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TIFF 2013 Releases Schedule and Final Announcements
We are now less than two weeks away from when the Toronto International Film Festival tickets go on sale to the public and a mere 16 days away from the start of the actual festivities. On Tuesday morning, another slew of films were announced along with the schedule itself and a long list of celebrities set to attend the festival. I don’t know about you, but the anticipation is overwhelming me. I suppose the nervousness and excitement will dissipate somewhat when I actually know what screenings I will be attending, or it could skyrocket even higher. Either way, this is shaping up to be one hell of a festival!
Schedule:
Now, for those attending, or those simply who’d like to know what’s going on and when, you can find the full schedule by clicking here.
FInal Film List and Programmes:
If you’d like to know what films are playing at the festival, you can click here for the entire list or click the TIFF button in the main menu at the top of this page. You can also find all the programmes offered by the festival by clicking here. Essentially, all films screening at the festival are divided into groups for attendees to better understand what type of genre and themes the film will contain.
TIFF Guests:
Perhaps the most exciting news released Tuesday morning was the endless list of celebrities ready to attend the festival. Amongst the names are Benedict Cumberbatch, Meryl Streep, Rebecca Hall, Josh Broliin, Alan RIckman, Clive Owen, Kate Winslet, Jennifer Aniston, Mark Ruffalo, Elizabeth Olsen, Scarlett Johansson, Hugh Jackman, Tom Hiddleston, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Nicholas Cage, Jennifer Garner, Joel Edgerton, Ben Foster, Anton Yelchin, Liam Neeson, James McAvoy, Nicole Kidman, Felicity Jones, Ed Harris, Spike Jonze, Melissa George, Paul Giamatti, Idris Elba, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Sarah Gadon, Colin Firth, Michael Fassbender, Jesse Eisenberg, Sandra Bullock, Chris Hemsworth, Mila Kunis, Jessica Chastain, Jake Gyllenhaal, Ralph Fiennes, Jude Law, Tom Wilkinson, Mia Waikowska, Owen Wilson, Steve McQueen, Jason Reitman, Keanu Reeves, Keira Knightley, Matthew McConaughey, Ti West, Eli Roth, Daniel Radcliffe, Julia Roberts, Reese Witherspoon, Sarah Paulson, Oliva Wilde, Mike Myers, James Franco, Adrien Brody, Marion Cotillard, and Thandie Newton, just to name what I feel to be the most important. And honestly, I couldn’t type any more names. There is a bunch more on the list you can find here. Also, these are just the people confirmed thus far, it is expected that the likes of George Clooney and Brad Pitt, amongst others will be attending.
Jason Reitman’s Live Read:
You can find all the information below, provided by the TIFF website.
The Festival proudly welcomes back Jason Reitman’s Live Read — a unique event in which classic movie scripts are read by contemporary actors. With no rehearsal, the actors come together for a one-take read-through with Reitman narrating stage direction. In 2012, the Festival welcomed Reitman and an all-star cast — including Bryan Cranston, Christina Hendricks, Adam Driver, Sarah Gadon and George Stroumboulopoulos — for a live table read of Alan Ball’s screenplay for American Beauty. This year, Reitman is back with a surprise script from a modern classic and a new cast at the Ryerson Theatre on Friday, September 6. Details, including cast and script, for the 2013 Live Read event will be announced in early September.
IMAX Screenings:
New this year, audiences are invited to be part of the action with two official Festival selections and two special screenings presented in spectacular IMAX. The two films will be Alfonso Cuaron’s “Gravity” and Keanu Reeves “Man of Tai Chi.”
Next Wave and Manifesto Announced:
You can find another plethora of titles announced by clicking here.
New Galas and Special Presentations:
Metallica Through the Never: Nimród Antal, Canada/USA, World Premiere
Dane DeHaan (The Place Beyond the Pines) stars as a Metallica roadie dispatched to hell and back in this mind-blowing mash-up of concert film and post-apocalyptic adventure, presented in IMAX 3D.
