Review: Peace, Love, & Misunderstanding (TIFF 2011)

Indiewire.com

A multi-generational family comedy, Peace, Love & Misunderstanding seems perfectly content with being a pretty predictable and lighthearted story with some drama thrown in for good measure. Diane (Catherine Keener) is an uber-conservative Manhattan lawyer, unhappily married and on the cusp of divorce. She decides to take her two children, Zoe (Elizabeth Olsen) - a college girl who loves animals as much as she loves poetry and big words, and Jake (Nat Wolff), an aspiring filmmaker who's obsessed with documenting everything, to visit their grandmother Grace (Jane Fonda), who they've never met. Grace is an eccentric hippie, stuck in the 1970s, with a passion for protesting, new-age healing crystals and of course, weed. It's a bit hard to believe that it's been 20 years since mother and daughter have seen each other, especially since they live in the same state. It's just not believable.

Almost too instantly, Diane's brood starts letting loose, although Diane, more reluctantly so, taking part in all the fun that Woodstock has to offer, including the occasional war protest and full moon ritual. Grace ends up yanking each character out of their tough shell, and somehow arranges a love interest for each of them. Diane falls for a local carpenter, sometimes-musician, and full-time dreamboat (Jeffrey Dean Morgan), Zoe finds herself struggling with her growing attraction to a butcher (Chace Crawford) who naturally has the soul of a poet. Even Jake gets a local girl.

Despite all of the film's formulaic shortcomings, it was hard not to love the cast. Jane Fonda shines in a role that seems tailor-made for her, and she plays it with a spunk and charisma that brought life to every scene she was in. Newcomer Elizabeth Olsen is a pleasure to watch, continuing to live up to her hype as the latest it-girl. We're not talking Oscars here, but still, it was cute.

Review: Twixt (TIFF 2011)

Screenrant.com

A convoluted murder mystery with teenage vampires and the ghost of Edgar Allan Poe (I'm not joking), there's no doubt that Twixt was overdone and ridiculously silly, but engaging, nonetheless. Twixt tells the story of a mystery writer (Val Kilmer), or, what they describe as the ‘bargain basement Stephen King’, traveling to a small town for a book signing. Experiencing a pretty mean case of writer’s block, he’s convinced by the town sheriff (the AMAZING Bruce Dern from Big Love) to stay in town and collaborate on a story about the unsolved murder of a young girl. One scene in particular stood out and felt the most genuine, with Kilmer's character suffering through his writer's block with lots of booze and crazy talk. But it's probably not a good sign when the best scene in your vampire thriller is one where the main actor is cracking jokes.

I’m not a fan of 3D, in fact I hate it – I think it takes away from the story, adding a layer of distraction that most of the time is unnecessary. Thankfully, Coppola limited his use of 3D to only two scenes, so it didn’t detract too much from the story (but it also didn’t add anything valuable).

With a story like this that didn’t make much sense to begin with, pieced together from a dream Coppola had, Twixt was over-stylized (in colour, black and white, and 3D) and painfully stale. I guess we just expect more depth from a director of Francis Ford Coppola's caliber, especially with his resumé of films, but you have to hand it to him for taking risks in a way most seasoned Directors wouldn't dare.

Review: Jeff, Who Lives At Home (TIFF 2011)

Jeff (Jason Segel) believes in signs. Like he really believes in them. Everything from an infomercial to flying birds mean something special in Jeff's world. That's why, when someone calls his home in the middle of the day looking for a 'Kevin', he beings his quest to find the Kevin he believes he's destined to follow. While Jeff is a 30-year-old pothead who lives in his mother's (Susan Sarandon) basement, he's kind, sweet and has a naive belief in his convictions that's refreshing to see. On the other hand, his brother Pat (Ed Helms), although married and employed, is a complete asshole, with serious communication issues and no common sense whatsoever.

What starts out as a simple trip to the Home Depot for Jeff, changes course when he and Pat see Pat's wife (Judy Greer) in a car with another man. From then on, their mission is to track and confront her, and their misadventures end up being the most genuinely funny part of the film, with undeniable comedic chemistry between Segel and Helms (playing a meaner version of Andy Bernard).

Parts of the film did feel like they were taking a page right out of an, 'Indie Movies for Dummies' handbook, with what felt like one too many scenes with characters staring into space, music playing in the background. But at the same time, each character is in kind of a rut, lost, and unable to move forward, so maybe all the wordless contemplation was justified.

