My Toronto grades

All films 2007 unless otherwise noted. Click on dates for commentary on Screengrab as it's posted.

Thursday, 9/6:
Fados (Carlos Saura) - 7
Persepolis (Marjane Satrapi and Vincente Parranoud) - 5
The Mother of Tears (Dario Argento) - 6

Friday, 9/7:
Ne Touchez Pas le Hache (Jacques Rivette) - 9
Pink (2006, Alexander Voulgaris) - 3
Le Voyage du Ballon Rouge (Hou Hsiao-hsien) - 7
The Edge of Heaven (Fatih Akin) - 6
The Orphanage (Juan Antonio Bayona) - 6

Saturday, 9/8:
Les Amours d'Astrée et de Céladon (Eric Rohmer) - 8 (click for full review)
The Man From London (Béla Tarr) - 6
Useless (Jia Zhang-ke) - 5
Europa 2005- 27 octobre (2006, Jean-Marie Straub and Daniele Huillet) [short] - recommended
Capitalism:Slavery (Ken Jacobs) [short] - recommended
Profit motive and the whispering wind (John Gianvito) - 8
George A. Romero's Diary of the Dead - 6

Sunday, 9/9:
Secret Sunshine (Lee Chang-dong) - 7
Les Chansons d'Amour (Christophe Honoré) - 4
Silent Light (Carlos Reygadas) - 9 (click for Movie Moment piece)

Monday, 9/10:
Sad Vacation (Shinji Aoyama) - 3
Redacted (Brian DePalma) - 7
Atonement (Joe Wright) - 6
Stuck (Stuart Gordon) - 8

Wow, Toronto was frickin' amazing. I seriously think it's the best vacation I've ever taken. I've been some awesome places in my life, but whereas I usually had to adhere to someone else's schedule on those trips, this was a vacation just for me. Also, nice to meet (deep breath) Ryan, Victor, Missy, Jason, baaab, Charles, Froilan, Josh, Jim, Scott, Mike, Dan, Ken, Girish, plus my old pal Lee and my moviegoing buds Steve and Kevin. Wish I could've met up with Theo, Michael and Noel at some point- maybe next year?

Today's the day!

I'm leaving for Toronto today, and I can barely contain my excitement. Frankly, I feel a little like this...



I just hope nobody shoots at me. I'm guessing that if I pack my bear repellent and restrain myself from talking like one of the Mackenzie brothers, I'll be fine. But you can never be too sure...

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...