Watch creator Robert Redford set the stage for this incredible week in his opening remarks and how he insists on preserving the purpose of the Sundance Institute.
Listen to veterans Richard Jenkins & Richard Gere describe what the festival has become, a place where studio films are now considered art films.

Joel Edgerton says he loves coming to Sundance, especially for the World Premiere of his new Australian film WISH YOU WERE HERE. Then up and comers like John Krasinski and Rashida Jones screen their new films in the Premieres section.

It's all really exciting, even if there was a blizzard in the middle....

MARTHA MARCY MAY MARLENE was noticeable for several reasons including the impressive feature debut of Sean Durkin, another amazing performance by John Hawkes, but perhaps most of all by the introduction of Elizabeth Olsen. Sister of the Olsen Twins, Lizzie may have been born into a showbiz world but her focus has been more towards non-sitcom fare like independent cinema and performance. Lizzie was back in Sundance this year with two more films, the terrific LIBERAL ARTS and the disappointing RED LIGHTS, but it's safe to say that since last year, she has arrived.

We spoke with Sean and Lizzie at the Cannes Film Festival, where the film about the psychological repercussions of a cult-like existence found a whole new audience and international appeal. Listen to Sean explain how the story came in part from the experience of some close friends, then watch Lizzie reveal how she needed to understand the psychological transformation her character endures and how she came to terms with the variety of abuse that may exist in cults.

Leonardo DiCaprio portrays this intriguing man under the precise direction of Clint Eastwood. And even though it doesn't paint a necessarily pretty picture of Hoover (or of an aging Leonardo!) it is a fascinating, and slightly unsettling, insight into the power and corruption that is prevalent in these official institutions.
But despite this Hoover did leave a remarkable legacy, that of the FBI. He dedicated 50 years of his life to setting up the Bureau and developed many of the investigative techinques and forensic practices that we take for granted today, including finger printing.   

Leonardo DiCaprio talks of lure of playing a man who spent his whole life infiltrating the lives of others while protecting the privacy of his own, with rumours of his questioned sexuality with his 'number two man' Clyde Tolson. Even though there was never any proof of their relationship, the film is unambigious about what its preference is.

Once again DiCaprio fully inhabits this character and woes Andrew with his knowledge of both Hoover and American political history. Armie Hammer, who played (both) twins in 'The Social Network' backs him up with an equally superb performance as Tolson, as does Australia's Naomie Watts who plays Hoover's personal assistant Helen Gandy.

Watts marvels at the loyalty of this woman, who was Hoover's secretary until the day he died, shredding  files, turning a blind eye and keeping all his wrong doings underwraps. Even 5 years following Hoover's death, when she had nothing to lose or lives to destroy, her testimony still (incorrectly) claimed nothing unethical took place in the offices of J. Edgar Hoover. 

If you can get past the questionable make up of all three actors aging into their twilight years, this really is a very interesting observation of one of America's most powerful lawmen.   

Charlize Theron gives a tour de force performance, that has already won her a Golden Globe Award, as Mavis - a slightly delusional minor celebrity writer who wakes up to discover her life isn't as amazing as she may have thought and that her small town high school sweetheart may just be the answer to getting her life back on track. So she hits the road to rekindle the romance with the ex, played by Patrick Wilson, who is now happily married with a newborn child. Astoundingly this is of no concern or relevance to Mavis, and is the first of many cringe-worthy moments the film serves up.

Andrew chats to Charlize about playing a character that, quite frankly, is rather hard to like, who in Charlize's words is just 'erk'. Yet it was a character she was thrilled to play, not only to work with director Jason Reitman ('Up in the Air', 'Juno', 'Thank You for Smoking'), who confesses that he loves unlikeable people and that Mavis is his most fully developed and interesting character that he has directed to date.

Andrew then chats with writer Diablo Cody who tells how she was more surprised than most, that her script was adapted to film and that an actor of Charlize Theron's star quality would then bring it to life.

Another stand out performance is from stand up comedian Patton Oswalt, who explains how his comedic talents helped him inhabit his rather down and out character.  

