There are just a few days until Opening Night of the 2010 Toronto International Film Festival and I've been previewing some of the titles which are on my schedule. In the past week I've selected It's Kind of a Funny Story,Stake Land, Ceremony, and Never Let Me Go as Best Bets.
The 2010 Toronto International Film Festival officially kicks off this Thursday night and, as I do every year, I'm spotlighting some Best Bets -- titles from my must-see list that, fortunately, fit into my crowded screening calendar. Many of these choices have been selected for my schedule due to the fact that they have actors or filmmakers with a good track record, films that have turned out to be among my Top Picks from previous festivals I've attended.
The 2010 Toronto International Film Festival officially kicks off in just five days. As usual, the excitement level is already palpable as this is the event at which all the major Hollywood studios and their "indie arms" trot out their Oscar hopefuls. In fact, Toronto has become the de facto kickoff of Academy Awards season.
The internet is filled with entertainment websites and movie blogs whose writers are in the midst of picking their "must-see movies" at the 2010 Toronto International Film Festival, which gets underway one week from tomorrow. I've seen many other journalists' selections and, as much as I respect and admire their opinions, I'm proud to say that my own list is quite different from most. Contrarian am I? No.
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The countdown to the 2010 Toronto International Film Festival continues, with Opening Night just two weeks from Thursday. You can count on my coverage, of course -- this will be my fifth year attending TIFF. I saw over 105 films there from 2006-2009, and many of my Top Picks from all festivals over the past few years (out of over 500 films) came from the Toronto lineup.
The 35th Toronto International Film Festival has now released its complete lineup of films along with the schedule of screening dates, times, and venues for all titles. The list of expected guests has also been unveiled. This year's event runs from September 9-19 and is considered by many to be the premiere film festival in the Western Hemisphere, second in the world only to Cannes. Almost every major Academy Award-winning movie of the past few years debuted at TIFF.
The 2010 Toronto International Film Festival is just over three weeks away. I've attended 47 film festivals since the start of 2006, but none as prestigious or breathtaking in scope as this one. I saw over 105 films there from 2006-2009, and many of my Top Picks from all festivals over the past few years (of over 500 in total) came from the TIFF lineup.
The countdown to the 2010 Toronto International Film Festival is on, with Opening Night just four weeks from Thursday. You can count on my coverage, of course -- this will be my fifth year attending TIFF. I saw over 105 films there from 2006-2009, and many of my Top Picks from all festivals over the past few years (out of over 500 films) came from the Toronto lineup.
Road Kill (formerly Road Train), directed by Dean Francis from a story by Clive Hopkins, is a supernatural thriller about a group of teenagers menaced by a driver-less double tractor-trailer in the Australian outback. The chilling story takes four friends on "a haunted adventure that leaves much to the imagination, filled with puzzling and unsettling visions," I wrote in my review in early July.
The 2010 Toronto International Film Festival is just over five weeks away. I've attended 47 film festivals since the start of 2006, but none as prestigious or breathtaking in scope as this one. I saw over 105 films there from 2006-2009, and many of my Top Picks from all festivals over the past few years (of over 500 in total) came from the Toronto lineup. OPENING CREATURE FEATURE
We open the festival on a hugely crowd-pleasing note with the International Premiere of the hilarious new monster comedy, THE LAST LOVECRAFT (Fri, Aug 13, 7pm), a story about a group of social misfits battling an assortment of sea monsters trying to take over the earth!
ZOMBIES WELCOME
This year’s ever-popular Zombie Appreciation Night, where those dressed as the undead get a special deal on ticket prices, features a double helping of fun zombie carnage: DOGHOUSE (Sat, Aug 14, 7pm), the riotous zombie comedy that took Britain by storm last year is followed by the deranged zombie action flick EVIL IN THE TIME OF HEROES (Sat, Aug 14, 9.45pm) which features none other than Billy Zane as an immortal Greek zombie killer!