From the Duplass Brothers (the Directors of last year's Cyrus), Jeff, Who Lives At Home is a unique film about the signs we see and perhaps ignore, and ultimately, the signs that bring all of the characters together. Jason Segel's performance was definitely the highlight - it's always nice to see a typically comedic actor shift into a more dramatic role so seamlessly. You actually like Jeff and wouldn't mind blazing a spliff with him.

Review: Drive (TIFF 2011)

Tiff.net

A poetically violent and dark, homage to 1980s pop cinema, Drive was filled-to-the-brim with intensely maniacal action and high-speed car chases. Playing a Hollywood stunt driver, moonlighting as a getaway car wheelman, Driver (Ryan Gosling, no, we never find out his character’s real name) manages to stay calm, excruciatingly quiet and completely professional, under the most violent of circumstances. His character is instantly drawn to his neighbour, Irene (Carey Mulligan), and her young son, and he spends the rest of the film possessed with protecting them. The mutual attraction is obvious, and their courtship is innocent and sweet, until we find out she has a convict hubby who's about to be released from prison.

During the Q&A following the screening, Director Nicolas Winding Refn, explained that he wanted to make the first half of Drive like a John Hughes movie and make the second half take a more dark, psychotic turn. So what starts out as a cutesy love story, with a killer Top Gun-reminiscent soundtrack, downward spirals into a crime bender with enough blood and gore to make any horror enthusiast giddy with glee.

The only downside is that we don’t get a chance to go beneath the surface of the characters we’re instantly attracted to. Who is Driver? Where did he come from and what’s he doing in L.A.? I vote for a prequel.

On a side note, the soundtrack was ridiculously amazing. Rehn mentioned that the musical style for Drive evolved while he and Ryan were riding around L.A. one night and REO Speedwagon’s, ‘Can’t Fight This Feeling’, came on the radio. Inspired by euro pop of the early 80s, he managed to add a dash of femininity to a very masculine and bloody film.



With an exceptional cast, including Bryan Cranston, Albert Brooks and Christina Hendricks, Drive is a fun and unexpected thrill-ride. I came out feeling a little beat-up, but thoroughly satisfied. In theatres September 16th.

Live-Stream TIFF Press Conferences

In case you're sitting behind your desk at work, slogging away like it's any-old, regular day, instead of out on the streets of Toronto, star-searching and catching TIFF screenings, here's something to cheer you up a bit. CP24 is live-streaming TIFF's press conferences. Hello Brad!

Roger Ebert, on TIFF

Tiff.net

"We arrived here Wednesday, started seeing films Thursday, are booked up nearly wall-to-wall. This is not only one of the three or four major film festivals on earth, but one of the best-run and user-friendly. Wandering toward screenings, you encounter such as Atom Egoyan and Jason Reitman, directors not here to do business but--what do you know!--to see movies. The public waits dutifully in queues, as if making a silent protest against the shoving matches before screenings at Cannes. The four local dailies (!) cover it like the Washington Post covering a Presidential election." 

                                              Roger Ebert, on TIFF + his Melancholia review.

More Buzzworthy TIFF 2011 Films

Twixt

"Inspired by the gothic horror of Edgar Allen Poe, Coppola's latest tells the tale of a burnt-out mystery writer (Val Kilmer) who gets mixed up in murder and evil in a California town." (Tiff.net)

Younger sister to Dakota, Elle Fanning can now brag about having been in two Coppolas' films, how lucky is she?! (she was in Sofia Coppola's Somewhere). This being a contribution from the acclaimed, legendary, Oscar-winning (and Godfather-directing!), Francis Ford Coppola, it's a must-see whether or not you catch it at the Festival.



The Descendants

"George Clooney plays the leader of a storied Hawaiian family as they are forced to decide what to do with their last, vast parcel of land. At the same time he learns a secret about his critically ill wife. From the director of Sideways." (Tiff.net)

Take this Waltz

"Sarah Polley makes a welcome return to directing with her first feature since 2006 Festival favourite Away from Her. Luke Kirby, Seth Rogen, Sarah Silverman and two-time Oscar®-nominee Michelle Williams star in this bittersweet story about a married woman struggling to choose between her husband and a man she's just met." (Tiff.net)

It'll be interesting to see how Seth Rogen takes on this dramatic and not-at-all-comedic role after being Judd Apatow's go-to goofball for so many years.



