Film Fan Fridays for Friday June 29, 2007!!!

Hello Film Fans and Fanatics!

We have a wonderful array of films to choose from this long weekend. I would have to say that out of the selections I would strongly recommend getting out to see Let's All Hate Toronto at the Bloor cinema, I had the opportunity to see it and I highly recommend it. Also, it is Canada Day weekend, what better way to embrace our Canadian-ness that getting out to a Canadian film?

For the readers south of the border if you are in a documentary mood you may want to check out Michael Moore's Sicko. On the flip side if you are looking for a slice of action, perhaps Live Free and Die Hard is more your pace. I was happily surprized at the latest Die Hard instalment, it truly is a good action flick. If you are looking for something a little further off the beaten track, try out the eerie Red Road by Oscar winning director Andrea Arnold. On the flip side if you are looking for something more family friendly try the animated Ratatouille.

Have a great Canada Day weekend!

p. s .... although Transformers is scheduled to come out on Tuesday July 3rd, there are showings on the evening of Monday July 2nd at Scotiabank, Varsity, The Beach, Rainbow Fairview and Market Square and other theatres in Toronto.

Shannon

Festival Watch

Toronto International Portuguese Film Festival
June 28 – July 1, 2007 at the NFB, Toronto
http://www.portuguesefilmfestival.com/

Wednesday June 27, 2007 Releases

Live Free or Die Hard
Dir: Len Wiseman (Underworld, Underworld: Evolution)
Cast: Bruce Willis, Timothy Olyphant, Justin Long, Maggie Q, Cliff Curtis
USA

Thursday June 28, 2007 Releases

Let's All Hate Toronto
Albert Nerenberg & Rob Spence aka Mr. Toronto
Documentary
Canada
Limited Release

Friday June 29, 2007 Releases

Evening
Dir: Lajos Koltai (Fateless / Sorstalanság)
Cast: Meryl Streep, Glenn Close, Vanessa Redgrave, Natasha Richardson, Toni Collette, Claire Danes, Patrick Wilson, Hugh Dancy
USA

Ratatouille
Writer/Dir: Brad Bird (The Incredibles, The Iron Giant)
Voices of Ian Holm, Patton Oswalt and Peter O'Toole
USA

Red Road
Writer/Dir: Andrea Arnold (Wasp )
Cast: Kate Dickie, Tony Curran, Martin Compston, Nathalie Press, Andrew Armour
UK/Denmark
Limited Release

Sicko
Writen/Dir: Michael Moore (Bowling for Columbine, Fahrenheit 9/11)
Documentary
USA

Tuesday July 3, 2007 Releases

Transformers
Dir: Michael Bay (The Rock, Bad Boys, The Island)
Cast: Shia LeBoeuf, Megan Fox, Josh Duhamel, Tyrese Gibson, Jon Voight
USA

**please note this list of releases reflects first run film released in Toronto, Ontario, Canada June 27 - July 3, 2007**

Film Fan Fridays for Friday June 22, 2007!!!

Hello Film Fans and Fanatics!

Interesting mish mash of films with week ranging from the inspiration sport film Gracie to 1408 a thriller based on the Steven King story. In between those we have the highly acclaimed A Mighty Heart staring Angelina Jolie and the biblically inspired comedy Evan Almighty. That’s a lot of might! I am curious to see Eagle vs. Shark from New Zealand, as director’s short Two Cars, One Night was quite phenomenal. If you are looking for something that is already hit the theatres I have on good authority that Pierrepoint: The Last Hangman is an excellent film. So much to choose from!

Festival Watch

ReelHeART International Film Festival
Continues until June 23, 2007
http://www.reelheart.com/

Have a great weekend!

