Sketches of Frank Gehry

I liked this documentary of architect Frank Gehry. Directed by his friend Sydney Pollack, I loved seeing shots of Frank's buildings around the world, watching him work with paper models in his studio, seeing him react to the people and things he encounters in his world. Lots of great interviews with artists and celebrities who have commissioned him. A great example of how a documentary can inspire instead of bore. I want my Dad to see it. MMMM

Last VISA: Nanook

Nanook of the North was our last VISA screening at the Elgin. I liked the original score and Inuit throatsingers. Antonio found the movie interesting but didn't like the accompaniment. Rich didn't really care for it. He perked up at a late nite steak dinner. This is considered one of the original documentaries filmed in the last century. Critics say it was staged. Yeah, well so is reality TV. There were a lot of long shots. I mean endlessly long shots. And when you watch Nanook kill and eat all the animals it got kind of depressing. Did I mention the music was nice? Anyway, it wasn't my last film so there is a chance for redemption. MM for the orchestra - thanks for coming out.

Sympathy for Lady Vengeance

This is the third vengeance instalment by South Korean Director Park Chan-Wook, who introduced the film. He did Old Boy and Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance. Sympathy for Lady Vengeance is an interesting but sometimes gory film - nothing as pointless or bad as Beowulf. Through an interpreter, the director told the audience his film had a reputation for being violent but he said he showed it to his 10 year-old daughter who was unaffected. I think he's nuts. Lady Vengeance spends time in a tough female prison for a crime she didn't commit. The real perp is a male teacher who kidnaps students, sexually abuses and kills them, then moves to the next school. He kidnapped Lady V's young daughter to blackmail her into taking the fall for his crime. Her time in prison is punctuated by a series of bizarre and kinda evil cellmates. While in prison, Lady dabbles in revenge, killing meaner inmates when they torment other, weaker ones. When Lady is released, she focuses on finding the real kidnapper and then brings the parents of his victims together to give them a chance to get even. This part is the most fascinating/ grisly/ humourous and is the reason to keep watching till the end. From the sumptuous opening titles, this film is a pretty good thriller (better than the originals of The Ring and The Grudge.) See it if you're in the mood to watch bad karma in action. MMMm

Lady seeks revenge
Kills to find a kidnapper
Prison girl with plan

Beowulf & Grendel

Okay. Not all filmfest movies are good. Seems the more cast members they bring onstage the worse the film is (another case in point: Silver City by John Sayles). Ivana and I left Beowulf & Grendel after 25 minutes. The constant grunting, deadly swordplay and hairy Grendel and his family got to us. After a tiring week, we didn't have the strength to put up with a film like this at 9pm Wednesday. Only redeeming thing: Gerard Butler was Beowulf and he is also in the running to be the next Bond. He looked pretty good.... Unless you loved this poem in university, don't bother. I give it only M for effort.

Thumbsucker (with Keanu)

"Have you seen my photo of Keanu?" That's been my opening gambit with everyone I meet for the past 24 hours. Saw him on the red carpet Tuesday night Sept 13 along with Tilda Swinton as a towering platinum blonde . I told her: "I loved you in Constantine." She responded: "Thanks. He's here." And 10 minutes later Keanu made his way slowly toward us through the lobby of the Elgin. Writer/Director Mike Mills was also there along with stars Kelli Garner and Lou Pucci, who did an outstanding job playing Justin - a 17-year old in Oregon who still sucks his thumb. Justin's new-age orthodontist Perry (Keanu) tries using hypnosis to help him stop. Justin goes along for a while but is still floundering at school and in his relationship with Rebecca (Kelli Garner). His anger at Perry erupts and he and his parents Audrey (Tilda Swinton) and Mike (Vincent D'Onofrio) are called in for a meeting at school. Justin is pegged as ADHD and prescribed Ritalin, which his parents reluctantly let him take. Justin's transformation is dramatic: he reads Moby Dick in a single night and provides college-level analysis in class. He becomes a compelling debater and leads the school team to several successive victories. His new-found confidence and clarity are impressing everyone and scaring his teacher Vince Vaughn. Meanwhile, Audrey - an RN who is fasinated with a TV star played by Benjamin Bratt - takes a new job working at a celebrity drug rehab facility and Justin is convinced they are having an affair. When Justin's debating rival sees him taking Ritalin before a competition, he berates him: "Don't you know it's just speed. It's only 3 molecules different than cocaine." Justin adopts this battle cry and we watch as changes continue in life without the drug.