Melancholia

"Denmark's most celebrated and notorious filmmaker returns with a fantasy/domestic drama about depression, severely dysfunctional families, and the end of the world."

It's kind of sad that anytime anyone mentions this film, all that comes to mind is the controversy Director Lars Von Trier started by making some questionable remarks about Hitler at this year's Cannes Film Festival. But beneath all of that hoopla, looks to be a visually stimulating film about life, family dysfunction, and the end of the world.



Shame

Tiff.net

"Michael Fassbender plays a New York man confronting his sexual compulsions and the self-destructive acts of his sister (Carey Mulligan). From the director of Hunger." (Tiff.net)

No trailer yet!

Trishna

"Self-effacing British auteur Michael Winterbottom sets his unique spin on Thomas Hardy’s Tess of the D’Urbervilles against a contemporary Indian backdrop. Freida Pinto stars as the titular Trishna, a young woman who is seduced by the wealthy son of a property developer. As the romance develops, their relationship also becomes increasingly sordid and volatile." (Tiff.net)

Freida Pinto first stole our hearts as the innocent and beautiful heroine in Slumdog Millionaire. With Trishna, we'll get to see if she has what it takes to be more than just a pretty face in a huge ensemble cast.

Top Picks for TIFF 2011

I can hardly contain my excitement and anticipation for the Toronto International Film Festival and I may be a bit biased being a Toronto native, but it is definitely one of the best festivals out there, especially for film junkies. In just two weeks, Hollywood's A-list will be flocking in, taking over our theatres, streets and restaurants. And, I couldn't be happier.

Top picks for 2011 TIFF:

Drive

"Ryan Gosling plays a stunt driver by day, getaway driver by night in this lean and mean crime thriller by the director of Valhalla Rising that won Best Direction in Cannes." (Tiff.net) 

Two words: Ryan Gosling. It's no secret that I'd much rather kick back and watch Goodfellas or The Departed for the umpteenth time, than give any attention to some of the derivative action flicks that've been released lately. And, as a proud Canadian (and former fan of The Mickey Mouse Club and Breaker High!), I love me some Ryan Gosling and I truly believe Carey Mulligan is pretty much close to perfection. She has a subtle, yet distinct, on-screen presence that the world fell in love with after her Oscar-nominated role in An Education. Also must mention the stellar supporting cast that includes Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad) and the gorgeous Christina Hendricks (Mad Men).




The Ides of March

"George Clooney is back in the director’s chair for this edgy political drama set in the days leading up to a fictional presidential primary. Clooney also stars as a Democratic candidate who schools his idealistic campaign press secretary (Ryan Gosling) in the dubious machinations of modern politics." (Tiff.net)

With the current economic landscape the way it is, Politics are on everyone's mind, so this film couldn't be more relevant. And with this accomplished cast (seriously, let's count the Oscar noms between them all), including Ryan Gosling, George Clooney, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Paul Giamatti, and Marisa Tomei, this film could very well be a contender for the next year's Academy Awards.



Like Crazy

"Anna (Felicity Jones) notices Jacob (Anton Yelchin) in one of her college classes in Los Angeles. In a move worthy only of her youth, she scribbles a love poem and leaves it on his car. The pair soon catapults into that most potent brand of romance: naïve, pure and possibly fleeting." (Tiff.net)

I don't know, I've got a thing for coming-of-age 'romantical' stories. Especially ones that look as heart-breaking as Blue Valentine... and that's saying a lot. Either way, I'm taking my tissues just in case. With realistic challenges to their relationship (like immigration, and not feuding, Romeo & Juliet-type families), this film takes an honest look at a long-distance relationship between two college kids. And to add to the realism of this film, apparently the actors improvised their dialogue.



Martha Marcy May Marlene

"This graceful portrait of a young woman trying to extricate herself from a cult has the flavor of an early Terrence Malick film like Days of Heaven." (Tiff.net)

Did you know the Olsen twins had another sister? A younger one, who's an actress and apparently a very good one? Elizabeth Olsen makes her first on-screen appearance as a young woman struggling to return to 'normalcy' after escaping a sexual-religious cult. It looks haunting, a little bit intoxicating, and mysterious - all the things a film about cult-life, should probably look like.

