For the second year in-a-row, eOne Films takes home Top Prize with the Toronto Film Critics Association‘s Best Film being awarded to The Master. Last year, they were victorious with Terrence Malick‘s ever-polarizing Tree of Life. Paul Thomas Anderson’s Drama which many believe to be about Scientology, also wins in Directing, Screenwriting and Supporting Actor categories for both Anderson and Philip Seymour Hoffman, respectively. Joaquin Phoenix and Amy Adams who turn-in stellar performances also, fell just-short of deserved accolades.
In a bit of a surprise, the TFCA also selected Denis Lavant as Best Actor for his work in French Film Holy Motors, while Rachel Weisz wins Best Actress for her performance in The Deep Blue Sea. Both Films are distributed in Canada by Mongrel Media. Gina Gershon also is awarded Best Supporting Actress for her chicken bone-sucking performance in VVS Films‘ Killer Joe. These all are seen somewhat as a shock, considering the amount of year-end buzz Films like Zero Dark Thirty, Les Miserables, Silver Linings Playbook and Lincoln are receiving from our Friends south of the Border.
Also, a huge congrats goes to our Friends at Alliance Films for their Best Animated Feature win with ParaNorman. The Canadian Distributor also is up for the $100k Rogers Best Canadian Film Award with Goon, which is up against Bestiaire and Stories We Tell. The Winner will be revealed January 8, 2013 at The Carlu during the TFCA‘s annual Awards Dinner.
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
In an extremely tepid weekend at the Box Office, End of Watch, an intense Action-Drama starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Michael Pena opens on-top with $13.1 million for Open Road (VVS Films in Canada) from 2,730 theatres. The Film earned really positive reviews coming out of TIFF 2012 and also 85% on Rotten Tomatoes’ Tomatometer. In what originally was deemed at two-way tie, final numbershave End of Watch at number one.
Ottawa-filmed House at the End of the Street decidedly is number two in its debt, just edged-out by a hair with $13 million based almost completely on the Starpower of The Hunger Games Star, Jennifer Lawrence alone. The Horror opened in 3,083 theatres, although receiving widely negative reviews.
Clint Eastwood‘s latest Baseball Drama Trouble with the Curve opens in third for Warner Bros. with $12.7 million from 3,212 theatres. Sadly, the legendary Eastwood earns another negative review here following consecutive disappointments Hereafter and J. Edgar.
The excellent Dredd 3D debuts in fifth behind Finding Nemo 3D, earning $6.3 million, which is unfortunate as had great reviews (78% on the Tomatometer), but ultimately a lack of buzz.
The Master expands to 788 theatres this weekend, earning $5 million for The Weinstein Co. and eOne Films. Reviews are overwhelmingly positive with its trio of stars Philip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams and Joaquin Phoenix all garnering Oscar buzz.
ParaNorman, meanwhile, rounds out the Top Ten in its sixth week with $2.3 million for Focus Features and Alliance Films.
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