Review by David Baldwin for Mr. Will Wong
Howard Ratner (Adam Sandler) is a jeweller and compulsive gambler. He cannot seem to keep any of the money or collateral he has, frequently selling it for bet money – even if the collateral does not belong to him. And after Howard acquires a rock filled with precious gemstones, things quickly go from bad to worse.
Uncut Gems is not for everyone and is easily one of the most divisive films at the Festival. Directing duo Benny and Josh Safdie have a distinct style, and they infuse this one with the same look, feel and tone of their Robert Pattinson vehicle, Good Time. What they create is a film that runs over two hours, but somehow only manages to feel 45-minutes long. It moves chaotically and recklessly from scene to scene, gradually ratcheting up the tension to unbearable levels. Just watching the shenanigans and situations Sandler’s character Howard finds himself in is ridiculously-exhausting, but somehow just as wildly exhilarating. The Supporting Cast is solid (inexplicably including NBA star Kevin Garnett), but Sandler is in his own other world here. He plays into some of his classic archetypes but also grounds himself in a totally foreign space, bringing out nuances you would never think possible. I just wish the film had a bit more substance to it.
UNCUT GEMS screens during TIFF at the following times:
Monday September 9, 9:15pm @ Princess of Wales
Tuesday September 10, 10:30am @ Elgin Theatre
Saturday September 14, 1:00pm @ Ryerson Theatre
Sunday September 15, 6:00pm @ Ryerson Theatre
Review by David Baldwin for Mr. Will Wong
Rudy Ray Moore (Eddie Murphy) is a struggling musician and comedian working at a record store in the 1970s. After interacting and recording conversations with homeless hustlers, he creates an on-stage persona he calls Dolemite and proceeds to become insanely popular. And after making it big with a handful of records, Moore sets his sights on making his own movie.
Dolemite is My Name is profane, rude and always hysterical. While the Film’s structure is your typical slice of life rags to riches biopic format, Director Craig Brewer infuses Dolemite with soul, style, a wicked soundtrack and a wildly eclectic assortment of characters that always keep the film moving and genuinely entertaining. The Film tends to run a bit too long, but you likely will not notice over your laughter. The Film’s look is terrific and the Costume Design from Oscar-winner Ruth E. Carter is downright outstanding. The Cast is fabulous no matter the length of their role, with Wesley Snipes stealing every single one of his scenes. But everyone pales in comparison to Murphy, who sets each of his moments on-screen on fire with his raw charisma and sheer will. He is outrageously funny and subtly heartbreaking. They aren’t calling this role a comeback for nothing!
DOLEMITE IS MY NAME screens during TIFF at the following times:
Saturday September 7, 9:30pm @ Princess of Wales [World Premiere]
Sunday September 8, 12:00pm @ Princess of Wales
Saturday September 14, 5:30pm @ Elgin Theatre
Sunday September 15, 12:00pm @ TIFF Bell Lightbox
Review by David Baldwin for Mr. Will Wong
A Yeti has escaped from a secret lab and is hiding on a rooftop in Shanghai. One evening, he encounters Yi (Chloe Bennet), a young girl trying desperately to make enough money to go on the vacations her dad always promised her they would take. When it becomes clear that the Yeti is in trouble, Yi and two friends set out on an adventure to bring him home to Mount Everest.
In a year of stellar animated films, Abominable stands out as one of the best. It tells a predictable story, but does so in a way that is heartwarming, charming and genuinely moving. The animation is splendid and the imagination on display here is magical, both figuratively and literally. It has the familiar goofy beats that kids will eat up, but still manages to be really funny for adults as well. It goes surprisingly deeper than most animated films with its focus on family and cultural elements (a major portion of the delightful Cast is voiced by Asian-Americans), and feels all the stronger for it. There are some darker ideas at play in Abominable that I wish were explored better, but the Film seems to deliberately pivot away from them just as quickly as they are introduced. Nonetheless, I was smiling and laughing (and yes, crying) the entire time.