Friends With Kids

"When a few members of a close group of married and single friends start to have children, it has a big impact on everyone." (Tiff.net)

Thought I'd break up the seriousness of my TIFF list with a romantic comedy. Jon Hamm's other half, Jennifer Westfeldt, makes her Directorial debut with a slew of Hollywood stars - Megan Fox, Edward Burns, Kristin Wiig, Maya Rudolph, and of course, Mr. Mad Men himself. Wonder how many of them will show up to TIFF?

Boo... no trailer yet.

Hysteria

"Maggie Gyllenhaal and Hugh Dancy star in this cheeky romantic comedy about the invention of the vibrator. Victorian London is brought to life in vivid colour as a young doctor (Dancy) struggles to establish himself while confronting the gutsy daughter of his boss (Gyllenhaal). Rupert Everett and Felicity Jones play supporting roles." (Tiff.net)

Picture this: the late 1800s, Victorian era, London. The first thing that comes to your mind is vibrator, am I right? Probably not but this does look hella funny and hilariously bold. All of a sudden I've got Marky Mark on my mind. Good vibrations, anyone?...too easy?



Want more TIFF 2011 picks? 
Here are some more buzzworthy films on my festival list.

TIFF 2011: Toronto International Film Festival List Announced

TIFF.net

If feels like just yesterday we were impatiently anticipating the first breeze of the Spring season with the promise of Summer heat. Well, now we're only one month away from TIFF 2011, which in Toronto means Fall, which means one step closer to Winter and the disgusting mounds of snow that come with it... It's bitter sweet, to say the least.

Toronto International Film Festival frenzy kicks off as per usual, starting the second week of September, when stars and fans alike, flock to various theatres and hot spots in Toronto to take in all the festival has to offer.

Early this morning, TIFF organizers announced the initial 50 films for TIFF 2011 and the list couldn't be more impressive and jam-packed with talented Hollywood A-listers. A few of the big films that were announced today: Ryan Gosling's Drive, George Clooney's The Ides of March and The Descendants, and Brad Pitt's Moneyball. The official list is up on the TIFF site, and get a full breakdown on what films are screening as Galas and Special Presentations. And for the first time ever at TIFF, this year's festival will open with a doc, a U2 documentary, From the Sky Down, from Davis Guggenheim.

For a festival that has been a launching pad for Oscar darlings like Juno, Slumdog Millionaire and last year's The King's Speech, I for one, can't wait for September.

Review: Ryan and Michelle Shine in 'Blue Valentine'

Do you ever watch only the first half of films you don't like the endings to? Like Titanic, until the iceberg hits, or Romeo and Juliet, until Mercutio dies. I like having that option, to watch the happy parts and pretend the rest never happened.

Blue Valentine doesn't give you that option. Director Derek Cianfrance tells the story of Dean and Cindy using flashbacks to a happier time, in stark comparison to the discontent and loveless life they currently live. It is so very effectively done that I found myself craving scenes from the beginning of their relationship, the good times, so I could get away from the exhaustion of watching their marriage painfully deteriorate. This is, I think, what Cianfrance was going for, because you feel what they feel. You can’t help but fall in love with Dean as he pursues her, romances her (something she is obviously not used to), and saves her from her circumstances. But, it's not all romance and passion. You also feel as claustrophobic as Cindy does with Dean in that tacky hotel room. And you feel as hopeless as Dean feels, in love with a woman who simply outgrew him.

Blue Valentine is a realistic portrait of a failed relationship, everything that’s wrong with simply co-existing and mechanically moving through the motions of marriage. Parts of it were physically hard to watch, to see the same two people show so much affection, then act with such disregard and malice towards each other. It was emotionally heartbreaking and both Michelle Williams and Ryan Gosling acted with such intense passion. Michelle plays Cindy with such naivity and vulnerability, while Gosling is stellar, powerful, and well, dreamy. While not typical, Blue Valentine is quite the love story. Well, I guess they’ll always have their song.

Review: I'm Still Here. Or am I? (TIFF 2010)

I just caught the advanced screening for I’m Still Here, the mockumentary about Joaquin Phoenix’s retirement from acting. For two years, Joaquin and Director, Casey Affleck, tried to convince us that this transformation of sorts was genuine, all to come out after TIFF and admit that it was in fact, a hoax. But – do we really care either way?

