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"?

Reviews from Box 61

Hey All, Went to three films today at 6pm was at the Ryerson, saw FADOS -- was a great creative way to start off the festival. Was a musical, dance variations of Fados which are essentially Portuguese Blues. Very intense, very emotional, some fantastic voices. Was like doing a intro class in the art form in all of its forms from traditional and historic to the contemporary and modern.

Second Film was PERSEPOLIS based on a series of graphic novels about a young girl's journey from childhood to young adulthood in Iran. Was heartwrenching, funny, put you through the whole gamut of emotions. I enjoyed it. The line was horrendous and I arrived an hour early. At the Visa screening room you get into a preferred line if you are a gold or platinum Visa cardholder you get into a special lounge and even if it is full their line goes in first. I think the fee is too high for myself, but hey maybe next year.

Third was a wonderfully gory and gross film out of Italy THE MOTHER OF TEARS -- Scary, funny, gross and hell midway through the fire alarm went off for 15minutes. Was a complete gross out!!! Perfect midnight madness fare. Was accosted in line by a beautiful, inebriated young man named Alex. Had to yank him back like a raw recruit. "Hello Doll," I mean really!!! Met Coyette again this year as we like to sit in the front two rows. Was nice to have someone to sit with. 5 films tomorrow, sometimes I wonder about my sanity. More later today.

TIFF FINALLY!!!

I have finally finished picking films for the Toronto International Film Festival -- I managed 45!!! Got them in and am in box 61. So I wait 'til later this aft to find out how close I got with my stuff. C is teaching me to blog so Im gone now.