Our tiff50 adventures continue with a very successful Day Two that included sightings with:

•ethan hawke for blue moon and the lowdown
•corey hawkins and anna diop at tiff for the man in my basement
•stellan slarsgård, renate reinsve, and elle fanning at tiff for sentimental value
•shailene woodley and ben fodter at tiff for motor city
•samara weaving and kyle gallner at tiff for carolina caroline
•nick robinson and emilia jones at tiff for charlie harper
•emilia jones at tiff for charlie harper
•sydney sweeney, christy martin, and katy o’brian at tiff for christy
•maude apatow at tiff for poetic license
•cillian murphy at tiff for steve
•jamie lee curtis, matthew and levi mcconaughey at tiff for the lost bus (chats from the red carpet coming soon)

Highlights below:

Live from the Red Carpet for THE LOST BUS!

Cannot wait to see who we see Day Three! Tomorrow should be the most epic one yet!

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

By David Baldwin

Christy Salters (Sydney Sweeney) went from being a college basketball player in the late 1980s to being one of the pioneers of women’s boxing, going by the nickname “The Coal Miner’s Daughter”. Behind closed doors however, Christy was enduring abuse and degradation at the hands of her 25-years-older husband and boxing coach Jim Martin (Ben Foster).

For much of its running time, CHRISTY is your standard sports Biopic. It is based on a true story, and it hits all of the triumphant, disappointing and inspiring beats you expect. Co-Writer/Director David Michôd does not stray too far from the formula and does a more than admirable job telling Christy’s story. When the film is not focusing on boxing, it pivots into being the story of a woman who does not fit in and is made to suffer for it. While I wish Michôd and his Co-Writer Mirrah Foulkes went a little past the surface level with many softened elements, they wisely maintain restraint when it comes to the scenes of abuse (although one scene is just as shockingly brutal as it needs to be).

Though the supporting cast is uniformly solid – with Foster delivering another impeccable performance as a really shitty and deeply disturbed individual, Merritt Wever nailing some truly devastating scenes, Katy O’Brian stealing scenes left and right, and Chad L. Coleman positively slaying as Don King – the film belongs to Sweeney. She gives an absolute knockout performance as Christy, landing each right hook harder than the last both figuratively and literally. Her alternatively physical and vulnerable work here is some of the strongest of her career and should easily silence all of her haters.

CHRISTY screens at TIFF ‘25:

Fri. Sept 5 at 2:00 PM at VISA Screening Room at the Princess of Wales Theatre

Sat. Sept 6 at 11:00 AM at VISA Screening Room at the Princess of Wales Theatre

By Amanda Gilmore

Writer-Director Mary Bronstein brings us into a mother’s escalating anxieties in this claustrophobic pressure-cooker.

Linda (Rose Byrne) can’t catch a break. Her husband is away on a work trip, leaving her to care for their sick daughter while still working daily as a mental health counsellor. It’s clear from the jump that Linda is struggling with debilitating mental health issues herself. And if the pressures of her daily life weren’t enough, the ceiling of her apartment literally caves in. Thus, forcing Linda and her daughter out of their home and into a motel. This causes her mental health to spiral out of control.

Motherhood has never been depicted quite as honestly, or harshly, as under Bronstein’s meticulous vision. We follow Linda as she suffers through crippling anxieties that come along with being a mother of a sick child. Someone who has no control over the health and well-being of their kin. This lack of control extends to her own life and the apartment she resides in.

Bronstein transports the audience into Linda’s mind. Extreme close-ups create a claustrophobia that parallels the chamber in which Linda is being held captive by her mind. It’s an incredible feat of filmmaking to be able to place your audience in the psyche of the character. This is integral. Without forcing the audience to empathize with Linda, they wouldn’t lock in with her for the 2-hour runtime. Linda makes some questionable decisions—downright wrong ones. But Bronstein has allowed us to feel her agony. 

At the centre is the greatest performance of Byrne’s career. She’s fearless as a woman having the walls around her come crumbling down. Someone drowning and not knowing how to come up for air. It’s desperate, raw, and heartbreaking.

