‘Olympus Has Fallen’ looks to overthrow theaters this weekend
Starring: Gerard Butler, Aaron Eckhart, Morgan Freeman, Melissa Leo, Angela Bassett, Dylan McDermott, Radha Mitchell, Ashley Judd, Cole Hauser, Finley Jacobsen and Rick Yune
Written by Creighton Rothenberger and Katrin Benedikt
Directed by Antoine Fuqua
New in theaters this week across Canada from VVS Films is the newest action/thriller from Training Day director Antoine Fuqua, Olympus Has Fallen. The film is the first theatrical release from Fuqua in 4 years, since Brooklyn’s Finest, and this time around he has loaded his cast with a litany of familiar faces. So how will Olympus Has Fallen fare compared to the past works of Fuqua?
‘A Colt is my Passport’ is one of the highlights of TIFF’s free weekend
Playing March 16 2013 at the TIFF Bell Lightbox as part of the Spotlight Japan series is the Nikkatsu noir classic, “A Colt is my Passport”. The tale of a betrayed hit man from 1967 is also part of the TIFF Bell Lightbox Family Free weekend, so the 10 pm screening is actually free for those who show up one hour before show time to collect a ticket. With a free showing on the big screen of this Nikkatsu gem how could you go wrong?
A Colt is my Passport
Starring: Jo Shishido, Chitose Kobayashi, Jerry Fujio and Akiyoshi Fukae
Written by ShuichiNagahara and Nobou Yamada
Directed by Takashi Nomura
Kamimura (Shishido) is a hard-boiled hired killer commissioned by a local gang to take down a rival boss. He pulls the job off with his customary efficiency, but everything goes to hell anyway. The rival gang lord who hires Kamimura and his driver Shun (Fujio) (more…)
Is ‘The Incredible Burt Wonderstone’ a magical night at the cinema?
Debuting in theaters this week is the new comedy from seasoned television director (30 Rock, Royal Pains, Law & Order) Don Scardino and comedy heavyweights Steve Carell and Jim Carrey, “The Incredible Burt Wonderstone“. Wonderstone takes place in the apparently cutthroat world of Vegas magicians and uses the glittery background of Vegas to frame it story. The only question that remains is whether it’s funny or not?
The Incredible Burt Wonderstone
Starring: Steve Carell, Steve Buscemi,Olivia Wilde, Jim Carrey, Alan Arkin, James Gandolfini and Jay Mohr
Written by John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein
Superstar magicians Burt Wonderstone (Carell) and Anton Marvelton (Buscemi), friends and partners since they were 10 years old, have ruled the Las Vegas Strip (more…)
Bloor Hot Docs Cinema takes a trip to ‘Greenwich Village’
Starting today, Mar 8 2013, at the Bloor Hot Docs Cinema is the new documentary focusing on the politically charged singer songwriters of the 1960’s and early 1970’s that called Greenwich Village home, “Greenwich Village: Music that Defined a Generation”. The epicenter of the folk music movement of the 60’s, hundreds of acts grew from the streets of Greenwich to conquer the world. Director Laura Archibald is clearly a large fan and enamored of these artists and their achievements as the entire tale is seen form the one side that is the artist’s themselves.
Greenwich Village: Music that Defined a Generation
Narration by Susan Sarandon
Written by Laura Archibald, Rob Lindsay and Kevin Wallis based on the novel by Suzie Rotolo
Directed by Laura Archibald
In the 1960s and early 1970s, Greenwich Village attracted numerous artists and activists. This creative and politically (more…)
WWE’s ‘Dead Man Down’ limps into theaters
Starring: Colin Farrell, Noomi Rapace, Isasbelle Huppert, Dominic Cooper, F. Murray Abraham, Armand Assante, Stu “Wade Barrett” Bennett and Terrence Howard.
Written by J.H. Wyman
Directed by Niels Arden Oplev
The newest theatrical release from the wrestling entity driven WWE Films hits theaters this weekend with the original Girl with the Dragon Tattoo herself Noomi Rapace leading the way in Dead Man Down. The film Reteams Rapace with the director of the original Dragon Tattoo trilogy for the first time since the worldwide smash as director Oplev is also making his feature film English language debut. But will Dead Man Down be a similar sized hit or dead box office?
