TIFF x go&d's 10 Must See Films [MOVIES]

Thinking about checking out the TIFF? Don't know what to watch? Let me try to help by offering up some of films I will be going to see, as well as some other films that generally look great.

CHECK IT OUT:

CREATION

I, as many other people have a strong fascination with the theory of evolution. I have failed to really fathom the immense scrutiny Charles Darwin would have gone through for promoting such an ideology in 1850's...until now really. The story Darwin' work, is that of which was meet with instant success, his book enacts a paradigm shift within his lifetime, inaugurating a new era in biological science. Goes without the saying the creation vs evolution debate is something of stalemate in modern society, which is partly why the film may not pick up American distribution.

AGORA

I wasn't familiar with the story of Hypatia before stumbling upon Agora on the TIFF website, but it is quite an epic one. Dating back 369 AD, the films tells the story of tensions between pagans and Christians in Egypt which leads to an inevitable clash. Hypatia, played by Rachel Weisz, is the legendary philosopher and mathematician who is at the centre of the battle that lends itself to many ideas that are still relevant in today.

YOUTH IN REVOLT

I was lucky enough to be invited to the screener of Youth In Revolt earlier this summer, and I must say...it changed my life! A fine effort of black/dark comedy, that rings very close to the C. D. Payne's cult-hit novel that it is based upon and titles after. Youth in Revolt is simply one of my favourite films...hands down. Plus...everyone rolls with Michael Cera!

UP IN THE AIR

George Clooney in comedy...that's all I know, and I all I needed to know!

"Based on the novel by Walter Kirn (who also wrote Thumbsucker), Up in the Air offers darkly humorous insights into corporate America and male mid-life crisis. Ryan Bingham (George Clooney) is a “career transition consultant” – essentially someone who fires people for a living. Hired by downsizing firms to make the personal, well, impersonal, Ryan, in his perfectly tailored suits and professionally remote manner, aces the task. Ryan's one real emotional investment is in his mastery of business travel. His goal is to reach that elite echelon of travellers who have achieved the ten-million-mile mark."

SYMBOL

So as with ever TIFF, I am most excited about the Midnight Madness films, and a favourite in 2007, was a comedy by Hitoshi Matsumoto's called DAINIPPONJIN. Fast forward 2 years and he's back with Symbol. An unexplainable, but apparently gut busting ride. Fair enough, I'm in!

GOOD HAIR

I have posted about this film before...it's an issue that hits close to home. lol

"Acting as African America's Michael Moore, Rock goes front and centre in this investigative documentary that is both hilarious and surprisingly informative. It began with an innocent question from his young daughter: “Daddy, how come I don't have good hair?” In black families “good” hair means straight hair, and it's been the source of pain and envy ever since African slaves first digested European beauty standards. Today, women on limited incomes pay thousands of dollars a year to maintain a straight-hair weave – or expect their men to pay for them. To assist in the exploration of this trend, the Reverend Al Sharpton, interviewed by Rock in a light mood, sermonizes on the historical significance of his processed ‘do."

CHLOE

Atom Egoyan is back with what looks to be a sharp, and highly entertaining story of an pseudo love triangle gone awry...sounds odd, but that what I'd describe a wife who hires and escort of seduce her husband she suspects of cheating..following a Toronto couple, played by Julianne Moore and Liam Neeson it goes without saying that the acting will be top shelf. A film that will classically represent Sir Walter Scott who once stated, "Oh, what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive."

[REC]2

The TIFF synopsis says this better than I could...Midnight Madness at its finest!

"Warning! If you haven't seen the original [REC], run out and watch it now or suffer the spoilers that follow!

In 2007, directors Jaume Balagueró and Paco Plaza teamed up to unleash the genuinely harrowing [REC], a film that simply set out to scare the crap out of the audience, without any pretensions. The fan favourite quickly spawned the U.S. remake Quarantine, which only proved how innovative the original was.

[REC] is told through a reporter's camera as she accompanies firefighters on a routine call and ends up trapped with them in an apartment building infected with a ferocious virus. Sealed in and desperate, they trace the contagion to the attic, discovering abandoned research on demonic possession. Needless to say, [REC] didn't have a happy ending."

CAPITALISM: A LOVE STORY

I have been Michael Moore fan for quite some time, I remember eagerly awaiting to watch Sicko, only to end up catching on TMN OnDemand. His style of propagating is genius...as it in my opinion fights fire with fire, when only fire will do! In the spirit of Bowling for Columbine, Fahrenheit 9/11 and Sicko. Moore strikes out at the Reagenomics that many believe caused the final collapse of the last year. Hailed as "genius", this will be a film to see.

BAD LIEUTENANT: PORT OF CALL NEW ORLEANS

Werner Herzog takes on a remake of Abel Ferrara's Bad Lieutenant, which he borrows the title, as well as the warped character for what looks like a roller coaster ride of film...on vicoden and cocaine.

"The viewer rides shotgun with Cage as he prowls the depopulated New Orleans in this improbable pairing of Leaving Las Vegas and Grand Theft Auto. Under Herzog's direction, Cage delivers another in his roster of off-the-chain performances, bursting with non sequiturs bound to become notable cult film quotations, including “What are these fucking iguanas doing on my coffee table?” and “Shoot him again – his soul is still dancing.”"

Hunger for more?
Check Live A Good Life for another set of films definitely worth taking a look at!