More valuable than gold, more powerful than frankincense, weirder than myrrh, Sundance wampum isn't stars or screenings -- it's buzz. Here's how five flicks tracked throughout the fest. -- DF/JS
AMERICAN PSYCHO Easily the most anticipated movie of the festival. Could star Christian Bale live up to the hype?
1/21 After premiere, audience reaction ranges from cautious interest to disgust.
1/25 Other whipping boys emerge (see Drop Back Ten).
1/30 Becomes fashionable to wax poetic about Christian Bale and call the movie a mixed bag.
THE TAO OF STEVE Fest programmers spread the word that this guy-zeist flick will be one to watch.
1/22 First screening meets with riotous applause.
1/27 Distributors back off, fearing Happy, Texas syndrome; exec producer Ted Hope and star Donal Logue have had enough and exit early.
1/29 Logue triumphantly returns to receive special-jury acting award.
RATED X Emilio, Charlie, porn kings. Bring it on, baby!
1/24 Word leaks that after-party will feature strippers. It immediately becomes one of the hottest tickets of the fest.
[1/25]People actually see the movie.
1/26 Party peters out and Showtime doesn't make a deal.
DROP BACK TEN Despite itty-bitty buzz, some psyched for latest from Stacy Cochran (My New Gun).
[1/22]Movie screens
LEGACY A Hoop Dreams-like doc about three generations of women in a housing project. A tough sell.
[1/24]Tears shed, word spreads -- it could be a front-runner for best-doc prize.
[1/26]Narrator Nickcole Collins, who's shown in the film graduating from high school and entering college, gets standing ovations after screenings.
[1/29]Shut out at award ceremonies.
