The Toronto International Film Festival wraps up today. Here's what we've seen since our last set of reviews.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

The Road
Watching this is everything I imagined post-apocalyptic North America to be. Based on Cormac McCarthy's novel of the same name, The Road is haunting and chilling, partly because of Viggo Mortensen and Australian child star Kodi Smit-McPhee, who translate the story well, but mostly because visually, it's just damn epic. Forget DVDs or Internet streaming -- check this one out in a proper theatre for full effect. (Connie)

Another week means another slate of films reviewed leading up to the start of the Toronto International Film Festival. We've been escaping the (finally) summer weather for air conditioned comfort inside various screening rooms at the Varsity Theatre. Here's a summary of the films we've seen since our first slate of TIFF reviews.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Hipsters
Okay. Let me preface this by saying if you hate musical theatre, you may not like this one. But despite my very own pre-existing disinterest in the genre, everything about this flick -- the colours, the music, the fake saxophone playing, the costuming, and the dramatic love story -- kept me hostage. I credit it to the Moscow setting, which definitely eased the cheese factor of similar theatrical productions based in North America. Communist Russia meets Swing Kids meets Footloose. Chalk this under well-filmed Guilty Pleasure. (Connie)

Photo: "Screen" by batara, member of the blogTO Flickr pool.


Events on Toronto's Radar for the weekend of May 30th + 31st, 2009
...lovingly handpicked from blogTO's events calendar

SPORTS | Toronto Roller Derby Season Opener
Last year's reigning champions Chicks Ahoy! duke it out against The Gore-Gore Rollergirls, in a match of fiery skating.
George Bell Arena, 215 Ryding Avenue.
730pm, 630pm doors / $15, $12 advance

DANCE | Up Darling 5
An annual event celebrating indie dance choreographers, held at the north end of Trinity Bellwoods. With dances by Megan English, Barbara Lindenberg, and Aimée Dawn Robinson.
North of Trinity Bellwoods ravine, Dundas and Shaw. (416) 825-0396.
730pm / PWYC

MUSIC | Still Life Still and Dinosaur Bones at Velvet Underground
Early all ages show, with Still Life Still, Dinosaur Bones, La Casa Muerte, Give Us the Daggers, and Medallions.
Velvet Underground, 510 Queen Street W. (416) 504-6688.
6pm, 530pm doors / $10

CULTURE | RBC Desifest
Celebrate South Asian arts and culture, with a music and dance party downtown.
See website for schedule.
Yonge-Dundas Square.
noon / FREE

"Gate Hearing" - Slim Twig


Events on Toronto's Radar for FRIDAY, MAY 29th, 2009
...lovingly handpicked from blogTO's events calendar

SPORTS | St. Lawrence Market Criterium
The Molson Indy of high-speed road bicycles takes place around St. Lawrence Market, beginning with a kids ride. Pre-register by calling (416) 392-7592.
St Lawrence Market
6pm, 530pm kids / $60, $10 children, FREE to watch

MUSIC | Slim Twig CD Release
Experimental spasmatic rocker Slim Twig collaborates with his musicians buddies, including a covers set featuring members of Actual Water, Huckleberry Friends, Creeping Nobodies, and $100. Wyrd Visions opens.
Horseshoe Tavern, 370 Queen Street W.
10pm / $10

POLITICS | War Criminals Not Welcome Here
Don't worry: if you can't get in on the big conversation between George Dubya and Bill Clinton at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, this protest will be just as exciting.
Metro Toronto Convention Centre, 255 Front Street W.
3-6pm / FREE