Movie Box Review

Hello Film Fans and Fanatics!

Welcome to Film Fan Fridays for Friday December 30, 2011!

We have a bit of an oddity this week in Toronto with film, likely the rarest thing when it comes to film and that is a week with no new release. Not one! But, the happy flip side to that is that we know all the films that came out and this year that is 400 titles, which is a huge jump from last years 353 titles. Out of those 400 titles, we had 63 Canadian Films (up from 50 in 2010), 37 films released in 3D (also up from 25 in 2010) and 1 re-release. Every once in a while I think of trying to see *all* of the films that come out, and what a feat that would be ...400 films in 365 day! But I'm pretty happy with this years results, as I've seen 100 of those 400 and hoping to catch at least 2 more over the weekend.

Although there are no knew releases to look at, it is the time of year to check in and look back, I've been doing just that and on the latest Movie Moxie Podcast I did a check in on how my Most Anticipated List of 2011 Films faired when all was said and done, as well as reviewing recent releases of Pina and Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy. And I've been busy listing with writing about New Faces and Ones to Watch from 2011 & Favourite Trailers of 2011. There will be more lists to come, including my favourite films and moments of 2011.


Have a great weekend!

Shannon

Friday December 30, 2011 Releases

No releases

**please note this list of releases reflects first run film released in Toronto, Ontario, Canada as of December 30, 2011**

Hello Film Fans and Fanatics!

Welcome to Film Fan Fridays for Friday December 30, 2011!

We have a bit of an oddity this week in Toronto with film, likely the rarest thing when it comes to film and that is a week with no new release. Not one! But, the happy flip side to that is that we know all the films that came out and this year that is 400 titles, which is a huge jump from last years 353 titles. Out of those 400 titles, we had 63 Canadian Films (up from 50 in 2010), 37 films released in 3D (also up from 25 in 2010) and 1 re-release. Every once in a while I think of trying to see *all* of the films that come out, and what a feat that would be ...400 films in 365 day! But I'm pretty happy with this years results, as I've seen 100 of those 400 and hoping to catch at least 2 more over the weekend.

Although there are no knew releases to look at, it is the time of year to check in and look back, I've been doing just that and on the latest Movie Moxie Podcast I did a check in on how my Most Anticipated List of 2011 Films faired when all was said and done, as well as reviewing recent releases of Pina and Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy. And I've been busy listing with writing about New Faces and Ones to Watch from 2011 & Favourite Trailers of 2011. There will be more lists to come, including my favourite films and moments of 2011.


Have a great weekend!

Shannon

Friday December 30, 2011 Releases

No releases

**please note this list of releases reflects first run film released in Toronto, Ontario, Canada as of December 30, 2011**

Hello Film Fans and Fanatics!

Welcome to Film Fan Fridays for Friday December 23, 2011!

As we near to the end of the year one of the things I've been thinking a lot about is the 2011 Movie Moxie Book to Film Club, which I've really enjoyed and we've read and seen a lot of great and fun films. It was so much fun that I have decided to do it all again and I'm looking at titles for 2012 and if you'd like to have a chance to take a look at titles for consideration as well as share any you'd like to be included you can vote here.

Today I'll be sharing films that come out today as well te holiday releases for today as well as on Christmas Day December 25, 2011. I've never been to the movie theatre on Christmas, although I know for many it's a yearly tradition as it's one of the few place that is open when most of the city slumbers and turkeys-out.

For today, Friday December 23, 2011 we have 4 films to choose from and pretty much an even split of limited to wide releases. The limited releases include 3D dance documentary Pina which I can't wait to see and Roman Polanski's latest Carnage. In wide release we have Bollywood sequel Don 2 (in 3D!), plus Cameron Crowe's We Bought a Zoo starring Matt Damon as a single dad who... you guessed it... buys a zoo. I really want to see that one too, the trailer almost made me cry.

If you are trekking out to the theatre on Christmas Day you have three films to choose from including the limited release of book to film adaptation of Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, and the wide releases of Stephen Speilberg's War Horse and out resident horror release of The Darkest Hour with the awesome tagline of 'Survive the Holidays' (and it's in 3D). Actually, it's one of the several 3D releases this week including Don 2, Pina and The Darkest Hour which is a wild set of films to have a 3D commonality: A Bollywood sequel, a dance documentary and a horror flick.

Have a great holiday weekend!

Shannon

Friday December 23, 2011 Releases

Carnage
Dir: Roman Polanski (The Ghost Writer, The Pianist, Rosemary's Baby)
Cast: Jodie Foster, Kate Winslet, Christoph Waltz, John C. Reilly
France/Germany/Poland/Spain
Limited Release
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

Don 2
Dir: Farhan Akhtar (Don, Lakshya)
Cast: Shah Rukh Khan, Priyanka Chopra, Boman Irani, Lara Dutta
India
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

Pina
Writer/Dir: Wim Wenders (Wings of Desire, Bueno Vista Social Club)
Documentary featuring the work of choreographer Pina Bausch
Germany/France/UK
Limited Release
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

We Bought a Zoo
Dir: Cameron Crowe (Almost Famous, Singles, Say Anything...)
Cast: Matt Damon, Scarlett Johansson, Thomas Haden Church, Patrick Fugit, Elle Fanning, John Michael Higgins
USA
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

Sunday December 25, 2011 Releases

The Darkest Hour
Dir: Chris Gorak (Right at Your Door)
Cast: Emile Hirsch, Olivia Thirlby, Max Minghella, Rachael Taylor
USA
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close
Dir: Stephen Daldry (The Reader, The Hours, Billy Elliot)
Cast: Thomas Horn, Sandra Bullock, Max von Sydow, Viola Davis, John Goodman, Jeffrey Wright, Tom Hanks
USA
Limited Release
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

War Horse
Dir: Steven Spielberg (The Adventures of TinTin, Catch Me If You Can, Jurassic Park)
Cast: Jeremy Irvine, Emily Watson, David Thewlis, Peter Mullan, Niels Arestrup, Tom Hiddleston, Benedict Cumberbatch, Toby Kebbell
USA
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

**please note this list of releases reflects first run film released in Toronto, Ontario, Canada as of December 25, 2011**

Hello Film Fans and Fanatics!

Welcome to Film Fan Fridays for Friday December 23, 2011!

As we near to the end of the year one of the things I've been thinking a lot about is the 2011 Movie Moxie Book to Film Club, which I've really enjoyed and we've read and seen a lot of great and fun films. It was so much fun that I have decided to do it all again and I'm looking at titles for 2012 and if you'd like to have a chance to take a look at titles for consideration as well as share any you'd like to be included you can vote here.

Today I'll be sharing films that come out today as well te holiday releases for today as well as on Christmas Day December 25, 2011. I've never been to the movie theatre on Christmas, although I know for many it's a yearly tradition as it's one of the few place that is open when most of the city slumbers and turkeys-out.

