Well it’s that time of year…. Autumn. Which brings the Toronto Film Festival! I have mixed feelings about the Fest, on one hand I love that Toronto is a only second to Cannes as the best film fest in the world. Pretty cool distinction. Some great films have their debuts here (Roger and Me, American Beauty).
So here are 10 films that I’m interested in (Although I won’t be seeing any of them… Even Roger Ebert has trouble getting into some of the screenings). I’ve linked trailers to the titles where applicable.
I loved Paris, Je Taime. Thought it was fabulous… especially Alexander Payne’s touching short. When I heard they were going to do the same thing with New York I though “Great! The could get Sydney Lumet! Woody Allen! Spike Lee! Martin Scorcese! The choices are ENDLESS!!” So, what directors did they get for this one? Brett Ratner. Really? That’s the biggest name director you could talk into this? what else ya go? Scarlet Johannson and Natalie Portman… wait, aren’t they actresses? Oh man. I very concerned… great cast though.
Che
Steven Soderbergh’s 4 hour and 18 minute film of the life of Che Guevara, featuring the perfectly cast Benicio Del Toro. For some reason they’ve broken this film into two parts. I guess the audience at Toronto can’t handle a four hour movie? Or maybe, they just want to milk as much money out of the audience as the can. Cause, as far as movies go, 4 hours ain’t that long. Anyways, it should definitely be an interesting movie. I can’t imagine that Soderbergh will romantice Che as much as Walter Salles did in the Motorcycle Diaries. No trailer, but i linked an interview with the cast and crew.
Appaloosa
I like a good western, and I like Ed Harris, as an actor and director. His only other directorial film was 2000′s fantastic Pollock. It also stars the very popular (and talented) Viggo Mortensen, and personal favorite Jeremy Irons.
Genova
Michael Winterbottom has proven to be one of worlds leading directors. Confidently covering many genres, Winterbottom always creates something worth while. Some of my favorites of his include 24-hour Party People, Code 46 and A Cock and Bull Story. I really know absolutely nothing about this film. Can’t even find a trailer. But that’s the fun of a film fest! Seeing something you know little to nothing about (cause you can’t get into the big films). I linked to the trailer for 24 hour party people… no trailer for Genova.
Brothers Bloom
I was slapped in the face a few years ago by an impressive little film called Brick. That film was helmed by first time director Rian Johnson. This film is his follow up. The trailer makes it look like a con man comedy, featuring Rachel Weisz (mmm), Adrian Brody, Mark Ruffalo and the young girl from Babel, Rinko Kikuchi.
Anyways, I’m off to dodge some wanna-be photographers and actors! If there is a god, I won’t see Ben Mulroney’s insincere mug this year. One can dream. Anyways, if there is a film in the fest that you’re excited about, please let me know in the comments section! See ya.