‘Oz the Great and Powerful’ looks to put a spell on audiences
Oz the Great and Powerful 3D (2013)
Starring: James Franco, Mila Kunis, Michelle Williams, Rachel Weisz, Zack Braff, Bill Cobbs, Joey King and Tony Cox
Written by Mitchell Kapner and David Lindsay-Abaire based on the works of L. Frank Baum
Directed by Sam Raimi
New in theaters this week from Disney Studios comes the prequel tale based on the legendary Wizard of Oz book and film: Oz the Great and Powerful. The story of how the actual Wizard of Oz ends up in Oz and how he comes to rule is brought to screen by Spider-Man director Sam Raimi complete with his flair for stories grand in scale. So how does Oz the Great and Powerful stack up to the original Wizard of Oz?
When Oscar Diggs (Franco), a travelling circus magician with dubious ethics and results, is hurled away from dusty Kansas to the vibrant Land of Oz, he thinks he’s found his path to fame and fortune. Aboard a hot air balloon Oscar is whisked away in a tornado the same way as Dorothy is after him. After landing in Oz, Oscar meets three witches, Theodora (Kunis), Evanora (Weisz) and Glinda (Williams) (more…)
Human Rights Watch Film Fest takes us to ‘No Place on Earth’
Screening Sunday Mar 3 2013 as part of theHuman Rights Watch Film Festival at the TIFF Bell Lightbox is the new documentary from producer/director Janet Tobias “No Place on Earth”. The History Channel produced documentary outlines the courageous struggle to survive by five Jewish families in Nazi Occupied Poland. The lengths and extraordinary struggle they went through is explored here along with a full reproduction with actors re-enacting the described events of living members of the family.
No Place on Earth
Starring: Saul Stermer, Sam Stermer, Sonia Dodyk, Sima Dodyk, Chris Nicola
Directed by Janet Tobias
In 1993 Chris Nicola, an American cave enthusiast, was exploring the (more…)
Seijun Suzuki’s ‘Tokyo Drifter’ drifts into the TIFF Bell Lightbox
Playing Mar 22013 at 10pm, as part of theTIFF Bell Lightbox’s Spotlight Japan celebration from the ‘Tokyo Drifters: 100 years of Nikkatsu’ series, come the classic 1966 gangster film from Seijun Suzuki, “Tokyo Drifter”. The film is a smorgasbord of camera and film styles as Suzuki was clearly influenced by the changing cinema from the west from the 1950’s to the 1960’s.
Tokyo Drifter
Starring: Tetsuya Watari, Chieko Matsubara, Ryuji Kita and Hideaki Esumi
Written by Kôhan Kawauchi
Directed by Seijun Suzuki
Tetsu (Watari) has joined his yakuza boss in going straight, and is determined to stay straight, after his boss has disbanded his gang. But when a rival gang threatens to bring them back into the gang wars (more…)
Eddie Pepitone is ‘The Bitter Buddha’ at the bloor hot docs cinema
Starting a 2 show run, Mar 2and Mar 3 2013, at the Bloor Hot Docs Cinema is the newdocumentary exploring the life of the comedian nicknamed “The Bitter Buddha” of the title, Eddie Pepitone. The documentary explores the life and performances of the now 54 year old comic who has been doing stand-up, working the clubs and road, without the break out success that other comedians that adore what he does feel he deserves.
The Bitter Buddha
Starring Eddie Pepitone
Directed by Steven Feinartz
“The Bitter Buddha” follows Pepitone (Old School, The Muppets) at a pivotal moment in his career. The film provides a hilarious insider’s perspective of the highs
Human Rights Watch Film Fest explores ‘Camp 14: Total Control Zone’
Playing Feb 27 as part of the Human Rights Watch Film Festival, a week and a half long (Feb 26 – Mar 7, 2013) program of films that empower through tales of oppression, struggle and resilience, comes the documentary based on the best-selling book ‘Escape from Camp 14’, “Camp 14: Total Control Zone”. The festival, making its home in the TIFF Bell Lightbox, features both documentaries and scripted films that highlight atrocities and struggles worldwide for equality. The films of the festival come from around the world and encompass many different elements of the human condition and people’s will to survive and impact change.
