TIFF ’17 will be remembered as one of the most electrifyingly star-studded Festivals in many years and today is exactly why!
Names don’t come any bigger than Angelina Jolie who walked her first of two Red Carpets this afternoon. She produces Animated Feature THE BREADWINNER and humbly came out to grace not only the Red Carpet but walk the line of Fans stopping for photos and autographs along Yonge Street in front of Winter Garden Theatre. We were among the lucky! What a thrill! Don’t miss her at her Premiere for well-reviewed Documentary FIRST THEY KILLED MY FATHER tomorrow!
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Academy Award winner Jennifer Lawrence also drew a large crowd at TIFF BELL LIGHTBOX for the Presser for Darren Aronofsky‘s well-reviewed mother! While there was no sign of Michelle Pfeiffer today, Javier Bardem and Ed Harris later would walk the Red Carpet after being absent at the Film’s Presser. We even got a photo with Lawrence although tragically, flashes going off would wash out the Photo! Devastation!
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THE SHAPE OF WATER continues to garner tons of Oscar buzz with Festival Creative Director Cameron Bailey touting it as his fave! We spotted its friendly cast today including two-time Oscar nominee Sally Hawkins, winner Octavia Spencer, nominee Richard Jenkins and Doug Jones. Hawkins is getting a lot of early buzz for her work.in this Toronto-made Fantasy by Guillermo del Toro. No signs of Michael Shannon however!
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We loved seeing Julianne Moore out earlier as she promoted George Clooney‘s SUBURBICON. We didn’t see Clooney though who was snuck-in, although we hear he has been really fantastic and giving to fans at TIFF ’17!
Sam Rockwell is back at it in the City, a place which work has brought him to many times, returning to TIFF with THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING, MISSOURI.
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Dave Franco stars alongside brother James Franco in hilarious THE DISASTER ARTIST, based on THE ROOM star Greg Sestero‘s Memoir about working on that Cult Classic! He was in a bit of a rush today but we hope to see him around tomorrow as the Film premieres then at Midnight Madness.
James McAvoy consistently delivers and we were thrilled that he was able to make it in this year as we’ve wanted to meet him since we saw The Last King of Scotland, which also premiered here back in 2006. He’s here for SUBMERGENCE and was gracious sporting a bald look for his X-Men: Dark Phoenix role which he is shooting now in Montreal.
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Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong
Novitiate follows Cathleen (Margaret Qualley) who struggles with her faith and sexuality while training to become a nun during the Vatican II era.
The Film is an impressive first feature debut from Writer/Director Margaret Betts who assembles a powerhouse ensemble of female talent. Most notable is Qualley who delivers a breakout performance, Melissa Leo who is a terrifying Reverend Mother, and Julianne Nichols as a strong single mother who can’t understand her daughter’s need to become a nun. Betts’ skillful direction and writing give the Film a steady pace. It’s also one of the most original coming-of-age female stories seen on-screen.
Novitiate screens at TIFF on Sept. 10 at Scotiabank 1 at 5:45 PM and on Sept. 12 at Scotiabank 12 at 4 PM.
Review by Jonathan Godfrey for Mr. Will Wong
Gutland is Luxembourger Govinda Van Maele’s Feature Film debut. It opens with Jens (Frederick Lau), drifting into a provincial German town. After finding work as a farm hand, Jens finds pleasure in the bed of Lucy (Vicky Krieps). Lucy is one of several local figures who introduce Jens to the dark secrets of Schandelsmillen.
The Film is beautifully-staged and brilliantly-scored. Rural landscapes are accompanied by haunting melodies, working together to enhance the eerie aura of the Film. At first Jens appears as the rogue with a troubled past, but by the end of the Second Act, it is everyone else that seems suspect. The Third Act turns everything on its head, and concludes with a memorable musical presentation that resolves the story while elevating its enigmatic nature. Expertly-acted and beautifully-presented, Gutland is the type of Indie gold that makes TIFF the “Festival of Festivals.”.
GUTLAND screens at TIFF ’17:
Sunday, September 10, 2017Â 6:45 PMÂ Scotiabank 13
Tuesday, September 12, 2017 9:00 AM TIFF Bell Lightbox 3
Saturday, September 16, 2017 6:00 PMÂ Scotiabank 9
Directed by Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris, written by Academy Award-winning Screenwriter Simon Beaufoy and co-produced by Academy Award-winning Filmmaker Danny Boyle, the Sports Drama based around 1973’s high-profile tennis match pitting former World No. 1s Bobby Riggs (Steve Carell) and Billie Jean King (Emma Stone), recreates the paths each player took to the highly-touted match.