For those who like their film raw and ready, YOUNG ADULT is a must see.

This ridiculously rich roll call includes Gary Oldman, Colin Firth, John Hurt, Toby Jones, Mark Strong, Tom Hardy and Kathy Burke, so if you find the slow simmering suspense a bit of a yawn, the cast alone should engage most cinephiles.

Gary Oldman reveals that what many may think is his most restrained performance, was one he had been waiting for all his life. Oldman plays the LeCarre's infamous character George Smiley, a role that Sir Alec Guinness first made his own in the award winning BBC TV series.

Colin Firth tells Andrew Warne the film is much more than a spy movie with very humane themes particularly that of isolation and loneliness. And if you thought the back drop of the Cold War might be a little outdated, the cast and director all claim that an understanding of that period is comparative to, and essential to understand, what is going on in the world today.

Andrew finds out why author John LeCarre insisted on Director Tomas Alfredson & Writer Peter Straughan developing a more loose adaptation of the book and how the languid pace of the film was a challenge, again in these Bond & Bourne times.

TINKER TAILOR SOLIDER SPY is a favourite among critics and picked up 11 nominations at the British Academy Film & Television Awards. Check out our segment to uncover the full story.

Watch the filmmaker explain how his perception changed when his newest daughter turned twelve and how the confluence of themes in this remarkable book became irresistible to him because it encompassed all of his passions.

Listen to Sir Ben Kingsley describe how wonderful it was to be involved in Scorsese's love letter to cinema. Then hear the film's two young stars describe how creepy the vintage robot was in the film and the sense of magic on the gigantic sets at Shepperton Studios in the UK.

This is a truly exceptional film that won Scorsese a Best Director Golden Globe this past weekend. Go see it!

Steven Spielberg first bought the rights to THE ADVENTURES OF TINTIN in 1983 shortly after Hergé passed away, however it has been reported that the artist had said that Spielberg was the only director who he could trust with his beloved boy reporter and snowy dog.

Meanwhile word got out that there was another die hard TINTIN fan (across the oceans) who had the perfect tools to bring the Hergé legacy to life. Enter Peter Jackson, who convinced Spielberg to shoot the film in performance capture CG-animation rather than live action. It's hard to believe this is Spielberg's first animation, but after watching the film we know you will agree, this technology was the ideal choice. 

Lending a hand, or at least voices and body movements, are the best of the Brits, Jamie Bell (as TinTin), Daniel Craig, Andy Serkis and Simon Pegg. Pegg, a huge Spielberg fan, was the director's one and only choice to play one part of the bumbling detectives Thompson, with his best buddy Nick Frost playing the other... Thomson. 

Movie News caught up with Pegg on his recent trip to Sydney to find out what his adventure was like working on TINTIN how it feels to now be on Steven Spielberg's speed dial!

Watch director Brett Ratner explain how the culture caught up to story, then Alan Alda dispute the association with Bernie Madoff.

Listen to Ben and Eddie explain how the storyline morphed from an original idea about crooks robbing an entire building to some clueless service employees taking down a schemer.

I have to say over the many years of interviewing actors, one of the most consistently entertaining and hysterically funny is Robin Williams. I do not remember an interview with him that has not left me crying with laughter. Watch the comedian describe the return of the 'Latin Lover' Ramon, and how the addition of a new animal, a Puffin, brought a little sexual confusion to the proceedings.

Then listen to George Miller relate how the themes of the sequel have changed with the world around them, and his inability to explain his remarkable career from MD to MAD MAX and Animated Gold.

At this year's Cannes Film Festival, headlines were grabbed for all the wrong reasons but two renowned directors have produced two incredibly ambitious and artistic films.

Danish director Lars Von Trier goes first with MELANCHOLIA, a "beautiful film about the end of the world", and one of the director's most exquisite films, not a word usually associated with the notorious misanthrope and misogynist.
Listen to co-star Kirsten Dunst describe how she reconciled the emotional meltdown her character faces with the apocalyptic meltdown of the world she inhabits.

