The team behind Dead Before Dawn 3D talk Zemons
Dead Before Dawn 3D is Canada’s first all 3D feature film and will play as the closing night Gala Presentation as part of TIFF’s Next Wave Film Festival Sunday Feb 17, 2013. We had a chance to sit down and talk with director April Mullen, writer Tim Doiron about the film and we even got a surprise pop in from star Devon Bostick.
Thanks for taking some time for us today guys. So what made you think you could pull off shooting this film on a 20 day schedule?
April– Well we never thought we could do it for sure, we just believed we could in our hearts.
Tim– And we really didn’t have a lot of options, we knew we only had a 20 day shoot and that was it. IT was all we could fit into the budget so we just studied our butts off and made sure on the preproduction side we had everything (more…)
TIFF Next Wave 2013: mini reviews
TIFF Next Wave Film Festival starts Feb 15 with the ‘Battle of the Scores’ music program on Feb 15. The Film Festival kicks off the film portion on Feb 16, and here are some mini reviews of 4 of the films highlighting the festival this year.
For more information on all of the films in the Next Wave Film Festival check out TIFF’s online schedule. But for now lets get on with the films.
The ‘Next Wave’ of film and filmmakers take over TIFF Feb 15-17 2013
This Family Day weekend, Feb 15-17, theTIFF Bell Lightbox launches its 2nd edition of the Next Wave Film Festival. The festival serves to empower youth and deepen their appreciation of film by empowering them to program their own festival through representatives from their own peer group. The festival kicks off with the “Battle of the Scores”, a unique battle of the bands style competition where high school indie bands perform live scores to youth made film trailers in front of a live audience. Of course this is a film festival so there is also a full schedule of movies to check out on Sat Feb 16 and Sun Feb 17.
TIFF’s Next Wave Film Festival Preview
The film schedule is highlighted by 3 special premium selections, some premieres, a work in progress and a marathon of films (more…)
Cineplex’s Great Digital Film Festival runs through Feb 7
Cineplex’s Great Digital Film Festival Preview
Starting Feb 1, 2013 select Cineplex theaters across Canada will participate in the fourth annual ‘Great Digital Film Festival’. The festival runs from Feb 1 through Feb7 and is dedicated to bringing classic films back to the big screen, and often in digital format for the first time. This year the festival is also serving as the nationwide debut for last year’s Toronto After Dark Film Festival Favorite Cockneys vs Zombies.
All films are only $6 per screening with discount pricing for purchasing multiple tickets with extra Scene points for members of Cineplex’s Scene loyalty program. In the GTA the theaters participating will be the Scotiabank Theaters downtown (more…)
Cockneys Rule and Zombies Drool: Director Matthias Hoene talks ‘Cockneys Vs Zombies’
Opening in select Cineplex theaters across Canada for two shows only, as part of Cineplex’s ‘Great Digital Film Festival’ starting this Friday Feb 1, 2013, is the horror comedy that made a huge splash at last year’s Toronto After Dark Film Festival:Cockneys vs Zombies. The Movie Junkie was able to sit down with director Matthias Hoene to talk about his film, his influences and whether the Cockneys will make a return to the big screen.
Movie Junkie (MJ) – Hello Matthias, I must say I really enjoyed your film. Can you tell us about some of your biggest influences in putting the film together?
Matthias Hoene (MH) – Well the journey started when a friend of mine slipped me a grubby, slightly dodgy copy, of Peter Jackson’s Braindead. (more…)
TIFF celebrates the films of Japan in their winter schedule
TIFF celebrates the films of Japan in their winter schedule
Starting Jan 19, as part of the city wide Toronto ‘Spotlight Japan’ celebration, theTIFF Bell Lightbox begins a 3 month celebration of Japanese cinema also entitled ‘Spotlight Japan’. The collection includes 3 series and some other individual titles that spotlight classic and contemporary Japanese cinema. Running through April 17, TIFF will show individuals screenings of classic Japanese cinema broken into three series:
Tokyo Drifters: 100 Years of Nikkatsu
Celebrating the history of the legendary (more…)
An overview of what to expect in theaters for 2013, part 2 (July-Dec)
An overview of what to expect in theaters for 2013, part 2 (July-Dec)
Now that the calendar has officially changed over to 2013, it’s time to take a look ahead at some the more intriguing films slated for release this year. As always (G.I. Joe and Gatsby can attest to this) release dates are subject to change and some most definitely will, some may have even changed before you read this. But as of Jan 3 these are the films and dates that have sparked some interest, listed by month. Part 1 looked at the months of Jan-June, now we look at the last 6 months of the year.