For today, Friday December 23, 2011 we have 4 films to choose from and pretty much an even split of limited to wide releases. The limited releases include 3D dance documentary Pina which I can't wait to see and Roman Polanski's latest Carnage. In wide release we have Bollywood sequel Don 2 (in 3D!), plus Cameron Crowe's We Bought a Zoo starring Matt Damon as a single dad who... you guessed it... buys a zoo. I really want to see that one too, the trailer almost made me cry.

If you are trekking out to the theatre on Christmas Day you have three films to choose from including the limited release of book to film adaptation of Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, and the wide releases of Stephen Speilberg's War Horse and out resident horror release of The Darkest Hour with the awesome tagline of 'Survive the Holidays' (and it's in 3D). Actually, it's one of the several 3D releases this week including Don 2, Pina and The Darkest Hour which is a wild set of films to have a 3D commonality: A Bollywood sequel, a dance documentary and a horror flick.

Have a great holiday weekend!

Shannon

Friday December 23, 2011 Releases

Carnage
Dir: Roman Polanski (The Ghost Writer, The Pianist, Rosemary's Baby)
Cast: Jodie Foster, Kate Winslet, Christoph Waltz, John C. Reilly
France/Germany/Poland/Spain
Limited Release
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

Don 2
Dir: Farhan Akhtar (Don, Lakshya)
Cast: Shah Rukh Khan, Priyanka Chopra, Boman Irani, Lara Dutta
India
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

Pina
Writer/Dir: Wim Wenders (Wings of Desire, Bueno Vista Social Club)
Documentary featuring the work of choreographer Pina Bausch
Germany/France/UK
Limited Release
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

We Bought a Zoo
Dir: Cameron Crowe (Almost Famous, Singles, Say Anything...)
Cast: Matt Damon, Scarlett Johansson, Thomas Haden Church, Patrick Fugit, Elle Fanning, John Michael Higgins
USA
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

Sunday December 25, 2011 Releases

The Darkest Hour
Dir: Chris Gorak (Right at Your Door)
Cast: Emile Hirsch, Olivia Thirlby, Max Minghella, Rachael Taylor
USA
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close
Dir: Stephen Daldry (The Reader, The Hours, Billy Elliot)
Cast: Thomas Horn, Sandra Bullock, Max von Sydow, Viola Davis, John Goodman, Jeffrey Wright, Tom Hanks
USA
Limited Release
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

War Horse
Dir: Steven Spielberg (The Adventures of TinTin, Catch Me If You Can, Jurassic Park)
Cast: Jeremy Irvine, Emily Watson, David Thewlis, Peter Mullan, Niels Arestrup, Tom Hiddleston, Benedict Cumberbatch, Toby Kebbell
USA
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

**please note this list of releases reflects first run film released in Toronto, Ontario, Canada as of December 25, 2011**

Hello Film Fans and Fanatics!

Welcome to Film Fan Fridays for Friday December 16, 2011!

Limited release of the week are actually very limited to the documentary Dragonslayer (see review here) centred on skateboarder Josh 'Skreech' Sandoval and the spy thriller Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy based on the by John le Carré starring Gary Oldman, Tom Hardy & Colin Firth and is certainly on my to see list.

This is a pretty heavy week for adventureous films including both historical mystery/action flick Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows starring Robert Downey Jr. & Jude Law and Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol starring Tom Cruise & Jeremy Renner. Wow, those are some really heavy hitters going against each other and both look like could be a lot of fun (although I'm going with Sherlock on this one). If you'd rather get some laughs in there is the comedy Young Adult starring Charlize Theron, Patton Oswalt, & Patrick Wilson about a woman who goes back to her home town to win over an high school sweetheart, and this one looks pretty freaking cutting & hilarious. For a more family friend pick we have Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked.

And jumping ahead little bit to next week we have some mid-week releases including David Fincher directing The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011) starring Rooney Mara (Tanner Hall) & Daniel Craig (Casino Royale) in the nouveau version of the already adapted from Män som hatar kvinnor (Men Who Hate Women) by Stieg Larsson, the first book of The Millennium Trilogy for which we've already seen the Swedish film adaptations of the entire trilogy: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo / Män som hatar kvinnor, The Girl Who Played with Fire / Flickan som lekte med elden and The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest / Luftslottet som sprängdes. In fact, you can see the original actors in other films this week with Noomi Rapace in Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows & Michael Nyqvist in Mission: Impossible - A Game of Shadows! Can you tell I'm not jazzed about the redux? And finally we have the wide releases of The Adventures of TinTin featuring the voices of Jamie Bell & Daniel Craig based on the comic books created by Belgian artist Georges "Hergé" Remi, specifically the three of: The Crab with the Golden Claws, The Secret of the Unicorn and Red Rackham's Treasure. Both The Adventures of Tin Tin and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011) open Wednesday December 21, 2011; with some evening showings of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo on Tuesday December 20, 2011. Have a great weekend!

Shannon

Friday December 16, 2011 Releases

Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked
Dir: Mike Mitchell (Sky High, Shrek Ever After)
Cast: Jason Lee, David Cross, Jenny Slate, Justin Long, Matthew Gray Gubler, Jesse McCartney, Amy Poehler, Anna Faris, Christina Applegate
USA
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

Dragonslayer (2011)
Dir: Tristan Patterson - feature film directorial debut
Documentary following skateboarder Josh 'Skreech' Sandoval
USA
Limited Release
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

Edit: Ladies vs. Ricky Bahl
also released December 16, 2011

Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol
Dir: Brad Bird (The Incredibles, Ratatouille)
Cast: Tom Cruise, Ving Rhames, Jeremy Renner, Josh Holloway, Simon Pegg, Paula Patton, Michael Nyqvist
USA
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows
Dir: Guy Ritchie (Sherlock Holmes, Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrels)
Cast: Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law, Noomi Rapace, Jared Harris, Rachel McAdams
USA
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
Dir: Tomas Alfredson (Let the Right One In / Låt den rätte komma in)
Cast: Gary Oldman, Tom Hardy, Colin Firth, Mark Strong, Ciarán Hinds
UK/France/Germany
Limited Release
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

Young Adult
Dir: Jason Reitman (Juno, Thank You For Smoking, Up in the Air)
Cast: Charlize Theron, Patton Oswalt, Patrick Wilson, Elizabeth Reaser
USA
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

Wednesday December 21, 2011 Releases

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011)
Dir: David Fincher (Fight Club, Zodiac, The Social Network)
Cast: Rooney Mara, Daniel Craig, Stellan Skarsgård, Christopher Plumber
USA/UK/Sweden/Germany
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

The Adventures of TinTin
Dir: Steven Spielberg (War Horse, Catch Me If You Can, Hook)
Voices: Jamie Bell, Daniel Craig, Cary Elwes, Andy Serkis, Simon Pegg & Nick Frost,
USA/New Zealand
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

**please note this list of releases reflects first run film released in Toronto, Ontario, Canada as of December 23, 2011**

Hello Film Fans and Fanatics!