After seeing the film, I still don’t know the answer to that, but it doesn’t really matter. The performance of this so-called hoax is one for the ages. Joaquin was almost unrecognizable, sporting his Unibomber-Charles Manson beard and all-around ragged look reminiscent of 90s grunge gone wrong. And talk about method acting, to actually personify a rapper, produce songs (no matter how bad they were) and put yourself out there to be ridiculed the world over!

Despite the film's extremely awkward scenes (unnecessary nudity of the male persuasion and excessive drug use from a guy whose own brother died of a drug overdose), the film was intensely funny and entertaining. I must admit, though, the comedy of it all made it hard to keep a straight face during more serious scenes. Joaquin was so convincing in this performance that it will probably be weird to see him return to himself, whatever that self may be.

Watch Joaquin keep a straight face and stay 'in character' in the now infamous interview on David Letterman:

Review: Dhobi Ghat - Mumbai Diaries (TIFF 2010)

Completely different from what we’re used to from Bollywood, Dhobi Ghat was refreshingly unique.  We were taken into the lives of four very different individuals in the city of Mumbai, Arun (an artist), Yasmin (a young, married girl), Munna (a clothes-washer), and Shai (a very wealthy Indian from the US, on sabbatical) and the way their lives intertwine.

New actor Prateik Babbar, who played Arun (was painfully shy on stage, by the way), was surprisingly very good, completely nailing the role of a poor, naive boy, aware of his status in life yet unable to adhere to it, innocent in life and love. He was absolutely adorable in this role (and oh, the smile!), completely stealing the show from co-star Monica Dogra, on more than one occasion.

Elements of the film included the idea of unrequited love (always present in Bollywood, of course, although in Bollywood they usually end up happily ever after), a peak into the caste system in India, and a very real look at the everyday lives of people in Mumbai, not the fairytale version, but the lives that keeps going, happily or not, once the cameras stop rolling.

Will you be my Blue Valentine?

So, it looks like the clip below is all the preview we're going to get from Blue Valentine. Starring the amazing Ryan Gosling (Half Nelson, The Notebook) and Michelle Williams (Dawson's Creek- I had to mention Dawson's!), this movie already has a ton of buzz, all without even a trailer to whet our appetites. It premiered today at TIFF (although I missed it!), and I've already heard good things about this one. So here's the only legit clip I could find to keep you going till it officially opens. Be prepared, it's pretty steamy.

Review: Never Let Me Go (TIFF 2010)

I was unknowingly taken into a hauntingly-beautiful world, somewhere on the shores of England, between fantasy and reality. Essentially, this was a story about the relationship between three individuals, Cathy, Tommy, and Ruth, from childhood at a boarding school (or so we thought), to their short-lived adulthood. 

Throughout the entire film, I was left with a knot in my stomach and a lump in my throat, spending almost half the movie on the verge of tears. Let’s just say it was a depressing concept: love unspoken, without enough time to make up for it.

At the heart of it all was this love story, unconditional, unrelenting and sadly, unfinished. Casting for the film couldn’t have been better, with very moving performances all around.  Andrew Garfield, who played Tommy, really left a lasting impression on me (not just because he was adorable, both on-screen and on stage!), but he really embodied the character of a cowardly and weak boy, unable to act on his feelings. The true hero of the film, Cathy (Carey Mulligan, who I loved-loved-loved in An Education), innocently and subtly captivated us. With no way her life could end well, she lived through a ‘lifetime’ of loss, and somehow, managed to stay graceful and at peace, even when facing her ultimate fate.

TIFF Preview: 127 Hours & Howl Trailers

For his newest film, 127 Hours, director Danny Boyle has once again brought something exciting and unique to TIFF this year.  With the delectable and extremely talented James Franco, need I say more?  Being deemed this year's It Boy at TIFF, James has two movies premiering at this year's festival, the second one being Howl, also starring the lovely Don Draper aka Jon Hamm and everyone's favourite drug-dealing mom, Mary-Louise Parker.  As if I need to add to my list of must-see movies.

"127 Hours is the true story of mountain climber Aron Ralston’s (James Franco) remarkable adventure to save himself after a fallen boulder crashes on his arm and traps him in an isolated canyon in Utah. Over the next five days Ralston examines his life and survives the elements to finally discover he has the courage and the wherewithal to extricate himself by any means necessary." (Tiff.net)

 

I can't find the official TIFF description for Howl, but check out the trailer:

Sing for the Years - Aerosmith in Concert!

