The festival is over and already I am in withdrawal. I loved every minute of it this year. I have to say that it was very organized this year. Over the past few years as they expanded, certain venues were not under control. I am glad to see they have a better system in place and things moved along smoothly.
I was impressed with the number of directors and actors that showed up for second screenings this year. It is always a pleasure to be able to listen to the Q&A. This is one of the best parts of the festival. When are you ever going to get a chance to ask a director about their movie? The festival gives you an opportunity to learn about things such as inspiration, budget, casting.
Overall I give this year's festival 4/5 - can't wait until next year!
Monday, 19 September 2011
TIFF - Review of Page Eight
Review - 3.5 out of 5
This is a story of an MI5 agent that is given a document which indicates there are people at top levels that are aware of the Americans torturing people for information.
This is a political thriller. Bill Nighy does an amazing job as Johnny Worricker, the MI5 agent trying to find out the truth before it is covered up. The movie keeps you on your feet as Johnny figures out who he can trust. At the same time, he reveals parts of himself which shows how he became the person he is today.
In the Q&A the director/writer David Hare noted the following:
This is a story of an MI5 agent that is given a document which indicates there are people at top levels that are aware of the Americans torturing people for information.
This is a political thriller. Bill Nighy does an amazing job as Johnny Worricker, the MI5 agent trying to find out the truth before it is covered up. The movie keeps you on your feet as Johnny figures out who he can trust. At the same time, he reveals parts of himself which shows how he became the person he is today.
In the Q&A the director/writer David Hare noted the following:
- Movie was made in 5 weeks with a budget of $3 million
- It is well known that it takes about 7 years for a film to be made. In Britain, a made for tv movie can be ready for production in 6 months. The director indicated he was 60 and after looking at the actuarial tables he decided it was a better idea for him to go the made for tv route. He says this is a made for tv movie that is really a film.
- He was able to get such an all star cast (Bill Nighy, Rachel Weisz, Ralph Fiennes, Michael Gambon and Judy Davis) because of who he is. Everyone has worked with him and when they found out he had written a play that he was going to direct they all came out to help.
- Nighy and Hare have worked together approximately 7 times over their career. The part was written with him in mind.
- There is talk of a sequel for this movie.
Saturday, 17 September 2011
TIFF - Review of The Awakening
Review 4 out of 5 - I am on a role with these movies. The last few ones I have thoroughly enjoyed. I would recommend renting this one. I don't think you need to see it at the theatres.
This movie is set in the 20's. It focuses on an educated woman, Florence Cathcart, who earns money by proving there are no ghosts. She is hired by a boarding school to investigate a siting of a ghost. A small boy that supposedly died years before when it was a private residence haunts the school. The children are afraid and Ms. Cathcart is hired to prove it is just a hoax. The director summarizes the movies by saying "we see ghosts because we need to".
Rebecca Hall who stars is the movie does an amazing job. The director made a note that she is wonderful to work with which is something important in the industry. I have summarized some of the comments the director made in the Q&A today:
This movie is set in the 20's. It focuses on an educated woman, Florence Cathcart, who earns money by proving there are no ghosts. She is hired by a boarding school to investigate a siting of a ghost. A small boy that supposedly died years before when it was a private residence haunts the school. The children are afraid and Ms. Cathcart is hired to prove it is just a hoax. The director summarizes the movies by saying "we see ghosts because we need to".
Rebecca Hall who stars is the movie does an amazing job. The director made a note that she is wonderful to work with which is something important in the industry. I have summarized some of the comments the director made in the Q&A today:
- He composed a small song that was part of the opening of the movie.
- The boarding school will be recognized by some as Pemberley in Pride and Prejudice. The location is really called Lion Park
- The director drained the colour from the film to give it that feeling of being sick
- All interiors were shot in three empty homes in Scotland
- He chose not to film in high def because he didn't feel it was appropriate for a period film.
- The writer is an incredibly nice guy. Original story set in a different time period. The director decided to set it in the 20's right after World War I.
- Director has never seen a ghost.
- Director had Rebecca in mind when doing his section of the writing. She liked it on the first read.
- Uk film counsel was shut down but it is evolving into another name. They play a major part in making up gap financing. It is soft money meaning that they don't get a say in the film. It is a charity funded my lottery money. Another huge player is bbc film.