Welcome to Film Fan Fridays for Friday December 16, 2011!

Limited release of the week are actually very limited to the documentary Dragonslayer (see review here) centred on skateboarder Josh 'Skreech' Sandoval and the spy thriller Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy based on the by John le Carré starring Gary Oldman, Tom Hardy & Colin Firth and is certainly on my to see list.

This is a pretty heavy week for adventureous films including both historical mystery/action flick Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows starring Robert Downey Jr. & Jude Law and Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol starring Tom Cruise & Jeremy Renner. Wow, those are some really heavy hitters going against each other and both look like could be a lot of fun (although I'm going with Sherlock on this one). If you'd rather get some laughs in there is the comedy Young Adult starring Charlize Theron, Patton Oswalt, & Patrick Wilson about a woman who goes back to her home town to win over an high school sweetheart, and this one looks pretty freaking cutting & hilarious. For a more family friend pick we have Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked.

And jumping ahead little bit to next week we have some mid-week releases including David Fincher directing The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011) starring Rooney Mara (Tanner Hall) & Daniel Craig (Casino Royale) in the nouveau version of the already adapted from Män som hatar kvinnor (Men Who Hate Women) by Stieg Larsson, the first book of The Millennium Trilogy for which we've already seen the Swedish film adaptations of the entire trilogy: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo / Män som hatar kvinnor, The Girl Who Played with Fire / Flickan som lekte med elden and The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest / Luftslottet som sprängdes. In fact, you can see the original actors in other films this week with Noomi Rapace in Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows & Michael Nyqvist in Mission: Impossible - A Game of Shadows! Can you tell I'm not jazzed about the redux? And finally we have the wide releases of The Adventures of TinTin featuring the voices of Jamie Bell & Daniel Craig based on the comic books created by Belgian artist Georges "Hergé" Remi, specifically the three of: The Crab with the Golden Claws, The Secret of the Unicorn and Red Rackham's Treasure. Both The Adventures of Tin Tin and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011) open Wednesday December 21, 2011; with some evening showings of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo on Tuesday December 20, 2011. Have a great weekend!

Shannon

Friday December 16, 2011 Releases

Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked
Dir: Mike Mitchell (Sky High, Shrek Ever After)
Cast: Jason Lee, David Cross, Jenny Slate, Justin Long, Matthew Gray Gubler, Jesse McCartney, Amy Poehler, Anna Faris, Christina Applegate
USA
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

Dragonslayer (2011)
Dir: Tristan Patterson - feature film directorial debut
Documentary following skateboarder Josh 'Skreech' Sandoval
USA
Limited Release
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

Edit: Ladies vs. Ricky Bahl
also released December 16, 2011

Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol
Dir: Brad Bird (The Incredibles, Ratatouille)
Cast: Tom Cruise, Ving Rhames, Jeremy Renner, Josh Holloway, Simon Pegg, Paula Patton, Michael Nyqvist
USA
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows
Dir: Guy Ritchie (Sherlock Holmes, Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrels)
Cast: Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law, Noomi Rapace, Jared Harris, Rachel McAdams
USA
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
Dir: Tomas Alfredson (Let the Right One In / Låt den rätte komma in)
Cast: Gary Oldman, Tom Hardy, Colin Firth, Mark Strong, Ciarán Hinds
UK/France/Germany
Limited Release
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

Young Adult
Dir: Jason Reitman (Juno, Thank You For Smoking, Up in the Air)
Cast: Charlize Theron, Patton Oswalt, Patrick Wilson, Elizabeth Reaser
USA
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

Wednesday December 21, 2011 Releases

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011)
Dir: David Fincher (Fight Club, Zodiac, The Social Network)
Cast: Rooney Mara, Daniel Craig, Stellan Skarsgård, Christopher Plumber
USA/UK/Sweden/Germany
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

The Adventures of TinTin
Dir: Steven Spielberg (War Horse, Catch Me If You Can, Hook)
Voices: Jamie Bell, Daniel Craig, Cary Elwes, Andy Serkis, Simon Pegg & Nick Frost,
USA/New Zealand
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

**please note this list of releases reflects first run film released in Toronto, Ontario, Canada as of December 23, 2011**

Hello Film Fans and Fanatics!

Welcome to Film Fan Fridays for Friday December 9, 2011! Second release week of December and starting to get more awards-y films out. I recently caught up with some nomination announcements here with both The Spirit Awards & The People's Choice Awards nominations, which feel odd together but are both ones I love because they stay so true to each of their visions.

In limited release this week we have most of our releases of the week with 5 films to choose from and quite a selection they are starring of with the classic Hollywood film The Artist set turning the time of films turning from silent to talkies which looks stylistically gorgeous and I think this will be a big awards film this year too, film honouring film certainly piques my interested! We also have the Sleeping Beauty from first time feature filmmaker Julia Leigh (who also wrote the book The Hunter) following a university student who appears to fall into a world of desires - although it's not very clear whether or not they are her own, I have mixed feelings on this one but I know I have to see it; stars Emily Browning (Sucker Punch). Then we have the Australian drama The Eye of the Storm starring Charlotte Rampling & Geoffrey Rush; based on the book by Patrick White which was *this close* to making it into this years Book to Film Club but I couldn't confirm a release date - and it just popped up a few weeks ago! Ah, well we have it now! And rounding up our limited releases we have 2 documentaries: Into the Abyss from Werner Herzog centred on a death-row inmate and bio/documentary Paul Goodman Changed My Life.

In wide release this week we have just have 2 films hitting many multiple screens including the holiday-centric stars-everyone (billing includes 18 actors!) flick New Year's Eve which feels odd to be so much *before* actual New Year's. We also have the Jonah Hill comedy The Sitter proving to be a new installment in the rather underused babysitting micro-genre.

Have a great weekend!