If I Had Legs I’d Kick You screens at TIFF:

Fri. Sept 12 at 8:30 PM at Royal Alexandra Theatre

Sat. Sept 13 at 12:00 PM at Scotiabank Theatre Toronto

By Amanda Gilmore

Mascha Schilinski’s Cannes Jury Prize–winner follows the lives of four women from different generations who all lived on the same farm in northern Germany. This particular farm sits on a tumultuous region, one that saw both world wars and defined East and West Germany. The four generations of women are: Alma (Hanna Heckt) in the early 20th century, Erika (Lea Drinda) in the 1940s, Angelika (Lena Urzendowsky) in the 1980s, and Lenka (Laeni Geiseler) in the present.

Sound of Falling braids past and present throughout the narratives and timeframes. We watch as these women live and struggle with facing the confines and cages their world has thrust them into. Regardless of the decade, one thing is certain: each of these women is under the suppression of men, both within their homes and at large. Some are forced to be servants, while others are looked at as objects.

Schilinski uses emotive and cerebral filmmaking that realizes on the visuals to tell the story. The dread that follows these women in their lives is mirrored by the incredible cinematography by Fabian Gamper. The camera feels like a ghost following these women and girls. Haunting them. It creates an atmosphere that oozes with dread at every frame.

The first hour takes a bit to settle into. It feels almost meditative. We are waiting to see what story unfolds. Once we understand the lives of these women, we see the story for what it is. It’s a film that touches on its country’s troubled history while remaining intimate.

Sound of Falling screens at TIFF:

Sun. Sept 7 at 5:45 PM at TIFF Lightbox

Mon. Sept 8 at 7:00 PM at Scotiabank Theatre Toronto

Sat. Sept 13 at 7:30 PM at Scotiabank Theatre Toronto

By Amanda Gilmore

First-time filmmakers Mac Eldridge and Tom Dean have crafted a romance that is grounded and raw. It showcases two magnetic performances from indie favourites Emilia Jones and Nick Robinson.

We follow the complicated relationship between Charlie (Robinson) and Harper (Jones) over the course of five years. The two met in high school but then lost touch before rekindling their flame in that tender time after graduating high school. Soon after, they moved to New Orleans together. Before they know it, Harper has her dream job as a chef, and Charlie is stuck in a rut. It’s here that the cracks become exposed in their relationship.

Charlie and Harper meet many times over their lives. The filmmakers have used this as a way to tell their narrative non-linearly. We watch their romance through different moments in time. At the end. At the start. And most importantly, all those moments in between. The moments where our memories become a mix of our emotions. This is what separates Charlie Harper from other romances. Even if it does feel like the common, boy-meets-girl, boy-loses-girl story.

Eldridge and Dean make a statement on how two people can experience the same moment together, but have different takes on it. At various points, the characters directly retell a moment in their relationship, and there are slight discrepancies in the memory. These scenes serve as poignant reminders of the subjectivity of memory.

Jones and Robinson give impactful performances, and their chemistry is undeniable. Jones is terrific as the ambitious and caring Harper. And Robinson stuns as a young man dealing with addiction while loving with all his heart. They keep us locked into this romance.

Charlie Harper screens at TIFF ’25:

Thur. Sept 4 at 3:00 PM at TIFF Lightbox

Sat. Sept 6 at 2:45 PM at Scotiabank Theatre Toronto

By Amanda Gilmore

Filmmaker Gail Maurice’s second feature follows Beatrice (Dana Solomon), a storyteller and store clerk, who is completely taken by a new woman who arrives in her Métis community looking to find her biological family. She decides to help this newcomer, Chani (Derica Lafrance), to spend more time with her. While Chani is searching for her family, Beatrice’s estranged mother Léonore (played by the director Maurice) returns home in hopes of repairing their relationship.

Blood Lines is a love story and domestic drama. The script excels at these two themes…in the first two acts of the story. It’s beautiful to watch young love blossom between Beatrice and Chani. Thanks to Solomon and Lafrance’s strong chemistry. The two help each other through their complex familial issues. Allowing each other grace in their pain.

