TIFF

TIFF 2016 – Day #8

September 17, 2016 By Jonathan McNeal

Hello Loyal TIFF Followers,

Unfortunately, MostMetro has been experiencing quite a bit of trouble with their website…and that’s why you haven’t heard from me for a couple days. They’re working hard to iron out all the kinks, and I appreciate you coming back for more (some of you with multiple attempts).

My first film on Thursday was John Butler’s HANDSOME DEVIL. Though a little light, there’s certainly an audience for this crowd-pleasing film about an outcast with bright red hair at a boarding school in Ireland. The unlikely friendship he strikes up with his handsome roommate has them eventually entered in a talent night where they’ll sing and play guitar together…and it’s really charming. However, the focus at this school is rugby, and the behaviors of the new guy don’t fit in with the agenda of his rugby coach. DEAD POETS’ SOCIETY meets SCHOOL TIES meets SING STREET. If it doesn’t get released sooner, you can certainly look for this film at next year’s PRIDE screening in June. There is no trailer for this film, so you only get a still at this time.

Next up was THE UNKOWN GIRL – a film by the Dardenne Brothers (KID WITH A BIKE, TWO DAYS ONE NIGHT). The Dardennes are known for this social-realist style of filmmaking. Always commenting on class as well as economic and social justice, this film still fills that role…but goes in a bit of different direction. This is the story of a doctor who doesn’t answer the buzzer at her office door. It’s after hours, and she figures a person would buzz multiple times if it was an emergency. The next day, she finds out that the girl who buzzed has been found dead across the street…she was a prostitute who buzzed the door in a panic – looking for help. Driven by guilt, the doctor begins her own investigation to find the name of the unknown girl. Without any scoring to trigger emotions, this mystery feels all the more real. Though not embraced by critics like their previous two films, I found it very satisfying.

SOUVENIR, starring Isabelle Huppert and directed by Babo Defurne, this is the story of a woman who works in a pate factory. She used to be a famous singer, but her star faded early after coming in 2nd place during a televised European singing contest (ABBA took home first place that year). The opening titles for the film are beautiful bubbles floating through water. Bubbles, bubbles, more bubbles. It’s pretty and hypnotizing. It’s light, it’s airy, it’s effervescent…it’s alka-seltzer. Thus we get a joke right from the opening credits. This French gem – which becomes a December/May romance, won’t be embraced by everyone. But I really like it! There’s no trailer for this film, but here’s a clip.

After my three films, I met up with an old friend for dinner. Then I met up with a few more friends (film programmers, PR folks, etc.) for cocktails. This was by far the latest I stayed out…and I paid for it the next morning. (But it was worth it.)

Thanks for reading,

Jonathan

TIFF 2016 – Day #7

September 15, 2016 By Jonathan McNeal

Hello Everyone,

Thanks for coming back! Today was my last day during this trip when I have to wake up before 6am! I saw three more films (which takes me to 24 total), and I had a nice dinner. Though there was an invitation to meet up for late drinks, I had to turn it down. I’m simply too tired and getting more than 4 hours of sleep sounds much better.

My first film of the day was PATERSON, by Jim Jarmusch – who has a cult-like following. This film stars Adam Driver as “a working-class poet in a small New Jersey town who practices his craft amidst the quiet magic of everyday life.” (TIFF on-line catalog) As always, Jarmusch finds both humor and pathos in the idiosyncrasies and mundane routines of his characters. That said, I think this film is his most accessible. And though not a lot “happens,” I was engaged and liked peeking in on these rather charming characters. (There is not trailer available, but here’s a clip.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vWHA1lcjUt4

JACKIE, the new film about Jackie O’ starring Natalie Portman, was next on my list. Directed by Pablo Larrain (who also has a film about Pablo Neruda at the festival), this film takes a look at the assassination of JFK through the point of view of Jackie. The film opens with Jackie greeting a journalist just a few days after the assassination. As she answers questions, we get her version of the story – both anecdotes about the making of the TV special when she led press through the White House as well as her account of what happened in Texas and preparing for the funeral. She is very candid, but she also makes quite clear that she’ll have the final edit on the piece that is written. When the journalist says that he just wants the truth, it is finally said that “I will settle for a story that’s believable.” That sentiment is the film in a nutshell. It took me a little while to buy Portman as Jackie, but eventually she won me over. Fox Searchlight picked up this film within the last 48 hours, and they plan to have it released in time for Oscar season.

My final film of the day was UNA – a new film based on the play BLACKBIRD, directed by Benedict Andrews and starring Rooney Mara & Ben Mendelsohn. This is the story of a young woman in her mid-20’s confronting a middle-aged man at his place of work. It’s been 12 years since they’ve seen each other…and that was when she was 13 and he sexually abused her. It’s my understanding that the play is just two characters…and adapting it for the screen seemed a bit forced to me. From ducking behind boxes and into bathroom stalls to hide from other workers, it seemed a bit of a stretch to buy the actions of the characters. I ultimately had really mixed feelings. The material is intriguing and bold, but I didn’t buy the set-up (trouble with the man’s position at work is a tangent that seems oddly tacked on). In addition, I feel like the material didn’t ring with honesty. SPOILER ALERT…don’t read more if you don’t want to know too much! The director spoke of each character having “unfinished desire” for one another. I’d be anxious to hear a true feminist read of this material/adaptation. By the end, I didn’t hate it, but I also can’t recommend it. There is no trailer for this film, but here’s a clip:

I’ve got three films tomorrow and I get to sleep in until 7:30! I also plan to meet an old friend for dinner – someone I met in line for Almodovar’s TALK TO HER back at the festival in 2002.