Then, in a film no less ambitious and controversial, THE SKIN I LIVE IN, Antonio Banderas reunites for the first time in 20 years with director Pedro Almodovar in a completely new genre for them both: a psychological thriller!
Watch Banderas describe his character, a plastic surgeon, as Frankenstein or worse, 'an ego-trip psychopath monster'! Now if that doesn't make you curious...

For the first time in this franchise, Cruise's Ethan Hunt is forced to use more of a team approach to resolving his latest mission: clearing his name as a suspect in a terrorist bombing in Moscow. Team IMF includes Jeremy Renner, Paula Patton and Simon Pegg.

Listen to Jeremy Renner describe how very little scares Tom Cruise, and relate his own participation in the terrifying sequence hanging out of the Burj Kalifa at nearly two kilometres up!

Then watch Simon Pegg explain why he was brought back for this film: to defuse some of the tension with his signature wit!

DOLPHIN TALE is one of those films that is so life-affirming and hopeful. It's the true story of a dolphin pup named Winter whose tail was caught in a crab trap and needed to be amputated. With the help of a prosthetic tail and the care of a community, Winter survived to swim again.

Listen to Harry Connick Jr. describe the connection he felt with Winter and how infectious her courage was. Watch Morgan Freeman describe the majesty of the mammal, then the child actors reveal what a diva she was during the shoot.

PUSS IN BOOTS takes us back pre-Shrek to tell us how Puss first got his boots and his bravado. We meet Puss as a cowardly kitten who lives in an orphanage with childhood pal Humpty Alexander Dumpty, who actually turns out to be one rotten egg.
And no we haven't spoilt the plot, but yes there is the clever interplay of nursery rhyme favourites throughout the film that we have come to love from Shrek. The Humpty Dumpty tale will scramble any preconceptions you may have had, and let's not even go near Jack and Jill. That was one very scary hill!

Joining Puss on his adventure is new cat on the block, Kitty Softpaws, a cat burglar in the truest sense, voiced by who else but Salma Hayek. This marks Antonio Banderas and Salma Hayek's sixth film together, the sexy latinos first hooking up on screen in 1995 in Desperado to become lifelong best friends. And just as Antonio was by Salma's side for her first big Hollywood pic, here he is encouraging her through her first ever animation. And it's a match made in heaven.

Antonio requested the friends have the rare opportunity of voicing their characters together so not only do we get a very smart sassy script, we get the product of an 18 year collaboration improvising and adding a unique freshness to their characters.
It's a fun-filled  family adventure, with plenty of in-jokes for the adults.    

For those Sandler fans, here's your chance to see what the female version would look, and sound like, as the comedian plays both sides of the twin syndrome.

There's a little family holiday feuding and sibling rivalry for good measure, and a rather curious role for Al Pacino. Listen to Adam describe how they were able to fit two of him in a single shot, and how they decided to film him first without the make-up.

But the material was strong enough to attract such polar opposites, though an unlikely source itself: the true story of Sam Childers, a former gang member and drug dealer who escaped death and vowed to make better use of his time on earth, by helping orphans in the Sudan.

Listen to Gerry admit that it was far easier to play the degenerate than the redeemed and how shooting with the children in Africa affected him on a deeper level.

Then watch Marc Forster describe the extraordinary transformation of a man who answered his calling.

Produced by Bryce Dallas Howard, daughter of Ron, it stars Henry Hopper, son of the late Dennis Hopper and Skyler Fisk, daughter of Sissy Spacek. Oh but it also stars Young Aussiewood actress Mia Wasikowska, who was on hand to premiere the film at this year's Cannes Film Festival.

It's a bittersweet and whimsical romance, but one that is tender and special during its short life.

Well in fact, it ended up being the same producers who have brought us the next chapter in Greek mythology with IMMORTALS 3D.

Listen to Henry Cavill, soon to be Superman with the aforementioned Snyder, explain this unusual interpretation of history that still allowed the characters to retain their mythological significance.

Then watch Luke Evans explain director Tarsem Singh's modern approach to the Gods; why would the celestial beings be old and grey when they can be young and sexy?

Listen to Jonathan reveal how shocked he was at his own exhilaration but found many other men going through a similar curious reaction.