Shannon

Special Screening

Japanese Film Screening
FREE Screenings
Friday December 8 - 10, 2011 at The Royal in Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Remaining screenings include Linda Linda Linda, The Summit: A Chronicle of Stones and Always: Sunset on 3rd St. 2

Friday December 9, 2011 Releases

The Artist
Writer/Dir: Michel Hazanavicius (OSS 117: Le Caire, nid d'espions, OSS 117: Rio ne répond plus)
Cast: Jean Dujardin, Bérénice Bejo, John Goodman, James Cromwell, Penelope Ann Miller, Missi Pyle
France/Belgium
Limited Release
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

The Eye of the Storm (2011)
Dir: Fred Schepisi (Last Orders, Six Degrees of Separation, A Cry in the Dark)
Cast: Geoffrey Rush, Charlotte Rampling, Dustin Clare
Australia
Limited Release
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

Into the Abyss
Dir: Werner Herzog (Cave of Forgotten Dreams, Encounters at the End of the World, Nosferatu: Phantom der Nacht (1979), Grizzy Man, Fitzcarraldo)
Documentary
Germany/Canada
Limited Release
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

New Year's Eve
Dir: Garry Marshall (Valentine's Day, Runaway Bride, Frankie and Johnny)
Cast: Halle Berry, Jessica Biel, Jon Bon Jovi, Abigail Breslin, Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, Robert De Niro, Josh Duhamel, Zac Efron, Hector Elizondo, Katherine Heigl, Ashton Kutcher, Seth Meyers, Lea Michele, Sarah Jessica Parker, Michelle Pfeiffer, Til Schweiger, Hilary Swank, Sofia Vergara
USA
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

Paul Goodman Changed My Life
Dir: Jonathan Lee - feature film directorial debut
Documentary
USA
Limited Release
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

The Sitter
Dir: David Gordon Green (Your Highness, Pineapple Express, All the Real Girls)
Cast: Jonah Hill, Max Records, Ari Graynor, JB Smoove, Sam Rockwell
USA
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

Sleeping Beauty (2011)
Writer/Dir: Julia Leigh - feature film directorial debut
Cast: Emily Browning, Rachael Blake, Ewen Leslie, Peter Caroll, Chris Haywood
Australia
Limited Release
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

**please note this list of releases reflects first run film released in Toronto, Ontario, Canada as of December 9, 2011**

Hello Film Fans and Fanatics!

Welcome to Film Fan Fridays for Friday December 9, 2011! Second release week of December and starting to get more awards-y films out. I recently caught up with some nomination announcements here with both The Spirit Awards & The People's Choice Awards nominations, which feel odd together but are both ones I love because they stay so true to each of their visions.

In limited release this week we have most of our releases of the week with 5 films to choose from and quite a selection they are starring of with the classic Hollywood film The Artist set turning the time of films turning from silent to talkies which looks stylistically gorgeous and I think this will be a big awards film this year too, film honouring film certainly piques my interested! We also have the Sleeping Beauty from first time feature filmmaker Julia Leigh (who also wrote the book The Hunter) following a university student who appears to fall into a world of desires - although it's not very clear whether or not they are her own, I have mixed feelings on this one but I know I have to see it; stars Emily Browning (Sucker Punch). Then we have the Australian drama The Eye of the Storm starring Charlotte Rampling & Geoffrey Rush; based on the book by Patrick White which was *this close* to making it into this years Book to Film Club but I couldn't confirm a release date - and it just popped up a few weeks ago! Ah, well we have it now! And rounding up our limited releases we have 2 documentaries: Into the Abyss from Werner Herzog centred on a death-row inmate and bio/documentary Paul Goodman Changed My Life.

In wide release this week we have just have 2 films hitting many multiple screens including the holiday-centric stars-everyone (billing includes 18 actors!) flick New Year's Eve which feels odd to be so much *before* actual New Year's. We also have the Jonah Hill comedy The Sitter proving to be a new installment in the rather underused babysitting micro-genre.

Have a great weekend!

Shannon

Special Screening

Japanese Film Screening
FREE Screenings
Friday December 8 - 10, 2011 at The Royal in Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Remaining screenings include Linda Linda Linda, The Summit: A Chronicle of Stones and Always: Sunset on 3rd St. 2

Friday December 9, 2011 Releases

The Artist
Writer/Dir: Michel Hazanavicius (OSS 117: Le Caire, nid d'espions, OSS 117: Rio ne répond plus)
Cast: Jean Dujardin, Bérénice Bejo, John Goodman, James Cromwell, Penelope Ann Miller, Missi Pyle
France/Belgium
Limited Release
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

The Eye of the Storm (2011)
Dir: Fred Schepisi (Last Orders, Six Degrees of Separation, A Cry in the Dark)
Cast: Geoffrey Rush, Charlotte Rampling, Dustin Clare
Australia
Limited Release
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

Into the Abyss
Dir: Werner Herzog (Cave of Forgotten Dreams, Encounters at the End of the World, Nosferatu: Phantom der Nacht (1979), Grizzy Man, Fitzcarraldo)
Documentary
Germany/Canada
Limited Release
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

New Year's Eve
Dir: Garry Marshall (Valentine's Day, Runaway Bride, Frankie and Johnny)
Cast: Halle Berry, Jessica Biel, Jon Bon Jovi, Abigail Breslin, Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, Robert De Niro, Josh Duhamel, Zac Efron, Hector Elizondo, Katherine Heigl, Ashton Kutcher, Seth Meyers, Lea Michele, Sarah Jessica Parker, Michelle Pfeiffer, Til Schweiger, Hilary Swank, Sofia Vergara
USA
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

Paul Goodman Changed My Life
Dir: Jonathan Lee - feature film directorial debut
Documentary
USA
Limited Release
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

The Sitter
Dir: David Gordon Green (Your Highness, Pineapple Express, All the Real Girls)
Cast: Jonah Hill, Max Records, Ari Graynor, JB Smoove, Sam Rockwell
USA
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

Sleeping Beauty (2011)
Writer/Dir: Julia Leigh - feature film directorial debut
Cast: Emily Browning, Rachael Blake, Ewen Leslie, Peter Caroll, Chris Haywood
Australia
Limited Release
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

**please note this list of releases reflects first run film released in Toronto, Ontario, Canada as of December 9, 2011**

Hello Film Fans and Fanatics!

Welcome to Film Fan Fridays for Friday December 2, 2011!

In limited release this week we have six films to choose from and I know many people have been anxiously awaiting Shame from director Steve McQueen (Hunger) starring Michael Fassbender & Carey Mulligan, which has some of the hottest buzz of any film this year. We have two Canadian films in the mix this week with drama Everything and Everyone and documentary Surviving Progress, both of which look very interesting. More documentary goodness with the film My Perestroika centred on 5 people who grew up behind the iron curtain and then we have the Bollywood biopic The Dirty Picture centred on film star Silk Smitha. One film I'm thrilled to see in releases is the highly acclaimed French film Tomboy which follows a young girl who after moving with her family is mistaken for a boy, from director Céline Sciamma (Water Lilies / Naissance des pieuvres).

In wide release this week we have just one release with the Bollywood action flick I Am Singh. Wow, I'm not sure we've every had a week with a sole wide release. Especially in December. Never know what each Friday will bring!

Have a great weekend!