JAPANESE TREATS
Fans of outrageous Japanese genre cinema will also be delighted with a double dose of cinematic mayhem this year, in the form of the splatterific sci-fi horror action mashup ROBOGEISHA (Sun, Aug 15, 7pm) and the equally mad and bloody fight sequences that make up much of ALIEN VS NINJA (Mon, Aug 16, 9.45pm) a film that completely delivers on its title!
SCARES IN THE DARK
Those looking for a good fright should check out the hotly anticipated Eli Roth produced new scarefest, THE LAST EXORCISM (Mon, Aug 16, 7pm), as well as the welcome return of our favourite posse of Thai horror filmmakers with five new tales of of fear set to make fans jump out of their seats in PHOBIA 2 (Tue, Aug 17, 7pm)! The creepy new sci-fi thriller CARGO (Sun, Aug 15, 4.15pm) also brings its share of chills, but this time the outbreak of fear takes place on a deep space voyage.
NEW BRITISH INVASION
This year Toronto After Dark showcases three new flicks from some of Britain’s most talented genre filmmakers: whether it’s Neil Marshall’s brutal Roman action piece CENTURION (Wed, Aug 18, 7pm), Philip Ridley’s demonic thriller HEARTLESS (Wed, Aug 18, 9.45pm) or Christopher Smith’s medieval witchcraft tale BLACK DEATH (Thu, Aug 19, 7pm), there’s something to delight any fan who likes their Brit flicks on the dark side.
EXTREME CAUTION HORROR
We feel I SPIT ON YOUR GRAVE (Thu, Aug 19, 9.45pm), Anchor Bay’s hugely anticipated and incredibly graphic remake of the already notoriously violent cult classic of the same name, deserves a category unto itself. Don’t say we didn’t warn you!
CULT DISCOVERIES
A fantastic eclectic cast (Natasha Lyonne, Thomas Dekker, Noah Segan, Mink Stole, Peaches Christ, Elvira) chew all kinds of scenery in the velvet curtain movie theatre set cult horror flick ALL ABOUT EVIL (Tues, Aug 17, 9.45pm) that will seem be perfect viewing fare at our very own cult venue, the Bloor Cinema! While a stoner comedy may not seem like the most obvious fit for Toronto After Dark, when you see Adrien Brody’s crazed performance as drug dealer Psycho Ed, amongst too many WTF moments to mention in the Sundance hit HIGH SCHOOL (Sun, Aug 15, 9.45pm), you’ll see why we programmed this offbeat piece of cinematic madness!
BIZARRE HORROR TO CLOSE THE FEST
Toronto After Dark celebrates the end of its 5th Year on a wonderfully bizarre note: to start with we treat fans with RUBBER (Fri, Aug 20, 7pm), the tale of a Killer Tire with feelings which was perhaps the most talked about horror film at the Cannes Film Festival this year! Then things get even freakier, with our Closing Gala, THE HUMAN CENTIPEDE (Fri, Aug 20, 9.45pm) a twisted tale of one scientist’s quest to perfect a disgusting surgical procedure. The film has grossed out fans at festival screenings across the globe, ignited a frenzy on discussion boards and YouTube (two million views of the trailer and counting), but no-one has dared to screen the film in Toronto… until now!
PLUS: INCREDIBLE SHORTS, GUESTS, PARTIES, PUB NIGHTS!
While the Feature Films at Toronto After Dark typically take centre stage, be sure to also check out SHORTS AFTER DARK (Sat, Aug 14, 4.15pm), a kick-ass collection of outstanding new genre short films from around the world, as well as CANADA AFTER DARK homegrown mini-gems that screen as the opening acts for all our features. We also expect a number of FILMMAKER GUESTS to be in attendance to introduce their films and host Q&As with fans and join us at our SOCIAL EVENTS including After Parties and nightly Pub Socials (details to be announced closer to the festival).
