TIFF Blog

Are you as excited about the upcoming Toronto International Film Festival as I am?  This will be my first year going and I’ve been looking forward to watching what I hope are some provocative films.  The stuff you see today on the mainstream just doesn’t cut it.  The films here are creative, independent and filled with new up and comings attracting some of the biggest names in Hollywood and the world.  I’m pretty excited about our first screening (still to be planned) with my bebe and a big bag of popcorn with extra butter.

Check it out all over Toronto from September 10-19th and be sure to check out the TIFF Blog and official website for more details!

If you’re going to be at the Yonge Dundas square tonight, check out the free screening of the Pirates of the Carribean starting at sunset! Lots of shops are nearby so I suggest grabbing a coffee or an ice cream just before the show.

Here’s a quick movie synopsis: The evil Captain Barbossa and his band of pirates – who are neither dead nor alive due to an ancient curse – have kidnapped the Governor’s daughter. Swashbuckling, rum-soaked outlaw Jack Sparrow, (Depp) and local blacksmith Will Turner (Bloom) band together in this adventurous rescue. Prepare to be blown out of the water.

Arrrrrrgghh!

On Tuesday, August 11th, the Yonge and Dundas Square will be holding a free outdoor movie:  Gladiator (2000).  Directed by Ridley Scott and starring Russell Crowe and Joaquin Pheonix, this outdoor event is sure to please most audiences.

Synopsis: Maximus (Crowe), a successful general, is exiled by Commodus (Phoenix) the envious heir to the throne. Returning to Rome in slavery, Maximus is forced to fight as a Gladiator.  He uses his training  to challenge Commodus, avenge his family’s murder, and win the admiration of the Roman people.

Agrandir le plan

• July 3: Madagascar 2
• July 10: Hotel For Dogs
• July 17: Star Wars: The Clone Wars
• July 24: Kung Fu Panda
• July 31: City of Ember
• August 7: Space Chimps
• August 14: Horton Hears A Who
• August 21: Paul Blart: Mall Cop
• August 28: Meet Dave

Please check the Downsview Park website for more details:  http://downsviewpark.ca/en/events/calendar.cfm

Directions to the park:  http://downsviewpark.ca/en/contactus.cfm#map

Sex and the City is a movie that allows its viewers to escape the boundaries of the rule-oriented dating scene that has become dominant in recent times. It helps one to think outside the box, coming up with all sorts of possibilities, rather than jumping to conclusions. Instead of thinking, “Because s/he’s not doing x, it must mean y,” the plot of Sex and the City causes us to think, “S/he could not be doing x for a lot of reasons. I won’t rush to assumptions; I will find out why.” I feel this film promotes healthy thought in adults who are involved in the dating scene. This optimistic film will come as a refreshing release to the cynical few out there who think negatively about their love lives.

Sex and the City tells the story of a woman who thought she’d never fall in love. She ends up surprising herself by getting wed to her boyfriend of 10 years – and being thrilled at the anticipation of married life. Sex and the City follows the lives of the commitment-phobic, the happily wed, the dysfunctional family, and the skeptical, so everyone can relate. It teaches us about forgiveness and understanding and asks us to challenge our opinions on cheating. The viewer steps outside the black-and-white perspective she sees through the lenses placed on her by North American society. She realizes there are gray areas that exist. Is cheating acceptable if one has been physically and emotionally distant in a relationship for months? Is it forgivable if you feel your partner is genuinely a good person and a trustworthy mate?

That’s not all that we can learn from Sex and the City. This movie is great to see on a date, because it demonstrates effective ways of problem solving with a partner. Not only does it challenge common opinion, but is humorous as well. Certain outrageous scenes will make it impossible for you not to laugh your pants off. You will cry, chuckle, and gasp throughout this movie.

I highly recommend that couples rent this motion picture and curl up to watch it. Even though it may be considered a chick flick, the most macho of men will appreciate its comedy and in-your-face moments. Have your tissues ready! Sex and the City is the perfect romantic comedy. It deserves a 10/10.