Shannon

Friday June 22, 2007 Releases

1408
Dir: Mikael Håfström (Derailed, Ondskan / Evil)
Cast: John Cusack, Samuel L. Jackson, Tony Shalhoub, Jasime Jessica Anthony
USA

Eagle vs. Shark
Writer/Dir: Taika Cohen (Two Cars, One Night - short)
Cast: Loren Horsley, Jemaine Clement
New Zealand
Limited Release

Evan Almightly
Dir: Tom Shadyac (Bruce Almighty, Patch Adams, Liar Liar)
Cast: Steve Carell, Morgan Freeman, Lauren Graham
USA

Gracie
Dir: Davis Guggenheim (An Inconvenient Truth)
Cast: Carly Schroeder, Elizabeth Shue, Dermot Mulroney, Jess Lee Soffer
USA

A Mighty Heart
Dir: Michael Winterbottom (The Road to Guantanamo, Tristam Shandy: A Cock and Bull Story)
Cast: Angelina Jolie, Dan Futterman, Archie Panjabi, Irfan Khan, Denis O'Hare
USA/UK

Wednesday June 27, 2007 Releases

Live Free or Die Hard
Dir: Len Wiseman (Underworld, Underworld: Evolution)
Cast: Bruce Willis, Timothy Olyphant, Justin Long, Maggie Q, Cliff Curtis
USA

**please note this list of releases reflects first run film released in Toronto, Ontario, Canada on June 22, 2007**

Gracie

Dir: Davis Guggenheim (An Inconvenient Truth)
Cast: Carly Schroeder, Elizabeth Shue, Dermot Mulroney, Jess Lee Soffer
USA, 2007

Seen: Advance screening June 16, 2007

Reason to see: Gotta love inspirational sport films

Coming from not only an athletic background myself, but also being feminist it was a little hard for me to sink into the idea of girls not being 'allowed' to play certain sports. Gracie explores this in its 1978 setting with reference to soccer. However, it also goes beyond soccer and is an all around coming of age film which shows the good and the bad. It also speaks to giving people a chance, knowing what you want, being persistent and driving for excellence. How could that be bad?

I think it achieves in sending a positive message. Although sometimes the writing isn't perfect and the performances can be a bit uneven I think it still drives its message though and lifts the spirit. I also quite enjoyed all the credits.

Shannon's Overall View:
I enjoyed it, even got a little teary-eyed
I'd watch it again
I recommend it, especially to any athletic hopefuls and their families & friends


No commercials or previews

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Day Watch / Dnevnoy Dozor

Dir: Timur Bekmambetov (Night Watch / Nochnoy Dozor)
Cast: Konstantin Khabensky, Mariya Poroshina, Vladimir Menshov, Galina Tyunina, Victor Verzhbitsky
Russia, 2007

Seen: June 14, 2007 at Scotiabank Theatre

Reason to see: I loved the first one. It's also for week 25/52 #7 - See 1 film a week in the theatre for a year

Watching this film I was a bit confused. I have recently read the book to Night Watch, and the story for this film comes from that book (and not the sequel of the same name) which surprized me. I went in not expecting to know the plot at all, and I did. Alas, getting over that I did think this was an enjoyable film. I tend to love things that are highly stylized and this sure was, from the costumes to editing to the sound it very clearly created a bizarre and full world. It cautiously walked the line between the familiar and the eerie which keeps you a bit off balance, but in a challenging good way. It pushes expectations, especially visually. Quite an interesting ride.

Shannon's Overall View:
I enjoyed it
I`ll buy it
I'd recommend it, but not as strongly as Night Watch / Nochnoy Dozor

16 minutes preshow included 3 commercials and 5 previews (The Kingdom, Paprika, 1408, Captivity, Sunshine)

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Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer

Dir: Tim Story (Fantastic Four, Taxi <2004>, Barbershop)
Cast: Ioan Gruffudd, Jessica Alba, Laurence Fishburne, Doug Jones, Chris Evans, Michael Chiklis, Julian McMahon
USA/Germany, 2007

Seen: June 21, 2007 at Scotiabank Theatre

Reason to see: Needed some light summer fun movie-ness, and I tend to like movies based on comics. This counts as week 26/52 in my #7 - See 1 film a week in the theatre for a year. Half way there! Woot!

Although I was not a fan of the first film in this series, I found Rise of the Silver Surfer to be quite fun. It had more depth than the first and a more interesting story, as well as the Silver Surfer which has always been and still is a cool character. I had to remind myself that unlike other teams in the comic world, The Fantastic Four are pretty much 'nice & clean' characters. They verge on being pretty geeky, when you think about it and that is okay too. Once I settled into that idea I started to enjoy the movie more. It's a little corny and a little predictable, but hey ... it's a summer movie. Better to know that going in, no?

