blogTO | Posts by Chandra

blogTO | Posts by Chandra http://www.blogto.com/ Toronto blog Copyright 2009 Sun, 22 Nov 2009 01:33:29 PST http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss EU Film Festival Screens Excellent European Cinema (for Free!) Those who have attended the The EU Film Festival know that it's all about the movies. No red carpets. No pitch sessions. No industry conferences. Pretty novel, eh?

Toronto-based embassies, consulates and cultural centers put on this non-commercial event every year, simply to showcase the latest crop of acclaimed films coming out of Europe.

Eh!U Meet the Europeans Film Festival runs for a full two weeks from November 19 to December 3, 2009 and every night a new country will be in the spotlight with most screenings taking place at the Royal Cinema. Best of all, cultural export budgets are at work here, meaning there is no charge for admission!

]]> http://www.blogto.com/film/2009/11/eu_film_festival_screens_excellent_european_cinema_for_free http://www.blogto.com/film/2009/11/eu_film_festival_screens_excellent_european_cinema_for_free Film Tue, 17 Nov 2009 07:54:18 PST Film Chandra Menard 2009-11-17T07:54:18 Reel Asian Film Festival 2009 Roundup The Reel Asian International Film Festival is due to hit Toronto screens in two days (from November 11th to 15th). Not so surprisingly, Reel Asian covers a large scope in its 13th annual run -- from a farming community in rural Thailand to a gay community in San Francisco.

Never knowing what to expect next, I was drawn into watching one preview DVD after another. And having voluntarily skipped the sunny weekend to screen Real Asian picks, I can confirm that there are definitely a few movies worth checking out in this year's lineup.

]]> http://www.blogto.com/film/2009/11/reel_asian_film_festival_2009_roundup http://www.blogto.com/film/2009/11/reel_asian_film_festival_2009_roundup Film Sun, 08 Nov 2009 22:23:03 PST Film Chandra Menard 2009-11-08T22:23:03 Russian Reels Hit the Big Screen at the KinoArt Film Festival The KinoArt Film Festival, which runs from November 5th until November 8th, features new(ish) works from Russia. But it's not the only film fest on the horizon.

By the looks of things on the Toronto festival circuit, film buffs will have more flicks to choose from than time this month. The November movie blitz kicks off on Wednesday with the Regent Park Film Festival's annual community showcase, and some crazy tales will be on at the Rendezvous with Madness Film Festival. But for Russophiles (such as myself) the KinoArt Festival is a priority.

Though this year's lineup is heavy on period pieces and literary adaptations, may I recommend a few mysterious and oddly compelling gems?

]]> http://www.blogto.com/film/2009/11/russian_reels_hit_the_big_screen_at_the_kinoart_film_festival http://www.blogto.com/film/2009/11/russian_reels_hit_the_big_screen_at_the_kinoart_film_festival Film Mon, 02 Nov 2009 08:18:38 PST Film Chandra Menard 2009-11-02T08:18:38 Countdown to Halloween Movie Guide

Will Jigsaw's grand plan finally be revealed? Saw VI opens today, and with The Stepfather, Zombieland, Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant, and Paranormal Activity still in theatres, it looks like cineplexes are well stocked with thrillers and chillers to set the mood for Halloween.

Having spent what seems like an eternity skimming through the local listings, I've dug up more on (and off) screen movie picks -- including mainstream, camp, and even some interactive stuff. It's a weeklong creepfest in Toronto... and the 2009 edition has lots and lots of zombies.

]]> http://www.blogto.com/film/2009/10/countdown_to_halloween_movie_guide http://www.blogto.com/film/2009/10/countdown_to_halloween_movie_guide Film Thu, 22 Oct 2009 20:39:21 PDT Film Chandra Menard 2009-10-22T20:39:21 Planet In Focus Film Festival Preview I won't be buying flowers anytime soon. I've just finished watching A Blooming Business, a one-hour doc screening this weekend at the Planet in Focus Film Festival. It follows Jane, a Kenyan flower farm employee exposed to chemicals and sexual harassment at work on a regular basis (not to mention less-than-fair wages and excessively long work days). While it's unlikely that Jane picked the flowers at my neighbourhood grocery store, her story sticks with me... as does the fact that I don't know where most of the stuff I buy really comes from.

And so to promote public awareness of environmental (and related social) issues, the Planet in Focus International Environmental Film & Video Festival runs from October 21st to 25th in Toronto. This 10th edition of PIF looks to the future of the movement with a spotlight called Fast Forward Toward a 20/20 Vision. But it's the docs that touch on more personal stories from underrepresented communities, like Jane's, that pack the most punch.

]]> http://www.blogto.com/film/2009/10/planet_in_focus_film_festival_preview http://www.blogto.com/film/2009/10/planet_in_focus_film_festival_preview Film Mon, 19 Oct 2009 08:00:38 PDT Film Chandra Menard 2009-10-19T08:00:38 imagineNATIVE Celebrates the Evolution of Indigenous Cinema At 10 years and counting, imagineNATIVE is one of the more established specialty film festivals running in the city. The niche has grown leaps and bounds during the past decade, bringing with it a surge of new films to screen in Toronto every year.

