Ben Lyons and Jane Lynch at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival

LAist caught up with Ben Lyons from E! to tell us what Park City is really like during the Sundance Film Festival. From Charlize Theron to Diddy, Ben's time at the festival is jam packed with screenings, interviews, and parties. We asked him to fill us in on his favorite films, his obsession with "Beverly Hills 90210", and going bobsledding with Ivan Radcliff.

The swag suites with parkas, scarves, and gloves must be very popular. So how cold is it?

The temperature has been up and down. At times it's freezing, yet every once and a while the sun pops out. Daytime has been fine, but I feel like it snows every night.

Which film was your favorite so far?

Of the films I've seen in the festival...I've actually lucked out this year. I haven't really seen anything bad at all. Two docs have stood out. "Made in America" about the history of gang culture in South Los Angeles, and the demise of the black middle class, and "Young @ Heart", which tells the story of an elderly choir in Massachusetts that travels the globe singing songs from Outkast, The Ramones, and Jimi Henrdix to name a few. Shout out to my Uncle Steve who happens to be a member of the band!

On the feature side of things, I really enjoyed the opening night film "In Bruges" which stars a surprisingly funny Colin Farrell. I'm hoping to catch a few more while I'm out here including "The Wackness" with Sir Ben Kingsley, Method Man, Olivia Thirlby, Aaron Yoo, and Mary-Kate Olsen. What a cast right?

Those of us who have never been to the Sundance Film Festival imagine that walking down the sideway is crammed full of actors, film-makers and celebrities. Who have you run into?

There are people everywhere, including celebrities, but more importantly old friends and great business connects. It's actually really fun to just walk up and down Main all day long. I ran into Jane Lynch, one of the funniest women in Hollywood. I saw Randy Quaid in a suit and tie and a crazy fur coat. Nick Cannon early in the morning. Kim Kardashian and Paris Hilton came over while I was doing some interviews. My buddy Cash who produced "Made in America" and Jessica Alba, as well as Ian Ziering several times, Matthew Perry, Jason Ritter, Melonie Diaz, Sir Ben Kingsley, Sal Masekela and Bill and Giuliana Rancic, Method Man looking for his cell phone, and the list goes on. It's kind of surreal to be honest. All this craziness against the most beautiful wilderness backdrop you could ever imagine.

Which film is generating the most buzz?

I think "The Wackness" has really been talked about. I've heard that several studios have shown interest in acquiring the rights. Any time you see Harvey Weinstein at the after party, you know something's going on....

Who throws the best parties at the festival?

The Daily 10 of course! Some of my E! buddies, Sal Masekela and Clinton Sparks, have partnered with The Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas

Have you had time to see any of the concerts?

I saw Akon play the first night I was here, but that's it. Cut me some slack, I'm the movie guy after all!

During the festival, you have interviews planned with Charlize Theron, Colin Farrell, Sarah Jessica Parker, Adrian Grenier, 50 Cent, Mischa Barton, Diddy, and others. I read that you are very excited about your interview with Ian Ziering and James Eckhouse of Beverly Hills 90210 fame. Can you explain your obsession with 90210?

Simple. It's an amazing television show. I still watch several episodes a week and it holds up all these years later. The characters are so well defined, the plot lines believable, and compared to weak shows like The O.C. and Gossip Girl, 9-0 knocks them out of the water.

What film are you most looking forward to seeing?

There's a movie called "Bottle Shock" here directed by Randall Miller that stars Chris Pine (playing Captain Kirk in the new "Star Trek"), Alan Rickman and Freddy Rodriguez that's a true store of how the wine business got started in Napa Valley. I've heard good things. That and "American Son" with Nick Cannon.

With all of those screenings and interviews, will you find time to ski?

Check this out! On Wednesday, I'm going bobsledding with my buddy Ivan Radcliff who is on the US Olympic team. Crazy! Wish me luck. If I die, I just want to say I love you Mom and Dad and my sister Hannah....

Your top ten list of 2007 included "Into the Wild" and "Juno". Your list of films to look forward to in 2008 included predict success for "Iron Man" and "Star Trek".
Tell me about your favorite films of all time:

All time? That's tough, but I like films of all different sizes and genres. From event movies, to foreign films, I like a little bit of everything. A few of my favorites include "North By Northwest" by Alfred Hitchcock, "Annie Hall", "Serpico", "Good Will Hunting", "Marathon Man", the original "Manchurian Candidate", "Dead Presidents", "Trading Places", and the list goes on...

What is your favorite place to see films in LA?

The Wilshire screening room. The place holds like 25 people and the back row has the most comfortable sofas ever, and they have jars of tootsie rolls. Can't get better than that.

What is your favorite place to get a drink in LA after see a good film?

Winstons on Santa Monica Blvd.

And your favorite place to get a drink in LA after seeing a bad film?

Winstons on Santa Monica Blvd. As you can see, I don't get out much...

Ben will be in Park City until the end of the festival. You can read about his adventures there in The Lyons Den on E! Online.

Ben with Tom Arnold