Tiff 2013

Insidious Von

My head is my home
Sep 12, 2007
41,160
8,182
113
Tiff has become a corporate event now, Hollywood moves north and uses 10 days in our city to make deals. Thus most of the major stars have an obligation to be here. Its great for our city's international image but not so good for common schmoes like myself who just wants to see the films. Now it's no different than attempting to go to a Leafs game. A shame really Tiff used to be fun.

The one item of interest is that Nelson Mandela's autobiography Long Walk to Freedom has been made into a film and its premiered here. Taking into consideration that Mandela directed a transition of power without violence and bloodshed, if Stringer Bell can pull it off he'll never half to make another film again.

 

Insidious Von

My head is my home
Sep 12, 2007
41,160
8,182
113
By the time I got to The Wire, a already knew what great character actor Idris Elba is.

 

blackrock13

Banned
Jun 6, 2009
40,084
1
0
Considering it brings in excess of $30 million to TO now, it should/must matter to someone. The top movies here are given quite a boost for their futures revenues. Just look at the past winning movies.
 

trod

Active member
Aug 3, 2009
1,090
1
38
I saw him up close while he arrived at the Red Carpet for the screening outside Roy Thomson hall. It was his birthday apparently so people sang the birthday song to him.

My fav quote of him from The Wire - "Adjourn your asses".
 

Insidious Von

My head is my home
Sep 12, 2007
41,160
8,182
113
Idris Elba is a cool cat, if I weren't nursing injuries from a car crash (including a nasty concussion) I would have attended the premiere of Long Walk to Freedom. After Pacific Rim wrapped (shot in Toronto) he stayed three months in South Africa to research his role. He was constantly reminded of the huge responsibility placed upon his shoulders. He even slept in Mandela's cell on Robben Island, the groundskeepers locked him in and left for the night. I hope he brought a sleeping bag, it must have been damn cold!

Mumbles is the first character I saw him play, long before The Wire.

 

Insidious Von

My head is my home
Sep 12, 2007
41,160
8,182
113
Idris Elba didn't audition for American Gangster. Denzel Washington is a fan of The Wire and told the casting director that he wanted him in the film.

 

NHFL

Active member
Feb 20, 2013
750
22
28
I have attended TIFF for the last 12 years or so. It certainly has gotten more "corporate", but there are almost 400 films that are screened at it. At most only about 5% to 10% (20 to 40 films) are the big Hollywood things. Others are still small and independent films and a true pleasure to watch. I would argue that what has made it more corporate is simply the overblown press coverage of the event and its focus on stars that come to party in TO. I do, however, believe that the festival is still very true to its roots
 

Don Draper

Cufflinks & Cognac
Nov 24, 2009
6,364
644
113
I have attended TIFF for the last 12 years or so. It certainly has gotten more "corporate", but there are almost 400 films that are screened at it. At most only about 5% to 10% (20 to 40 films) are the big Hollywood things. Others are still small and independent films and a true pleasure to watch. I would argue that what has made it more corporate is simply the overblown press coverage of the event and its focus on stars that come to party in TO. I do, however, believe that the festival is still very true to its roots
Very well said, NHFL.

TIFF is and continues to be a treasure trove of films, a true 'World Class Event' and just plain, old fashioned fun.

The thing that I have always found about TIFF is that when you have conversations regarding the films one wants to see, anyone you speak to can only make reference to Hollywood films. That is to say that if you mention a major talent (director, actor or writer) that is not an english speaker, most people just fade out of the conversation. They have no frame of reference if they're uniligual themselves.

The Hollywood films are the ones that least interest me. They're going to get released in North America very soon anyway. Some even during TIFF itself! Beautiful films from Europe , Asia or South America are the real gems to find.

I've got four consecutive screenings in the next four evenings and I'm looking forward to every single one of them.
 

GPIDEAL

Prolific User
Jun 27, 2010
23,334
13
38
I've done my TIFF screenings already due to a busy September.

Saw Faith Connections (excellent film about a religious festival that takes place in India every 12 years), All Is By My Side about Jimi Hendrix, and The Unknown Knowns (Errol Morris' documentary about Donald Rumsfeld).

Also saw All Cheerleaders Die (A Midnight Madness B Movie about sexy cheerleaders - some girl on girl action there too he he).

Best film: Faith Connections

Biggest Disappointment: All Is By My Side, although Andre Benjamin was great as Hendrix (and the groupies also were superbly acted by the ladies involved).


TIFF still has a lot way to go for being more corporate. They should run like a corporation (you can't even download your tickets, the online staff don't know that much, the notices could be more complete and informative, and several of us had problems logging in).

I wish I had more time to see more screenings. Like Mr. Draper said, better to see the non-galas or avoid Hollywood productions, although I would have liked to have seen Parkland but will catch that when it comes out publicly.

(I've seen many great movies that never made it to wide distribution and which are memorable over the years).

Senor Draper, that sig pic is outstanding.
 

NHFL

Active member
Feb 20, 2013
750
22
28
Biggest Disappointment: All Is By My Side, although Andre Benjamin was great as Hendrix (and the groupies also were superbly acted by the ladies involved)

Senor Draper, that sig pic is outstanding.
Could not agree more. Saw the first screening of this and was bored stiff.
 

LoveThemGirls

World Champion Girl Lover
Nov 18, 2001
575
0
16
Toronto
I love film and used to go to TIFF screenings but stopped a few years ago. One thing I absolutely positively cannot stand and I find repugnant is the "celebrity watch" shit on the news, where "entertainment news reporters" hang around the red carpets to report on celebrity sightings and "after parties", and the mob of people who scream at the sight of an actor.
 

GPIDEAL

Prolific User
Jun 27, 2010
23,334
13
38
Could not agree more. Saw the first screening of this and was bored stiff.
The average Joe wants to see and hear Hendrix perform some of his most famous songs. They're not film aficionado's. They will be disappointed too. However, I heard that they couldn't get full rights to his music from the family.


BTW, if you can get your hands on a posthumous CD, Valley of Neptunes, you will hear his version of Sargent Peppers' Lone Hearts Band (it's a live performance CD, so could be the same performance depicted in the film).
 

Don Draper

Cufflinks & Cognac
Nov 24, 2009
6,364
644
113
Another TIFF is in the books and rather enjoyable.

Meeting Johnnie To on Wednesday night was a highlight and Alberto Mendoza's "El Libertador" Simon Bolivar bio pic with a great score by Gustavo Dudamel and Edgar Ramirez ("Carlos" as in Jackal) was a standout.

Who wishes to share their TIFF preferences?
 

pusher69

Active member
Jun 11, 2006
539
89
28
I for one... am sure glad TIFF is done.
Will make sure I am on vacation next year around this time.

Last week was pretty much work and taking clienta from out of town to the TIFF dinner events, showings and the after parties...and waking up and repeating again.

Did run into a couple handful of celebs last week.

Time for a mental vacation now.
 

mila

New member
Dec 18, 2010
678
0
0
Toronto
I for one... am sure glad TIFF is done.
Will make sure I am on vacation next year around this time.

Last week was pretty much work and taking clienta from out of town to the TIFF dinner events, showings and the after parties...and waking up and repeating again.

Did run into a couple handful of celebs last week.

Time for a mental vacation now.
Yes, I am glad it is over too! I went to every after party and I am tired and can't wait to take a huge break from partying! xx
 
Toronto Escorts