July
The Canada Day/Memorial Day long weekend this year kicks off with the “Lone Ranger” with “Social Network” star Armie Hammer as the man behind the mask. He’s joined by Johnny Depp as Tonto, under the direction of Depp’s “Pirates of the Caribbean” director Gore Verbinski. July 12 marks the arrival of Guillermo Del Toro’s monster robot epic “Pacific Rim”. (more…)
An overview of what to expect in theaters for 2013, part 1 (Jan-June)
An overview of what to expect in theaters for 2013, part 1 (Jan-June)
Now that the calendar has officially changed over to 2013, it’s time to take a look ahead at some the more intriguing films slated for release this year. As always (G.I. Joe and Gatsby can attest to this) release dates are subject to change and some most definitely will, some may have even changed before you read this. But as of Jan 3 these are the films and dates that have sparked some interest, listed by month.
January
This month brings us the star studded mobster flick “Gangster Squad” with Josh Brolin, Sean Penn, Ryan Gosling and many more. On Jan 25“Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters”, with Jeremy Renner and Gemma Arterton from the director of the campy “Dead Snow” Tommy Wirkola, finally arrives in multiplexes.
February (more…)
Top 20… err 23 movies of 2012 part 4 (the top 5!- Examiner)
Top 20… err 23 movies of 2012 part 4 (the top 5!)
#’s 5 through 1
Having previously published the # 21 –16th ,# 15-11th and # 10 -6 ranked movies, we have finally arrived at the top 5 films of 2012, as ranked by yours truly. The list will be made up of films seen in the calendar year of 2012, whether during a regular theatrical release or the film festival circuit.
Just a quick preface, there will be a handful of films that will not appear on this list simply due to the lack of being able to see them before this list was made. These include critical favorites Argo, The Imposter, Lincoln, Life of Pi and The Impossible. And now to finish off the list of this year’s best.
One of the most disturbing and unrelenting tales of deceit and revenge seen in theaters this year, Killer Joe will be too much for some with its graphic content. (more…)
Top 20… err 23 movies of 2012 part 3 (Examiner)
Top 20… err 23 movies of 2012 part 3
#’s 10-6
Starting with the # 21 –16th and # 15-11thranked movies published recently, we are counting down the top films of 2012, as ranked by yours truly. The list will be made up of films seen in the calendar year of 2012, whether during a regular theatrical release or the film festival circuit.
Just a quick preface, there will be a handful of films that will not appear on this list simply due to the lack of being able to see them before this list was made. These include critical favorites Argo, The Imposter, Lincoln, Life of Pi and The Impossible. Now to continue with the list.
#10 – Cabin in the Woods
Top 20… err 23 movies of 2012 part 1 (Examiner)
Top 20… err 23 movies of 2012 part 1
#’s 21-16
As the year comes to a close the steady stream of “best of the year” lists have already started and will continue well into the first part of 2013. We in the film criticism business are not exempt in this practice; in fact a lot of the most read and regarded critics will be adding their opinion to the arena or already have. While this critic is still relatively new to the game and hardly expecting to battle it out with the heavy weights, my opinion is humbly offered regardless. The list will be made up of films seen in the calendar year of 2012, whether during a regular theatrical release or the film festival circuit.
Just a quick preface, there will be a handful of films that will not appear on this list simply due to the lack of being able to see them before this list was made. These include critical favorites Argo, The Imposter, Lincoln, Life of Pi and The Impossible. Now on to the list.