The Wizard of Oz: Victor Fleming, USA, World Premiere
Experience Judy Garland’s over-the-rainbow adventure in vivid new detail with this IMAX 3D presentation of Victor Fleming’s family classic.
10th Midnight Madness Film Unveiled:
Witching & Bitching:
Fleeing through the impenetrable forests of the Basque countryside after a jewel heist, a hapless band of robbers runs afoul of a coven of witches, in this madcap supernatural spectacle from Spanish genre specialist Alex de la Iglesia (The Last Circus).
Okay then, that’ll do it for the pre-TIFF announcements. The Cinema Monster will be covering the festival in full, providing reviews, news, and Q and A’s as often as possible, make sure to follow our website to keep up with the festival. Also, follow The Cinema Monster on Twitter (@cinema_monster) and Facebook for up-to-the-minute news and posts, not to mention special pictures and videos provided by me from the screenings. Have a great week!
Adventureland (2009)
Just a quick review today as I am off to Niagara Falls for the weekend. I’ll more than likely post tomorrow as well but it will probably be a bit later than my usual posting time. Anyway, enjoy and have a great weekend!
Bursting at the seams with nostalgia, wit, humour, and seductiveness. Adventureland is a rambunctious, yet sweetly subtle coming-of-age romantic comedy oozing with angst and clever diction that resonates not only with young ones, but adults as well. Investing a substantial amount in the directionless, hormone driven motivations of youth, their lack of aspirations, and facing the difficult transition into adulthood. Adventureland benefits from an idealistic, simplistic nature and a slew of staggering performances. Greg Mottola, who wrote and directed this retro love story. Substitutes the profanity and raunchiness of his previous effort Superbad, with a tale of heartfelt infatuation and whimsical comedy that even seizes its timeless cliches.
In the year 1987, James (Eisenberg) plans to travel through Europe in the summer before heading off to attend an Ivy League school. After graduation, his parents inform him of their major career setbacks and that he will not be going to Europe or doing any of his future endeavours unless he obtains a job. Upon being rejected at almost every decent place of employment, James manages to find a place in the rundown amusement park, Adventureland. When James faces an unlikely, possibly dangerous situation, he is rescued by a striking co-worker named Em (Stewart). As he continues to struggle through the summer, he finds himself falling for Em. Finding caring, reliable friends in other various employees as well as Paulette (Wiig) and Bobby (Hader), who are Adventureland managers. James begins to find his current situation not only tolerable, but favourable. Befriending a machine repair man named Mike (Reynolds), James begins to learn life lessons as he transfers into adulthood.
Absorbing the comical imperfections and endearing elements of Adventureland’s charismatic leads inflicts a dizzying, subdued, ageless state among the viewer. Starring Jesse Eisenberg, Kristen Stewart, and Ryan Reynolds supported, rather, accompanied by Bill Hader and Kristen Wiig, Adventureland has no shortage of capable employees. Eisenberg’s quirky, bordering sociopathic awkwardness is entrancingly comical and infectious. Reynolds, who’s role is ingeniously uncharacteristic, is predictably stellar as his performance is particularly polarizing and deviously convincing. Hader and Wiig, in limited roles, still manage to produce the most uproarious laughs and also showcase their more serious, professional talents. As for Stewart, she unleashes pheromones that will leave you defenceless and willingly vulnerable to her undeniable attractiveness and warmth.
One of the more outstanding qualities about Adventureland, albeit, lesser known qualities is its fluidity and authenticity. Never, at any point, does the dialogue, interactions, or story ever appear forced. This is imperative to a film that so broadly relies on the believability of its circumstances and connectivity of its cast. This can be attributed to Mottola’s invested, realistic script and firm, but flexible direction. He elegantly captures the distinct vibe and flow of the films intentional historic feel and exaggerates the situation to unnecessary severity. His ability to control the captivation his immature characters want so recklessly to exist is remarkable. Coincidentally, the reason Adventureland resonates so strongly with its audience is evoked through the time and effort poured into the film in its entirety by the cast and crew.
Adventureland: 9 out of 10.