The domestic drama aspect is l impactful. Beatrice is struggling with her mother’s return. A mother whom Beatrice believes she was abandoned by due to Léonore’s alcohol addiction. Solomon packs a punch as a young woman enraged by her childhood neglect. While Chani is a crux to tell a larger story. One about social workers who took children from their Métis parents and put them up for adoption. This is a powerful storyline that we wish were explored more in-depth.

However, rather than having this impactful storyline expand, it becomes lost in a twist that happens in the final 30 minutes. It’s a twist that feels out of place in this particular film. It complicates the purity of what’s happened beforehand, both with the love and domestic storylines.

Blood Lines screens at TIFF ’25:

Mon. Sept 8 at 6:15 PM at Scotiabank Theatre Toronto

Wed. Sept 10 at 11:30 AM at TIFF Lightbox

By Nicholas Porteous

Park Chan-wook returns to TIFF (after his singularly dazzling Decision to Leave) with No Other Choice. It’s a very different kind of war movie about a factory worker (Lee Byung-hun) and the battle to feed his family when he’s unceremoniously let go. How far will he go to recapture the old life that seems to be slipping through his fingers? Take your wildest guess–then go another few steps further.

No Other Choice is a classic Chan-wook vibe, full of unexpectedly hilarious moments that serve to counteract the unrelenting bleakness of the bigger picture. Chan-wook is a daring tightrope walker of tone, and his vision is so precise it’s hard to imagine any other filmmaker who could pull off this hyper-specific potpourri of comedy and tragedy. This is by no means a feel-good story, but the jokes are undeniable.

Chan-wook also continues to move his camera with nearly unmatched gusto. Tablet screens and video calls have never been more cinematic. Out of context, his frames might seem gimmicky, but his focus is always bringing you closer to these characters and their little worlds. Despite our lead’s indefensible actions, I never lost sight of his humanity, or the real villain: a world without mercy that pits us against each other, and rewards the vicious with jobs that may as well be performed by robots.

No Other Choice is labyrinthine, and certainly feels its length–a hefty 139 minutes. It’s easy to get a bit lost in all the details, and every little thing is there for a reason. By the same token, it’s a rewarding watch, even though the whole package may leave you queasy. Its conclusion feels abrupt, and necessarily harsh. Particularly if you’ve enjoyed Chan-wook’s other, oftentimes brutal works, this will not disappoint.

No Other Choice screens at TIFF ’25:

Mon. Sept 8 at 9:30 PM at Roy Thompson Hall

Tues. Sept 9 at 8:45 PM at Scotiabank Theatre Toronto

Thurs. Sept 11 at 11:30 AM at TIFF Bell Lightbox

Today, Disney+ revealed the teaser and star-studded cast of “A Very Jonas Christmas Movie,” which filmed in Toronto, will premiere globally on Friday, November 14, 2025.

Teaser here.

From Disney Branded Television and 20th Television, the festive film features an all-star guest cast, including Billie Lourd (as Cassidy), Laverne Cox (as Stacy), KJ Apa (as Gene), Andrew Barth Feldman (as Ethan), Andrea Martin (as Deb), Kenny G (as himself) and Justin Tranter (as himself), with Randall Park (as Brad), and Jesse Tyler Ferguson (as Santa). Previously announced cast member Chloe Bennet stars as Lucy, alongside Kevin, Joe and Nick Jonas, who star as themselves. The Jonas Brothers are making the film a family affair, with a few special cameos from the Jonas family.

Synopsis: In “A Very Jonas Christmas Movie,” Kevin, Joe and Nick Jonas face a series of escalating obstacles as they struggle to make it from London to New York in time to spend Christmas with their families.

Credits: Kevin, Joe and Nick Jonas produce, along with writers Isaac Aptaker and Elizabeth Berger (“I Want You Back,” “This Is Us,” “Love, Simon”), Adam Fishbach, Spencer Berman and Scott Morgan. EmmyⓇ and Academy AwardⓇ winner Jessica Yu (“Quiz Lady,” “This Is Us”) directs, with original music from executive music producer and GRAMMYⓇ nominee Justin Tranter. The movie is produced by 20th Television, a part of Disney Television Studios.

