Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
It's a visual.
Speaker 2 (00:01):
The Sundance Film Festival calling Boulder it's new home come
twenty twenty.
Speaker 1 (00:05):
Seven, Boulder beating out of their finalist locations Cincinnati and
Salt Lake City following the decision to move the festival
out of Park City, which Sundance is called home since
it started forty years ago. Joining us now in the
KA Comma Spirit Health Hotline to talk more about it
is Hollywood and Toto's Christian Toto, our friend and film
critic Christian, I imagine the environment of Sundance it matters
as much, if not more than the films it ever produces.
(00:27):
Boulder seems like a logical choice if they're not going
to keep it in Utah.
Speaker 3 (00:31):
It's a perfect fit in many many ways, and I
think that's why they made the decision, and I think
it's a good one. You know, on different front. You know,
the Sunday Film Festival used to be a big thing
and it still is. But I think if you're not
a film fanatic, it doesn't really hit your radar as
much as it used to. So I think just change
alone will be good.
Speaker 2 (00:51):
Christian tell us a little bit about what Sundance is
all about. Maybe somebody's hearing it for the first time.
They always hear about the Sundance Film Festival, but they
don't really know the specifics of what takes place during
this time.
Speaker 3 (01:02):
Yeah, it's a mecca for independent films. It's a place
for them to be screened for the first time or
among the first times. It's meant to nurture, you know,
up and coming voices, different filmmakers you've never heard from before,
and people I see that Steven Soderberg have been kind
of graduates from that kind of a climate, and that's
a good thing. But I think in more recent years,
(01:22):
a lot of big stars are there, a lot of
bigger projects are there. Sometimes these Oscar bait movies do
pop up there, So I think it doesn't feel as
indie and raw and gritty as it once did, and
maybe maybe the change in location will help bring that back.
Speaker 1 (01:36):
You mentioned that, Christian, I was going to ask, why
do you think at least is it just because it's
aged as time? It's not, as you mentioned nietzsch or
as cool and hip as it used to be. Is
it just because it's time and age?
Speaker 3 (01:48):
I mean, it's a lot of things. You know, once
you've got a reputation and a brand, then some of
the bigger stars want to be there for sure. And
you know, I think that the movies themselves, and it's
going to like the crusty old critic talking, but they
haven't been as in facial reasons. It haven't been any
those breakout Sundance films that everyone's talking about that we
have to wait five or six months to get into theaters.
(02:08):
So I just think a lot of things have been changing.
And you know, also Robert Redford has taking a bit
of a step back. He's in his eighties now. I
don't know. I'm hoping he's healthy and sound, but you know,
he used to be the real face of it, and
I think he's kind of let some of his colleagues
go to step forward too. So I'd love to see
a return to Robert Redford and kind of say, hey,
this is my baby, this is why I created it.
I love movies. I'm a product of Hollywood, but I
(02:29):
want to I want to give the next generation a chance.
Speaker 2 (02:31):
Okay, So going off of that, do you think Boulder
will Obviously this is all pretty much speculation, but do
you think Boulder will bring sundance to its original roots
will have a say in how it wants it to
be seen, or will it continue to look like what
it currently looks like.
Speaker 3 (02:46):
I mean, it is a chance to shake the extra sketch.
So I hope it's the former, not the latter. And
you know, I think there's a real lesson here, and
this is not just for indie filmmakers. Well, Hollywood is
in trouble right now. I think in part because they're
spending way too much money on these and even like
a mission impossible, the budget becomes so garganguine that to
make their money back is almost impossible. No one intended.
(03:07):
So I think what what Hollywood in general should look
for is a Sundance film festival spirit where it can
do it. It's bootstrap. It's maybe these filmmakers don't have
a ton of money, but they make it. They make
it happen. They work around all the different obstacles, and
they think that Hollywood needs that sensibility moving forward. They
just need to be that's from an economic point of view.
(03:28):
They could learn a lot from mini filmmakers. They just
know how to make things happen.
