Film Fan Fridays for Friday May 20, 2011

Hello Film Fans and Fanatics!

Welcome to Film Fan Fridays for Friday May 20, 2011! I think this might be the quietest week of releases in May I've ever seen! Especially given that it's Victoria Day weekend. Maybe folks feared the pirate competition!

In limited release this week we have 3 films to choose from including the drama/romance Last Night starring Keira Knightley (Never Let Me Go), Sam Worthington (Terminator Salvation), Eva Mendes and Guillaume Canet (Espion(s) / Spy(ies)) which is the feature film directorial debut from Massy Tadjedin (directorial debut) and I think will be my pick of the new releases. We also have the documentary Forks Over Knives which explores the connection between processed food and degenerative diseases. Last up for limited releases is the inspirational and based on a true story UK/USA/Kenyan coproduction The First Grader about an 84 year old who fights to go to school for the first time. That's got to be powerful stuff.

Addition: late to the party addition is A Beautiful Life (2011) from director Wai-keung Lau (Infernal Affairs), which started a limited release run on May 20, 2011 and looks like it's at Cannes right now as well as showing at AMCs in Toronto.

Our sole wide release this week is set in the high seas and in 3D to book with the 4th installment of the Pirates series: Pirates of the Caribbean: On Strangers Tides. I'm sure there will be more wild adventures and shenanigans of Captain Jack Sparrow played by Johnny Depp who I believe is the last remaining cast member from the first film; although reprising roles from later instalments are Penélope Cruz, Ian McShane, and Geoffrey Rush.

The 21st Annual Inside Out Lesbian and Gay Film and Video Festival also opens this week, be sure to check out my coverage of the Inside Out Film Festival here at Movie Moxie throughout on the festival.

Have a great Victoria Day weekend!

Shannon

Festival Watch

Inside Out
21st Annual Toronto Lesbian and Gay Film and Video Festival
May 19 - 29, 2011 at various locations in Toronto, Ontario, Canada

4th Annual Toronto-Romanian Film Festival
May 20 - 22, 2011 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Special Screening

National Parks Projects May 19 - 24, 2011 The Royal in Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Series of documentary short films from 13 Filmmakers & 39 Musicians celebrating 13 National Parks
See information on Full Program Information and also info on Part 1 and Part 2

2011 Student Film Showcase
May 24, 2011 at TIFF Lightbox in Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Advance Screening

Can't wait to get Hungover? The Hangover Part II has several late night screenings on May 25, 2011 around town. Although, it makes me feel a little old that they aren't actually at midnight but at 10/10:30-ish. Check your local listing for screening information.

Friday May 20, 2011 Releases

A Beautiful Life (2011)
Dir: Wai-keung Lau (Infernal Affairs)
Cast: Liu Ye, Shu Qi, Tian Liang
Limited Release
China
No Official Film Site or Trailer found, IMDb Page

The First Grader
Dir: Justin Chadwick (The Other Boleyn Girl)
Cast: Naomie Harris, Sam Feuer, Tony Kgoroge, Oliver Litondo
USA/UK/Kenya
Limited Release
Official Film Site & Trailer, IMDb Page

Forks Over Knives
Writer/Dir: Lee Fulkerson (Free Ride)
Documentary
USA
Limited Release
Official Film Site & Trailer, IMDb Page

Last Night (2011)
Writer/Dir: Massy Tadjedin - feature film directorial debut
Cast: Keira Knightley, Sam Worthington, Eva Mendes, Guillaume Canet
USA/France
Limited Release
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides
Dir: Rob Marshall (Nine, Chicago, Memoirs of a Geisha)
Cast: Johnny Depp, Penélope Cruz, Ian McShane, Kevin R. McNally, Astrid Berges-Frisbey, Sam Claflin, Geoffrey Rush
USA
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

**please note this list of releases reflects first run film released in Toronto, Ontario, Canada as of May 20, 2011**