So far 2006 is turning out to be a most bizarre year for films and their critical acceptance. Almost all of my favorite flicks this year are loved by one half the critics and considered career blunders by the other half.

I'm a fan of Lost In Translation but I wasn't sure if it was Bill Murray or Sophia Coppola who made the magic happen in that match up.

But thanks to her past films I was immediately interested to see what Sophia Coppola would do with a punk rock, modern reference laced retelling of the story of famed monarch, Marie Antoinette, especially after hearing it was boo'd at it's premiere in Cannes.

The amazing folks at Toronto Public Space Committee are pretty much one of the great treasures of Toronto. Part of the many things they do to save us from urban hell and keep us informed is their fundraising film series: Streets to Screens. This Thursday for $9 at the Bloor Cinema they unveil the Canadian premiere of Contested Streets, a new documentary film by Stefan Schaefer.

The film is an exploration of urban spaces and street life in New York pre and post automobile. While talking to some of the most prominent public space advocates, Schaefer pieces together the movement to take back the streets. With trips to Paris and London to discuss car-free days and downtown tolls as methods of giving space back to the people who live there, this film will be a sure fire hit for those of us who can't wait till they kick cars out of Kensington Market for good.

Why must we wait endless years between Terry Gilliam's genius? Why does Hollywood throw millions of dollars at "Most Fastest and Furiouser 3" when this man is banging down doors to try and make classics?

With last year's disappointing but visually arresting Brothers Grimm we were reminded how Hollywood can warp what Gilliam does best and so wisely he chose a smaller completely uncommercial film to take on next, shot and funded by Telefim right here in Canada.

Tideland, his new dark and bizarre film plays like a - Gummo meets Alice in Wonderland - gothic prairie fable and has strongly divided critics. Some see it as his worse film while others are completely transfixed by the uniquely twisted story.

If you're looking for something hot to do on this cold October night then look no further than Daryl's Hard Liquor and Porn Festival shooting out onto screens tonight, Saturday October 14th at 9pm at the Bloor Cinema. Tickets are $20 and include access to the scandalous porn star themed afterparty at Dragonfly in Parkdale.

This year's programming features the best in sexually explict comedy including a few must see's that are definetely worth the ticket price.

Krazy Kock, a short by one my all time favourite animators; Bill Plympton, tells the hilariously manic tale of a chicken mascot's experimentation with aphrodisiacs before the big game that ends in a throbing, raging public half time show. This short is a preview of Plympton's new feature High Hair and I can barely keep it in my pants waiting for this one.

What's a Motherfu**er Gotta Do (To Get His Ass Eaten Out Round Here) is a hilarious rap short directed by Ron Eigen featuring the spot on Jeff Richards from MadTV & SNL. Filthy, funny and so catchy you'll have to stop yourself from singing it in public afterwards. Richards is also performing at the afterparty so you're really getting more ....bang for you buck.

Throw in other disturbing jems like the low brow, low-fi John Waters meets Eastern block train wreck; Shameless and all the completed entries from the 69 Hour Porn Challenge and you've got the hottest hook-up Toronto has to offer. Way to go Daryl, you nasty.

Here's another video clip from the vaults from ex-Unicorns superpower indie darlings, Canada's very own The Islands.

This video is directed by Paperrad; the low-fi D.I.Y. collective geniuses behind current old school video game style videos for Beck and The Gossip. Using all orginal electronics and programming devices Paperrad and it's satelite members follow a dogmatic principal. Their heart-on for the random, obscure and simple makes this analog junkie drool a little pixelated puddle on the floor.

Perverts unite! Tonight; Wednesday October 11th at the Drake Hotel come join in Toronto's filthiest film challenge ever.

Participants of the 69 Hour Film Challenge will be given porn related dialogue, sound bytes and action to be incorporated into their very own sinful cinematics.

Tickets are only $10 but your responsible for getting your own equipment and all that jazz but entries completed that follow the rules will be screened as a part of Daryl's Hard Liquor and Porn Festival on Saturday October 14th at the Bloor. There will be a select panel of judges to pick a wiener .. winner and some shorts will even be chosen for broadcast online by Moviola: The Short Film Channel.

On Your Mark! Get Set! Go...wait slower...wait faster...ya that's it.