Saturday, September 8, 2012

TORONTO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL 2012 ….Day 1, 2, and 3






Once again, Toronto is the place to be for all things cinematic! I’ve managed to screen 23 films in three days! Okay, we Canadian media folk did get a ten day head start on our international brethren, point is, I’m already starting to get that blurry eyed look and movies are starting to string together in my head. So here’s a little capsule review on some of the ones that I’m feelin’ while their still fresh in my memory banks!

“LAURENCE ANYWAYS”, from young Montreal auteur, Xavier Dolan focuses on the young Montreal couple who seemingly have a solid, albeit somewhat, tempestuous relationship. That all changes when Laurence (Melvil Poupaud), confesses his desire to his girlfriend Fred (Suzanne Clément) that he feels that he’s a woman trapped in a man’s body. The ensuing emotional upheaval threatens to destroy their love for each other. Beautifully shot, Dolan really allows this film to breathe and develop in a much less pretentious manner than was evidenced in his two earlier works. In my opinion, this is his best, and most accessible film to date….

“REINCARNATED”, directed by Andy Capp and produced by VICE Films/Snoopadelic Films, is the much heralded documentary detailing the journey of Snoop Lion (formerly known as Snoop Dogg) to Jamaica, and his conversion to Rastafarianism. It’s a pretty candid look at Snoop’s musical progression that’s honest, insightful, and funny as a mofo! Whether or not you believe that Snoop’s motives in making this career move are sincere or just another calculated marketing ploy, is beside the point. You will be “edutained”…

“ARGO” “, this effort from actor/director Ben Affleck, is the first film that he’s shot that’s not anchored in the familiar surroundings of his Boston area upbringing. It deals with the real story that happened behind the scene involving the rescue of six Americans that were hidden by Canadian ambassador Ken Taylor and smuggled out of Tehran during the Iran hostage crisis in 1979. Revealing declassified CIA information and the improbable, but ultimately successful ruse of having the hostages pose as a film crew in Tehran scouting location scenes, this is a first rate thriller that will keep you in suspense for the film’s entirety. Affleck continues to impress and mature as both an actor and director.

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