Camp 14: Total Control Zone
Directed by Marc Wiese
Camp 14: Total Control Zone is a fascinating portrait of a young man who grew up (more…)
’21 & Over’ still needs to grow some more
21 & Over (2013)
Starring Miles Teller, Skylar Astin, Justin Chon, Sarah Wright, Jonathan Keltzand Francois Chau
Written and Directed by Jon Lucas and Scott Moore
From the writers of the original Hangover, Jon Lucas and Scott Moore, comes their debut directorial effort, the raunchy and lewd 21 & Over. The collage based comedy stars some of the biggest young names out there right now, including Pitch Perfect’s Skylar Astin, Project X’s Miles Teller and the Twilight Saga’s Justin Chon. The comedy looks to follow in the footsteps of Lucas and Moore’s Hangover and last year’s surprise hit Project X, but does it manage to succeed?
College student Jeff Chang (Chon) has always done what’s expected of him, but when his two best friends Casey (Astin) and Miller (Teller) (more…)
‘Stoker’ marks a bombastic english debut for director Park Chan-wook
Stoker (2013)
Starring Mia Wasikowska, Matthew Goode, Nicole Kidman, Lucas Till, Dermot Mulroney and Jackie Weaver
Written by Wentworth Miller
Directed by Park Chan-wook
New in theaters this week from Fox Searchlight Pictures is Stoker, the English language debut film from Korean master filmmaker Park Chan-wook (Oldboy, Sympathy for Lady Vengeance). The intense horror/thriller written by Prison Break star Wentworth Miller packs a stellar cast with Mia Wasikowska heading up the center of the story. With Chan-wook delving into the English market, the question remains, is his unique style and vision compatible and adaptable for an English audience?
After India’s (Wasikowska) father, Richard Stoker (Mulroney), dies in an auto accident her Uncle Charlie (Goode), who she never knew existed (more…)
Robert Carlyle tries to save ‘California Solo’ but falls short
California Solo
Starring: Robert Carlyle, A. Martinez, Alexia Rasmussen and Danny Masterson
Written and Directed by Marshall Lewy
Starting today, Mar 1 2103, at the Carlton Cinema in Toronto, is the newest film from director Marshall Lewy and actor Robert Carlyle, California Solo. The film marks a return to film from Carlyle after some television work that has kept him busy for the last couple of years. So will California Solo have you lining up at the historic Carlton Cinema this week?
Dwayne Johnson turns ‘Snitch’ (review)
Snitch Review
Starring: Dwayne Johnson, Jon Bernthal, Barry Pepper, Michael Kenneth Williams, Rafi Gavron, Melina Kanakaredes, Nadine Velazquez, Benjamin Brattand Susan Sarandon
Written by Justin Haythe and Ric Roman Waugh
Directed by Ric Roman Waugh
A desperate father tries to save his teenage son from an unjust prison sentence by infiltrating a dangerous drug cartel in Snitch. The ‘Inspired by real events’ tale features Dwayne Johnson in a much more dramatic performance than the usual action packed extravaganzas we are used to seeing him in. Snitch plays out more slowly and methodically than the commercials and previews would have you believe, but is that a good or a bad thing?
Businessman John Matthews (Johnson) is devastated when his 18-year-old son Jason (Gavron) receives a mandatory minimum 10-year (more…)
TIFF’s ‘Packaged Goods’ series highlights animation for it’s winter program
Feb 20, 2013 brings the newest in the “Packaged Goods” series to the TIFF Bell Lightbox. The ongoing series surveys the world of commercial, music video and web content film-making. Exploring these by themes and highlighting the best that each theme has to offer, the series’ latest installment explores the ever changing worldanimation in the corporate sense in its “Artful Animation” presentation.
TIFF’s Packaged Goods: Artful Animation Program
Today’s animation has come a long way from Saturday morning cartoons: whether photo-real or illustrative, stop-motion or CG (more…)
Time to take ‘A Glimpse Inside the mind of Charles Swan III’
For his first directorial effort in over a decade, since 2001`s “CQ”, and hot on the heels of his Oscar nomination for co-writing “Moonrise Kingdom”, Roman Coppola returns with the bizarre “A Glimpse Inside the mind of Charles Swan III”. The film stars the erratic Charlie Sheen in one of his most over the top performances, and probably one of the most autobiographical as well, along with a stellar supporting cast.
A Glimpse Inside the mind of Charles Swan III
Starring: Charlie Sheen, Jason Schwartzman, Bill Murray, Katheryn Winnick, Patricia Arquette, Aubrey Plaza, Mary Elizabeth Winstead
Written and Directed by Roman Coppola
A Glimpse Inside the mind of Charles Swan III is set in a stylized Los Angeles; Swan (Sheen) is a man who glides through life on fame,
money and charm, the manipulator
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.