With this in mind, imagineNATIVE will give itself a much deserved pat on the back starting on Wednesday, October 14th, with multiple parties and receptions, a retrospective and, of course, an anniversary lineup that will showcase 125 aboriginal film and art works from all over the world.

Read on for my movie picks, pans, and some trailers from the 5 day fete.

]]> http://www.blogto.com/film/2009/10/imaginenative_celebrates_the_evolution_of_indigenous_cinema http://www.blogto.com/film/2009/10/imaginenative_celebrates_the_evolution_of_indigenous_cinema Film Fri, 09 Oct 2009 13:40:40 PDT Film Chandra Menard 2009-10-09T13:40:40 Nuit Blanche in Photos - Distillery District Over in the Distillery District, what was meant to be quick peek turned into my stomping ground for the better part of the Nuit Blanche night.

The neighbourhood is a year-round car-free and creative zone, so it was easy to toss away the map and the app, meet up with friends and spend hours going from store to pub to gallery to bakery.

More...

]]> http://www.blogto.com/arts/2009/10/nuit_blanche_in_photos_-_distillery_district http://www.blogto.com/arts/2009/10/nuit_blanche_in_photos_-_distillery_district Arts Mon, 05 Oct 2009 00:28:38 PDT Arts Chandra Menard 2009-10-05T00:28:38 Party Hats and Popcorn for Toronto on Film fall programme.

The new season comes with a new branding (Cinematheque Ontario has been ditched for TIFF Cinematheque) in preparation for the big move-in-together with the rest of the festival's operations in the Bell Lightbox (the someday-to-be TIFF megacenter).

First up this season is a showcase of Toronto on Film, a set as diverse as the city itself, kicking off this Friday, October 9th. Not at all interested in movies that disguise our city as New York, Chicago, or Generic City, America, the series - a birthday shout out to Toronto on its 175th - features Toronto playing Toronto with screenings spread over the next couple of weeks and guest appearances by acclaimed local moviemakers.

]]> http://www.blogto.com/film/2009/10/party_hats_and_popcorn_for_toronto_on_film http://www.blogto.com/film/2009/10/party_hats_and_popcorn_for_toronto_on_film Film Sat, 03 Oct 2009 12:53:48 PDT Film Chandra Menard 2009-10-03T12:53:48 M.U.C.K. Film Festival Spotlights Social Change

In recent years, I've become dependent on the weekly headline blast from The Economist and Twitter feeds for information about the world. Quick and easy, but not exactly hard hitting or in-depth.

Enter M.U.C.K. - or Movies of Un-Common Knowledge - a new film fest that brings big issues to the big screen in Toronto. For its inaugural edition, running from October 1st to 4th at The Royal cinema, the M.U.C.K. Film Festival & Forum has lined up an eclectic bunch of feature docs tackling some of the major social, political, and economic messes of our time.

The idea behind M.U.C.K. is to engage audiences and to get people talking with filmmakers, organizations and experts after each screening. Will this stir up any local activism? Who knows, but I did learn a few things from this year's programme about folks taking positive action against environmental disasters, war, and injustice.

]]> http://www.blogto.com/film/2009/09/muck_film_festival_spotlights_social_change http://www.blogto.com/film/2009/09/muck_film_festival_spotlights_social_change Film Mon, 28 Sep 2009 18:41:26 PDT Film Chandra Menard 2009-09-28T18:41:26 Cannes Critics' Pick Opens Toronto Palestine Film Festival

Following all the fuss and debate over TIFF's City to City spotlight on Tel Aviv, perhaps it's fitting that the Toronto Palestine Film Festival (TPFF) is the next movie event to hit Toronto screens. From September 26th to October 2nd, the festival will run cinematic works from Palestinian short, feature, and doc makers - many of which tell compelling and entertaining stories while tackling some serious issues.

The festival's headliner this year is Amreeka, an acclaimed film that - I can assure you - has been oversimplified in the cookie-cutter feelgood trailer above. The Toronto Palestine Film Festival is hosting the Canadian premiere of the film on Saturday, September 26th at the Bloor, following great reviews, nods at Sundance and the Director's Fortnight FIPRESCI (international critics) Prize at Cannes.

]]> http://www.blogto.com/film/2009/09/cannes_critics_pick_opens_toronto_palestine_film_festival http://www.blogto.com/film/2009/09/cannes_critics_pick_opens_toronto_palestine_film_festival Film Thu, 24 Sep 2009 18:17:21 PDT Film Chandra Menard 2009-09-24T18:17:21 TIFF Audiences Make a "Precious" Choice

Despite being a major industry schmooze, the Toronto International Film Festival holds that it is first and foremost an audience driven event. With this in mind, TIFF volunteer collect ballots after every screening and with all votes counted, this year's Cadillac People's Choice Award went to Precious: Based on the Novel "Push" by Sapphire (with Oprah on the ticket as exec producer).

Earlier today, I kicked off the last of my TIFFing at a reception announcing this year's jury and people's choice picks. While my festival favourites (Fish Tank, The Time That Remains, Life During Wartime) were overlooked at the Awards, a surprising new list of must-see titles emerged.