Speaker 1 (03:32):
Let's broaden this out. Since you did, you've written extensively
and talked and being critical about Hollywood in general about
getting away from the entertainment being more broad in their
approach as opposed to and even storytelling is fine, but
you said, to the point where it's like you feel
like you're getting scolded every time you do something. Do
you think they're learning that lesson? And is maybe that
plagued somewhat of Sundance as well?
Speaker 3 (03:53):
Quite possibly, you know, I think Sundance will probably tell
you all the people work there. It's about diversity of thought,
giving you different voices a chance to be heard, and
that's all good, but have a real diversity, you know.
I follow the saga of Adam Carolla, who's sort of
a libertarian podcaster or comedian, and he's talked about how
he's made some really good, smart indie documentaries and they
(04:14):
don't have a chance at Sundance, and he said that
he was told directly they don't like him. But that's
not good because he's actually a pretty smart storyteller. He
is a great movie called Uppaty about one of the
first I think he might have been the first black
NASCAR driver. I forget the specific. That was the kind
of movie that should have been Sundance, but because they
don't like Adam Corolla, he didn't pop up there. So yeah,
I mean, I think they should broaden the storytelling approach
(04:36):
and let a lot of different voices there, because that
matter is it could be marginalized groups, it could be conservatives.
I mean, it should be everybody. If they've got a
great story to tell, let them tell it.
Speaker 2 (04:45):
Well see what it all looks like. Come twenty twenty seven, Christian,
while we have you real quick, do you see any
movies on the big screen right now are coming up
in this year that could really help that box off
as lackluster numbers we've seen as of late.
Speaker 3 (04:58):
You know, it's tough to to the end of the
year for the next Avatar film. Those films just print money.
And then of course some superhero films like Superman are
coming out later this summer. But Minecraft is a week
or two away in the Minecraft movie, and that's with
Jason Momoa and Jack Black and boy, that game is
so old school and retro, but it's been around for
years and there's a lot of real devotion to it.
(05:19):
So I think that could be the first real pick
me up for Hollywood.
Speaker 1 (05:22):
Hollywood and Toto's Christian total. Always love catching up with you,
my friend.
Speaker 3 (05:24):
Thank you, thanks so much,
It's a visual.
Speaker 2 (00:01):
The Sundance Film Festival calling Boulder it's new home come
twenty twenty.
Speaker 1 (00:05):
Seven, Boulder beating out of their finalist locations Cincinnati and
Salt Lake City following the decision to move the festival
out of Park City, which Sundance is called home since
it started forty years ago. Joining us now in the
KA Comma Spirit Health Hotline to talk more about it
is Hollywood and Toto's Christian Toto, our friend and film
critic Christian, I imagine the environment of Sundance it matters
as much, if not more than the films it ever produces.
(00:27):
Boulder seems like a logical choice if they're not going
to keep it in Utah.
Speaker 3 (00:31):
It's a perfect fit in many many ways, and I
think that's why they made the decision, and I think
it's a good one. You know, on different front. You know,
the Sunday Film Festival used to be a big thing
and it still is. But I think if you're not
a film fanatic, it doesn't really hit your radar as
much as it used to. So I think just change
alone will be good.
Speaker 2 (00:51):
Christian tell us a little bit about what Sundance is
all about. Maybe somebody's hearing it for the first time.
They always hear about the Sundance Film Festival, but they
don't really know the specifics of what takes place during
this time.
Speaker 3 (01:02):
Yeah, it's a mecca for independent films. It's a place
for them to be screened for the first time or
among the first times. It's meant to nurture, you know,
up and coming voices, different filmmakers you've never heard from before,
and people I see that Steven Soderberg have been kind
of graduates from that kind of a climate, and that's
a good thing. But I think in more recent years,
(01:22):
a lot of big stars are there, a lot of
bigger projects are there. Sometimes these Oscar bait movies do
pop up there, So I think it doesn't feel as
indie and raw and gritty as it once did, and
maybe maybe the change in location will help bring that back.
Speaker 1 (01:36):
You mentioned that, Christian, I was going to ask, why
do you think at least is it just because it's
aged as time? It's not, as you mentioned nietzsch or
as cool and hip as it used to be. Is
it just because it's time and age?