This is a movie with many small, beautiful moments and fabulous writing and performances. Keanu's monotone delivery is perfect for his role; Tilda Swinton is lovely as the loving mom and dedicated nurse; Benjamin Bratt has a delightful cameo as the addicted star. I really loved it when Justin's kid brother tells him: "You think you're the only one with problems? While you were out being crazy, I had to step up and be normal." SEE THIS FILM! You will finish by cheering for Thumbsucker the movie - and the actor. MMMMM

More Johnny

For all of you who LOVE Johnny Depp and were downloading my photo with him (maybe the silliest photo ever taken), here are some unadulterated photos of him.




And Tim
And Helena

Tim Burton's Corpse Bride
Lots of fun and eye candy
red carpet action

Dave Chappelle's Block Party

Okay, this movie's for Richard's niece Lisa who loves rap music. Dave Chappelle is boy from the 'hood who became a successful comedian - so successful that he's worth $50 million. So he decides to throw a block party. And he walks around inviting people with a bullhorn. And even travels to Dayton, Ohio to invite the band from Drumline and other locals (the middle-aged lady who runs the corner store whom we see struggling with her packing saying "I don't know what to wear to a rap party.") Lots of memorable moments on film. Three busloads of people from Dayton show up in Brooklyn at this designated street corner (which is not really publicized but people just go and figure it out) and Dave is his ineffable self throughout. Laugh-out-loud funny, this film gets MMMM from me for being a great 'home movie'. Said hello to Director Michel Gondry who did Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and directed several innovative music videos for The Chemical Brothers, Bjork, and The White Stripes. As Now writer Cameron Bailey said when he introduced the film and director: "If your music collection includes nothing but bands that Michel Gondry has made videos for, you're doing all right." This film is a work in progress but I loved its raw quality and the eclectic mix of people at the Elgin. Lots of great rap performances - which, I'll admit got a bit tiresome after a while - but seeing Lauren Hill and Wycliffe Jean at the end and Dave's hilarious banter (and musical riffs) throughout made up for the two hours I had lost the night before. Block Party would be a good DVD to rent and put in the background at a party. Music and laughter truly are the universal languages.

Entre ses mains

Saw this French film Sunday night Sept. 11 with Director Anne Fontaine, lead actress Anne Carré and producer Philippe Carcassonne in the house. Piers said this was a thriller in the style of Claude Chabrol. He means French New Wave Director Claude Chabrol who did the thriller "La Femme Infidèle" in 1968, which was the basis for the American remake Unfaithful with Diane Lane and Richard Gere. Just like that film bugged me, so did Entre ses mains. The title means "In his hands" which is stupid because it was all about a female insurance adjuster who gets increasingly involved with her client, a vet. Meanwhile we keep hearing reports about Dr. Death, the serial murderer loose in town. The vet (who is already creepy looking and keeps visiting her at work) is an obvious suspect, especially when he makes comments like: "they say he uses a scalpel, much like this one" while he's suturing a sedated lionness. Anne even brings her daughter to visit this guy at the zoo where he also works. Even his mother is scary looking. Meanwhile Anne has a beautiful daughter and loving husband at home. But she keeps going out to meet this guy, just like those crazy people in movies who run back into the burning building or head straight for the basement when they're cornered by an axe murderer. Stuff like this really pisses me off. So really, Entre ses mains was not "in his hands" at all - all Anne's (lead and director) had options which they ignored. And they set the film in Lille, possibly the least romantic city in France, especially during the winter when this film was shot. I give this frustrating piece MM, which is generous. Don't see this unless you a) like watching smart women make foolish choices or b) have a couple of extra hours in your life to burn.

