Kristen Stewart - The Princess of Sundance?

I find it a little odd to think that a 19 year old girl will likely be the most photographed and talked about star at this year's Sundance Film Festival in Park City Utah. There are Academy award winners, fame whores, Industry heavy hitters galore. But all the photogs, all the reporters... they are all hoping for one thing. Kristen Stewart. Granted, Kristen is in 2 films at Sundance this year. But it is not like that has ever happened before. What is bizarre to me is that from the second she landed by private jet on Friday until she leaves, all eyes will be on her. And considering that Kristen Stewart is as fond of attention as women are of Brazilian's, I am sure this experience will be interesting!

Welcome the the Riley's is in competition at Sundance. This is the much anticipated K-Stew as a stripper role that was filmed before, during and after the press junket for Twilight back in late 2008. Lurking on some of the boards apparently there are a large number of fans who simply want to see their K-Stew naked. Sorry to disappoint all you skeevy pervs, but from what I have read, it isn't gonna happen. The film premiered yesterday and Kristen and co-star Melissa Leo were on hand to promote promote promote. I have not seen any inkling of James Gandolfini in Park City, so I am assuming that he has opted out of the press duties for this one

The reviews have been mixed. While most have consistently praised the performances, a number of reviewers have found the story to be cliched and lacking in originality. There has also been quite a bit of criticism heaped on Jake Scott's directorial efforts. I have read the script. And I agree that the story of a little girl lost who is saved by a couple who in turn are saved by the little girl lost is a little cliched. But, I am looking forward to seeing Kristen as something other than Bella Swan and for her to show to the world that she is capable of so much more than Twilight. One teeny beef I have with the reviews I have heard is that they are saying that Kristen is trying to "break free" from Bella Swan. Ummm.... no. She made this movie when Twilight was on the cusp of becoming the worldwide crazy insane phenomenon that it is now. I am pretty sure that Welcome to The Riley's does not have a distributor yet. So I don't know when we will get to see it.

Kristen's other movie at Sundance has distribution (yay!) and will be released in North America in March. It is also not part of the competition for Sundance. This is The Runaways - the Rock biopic about the Joan Jett, Cherie Currie band - The Runaways. This film is also very "buzzy" as it features fishnets, drugs, same-sex kissing, booze, rock and roll.... all those fun things that make a film buzz-worthy. Especially when they involve a kiss between Kristen Stewart and Dakota Fanning.

Although this was touted as a K-Stew film - early reports say that the standout in this is most definitely 15 year old Dakota Fanning. Dakota and Michael Shannon as sleazy manager Kim Fowley are apparently the stand outs in this movie. And before you lynch me, I am not saying that Kristen sucks in any way shape or form. Or that reviewers are saying she sucks. What reviewers are saying is that this is such a departure for Dakota - who has been America's sweetheart for how may years now? - that she becomes so immersed in her role that she is barely recognisable in parts. Even looking at these pictures, she is so grown up! And so pretty! Can't wait to see her strung out, in a fishnet stockings behaving in a decidedly non-Dakota way.

But really, I am sad to say that much of the focus on Kristen at Sundance will not be about the work that she has poured her heart and soul into. I think that most of the bloggers and detractors will be focusing on the number of times that Kristen smiles during interviews, how she doesn't look as polished as the Disney starlets she is constantly compared to, how she doesn't answer interviewers questions with that perfect sound byte. You know, the really important stuff. Gah. To dispel at least one of these things: I have purposefully included as many pics of Kristen looking at least half-way happy. Some are from The Runaways shoot and for those of you not as obsessed as I am: the top left photo is with director Floria Sigismondi

I wonder if Phillip Seymour Hoffman is ever talked about for his Sundance ensembles? Prolly not.

XO

Ch-Ch-Ch-Cherry Bomb!

I am not really a "I must do XYZ before I die" kind of person. I do not have one of those Bucket Lists that Jack and Morgan made a movie about a few years ago. I think it was even called The Bucket List. Anyways, although I am not a Bucket List maker, there are some things I really want to do at some point in my life. Comic-con is one. The South By South West Music Fest is another. TIFF - most definitely up there. Sundance. Oh Sundance. Especially this year.