Speaker 3 (01:48):
I mean, it's a lot of things. You know, once
you've got a reputation and a brand, then some of
the bigger stars want to be there for sure. And
you know, I think that the movies themselves, and it's
going to like the crusty old critic talking, but they
haven't been as in facial reasons. It haven't been any
those breakout Sundance films that everyone's talking about that we
have to wait five or six months to get into theaters.
(02:08):
So I just think a lot of things have been changing.
And you know, also Robert Redford has taking a bit
of a step back. He's in his eighties now. I
don't know. I'm hoping he's healthy and sound, but you know,
he used to be the real face of it, and
I think he's kind of let some of his colleagues
go to step forward too. So I'd love to see
a return to Robert Redford and kind of say, hey,
this is my baby, this is why I created it.
I love movies. I'm a product of Hollywood, but I
(02:29):
want to I want to give the next generation a chance.
Speaker 2 (02:31):
Okay, So going off of that, do you think Boulder
will Obviously this is all pretty much speculation, but do
you think Boulder will bring sundance to its original roots
will have a say in how it wants it to
be seen, or will it continue to look like what
it currently looks like.
Speaker 3 (02:46):
I mean, it is a chance to shake the extra sketch.
So I hope it's the former, not the latter. And
you know, I think there's a real lesson here, and
this is not just for indie filmmakers. Well, Hollywood is
in trouble right now. I think in part because they're
spending way too much money on these and even like
a mission impossible, the budget becomes so garganguine that to
make their money back is almost impossible. No one intended.
(03:07):
So I think what what Hollywood in general should look
for is a Sundance film festival spirit where it can
do it. It's bootstrap. It's maybe these filmmakers don't have
a ton of money, but they make it. They make
it happen. They work around all the different obstacles, and
they think that Hollywood needs that sensibility moving forward. They
just need to be that's from an economic point of view.
(03:28):
They could learn a lot from mini filmmakers. They just
know how to make things happen.
Speaker 1 (03:32):
Let's broaden this out. Since you did, you've written extensively
and talked and being critical about Hollywood in general about
getting away from the entertainment being more broad in their
approach as opposed to and even storytelling is fine, but
you said, to the point where it's like you feel
like you're getting scolded every time you do something. Do
you think they're learning that lesson? And is maybe that
plagued somewhat of Sundance as well?
Speaker 3 (03:53):
Quite possibly, you know, I think Sundance will probably tell
you all the people work there. It's about diversity of thought,
giving you different voices a chance to be heard, and
that's all good, but have a real diversity, you know.
I follow the saga of Adam Carolla, who's sort of
a libertarian podcaster or comedian, and he's talked about how
he's made some really good, smart indie documentaries and they
(04:14):
don't have a chance at Sundance, and he said that
he was told directly they don't like him. But that's
not good because he's actually a pretty smart storyteller. He
is a great movie called Uppaty about one of the
first I think he might have been the first black
NASCAR driver. I forget the specific. That was the kind
of movie that should have been Sundance, but because they
don't like Adam Corolla, he didn't pop up there. So yeah,
I mean, I think they should broaden the storytelling approach
(04:36):
and let a lot of different voices there, because that
matter is it could be marginalized groups, it could be conservatives.
I mean, it should be everybody. If they've got a
great story to tell, let them tell it.
Speaker 2 (04:45):
Well see what it all looks like. Come twenty twenty seven, Christian,
while we have you real quick, do you see any
movies on the big screen right now are coming up
in this year that could really help that box off
as lackluster numbers we've seen as of late.
Speaker 3 (04:58):
You know, it's tough to to the end of the
year for the next Avatar film. Those films just print money.
And then of course some superhero films like Superman are
coming out later this summer. But Minecraft is a week
or two away in the Minecraft movie, and that's with
Jason Momoa and Jack Black and boy, that game is
so old school and retro, but it's been around for
years and there's a lot of real devotion to it.
(05:19):
So I think that could be the first real pick
me up for Hollywood.
Speaker 1 (05:22):
Hollywood and Toto's Christian total. Always love catching up with you,
my friend.
Speaker 3 (05:24):
Thank you, thanks so much,
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