C.R.A.Z.Y.

Saw TIFF veterans Joe & Shawn at the Osgoode subway before meeting the group.



C.R.A.Z.Y. was this year's group pick - a tender movie about Zac, one of 5 brothers in the Beaulieu household in Montreal. Zac is born on Christmas Day in 1960 and we follow him growing up, struggling to fit in and coming to terms with his sexuality. The family scenes are very real and touching and although this movie was long I enjoyed it and gave it MMMMm. Based on the true story of the writer's life, it took 10 years to get made. Richard was less enthusiastic and found it tedious. Moses Znaimer was there but I don't know his reaction. I thought the performances were outstanding - especially Zac and his father Michel Cote. This should get a lot of Genie nominations.

Tim Burton's Corpse Bride

Sat. Sept 10 was Tim Burton's Corpse Bride and it was exciting to see everyone on the red carpet. Got Johnny Depp's autograph and saw both Tim and his life partner Helena all looking fabulous. The movie itself is a 78-minute stop action animation based on an Eastern European fairy tale. Johnny Depp is Victor who is betrothed to Victoria (Emily Watson). After a few missteps at the wedding rehearsal, Victor is told by the pastor emphatically: "Learn your vows." He goes off into the woods to practice and is overheard by Emily (Helena Bonham-Carter) who immediately accepts his unwitting proposal. A few pints with the dead later, Victor gets back to the living to find Victoria but Emily whisks him back down below before they can reconnect. Resigned, Victor makes plans to go ahead with his marriage to his corpse bride while Emily's parents find a new suitor in Lord Batchkiss, who is only after Emily's family fortune. Everything comes together in the big ol' wedding scene at the end, but which bride will prevail?

Fans of Tim Burton and The Nightmare Before Christmas will love this film. Richard wondered who this guy's audience is. I give it MMMM - for the excitement of seeing Johnny Depp and the adorable skeleton dog Scraps. Music by Danny Elfman (who was also at the screening) was great fun. Not sure if kids can handle the scary looking imagery (eyeballs in soup, talking maggots) but it captured and held my attention. If you're not a diehard Burton fan, wait for the DVD.

We love Johnny Depp
Gracious on the red carpet
Tim's Corpse Bride is fun

Shopgirl

Friday Sept 9 at 9:00pm was Shopgirl starring Steve Martin, Claire Danes and Jason Schwartzman, all of whom were onstage at "the beautiful and historic Elgin Theatre" with TIFF Director Piers Handling and film director Anand Tucker. This was a nice film about romance and longing in everyday lives but afterwards I didn't know whether I felt more sad or more hopeful. Piers called it "note perfect" but since he is the co-conspirator who practically invented The Code, I don't quite agree. I think Ivana's comment that it's "this year's P.S." is more accurate. See both and let me know what you think.

Interesting that my first two films at the fest both had voice-over narration: Thursday's used to perfect effect, Friday's used to insert as much of the text of Steve Martin's novella as possible. After the almost-jarring unpredictability of Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, Shopgirl seemed to reflect a few familiar cliches. Still, I liked how this movie was shot. It had a languid style that reminded me at times of Wong Kar Wai's In The Mood For Love (and with a similar pervasive and haunting soundtrack). The charming shot of the starry sky that pans down to the glowing skylight in Mirabelle's bedroom is as magical as the swoopy camera moves that I loved in Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas. We're seeing his latest fable (Corpse Bride) tonight.