The event would on a grander scale be a significant moment in women’s liberation with doubts being cast by its male organizers about women’s place and worth in society. The Film also looks at Billie Jean King‘s personal struggle with her identity, then married to husband Larry (Austin Stowell) and falling in love with hairdresser Marilyn (Andrea Riseborough).
While many of us know already the outcome of the match, Dayton and Faris do some phenomenal work helping us arrive at it.
If you think you’ve seen Oscar-winning Stone at her best, she throws us a tour-de-force here, stepping-up to the physicality of her role convincingly. Carell plays up Bobby‘s overconfidence and chauvinism, having fun with it and still makes us feel for him, which is no easy feat. Fantastic supporting turns from Riseborough, Sarah Silverman and Natalie Morales complete a strong Ensemble.
Battle of the Sexes screens TIFF ’17:
Sunday, September 10, 2017 6:00 PM Ryerson Theatre
Monday, September 11, 2017 2:30 PM Princess of Wales Theatre
Friday, September 15, 2017 3:00 PM Princess of Wales Theatre
Saturday, September 16, 2017 5:00 PM Ryerson Theatre
Review by Siobhán Rich for Mr. Will Wong
Irish animation studio Cartoon Saloon has received two Oscar nominations due in part to their unique hand-drawn style. In their latest Feature, The Breadwinner, they’ve moved their setting from Ireland to Afghanistan but retained all the magic of their previous films.
When the Taliban throw her father in jail, 12-year-old Parvana is forced to disguise herself as a boy to earn money for her family. One day in the marketplace, Parvana meets-up with an old classmate, Shauzia, who is also masquerading as a boy. During the day, Parvana tries to earn money to pay the baksheesh necessary to get her father out of prison. At night, she distracts her family by telling them the story of a brave warrior named Idrees and his quest to save his village and defeat the Elephant King.
The brilliant voice cast boasts no major stars but does an excellent job bringing Director Nora Twomey’s vision to life. Canadians Jeff and Mychael Danna have provided a beautiful score which compliments without overpowering the story. Despite the heavy themes, this Angelina Jolie-produced Movie is sure to resonate with both children and adults.
Elevation Pictures will screen The Breadwinner at TIFF ’17 at the following times:
Sunday, September 10 3:00 p.m. Winter Garden Theatre
Saturday, September 16 1:00 p.m. TIFF Bell Lightbox 2
Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong
The Film follows Brad Sloan (Ben Stiller) who brings his teenaged son (Austin Abrams) to tour colleges which triggers his mid-life crisis. He starts comparing his life to those of his wealthy, successful friends and struggles with finding happiness in his comfortable suburban life.
With Brad’s Status, Writer/Director Mike White makes this mid-life crisis story different from others by inserting Brad’s narration, which helps express the Film’s message clearly. Although the message about comparing others to ourselves will only make us less happy is touching, it being incessantly relayed becomes tiring. What makes up for the repetitive message is a great performance from Stiller and the strong chemistry he and Abrams have as father and son.
Brad’s Status screens at TIFF on Sept. 9 at the Winter Garden Theatre at 8:30PM, Sept. 10 at the TBLB1 at 11:45 AM and Sept. 16 at TBLB1 at 9:30PM.
Review by Justin Waldman for Mr. Will Wong
From Director George Clooney and Writers Joel and Ethan Coen, the anticipation for Suburbicon was through the roof. Unfortunately the anticipation got the best of this Film and it falls flat. What should’ve been a Film that goes out of the park ends up as a foul that no one can catch.
The Movie focuses on Rose (Julianne Moore), Gardner (Matt Damon) and their son Nicky (Noah Jupe). They live in a small suburban neighbourhood in the 1950s-era and the neighbourhood becomes shaken up when they are the subjects of a home invasion that takes a dark turn. The Movie ends up turning into a dark(er) Thriller as it progresses and introduces us to the most interesting character, Roger (Oscar Isaac).
The performance from Oscar Isaac is what makes Suburbicon most interesting, but he is far too under utilized and the rest of the Film is rather bland shockingly. With what both Clooney has proven behind a camera and the Coen’s have proven with a script, there was so much hope that falls so short that there truly is no saving grace.
Suburbicon screens at TIFF on Saturday, September 9th at 6:30 PM at the Princess of Wales and Sunday, September 10th at 12 PMÂ at Roy Thomson Hall.
Review by Siobhán Rich for Mr. Will Wong
Many people credit the birth of horror to the book Frankenstein. What is often forgotten, however, is the Author of that genre-defining Book: Mary Shelley. In this eponymously-titled Movie, modern audiences are given a brief look into the life of this important literary figure.
When Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin (Elle Fanning) meets Percy Bysshe Shelley (Douglas Booth) she has no idea the poet she has fallen in with is married, and by the time she does it is too late. Defying her father, she leaves with her lover in the middle of the night with only her beloved stepsister Claire (Claire Clairmont) by her side. The three live in poverty off Shelley’s earnings as a writer. A chance meeting with Lord John Byron (Tom Sturridge drowning in guyliner) eventually bring the trio to Geneva where Mary is inspired to write her first Book.
The formation of the ideas behind Frankenstein evolve on-screen in predictable fashion but the eventual discussion of the book in the Third Act will permanently alter how you see the doctor and his monster. Despite the rather florid dialogue, Saudi Arabian Filmmaker Haiffa Al-Mansour’s big budget debut is a solid Film. Led by Fanning, the strong cast makes Mary Shelley a must-see during the Festival.
Search Engine Pictures will screen Mary Shelley at the following times:
Saturday, September 09 6:30 p.m. Roy Thomson Hall
Sunday, September 10 1:30 p.m. Scotiabank Cinemas 2
TIFF ’17 officially is switching into high gear as the starpower begins to pour over Toronto this weekend. Unlike previous years, we still are seeing a lot of action spilling into next Monday and Tuesday.
Greta Gerwig is getting tons of buzz for her work in autobiographical LADYBIRD, which she directs. We spotted the super-gracious Gerwig and Laurie Metcalf whom you remember from Sitcom Roseanne. Star Saoirse Ronan unfortunately couldn’t make it in this year despite being scheduled.
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We ❤ Emma Thompson and Stanley Tucci. Together in a Movie? Yes, please! The two star troubled relationship Drama THE CHILDREN ACT and both were so lovely despite time constraints with fans!
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There is no celebrity as nice as Jessica Chastain and we are thrilled her performance in Toronto-made MOLLY’S GAME is getting raves. The Film marks the directorial debut of Oscar-winning Screenwriter Aaron Sorkin. Watch Chastain own the fan chaos like a boss!
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Father-Son Dramedy Brad’s Status stars Ben Stiller and fresh face Austin Abrams, directed and written by Mike White. We spotted some of them out and about earlier amidst their Press stops.
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Oscar-nominated Canuck #EllenPage is back at TIFF with zombie cure fantasy The Cured. She was amazing with fans! 🍁
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Oscar-nominated Actor Ed Harris returns to the same City he filmed TIFF ’17 selection KODACHROME.
Everybody loves Charlie Day! The Funnyman stars in equally-funny Louis C.K.’s I LOVE YOU, DADDY at TIFF ’17. While Co-Stars John Malkovich and Edie Falco weren’t quite as giving as he, Day more than made-up for it taking the time out to greet an entire line of fans at Ryerson Theatre.
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MARY SHELLEY recounts the eponymous Author’s first romance with Poet Percy Bysshe Shelley and stars Elle Fanning, Douglas Booth, Maisie Williams and Bel Powley. Its stars rang-in its TIFF ’17 Premiere tonight at Roy Thomson Hall en route to a party at STORYS/RBC House. Attending by surprise was Fifty Shades of Grey star Jamie Dornan, whose wife Amelia Warner oversaw the Film’s music.
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One of the best bashes of TIFF annually is the InStyle Magazine Party, brought to us by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. The Party drew-out an A-List crowd, along with several up-and-comers. See some of the names who graced the Carpet!
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#TIFF17: #TonyGoldwyn at #TIFF2017 with #MarkFelt. #TIFF #TorontoInternationalFilmFestival #Scandal
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Review by Justin Waldman for Mr. Will Wong
Yorgos Lanthimos made a big name for himself with 2015’s The Lobster, he now returns to TIFF with his newest Film The Killing of a Sacred Deer and takes creepy and sinister to a new level. The Film is something truly disturbing and gut wrenching, so strap yourself in for one hell of a ride.
The Film focuses on surgeon Steven (Colin Farrell) who takes Martin (Barry Keoghan) under his wing. At first everything seems relatively normal, despite the fact that a grown man is befriending a young boy, until we find out that Martin’s father died on Steven’s surgery table. This is where the movie starts to take a twist for Steven and his family consisting of Anna (Nicole Kidman), Kim (Raffey Cassidy) and Bob (Sunny Suljic). Steven is faced with an impossible task, can Steven make the ultimate sacrifice or will it be made for him?
The Killing of a Sacred Deer is not for the faint of heart, but it is an intense Thriller that is lightened with a sprinkling of dark humour throughout.
It screens at TIFF on Saturday, September 9th at 9 PM at the Elgin Theatre, and Sunday, September 10th at 11:15Â AM at the Princess of Wales Theatre.
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