Shannon's Overall View:
It was an enjoyable fun movie
I'd watch it again
I recommend it as a fun, light action film

15 minutes preshow included 6 commercials and 5 previews (Transformers, Rush Hour 3, Underdog, The Simpsons Movie, Live Free or Die Hard)

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Film Fan Fridays for Friday June 15, 2007!!!

Hello Film Fans and Fanatics!

Here we are with the warmness of summer upon and ... what's this? Close to almost exclusively limited releases this week? What a stroke of luck! We have a few award winners: Il Caimano (Cannes and David di Donatello), Sweet Mud (Sundance and Berlin Film Festivals) and The Golden Door (Venice Film Festival). We also have the critically acclaimed animated film Paprika which looks delightfully bizarre.

If you are looking for more family fare you can sleuth your way to Nancy Drew. Also in this week's lot is one hopeful blockbuster with the Fantastic Four sequel, Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer. Initially I would have to say I am not holding my breath on this one, but considering the Silver Surfer is a really cool character it might tip the scale. If I see all the limited releases first, of course.

BLUE
Directed, choreographed and performed by Elif Isikozlu
During the Worldwide Short Film Festival
Friday, June 15th, 2007 - 7:15pm, Innis Town Hall, Toronto

Festival Watch

World Wide Short Film Festival
Continues until June 17, Toronto
www.worldwideshortfilmfest.com/

ReelHeART International Film Festival
June 18 - 23, 2007
http://www.reelheart.com/

...............sneaky sneaky!
A sneak preview of Ratatouille this Saturday June 16th, 2007 at 7pm at Scotiabank Theatre, Silver City Yorkdale, Silver City Yonge & Eglinton and others theatres. Ratatouille is an animated film and features the voices of Ian Holm, Patton Oswalt and Peter O'Toole and is written and directed by Brad Bird who brought us The Incredibles and The Iron Giant.

Have a great weekend!

Shannon

Friday June 15, 2007 Releases

Il Caimano / The Caiman
Writer/Dir: Nanni Moretti (The Son's Room / La Stanza de Figlio)
Cast: Silvio Orlando, Nanni Moretti, Margherita Buy, Jasmine Trinca
Italy/France
Limited Release

Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer
Dir: Tim Story (Fantastic Four, Taxi <2004>, Barbershop)
Cast: Ioan Gruffudd, Jessica Alba, Laurence Fishburne, Doug Jones, Chris Evans, Michael Chiklis, Julian McMahon
USA/Germany

Golden Door / Nuovomodo
Writer/Dir: Emanuele Crialese (Respiro, Once We Were Stranger)
Cast: Charlotte Gainsbourg, Vincenzo Amato, Aurora Quattrocchi, Francesco Casisa
Italy/Germany/France
Limited Release

Nancy Drew
Writen/Dir: Andrew Fleming (The In-Laws, The Craft, Threesome)
Cast: Emma Roberts, Tate Donovan, Josh Flitter, Craig Gellis, Rachael Leigh Cook
USA

Paprika / Papurika
Dir: Satoshi Kon (Môsô dairinin / Paranoia Agent)
Voices: Megumi Hayashibara, Tôru Furuya, Kôichi Yamadera, Katsunosuke Hori
Japan
Limited Release

Pierrepoint: The Last Hangman
Dir: Adrian Shergold - film directorial debut
Cast: Timothy Spall, Juliet Stevenson, Eddie Marsan
UK
Limited Release

Sweet Mud / Adama Meshuga'at
Writer/Dir: Dror Shaul (Sima Vaknin Machshefa)
Cast: Tomer Steinhof, Shai Avivi, Ronit Yudkevitz, Pini Tavger
Isreal/Germany/Japan
Limited Release

**please note this list of releases reflects first run film released in Toronto, Ontario, Canada on June 15, 2007**

Film Fan Fridays for Friday June 8, 2007!!!

Hello Film Fans and Fanatics!