The Sundance Film Festival is taking place in Park City Utah from now until the end of the month and I so wish I could be there. In spite of the invasion of Sundance by such dubious celebrities as Paris Hilton and Jon Gossellin (WTF?), and the over abundance of gifting lounges, I would still love to go one day. To be around so many small little films that are fighting for an audience. To witness the discovery of a film such as sex lies and videotape or Precious…. Anyways, 2 of the most anticipated films of Sundance star my girl crush Kristen Stewart. While only one of them is in the competition portion of the Festival – Welcome to the Rileys – the other movie – The Runaways – looks pretty damned awesome.

The Runaways makes its big Sundance debut this Sunday in Park City, and we have something that will keep your rocker hearts beating until then: an exclusive first look at the movie's teaser poster. We know, we know: now that you've gotten to see plenty more stills and a clip from the Kristen Stewart and Dakota Fanning-headlined flick, a "teaser" isn't exactly the sort of juice you're looking for. But…..Behold the full teaser poster above. In case you're scratching your head in wonderment: the fruity explosive device is a nod to The Runaways' famous hit song, "Cherry Bomb," which we saw Kristen rock out to in the teaser trailer

Source

And these stills released a few days ago! Oh la! This movie looks pretty fricking cool. They seem to have the look down perfectly. I can’t wait t see Dakota Fanning as a bad ass sexually adventurous rocker chick. I forget that she is not a baby anymore (well, she is, but she is not 10 years old anymore). I am also thoroughly impressed with Michael Shannon as the smarmy smarmy manager Kim Fowley. Doesn’t he make your skin crawl? Each time I see him in character I feel an overwhelming need to take a shower. *Shudder*

The Runaways premiers over the weekend in Park City, but the rest of us have to wait until March 19th or so to see this movie. Sadly I will be in a place where films do not premier on their opening weekend. :( Not sure when I will get a chance to see it. Hopefully it will still be on in Vancity when I get back from visiting my momma in Tasmania.

XO

Trailer Trash - The Runaways

Finally, a trailer has been released for The Runaways. And although it doesn't really tell you much, and there is no dialogue save a few snippets of songs and Michael Shannon as skeevy band manager Kim Fowley. If you were not aware, this film is a rock biopic about 1970's rock band The Runaways. Starring Kristen Stewart as Joan Jett and Dakota Fanning as Cherie Currie - the movie will debut at Sundance in a few weeks. The girls will not only be playing their own instruments, they are also lending their own voices to such classic songs as Cherry Bomb, Queens of Noise, Born to be Bad and many others. I hope that it gets a theatrical release soon after.

I also managed to get my grubby little paws on a copy of the script. Wowsers. Lotsa sex, drugs and rock and roll. I think that Dakota's good girl image is gonna go up in flames after her first girl on girl kiss with Kristen Stewart. And as for the actress best known as Bella Swan, she already has a reputation as quite the bad ass. This film is definitely gonna foster that image.

Can't fricking wait

XO

"The Runaways" gets a Poster and a 1st Screening Date

Kristen Stewart is gonna be one busy girl at The Sundance Film Festival in January 2010. Not only is Welcome to The Rileys part of the official program at the Festival in Park City, Utah but word has just come out that another film she completed in between filming New Moon and Eclipse here in Vancouver will be screened, likely looking for a distributor. I wasn't aware that they had a "non-competition" section to Sundance, but I am glad that they do.

The Runaways is the story of 1970's all-girl rock band of the same name. Starring Kristen Stewart as Joan Jett and Dakota Fanning as Cherie Currie, the film chronicles the band from their formation in 1975 until 1977 when Currie left at the height of their success. Also starring Academy Award nominee Michael Shannon as their manipulative manager Kim Fowley, and Alia Shawkett, Scout Taylor-Compton & Stella Maeve, I really really hope that someone picks this film up. I would hate for it to languish on a shelf somewhere.

I think this story is so fascinating. They were a manufactured group, but they turned the music industry, particularly the hard-rock music industry, on it's head. A bunch of 15-16 chicks filling stadiums, taking on what had always been a male dominated world, living the rockstar lifestyle as teenage girls. Looks pretty f*cking rad if you ask me. The first poster and promotional pictures were released recently. The poster is all about the legs and the guitars - and the red. I like it! I absolutely love the picture of Kristen and Dakota - they look fricking amazing and bad ass in this shot. I can't wait to see this movie.


Gah! Why do I not have a life that affords me the ability to go to Sundance? Or TIFF? Or SXSW? Sigh.... Maybe one day I will....


XO