FESTIVAL SCHEDULE, BOX OFFICE, FACEBOOK EVENT PAGE
Fans can scan all the films screening at Toronto After Dark 2010 in date order at the FESTIVAL SCHEDULE and buy tickets and passes to the festival at the BOX OFFICE PAGE which is NOW LIVE! If you’re attending, don’t forget to also RSVP your attendance at the 2010 EVENT PAGE on Facebook and invite your friends to join you for all the fun!
The 2010 Toronto International Film Festival begins exactly six weeks from Thursday. I've attended 47 film festivals since the start of 2006, but none as prestigious or breathtaking in scope as this one. I saw over 105 movies there from 2006-2009, and many of my Top Picks from all festivals over the past few years came out of TIFF.
It was over two years ago that I attended the World Premiere of Let the Right One In at the 2008 Tribeca Film Festival in New York. I wondered at the time if anyone else would ever get to see this sweet little gem from Sweden (where it was titled Låt den rätte komma in). I was at the very first press screening, which was relatively empty. My review went up long before there was any buzz about the film. I saw it again at its first public screening there and a third time after it won the Audience Award.
The 2010 Toronto International Film Festival begins exactly eight weeks from tomorrow. I've attended 47 film festivals since the start of 2006, but none as prestigious or breathtaking in scope as this one. I saw over 105 films there from 2006-2009, and many of my Top Picks from all festivals over the past few years came from the Toronto lineup.
The World Premiere of The Runaways took place in January at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival. I loved the film (see my review) and selected it as one of my Top 5 Picks.
Last week I posted my review and an exclusive clip from the Australian thriller Road Kill (formerly Road Train). This was actor Xavier Samuel's final motion picture prior to becoming a household name after being cast as newborn vampire Riley in The Twilight Saga: Eclipse.Georgina Haig for Fangoria Frightfest from Dean Francis on Vimeo.
One of the dilemmas I face as a journalist covering independent films has to do with the terminology used in discussing the industry. Many of my articles have to do with movie production, distribution, box office results, and finances. These are often topics particularly prone to writing with the use of words and phrases which may be unfamiliar to many of my readers.
The 2010 Los Angeles Film Festival has come to an exciting conclusion and I've returned home to take stock of my whirlwind week in sunny Southern California. This year I was tweeting live throughout the festival, including short reviews of all the films I saw. Hopefully readers followed along and were able to join me in experiencing the event in real time.
The final movie(s) in the Harry Potter series (I know, they say that all the time but this time I think they really mean it) is (are) ready to hit big screens everywhere. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows will be out on November 19th (Part 1) and July 15th, 2011 (Part 2). David Yates (Order of the Phoenix, Half-Blood Prince) returns to wrap things up.
On Thursday, June 17 I headed west to sunny Southern California for the spectacular 2010 Los Angeles Film Festival. I tweeted live every day and have been posting interviews and pictures on this blog from some of the events which I attended.
Here is the official press release announcing the award winners of the 2010 Los Angeles Film Festival:
On Thursday, June 24, 2010 the gala World Premiere of The Twilight Saga: Eclipse took place at Film Independent's Los Angeles Film Festival. The screening was held in the new Nokia Theatre at L.A. LIVE. This was certainly one of the most highly-anticipated premieres of the year and was accompanied by the worldwide media attention that comes with such a high profile event.
On Friday, June 25, 2010 the World Premiere of The Wheeler Boys (formerly Touchback) took place at the Los Angeles Film Festival. Featured in the Summer Showcase section, this American indie was four years in the making and one of the "Festival Choice" best bets I selected a couple of weeks ago. It was the winner of the Netflix FIND Your Voice Film Competition, conducted in association with Film Independent, the organization behind the Los Angeles Film Festival.
Last night I had the great privilege of attending the 18th Annual Nationwide Young Playwrights Festival at the Stella Adler Theatre on the world-renowned corner of Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue. The Blank Theatre Company created this event in 1993 under the tutelage of Artistic Director/Producer Daniel Henning and Artistic Producer Noah Wyle. The festival itself is now older than most of the playwrights whose works have been selected this year.
