Toronto is coming. Woohoo!

So it's almost upon us, the long-anticipated event. That's right, this week I'm going to be unleashed upon the unsuspecting citizenry of Toronto, and no amount of Godzilla repellent is going to keep me away. I've been longing to go to TIFF for years, and with the vast and vastly awesome array of films playing I couldn't wait one more year. So here's the schedule I've got so far. I'll rush a few more films (that Wavelengths #2 program looks mighty tempting), and naturally I'll add ratings and comments as I see the films. Although how soon after remains to be seen- it's my vacation, and I plan to enjoy it. And by the looks of this schedule, I'll have to put forth a lot of effort NOT to enjoy myself.

Thursday, September 6:
6:00 PM- Fados (Carlos Saura) [I recently saw Cria Cuervos for the first time and was pretty blown away. The only film of his I've seen was Tango which was only OK, but I'll give him another shot.)
9:00 PM- Persepolis (Marjane Satrapi and Vincent Paronnaud) [This was well-reviewed at Cannes this year, so I'll give it a whirl.)
11:59 PM- The Mother of Tears (Dario Argento) [Should be a blast.]

Friday, September 7:
9:45 AM- Ne Touchez Pas le Hache (Jacques Rivette) [The biggest heartbreaker of the fest was that this was scheduled opposite Roy Andersson, with neither playing again until after I leave. But you know me- barring a surprise Watkins film, I'll pretty much always choose my man Rivette.]
{Lots of free time here for rushing something or hanging out or seeing the city.}
2:45 PM- The Flight of the Red Balloon (Hou Hsiao-hsien) [I'm not the world's biggest Hou fan, but I know plenty of Hou fans who'll be there, so at least it'll be good for discussing afterwards.]
7:00 PM- The Edge of Heaven (Fatih Akin) [After Head On, Akin's one to watch.]
{More free time here since I didn't get into Control. But don't worry, I'm sure I'll find something.}

Saturday, September 8:
9:00 AM- Les Amours d'Astree et de Celadon (Eric Rohmer)
12:45 PM- The Man From London (Bela Tarr)
4:30 PM- Useless (Jia Zhang-ke)
11:59 PM- George A. Romero's Diary of the Dead [Hell yes- Romero at midnight is gonna RAWK. Jason- wish you were here to enjoy it with me.]
{Yup- Rohmer, Tarr, Jia and Romero all in one day. Only in Toronto. Plus I figure I can work in at least one more evening show and still have time to chill with my buds.}

Sunday, September 9:
9:00 AM- The Visitor (Tom McCarthy) [This could end up getting the axe if I'm still beat from Romero the night before, but this looked like a good time filler. Will be nice to see Richard Jenkins in a lead role for a change.}
11:45 AM- Secret Sunshine (Lee Chang-dong) [Another Cannes film.]
3:30 PM- Les Chansons d'Amour (Christophe Honoré) [And another. I wasn't a fan of Honoré's Ma Mere, but this will get me my Ludivine fix since I won't be in town for the Chabrol. Ludivine *drool*]
{Another break. I requested the new Greenaway film here, but I'm sure I'll find an acceptable substitute.}
9:00 PM- Silent Light (Carlos Reygadas) [The semi-legendary awesome Reygadas film. Can't wait.]

Monday, September 10:
{My final shutout was the Palme d'Or winner 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days. I'm kinda bummed about it, but I'm sure it'll come to town.}
12:30 PM- Chrysalis (Julien Leclerq) [I scheduled this as a time-filler, mostly due to Albert Dupontel in the lead. Could very well find something else to see.]
2:30 PM- Sad Vacation (Shinji Aoyama) [The only Aoyama I've seen is Eureka, which I love. Naturally, I'm curious what else he's got in him.]
6:00 PM- Redacted (Brian DePalma) [Another "hell yes." DePalma haters can step off. Dude's got mad skills, so recognize.]
{A few possibilities here- the new Lee Myung-se, My Kid Could Paint That and so on. Or maybe just boozing with Steve and/or Theo.}
11:59 PM- Stuck (Stuart Gordon) [Call this a scouting mission for this fall's horror marathon. I'll keep you posted, Bruce and Joe.]

Tuesday, September 11:
9:00 AM- The Last Lear (Rituparano Ghosh) [I fly out in the afternoon, but I wanted to fit in at least one more film before I left, and when I saw the great Bachchan had a new one at the fest, I couldn't resist.]

Man, this is gonna be great...