A nice and varied selection yet again this week with films from Canada and abroad alike. I would strongly recommend two of our releases this week, BLUE as a part of the Worldwide Short Film Festival as well as Brand Upon the Brain! Both Canadian, both beautiful artistic rich films.

Looking to our foreign releases this week, again many interesting choices. I am very excited to see Day Watch / Dnevnoy Dozor, sequel to Night Watch which was my favourite foreign films of 2006. There is also Angel-A, Luc Besson's latest which is exciting to see him back in the director's chair. The last live action film he directed was in 1999 with The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc, however I believe we tend to remember him more for The Professional and La Femme Nikita.

BLUE
Directed, choreographed and performed by Elif Isikozlu
During the Worldwide Short Film Festival
Thursday, June 14th, 2007 - 1:30pm at the Cumberland, Toronto
Friday, June 15th, 2007 - 7:15pm, Innis Town Hall, Toronto

Festival Watch

Alucine Toronto Latin@ Media Festival
Continues until June 9, 2007, Toronto
http://www.blogger.com/www.alucinefestival.com

European Union Film Festival
Continues until June 10, 2007, Toronto
http://www.blogger.com/www.eutorontofilmfest.ca

Toronto Italian Film Festival
Continues until June 10, 2007, Toronto
http://www.blogger.com/www.italianfilmfest.com

World Wide Short Film Festival
June 12 - 17, 2007, Toronto
www.worldwideshortfilmfest.com/

Have a great weekend!

Shannon

Friday June 8, 2007 Releases

Angel-A
Writer/Dir: Luc Besson (The Fifth Element, The Professional, La Femme Nikita)
Cast: Rie Rasmussen, Jamel Debbouze, Gilbert Melki, Serge Riaboukine
France
Limited Release

Bolly Double / The Lookalike
Writer/Dir: Arun Bharali - film directorial debut
Cast: Jessie Ahluwalia, Christian Bako, Opo Bhattacharya
USA

Brand Upon the Brain!
Dir: Guy Maddin (The Saddest Music in the World, Dracula: Pages from a Virgin's Diary)
Cast: Sullivan Brown, Maya Lawson, Gretchen Krich, Katherine E. Scharhon
Canada/USA
Limited Release

Day Watch / Dnevnoy Dozor
Dir: Timur Bekmambetov (Night Watch / Nochnoy Dozor)
Cast: Konstantin Khabensky, Mariya Poroshina, Vladimir Menshov, Galina Tyunina, Victor Verzhbitsky
Russia
Limited Release

Eli Roths' Hostel Part II
Writer/Dir: Eli Roth (Hostel, Cabin Fever)
Cast: Lauren German, Bijou Phillips, Roger Bart, Richard Burgi, Vera Jordanova
USA

La Vie en Rose / La Môme
Dir: Olivier Dahan (Crimson Rivers 2, Ghost River)
Cast: Marion Cotillard, Sylvie Testud, Pascal Greggory, Jean-Pierre Martins
France/UK/Czech Republic
Limited Release

Love is Work
Writer/Dir: Johnny Kalangis - debut
Cast: Fabrizio Filippo, Shauna Macdonald, Kathryn Zenna, Ryan McVittie
Canada
Limited Release

Ocean's Thirteen
Dir: Steven Soderbergh (The Good German, Ocean's Eleven, Solaris, Traffic)
Cast: George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Andy Garcia, Don Cheadle, Bernie Mac, Ellen Barkin, Al Pacino, Casey Affleck, Shaobo Qin, Elliott Gould
USA

Surf's Up
Dir: Ash Brannon (Toy Story 2) & Chris Buck (Tarzan)
Voices: Shia LaBeouf, Jeff Bridges, Zooey Deschanel, Jon Heder, James Woods
USA

**please note this list of releases reflects first run film released in Toronto, Ontario, Canada on June 8, 2007**

Everything's Gone Green

Dir: Paul Fox (The Dark Hours)
Cast: Paulo Costanzo, JR Bourne, Steph Song, Aidan Devine
Canada, 2007

Seen: May 9, 2007 at the Carlton

Reason to see: It's Canadian and I love Canadian film. Suzie liked it too, although I don't remember if I found that out before or after seeing it. It counts as week 20/52 for See 1 film a week in the theatre for a year.

