Reviews from the Platinum Cheap Seats

Sunday morning: waking up just in time to return to day two of the Michael Weis Memorial Scrabble Tournament after another late night of TIFFing.

Let me back track a bit. Last night.

I know Tracey was incredibly lucky to have missed what the director personally described as a "long and slow" movie last night. Got to see Ben and Casey Affleck, and Brad Pitt. And a million people pretending(?) to be media taking photos.

The incredibly long and slow THE ASSASSINATION OF JESSE JAMES BY ROBERT FORD was... started 40 minutes late, and lasted over 2 hours also.

There was some interesting narration and stylized camera work. But a cowboy movie that was almost all unwitty dialogue. Unusual ending too, one which prompted some audience memberS to start muttering along the lines of, "God Is this finally the ending?" LOL Luckily the boys on screen were pretty. Didn't realize Brad Pitt was still so A-list actually. Isn't he merely an adjunct to AJ?

Friday began my TIFF experience. I joined Tracey for two flicks.

We sat front row, feet up at the Ryerson to listen to Michael Moore. Guy loves an audience, and this latest secret film illustrated this even more than he does in person. CAPTAIN MIKE ACROSS AMERICA documented Moore's 2004 60-city self-described anti-propaganda tour. The man wanted everyone to vote in the last American election. By everyone, it was presumed though, he meant democrats, that odd American animal symbiotically birthed by an invisible republican threat. Let's just say the film featured Moore in front of audiences, again and again. No plans to do anything with it either, none. Which may be a good idea.

We marched down afterwards to the Elgin, where Trace succeeded in rushing LUST, CAUTION, Ang Lee's latest. Another heartthrob screamfest for a man and his cast. Good movie, another character development illustrated in vivid, slow detail, more painting in motion than action movie.

Good thing I have friends to write real reviews. I'm off to scrabble now. Anyone heard of the word "perinea"?