#TIFF17: TEAM MR. WILL’S TOP FIVE PICKS OF 2017 TORONTO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

We live for TIFF and our hearts are filled with gratitude that we live in the City with the greatest Film Festival in the world!  Team Mr. Will break-down for you their top Films to look-out for at the 2017 Toronto International Film Festival.  With single tickets going on sale to the public Monday, September 4, 2017 at 10:00 AM EST, perhaps you could use a bit of inspiration for your own Festival picks?

From our Family to yours…

 

Siobhán Rich (@Typo_Eh)

Pop culture played a big part in my picks this year with The Room, Barack Obama and Wonder Woman playing key roles in three of my selections. The other two premiered at festivals earlier this year to wide acclaim are are sure to be on everyone’s top Films of 2017.

BPM (Beats Per Minute)
Call Me By Your Name
The Disaster Artist
The Final Year
Professor Marston and the Women

 

Jonathan Godfrey (@Skot_Somers)

This year I’m sticking to Indies! First off there’s Cannes darling, The Square. A satirical look at the Post-Modern Art World and all of its troubling social issues. Second is Jane, a Documentary about the beloved primatologist Jane Goodall. Third, The Lodgers, is an Irish Horror that was shot in one of the country’s most harrowing haunted houses. Fourth, Apostasy. The aptly-titled Film focuses on a rebellious youth within a controlling cult. Lastly, my only non-Indie, The Shape of Water. The latest Monster Movie from Toronto’s adopted son, Guillermo del Toro. All good and hopefully great. Time will tell. Have a happy Festival!

The Square
Jane
The Lodgers
Apostasy
The Shape of Water

 

Justin Waldman (@DubsReviews)

The Disaster Artist
James Franco tackles The Room in adapting the Book written by Greg Sestero who played “Mark” in arguably one of the worst movies ever made, The Room.

Unicorn Store
Brie Larson makes her directorial debut with an extraordinary cast.

The Florida Project
From the director of Tangerine this small Indie film will be one of the standouts from the Festival as well without a doubt.

Molly’s Game
Aaron Sorkin script. Aaron Sorkin directing.

mother!
Early reviews and buzz out of Venice, alleviate all rumours surrounding its changed release date.

 

Amanda Gilmore (@GilmoreAmanda)

The Disaster Artist

This Film is hilarious from beginning to end and James Franco gives the performance of his career as Tommy Wiseau. It will delight Midnight Madness fans, The Room fans and everyone else that sees it.

Call Me By Your Name

Since Sundance, this Film has received rave reviews for the story, direction, and acting. It’s sure to garner multiple award nominations and possibly some wins come Awards Season.

Downsizing

As soon as it screened at the Venice Film Festival it was a sure fire hit calling it Alexander Payne’s finest work.

The Florida Project

Sean Baker impressed audiences with his directorial debut Tangerine and now he’s back with this touching examination of familial love. Set around a daughter and her young mother living in a motel, this will be the tearjerker of the Festival.

Lady Bird

Greta Gerwig has written some brilliant female roles over the past few years. Now she’s making her directorial debut with her latest script starring Saoirse Ronan.

 

David Baldwin (@DaveMABaldwin)

Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

I saw the Trailer for this Movie back in March and was on-board immediately. Frances McDormand looks like the perfect match for Martin McDonagh‘s spectacular writing.

The Disaster Artist

I love The Room, and the behind the scenes story is the most fascinating, hilarious, ludicrous and absolutely insane thing I have ever read. I have been waiting ever so patiently since SXSW to experience the madness — and bonus points because it will be at Midnight Madness with the maestro himself, Tommy Wiseau, in the audience.

mother!

I know literally nothing about this Film beyond it starring Jennifer Lawrence and Javier Bardem, and that it is directed by Darren Aronofsky. That’s more than enough to get me excited. The posters have been cryptic at best, so I’m really hoping that I’m rewarded for going in blind.

Mom and Dad

The premise of parents killing their kids for 24 hours had my curiosity. Having Nicolas Cage in the leading role got my attention.

Manhunt

John Woo‘s return to the kind of action movies that influenced a generation of Filmmakers and film fans. If there aren’t any doves or dual wielding pistols, I’m rioting.

Mr. Will (@mrwillw)

Having seen a handful of the key TIFF ’17 titles, I am the greatest champion for Sundance favourite CALL ME BY YOUR NAME. I love Luca Guadagnino (I Am Love, A Bigger Splash)‘s work and once again he pushes the boundaries and our perceptions of love in this beautifully-told Novel adaptation. It is gorgeous, a bit dangerous and emotional – everything a TIFF Film should be.  I have yet to see I, Tonya and mother! but both have great pedigrees and with that come high hopes. The Disaster Artist was magical, Battle of the Sexes was superb. That being said, my Top Five are as follows:

Call Me By Your Name
I, Tonya
mother!
The Disaster Artist
Battle of the Sexes