JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR (TIFF Lightbox) – I’m not a huge fan of musicals as a rule, but this and HAIR are two that I find completely amazing. I’m sure that part of the attraction is the sheer sacrilege of Singing Jesus and Judas, but I really watch mostly for Herod’s song and dance number. Jesus, [...]
Read more →BIRDWATCHERS (TIFF Lightbox) – I really wanted to like this, but I just found it slow and plodding. There was an awkwardness to some of the acting that was really jarring, I think in part due to the lack of experience of some of the actors. The appeal for funds to aid the Brazilian rain [...]
Read more →OUT OF THE PAST (TIFF) – how is it that I’ve managed to miss out on this entire genre of films most of my life? Sure, I’ve seen some of them by accident, and some of the pseudo-noir films like BLADE RUNNER, but maybe it’s something about watching themon the big screen. Phenomenal. Funny. Well [...]
Read more →THE TIME THAT REMAINS (TIFF Lightbox) – This is a funny film, and something of a sad film. It’s about characters react to things that they have no control over; without becoming overtly political. There is a real sense of humour, and I can see why some compare this to the work of Jacques Tati. [...]
Read more →THE ROBBER (TIFF Lightbox) – There isn’t a lot of dialogue, but there’s plenty of running in this films. Running both literally and metaphorically. I wonder if Hans would have been caught at all had he not had that impetuous moment after the race. There’s a feeling of loss, but mostly I feel for Erika. [...]
Read more →SPLICE (TIFF Lightbox) – This is possibly the best acting I’ve seen out of Sarah Polley, but also the worst film I’ve seen here in. That’s saying something. There was a Q&A after with the Director, who said that there were people who loved the movie and those who hated it, but that those who [...]
Read more →THE AGONY AND ECSTASY OF PHIL SPECTOR (TIFF Lightbox) – Interesting, if a bit confusing format. Plenty of video from the original court case, but typically with Spector-produced songs playing over the audio, sometimes with sub-titled commentary on the songs as well. Good documentary, with lots of interview footage shot for the film. I’d say [...]
Read more →TRIGGER (TIFF Lightbox) – Fantastic film. The producers spoke on a casting panel a couple days prior to this saying that the original script had been written for male characters, and it took little more than character name changes and a couple gender pronouns. As a result, at times through the film, I was picturing [...]
Read more →LES AMOURS IMAGINAIRES (TIFF Lightbox) – I know that the name of the film translates as “HEARTBEATS” … but I think that THE IMAGINARY LOVES would be more appropriate. Really funny, brilliant acting. Watching a straight woman and a gay man compete for the affections of a man of unknown sexuality… cringe worthy, charming, funny, [...]
Read more →TROIS TEMP APRES LA MORT D’ANNA (TIFF Lightbox) – Anna dies, and this shows her mother, mourning for Anna. I wished the murderer had taken me instead. Watching a woman grieve in near-solitude in the woods for 90 minutes? Staring into the camera… staring to the left… curled in a ball crying… It was very [...]
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