TIFF11: Day 2 & 3 Round-Up

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We Need to Talk About Kevin Q&A

It was a very busy couple of days, as my festival experience officially took off.  I saw four films since my last report, including my first of two Midnight Madness screenings last night (which I am still recovering from).

Without further ado, here is my thoughts on the films I saw during the last two days.

We Need to Talk About Kevin
I saw We Need to Talk About Kevin in the wonderful Winter Garden theatre (which, if you didn’t know, gives the illusion that you are outside in a garden).

The film is about a woman (Tilda Swinton) and her relationship with her son Kevin (Ezra Miller).  The narrative of the film moves back and forth between the times before and after a tragedy that changes both individual’s lives.

It is interesting looking at the progression of this relationship, since Kevin obviously showed signs of being a sociopath from a young age.  In a bit an odd twist, the film is actually about them getting closer as time moves on.

It was definitely an interesting (and chilling film).

8/10

Last Gladiators Q&A

The Last Gladiators
This was the second documentary I saw during the festival and it was definitely one of the best films I saw so far.

This film takes a look into the world of hockey enforcers, and specifically centres on the life of, former Montreal Canadiens player, Chris “Knuckles” Nilan.

Essentially, enforcers are not in the game for their playing skills and are there more to start fights.  The film examines everything from enforcers trying to become better players, the shortness of their careers, and how difficult it is for them to move on after retiring.  It was definitely an excellent film.

10/10

Always Brando Intro

Always Brando
My first foreign-language film of the festival was a very pleasant surprise.  The film is a bit of a meta-film in many ways.  For starters, the lead actor Anis Raache is essentially playing himself.  In addition, the film features many documentary scenes with the director Ridha Behi describing his attempts to get Marlon Brando involved with this film, just prior to the actor’s death.

Anyways, the film is about a Tunisian man, who bears a resemblance to a young Brando, who is courted for a possible acting role playing the famous actor.  Throughout this, the film comments on how hard it is for an Arabic to enter and be accepted in the United States, in a post 9/11 world, and Anis was constantly warned that he would never make it in America.

Definitely an enjoyable film.

8/10

You’re Next Q&A

You’re Next
My first Midnight Madness film of the festival was probably also my favourite film so far.  The film is a slasher film about a family, who is terrorized by a group of men in animal masks.

The film had a very tongue-in-cheek tone to it and it never takes itself two seriously.  It doesn’t go into full-blown comedy territory, however the film seems to purposely use every single horror cliche in the book (to crowd-pleasing results).

Some other comments I have about the film are the extremely gory deaths (with each person dying in a unique way), as well as the very John Carpenter-esque electronic score (which really adds to the tongue-in-cheek tone).

You’re Next is not the most original horror film in the world, but it was definitely very enjoyable.

10/10

And that’s Day 2 and 3 of TIFF.  I will post another report in a day or two.

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