#TIFF19: “MARTIN EDEN”
Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong
Martin Eden (Luca Marinelli) is an uneducated working-class sailor who falls in love with educated upper-class Elena (Jessica Cressy). To make her see him the same way he sees her he attempts to remake himself into a Writer.
Director Pietro Marcello adapts the Jack London Novel of the same name in an inspiring unconventional way. It’s clear from the beginning that Marcello is making a politically charged film, and one of which he is entirely on ...
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#TIFF19: “DEERSKIN”
Review by David Baldwin for Mr. Will Wong
Georges’ (Oscar-winner Jean Dujardin) life is in upheaval. He separated from his wife and has just spent a comically ridiculous amount of money for a deerskin coat. He loves and admires the coat – so much so that he starts talking to it, and slowly becomes unhinged from reality.
If you watched Writer/Director Quentin Dupieux’s previous film Rubber – about a tire that kills people – you probably have an idea for what kind of trip you are in ...
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#TIFF19: “BLOW THE MAN DOWN”
Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong
Sisters Mary Beth (Morgan Saylor) and Priscilla (Sophie Lowe) think they got away with a violent crime in their small fishing village of Easter Cove, Maine until a local brothel owner (Margo Martindale) becomes suspicious and confronts the girls with an ultimatum.
Small town crime films usually lack originality, however, Co-Directors Bridget Savage Cole and Danielle Krudy bring a new edge to the genre. This atmospheric film advances above those that ...
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#TIFF19: “AMERICAN WOMAN”
Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong
In this fictionalized reimagining of the Patty Hearst affair, a political activist (Hong Chau) helps take care of a group of wanted fugitives including a well-known heiress (Sarah Gadon).
At the core of American Woman is a captivating story about political activism and the extremes some go to with their beliefs. These enthralling themes are all here, however, there’s no mystery about the fate of the characters because the opening scene reveals ...
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#TIFF19: “AMERICAN SON”
Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong
When Kendra’s (Kerry Washington) bi-racial son doesn’t come home one night she spends the night inside a police station hoping to find out what happened to him.
American Son is based upon the Broadway Play written by Christopher Demos-Brown and brought to the screen with the same Cast and Director. The Play and Script both touch on important themes of race relations and police brutality in an eloquent intimate way. Washington’s performance of ...
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#TIFF19: DAY SEVEN – BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN, ZAZIE BEETZ, HONG CHAU, GEORGE MCKAY + MORE
It's officially been a week since TIFF '19 began and we honestly don't know where the time went! It all felt like one long day with power naps. We're doing just fine, although we worry with the switch from hot to umm... freezing, we are a prime candidate for a cold!
Some names still in town we spotted. Hover cursor right to navigate albums.
Zazie Beetz (Lucy in the Sky, Joker + Seberg)
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#TIFF19: “MOTHERLESS BROOKLYN”
Review by David Baldwin for Mr. Will Wong
After his boss is shot and left for dead, private detective Lionel Essrog (Edward Norton) sets-out to find out why. But along the way, he gets caught in the middle of 1950s political turmoil and a whole lot of people that want him to stop before he gets hurt.
Norton has been trying to get his adaptation of Jonathan Lethem’s Book onto the big screen for at least a decade. His passion for the Project is effusive, and that may be why the Film feels ...
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#TIFF19: “THE VIGIL”
Review by David Baldwin for Mr. Will Wong
Yakov (Dave Davis) is out of his element and struggling with PTSD. He gets asked one evening to be a shomer (watching over the body) for a recently deceased Holocaust survivor at their home. Yakov needs the money, so he agrees. But soon after arriving at the house, Yakov starts hearing and seeing very chilling and gross things. And he might not survive the night.
While knowing and understanding Yiddish folklore might help, I was pleasantly surprised ...
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#TIFF19: “JOKER”
Review by David Baldwin for Mr. Will Wong
Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix) makes his living as a party clown. He lives with his mother, has serious mental health issues and dreams of being a Comedian. But a set of circumstances will set him down a different path – one that involves becoming Gotham City’s greatest villain, The Joker.
With Joker, Co-Writer/Director Todd Phillips (of The Hangover and Old School) set-out to create a dark, gritty, intense and disturbing take on the legendary ...
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#TIFF19: “FORD v FERRARI”
Review by David Baldwin for Mr. Will Wong
Sales of Ford cars are slumping in the early 1960s. They need to reinvigorate the brand, fast. Inspired by the work Ferrari is doing, the company plan to build a car that can compete with the best of the best at the “24 Hours of Le Mans” endurance race. But it will not be easy.
The 152-minute running time of Ford v Ferrari is daunting, but it proves to be one of the most rewarding and entertaining films at this year’s Festival. Director James ...
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