SOCIAL MEDIA

X: @DisneyPlusCA

Instagram: @DisneyPlusCA

Facebook: @DisneyPlusCA

Hashtag: #DisneyPlus, #AVeryJonasChristmas

Fall is here, and nothing says cozy season like a cup of chai. To celebrate back-to-school and the arrival of autumn, TAZO Canada is teaming up with beloved Toronto bakery Craig’s Cookies to spotlight the warm, spiced flavours of chai in a new limited-edition cookie. Chai is TAZO’s signature, best-selling tea that has become a fan favourite thanks to its authentic recipe made with real brewed tea and spices (never syrupy shortcuts).

Available at all Craig’s Cookies locations for the month of September, the TAZO Chai Cookie pairs the bakery’s signature chewy chipless cookie base with the bold, aromatic flavours of TAZO Chai Latte – the perfect way to welcome sweater weather. (Fun fact: chai cookies are also known to be a personal favourite of Taylor Swift’s, making them an extra-sweet treat for fall ahead of her October 3 album launch.)

To mark the collaboration, TAZO Canada and Craig’s Cookies are inviting students and Torontonians alike to a special one-day giveaway:

On Tuesday, September 9, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., 1,000 free TAZO Chai Cookies and TAZO Chai Lattes will be given away at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU). Cookies will be baked fresh on-site from the Craig’s Cookies food truck, so guests can enjoy the aroma of warm chai spices straight from the oven.

“Fall is the perfect time to savour the rich, spiced flavours of chai, and TAZO is known for its iconic chai blend!” said Lily Hilton, Head of Marketing, TAZO Canada. “This partnership with Craig’s Cookies brings that cozy fall feeling to life in a fun, delicious way, while welcoming students back to campus.”

TAZO Chai in Concentrate format offers bold, complex layers of cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, and black tea for café-quality lattes at home in seconds. Simply mix equal parts concentrate with your milk of choice, serve hot or iced, and enjoy an indulgent, versatile drink any time of day – at a fraction of the coffee shop price. TAZO Concentrates (and traditional tea bags) are available nationwide at Amazon, Walmart, Loblaws, Superstore, Metro, and Save-On Foods.

ROUND ONE….FIGHT!!….Legendary Pictures and Capcom’s live-action adaptation of the iconic video game franchise Street Fighter, which is filmed for IMAX®, will punch into theaters on October 16, 2026. This will be the first film to be released through Legendary’s new global distribution deal with Paramount Pictures. The official press release is available at Paramount’s press site HERE.

Currently in production, the Street Fighter movie will honor the quarter-pumping, button-mashing spirit of the 90s classic while leveling up for a new generation of fans.

Set in 1993, estranged Street Fighters Ryu (Andrew Koji) and Ken Masters (Noah Centineo) are thrown back into combat when the mysterious Chun-Li (Callina Liang) recruits them for the next World Warrior Tournament: a brutal clash of fists, fate, and fury. But behind this battle royale lies a deadly conspiracy that forces them to face off against each other and the demons of their past. And if they don’t, it’s GAME OVER!

Helmed by director Kitao Sakurai, Street Fighter is set to bring the battle from the arcade to the big screen with Hadoukens, roundhouses, and all your favorite characters.

Street Fighter stars:

Noah Centineo as “Ken Masters”

Andrew Koji as “Ryu”

Callina Liang as “Chun-Li”

Joe “Roman Reigns” Anoa’i as “Akuma”

David Dastmalchian as “M. Bison”

Cody Rhodes as “Guile”

Andrew Schulz as “Dan Hibiki”

Eric André as “Don Sauvage”

Vidyut Jammwal as “Dhalsim”

With Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson as “Balrog”

And Jason Momoa as “Blanka”

Also Starring:

Orville Peck as “Vega”

Olivier Richters as “Zangief”

Hirooki Goto as “E. Honda”

Rayna Vallandingham as “Juli”

Alexander Volkanovski as “Joe”

Kyle Mooney as “Marvin”

Mel Jarnson as “Cammy”