Shannon

Festival Watch

Pomegranate Film Festival
December 1 - 4, 2011 at various locations in Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Friday December 2, 2011 Releases

The Dirty Picture
Dir: Milan Luthria (Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai)
Cast: Vidya Balan, Emraan Hashmi, Imran Hasnee, Tusshar Kapoor, Naseeruddin Shah
India
Limited Release
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

Everything and Everyone
Dir: Tracy D. Smith - feature film directorial debut
Cast: Ryan Robbins, Gabrielle Rose, Chad Willett, Lane Edwards, Chelah Horsdal, Jerry Wasserman
Canada
Limited Release
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

I Am Singh
Dir: Puneet Issar - feature film directorial debut
Cast: Joseph Armillas, Anto Boghokian, Elissa Brentano, Puneet Issar
India
Official Film Site & Trailer, IMDb Page

My Perestroika
Dir: Robin Hessman - feature film directorial debut
Documentary
UK/USA/Russia
Limited Release
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

Shame
Dir: Steve McQueen (Hunger)
Cast: Michael Fassbender, Carey Mulligan
UK
Limited Release
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

Surviving Progress
Dir: Mathieu Roy & Harold Crooks
Documentary
Canada
Limited Release
Official Film Site & Trailer, IMDb Page

Tomboy
Writer/Dir: Céline Sciamma (Water Lilies / Naissance des pieuvres)
Cast: Zoe Heran, Malonn Lévanna, Jeanne Disson, Sophie Cattani , Mathieu Demy
France
Limited Release
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

**please note this list of releases reflects first run film released in Toronto, Ontario, Canada as of December 2, 2011**

Hello Film Fans and Fanatics!

Welcome to Film Fan Fridays for Friday December 2, 2011!

In limited release this week we have six films to choose from and I know many people have been anxiously awaiting Shame from director Steve McQueen (Hunger) starring Michael Fassbender & Carey Mulligan, which has some of the hottest buzz of any film this year. We have two Canadian films in the mix this week with drama Everything and Everyone and documentary Surviving Progress, both of which look very interesting. More documentary goodness with the film My Perestroika centred on 5 people who grew up behind the iron curtain and then we have the Bollywood biopic The Dirty Picture centred on film star Silk Smitha. One film I'm thrilled to see in releases is the highly acclaimed French film Tomboy which follows a young girl who after moving with her family is mistaken for a boy, from director Céline Sciamma (Water Lilies / Naissance des pieuvres).

In wide release this week we have just one release with the Bollywood action flick I Am Singh. Wow, I'm not sure we've every had a week with a sole wide release. Especially in December. Never know what each Friday will bring!

Have a great weekend!

Shannon

Festival Watch

Pomegranate Film Festival
December 1 - 4, 2011 at various locations in Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Friday December 2, 2011 Releases

The Dirty Picture
Dir: Milan Luthria (Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai)
Cast: Vidya Balan, Emraan Hashmi, Imran Hasnee, Tusshar Kapoor, Naseeruddin Shah
India
Limited Release
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

Everything and Everyone
Dir: Tracy D. Smith - feature film directorial debut
Cast: Ryan Robbins, Gabrielle Rose, Chad Willett, Lane Edwards, Chelah Horsdal, Jerry Wasserman
Canada
Limited Release
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

I Am Singh
Dir: Puneet Issar - feature film directorial debut
Cast: Joseph Armillas, Anto Boghokian, Elissa Brentano, Puneet Issar
India
Official Film Site & Trailer, IMDb Page

My Perestroika
Dir: Robin Hessman - feature film directorial debut
Documentary
UK/USA/Russia
Limited Release
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

Shame
Dir: Steve McQueen (Hunger)
Cast: Michael Fassbender, Carey Mulligan
UK
Limited Release
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

Surviving Progress
Dir: Mathieu Roy & Harold Crooks
Documentary
Canada
Limited Release
Official Film Site & Trailer, IMDb Page

Tomboy
Writer/Dir: Céline Sciamma (Water Lilies / Naissance des pieuvres)
Cast: Zoe Heran, Malonn Lévanna, Jeanne Disson, Sophie Cattani , Mathieu Demy
France
Limited Release
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

**please note this list of releases reflects first run film released in Toronto, Ontario, Canada as of December 2, 2011**

Hello Film Fans and Fanatics!

Welcome to Film Fan Fridays for Friday November 25, 2011! Bit of an odd one this week with not too many new films but still very new to theatres are the US Thanksgiving releases. Let's have a look at the selection.

In limited release this week we have just two releases to choose from and I have my eye on Klitschko a documentary on boxing brothers Vitali and Wladimir Klitschko that's playing at The Projection Booth. Our second limited release is Elite Squad: The Enemy Within / Tropa de Elite 2 - O Inimigo Agora É Outro, a follow up to the 2007 crime/drama Elite Squad.

In wide release this week it also feels very quiet with just two releases as well including Bollywood film Desi Boyz and Oscar-bait My Week with Marilyn with Michelle Williams (Blue Valentine, Meek's Cutoff) which is honestly one of the only films that I feel is revving us up for the Oscar season. Will be interesting to see if that changes with the remaining releases of the year.

Although that's all the films that are being released today, we had 3 mid-week releases on US Thanksgiving with The Muppets, Hugo and Arthur Christmas. Lots of fun family fare to enjoy and I know both The Muppets & Hugo are on my to see list (and Arthur Christmas got great reviews so...who know.. might have to fit it in too!

Have a great weekend!

Shannon

Festival Watch

Canadian Labour International Film Festival
Continues until November 27, 2011 at Innis Town Hall in Toronto, Ontario, Canada

European Union Film Festival
Continues until November 30, 2011 at The Royal in Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Amnesty International Reel Awareness
Human Rights Film Festival
November 24 - 27, 2011 at the NFB in Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Friday November 25, 2011 Releases

Desi Boyz
Dir: Rohit Dhawan - feature film directorial debut
Cast: Akshay Kumar, John Abraham, Deepika Padukone, Chitrangada Singh
India
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

Elite Squad: The Enemy Within / Tropa de Elite 2 - O Inimigo Agora É Outro
Dir: José Padilha (Elite Squad, Secrets of the Tribe, Bus 174)
Cast: Wagner Moura, Irandhir Santos, André Ramiro
Brazil
Limited Release
Official Film Site & Trailer, IMDb Page

Klitschko
Dir: Sebastian Dehnhardt
Documentary on boxing brothers Vitali and Wladimir Klitschko
Germany
Limited Release
No Official Film Site Found, IMDb Page, Trailer

My Week with Marilyn
Dir: Simon Curtis
Cast: Michelle Williams, Eddie Redmayne, Kenneth Branagh, Julia Ormond, Emma Watson
USA/UK
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

**please note this list of releases reflects first run film released in Toronto, Ontario, Canada as of November 25, 2011**

Hello Film Fans and Fanatics!