Rejection

The silent rejection – We’ve all experienced it. You go out on a first date with a person you’re into, think things are going great, and then s/he ceases to call ever again. You can’t explain it and you are astounded by it. You sit by your phone, anxiously waiting for a call from that special person, but it never arrives. Then, the problem lies in coping with the fact that one has been rejected; we start making up excuses for it, lying to ourselves in order to feel better. Maybe, the solution lies in taking a hint from the movie: He’s Just Not That Into You.

He’s Just Not That Into You should be a guide to dating for both men and women. Although we can’t expect everyone who dates to follow the same standard basis of behaviour, the movie makes this clear, too. There are few exceptions to the rule, but most people are often “the rule”, meaning if your date doesn’t call you again, s/he’s not interested; if someone cheats on you, don’t count on that person to be faithful a second time.

I’d give He’s Just Not That Into You 10 stars out of 10. Although it contains a slight pessimistic vibe, because of the protagonist’s constant rejection and desperate behaviour, the movie does look up – in most aspects – in the end. It is also very humorous, and certain romantic elements can be appreciated by the audience. Most importantly, who can forget the morale? It is helpful for those new or naïve to dating, and once one knows what to expect, s/he is better able to play the game.

He’s Just Not That Into You is a great movie to see on a date. Long-time couples can delight that their relationships have not taken a wrong turn, unlike some shown in the film. Meanwhile those on first dates can enjoy the humour of the motion picture, the irony of the plot, and embrace the message it brings without resentment. So what if s/he never calls again? It happens to everyone. Maybe you two just don’t have that much in common. The right person will come along one day.

As all Jim Carrey movies do, Yes Man will provide a humorous release from a stressful work week. Loaded with slap-stick comedy, couples can delight over hilarious moments together. If you’re self-conscious, a few laughs thanks to this film will open you up to your date.

And let’s not forget the message: be open to trying new things, but use your judgment and feel free to say no when you don’t think something is a good idea. Taking risks, when they are reasonable of course, is what makes life exciting and worthwhile. If we never took risks in life, who would we be kidding – we wouldn’t be living! At the same time, we must learn to make our own choices, and not be afraid to say “no” every once in a while. Yes Man does a good job of portraying this.

I would have given this film a perfect ten for its originality and entertainment factor, if it were not for the unrealistic character of Carl Allen. Sure, there are some qualities about him that make it easy to relate to him, such as being afraid of of taking risks, being upset due to nearly losing a promotion at work, and taking some time to bounce back after a heartbreaking divorce. On the other hand, Carl’s sense of humor is a bit twisted. It is almost impossible to tell when he is joking. He also seems unusually cheerful all the time, after attending a workshop which inspires his new way of life. It is almost as if he’s not human.

All in all, Yes Man is a great movie. I’d give it a nine out of ten. Not only is it comical and has a wonderful moral, there are romantic elements that will make couples say, “Awwww,” as they think back to similar times they shared. If you love Jim Carrey or just want to have an enjoyable date, you’ve got to see this film.

Cyanosis
D: Rokhsareh Ghaemmaghami / Iran / 32 min
A stylistically-told tale of a love-sick Iranian street artist brought to life with brilliant animated sequences.
INNIS Thu Apr 24 7:15 PM
INNIS Sat Apr 26 7:15 PM

Mechanical Love
D: Phie Ambo / Denmark / 79 min
The intimate and complex relationships between therapeutic robots and humans are explored, raising some very provocative questions. Can robots offer a substitute for human affection? Meet Paro, a needy robotic baby seal, and believe that it’s possible.
Screening with: Peter and Ben
D: Pinny Grylls / UK / 10 min
CUMBERLAND Thu Apr 24 7:00 PM
ROYAL Sat Apr 26 2:00 PM