- The director's future project is called Blood about the moral decline of a police family. Paul Bettany will be associated with it.
- Spoiler alert - Director wanted the only general threat to come from the living. It was important to him that he show that only a living person be the real threat.
- Spoiler alert - The leg thing was survivor guilt and self hate. Self abuse and self harm was not unusual in this time period. Mallory's self harm comes from if "I feel pain I am making up for what I gained."
- Spoiler alert - he did not want Ms. Cathcart to be rescued by a man since she is a strong determined woman.
- Spoiler alert - Paintings in the film were chosen specifically. He wanted the lion attack to be part of a memory. The other painting was to detract the viewer. He felt if there was only one painting it would take on too much meaning early on in the film.
TIFF - Review of Friends with Kids
Review - 4 out of 5 - this is a must see for anyone with young children. You will laugh as you watch and nod your head with understanding. It is a fun romantic comedy that will make you realize you are not alone. Everyone experiences the same thing.
The story is about two best friends who watch as their friends change when they have kids. Both want children and have not yet found the one they are suppose to be with. They don't want the downside of marriage so they decide to have a child and split the responsibility 50/50.
The movie shows what an adventure it is to have kids. It can be rough but the benefits are amazing. Everyone thinks things will be the same but it never is again. One day you are going out to fancy restaurants, staying out all night, meeting new people, the next day you are changing diapers and watching your babies grow into these amazing people.Relationships change when you have kids. Its like watching the Amazing Race. Some couples survive the race and others realize it wasn't meant to be. Raising kids is the same thing.
This will be a movie that you watch over and over again.
The story is about two best friends who watch as their friends change when they have kids. Both want children and have not yet found the one they are suppose to be with. They don't want the downside of marriage so they decide to have a child and split the responsibility 50/50.
The movie shows what an adventure it is to have kids. It can be rough but the benefits are amazing. Everyone thinks things will be the same but it never is again. One day you are going out to fancy restaurants, staying out all night, meeting new people, the next day you are changing diapers and watching your babies grow into these amazing people.Relationships change when you have kids. Its like watching the Amazing Race. Some couples survive the race and others realize it wasn't meant to be. Raising kids is the same thing.
This will be a movie that you watch over and over again.
Friday, 16 September 2011
TIFF - Review of Michael
Review - 4 out of 5 - this is a difficult movie to watch. Your stomach will be tied up in knots and you will be filled with hatred towards the main character. A very disturbing subject matter that will leave you feeling unsettled
Michael is the story of a pedophile. He lives a normal life, with a sister and mother who love him. At night when he comes home you realize he has kidnapped a young boy. They eat dinner together, watch tv together and then Michael has sex with him.
The film does not show the sex scenes with the child for obvious reasons. Everything in implied. The director of the film was very open with the parents and explained everything that he wanted to do before starting the film. Prior to viewing the film at Cannes, the director had the parents watch the film to ensure they were okay with everything. The child was also told what the movie was about and everything was explained to him.
A large part of the movie is in silence with you observing Michael and his interaction with the boy. The viewer is stressed because you don't know if anyone will find the boy.
This is a first time movie for the director. Prior to this he was a casting director. He noted several points in Q&A last night:
Michael is the story of a pedophile. He lives a normal life, with a sister and mother who love him. At night when he comes home you realize he has kidnapped a young boy. They eat dinner together, watch tv together and then Michael has sex with him.
The film does not show the sex scenes with the child for obvious reasons. Everything in implied. The director of the film was very open with the parents and explained everything that he wanted to do before starting the film. Prior to viewing the film at Cannes, the director had the parents watch the film to ensure they were okay with everything. The child was also told what the movie was about and everything was explained to him.
A large part of the movie is in silence with you observing Michael and his interaction with the boy. The viewer is stressed because you don't know if anyone will find the boy.
This is a first time movie for the director. Prior to this he was a casting director. He noted several points in Q&A last night:
- He wrote the script in 5 days
- His inspiration for the topic was based on all of the stories that were in the headlines at the time (2008)
- He did no research for the film. He didn't want a story he read to influence the writing.
- He gave the script to a forensic psychiatrist who works with the courts and has interviewed pedophiles. The feedback she gave him was that his portrayal of the pedophile was accurate.