]]> http://www.blogto.com/toronto_film_festival_2009/2009/09/tiff_audiences_make_a_precious_choice http://www.blogto.com/toronto_film_festival_2009/2009/09/tiff_audiences_make_a_precious_choice Toronto Film Festival 2009 Sat, 19 Sep 2009 10:53:02 PDT Toronto Film Festival 2009 Chandra Menard 2009-09-19T10:53:02 TIFF Reviews: Chloe, Harry Brown, Hugh Hefner, My Queen Karo, Accident, Life During Wartime, Bad Lieutenant, Leslie My Name is Evil, My Son, My Son, What Have Ye Done

We're just past the halfway mark at this year's TIFF. Here are the films we've seen since our last batch of reviews.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Harry Brown
A pitch-perfect genre picture, Harry Brown sees Michael Caine hitting a career high performance as a kindly pensioner - and former IRA-fighting Marine, naturally - who becomes a vigilante when his neighbourhood is overrun by street gangs. Immaculately crafted in every detail, this is a masterpiece of script and execution. (Matt)

]]> http://www.blogto.com/toronto_film_festival_2009/2009/09/tiff_reviews_chloe_harry_brown_hugh_hefner_my_queen_karo_accident_life_during_wartime_bad_lieutenant_leslie_my_name_is_evil_my_son_my_son_what_have_ye_done http://www.blogto.com/toronto_film_festival_2009/2009/09/tiff_reviews_chloe_harry_brown_hugh_hefner_my_queen_karo_accident_life_during_wartime_bad_lieutenant_leslie_my_name_is_evil_my_son_my_son_what_have_ye_done Toronto Film Festival 2009 Wed, 16 Sep 2009 09:17:16 PDT Toronto Film Festival 2009 Chandra Menard 2009-09-16T09:17:16 Spike and Mike's Sick and Twisted Animation Festival Spike and Mike's Sick and Twisted Animation Festival is coming to Toronto with a new show. While I only have a vague memory of anything pre-TIFF, as the Festival is coming to a close this weekend, I'm shifting gears a little - to a solid hour and a half programme of gross and edgy cartoons. Move over Clooney.

Spike and Mike (aka the "Kings of Tasteless Toons") founded the festival in 1990 and have introduced a new show at the San Diego Comic-Con every year since. The festival tours in across 50 cities in Canada and the U.S., and has, over the years, premiered classics like South Park and Wallace & Gromit on the big screen.

Weird, funny, and offensive as ever, this year's set running at the Bloor Cinema from September 18th to 26th is a messed-up mix of old and new picks.

]]> http://www.blogto.com/film/2009/09/spike_and_mikes_sick_and_twisted_animation_festival http://www.blogto.com/film/2009/09/spike_and_mikes_sick_and_twisted_animation_festival Film Wed, 16 Sep 2009 07:07:18 PDT Film Chandra Menard 2009-09-16T07:07:18 TIFF Reviews: Up in the Air, Broken Embraces, Jennifer's Body, Fish Tank, The Time That Remains, An Education, Creation, Enter the Void, Dogtooth

Now that we're two days into TIFF we've actually been able to get into regular screenings and watch films with our fellow festival-going public. Here's what we've seen since our last set of reviews.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Fish Tank
Andrea Arnold is proving to be a powerhouse of a filmmaker. Fish Tank follows her acclaimed first feature Red Road - and packs just as much punch. The film's juicy bit is a budding relationship between a 15 year old and her mother's boyfriend, but it's the startlingly real characters that drive the story. This is the set up: Mia is a tough delinquent type and her young mom is a hot party chick. In a volatile and alcoholic household, the arrival of a seemingly solid paternal figure, Connor (played by Michael Fassbender from Hunger), intensifies the rift between the two women. This is not your not your run-of-the-mill teen angst movie. (Chandra)

]]> http://www.blogto.com/toronto_film_festival_2009/2009/09/tiff_reviews_up_in_the_air_broken_embraces_jennifers_body_fish_tank_the_time_that_remains_an_education_creation_enter_the_void_dogtooth http://www.blogto.com/toronto_film_festival_2009/2009/09/tiff_reviews_up_in_the_air_broken_embraces_jennifers_body_fish_tank_the_time_that_remains_an_education_creation_enter_the_void_dogtooth Toronto Film Festival 2009 Fri, 11 Sep 2009 12:21:55 PDT Toronto Film Festival 2009 Chandra Menard 2009-09-11T12:21:55 Where to TIFF for Free We're only hours away from the 34th edition of Toronto International Film Festival, our annual 10-day celebrity glitzfest and showcase of world cinema.

While stalking celebrities is a cheap way to kill time between screenings, as luck would have it, there are plenty of other free (and worthwhile!) TIFF events scheduled throughout this year's fest.

]]> http://www.blogto.com/toronto_film_festival_2009/2009/09/where_to_tiff_for_free http://www.blogto.com/toronto_film_festival_2009/2009/09/where_to_tiff_for_free Toronto Film Festival 2009 Mon, 07 Sep 2009 21:20:23 PDT Toronto Film Festival 2009 Chandra Menard 2009-09-07T21:20:23