Welcome to Film Fan Fridays for Friday November 25, 2011! Bit of an odd one this week with not too many new films but still very new to theatres are the US Thanksgiving releases. Let's have a look at the selection.

In limited release this week we have just two releases to choose from and I have my eye on Klitschko a documentary on boxing brothers Vitali and Wladimir Klitschko that's playing at The Projection Booth. Our second limited release is Elite Squad: The Enemy Within / Tropa de Elite 2 - O Inimigo Agora É Outro, a follow up to the 2007 crime/drama Elite Squad.

In wide release this week it also feels very quiet with just two releases as well including Bollywood film Desi Boyz and Oscar-bait My Week with Marilyn with Michelle Williams (Blue Valentine, Meek's Cutoff) which is honestly one of the only films that I feel is revving us up for the Oscar season. Will be interesting to see if that changes with the remaining releases of the year.

Although that's all the films that are being released today, we had 3 mid-week releases on US Thanksgiving with The Muppets, Hugo and Arthur Christmas. Lots of fun family fare to enjoy and I know both The Muppets & Hugo are on my to see list (and Arthur Christmas got great reviews so...who know.. might have to fit it in too!

Have a great weekend!

Shannon

Festival Watch

Canadian Labour International Film Festival
Continues until November 27, 2011 at Innis Town Hall in Toronto, Ontario, Canada

European Union Film Festival
Continues until November 30, 2011 at The Royal in Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Amnesty International Reel Awareness
Human Rights Film Festival
November 24 - 27, 2011 at the NFB in Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Friday November 25, 2011 Releases

Desi Boyz
Dir: Rohit Dhawan - feature film directorial debut
Cast: Akshay Kumar, John Abraham, Deepika Padukone, Chitrangada Singh
India
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

Elite Squad: The Enemy Within / Tropa de Elite 2 - O Inimigo Agora É Outro
Dir: José Padilha (Elite Squad, Secrets of the Tribe, Bus 174)
Cast: Wagner Moura, Irandhir Santos, André Ramiro
Brazil
Limited Release
Official Film Site & Trailer, IMDb Page

Klitschko
Dir: Sebastian Dehnhardt
Documentary on boxing brothers Vitali and Wladimir Klitschko
Germany
Limited Release
No Official Film Site Found, IMDb Page, Trailer

My Week with Marilyn
Dir: Simon Curtis
Cast: Michelle Williams, Eddie Redmayne, Kenneth Branagh, Julia Ormond, Emma Watson
USA/UK
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

**please note this list of releases reflects first run film released in Toronto, Ontario, Canada as of November 25, 2011**

Hello Film Fans and Fanatics!

Welcome to Film Fan Fridays for Friday November 18, 2011! I'm going to be really quick about the releases this week as I've been offline since Monday and barely had internet which has been surprizingly relaxing, although a big challenge for a research bug like me!

In limited release this week we have 4 films to choose from starting with the highly acclaimed Café de flore from C.R.A.Z.Y. writer/director Jean-Marc Vallée which I know is on my too see list, keeping it Canadian we have the documentary The Whale set on Vancouver Island (or more likely in the water around it....), plus comedy/concert film Kevin Hart: Laugh at My Pain. Last up for limited releases is The Descendents starring George Clooney (which just last night I found out was based on a book!)and this one was a big interest film at TIFF11 and I imagine it will open wider as holiday season nears.

In wide release we only have 2 films with animated dancing penguins Happy Feet Two and the next-to-last in the The Twilight Saga with Breaking Dawn: Part 1 which continues the romantic adventures between Bella (Kristen Stewart) and vampire Edward (Robert Pattinson) who are looking to tie the knot while tying to avoid conflict with both the Volturi and the Quileutes and with this fourth film we have a new director at the helm as Bill Condon (Dreamgirls) and he has taken on both Part 1 and Part II (which will be released in November 2012). And yes, I already have my ticket.

We also have mid-week releases next Wednesday November 23, 2011 for US Thankgiving including Arthur Christmas, Book to Film Club Selection Hugo and.................The Muppets!!!! Which I am ridiculously excited for :)

That's it for this week - check back on the site for links to trailers and official film site, etc which I'll have up this weekend but until there enjoy the festival listing & movie selections.

Have a great weekend!

Shannon

Festival Watch

aluCine
Toronto Latin Media Festival
November 17-20, 2011 at various locations in Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Breast Fest Film Festival
Film festival dedicated to breast cancer awareness
November 18 - 20, 2011 at the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Canadian Labour International Film Festival
November 19 - 27, 2011 at Innis Town Hall in Toronto, Ontario, Canada

European Union Film Festival
November 17 - 30, 2011 at The Royal in Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival
November 8 - 13, 2011 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada
November 18-19, 2011 in Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada

Friday November 18, 2011 Releases

Café de flore
Writer/Dir: Jean-Marc Vallée (C.R.A.Z.Y.)
Cast: Vanessa Paradis, Kevin Parent, Hélène Florent
Canada/France
Limited Release
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

The Descendents
Dir: Alexander Payne (Election, About Schmidt, Sideways)
Cast: George Clooney, Shailene Woodley, Beau Bridges, Robert Forster, Judy Greer, Matthew Lillard
USA
Limited Release
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

Happy Feet Two
Dir: George Miller (Happy Feet, The Witches of Eastwick, Mad Max)
Cast: Elijah Wood, Robin Williams, Hank Azaria, Alecia Moore (P!nk), Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Sofia Vergara, Hugo Weaving, Richard Carter, Common, Magda Szubanski, Anthony LaPagila
Australia
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

Kevin Hart: Laugh at My Pain
Dir: Leslie Small (Aries Spears: Hollywood, Look I'm Smiling) and Tim Story
Documentary
USA
Limited Release
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn: Part 1
Dir: Bill Condon (Dreamgirls)
Cast: Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner
USA
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

The Whale
Dir: Suzanne Chisholm, Michael Parfit (Saving Luna)
Documentary
Canada
Limited Release
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

Wednesday November 23, 2011

Arthur Christmas
Dir: Sarah Smith
Voices: James McAvoy, Hugh Laurie, Jim Broadbent, Bill Nighy, Imelda Staunton, Ashley Jensen
USA/UK
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

Hugo
Dir: Martin Scorcese (Shutter Island, The Departed, Gangs of New York, Goodfellas)
Cast: Asa Butterfield, Chloë Moretz, Michael Pitt, Jude Law, Ben Kingsley, Sacha Baron Cohen
USA
Official Facebook Page, IMDb Page, Trailer

The Muppets
Dir: James Bobin ("Da Ali G Show")
Cast: Jason Segel, Amy Adams, Chris Cooper & Rashida Jones and Muppets: Kermit, Miss Piggy, Fozzie, Animal & more
USA
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

**please note this list of releases reflects first run film released in Toronto, Ontario, Canada as of November 23, 2011**

Hello Film Fans and Fanatics!