- He has no problems getting funding. He passed the movie to the investors and had money for the film the next day
- There was no music for most of the film. The director felt that music is something that tells you how to feel. The thought of putting music to this topic was nauseating to him.
- The subtitles did not include what was on the news. The director felt that the tv was background noise was not relevant to the film and did not want it translated.
- Originally the investors wanted a well known actor in the role of Michael. The director did not want this. He mentioned that people watch the news and look at these people as monsters. He wanted a unknown actor to play the part so that you could identify with the character. It shows that the pedophile is not someone you can identify in the crowd. He is the guy next to you at work. The quiet one that works hard, has a family who loves him, a home, friends and women that are attracted to him.
- Spoiler alert - at the end of the film, the intention was that the boy was alive when he is found
- Spoiler alert - Michael burns the card the boy gives him because he is hurt it is impersonal. He wants the boy to like him.
TIFF - Review of Take Shelter
Review - 4 out of 5 - recommend renting this film. It keeps you on the edge of your seat.
The movie is about a man who has nightmares about a terrible storm that is coming. Each night different things happen to him or his child in his nightmares. In the morning he struggles with the anxiety that is brought on by these nightmares. The dreams are so vivid, he believes that something bad is coming. At the same time he acknowledges that his anxiety may relate to a mental illness as it runs in the family.
The movie really shows the strength of a family on sticking together when things start to fall apart around them. The wife has to make a decision on whether to believe in her husband and see him through this anxiety or leave him and take the child.
The viewer is kept on the edge of their seat as the director builds the suspense on what is going to happen. Is a storm really coming or is this character on the verge of a complete mental breakdown.
The acting by Michael Shannon and Jessica Chastain is superb. This is a good thriller to watch and the viewer is kept guessing right up to the end.
I didn't have my camera but I took some pictures with my blackberry of Jessica Chastain and the executive producer (man wearing the tan coat). I hadn't heard of her before but this month alone she has five films opening up in theatres.
The movie is about a man who has nightmares about a terrible storm that is coming. Each night different things happen to him or his child in his nightmares. In the morning he struggles with the anxiety that is brought on by these nightmares. The dreams are so vivid, he believes that something bad is coming. At the same time he acknowledges that his anxiety may relate to a mental illness as it runs in the family.
The movie really shows the strength of a family on sticking together when things start to fall apart around them. The wife has to make a decision on whether to believe in her husband and see him through this anxiety or leave him and take the child.
The viewer is kept on the edge of their seat as the director builds the suspense on what is going to happen. Is a storm really coming or is this character on the verge of a complete mental breakdown.
The acting by Michael Shannon and Jessica Chastain is superb. This is a good thriller to watch and the viewer is kept guessing right up to the end.
I didn't have my camera but I took some pictures with my blackberry of Jessica Chastain and the executive producer (man wearing the tan coat). I hadn't heard of her before but this month alone she has five films opening up in theatres.
Wednesday, 14 September 2011
TIFF - Review of Once Upon a Time in Anatolia
Review - 2 out of 5 - this is not a mainstream film. You are left with questions and it is a long drawn out film.
I did some research on this film when I got home today to find out what others thought of this. I was surprised on IMDB to see the rating of 8.5 out of 10. I started to wonder whether we had watched the same film. I understand this won the Grand Prize of the Jury award at Cannes which explains why it was sold out this morning.
The movie is about a man that confesses to murder and the journey he takes law officials on to find where he buried the body. The movie is mostly shot at night and at dawn with car headlights providing light. The shots of the countryside were beautiful and worth watching the film just for that piece alone. As you watch the movie, the main characters (police chief, doctor, prosecutor) talk about their lives. The movie watcher feels like you are travelling in the car with them, listening to their stories. All of them appear to be guilty of something but you don't know what it is. As the movie progresses (2 hours and 45 minutes), you become tired. It is like a long day at work. In reading the other reviews, that is supposedly what the director wanted you to feel. I felt I was left with more questions than answers and exhausted after the end of it. You feel like you have been up all night with the characters driving around looking for a body. When they do find it, they certainly do not treat it like CSI which begs the question how do they do an investigation in these countries?
I wouldn't recommend this film unless you are into artistic direction.
