Expect TIFF 14 to be even more star-studded an affair than ever before! As Awards Season approaches, Toronto always gets it first with an array of Premieres, Galas and Special Presentations slated around the City between September 4-14, 2014. Confirmed earlier today at a Press Conference held at TIFF Bell Lightbox are the latest Films from the likes of Robert Pattinson, Julianne Moore, Reese Witherspoon, Corey Stoll, Jason Bateman, Kate Winslet, Ansel Elgort, Stanley Tucci, Chris Rock, Jake Gyllenhaal, Al Pacino, Benedict Cumberbatch, Tom Hardy, Channing Tatum, Steven Carell, Kevin Costner, Sam Worthington, Hailee Steinfeld and several more. Expect Witherspoon to be the Queen of TIFF 14 with two buzzed Films doing to rounds at the Festival, including The Good Lie and Wild! Will Tom Hardy finally make an appearance this way? We can’t wait!
A look at some of the major Titles to be presented at the Festival this year:
OPENING NIGHT GALA: THE JUDGE – Big City Lawyer Hank Palmer returns to his childhood home where his estranged father, the town’s judge, is suspected of murder. Hank sets out to discover the truth, and along the way reconnects with the family he walked away from years before. Stars Robert Downey Jr., Vera Farmiga and Robert Duvall.
FOXCATCHER – heavily-buzzed Wrestling Drama based on true events involving an obsessive Coach who murders his star Wrestler. Stars Channing Tatum, Steve Carell and Mark Ruffalo. Director Bennett Miller brought us Oscar-winning Capote.
THE GOOD LIE – A Sudanese refugee is taken in by a straight-talking American woman in their new home in the United States. Stars Corey Stoll and Reese Witherspoon. From the same people who brought us The Blind Side.
MAPS TO THE STARS – National Treasure David Cronenberg after making a splash at Cannes, premieres his latest at TIFF 14. A tour into the heart of a Hollywood Family chasing celebrity, one another and the relentless ghosts of their pasts. Stars Julianne Moore, Mia Wasikowska and Robert Pattinson.
NIGHTCRAWLER – a look at the underground World of Journalism Crime. Stars Jake Gyllenhaal and Rene Russo; this is Gyllenhaal‘s third consecutive year having a Film at the Festival.
THIS IS WHERE I LEAVE YOU – When their father passes away, four grown siblings are forced to return to their childhood home and live under the same roof together for a week, along with their over-sharing mother and an assortment of spouses, exes and might-have-beens. Stars Rose Byrne, Corey Stoll and Jason Bateman.
MEN, WOMEN & CHILDREN – TIFF Darling Jason Reitman debuts his latest, which centers on the sexual frustrations that young teenagers and adults face in today’s world. Stars Adam Sandler, Jennifer Garner, Ansel Elgort and Judy Greer. Sandler of course, already will be in town as he’s currently filming Pixels.
BLACK AND WHITE – a story of a widowed Grandfather who is left to raise his bi-racial Granddaughter. When the little girl’s paternal Grandmother seeks custody, a bitter legal battle ensues that forces the uneasy family members to have an honest conversation about life, death, anger and America’s racial divide. Stars Kevin Costner, Octavia Spencer and Anthony Mackie.
THE EQUALIZER – a Film Adaptation of the popular ’80s TV Show, with McCall believing he has put his past behind him and has dedicated himself to beginning a new, quiet life. Stars Denzel Washington, Chloë Grace Moretz and Melissa Leo.
THE REACH – an arrogant businessman and big game hunter in pursuit of his ultimate prize who hires a young guide to lead him into the American desert. Stars Michael Douglas and Jeremy Irvine.
LOVE & MERCY – Biopic about The Beach Boys’ Brian Wilson starring Paul Dano and John Cusack.
TOP FIVE – a comeback of sorts for Chris Rock who directs, writes and stars in this Film about a Comedian-turned-Movie Star. Stars Chris Rock, Whoopi Goldberg and Rosario Dawson.
WILD – documents a Woman’s 1,100 mile hike to recover following a catastrophe. Stars Gaby Hoffman and Reese Witherspoon.
WHILE WE’RE YOUNG – an uptight Documentary Filmmaker and his wife find their lives loosened up a bit after befriending a free-spirited younger couple. Stars Naomi Watts, Amanda Seyfried and Ben Stiller.
