Film Fan Fridays for Friday October 23, 2009

Hello Film Fans and Fanatics!

Welcome to Film Fan Fridays for Friday October 23, 2009! A week before Halloween and we've got a few spooky releases set for this week along with a documentaries, biopic, coming of age and more!

In limited release this week we have An Education, a 1960's coming of age film starring Carey Mulligan, Peter Sarsgaard that's currently sitting at a 91% rating over at Rotten Tomatoes. Wow. That's piqued my interest, but not as much as The September Issue a fashion documentary following putting together the September issue of Vogue in 2007. Reverse-meta of The Devil Wears Prada, perhaps? Last for limited releases is a surprize to be limited as it's "From the executive producer of Scary Movie" and that is Stan Helsing. The limited release may be due to the fact that is is coming out on DVD next week on October 27, 2009.

In wide release this week we have pilots, robots, vampires and.. well, scares. First up is the biopic Amelia directed by Mira Nair (The Namesake) and stars Hilary Swank as the pilot Amelia Earhart. Animated robot film fans rejoice, this week we have AstroBoy a remake of the 1960's Japanese animated TV series "Astroboy". Also mildly family friendly is Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant a vampire adventure film in a circus setting based on the books by Darren Shan from About a Boy director Paul Weitz. Last but... well, the last film in the Saw series: Saw VI. At least they are *saying* it's the last one. They might not be my faves but 6 films in 6 years is still pretty impressive.

Also in wide release as of Wednesday October 28, 2009 is Michael Jackson's This Is It, a
music documentary based on Michael Jackson preparation for London concerts.

Two surprizes this week, with Ong Bak 2: The Beginning disappearing from release schedule after previously being anticipated to be released today. The other surprize is that Saw VI is a Canada/USA/UK/Australia co-production - that's a lot of places... Jigsaw must be a frequent flyer.

Of course it is more than just releases this week as we have two special screenings including a screening of the Oscar winning film Departures / Okuribito director Yojiro Takita and many festivals to enjoy!

Have a great weekend!

Shannon

Festival Watch

Brazil Film Fest
October 22 - 25, 2009 at The Royal in Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Cine Cuba
More info on the screenings at Cuba In Toronto and The Revue websites
October 22 & 23, 2009 at The Revue in Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Est Docs
Estonian Documentary Film Festival
Continues until October 23, 2009 at various locations in Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Planet in Focus Film Festival
International Environmental Film and Video Festival
Continues until October 25, 2009 at various locations in Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Special Screenings

A very special screening of the Oscar winning film Departures / Okuribito will be held this Monday October 26, 2009 at 7pm with director Yojiro Takita present for a post film Q&A and informal reception. Screening is at the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre, for more information on ticketing call 416-441-2345 (reception) or see JCCC website.

The Toronto Zombie Walk stumbles along with weekend and in celebration of all things zombie there is a zombie double bill at The Bloor this Saturday October 24, 2009. Selected films? Night of the Comet and Lucio Fulci's Zombi 2, aka Zombie. For more info check out Cinema of the Dead here.


Friday October 23, 2009 Releases

Amelia
Dir: Mira Nair (The Namesake)
Cast: Hilary Swank, Mia Wasikowska, Ewan McGregor, Richard Gere, Christopher Eccleston
USA
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

Astro Boy
Dir: David Bowers (Flushed Away)
Voices: Freddie Highmore, additional voice cast includes Kristen Bell, Bill Nighy, Nicholas Cage, Eugene Levy, Nathan Lane, Donald Sutherland
Hong Kong/USA/Japan
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant
Dir: Paul Weitz (About a Boy)
Cast: Chris Massoglia, John C. Reilly, Ray Stevenson, Jessica Carlson, Patrick Fugit, John Hutcherson
USA
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

An Education
Dir: Lone Scherfig (Hjemve)
Cast: Carey Mulligan, Peter Sarsgaard, Alfred Molina, Rosamund Pike, Dominic Cooper
UK
Limited Release
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

Saw VI
Dir: Kevin Greutert - feature film directorial debut
Cast: Tobin Bell, Shawnee Smith, Costas Mandylor, Betsy Russell
Canada/USA/UK/Australia
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

The September Issue
Dir: R.J. Cutler (A Perfect Candidate)
Documentary of the assembly of the fashion bible: The September issue of Vogue for the 2007 issue and follows the editor-in-chief Anna Wintour.
USA
Limited Release
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

Stan Helsing
Writer/Dir: Bo Zenga - feature film directorial debut
Cast: Steve Howey, Leslie Nielson, Diora Baird, Desi Lydic, Kenan Thompson
USA/Canada
Limited Release
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

Wednesday October 28, 2009

Michael Jackson's This Is It
Dir: Kenny Ortega (High School Musical)
Michael Jackson musical documentary on preparation for London concerts
USA
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

**please note this list of releases reflects first run film released in Toronto, Ontario, Canada as of October 23, 2009**