I did some research on this film when I got home today to find out what others thought of this. I was surprised on IMDB to see the rating of 8.5 out of 10. I started to wonder whether we had watched the same film. I understand this won the Grand Prize of the Jury award at Cannes which explains why it was sold out this morning.
The movie is about a man that confesses to murder and the journey he takes law officials on to find where he buried the body. The movie is mostly shot at night and at dawn with car headlights providing light. The shots of the countryside were beautiful and worth watching the film just for that piece alone. As you watch the movie, the main characters (police chief, doctor, prosecutor) talk about their lives. The movie watcher feels like you are travelling in the car with them, listening to their stories. All of them appear to be guilty of something but you don't know what it is. As the movie progresses (2 hours and 45 minutes), you become tired. It is like a long day at work. In reading the other reviews, that is supposedly what the director wanted you to feel. I felt I was left with more questions than answers and exhausted after the end of it. You feel like you have been up all night with the characters driving around looking for a body. When they do find it, they certainly do not treat it like CSI which begs the question how do they do an investigation in these countries?
I wouldn't recommend this film unless you are into artistic direction.
Tuesday, 13 September 2011
TIFF - Review of Intruders
Review - 5 out of 5 - Don't miss out on watching this
I don't always give out this high of a rating, especially this early in the festival. This movie was incredible.
It is based on the concept that we pass our childhood fears onto our children. If you were ever afraid of the boogeyman then this movie will give you the creeps. It is definitely a thriller and you are left on the edge of your seat trying to figure out what is real and what isn't. It has you questioning whether there really is a boogeyman and if there is, what would happen if you see him as an adult.
The director created this film based on discussions he had with his producers on the origin of fear. As adults we tend to use fear as a motivator to prevent our children from doing something. What would happen if we pass our fears onto our children?
I will be surprised if this does not do well at the box office. If you are a Clive Owen fan you will definitely love this. I will however be checking my closets tonight because you never know what lurks in the dark.
I don't always give out this high of a rating, especially this early in the festival. This movie was incredible.
It is based on the concept that we pass our childhood fears onto our children. If you were ever afraid of the boogeyman then this movie will give you the creeps. It is definitely a thriller and you are left on the edge of your seat trying to figure out what is real and what isn't. It has you questioning whether there really is a boogeyman and if there is, what would happen if you see him as an adult.
The director created this film based on discussions he had with his producers on the origin of fear. As adults we tend to use fear as a motivator to prevent our children from doing something. What would happen if we pass our fears onto our children?
I will be surprised if this does not do well at the box office. If you are a Clive Owen fan you will definitely love this. I will however be checking my closets tonight because you never know what lurks in the dark.
TIFF - Review of Miss Bala
Review 3.5 out of 5 - Thought provoking, worth renting
On Monday I went to see Miss Bala. It was a Mexican movie about a young woman who dreamed of being a beauty queen. One night she is in a night club with a friend when some men attach the club and kill the patrons. She witnesses the events and becomes entangled with a drug cartel.
The movie kept you guessing. You watched this women get deeper and deeper into trouble and you kept asking yourself how she was ever going to get free. It showed how bad the drug situation is in Mexico and that there is no one you can turn to for help because you don't know who is corrupt. The movie was loosely based on two separate events, a beauty queen that was arrested for carrying a large amounts of ammunition and a DEA agent that was killed by a Mexican drug gang.
At the end of the movie, it notes that 36,000 people have died in the last five years due to drug related crimes in Mexico. In the Q&A session with the Director and cast it was noted that this is now up to 50,000 and growing. The director made this movie out of anger for the situation that is happening in Mexico. It is not a safe environment and the drug situation is getting worse.
The director left some interesting twists in the movie that make you question who is honest and who is corrupt. He even mentioned in the Q&A that this is how is works in Mexico. People will be arrested for terrible crimes and judges will let them go. There is no rational for what happens in Mexico.
The movie will keep you on the edge of your seat. It was a first time performance for the female lead and she did an excellent job at portraying fear without speaking. The ending will leaving you asking questions.
On Monday I went to see Miss Bala. It was a Mexican movie about a young woman who dreamed of being a beauty queen. One night she is in a night club with a friend when some men attach the club and kill the patrons. She witnesses the events and becomes entangled with a drug cartel.
