The red carpets have been rolled up for another year and now it's time to get into the new TV season. Before I do, here's a summary of TIFF for 2013. I saw a total of 20 movies this year, nothing that made me want to leave the theatre, and had an enjoyable time talking film with my friends and line-mates.
My Favourite movie of the festival
Can a Song Save Your Life from director John Carney and starring Mark Ruffalo, Kiera Knightly, Adam Levine, Catherine Keener and Hailee Steinfeld in the story of the making of an album. Great music, performances and if you don't feel happy when the credits roll you have no heart.
Great Movies (they will -or should- factor in come Oscar time)
12 Years a Slave - the People's Choice winner and presemptive Oscar frontrunner in the early stages of the award season. Chiwetel Ejiofor gives an amazing performance as a man forced into slavery dealing with all the horrors that encompasses.
Gravity - an absolutely visually stunning, original story about two astronauts lost in space, featuring a wonderful performance by Sandra Bullock.
August: Osage County - Meryl rocks. As does most of the sprawling cast telling a story of family dysfunction.
The Railway Man - the true story of a man dealing with the torture he endured during WWII anchored by the performances of two pairs of actors playing younger and older versions of the same character.
Devil's Knot - Atom Egoyan's dramatization of the West Memphis Three case is hard to watch...as it should be. And will make you want to learn more about the injustice if you haven't seen the documentaries already.
Labor Day - Kate Winslet and Josh Brolin spend the weekend in her home. He's an escaped convict...is she his hostage or his saviour?
Very Good Movies (I would totally recommend that you see them)
Bad Words - Jason Bateman's directorial debut about a 40 year old spelling bee contestant is foul and funny and a bit heartwarming too.
Third Person - Paul Haggis brings us three stories in three differents cities exploring the meaning of love and relationships. Of course they do all connect in some way in the end.
Hateship Loveship - Kristen Wiig proves she can tackle drama in the story of a quiet woman searching for happiness.
Enough Said - a grown up rom-com about two real people, made bittersweet as James Gandolfini's last performance
Ok Movies (a worthwhile plane selection)
Don Jon - JGL makes his filmmaking debut with the story of a guy who is too obsessed with porn to form a real relationship with a woman.
The Face of Love - Annette Bening is great as usual as a woman trying to get over her husband by getting into a relationship with a man who looks just like him.
The Invisible Woman - the true story of the young woman involved in an affair with Charles Dickens.
A Promise - a classic love triangle story.
Meh (don't bother)
A Story of Children and Film - a bit on the pretentious side.
When Jews were Funny - I found it a little aimless and disjointed. Others didn't agree since it won Best Canadian Feature at the awards.
You are Here - Matt Weiner's first foray into movies was not a success.
The Double - most of the critics liked this one way more than I did.
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