From time to time as this universe of mine becomes far too cluttered for one geek to handle... there becomes a necessity to break out secret weapons. To cover Sundance this year... I broke out the deadliest of my secret weapons. LYNN BRACKEN. She would be a sultry hot angel amongst the frozen peaks of Utah, drying the road beneath those gorgeous toes of hers as she glided from one theater to another. She would take away breaths and restore faith in life to all those industry types up on high. And now... Here's the first dishing by Lynn Bracken...

Dear Boys:

Here is part I of Lynn Bracken's Sundance experience:

Greetings from Hollywood, the Land of Broken dreams. Lynn Bracken here, readjusting to the air "down here". So glad to be back where I can smoke a cigarette without passing out cold on the street. I had quite a time in Sundance thanks to "Sugar Daddy Harry" and many, MANY helpful souls. I saw lots of movies (thank you J.D. and R.J.M.) and here is a partial report:

FEATURE FILMS:

The first film I saw was

"Two Family House"

*** (Three Stars)

I thoroughly enjoyed this film, a tale of a man with passion without the means to express it. Buddy Visalo (Michael Rispoli) is living in the fifties, an era where commitment and responsibilty are the core values and dreamers are left by the side of the road. Buddy has come off of a series of bad business ventures, and his wife Estelle (Katherine Narducci) is fed up. When Buddy spends his inheritance on an old "two family house" he thinks it will be easy to evict the upstairs tenants: a middle-aged Irishman and his very young, VERY pregnant wife. Turns out the law is on the side of the Irish couple (played by Kelly Macdonald and Kevin Conway) and Buddy tries in vain to bully the two into leaving. Once they are out, Buddy & Estelle can move to the upstairs apartment and turn the lower apartment into a bar. However, Buddy cannot bring himself to put the couple out in the cold, and when the baby is born the daily life of these characters takes a surprising turn.

Entirely well acted and beautifully directed, this sweet movie explores prejudice, charity, love, and relationships in a way which is as refreshing as it is unique. Look for great things from this very talented writer/director: Raymond DeFelitta. It is little wonder this film was awarded the Audience Award for Dramatic Film this year.

"Committed"

** (Two Stars)

This light-as-air comedy nearly hits its mark with its screwball characters and inventive premise. Joline (Heather Graham) marries Carl (Luke Wilson) and takes her vows entirely to heart, but when Carl disappears her faith is challenged. Joline leaves NYC, and relying heavily on divination and luck tracks her estranged husband, finding him in Texas. Convinced that Carl will come to his senses, Joline spies on him and while doing so meets a host of strange and wonderful characters including his new mistress Carmen (Patricia Velasquez). What happens next is a dizzying display of desperation, hope, faith, and attraction.

The writer/director Lisa Krueger ("Manny & Lo") shows great promise. This movie has some truly inspired moments. Unfortunately, these were interrupted by some of the worst voiceover I have heard. Heather Graham is positively glowing in this film, but she cannot carry it. Casey Affleck plays her brother Jay, and the two of them together are completely static, it's as if Affleck believes his mere prescence is enough (it isn't). Highlights are Luke Wilson's performance, Goren Visnjic as his bizarre next door neighbor Neil, and Patricia Velasquez as Carmen.

"Joe Gould's Secret"

**** (Four Stars)

This movie took my breath away. Based on a true story, and the writings of The New Yorker columnist Joseph Mitchell (Stanley Tucci), the film details how a soft-spoken Southerner (Tucci's character) is wholly changed by a man named Joe Gould (Ian Holm). A beautifully filmed period movie set in 1940's NYC, this movie is worthy of your attention.

Joseph Mitchell is a family man and a shy staff writer for The New Yorker. He becomes interested in a strange vagrant named Joe Gould. Mitchell investigates Gould's connections in the literary and artistic communities and finds that everyone who is anyone knows Joe Gould. Mitchell becomes obsessed with Gould's writings and the two become friends for a while. Mitchell's fascination with Gould's life becomes a source of comfort for Gould. The story which unfolds is sad and funny all at once.

It seems Mr. Tucci has made a perfect film. If you are expecting anything like "Big Night" or "The Imposters", you may be diappointed with the weight of this film. It is very like his previous films however, in its amazing cast.

Stanley Tucci plays Mitchell with the right balance of heart and brains. His flawless Carolina accent lays a steady cadence I haven't heard from this actor before.

By contrast, Ian Holm's Joe Gould hits highs and lows sometimes in alternate breaths. Holm is utterly transfomed. This performance is almost beyond belief, Holm broke my heart so many times in this film I almost could not bear it.

Also present was Susan Sarandon playing artist Alice Neel. Sarandon is always excellent, and this is no exception.

Fast becoming one of my favorite actors, Allan Corduner (he plays Sullivan in "Topsy Turvy") turns in a delightful if brief performance here.

See this film.

"Girlfight"

***1/2 (Three and one half Stars)

This amazing debut feature film from Karyn Kusama was my favorite film at Sundance this year.

A story about a teenaged girl Diana (first time actor Michelle Rodriguez) who finds herself unable to express her anger without decking someone. Turning her frustration into something constructive, she begins training with her brother Tiny's (Ray Santiago) boxing coach Hector (Jaime Tirelli).

This intimate film is shot beautifully (Diana's eyes, oh my!). The music (often a tight Flemenco-style number) communicates the dance-like dynamic between Diana and her opponents in the ring and out. The dialogue is nearly flawless, although it sometimes runs the risk of being cliche (lines like: "Would it kill you to wear a skirt?", and "I didn't make the cheerleading team"). Kusama's secret weapon lies with the casting of this beautiful film. Michelle Rodriguez is spellbinding and her chemistry with all of the other actors is palpable. The fight sequences are exciting, and the violence in this film is at no point glorified or exploited. Karyn Kusama won the Sundance Directing award, and "Girlfight" shared the Grand Jury Prize. You must see this film.

More to come: Reviews of "Lush" "The Opportunists" "Panic" "Boiler Room" "My Generation" "Dropping Out" "New Waterford Girl" "Other Voices" "Urbania" and "Spike & Mike's Sick &Twisted Festival of Animation".

Plus: My Five favorite short films from Park City.

And that's all the news that's fit to print.

Sayonara, Lynn Bracken