Toronto 2019: Canadian Features lineup announced

The 2019 Toronto International Film Festival announced the second wave of titles this morning, shining a light on TIFF’s Canadian features and shorts. The Canadian feature slate includes seven first features, 13 works by returning TIFF alumni, and almost 50% films directed by women. “We are deeply impressed by the high quality of the work done by Canadian directors this year — particularly from filmmakers who were making their first and second features,” said Steve…

"Toronto 2019: Canadian Features lineup announced"

Funny People: Judd Apatow’s Dramedy Hits 10 Years

Judd Apatow’s third-directed feature, Funny People, marks its tenth anniversary since being theatrically released ten years ago. Funny People marks somewhat of a departure from Apatow’s earlier features.  George Simmons (Adam Sandler) is more of a mature character than the leads in The 40-Year-Old Virgin and Knocked Up.  He doesn’t come off as the man-child in the earlier Apatow fare.  Though to be fair, Simmons does act quite immature during the third act during a…

"Funny People: Judd Apatow’s Dramedy Hits 10 Years"

The Red Sea Diving Resort: A True Story

Chris Evans leads a cast of Mossad operatives in The Red Sea Diving Resort as they work to rescue Ethiopian Jews and bring them to Israel. I would imagine that more people know the story behind Operation Moses or Operation Solomon more so than Operation Brothers.  Regardless, this film is a good one to watch as things play out on screen.  Even though we have an idea of what is going to happen, there’s certainly…

"The Red Sea Diving Resort: A True Story"

Long Shot now available on Blu-ray, DVD

Long Shot, the hysterical film starring Seth Rogen and Charlize Theron, is now available to bring home on Blu-ray, DVD, and Digital. When Long Shot was announced to premiere during the 2019 SXSW Film Festival, the film was immediately placed on my calendar.  It didn’t matter what was screening against it because nothing was going to stop me from attending the comedy. Having the same Saturday night slot during SXSW as Blockers one year prior…

"Long Shot now available on Blu-ray, DVD"

The Operative: Spying Can Be Messy

The Operative isn’t a fast-paced spy thriller but there’s enough going on here to keep your attention for the two-hour run time. Filmmaker Yuval Adler brings Yiftach R. Atir’s novel, The English Teacher, to the screen.  It is films such as this one that should remind us that spying isn’t just about the fast cars that never come back in one piece.  No, they can be slow-burn thrillers, too.  This is the case here for…

"The Operative: Spying Can Be Messy"

Skin: Learning to Unlearn the Hate

Skin, based on a true story, isn’t an easy subject to tackle during an era that takes place following the horrible tragedy in Charlottesville. Filmmaker Guy Nattiv is the descendant of Holocaust survivors.  He grew up listening to his grandparents’ stories.  It is because of this that Bryon Widner’s (Jamie Bell, who met Widner on the day of the Charlottesville rally) story caught his interest.  How often do we learn of neo-Nazi’s learning to undo…

"Skin: Learning to Unlearn the Hate"

Gamora: Deleted Avengers: Endgame Scene Reveals Fate

A deleted scene from Avengers: Endgame reveals fate of Gamora as Marvel continues to market the film’s release on home video. Here’s the deleted scene as exclusively presented by USA Today: We have an EXCLUSIVE @Avengers deleted scene from #Endgame that gives fans a heroic must-see moment → https://t.co/Y0tiB90wX7 pic.twitter.com/QZDxovUCT2 — USA TODAY Life (@usatodaylife) July 26, 2019 The scene takes us back to the battlegrounds following the death of Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.). …

"Gamora: Deleted Avengers: Endgame Scene Reveals Fate"

Meryl Streep to receive the TIFF Tribute Actor Award

The Toronto International Film Festival will honor Oscar-winning actress Meryl Streep with the Meryl Streep to receive the TIFF Tribute Actor Award. Today’s announcement was made by TIFF co-heads Joana Vicente and Cameron Bailey.  The award, sponsored by RBC, will be presented to the three-time Oscar winner during this year’s new TIFF Tribute Gala awards event.  The gala will take place on Monday, September 9 at the Fairmont Royal York.  TIFF’s year-round programming will benefit…

"Meryl Streep to receive the TIFF Tribute Actor Award"

The Mountain may challenge its viewers

The Mountain is a slowly paced drama set in the world of lobotomies with leading performances from Tye Sheridan and Jeff Goldblum. Welcome to the 1950s where Andy (Tye Sheridan) now lives in his father’s shadow.  His mom has already been confined to an institution by the time we meet him.  Enter Dr. Wallace Fiennes (Jeff Goldblum) into the picture.  He takes Andy under his wing as a photographer while touring an asylum.  You see,…

"The Mountain may challenge its viewers"

Little Miss Sunshine holds up 13 years later

Little Miss Sunshine still manages to hold up with plenty of laughs thirteen years after the film was initially released in theaters. Overworked mother Sheryl Hoover (Toni Collette) now finds herself responsible for her brother, Frank (Steve Carell).  Frank recently tried to kill himself so he’s coming to live with his sister’s family.  Meanwhile, man of the house Richard Hoover (Greg Kinnear) is trying to start up a career as a life coach and motivational speaker. …

"Little Miss Sunshine holds up 13 years later"