Friday, May 04, 2007

Film Fan Fridays for Friday May 4, 2007!!!

Hello Film Fans and Fanatics!

Well, it seems almost surprizing that anyone would know that there are films other than Spiderman 3 being released this week. One of the big Toronto theatres is showing it 25 times on Friday. 25 times. If ya go, take note its a fairly lengthy one clocking in at 2h20min, and you can bet on previews. But, that doesn't mean I won't go see it.. I mean, its Spiderman! Woohoo! Seems to be the surefire indicator of the start of summer.

Out of this weeks releases I've be anxiously awaiting seeing Away From Her, directed by Sarah Polley. My previous four opportunities to see were all foiled one way or another (mostly due to popularity, which is exciting) so I'm thrilled it's in regular release. Go Canadian film!

If you are looking for something a little less close to home, check out anything at the Cumberland this week - their entire line up is all foreign subtitled film. How cool is that? If you are up for subtitles there are still many choices, such as the gambling but looks slightly like it might be hiding as a romance or date movie appeal Lucky You, David Lynch's latest Inland Empire, or The Flying Scotsman based on real life cyclist Graeme Obree. A nice and varied selection this week! Enjoy it!

Festival Watch

Found Footage Festival
Friday May 4th, 2007 at The Bloor Cinema, Toronto
www.foundfootagefestival.com

U of T Hong Kong Film Festival
May 4-6, 2007, various locations, Toronto
More info here and here

Toronto Jewish Film Festival
May 5-13, 2007, various locations, Toronto
www.tjff.com

Have a great weekend !!!

Shannon

Friday May 4, 2007 Releases

Away From Her
Dir: Sarah Polley - feature film debut
Cast: Gordon Pinsent, Julie Christie, MIchael Murphy, Olympia Dukakis, Kristen Thomson
Canada

Civic Duty
Dir: Jeff Renfroe (One Point O)
Cast: Peter Krause, Khaled Abol Naga, Kari Matchett, Richard Schiff
UK/USA/Canada

The Flying Scotsman
Dir: Douglas Mackinnon - feature film debut
Cast: Jonny Lee Miller, Brian Cox, Billy Boyd, Laura Fraser
Germany/UK

Inland Empire
Writer/Dir: David Lynch (Mulholland Dr., Lost Highway, Wild at Heart)
Cast: Laura Dern, Justin Theroux, Jeremy Irons, Harry Dean Stanton
Limited Release
France/Poland/USA

Lucky You
Dir: Curtis Hanson (In Her Shoes, 8 Mile, L.A. Confidential)
Cast: Eric Bana, Drew Barrymore, Robert Duvall, Debra Messing
USA

Spiderman 3
Dir: Sam Raimi (Spiderman, Spiderman 2, The Gift, Army of Darkness)
Cast: Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, James Franco, Thomas Haden Church
USA

The Valet / La Boublure
Writer/Dir: Francis Verber (The Closet / Le Placard, Three Fugitives)
Cast: Daniel Auteuil, Kristin Schott Thomas, Dany Boon
Italy/Belgium/France
Limited Release

**please note this list of releases reflects first run film released in Toronto, Ontario, Canada on May 4, 2007**

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

http://theflyingscotsmanmovie.com/

04.05.2007 - James Snyder - The New York Sun "screenwriters John Brown, Declan Hughes, and Simon Rose turn those rules upside down in a third act that is less a celebration of celebrity than a sobering look at the costs that accompany it." and"...there are flashes of brilliance here. Director Douglas Mackinnon's racing footage, which cuts between a telescopic technique that offers the vantage point of the spectators and a closely mounted camera that shows Graeme's tunnel vision from the racetrack, is riveting." and ""The Flying Scotsman" is the rare film that stays with its hero after the gold metal is placed around his neck and the chase for glory has come to an end."

04.05.2007 - Bill Zwecker - Chicago Sun-Times "Turmoil and victory meet in remarkable 'Scotsman'" and "Miller is a revelation here" and "Unlike so many motion pictures, where all forms of mental illness are interpreted by over-the-top acting, Miller's approach is far more realistic and likely similar to the true fight that millions face with this wide-spread affliction worldwide." and "Even for audiences who normally would not be interested in cycling, "The Flying Scotsman" is a good choice, because this film is about so much more."

04.05.2007 - Tom Keogh, Seattle Times - ""The Flying Scotsman's" inspirational tale sends spirits soaring" and "Jonny Lee Miller ("Trainspotting") is enormously sympathetic and appealing as Obree"

04.05.2007 - Kyle Smith in the New York Post writes ""The Flying Scotsman" is different. It's an underdog story with teeth." and "the movie is refreshing in its suggestion that even victory may not cure every ailment"

04.05.2007 - Sarah Kaufman, Washington Post review -" a classic tale of the heroic little guy that goes beyond the sport of cycling, told with elegant restraint in this sensitive and beautifully rendered film" and "Miller is key to the film's success, with his earnest, sweet-faced looks and evident dark side. He plays Obree with just the right understated intensity, a believable competitor who fights back fiercely with his wits and a few tight-lipped words."

03.05.2007 - John P. McCarthy, Catholic News Service, writes "Obree's bouts with depression prevent this film from being just a sentimental movie with a formulaic outcome. Director Douglas Mackinnon uses his subject's troubled psyche to generate suspense; and the cyclist's friendship with a Protestant minister, the Rev. Douglas Baxter (Brian Cox), lends a subtle religious dimension." and "Exemplifying the movie's good taste and sensitivity, lovely music and scenery don't overwhelm the central plight of this lionhearted athlete."


03.05.2007 - Michael Wilmington, Chicago Tribune, writes "Mackinnon, a TV star director making his theatrical feature debut here, has a flair for pace, colour and performances. The writing is more heartfelt than usual for a movie like this; one of the writers, Rose, has been working on the project for 12 years. "The Flying Scotsman," like many movie bios, invents some characters and plays with the truth, though not too much. But the movie, which endured a few bumps and trials of its own on its path to the screen, tells a tale both fast and moving. And when Miller as Obree takes his whirls around the track, it gets your heart pumping and your blood up".
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