There was a moment the other night, early in the show, when my heart stopped, just for a second.  The amazing Steven Tyler was bumped by Joe Perry (accidentally, I hope) and landed in the audience.  At first, we couldn't tell if he was attempting to stage dive and grasp at the last shred of youth left inside him, but when security rushed to pull him back up on stage, we figured it was definitely an accident.  And in true Rockstar fashion, he got right back into Love in an Elevator.

Since last year, when Steven Tyler did in fact fall off the stage mid-concert, injuring his neck and back, Aerosmith fans everywhere have been on edge.  It's hard to see someone who you've always seen as so powerful, both in voice and presence, suddenly so fragile.

Either way, the show was amazing!  Pure electric energy, adrenaline pumping rock n' roll..  The set list was fantastic, as the band went on to play hits both old and new, including What it Takes, Cryin', Dream On, and their cover of The Beatles' Come Together.  And, the show gave each member the opportunity to shine on their own: With Steven's always-chilling vocals (how the hell can he still hit those high notes?!), Joe Perry's amazing guitar solos, and Joey Kramer on the drums, pounding us into submission.

The boys men of Aerosmith seem to transcend generations, somehow resonating even with today's youth. It's funny, this is one show I've been to where on one side of me there was a 14 year old boy and on the other was someone around 65.  And the fact that all the band's members are over 60 is such a testament to their agility and freaking ability make great music that we still care about today.  Aerosmith will forever be Cocked, Locked, and Ready to Rock.  

TIFF Preview: Black Swan Trailer

With TIFF less than a month away, excitement is mounding, and new films are being announced everyday.  First things first, Clint Eastwood has chosen to premiere his newest film, the spooky, Hereafter, in Toronto.  It's starring Matt Damon and Bryce Dallas Howard (Ron Howard's daughter), and with Eastwood directing, it's sure to be a great film, but I can't be sure until I at least see the trailer. 

And, I've finally seen the trailer for Black Swan:

"A psychological thriller set in the world of New York City ballet, Black Swan stars Natalie Portman as Nina, a featured dancer who finds herself locked in a web of competitive intrigue with a new rival at the company. Black Swan takes a thrilling and at times terrifying journey through the psyche of a young ballerina whose starring role as the duplicitous swan queen turns out to be a part for which she becomes frighteningly perfect. Black Swan also stars Vincent Cassel, Mila Kunis, Barbara Hershey and Winona Ryder." (Tiff.net)

Top Picks for TIFF 2010

The other day, a friend asked me about what movies look good at TIFF this year, so I put together a quick breakdown of the films I want to see at this year's festival.

TRUST:
Directed by David Schwimmer (yes, Ross from Friends!), this movie is anything but the comedy we're used to seeing from him.

"A drama that examines the build-up and aftermath of a teenager's (Liana Liberato) seduction by an online sexual predator.  Clive Owen and Catherine Keener are perfectly cast as the grieving parents, but relative newcomer Liberato's slow-burning self-realization and climatic breakdown is undeniably heartrending." (Tiff.net)

 

THE TOWN:
By now, I’m sure everyone has seen this trailer, which was shown (at least around Toronto) in theatres before Inception.  By the looks of it, we’re in for another fantastic crime film set in the dark and rough city of Boston.  As someone who’s obsessed with crime films, this looks captivating to say the least.  And, with a cast like this one: Jon Hamm from Mad Men, Ben Affleck, and Jeremy Renner (The Hurt Locker), and, looking at Ben’s last amazing foray into Directing (Gone Baby Gone), we are sure to be left with a bitter-sweet taste of the dead-end of South Boston.

“Four best friends who moonlight as bank robbers are busy dodging the FBI, but things get complicated when their leader falls in love with a woman behind the till. Directed by and starring Ben Affleck, The Town is a gritty exploration of crime and its consequences.” (Tiff.net)

IT'S KIND OF A FUNNY STORY:
I’m a huge fan of ‘coming of age’ films, especially ones that are bizarre and awkward as hell, even though I’ve already come of age what feels like ages ago.  I think I love and will always love the spirit of teen angst and confusion about growing up.  Add funny-man Zach Galifianakis (The Hangover) to the mix and Keir Gilchrist, (Toni Colette’s gay son on The United States of Tara) I’m definitely expecting some dark humour of sorts.