ABOMINABLE screens during TIFF at the following times:
Saturday September 7, 3:00pm @ Roy Thomson Hall [World Premiere]
Sunday September 8, 10:30am @ Winter Garden Theatre
Saturday September 14, 12:00pm @ Scotiabank Theatre
Review by David Baldwin for Mr. Will Wong
It’s the 1940s and Europe is at war. Franz (August Diehl) is an Austrian farmer living with his wife Fani (Valerie Pachner) and three children. He undergoes military training but refuses to pledge allegiance to Adolf Hitler. And while this does not go over well with the people of his village, it becomes even more problematic when he is conscripted to fight in the war.
In a word, A Hidden Life is breathtaking. From the opening frame to the very last, the Film is a sensuous display of exquisite and absolutely stunning visuals. Being a film from legendary enigmatic Writer/Director Terrence Malick, I fully expected this to be the case. What I did not expect was a functioning narrative that is wonderfully expressive, even when we are just watching people chopping wheat. Diehl and Pachner are fantastic together or apart. The have great chemistry and their narration is vividly passionate, saying everything the visuals cannot. James Newton Howard’s Score is simply marvelous and one of the best of the year. Fair warning though – the structure of A Hidden Life is loose and free-flowing, testing the limits of its nearly three-hour running time. But rather thankfully, each minute is more rewarding than the last.
A HIDDEN LIFE screens during TIFF at the following times:
Monday September 9, 1:00pm @ Elgin Theatre
Wednesday September 11, 2:30pm @ Scotiabank Theatre
Friday September 13, 3:00pm @ Scotiabank Theatre
Saturday September 14, 9:00am @ Scotiabank Theatre
Review by David Baldwin for Mr. Will Wong
The Roslyn School District in Long Island has become substantially more prestigious due to the tireless work of Superintendent Frank Tassone (Hugh Jackman) and his team. But everything starts falling apart when it is discovered that his Assistant Superintendent Pam Gluckin (Oscar-winner Allison Janney) has been embezzling money from the school. And as one student journalist begins digging deeper, it becomes clear that Frank may be involved as well.
Bad Education is equal parts Comedy and Tragedy, made all the more eye-opening by it being inspired by a true story. In only his second Feature, Director Cory Finley has proven himself a terrific young talent with a keen eye for detail and structure. While I would have preferred a less meticulous pace, it allows Finley the opportunity to really explore all of the nuances of Mike Makowsky’s spectacular Script. It is impeccably designed, brilliantly connected and easily one of the strongest at this year’s festival. The Script feels especially authentic given that Makowsky was a student at the school during the real-life timeline of the Film. While the performances are strong across the board, Jackman is the clear standout with his magnificently layered and weathered performance. We all love him as Wolverine, but this may just be his finest hour.
BAD EDUCATION screens during TIFF at the following times:
Sunday September 8, 6:15pm @ Princess of Wales [World Premiere]
Monday September 9, 3:00pm @ Princess of Wales
Thursday September 12, 9:00pm @ Scotiabank Theatre
Friday September 13, 7:00pm @ Scotiabank Theatre
Saturday September 14, 1:00pm @ Winter Garden Theatre
We’ve made it! TIFF ’19 closes with a bang and Priyanka Chopra-Jonas gave us a dash of starpower. Now she was here last weekend but flew-in to join Director Shonali Bose, plus Co-Stars Farhan Akhtar, Rohit Saraf for The Sky is Pink, premiering at both Elgin Theatre and Roy Thomson Hall.
See our Snaps. Hover cursor right to navigate slideshow.
While Closing Night Gala Radioactive takes place tomorrow night, we are wrapped! We hope you had a blast in our adventures and enjoyed our reviews and coverage as well! This definitely was one of our favourite TIFFs of all time. TIFF ’20 certainly has big shoes to fill!
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong
When Johanna Morrigan (Beanie Feldstein) gets hired as a Critic for a London music magazine she beings changing who she is.