#21 – [Tie] My Father and the Man in Black and Ping Pong (more…)
Top 20… err 23 movies of 2012 part 2 (Examiner)
Top 20… err 23 movies of 2012 part 2
#’s 15-11
Starting with the # 21 –16th ranked movies published recently, we are counting down the top films of 2012, as ranked by yours truly. The list will be made up of films seen in the calendar year of 2012, whether during a regular theatrical release or the film festival circuit.
Just a quick preface, there will be a handful of films that will not appear on this list simply due to the lack of being able to see them before this list was made. These include critical favorites Argo, The Imposter, Lincoln, Life of Pi and The Impossible. Now to continue with the list.
# – 15 [Tie] Pitch Perfect and 21 Jump Street (more…)
Golden Globes nominees get ready for the red carpet
On Thursday Dec 13th the nominees for the Golden Globes, predecessor for the Oscars and, were announced. Among the leading recipients were “Django Unchained,” “Lincoln” and “Argo”. Here’s the rundown of all the Movie Nominees:
BEST PICTURE: DRAMA
“Argo”
“Django Unchained”
“Lincoln”
“Zero Dark Thirty”
Life of Pi may be the
Oscar narrows down it’s top 15 docs of 2012
This past Monday the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced the short list of 15 finalists for nominations in the best Feature Documentary category. The Feature Documentary award is frequently the cause of heated debate and controversy as the sheer amount of possible nominees ensures that hard hitting critic favorites will be left off.
The final 15 are: (more…)
Top 5 Reasons To Check Out Reel Asian Film Fest 2012
Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival
November 6-11 Toronto
November 16-17th Richmond Hill, Ontario
Toronto’s largest and oldest all Asian film festival, Reel Asian, will play out on screens across Toronto and Richmond Hill over the next week and a half. One of Toronto’s bigger and most recognizable festivals, the 16th edition of Reel Asian brings us over 60 films, feature length and short form, from over 13 countries. Without delving too extensively into the myriad of options available, we will simply highlight the five most intriguing reasons to attend based on what we have seen on the schedule.
PUBCast 2!! The Sequel: Dead Air Bonus Episode!!
PUBCast 2!!!!!! Yes, Yes. Because you guys loved and responded so well to our first PUBCast, Jeff Konopka and I sat down and recorded a second one, live at the Closing Night Party of Toronto After Dark 2012!! This is from the insanely busy Pauper’s Pub where this time we were relegated to a tiny corner in the back due to spacing issues. We have another sit down with Director Juan Martinez Moreno after the wildly successful screening of his Game of Werewolves, the Director/Curators of both the Fright Nights: Blood in the Snow Canadian Film Fest and Dark Bridges Film Fest as well as friends and other fine folk from the media and such. Plus the ending is KILLER with the entire TAD CREW! Make sure to listen to the very end!!
Top 5 films to watch around Halloween (Liberal Dead)
Top 5 Films to watch around Halloween
Movie Junkie TO (Kirk Haviland)
Hello fellow Genre Heads! After seeing some of the other guys chime in on this subject I thought I would lend my voice to the argument. For me Halloween, much like Christmas, is about going back and visiting the classic films I grew up with. Not ‘classics’ like the Universal Monsters films and the like, but the classic films from the 60’s/ 70’s/80’s and 90`s. But my ultimate list of the top 5 will span all the way up to a few scant years ago.
Sadly this list may end up being a little less obscure than some of my compatriots,… (more…)
Body Mod Goddesses: the Soska Sisters dissect ‘American Mary’
Courtesy of Twisted Twins Productions
After their successful Canadian Premiere at the Toronto After Dark Film Festival, we were able to sit down with the Canadian Born directors the Soska Sisters, aka the Twisted Twins, to discuss their latest offering, the dark and twisted American Mary. So here’s what the ladies had to say:
First off I should congratulate you ladies on a fantastic Canadian Debut of a American Mary which I am proud to support. I was wondering if you could talk about the genesis of the project, and the involvement of a certain high profile director/producer.
