8 Sundance films feature favorite actors, filmmakers, writers

I'll be honest: I haven't had the best of luck picking films to see at the Sundance Film Festival in recent years.

While I have been wowed by such Sundance selections as "Man on Wire" and "Waitress," I've also been burned by the likes of "Towelhead" and "The Mysteries of Pittsburgh."

So this year, I'm simply going with favorites. Actors, filmmakers, writers, etc.

Here are eight films at Sundance this year — one of them is playing at the competing Slamdance Film Festival — that have caught my eye:

"500 Days of Summer" (Jan. 17 and 18 in Park City; Jan. 19 at Sundance resort; Jan. 20 in Salt Lake City; Jan. 23 in Ogden)

I can't resist either Joseph Gordon-Levitt or Zooey Deschanel.

"An Education" (Jan. 18, 22 and 24 in Park City; Jan. 20 in Salt Lake City; Jan. 23 in Ogden)

A coming-of-age tale that not only features Emma Thompson, it was written by my favorite novelist, "About a Boy" creator Nick Hornby.

"Big Fan" (Jan. 18, 20, 22 and 23 in Park City; Jan. 20 in Salt Lake City)

Funny man Patton Oswalt as an obsessed sports fan? I'm there.

"Five Minutes of Heaven" (Jan. 19, 20 and 24 in Park City; Jan. 23 in Salt Lake City)

Liam Neeson is the star of this thriller, which shows the meeting of a killer and the brother of the man he killed. And it's directed by Oliver Hischbiegel, who also made the Oscar-winning "Downfall."

"I Am So Proud Of You" (Jan. 16, 18, 22 and 24 in Park City; Jan. 17 in Salt Lake City)'

Always-reliable animator Don Hertfeldt's latest piece is playing as part of a Sundance shorts collection.

"Moon" (Jan. 23, 24 and 25 in Park City; Jan. 24 in Salt Lake City)

Even when the movie is so-so, you can still depend on actor Sam Rockwell to hold your interest. (This one's sci-fi, by the way.)

"The Slammin' Salmon" (Jan. 17 and 22 in Park City)

The hilarious Broken Lizard comedy troupe, who brought its earlier comedies "Puddle Cruiser" and "Super Troopers" to Sundance, debuts its latest at Slamdance this year.

"Spring Breakdown" (Jan. 16, 18, 22 and 24 in Park City; Jan. 17 in Salt Lake City)

"Saturday Night Live" cast member Amy Poehler and comic actress Jane Lynch are two of the funniest women working in film and television today.

CONTINUING TO TOUCH LIVES:

Gayle Stevens died Aug. 22 from injuries suffered in an auto collision.

You may not recognize the name, but Stevens was the chairwoman of the Sundance Institute's Utah Advisory Board. And she was beloved by many in the community.

This year, the Sundance Film Festival has added a service award in her honor — The Gayle Stevens Award for Volunteer of the Year.

The award will be given to a "long-time volunteer who (has) gone above and beyond in (his or her) contributions to the festival."

The recipient will also get a festival express pass — to use when the person is not volunteering, of course.

E-mail: jeff@desnews.com