PAWN SACRIFICE – Biopic about Chess Legend Bobby Fischer is locked in a gripping championship clash with the Soviets as he struggles against his own psychological demons while the whole world anxiously awaits the outcome. Stars Tobey Maguire and Peter Sarsgaard.
THE RIOT CLUB – a privileged young man is inducted into the exclusive, debaucherous company of Oxford’s elite “Riot Club,” in this scathing dissection of the British class system. Stars Natalie Dormer, Douglas Booth and Max Irons.
BEFORE WE GO – set in Manhattan, the story follows two strangers after their serendipitous meeting in Grand Central. Over the course of one night, they form an unlikely bond and the conflicts in their own lives become the basis for exploration into each other and themselves. Stars Chris Evans and Alice Eve.
CAKE – the story of the acerbic Claire Bennett who has managed to alienate everyone from her life, with the exception of her loyal Housekeeper. When Claire becomes fascinated with the suicide of a Woman in her chronic pain support group, she develops a poignant relationship with the woman’s grieving husband and comes to terms with her own personal tragedy, catapulting her forward into life. Stars Jennifer Aniston, Anna Kendrick and William H. Macy.
THE DROP – follows lonely bartender Bob Saginowski through a covert scheme of funnelling cash to local Gangsters in the underworld of Brooklyn bars. Under the heavy hand of his employer and cousin Marv, Bob finds himself at the centre of a robbery gone awry and entwined in an investigation that digs deep into the neighbourhood’s past where friends, families, and foes all work together to make a living — no matter the cost. Stars Tom Hardy and Noomi Rapace.
GOOD KILL – A Las Vegas-based fighter Pilot turned drone pilot fights the Taliban by remote control for 12 hours a day, then goes home to the suburbs and feuds with his wife and kids for the other 12. But the pilot is starting to question the mission. Is he creating more terrorists than he’s killing? Is he fighting a war without end? This story follows one soldier’s tale with epic implications. Stars Ethan Hawke and January Jones.
THE IMITATION GAME – English Mathematician and Logician, Alan Turing, helps crack the Enigma Code during World War II. Stars Benedict Cumberbatch and Keira Knightley.
THE HUMBLING – Centers on an affair between an aged, suicidal Actor and a young Woman. Stars Al Pacino and Greta Gerwig.
THE KEEPING ROOM – Three Southern Women – two Sisters and one African American Slave – left without men in the dying days of the Civil War, are forced to defend their home from the onslaught of a band of soldiers who have broken off from the fast approaching Union Army. Stars Hailee Steinfeld, Sam Worthington and Brit Marling.
KAHLIL GIBRAN’S THE PROPHET – Inspired by the beloved classic, Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet is a richly-animated story and celebration of Gibran‘s Book, created by Artists, Animators and Musicians from around the world. Stars Liam Neeson, Salma Hayek, and Quevenzhane Wallis.
TUSK – A Man is captured by a Maniac and tortured, physically and mentally, into becoming a walrus. Directed by Kevin Smith and stars Justin Long, Haley Joel Osment and Genesis Rodriguez.
THE GUEST – A Soldier introduces himself to the Peterson Family, claiming to be a friend of their Son who died in action. After the young Man is welcomed into their home, a series of accidental deaths seem to be connected to his presence. Stars Dan Stevens and Ethan Embry.
THE FACE OF AN ANGEL – Both a Journalist and a Documentary Filmmaker chase the story of a murder and its prime suspect. Stars Kate Beckinsale, Caral Delevingne and Daniel Brühl .
IT FOLLOWS – For 19-year-old Jay, fall should be about school, boys and weekends out at the lake. But after a seemingly innocent sexual encounter, she finds herself plagued by strange visions and the inescapable sense that someone, or something, is following her. Faced with this burden, Jay and her teenage friends must find a way to escape the horrors that seem to be only a few steps behind. Stars Keir Gilchrist and Maika Monroe.
CLOSING NIGHT GALA: A LITTLE CHAOS – A landscape gardener with a taste for the unconventional is invited to design one of the fountains at the Palace of Versailles. As she battles with the weather, the perilous rivalries at the court of Louis XIV and her own private demons, she finds herself drawn closer to the formality and enigma of the architect who hired her. Stars Kate Winslet, Stanley Tucci and Alan Rickman (who also directs).
Stay tuned for more in the coming weeks! This is only the first batch of Films to be announced! Excited?
(Photo credit: Mongrel Media)
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TIFF makes me so happy 🙂