"A teenager's week in the adult psych ward brings new meaning to 'coming of age.'" (Tiff.net)

NEVER LET ME GO:
This is a must-see for me because I absolutely love Carey Mulligan in her Oscar-nominated role, An Education.  Plus, the trailer for this movie looks so fascinating in that it gives you just enough to keep you wanting more, but still leaves you confused as to what’s really going on with this weird Boarding School they go to.  Read my review from the premiere screening at TIFF 2010.

“Hailsham is an idyllic English boarding school, presided over by a strict but fair headmistress (Charlotte Rampling). Children are held to an imposing health regimen, have no parental contact and live in fear of leaving the school grounds. It soon becomes clear that something is not quite right at Hailsham. Young Kathy (Carey Mulligan) and Ruth (Keira Knightley) are fast friends; the former bold and confident and the latter soft-spoken and caring. They befriend Tommy (Andrew Garfield), a tormented and socially awkward boy prone to fits of anguish, and the trio hesitantly stumble their way into early adulthood under the guidance of their teachers, without ever having contact with the outside world. Now eighteen-year-olds, Kathy, Ruth and Tommy must leave Hailsham for The Cottages, a mysterious place outside the safety of their school, to learn the ominous future that awaits them. Confronted with a secret that threatens to tear their lives apart, they struggle to thwart their fate.” (Tiff.net)

 

BLUE VALENTINE:
No trailer for this one yet!  Why so hush-hush?

“Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams turn in powerful performances in this portrait of two lovers at the beginning and end of a relationship.” (Tiff.net)

BURIED:
It’s a very common nightmare to be buried alive, and it will be very interesting to see an entire film developing literally within a box.  One-man films are difficult to accomplish (remember Castaway- and even Tom Hanks had Wilson to keep him company). When conversations and interactions are one-sided and, it can be difficult to engage the audience, and with Ryan completely enclosed inside a coffin, this concept is so intriguing.  Imagine being claustrophobic and having to film this! Read my review from the Maple Pictures advanced screening.

“Ryan Reynolds stars as a civilian contractor who wakes up in Iraq, buried underground with only a Blackberry and a lighter. Astonishing one-man thriller.” (Tiff.net)

Oh Canada!

July 5^th, 2010: the hottest day of the year so far, and ironically, the day much of Toronto was left A/C-less with a blackout of power and gridlocked rush-hour traffic going home.

It’s funny and amusing to me, seeing Torontonians (including me) scramble for our iPhones to check Twitter to confirm what’s happening right outside our doors. 

See, I spent last October in East Africa where blackouts are common, planned occurrences and locals (not tourists, who stay in generator-run hotels) manage to survive entire days with no power or light, so I find days like today amusing.

Once again, we directly ran to Twitter where the first tweet confirming a blackout on my Twitter feed was not from any news agency or so-called official source, but from Toronto super-blogger Casie Stewart.  Thought that was pretty cool, especially considering the same kind of thing happened last week with the earthquake when news agencies were significantly behind Twitter users, definitely opening our eyes to the social media revolution.

ECLlPSE Post-Premiere

Wow.  So I've always known that box office results do not represent the quality of a film, but what amazes me is Twilight's ability to keep surpassing its own records.  Apparently, the movie has already, in the first 5 days of its release, brought in about $161 million in North America.  Also, in just midnight screenings alone on the first night, the movie brought in over $30 million, breaking the record set by New Moon.

Although extremely cheesy and overly dramatic, Eclipse surprised me in that it managed to stay true to the book (very unlike the first two disastrous movies), and was successful in finally admitting the nature of the Twilight movies. They're cheesy, high-school, melodramas meant to touch the hearts of young, hopelessly romantic girls longing for always and forever (hence the vampire-draw) love.  Well, the movie did all of that but also, it allowed us to laugh in between the oh-so-serious fight scenes, at silly one-liners like Jacob's , "We both know I'm hotter than you", and pretty much every scene Bella's dad is in.

Anyways, a big thank you to Krysta who graciously invited me to the American Express Front of the Line premiere in Toronto, where we bumped into the very cute werewolf, Jared (Bronson Pelletier), and ate yummy snacks post-movie.  Also, if you've never been in the Elgin Theatre, make sure you check it out - it's gorgeous inside.