Watch Bojana Novakovic explain that humour goes a long way to humanising the difficult personal struggle and see Rachel Griffiths describe how it might have been considered distasteful had Jonathan not earned the right to mine his own experience.

Her debut feature RATCATCHER, from the bowels of Glasgow, announced an original voice that refined its timbre in MORVERN CALLAR.

Listen to the Scottish director describe how she had never read a screenplay with the kind of parental relationships as in KEVIN, and how the material seems to have scared off other directors.

Then watch Tilda Swinton reveal the stigma surrounding parents who struggle with their children's behaviour and the isolation of disconnection.

A secret mission carried out by Israeli Mossad agents Jessica Chastain, Sam Worthington and Marton Csokas to capture the Butcher of Birkenau has unintended consequences 30 years later for Helen Mirren, Tom Wilkinson and Ciaran Hinds. A mixture of historical drama, espionage action movie, and psychological thriller, THE DEBT investigates the repercussions of keeping secret the lethal combination of duty, heroism and love.

Listen to Sam Worthington, a little woolly before going to shoot his surfing movie DRIFT in Western Australia, describe learning the Israeli fight method Krav Maga and the emotional toll his character faces with Jessica Chastain, in what she describes as her first action movie.

It didn't take long for Sharkxploitation to catch on and now, with the glory of high-definition 3D, there are infinite ways to butcher the beautiful bikini babes.

In SHARK NIGHT 3D, which launched to great fanfare at Comic Con this year, a large variety of sharks begin to terrorize the happy sun-seekers on a private lake (don't ask) and the wake-boarders who taunt them.

For Guy Pearce, beyond the pleasure of commuting across town to work in Melbourne, it was a genre that he admits scared him as a youngster but never really appealed to him as a grown-up actor.

Listen to Guy explain how it was the mixture of a dysfunctional family dynamic with the horror elements that enticed him to take on an unusual type of film for him.

Then watch Guillermo explain how the best horror films work without the monsters, and that the creatures are the "cherry on top", even if they are as "nasty as a Hollywood executive!"

Of course finding the right Judy Moody was imperative to the success of the movie, and after an extensive audition search across the US and the UK auditioning thousands of young hopefuls, it was here in Australia that Universal Pictures found their Judy Moody.

At just 11 years old, Aussie actress Jordana Beatty landed her first leading role. And it should be noted this this is only her second feature film after making a very brief (and screaming) appearance in SUPERMAN RETURNS. But the young actress took Hollywood and the role in her stride, an impressive feat considering she is in every single scene of the film.

Jordana has also taken the publicity tour in her stride and joined us in our Not (so) Bummer Studio set, to (very professionally) tell us how and why she thought she landed the part, and how she's loving every minute of her new founded success, especially seeing herself up on all the billboards in Hollywood.

Jordana also gives us a few tips on how to have a Not Bummer Summer, and kids... there's not a computer game in sight.

The Kiwi film maker has constructed a world in the not too distant future where over-population has required a draconian system that ends life at age 25... unless you can afford to buy more time.

Watch Niccol explain how it was more the current obsession with staying young that a preoccupation with mortality that drove him to write this piece, and how he turned Justin Timberlake into an action hero.

Then watch JT recount how he grew up shooting guns in Tennessee and reveal the kind of action films he admires. Then hear co-star Amanda Seyfried describe how courage is what makes a regular person extraordinary.

Joel says O'Connor stuck his neck out for he and Hardy, and provided the two men with two of the most compelling and detailed characters of their careers.

Usually in this kind of film, drama takes a back seat to the action and fighting, but here the filmmakers worked hard both in and out of the ring. Don't be put off by the mixed martial arts theme, it's only the setting for a blistering family drama.

Listen to the Aussie and the Pom tell hilarious anecdotes about the grueling training regimen and the injuries they sustained. Then watch O'Connor explain his determination to cast someone whose face looked "like he'd been in a few bar brawls".

Both actors plus Nick Nolte are guaranteed to feature in the upcoming awards consideration, and you owe it to yourself to go and see several of the more devastating performances you'll see this, or any year.