We had the awesome privilege to attend a Sundance film this year with the Sabins. They purchase the locals only passes every year and are kind enough to offer up a chance for us to join them. In previous years, we never get back to them in time to actually get a ticket so we miss out. Last year, we were able to go see Skateland with them which I think is the first time Andrew and I have ever been to a Sundance film together. Andrew’s not too interested in seeing indie films so I usually have to beg him to take a look at the film options with me which makes it difficult to decide on a film.

This year, I went through all of our prospects and picked out the ones I was most interested in seeing. Andrew ranked them and we gave our list to the Sabins. We ended up getting our first pick which was Reagan. Our overall view of the film was a good one. It was a very well done documentary that portrayed Reagan as a man and as a politician. It was very unbiased and I liked how it presented everything without trying to sway you to one way of thinking. The best part of the film for both of us, I think, was the parts that included Reagan’s son speaking about his dad. It definitely added a very personal feeling to the whole film and an inside look into his son’s feelings on his father’s life. I didn’t know much about Reagan before watching this and I definitely think this is a good watch for those interested in learning more about this president. Even Andrew, who is a bit of a history nut, learned some new things about Reagan and his presidency.

Even though this was a very well done film, Andrew and I would’ve probably picked another film to see at Sundance in retrospect. We definitely feel like we missed out on a once in a lifetime opportunity of seeing Being Elmo: A Puppeteer’s Journey and meeting Kevin Clash and Elmo himself like the Sabins did here. I like to blame it on Andrew since he was the final ranker and wasn’t as interested in Being Elmo as he is now, but we’ll definitely catch the documentary once it comes out. Another one of my picks that Andrew ranked on the lower end of his list (and by that I mean he completely left if off his list) actually won a Sundance award (Being Elmo also won an award) so I think I’ll try to catch it at some point if I ever have the opportunity. It’s called Resurrect Dead: The Mystery of the Toynbee Tiles and has a very interesting story, but it was just a little too “out of this world” for Andrew.

I love being in an area where the Sundance Film Festival is so easily accessible. I think Andrew and I will definitely be more active in attending more films in upcoming years. It’s always fun to see films that are off the beaten path. Maybe one day we’ll have the extra time and money to buy festival passes for ourselves and indulge in as many screenings as we wish.