Sundance begins today! In past years, the festival brought us great science fiction films such as Splice and Moon. But what will be this year's smash indie success? Here's a list of likely suspects.


Another Earth

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What do you do when "Another Earth" shows up in the sky, closer than the Moon? Mike Cahill's film follows the story of an odd couple and their response to this phenomenon.


Synopsis:

On the night of the discovery of a duplicate planet in the solar system, an ambitious young student and an accomplished composer cross paths in a tragic accident.

Clip:

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Trailer and clip: via [Hitfix]

Take Shelter


Directed by Jeff Nichols and starring our favorite under-the-radar actor Michael Shannon, Take Shelter sounds like it might be messing with the audience just a little as the main character (Shannon) doesn't know if he's losing his mind, or if it's the end of the world.

Synopsis:

A working-class husband and father questions whether his terrifying dreams of an apocalyptic storm signal something real to come or the onset of an inherited mental illness he's feared his whole life.


Codependent Lesbian Space Alien Seeks Same

We've already praised this film for having the "best movie title of the year," and we're anxious to see how the critics respond to this retro comedy in Park City.


Synopsis:

Three lesbian aliens are sent to Earth. Their mission? To have their hearts broken by earthlings so their overactive emotions won't destroy the ozone of their planet. As the fetching extraterrestrials search for romance on the New York lesbian dating scene, one finds love with Jane, an eager stationery store clerk who is oblivious to the fact that she's dating an alien. The other two, discovering the neediness of earthling women, connect with each other as they reflect on the beauty of a cheesecake in a revolving dessert case.


Corman's World: Exploits Of A Hollywood Rebel


A documentary tribute to the greatest B-movie maker of all times Roger Corman. Director Alex Stapleton's work includes interviews from Jack Nicholson, Ron Howard, Martin Scorsese, Robert De Niro, James Cameron, and the man himself.

Troll Hunter

Shot like the Blair Witch, but with a much cooler monster. Troll Hunter is a Norwegian mockumentary, directed by Andre Ovredal, that follows a group of student filmmakers who uncover giant trolls. Blood and mayhem will follow.


Perfect Sense

We're very excited for this strange romantic and post-apocalyptic mash-up movie starring Ewan McGregor and Eva Green. The film follows a pair of young lovers (who've only just met) as they deal with a terrifying outbreak that could change the face of the planet forever.


The Woman


Written by Jack Ketchum and Lucky McKee (who also directed), this flick reads like The Hills Have Eyes meets Nell.

Synopsis:

When a successful country lawyer captures and attempts to "civilize" the last remaining member of a violent clan that has roamed the Northeast coast for decades, he puts the lives of his family in jeopardy.


Vampire


Cult director Iwai Shunji promises to put a new spin on the tired old vampire tale. Starring Rachel Leigh Cook, we're really curious to see what the vampire has in mind for all the tubes, needles and stings.

Synopsis:

On the surface, Simon seems like a fairly normal, average young man, devoted to his teaching job and ailing mother. Secretly, he is compelled to hunt through online chat rooms and message boards, searching for the perfect girl who will ensure his own survival.


Project Nim

NOT scifi, science. From the Director James Marsh and the Man on Wire comes the documentary about Nim, the chimpanzee who was taught to communicate with language. How did this happen? His adopted family raised and nurtured him like a human child. And it was just picked up by HBO.


SHORTS

Stumpy Sam

It's a horror musical short. Honestly, we're just going to let this awesome trailer do the talking:

The Pact

Starring the lovely Jewel Staite, this short is about a woman getting haunted by something left behind in her home. Read more about it here.