Sundance sightings: sorting rumor from reality

PARK CITY— The Sundance Film Festival has come to an end.

You know what that means? Yep, independent movies can now move back to the dusty video-store shelf into obscurity next to the collection of great "Ernest Goes to . . ." films.

RUMOR: Faye Dunaway was spotted multiple times in Park City acting strangely, having an argument out loud with herself, being rude and looking rather "rugged."

REALITY: The three visitors from Miami and the Main Street shop owner who described her as such might have used other words had they remembered her role in "Mommie Dearest" or had they known she's playing God in an upcoming movie.

RUMOR: Other stars might start acting like Faye Dunaway at Sundance.

REALITY: After all, none of the witnesses dared approach her for an autograph or a picture.

RUMOR: A name change could be in order for the "Lord of the Rings" documentary film entered in Slamdance called "Ringers: Lord of the Fans."

REALITY: Despite early hype, it only came in second place in the fan-favorite category of that off-shoot festival, losing to a movie about Farmer John. Perhaps "Ringers: Ignored by the Fans" or "Ringers: Runner-Up Lord According to the Fans" or "Ringers: Bored the Fans" might be more appropriate.

RUMOR: Stars from the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy were supposed to show up for the "Ringers" world premiere — and we're not just talking costume-wearing fans. For instance, Elijah "Frodo" Woods had promised he would show — but the stars apparently opted to go to wild parties instead.

RUMOR: A group of local teenage girls not wearing coats stood outside Treasure Mountain Inn in cold temperatures for hours late one night waiting for a glimpse of Orlando Bloom before the "Ringers" premiere — even though he's not in it.

REALITY: They didn't want his autograph. They simply wanted beauty tips on how to get their hair as silky and shiny as he had it when playing a pretty elf boy.

RUMOR: Bloom had a stunt double do his amazing archery feats in "LOTR."

REALITY: All "Lord of the Rings" mocking will cease here, just in case that's not true.

RUMOR: Tim Allen was the most famous person to grace the Kimball Junction Taco Bell during Sundance.