There are just a few days until Opening Night of the 2010 Los Angeles Film Festival and I've been previewing some of the titles which have piqued my interest. In the past week I've selected The Kids Are All Right, Welcome to the Rileys, The Wheeler Boys, and Revolución as best bets.
The 2010 Los Angeles Film Festival officially kicks off this Thursday night and, as I do every year, I'm spotlighting some best bets -- titles on my must-see list. Many of these choices have been selected for my schedule due to the fact that they have actors or filmmakers with a good track record, films that have turned out to be among my Top Picks from previous festivals I've attended.
Judging from their popularity in theaters, on television, and at the numerous websites which post them, movie trailers continue to fascinate the public. Fans await the latest clips with bated breath as though the stars themselves were about to walk into their homes. So it's always surprising when, in discussing the award-winning ones, I'm asked, "What?? There are awards for trailers?" Yes, there are, and the 11th Golden Trailer Awards have just been announced.
Opening Night of the 2010 Los Angeles Film Festival is just six days away and I'm becoming more excited by the hour as I peruse the fantastic lineup. Here's another in a series of promising selections.
In other news, the Earth is round. Still...it's nice to have it made official.Summit Entertainment Announces THE TWILIGHT SAGA: BREAKING DAWN To Be Released As Two Separate Films, First Film to Arrive in Theatres November 18, 2011
Los Angeles, CA, June 10, 2010 – Summit Entertainment confirmed today that THE TWILIGHT SAGA: BREAKING DAWN will be released as two separate films with the first of the two slated to be released in theatres on November 18, 2011.
Academy Award® winner Bill Condon will direct both films starring Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner along with Billy Burke as Charlie Swan as well as returning members of the Cullen Family including Peter Facinelli as Carlisle, Elizabeth Reaser as Esme, Jackson Rathbone as Jasper, Nikki Reed as Rosalie, Ashley Greene as Alice and Kellan Lutz as Emmett. The project, based on the fourth novel in author Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight series, is currently being written by Melissa Rosenberg with Wyck Godfrey, Karen Rosenfelt and Stephenie Meyer producing. The TWILIGHT SAGA: BREAKING DAWN will start production in the Fall.
THE TWILIGHT SAGA: BREAKING DAWN illuminates the secrets and mysteries of this spellbinding romantic epic that has entranced millions. The third film in the franchise, THE TWILIGHT SAGA: ECLIPSE is due in theaters on June 30, 2010.
About the TWILIGHT SAGA film series
The TWILIGHT SAGA film series stars Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson and tells the story of 17-year-old Bella Swan who moves to the small town of Forks, Washington to live with her father, and becomes drawn to Edward Cullen, a pale, mysterious classmate who seems determined to push her away. But neither can deny the attraction that pulls them together...even when Edward confides that he and his family are vampires. The action-packed, modern day vampire love story TWILIGHT, the first film in the series, was released in theatres on November 21, 2008 to a blockbuster reception. The second installment of the film franchise, THE TWILIGHT SAGA: NEW MOON was released November 20, 2009. The franchise has grossed over $1.1 billion in worldwide box office ticket sales to date.
About Summit Entertainment, LLC
Summit Entertainment, LLC is a worldwide theatrical motion picture development, financing, production and distribution studio. The studio handles all aspects of marketing and distribution for both its own internally developed motion pictures as well as acquired pictures. Summit Entertainment, LLC also represents international sales for both its own slate and third party product. Summit Entertainment, LLC releases on average 10 to 12 films annually.
The excitement is building as I prepare to head west to California just one week from today for the 2010 Los Angeles Film Festival. Looking over the screening schedule always gets my heart racing as the full picture of the experience begins to emerge. As I do every year, I'll be spotlighting a few films which appear to be good bets.
Last of a four-part series
Third of a four-part series
It was back on October 29, 2009 when I posted my video of rising young star Logan Lerman (Percy Jackson, The Three Musketeers) declaring that he did not have a Twitter. Thousands were being fooled by fake accounts. At this very moment there are three Twitters purporting to be him that have 8626, 9892, and 12038 followers respectively.