Sylvia Soska: Thank you so kindly for saying so, I am so proud of the film that we have……………………………………….. (more…)
Abraham Lincoln Re-Animated – Nimit Malavia and Matt Whelan discuss their short film The Great Calamity
Abraham Lincoln Re-Animated – Nimit Malavia and Matt Whelan discuss their short film The Great Calamity
Hello All. Kirk, aka Movie Junkie TO, here again with another interview. This time with Nimit and Matt, two of the guys behind the new animated short/motion graphic novel The Great Calamity. The short film is from the Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter DVD/Blu-Ray out this week from 20th Century Fox. Nimit is the Key Concept Artist/Illustrator and Matthew is the Animation Director. At the time of the interview recording I had not been able to see the film, but I have been able to catch up with it now and can say the animation is fantastic. Enjoy!
Movie Junkie (MJ) – Hey guys, glad we could get to talk today……………………………………. (more…)
PUBCast!! Dead Air Podcast Bonus Episode Live from Toronto After Dark 2012
Hello All. Jeff Konopka and I have a bonus surprise for you guys!! We have a live podcast straight from the Pauper’s Pub at Pub After Dark at Toronto After Dark Film Festival. You’ll get a great taste of what a Pub After Dark is really like with all sorts of fantastic guests. You’ll get to hear from the Directors and Cast members of the films Resolution, Crave, Eviction and Game of Werewolves. Plus other pub goers and fellow bloggers alike. THIS IS A HELL OF A FUN LISTEN! Enjoy 🙂 (more…)
Drool and Vomit: The Cast of A Little Bit Zombie Speak Out!
Hello All, Kirk here, aka Movie Junkie TO, with another interview. This time I got to sit down with the cast of the Canadian horror comedy A Little Bit Zombie. The following is my chat with cast members Kristopher Turner, Shawn Roberts and Crystal Lowe. I was also able to sit down with director Casey Walker which should show up on the site soon enough.
Enjoy!
Movie Junkie (MJ) – Thanks for sitting down with me today guys. I really enjoyed the film when I saw it earlier this year. I wanted to ask a few questions about how you made the film. First off, one of my favorite parts of the film is the use of practical effects over CGI in most situations, I can think of one particular scene involving vomit, Crystal. I wondered if you guys could talk about how it helped your performances and the decision to go with the practical effects to begin with.
Dead Air Episode 21: Toronto After Dark Preview Show
Here is my latest guest spot on the Dead Air podcast!! This time we launch into out Toronto After Dark 2102 Preview!! We do a day by day rundown of the ENTIRE lineup! So join Jeff Konopka, Shawn Savage and myself as we count down all the reasons you need to see the fest!! And last but not least the Pub After Dark Pub Nights!!! And if you see Jeff and me around the pub come say hi, or better yet buy us a beer! 🙂
Baring his Fangs, Zak Kilberg talks about Midnight Son
Midnight Son Zak Kilberg Interview
Hello everyone, Kirk aka Movie Junkie TO here again with a second interview from the guys involved with Midnight Son. My first interview can be read here. This time I get to sit down with one of the film’s leads, Zak Kilberg, for some one-on-one questioning. Enjoy!
Movie Junkie (MJ) – It’s great to talk to you again Zak, it’s been a while since Toronto After Dark last year. Congrats on the DVD release.
Zak Kilberg (ZK) – Hi Kirk, so happy you’re doing another piece on Midnight Son! Toronto After Dark has been a huge champion of our film and we all love that festival and everyone involved up there. I had a great experience coming up to Toronto for the premiere and meeting everyone!
MJ – Zak, let’s start with how you became aware of the film and eventually landed the…
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The Story Of Film Preview
The Story of Film: An Odyssey
Written and Directed by Mark Cousins
Last year Mark Cousins in conjunction with the BBC brought us a 15 part epic series entitled The Story of Film: An Odyssey. Starting last weekend and continuing through to November The Hot Docs Bloor Cinema is presenting the entire series in 2 part chunks on Sunday nights with replays on Tues nights, only taking a break to present the Toronto After Dark Film Festival in late October. Starting from back at the turn of the 20th century, The Story of Film attempts to present the most complete version of the history of film production put forward. Not content to just focus on the Hollywood scene, Cousins spans the globes for the most influential films and filmmakers of their time and presents their stories in detail.
The first two episodes cover the start of film, from the…
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MOVIE JUNKIE TO'S Entertainment Fix 