Welcome to Film Fan Fridays for Friday November 18, 2011! I'm going to be really quick about the releases this week as I've been offline since Monday and barely had internet which has been surprizingly relaxing, although a big challenge for a research bug like me!

In limited release this week we have 4 films to choose from starting with the highly acclaimed Café de flore from C.R.A.Z.Y. writer/director Jean-Marc Vallée which I know is on my too see list, keeping it Canadian we have the documentary The Whale set on Vancouver Island (or more likely in the water around it....), plus comedy/concert film Kevin Hart: Laugh at My Pain. Last up for limited releases is The Descendents starring George Clooney (which just last night I found out was based on a book!)and this one was a big interest film at TIFF11 and I imagine it will open wider as holiday season nears.

In wide release we only have 2 films with animated dancing penguins Happy Feet Two and the next-to-last in the The Twilight Saga with Breaking Dawn: Part 1 which continues the romantic adventures between Bella (Kristen Stewart) and vampire Edward (Robert Pattinson) who are looking to tie the knot while tying to avoid conflict with both the Volturi and the Quileutes and with this fourth film we have a new director at the helm as Bill Condon (Dreamgirls) and he has taken on both Part 1 and Part II (which will be released in November 2012). And yes, I already have my ticket.

We also have mid-week releases next Wednesday November 23, 2011 for US Thankgiving including Arthur Christmas, Book to Film Club Selection Hugo and.................The Muppets!!!! Which I am ridiculously excited for :)

That's it for this week - check back on the site for links to trailers and official film site, etc which I'll have up this weekend but until there enjoy the festival listing & movie selections.

Have a great weekend!

Shannon

Festival Watch

aluCine
Toronto Latin Media Festival
November 17-20, 2011 at various locations in Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Breast Fest Film Festival
Film festival dedicated to breast cancer awareness
November 18 - 20, 2011 at the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Canadian Labour International Film Festival
November 19 - 27, 2011 at Innis Town Hall in Toronto, Ontario, Canada

European Union Film Festival
November 17 - 30, 2011 at The Royal in Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival
November 8 - 13, 2011 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada
November 18-19, 2011 in Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada

Friday November 18, 2011 Releases

Café de flore
Writer/Dir: Jean-Marc Vallée (C.R.A.Z.Y.)
Cast: Vanessa Paradis, Kevin Parent, Hélène Florent
Canada/France
Limited Release
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

The Descendents
Dir: Alexander Payne (Election, About Schmidt, Sideways)
Cast: George Clooney, Shailene Woodley, Beau Bridges, Robert Forster, Judy Greer, Matthew Lillard
USA
Limited Release
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

Happy Feet Two
Dir: George Miller (Happy Feet, The Witches of Eastwick, Mad Max)
Cast: Elijah Wood, Robin Williams, Hank Azaria, Alecia Moore (P!nk), Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Sofia Vergara, Hugo Weaving, Richard Carter, Common, Magda Szubanski, Anthony LaPagila
Australia
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

Kevin Hart: Laugh at My Pain
Dir: Leslie Small (Aries Spears: Hollywood, Look I'm Smiling) and Tim Story
Documentary
USA
Limited Release
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn: Part 1
Dir: Bill Condon (Dreamgirls)
Cast: Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner
USA
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

The Whale
Dir: Suzanne Chisholm, Michael Parfit (Saving Luna)
Documentary
Canada
Limited Release
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

Wednesday November 23, 2011

Arthur Christmas
Dir: Sarah Smith
Voices: James McAvoy, Hugh Laurie, Jim Broadbent, Bill Nighy, Imelda Staunton, Ashley Jensen
USA/UK
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

Hugo
Dir: Martin Scorcese (Shutter Island, The Departed, Gangs of New York, Goodfellas)
Cast: Asa Butterfield, Chloë Moretz, Michael Pitt, Jude Law, Ben Kingsley, Sacha Baron Cohen
USA
Official Facebook Page, IMDb Page, Trailer

The Muppets
Dir: James Bobin ("Da Ali G Show")
Cast: Jason Segel, Amy Adams, Chris Cooper & Rashida Jones and Muppets: Kermit, Miss Piggy, Fozzie, Animal & more
USA
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

**please note this list of releases reflects first run film released in Toronto, Ontario, Canada as of November 23, 2011**

Hello Film Fans and Fanatics!

Welcome to Film Fan Fridays for Friday November 11, 2011! Lots of 'm' mooooooooovies this week which makes me meander to keep using the term movie over film, which isn't even my preference! Also many historical films. Mmmmmmmmmmm. History.

Our limited release of the week include all 4 of our 'm' films plus the Bollywood release of Rockstar. The 'm-ness' includes with financial-crisis thriller Margin Call, Lars von Trier's science fiction/impending disaster film Melancholia, the historical/religious film The Mill and the Cross and the epic 4-hour long film Mysteries of Lisbon/Mistérios de Lisboa.

Our Wide release of the week include the sword & sandals 3D action flick Immortals from visionary director Tarsem Singh (The Fall, The Cell), and I'm really hoping to catch that one as it's one of the film films left to come out on my most anticipated films of the year list! We also have the historical biopic J.Edgar, and rounding out the wide releases is the comedy Jack and Jill where Adam Sandler does double duty playing a brother/sister twins set.

Also be sure to check out my daily coverage of the Toronto Reel Asian Film Festival here at Movie Moxie throughout the festival.

Have a great weekend!

Shannon

Festival Watch

European Union Film Festival
November 17 - 30, 2011 at The Royal in Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Rendezvous with Madness Film Festival
Films focusing on mental health and addiction
November 4 - 12, 2011 at various locations in Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Toronto International Portuguese Film Festival
November 11 - 13, 2011 at Casa Do Alentejo in Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival
November 8 - 13, 2011 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada
November 18-19, 2011 in Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada

Special Screenings

The Fly
25th Anniversary screening of the David Cronenberg transformation science fiction/horro film is the monthly selection for Cinemacabre Movie Nights presented by Rue Morgue, and after spending a whole week at Toronto Underground Cinema for Toronto After Dark in October I realized I haven't been to one of these screenings for a while so I think I'm going to try and make it out to the goey & gruesome film. It plays on Thursday November 17, 2011 at 9:30 at Toronto Underground Cinema

Prosecutor
This documentary follows the first several cases in the International Criminal Court.
Screens at the Isabel Bader Theatre on Monday November 14, 2011 at 6:30pm and will include live conversation with its subject, International Criminal Court Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo. Check out more information over at the NFB website including the trailer

