a significant portion of my high school buddies.
This group of giants represents a significant portion of my high school buddies.
Jason seems a touch too happy here considering it's just sparkling juice that he's sipping.
Jason seems a touch too happy here considering it’s just sparkling juice that he’s sipping.

After Jason and I finished humiliating ourselves, we headed to Cam and Fran’s for a relaxed conclusion to our festive evening. Those assembled feasted on ice cream and went way down memory lane with old high school scrapbooks.

A toast to friendships that have lasted through many new years.
A toast to friendships that have lasted through many new years.

Many thanks to those that hosted gatherings that night. We gratefully welcome our few chances to be the party guests rather than the party throwers.

All in all, it was a very satisfying changeover into the new. Hello 2014! I know you’ll only be around for a bit but we’ve still got three hundred and forty-something days to rock this planet together so let’s get started. There’s no time like the present.