First off, a big thank you to Danette whom I bumped into just as I was *this* close to copping out of my movie this week. It's always great to see her and then when she asked "Are you going to a movie?", how could I really say no? Thanks Danette!

It's great to see a Canadian film that truly shines and is upfront about being what it is. Shot and set in Vancouver we follow the life of 'slacker' Ryan for a while in situations that a lot of people can relate to and some that we would never expect at all. What I really liked about this film is that it shows people being human, making choices - not necessarily great ones always, and effects those choices have on their lives and the people around them. Things change when you change, so ... do you want to change? People say change is the one constant in life so I hope everyone likes it! Or finds a way to like it. I wonder if Ryan did.

Shannon's Overall View:
I enjoyed it
I'll watch it again
I recommend it

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5 min preshow - 1 commercial, 2 previews (The Wind that Shakes the Barley, Knocked Up)

Hot Fuzz

Dir: Edgar Wright (Shaun of the Dead)
Cast: Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Jim Broadbent, Paddy Considine, Bill Nighy, Timothy Dalton
UK, 2007

Seen: May 6, 2007 at .. sigh 'Scotiabank' theatre (formerly known as Paramount)

Reason to see: Are you kidding? Looks hilarious!!!!! Funny British Action flick? I'm so there! It counts as week 19/52 for my See 1 film a week in the theatre for a year.

I loved every single minute of this film. I loved the pace, the style, the humour, the actors, story, references... every single thing. It's so thrilling to go to the theatre and just enjoy everything. It's fun and silly, it made me laugh as well as jump (someone actually screamed in the theatre at one point - too funny). It didn't make you think too hard but it did make you feel. There are some great underlying things it is trying to say, even though you may not believe me it I told you and you wouldn't expect it in an 'action' film. Just see it, you'll see.

Warnings: violence

Shannon's Overall View:
I loved it
I'll buy it
I highly recommend it, except if you are really anti-violent and dislike lots of blowing stuff up and such. But even then, give it a try!

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4 minutes for 4 commercials
11 minutes for 5 previews (Superbad, Death at a Funeral, 28 Weeks Later..., Balls of Fury, Run Fatboy Run)

The Namesake

Dir: Mira Nair (Vanity Fair, Monsoon Wedding, Mississippi Masala)
Cast: Irfan Khan, Kal Penn, Tabu, Sahira Nair, Jacinda Barrett, Zuleikha Robinson
India/USA, 2007

Seen: May 27, 2007 at the Carlton

Reason to see: Preview was emotionally moving, I loved Monsoon Wedding, also taking part of #7 on my 101 list: See 1 film a week in the theatre for a year. This is week 22/52.

I'm thrilled to see that this film has had quite a successful run so far, and I think it deserves it. Although it was different that what the previews presented being focused on character Kal Penn plays, but rather it's about the whole family and in essence it is about family. Family and culture, neither of which you pick and both of which you can stray from or embrace and a lot of us try out both throughout difference stages in out lives. I found it engaging yet quietly paced. Felt *this* close to being Canadian, and I say that as a true compliment.

There were some moments at which I wanted to know more, especially about things revolving around culture. But I don't think of that as a bad thing as it never left me confused, only curious. So curious in fact I'm going to read the book on which it was based. It does stand on it's own though, quite enjoyable so.

Shannon's Overall View:
I enjoyed it
I would watch it again
I recommend it

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Bizarre film experience moment: I was first person in the theatre, sat down and munched away on my popcorn. Few minutes later some ladies come in and sit in the row behind me and over 1 seat and chat chat chat (just during the preshow). Out of all of the seats, why choose to sit so close to the only other person there so far?

Drumline

Director: Charles Stone III (Paid in Full, Mr. 3000)
Cast: Nick Cannon, Leonard Roberts, Orlando Jones, Zoe Saldana
USA, 2002

Seen: April 9, 2007 on DVD

Reason to see: Enthusiastically recommended by Jamie

Watching this film was such a treat, I always enjoy a film on a subject I don't know much about but has a great story and this one really hit the nail on the head. The subject, or more precisely, the context was marching bands add to that a coming of age, highly talented performers and group dynamics and you are set for a great ride. I really enjoyed it, and I'm sure you will too.