I would rate Shopgirl MMMM. That last M is a capital and not lowercase only because Claire Danes is so compelling as Mirabelle Buttersfield. It's really about her everyday life working at SAKS in LA after moving from Vermont. When romance disrupts her routine, at first she is reluctant to let it in, but then she starts to embrace it with growing desire (and nudity). Steve plays Ray Porter, a rich computer executive and sexy sugar daddy (is that what most girls want?) while Jason plays Jeremy, the an offbeat (wierdo?) artist whose unbelievable cheapness and crazy comments on their first dates makes everyone's (including Mirabelle's) eyes pop. Both Ray and Jeremy have different ways of showing their loving side and it's interesting to watch how these relationships unfold. It's also hilarious to watch the scenes with Bridgette Wilson-Sampras but ultimately, this movie has a cast of three. When Ray and Mirabelle are intercut debriefing their relationship (he with a shrink and she with her girlfriends) it is chilling to see the canyon that exists between their perceptions and the onscreen reality. Mirabelle's visit home to her parents in Vermont is also unsettling but her wardrobe is as amazing as Cate Blanchett's in The Aviator - rent the DVD if you haven't yet!

Claire Danes as Shopgirl
Does she want Steve or Jason?
three lives in LA

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang

Saw this film opening night Sept 8 when everyone else was at Water. Loved Kiss Kiss Bang Bang enough to give it MMMMM (that's 5 M's on the MM rating scale!) Robert Downey Jr. & Val Kilmer were both at the screening looking fabulous and sounding hilarious. Also onstage with TIFF managing Director Michele Maheux (alaso looking fabulous) was the beautiful co-star Michelle Monaghan, and Producer Joel Silver (of The Matrix fame and fortune) dressed in a pink suit with pink hi-tops. Writer/Director Shane Black (he of The Long Kiss Goodnight and Lethal Weapon fame) did a brilliant job on this film: snappy dialogue, hilarious and creative scenes and images, all narrated by the adorable Downey Jr (who came to the fest with his new wife.)

Right from the hypnotic opening credits - part James Bond, part 60s cop show - this film kept me guessing and laughing and left me with questions even after the credits rolled. Downey Jr plays Harry Lockhart - a petty thief who stumbles into an audition, gets the part, and jets off to Hollywood where he meets "Gay Perry" (Val Kilmer) - a real-life private detective who also consults on movies. Harry also runs into his childhood sweetheart Harmony (Michelle Monaghan) and the next five days and nights begin to unfold. When Perry takes Harry on a stakeout, the body count starts climbing and the boys realize they are working on a bigger case they they thought - one that may involve Corbin Bernsen (shocking, I know;-) Lots of twists and turns - and some of the most original, memorable movie lines in years. GO SEE THIS FILM when it comes out September 16. Be warned, some parts are very violent - and poor Harry goes through way more in 5 days in the Valley than anyone would want to endure in their lifetime - but the resolution is worth it, even if it does beg a few questions. Like: who was that girl in the bear commercial? Anyway, please come back and post your movie comments/theories once you see it this fall. And now for Haiku 1 of the fest:

See Kiss Kiss Bang Bang
Robert Downey Jr is
so adorable

Green Acres

I read today that this year's Emmy Awards on Sept. 18, Donald Trump and Megan Mullally (Karen from Will and Grace) are just two of the stars who will be singing musical tributes to TV theme songs. The two will sing a duet of the theme song from the 60's TV show Green Acres starring Eddie Albert and Eva Gabor. It made me want to remember the words, since I usually know all the words to all the songs, and I had seen the show so many times when I was young.
So here's what I remember - please sing along if you recall the tune:

(he) Green Acres is the place to be
Farm livin' is the life for me
Land stretching out a far and wide
Keep Manhattan - just look at that countryside!

(she) New York is where I'd rather stay
I get allergic smelling hay
I just adore a penthouse view
Darling I love you, but give me Park Avenue

do-do-do-do-do (he) The chores
do-do-do-do-do (she) The stores!
do-do-do-do-do (he) Fresh air
do-do-do-do-do (she) Times Square

(he) You are my wife
(she) Goodbye city life
(both) Green Acres we are there!

So were you humming along? I hope so.
Thursday night I see my first film... please check back throughout the fest for my reviews!
Good night.... MM

Bon festival!