Director Coky Giedroyc and Screenwriter Caitlin Moran have made a quirky coming-of-age film about a loveable and flawed girl. The Film succeeds due to Moran’s Script which is full of hilarious British quips, heartbreaking reality and candid lessons. The most impressive and refreshing aspect as the Film is the character progression of Johanna. She is responsible for unleashing her worst self and she is solely responsible for building herself back up. Moran and Giedronyc have allotted enough time and essential reasoning to Johanna’s transformation and because of this everything Johanna does, no matter how cruel, has a purpose in her journey. It’s because of this and the perfect casting of Feldstein that causes the audience to sympathize and route for her. By now we know Feldstein is a force on the big screen and she brings her ever-charming presence once again. And joining her on-screen are memorable cameos from Chris O’Dowd, Emma Thompson and Alfie Allen.
How To Build A Girl screens at TIFF on the following days:
Saturday, September 7 at Ryerson Theatre at 12 PM
Sunday, September 8 at Scotiabank Theatre at 7:15 PM
Friday, September 13 at Scotiabank Theatre at 6 PM
Review by Mr. Will Wong
Western Stars is quintessential viewing for fans of The Boss. The Documentary co-directed by music icon Bruce Springsteen and Thom Zimny gives fans a gorgeous intimate visual and sound experience on the ideas and concepts behind his latest studio album. The Documentary was recorded in his 100-year-old barn with a 30-piece orchestra and his band, including partner Patti Scialfa.
We get a get a glimpse into Springsteen’s journey and the life lessons he has accrued, getting candid. He even talks about having hurt the people he loved but having grown since. He jokes how years ago he was singing about cars and still to this day this remains a metaphor despite changed contexts. Springsteen speaks about his music with an assured wisdom he only could impart at this stage in his celebrated career and we’re glad he did. Western Stars brings us up- close and personal to a personable legend.
Western Stars manages in a transcendent way to capture the magic of Springsteen’s artistry and the magnestism which has kept his fan base loyal for years.
WESTERN STARS screens at TIFF:
Thu, Sep 12
Roy Thomson Hall
9:30pm
Fri, Sep 13
Winter Garden Theatre
11:00am
Sat, Sep 14
Scotiabank Theatre
8:45pm
Review by Mr. Will Wong
Lucy in the Sky centers on an astronaut’s successful journey into space and the aftermath of this when she re-evaluates her life. We witness Lucy‘s (Natalie Portman) unravelling as she loses her perspective on the world after she accomplishes the mission. She becomes unhinged, losing her inhibitions and what ensues is a downward spiral from which we can’t keep our eyes off.
The Drama-Thriller is Noah Hawley‘s directorial debut. While it is an ambitious task telling this story, which starts on solid footing in its First Act, before turning tonally into the unpredictable, he manages to maintain our interest as we witness Lucy‘s fall from grace.
Portman cannot be faulted as she is fully committed to making us see the world through Lucy’s eyes and she does it in a compelling way. However, even she – a master of her craft – is unable to resuscitate the Film’s implausabilities and unevenness, where we never see developed fully, Jon Hamm‘s Mark nor Lucy‘s husband Drew (Dan Stevens). And this was better needed to pave the way for her eventual path.
Lucy in the Sky screens at TIFF:
Wed, Sep 11
Visa Screening Room at the Princess of Wales Theatre
9:00pm
Thu, Sep 12
Visa Screening Room at the Princess of Wales Theatre
2:30pm
Fri, Sep 13
Elgin Theatre
1:00pm
Sun, Sep 15
Scotiabank Theatre
5:45pm
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 one side of. This is a specific story of a man whose trying to make something more of himself. Yet when achieving those ambitions they begin to conflict with his ideals. It’s in this grappling that one tremendous performance from Marinelli comes alive. Marcello flips between his own Super 16mm shot narrative with archival footage which emphasizes the political and social elements of his Film.
Martin Eden screens at TIFF on the following days:
Wednesday, September 11 at TIFF Bell Lightbox at 6 PM
Thursday, September 12 at TIFF Bell Lightbox at 6 PM
Saturday, September 14 at TIFF Bell Lightbox at 9:15 AM
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