Great Quote: "You have to learn to follow before you can lead"

Shannon's Overall View:
I loved it
I'll watch it again, repeatedly
I recommend it to everyone

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Derailed

Director: Mikael Håfström (Ondskan / Evil, Strandvaskaren / Drowning Ghost, )
Cast: Clive Owen, Jennifer Aniston, Vincent Cassel, Melissa George
USA, 2005

Seen: April 20, 2007 on TMN

Reason to see: it was available on TMN on demand, I enjoy most of the actors in it

I will preface this by saying I did not watch the whole movie. It's been a while since I've actually turned a film off or better said that a film turned me off. I watched the first hour but after which it was clear that there were leading up to scenes that would contain sexual violence, for which I have little to no tolerance for, especially in 'thrillers'. I don't know who that thrills, and I don't think I want to.

Overall, I found the story a little implausible and I did not believe any of the words that Jennifer Aniston's character said would ever be said by a woman.

That being said, it did successfully create, maintain and build an great amount of sense of tension. For that I would have to give it some credit.

Warnings: Sexual violence

Shannon's Overall View:
I turned it off
I would not watch it again
I would not recommend it

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Film Fan Fridays for Friday June 1, 2007!!!

Hello Film Fans and Fanatics!

What a week! What a selection of films, festivals and even a special screening. So much to choose from, which I find very exciting. I myself, will definitely taking the opportunity to get out the Guy Maddin's film Brand Upon the Brain! Which is being shown with live accompaniment, you just don't often get the opportunity to see that (and I missed it at the film fest this year).

If that isn't quite what you are looking for there are 5 films and count 'em, 5 festival this week. That is a first I think for the newsletter the same number of festivals and films in the same week. This may be one of the only weekends of the summer we don't have a super-duper-blockbuster release. We do have the highly acclaimed, award winning 10 Canoes from Australia as well as the bloody Severance from the UK. Feeling like you are needing some giggles? Perhaps Knocked Up would be the choice for you.


Special Screening

Brand Upon the Brain!
Tuesday June 5, 2007 at 8pm
Elgin Theatre in Toronto, with live narration, foley artists and orchestra
Presented by Cinematheque as a part of Luminato
For more info: http://www.luminato.com/

Festival Watch

Alucine Toronto Latin@ Media Festival
Films showing June 1 - June 9, 2007, Toronto
www.alucinefestival.com

European Union Film Festival
Continues until Jun 10, 2007, Toronto
www.eutorontofilmfest.ca

Toronto Hispano-American Film Festival
Continues until June 3, 2007, Toronto
www.torontohispano.com/thaff

Toronto Italian Film Festival
June 6 - 10, 2007, Toronto
www.italianfilmfest.com

Voices Forward
Film and Culture About People from Israel & Palestine
May 31 - June 3, 2007, Toronto
http://voicesforward.org/

Have a great weekend!

Shannon

Friday June 1, 2007 Releases

10 Canoes
Dir: Rolf de Heer (Alexandra's Project) Peter Djigirr - debut
Cast: Crusoe Kurddal, Jamie Gulpilil, Richard Birrinbirrin, Peter Djigirr
Australia
Limited Release

Knocked Up
Writer/Dir: Judd Apatow (The 40 Year Old Virgin)
Cast: Seth Rogen, Katherine Heigl, Paul Rudd, Leslie Mann
USA

Mr. Brooks
Dir: Bruce Evans (Kuffs)
Cast: Kevin Costner, William Hurt, Dane Cook, Demi Moore, Marg Helgenberger
USA

Rise: Blood Hunter
Writer/Dir: Sebastian Gutierrez (Judas Kiss)
Cast: Lucy Liu, Cameron Richardson, Robert Forster, Allan Rich
USA

Severance
Dir: Christopher Smith (Creep)
Cast: Toby Stephens, Claudie Blakley, Andy Nyman, Tim Mcnnerny, Laura Harris
Germany/UK

**please note this list of releases reflects first run film released in Toronto, Ontario, Canada on June 1, 2007**