By: Jessica Goddard Wexford Plaza was one of the best films of 2017, and it was also a finalist for the Toronto Film Critic Association’s award for Best Canadian Film. As the film celebrates its home release on digital platforms, I reached out to writer/director Joyce Wong to ask about her feature debut, its universal story, and her personal connection to the film.
By: Trevor Chartrand After sweeping the festival circuit, Badsville continues its public theatrical run at Toronto’s Carlton Cinema with a VOD/digital release planned for early this year. I recently talked with director April Mullen and screenwriters/actors Benjamin Barrett and Ian McLaren about the inspirations behind their latest film.
Suck It Up was an encouraging sleeper flick that helped close out last year.
In the mid-2000’s, a copy of Caché in a Rogers Video would be my introduction to the works of Michael Haneke, and what an introduction it was. I had heard of a shocking moment in Caché, and I was still unprepared for it. A decade later, I had seen every feature that Haneke had made, always salivating for the next. This is why it was such a shock to me when I was told that,…
Sweet Virginia is an ant hill of a movie – if you look underneath its still surface, you’ll find many working parts. There are many strengths, but director Jamie Dagg, screenwriters Benjamin and Paul China, and the phenomenal cast do a very good job at subtlety concealing them; allowing the film to wash over the audience from start to finish.
To perform stand-up comedy takes skill, and it’s a developmental process specific to each comedian until they find their own individual presence. For some comics, however, the experimental process becomes their career – always finding ways to deliver jokes and stories while keeping listeners on their toes. Bob Saget certainly falls into this category. Being professionally experimental is what makes Saget’s comedy work.
Starting Friday, November 10, Toronto movie goers can finally check out Poor Agnes, a Canadian thriller that was an award-winner at this year’s Fantasia Film Festival and this past month’s Toronto After Dark Film Festival. As someone who has seen the movie, I’m anticipating the release because I want to know if people will have the same reactions I had. Much like the unfortunate victim who falls for Agnes’ manipulative tricks, Poor Agnes sent me into a freaky frenzy…
This Summer, audiences will be able to experience A Ghost Story as it opens in various cities across Canada. This unique film from writer/director David Lowery (Pete’s Dragon) is about love, loss, and longing for connection, and also features two outstanding performances by Casey Affleck and Rooney Mara.
Israeli filmmaker Shimon Dotan’s previous efforts have earned him recognition in his home country, where he has won nine Israeli Academy Awards for his work as a writer, producer, and director. Though most of his films are narrative-based, the documentary Hot House (2006) earned acclaim when it premiered at the Sundance Film Festival.
Obit opened last week at Toronto’s TIFF Bell Lightbox to warm reception. The documentary features the obituary department at The New York Times, and deconstructs the writing craft of an obituarist.