Vesterbro
D: Michael Noer / Denmark / 78 min
Twenty-something do-nothings Julie and Martin take us into their hearts and under their covers in this honest, and often uncomfortably funny, look at their tumultuous relationship. Real love struggles against real life in this most modern love story.
ROYAL Wed Apr 23 9:30 PM
BLOOR Thu Apr 24 11:59 PM

Venues:
- The Scene Screening Room at the Isabel Bader Theatre: 93 Charles Street West
- The Al Green Theatre: Inside the Miles Nadal JCC – 750 Spadina Avenue
- The Winter Garden Theatre: 189 Yonge Street
- The Bloor Cinema: 506 Bloor St West
- Cumberland Cinemas: 159 Cumberland Street
- The Royal Cinema: 608 College Street
- The Rom Theatre: 100 Queen’s Park
- Innis Town Hall: 2 Sussex Avenue

Ticket info:
Daytime Screenings Tickets (before 6 pm) are $10, evening screenings (between 6 pm-11 pm) are $12 and Late Night Screenings (after 11PM) are $5. Order advance tickets and pass sales at the DOCUMENTARY Box Office (87 Avenue Road, 2 Blocks North of Bloor, upper level of Hazelton Lanes), online at www.hotdocs.ca, or by phone at 416-637-5150. ALL DAYTIME screenings (before 6pm) are FREE FOR STUDENTS and seniors. Students that want to take advantage of this great offer MUST have a valid student ID. Students and Seniors can ONLY obtain tickets at the screening venue on the day of the screening, subject to availability. FREE TICKETS ARE NOT AVAILABLE AT THE DOCUMENTARY BOX OFFICE.

Visit www.hotdocs.ca for further information and detailed film descriptions.

During the past few months, I’ve shouted at you, letting y’all know what shows to see, where, and when. Over the weekend, the thought dawned on me that perhaps my particular- and oft peculiar- taste is not exactly in sync with LoveInToronto.com’s general readership, nor should it be. Music is the universal language, but it is also deeply personal and highly individual. With that logic in mind, I present to you my primer on how to find out about shows and buy tickets for anything and everything that our multicultural, cosmopolitan metropolis has to offer.

What do you want to see?

Really, Reader, that’s up to you. Toronto’s ticketed offerings are plentiful. The world’s best touring artists make regular stops here, as does every Canadian act at every “stage” of making it. That’s not to mention the home-grown talent we have right here in our backyard. And while I personally tend to enjoy concerts more than any other form of entertainment, the sky’s the limit. You can take in a theatre show, musical or otherwise, an opera, a dance, a symphony orchestra, a comedy, an independent film, or even an exhibit in one of hundreds of area art galleries. Research is the key. Look into it, and you’ll find an experience tailor-made for you. Be adventurous, and you’ll be rewarded. Tread the road less taken, and you’ll discover treasures all your own.

Print

I usually start by looking into free, weekly, independent NOW Magazine and its little brother, TorStar-owned Eye Weekly. These well-written, finger on the pulse rags have got it all: previews, reviews, and announcements about what’s in town to do and see. There is also gay weekly Xtra, as well as art directories MAG (Mass Art Guide) and Slate and, I’m sure, dozens of other free competitors, on top of mainstays like the Star and Sun. However, as far as being free and thoroughly Toronto are concerned, NOW’s your best bet (the ads alone will keep you totally up T.O. date).

Web

On the web, there’s LoveInToronto.com, of course, but I also recommend, first and foremost, http://www.zoilus.com/. The site of Globe and Mail critic and editor Carl Wilson, Zoilus is an unmatched resource.  Sharing the top acts of the week, and including reviews and criticism, Wilson’s This Week’s Top Shows is not to be messed with. It’s a rock-solid index of the best of what’s around, and his picks and advice are consistently on the money.

Also on the web is http://www.pollstar.com/. More for mainstream acts on a by-search basis, if you type “Toronto” into their handy search feature, you’ll get a list of what’s on, mostly at established venues like the Horseshoe, El Mo, Mod Club, Lee’s, Phoenix, and Opera House. While ignoring anything too fringe, Pollstar’s search could give me enough to recommend dozens of shows to you.