The movie kept you guessing. You watched this women get deeper and deeper into trouble and you kept asking yourself how she was ever going to get free. It showed how bad the drug situation is in Mexico and that there is no one you can turn to for help because you don't know who is corrupt. The movie was loosely based on two separate events, a beauty queen that was arrested for carrying a large amounts of ammunition and a DEA agent that was killed by a Mexican drug gang.
At the end of the movie, it notes that 36,000 people have died in the last five years due to drug related crimes in Mexico. In the Q&A session with the Director and cast it was noted that this is now up to 50,000 and growing. The director made this movie out of anger for the situation that is happening in Mexico. It is not a safe environment and the drug situation is getting worse.
The director left some interesting twists in the movie that make you question who is honest and who is corrupt. He even mentioned in the Q&A that this is how is works in Mexico. People will be arrested for terrible crimes and judges will let them go. There is no rational for what happens in Mexico.
The movie will keep you on the edge of your seat. It was a first time performance for the female lead and she did an excellent job at portraying fear without speaking. The ending will leaving you asking questions.
Sunday, 11 September 2011
TIFF - Review of Twixt
Review 3 out of 5 - worth renting
Twixt is about an author who comes to a small town to do a book signing. While he is there, he is approached by the sheriff to co - author a book about a series of murders that have taken place there. The author once had potential but since the death of his daughter he has been drowning his sorrows in alcohol. The sheriff asks him in the movie "How does it feel being the Bargain-Basement Stephen King?". While staying in the small town the author has a dream which he feels is linked to the murders. The movie unfolds in a series of dreams as the author tries to figure out who murdered these girls.
In the Q&A, Francis Ford Coppola mentions that this movie was based on a dream he had. In some cases, the dreams the author experiences are exactly like the dreams that Coppola had. There is an interesting use of colour between reality and dreams which I really liked. The movie also used 3D technology in two parts which added something interesting to the film. Val Kilmer was excellent in the role of the author. There are some very funny scenes between him and his wife and when he sits down to write the novel. He does a great job of being a tortured soul looking for the truth.
I wouldn't say this would be a box office hit but it is worth renting. He keeps you guessing (although IMDB gives away a little of the plot so I recommend not reading the synopsis) and is very entertaining.
The movie shows that Val Kilmer is an under utilized actor in hollywood.
Twixt is about an author who comes to a small town to do a book signing. While he is there, he is approached by the sheriff to co - author a book about a series of murders that have taken place there. The author once had potential but since the death of his daughter he has been drowning his sorrows in alcohol. The sheriff asks him in the movie "How does it feel being the Bargain-Basement Stephen King?". While staying in the small town the author has a dream which he feels is linked to the murders. The movie unfolds in a series of dreams as the author tries to figure out who murdered these girls.
In the Q&A, Francis Ford Coppola mentions that this movie was based on a dream he had. In some cases, the dreams the author experiences are exactly like the dreams that Coppola had. There is an interesting use of colour between reality and dreams which I really liked. The movie also used 3D technology in two parts which added something interesting to the film. Val Kilmer was excellent in the role of the author. There are some very funny scenes between him and his wife and when he sits down to write the novel. He does a great job of being a tortured soul looking for the truth.
I wouldn't say this would be a box office hit but it is worth renting. He keeps you guessing (although IMDB gives away a little of the plot so I recommend not reading the synopsis) and is very entertaining.
The movie shows that Val Kilmer is an under utilized actor in hollywood.
TIFF - Twixt Experience
Today I had a fantastic film festival experience. It is days like this that make it exciting to be part of the TIFF experience. I went to see the world premiere of Twixt by Francis Ford Coppola, starring Val Kilmer.
I had amazing seats. The only thing separating me between Coppola and Kilmer was two people and an aisle. I was about 6 feet away from them while I watched the movie. Sitting in the same row as Coppola while he watched this version of the movie for the first time was incredible. He said that the last time he saw an edit of the film was at his daughter, Sofia's wedding. They even walked by me on their way to the stage. They were so close I could have touched them. Kilmer is much better looking in person than in recent films. Having been a huge fan of his since the Top Gun days it was great to see him in person.
I have attached some pictures that I took. Keep in mind I have an old camera and my zoom lens sucks. The lighting was dim so I had to edit some of the pictures in order to see the images better.
Overall today was a 5 out of 5 for TIFF experience.
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