All I can say is that… Toronto, you always treat me so well. In case you missed some of my posts on film reviews and pictures associated with my time at the 2013 Toronto Independent Film Festival, here is alittle recap:
THE FILMS
This year I screened nine films, the most I’ve seen at one festival to date (yay, I can’t touch those people that do 30+ but I think its not too shabby). Here’s the recap:
The Past (Le Passe)** (Bérénice Bejo, Ali Mosaffa, Tahar Rahim)
“[Director] Farhadi doesn’t really construct beginning or ending to the story but really has a way of pulling back the curtain and exposing the audience to a short, intense moment. The story continues on after we leave them, not only for us to choose what we think happens from there but also to alert us to that fact that their is no easy resolution in life, there are much to people’s stories left to carry on.” A-
Hateship Loveship (Kristen Wiig, Guy Pearce, Nick Nolte, Haille Steinfeld)
“…there are some laughs (a certain make-out sesh with a bathroom mirror comes to mind) and cries (you just can’t help but feel sorry for Johanna at times) that sometimes make this unbelievable story worthwhile.” B-
Prisoners (Hugh Jackson, Maria Bello, Viola Davis, Terrance Howard, Paul Dano, Melissa Leo)
“For much of the two-and-a-half run time, the movie brims with unbearable tension, cringing suspense, and plenty of gasp-out-loud moments to carry along the unraveling mystery." B
The Descendants: So, I guess I’m the only one in the world who thinks this movie is overrated? I will have to say that I had less than zero interest in ever seeing this movie. I decided to possibly watch it if it won Best Picture at the Oscars this year (but luckily it lost to the very worthy The Artist). But I found myself on a long international flights this week with not much of a selection of films on my personal monitor, so… The Descendants. The movie wasn’t a bad one at all; I just found it nothing super special. Yes, it was a solidly good story of a man coming to grips with his wife infidelity when he doesn’t have the benefit of confronting her as she is in a coma. Additionally, he is dealing with a decision about his family land that will affect his future and those around him forever. We witness some really touching moments between him and his kids and the closer he needs with his wife. I just have the impression that if George Clooney wasn’t in this movie, if someone else was in the lead role, this movie would have flown under the radar. Or maybe I’m missing something? 
Big Fish: Yeah, it’s true. I had never seen this until this week. Another movie I saw while on an international flight back to the States. As I continue my exploration of Ewan McGregor movies after he stole my heart in last year’s movie 