The results are in! For the first time, the festival box office let me know my final picks via email. No need to line up for hours on Labour Day - whoo hoo! Here is my schedule for the week:

Thurs Sept 8 - Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang
Fri Sept 9 - Shopgirl
Sat Sept 10 - Tim Burton's Corpse Bride
Sun Sept 11 - the group pick: C.R.A.Z.Y at 6:00 at Paramount 2
followed by Entre ses mains at 9:00 at the Elgin
Mon Sept 12 - Dave Chappelle's Block Party
Tues Sept 13 - Thumbsucker
Wed Sept 14 - Beowulf & Grendel
Thurs Sept 15 - Sympathy for Lady Vengeance
Fri Sept 16 - Nanook of the North
Sat Sept 17 - Sketches of Frank Gehry

That's a total of 11 films in 10 days - all with a full-time work schedule. Can't wait!

It's festival time
Toronto's ten-day party
Watch the stars come out

Frustration and elation

Tried calling the TIFF box office and going online today to see which box number they chose to start processing ticket orders. When Pavlina and I dropped off our picks on Thursday after work, we were in Box 20. Ivana was dropping off on Friday before the 1:00pm deadline. Wish I could get some response. Guess I won't know till tomorrow - the holiday Monday is when we can start picking up our tickets and see how many of our first choices we got.

Saturday night we were invited for a lovely dinner with friends. Amazing food, great company, wonderful conversation - a perfect evening!

Filmfest box office
When I call there's no one home
Want to know my picks

Sweet Saturday night
Dinner with the Azoulays
Thanks for a great time!

Decisions, decisions

Now that the screening schedule is released, it's time to pick our film for the annual group outing. Please note: I have VISA screenings each night at 9:00 so I'll have to run if we choose something before those. Also, Pavlina had suggested the GALA Elizabethtown at 9:00 on Sat Sept 10 but I have Tim Burton's Corpse Bride that night and don't want to give it up. We could all go to Elizabethtown on Sunday noon at Ryerson but not sure if the stars will come out. Whatever you all prefer. Here are my suggestions - please give me your top 3 to ensure 2nd choices:

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang Thur. Sept 8 9:45, Ryerson
It's by the screenwriter of A Long Kiss Goodnight and stars Robert Downey Jr and Val Kilmer in a "buddy film noir". Could be fun and the trailers look good (even though Rich HATES Val Kilmer) and it's the first night of the fest so I have no other movie commitments.

Shopgirl Fri. Sept 9 9:00, Elgin VISA Screening Room
Based on the novella by Steve Martin, he also stars with Claire Danes and Jason Schwartzman (I heart Huckabees). I'm already going (it's in my VISA series) but would love to meet before for drinks/dinner if anyone's free.

Romance & Cigarettes Tues. Sept. 13, 6:00 Elgin
Susan Sarandon, James Gandolfini (singing Tom Jones), Kate Winslet, Steve Buscemi and Christopher Walken. Directed by John Turturro. Produced by the Coen brothers. Nuff said.

Second choices are on Sunday and Tuesday:

Thinking (but not too hard) about The Mistress of Spices (with that gorgeous woman from Bride and Prejudice) OR Bee Season with Richard Gere. Both are Sunday around 6:00, same as...

C.R.A.Z.Y. Sun. Sept. 11, 6:00 Paramount 2
Set in Montreal in the 70's (Alison do you hear the call?) We haven't been to a Canadian film in a while but I haven't seen any of this guy's work so who knows but description sounds good (we know the danger of the 'code')

Thumbsucker Tues. Sept. 13, 9:00 Elgin
I am going since it's in my VISA series but Vince Vaughn and Keanu should make it kinda neat. So if you wanna join Ivana and I, please do....

3 Needles Sun. Sept. 11, 11:45AM Paramount 2
By the Canadian director who did The Hanging Garden. The repercussions of AIDS on 3 continents. Could be heavy but may be heralded. Stars Chloe Sevigny, Sandra Oh, Olympia Dukakis and Lucy Liu.

Please weigh in with your comments or other suggestions and we can decide. We have to hand in the tickets by Friday.