‘Identity Thief’ should have gotten a better identity (Review)
Starring: Jason Bateman, Melissa McCarthy, Jon Favreau, Amanda Peet, Tip “T.I.” Harris, Genesis Rodriguez, Morris Chestnut, John Cho, Robert Patrick,Eric Stonestreet
Written by Craig Mazin based on a story by Jerry Eeten and Craig Mazin
Directed by Seth Gordon
The doldrums of the winter post-Oscar bait box office continue this week as after a very lackluster January our friends at Universal Pictures give us Identity Thief. This comedy is the follow-up feature from McCarthy after her breakout role in 2010’s Bridesmaids (This is 40 cameo notwithstanding) and her first shot at a lead performance. Along for the ride is Jason Bateman playing his very familiar bland straight man role and Amanda Peet as his long suffering wife.
Diana (McCarthy) makes her living assuming stranger’s identities and bleeding them dry. Her seemingly unlimited funds have allowed Diana (more…)
Hot Docs doc soup sails the ‘Stolen Seas’ for its February edition
February’s Doc Soup presentation at the Bloor Hot Docs Cinema brings us drama on the high seas with the award winning documentary “Stolen Seas”. The documentary explores the Somali pirate phenomenon, how the pirates get away with all the damage they inflict and the impact on all of those involved.
Stolen Seas
Written by Mark Monroe
Directed by Thymaya Payne
“Stolen Seas” is in essence the story of a Danish shipping vessel’s 13-man crew held at the mercy of pirates, but the film goes much further than this singular story. It’s November 8th, 2008 and the CEC Future is on high alert. Sailing inside the pirate-infested swath of sea between Somalia and Yemen (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…)
Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters Review
Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters
Starring: Jeremy Renner, Gemma Arterton, Famke Janssen, Pihla Viitala, Derek Mears, Thomas Mann, Rainer Bock and Peter Stormare
Written by D.W. Harper and Tommy Wirkola
Directed by Tommy Wirkola
New in theaters this week is the first big budget Hollywood production from the Norwegian director of the horror comedy Dead Snow, Tommy Wirkola: the horror/fairy tale reinvention Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters. Jeremy Renner and Gemma Arterton star as the legendary siblings. In this version of the story the two have become full blown witch hunters after disposing of the witch in the candy house of the original fairy tale. But can Hansel and Gretel match the absurdly fun Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, from last year, on the enjoyment scale?
After getting a taste for blood as children, Hansel (Renner) and Gretel (Arterton) have devoted their lives on their hell bent retribution against all witches. Now, unbeknownst to them, Hansel and Gretel have become the hunted, and must face (more…)
‘Tatsumi’ animates the TIFF Bell Lightbox starting Jan 25 (review)
Starting on Jan 25, the TIFF Bell Lightbox will host an exclusive run of the animated tribute/biography of Yoshihiro Tastsumi that was a giant hit at this year’s Toronto Reel Asian Film Festival simply titled Tatsumi. The gloriously hand rendered 2D animated film tells the story of the master animator’s early life up to his founding and establishing of the ‘Gekiga Manifesto’ launching the Gekiga movement in Manga writing which adapted a more realistic and adult style of writing and animating. Along the way it adapts 5 of Tatsumi’s works into animated tales, showing the progression of his stories and the reason why creating a place for a more realistic style was needed.
Tatsumi
Directed by Eric Khoo
Tatsumi adapts five of the artist’s short stories (Hell, Beloved Monkey, Just a Man, Occupied and Good-Bye) and intersperses them throughout the adaptation of his manga memoir (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…)
‘The Bastard Sings the Sweetest Song’ at the royal this week
This week, at Toronto’s Royal Cinema, sees an exclusive engagement of the acclaimed documentary “The Bastard Sings the Sweetest Song” begin, starting Jan18. The documentary, filmed in Georgetown, Guyana, introduces us to Muscle and his mother Mary. The pair are both struggling to break free off their circumstances, which manages to bring them constantly into conflict with each other. Mary (74), when she leaves their house, wanders on the road begging for money to get drunk from passing cars and neighbors and sometimes falls down and hurts herself. Unable to convince Mary that she is only harming herself and her family, her son Muscle (43) decides that the only way to prevent her drunken excursions is to keep her locked up in her small, dark room.
The Bastard Sings the Sweetest Song
Directed by Christy Garland
Muscle ekes out a living raising fighting cocks and songbirds, but yearns and longs for a better house and situation for his family. Mary drinks to forget though (more…)
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