sundance channel Tagged Articles at Cinematical

Cinematical has received this exclusive clip from tonight's episode of Big Ideas for a Small Planet, which airs on the Sundance Channel at 9:00pm e/p. The clip above features Architect Peter Demaria of Logical Design located in East Los Angeles. Demaria has a unique job: He creates homes out of shipping crates. Yup, shipping crates. Watch the clip above to see what I'm talking about, then gun it over to the Sundance Channel tonight at 9pm (heck, TIVO the show if you have to -- it looks pretty damn cool). Tonight's episode, titled Live, comes with this synopsis: "The recent building boom – one of the biggest in history – used enormous quantities of resources and generated millions of tons of garbage through the demolition of older structures. This episode surveys some fresh ideas for eco-conscious construction and de-construction."

For more info, check out Big Ideas for a Small Planet on the Sundance Channel website.

Ever since I first heard that the Sundance Channel was entering the Second Life world with their own little island, I was interested in learning more about this virtual society -- which was kind of like The Sims meets the real world. Needless to say, after about five minutes my mind was blown, and I couldn't quite wrap my head around everything going on inside. Part of me was afraid those five minutes would turn into 24 hours -- which would turn into days -- and I would soon be lost partying it up with some virtual girl named Electra Fox, in some virtual club, while my very real wife hit me over the head with a reality check hammer.

For independent film fanatics, the Sundance Island could be a pretty cool place to check out -- if only for the planned screenings and special Q&A sessions currently in the works. In fact, one of my favorite little gems from this year, Four Eyed Monsters, will be premiering tomorrow (that's January 9) at 8PM EST -- becoming the first feature film to do so within the Sundance Second Life world. The film will play (for free) in the Sundance Channel Screening Room, as well as a host of other places (Crayon, Laguna Beach Club, The Elbow Room, The Shelter, etc ...), in order to accommodate all those that want to attend. Each screening room can only hold 50 people, and during (and following) the Monsters screening, directors Arin Crumley and Susan Buice will be on hand (as their Second Life avatars) to answer questions from those in attendance.

You can find out more about the Four Eyed Monsters screening from the filmmakers themselves via their brand new, super cool podcast (which includes a list of all the venues where their film will be screening). And, for more on the Sundance Second Life island, check out their blog.

Odds and ends from I can't believe it's not Friday yet (a/k/a Thursday)

• After watching him sign on for role after role, I was waiting for the day when all of this pimping would catch up to Vin Diesel. Well folks, it appears that day has come. It's now being reported Diesel has dropped out of the film Black Water Transit, forcing filmmakers to hurriedly replace the actor with filming set to begin at the end of July. No word yet on why he skipped out on the pic (perhaps he hates black water and/or the transit system), but if a replacement isn't found soon, look for this one to get pushed back. Also starring in the film are Kevin Bacon, James Franco and Sophie Okonedo.
• While I'm not so sure what's funny about being a grieving widower, apparently NALA films felt there was something comedic behind the idea for Only Ever You. Griffin Dunne has been attached to direct the romantic comedy which will follow a guy who's having a hard time getting over the death of his wife. The description becomes a bit confusing after that, but I'm guessing he eventually moves on from the sadness and finds a new lease on life. Once again, what's funny about that?
• Looks like the Sundance Channel wants to get in on this whole internet thing. It appears the cable channel has struck a deal with two media companies to begin streaming some of its films online. We're not sure what, when and how this will all go down but they did note that all revenues will be shared with the filmmakers. Ain't that special. I'd be curious to see if they somehow work the Sundance Film Festival into this streaming as a way for folks stuck at home to catch a glimpse of the action playing in Park City. For those of us too poor to fly out to Utah, something like that would be very enticing.

In association with the UK's Tartan Films, the Sundance Channel has picked up exclusive television rights to a nice little pile of films that will air in their Asia Extreme block at midnight on Sundays, starting in April. The films included in the package are 2/3 of Chan-wook Park's Revenge trilogy (Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance and Oldboy), Samaritan Girl, A Tale of Two Sisters, Memento Mori, H, Phone, and A Snake of June.

Yes, seven of the eight films are Korean (A Snake of June is Japanese) - apparently that's what passes for "Asian" these days. China? Hong Kong? Never heard of them. And yes, the whole "Asia Extreme!" marketing gimmick is idiotic and offensive. But the fact is that it's great these movies are going to be on cable, no matter the context. It will be interesting, however, to see if Sundance still cares about airing these films when the current buzz over Korean film expires - that's when such a block will really be appreciated by fans of Asian cinema.

Every year, The Sundance Channel's party at Sundance is a mix of producers, sponsors, press and stars. This year's, held Thursday afternoon down on Main Street, had one very special guest of honor -- Robert Redford himself, who shook hands and talked with paparazzi as naturally as, well, a movie star.

It's got to be nice to be the boss.

Cinematical: Acting bolder even over your shoulder.