Rounding out my web secrets is http://www.jambase.com/. Again, you have to specify Toronto in your search, but once you’re there, the Base provides a fairly comprehensive list of what’s live on any given day or night. Like Pollstar, Jambase eschews acts and venues that are more “off the beaten track,” but don’t worry: I have still more tricks up my sleeve.

Ticket Agents

Another excellent Toronto-only resource available in-person or online is record shop Rotate This. Located at 620 Queen West, just west of Bathurst, Rotate This is in the ticket business in a big way. If you go to their website at http://www.rotate.com/tickets.php, you’ll find what’s on sale in our city, what it costs, and what’s sold out. You can pick up your tickets in person with a ticket surcharge so reasonable it makes the ’master look like even more of an evil monolith. Competitor Soundscapes at 572 College does the same job without the web presence.

In addition…

Having covered my bases, I would be remiss not to mention the real ways I find out what I want to see and do. Posters, plastered on every free surface throughout the city, are a big help, as is keeping my eyes and ears open. I also subscribe to the mailing lists and regularly check the sites of my favourite acts to make sure I’m in the loop.

Honestly, I make most of my decisions about how to spend my hard-earned and sacred entertainment budget based on word of mouth buzz. If my friends like something, they forward me a myspace address, and if we both think it’s hot, that’s a sure sign I’m going to check it out. Most people tend to befriend those with similar taste, so ask around. Are your friends going to see any shows in the next little while? Is there anything they have seen and would recommend? The same goes for family, co-workers, TTC employees… or anyone else. Keep an open mind, and you won’t be disappointed. Then you’ll be able to see acts that are meaningful to you, enrich your life, deepen your cultural exchange, and enliven our otherwise dull existence. So get out there: see, and be the scene.

Is your singing voice a different octave than your speaking voice? Perhaps you are ‘Bass Baritone’? I’m not sure but I think Paul Potts is a Bass Baritone. What exactly is a BASS BARITONE VOICE? Ian Curtis, the lead singer of Joy Division had a Bass Baritone voice. That is to say his singing voice shared certain qualities of both the baritone and the bass. You can really hear those qualities in the hit song: Love will tear us apart, again.

The ‘bass baritone’ terminology arose in the late19th century to describe the particular type of voice required for Wagnerian roles. The term arises again with the release of the movie Control – a feature film by rock and roll photographer turned director Anton Corbijn; Control is based on a book by Deborah Curtis, and chronicles the rise of Joy Division and the demise of Ian Curtis. The movie opens tomorrow, Friday October, 26 2007, at select theatres with links for show times and a Tribute.ca synopsis below.

Ian Curtis had a bass-baritone voice distinguished by two attributes: first, he was capable of singing comfortably in a baritonal tessitura. Second, his voice could resonate lower range melodies typically associated with bass melodies. For example, the role of Wotanin Die Walküre covers the range from the F# above middle C to the F below the bass clef but only infrequently descends beyond the C below middle C. Ian Curtis’s speaking voice was actually one octave higher pitched.

The movie Control explores the Manchester music scene in late 1970′s. It features the legendary spoken word poet John Cooper Clarke on stage reciting ‘Evidently Chickentown’ to a room full of punk rockers – who are mesmerized by the spectacle… and of course it raises the question, again, did Tony Wilson really sign Joy Division to Factory Records in his own blood? In the movie Control, Tony Wilson faints from lack of blood in a restaurant after the event…blood. But is this the truth ? The answer is NO! No contracts were ever signed. This myth first emerged in 2002 from the mouth of Tony Wilson himself in the run up to the release of 24Hour Party People, where the scene is also portrayed.

Check out the movie listing at Tribute.ca here: http://www.tribute.ca/movies/Control/15091.
For show times and location check here: http://www.tribute.ca/by_movie.asp?name=Control&movie=15091