Friday November 11, 2011 Releases

Immortals
Dir: Tarsem Singh (The Cell, The Fall)
Cast: Henry Cavill, Mickey Rourke, Kellan Lutz, John Hurt, Stephen Dorff, Isabel Lucas, Luke Evans, Freida Pinto
USA0
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

J.Edgar
Dir: Clint Eastwood (Hereafter, Invictus, Gran Torino, The Changeling, Unforgiven, High Plains Drifter)
Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Naomi Watts, Judi Dench, Armie Hammer, Josh Lucas, Ken Howard
USA
Limited Release
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

Jack and Jill
Dir: Dennis Dugan (Grown Ups, I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry, You Don't Mess with the Zohan)
Cast: Adam Sandler, Katie Holmes, Al Pacino
USA
Limited Release
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

Margin Call
Writer/Dir: J.C. Chandor - feature film directorial debut
Cast: Kevin Spacey, Paul Bettany, Jeremy Irons, Zachary Quinto, Penn Badgley, Simon Baker, Mary McDonnell, Demi Moore, Stanley Tucci
USA
Limited Release
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

Melancholia
Writer/Dir: Lars von Trier (Antichrist, Breaking the Waves, Dogville)
Cast: Kirsten Dunst, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Alexander Skarsgård,Charlotte Rampling, Jesper Christensen, John Hurt, Stellan Skarsgård, Udo Kier
Denmark/Sweden/France/Germany
Limited Release
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

The Mill and The Cross
Dir: Lech Majewski (Glass Lips, Metaphysics, Angelus)
Cast: Rutger Hauer, Charlotte Ramplings, Michael York
Sweden/Poland
Limited Release
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

Mysteries of Lisbon / Mistérios de Lisboa
Dir: Raúl Ruiz
Cast: Adriano Luz, Maria João Bastos, Ricardo Pereira
Portugal/France
Limited Release - TIFF Bell Lightbox
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer, Tickets

Rockstar
Writer/Dir: Imtiaz Ali (Love Aaj Kal, Jab We Met)
Cast: Ranbir Kapoor, Shammi Kapoor, Nargis Fakhri, Shikha Jain
India
Limited Release
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

**please note this list of releases reflects first run film released in Toronto, Ontario, Canada as of November 11, 2011**

Hello Film Fans and Fanatics!

Welcome to Film Fan Fridays for Friday November 11, 2011! Lots of 'm' mooooooooovies this week which makes me meander to keep using the term movie over film, which isn't even my preference! Also many historical films. Mmmmmmmmmmm. History.

Our limited release of the week include all 4 of our 'm' films plus the Bollywood release of Rockstar. The 'm-ness' includes with financial-crisis thriller Margin Call, Lars von Trier's science fiction/impending disaster film Melancholia, the historical/religious film The Mill and the Cross and the epic 4-hour long film Mysteries of Lisbon/Mistérios de Lisboa.

Our Wide release of the week include the sword & sandals 3D action flick Immortals from visionary director Tarsem Singh (The Fall, The Cell), and I'm really hoping to catch that one as it's one of the film films left to come out on my most anticipated films of the year list! We also have the historical biopic J.Edgar, and rounding out the wide releases is the comedy Jack and Jill where Adam Sandler does double duty playing a brother/sister twins set.

Also be sure to check out my daily coverage of the Toronto Reel Asian Film Festival here at Movie Moxie throughout the festival.

Have a great weekend!

Shannon

Festival Watch

European Union Film Festival
November 17 - 30, 2011 at The Royal in Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Rendezvous with Madness Film Festival
Films focusing on mental health and addiction
November 4 - 12, 2011 at various locations in Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Toronto International Portuguese Film Festival
November 11 - 13, 2011 at Casa Do Alentejo in Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival
November 8 - 13, 2011 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada
November 18-19, 2011 in Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada

Special Screenings

The Fly
25th Anniversary screening of the David Cronenberg transformation science fiction/horro film is the monthly selection for Cinemacabre Movie Nights presented by Rue Morgue, and after spending a whole week at Toronto Underground Cinema for Toronto After Dark in October I realized I haven't been to one of these screenings for a while so I think I'm going to try and make it out to the goey & gruesome film. It plays on Thursday November 17, 2011 at 9:30 at Toronto Underground Cinema

Prosecutor
This documentary follows the first several cases in the International Criminal Court.
Screens at the Isabel Bader Theatre on Monday November 14, 2011 at 6:30pm and will include live conversation with its subject, International Criminal Court Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo. Check out more information over at the NFB website including the trailer

Friday November 11, 2011 Releases

Immortals
Dir: Tarsem Singh (The Cell, The Fall)
Cast: Henry Cavill, Mickey Rourke, Kellan Lutz, John Hurt, Stephen Dorff, Isabel Lucas, Luke Evans, Freida Pinto
USA0
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

J.Edgar
Dir: Clint Eastwood (Hereafter, Invictus, Gran Torino, The Changeling, Unforgiven, High Plains Drifter)
Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Naomi Watts, Judi Dench, Armie Hammer, Josh Lucas, Ken Howard
USA
Limited Release
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

Jack and Jill
Dir: Dennis Dugan (Grown Ups, I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry, You Don't Mess with the Zohan)
Cast: Adam Sandler, Katie Holmes, Al Pacino
USA
Limited Release
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

Margin Call
Writer/Dir: J.C. Chandor - feature film directorial debut
Cast: Kevin Spacey, Paul Bettany, Jeremy Irons, Zachary Quinto, Penn Badgley, Simon Baker, Mary McDonnell, Demi Moore, Stanley Tucci
USA
Limited Release
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

Melancholia
Writer/Dir: Lars von Trier (Antichrist, Breaking the Waves, Dogville)
Cast: Kirsten Dunst, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Alexander Skarsgård,Charlotte Rampling, Jesper Christensen, John Hurt, Stellan Skarsgård, Udo Kier
Denmark/Sweden/France/Germany
Limited Release
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

The Mill and The Cross
Dir: Lech Majewski (Glass Lips, Metaphysics, Angelus)
Cast: Rutger Hauer, Charlotte Ramplings, Michael York
Sweden/Poland
Limited Release
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

Mysteries of Lisbon / Mistérios de Lisboa
Dir: Raúl Ruiz
Cast: Adriano Luz, Maria João Bastos, Ricardo Pereira
Portugal/France
Limited Release - TIFF Bell Lightbox
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer, Tickets

Rockstar
Writer/Dir: Imtiaz Ali (Love Aaj Kal, Jab We Met)
Cast: Ranbir Kapoor, Shammi Kapoor, Nargis Fakhri, Shikha Jain
India
Limited Release
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

**please note this list of releases reflects first run film released in Toronto, Ontario, Canada as of November 11, 2011**