Thanks for reading,

Jonathan

TIFF 2016 – Day #6

September 14, 2016 By Jonathan McNeal

maudie-movie-poster-lg Hello!

Today’s schedule had me down for 5 films…and though I got into the fifth, I just wasn’t loving it enough to stick around (thus I won’t review it). Instead, I’ll go over the four films I screened in their entirety.

THEIR FINEST was my first screening at 9:30am, and it was packed in one of Scotiabank’s biggest venues. Lone Scherfig (AN EDUCATION) delivers a very solid film about the film industry in England during WWII. The story centers around a female writer who is initially hired to help write and flesh out the female voices just as the industry is also realizing that they need to make a picture that boosts morale on the homefront. Bill Nighy, who plays an egotistical old pro actor, is a scene-stealer…and the film will be an crowd-pleaser. Full of nostalgic winks and nods as well as colorful characters, this is an “acquisition title,” and I believe it will get picked up. There’s no trailer yet for THEIR FINEST…so a photo will have to do at this point.

Their Finest Hour and A Half
Directed by Lone Sherfig

MAUDIE, a biopic about Canadian folk artist Maud Lewis, was next on my list. With an outstanding performance by Sally Hawkins which is touching, physically demanding and full of hysterical funny moments that make Maud all the more endearing, the film is about Lewis’s relationship with her husband (played by Ethan Hawke) and her rise to fame in the art world. Challenged by childhood rheumatoid arthritis, everything from daily chores to even holding a brush look painful for Maud – but we fall in love with her desire to paint on just about any stationary object. Directed by Aisling Walsh (she’s done a lot of television work including FINGERSMITH with Hawkins), this is a slower character piece – but I think it could easily find an audience with Neon patrons. There’s no trailer for this film yet, but here’s a clip.

Once in a while at TIFF, I let myself see a big, splashy Hollywood movie. One that clearly won’t be coming to THE NEON, but one that’s receiving some critical buzz. A couple years ago, it was GRAVITY…this year, it was another sci-fi film – ARRIVAL, directed by Denis Villeneuve. Though I can rattle off a handful of sci-fi films that I greatly admire, this isn’t a genre that usually attracts my attention, and this alien film intrigued me because it wasn’t going to be full of explosions and battle scenes. Amy Adams plays a linguist who is hired by the government to attempt communicating with aliens who have landed 12 ships around the world. There’s some really lovely work happening in this film – from the central performance to terrific special effects. But there’s also some clunky ideas (especially in the third act) that keep me from embracing the film. I realize that many, many people will love this one…but it’s not for me.

My last full film of the day was THE SALESMAN, directed by Asghar Farhadi (A SEPARATION and THE PAST). The film opens with people needing to evacuate their building as it is beginning to crack and may soon crash. We follow a young theatrical couple (who are mounting a production of DEATH OF A SALESMAN) as they are displaced and soon find a new apartment that was formerly inhabited by a prostitute (though they don’t know that immediately). An incident in the new place leaves the couple forever changed, and the film then becomes a subtle thriller. With narrative elements and themes that I greatly admire, this film is well-done and solid – though not quite up to par with his previous two films due to a somewhat strained final act. There is no trailer yet for this film, but here’s a clip:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VcfinMasfw

I wrapped up the night by attending a low-key party for lgbt industry folks. I was glad to meet a few new people, and I’m crawling into bed before 2:00…so glad tomorrow is the last day I have to get up before 7:00.

Thanks for reading,

Jonathan

TIFF 2016 – Day #5

September 13, 2016 By Jonathan McNeal

Hello Everyone.

Thanks for coming back to my blog. I had intended to see more films today, but I got turned away from a screening of JACKIE (along with 200+ other people) because the demand was too big and being 25 minutes early wasn’t enough. That said, there will be another screening Wednesday, so I will know to be extra early.

My first screening of the day was the latest by the prolific (especially for being quite young) Xavier Dolan – IT’S ONLY THE END OF THE WORLD. This is essentially a chamber piece about a gay man who comes to visit his family and tell them he’s dying…he hasn’t been home for 12 years…and it’s quickly evident why he’s been away so long. Though I clearly understand what he’s doing, and the film is ultimately well done (though I do have some complaints about several of his choices), this is a film that’s hard to stomach. The cast is exceptional (I love Marion & Gaspard), but shouting matches, unlikable/annoying characters…it’s not something I can highly recommend.

LOVING, the new film by Jeff Nichols (TAKE SHELTER, MUD), was next on my list. It’s also a film I’ve been looking forward to, and I’m happy to say that it didn’t disappoint. This quiet and eloquent film is about the an interracial couple in Virginia whose illegal marriage and subsequent punishment (they went to D.C. to get married, but it wasn’t recognized in Virginia) eventually caught the attention of the ACLU…and eventually went to the Supreme Court to overturn miscegenation laws. For a film that’s largely about court battles, we only spend a few minutes in court rooms…and that’s refreshing. Instead, we spend lots of time with this Mildred & Richard (stunningly and lovingly played by Ruth Negga and Joel Edgerton) – and watching a couple who are so clearly in love with each other makes such a strong case for marriage equality on many levels.

My final film of the day was LA LA LAND, directed by Damien Chazelle (WHIPLASH). This splashy, colorful, song-and-dance musical harkens memories of a bygone era of the Hollywood studio system. But even more, its influence is from one of my favorite musical directors – Jacques Demy. The opening scene, shot on an L.A. highway, will blow your mind and immediately had me scribble YOUNG GIRLS OF ROCHEFORT in my notes. Starring Emma Stone (who will clearly be nominated for an Oscar) and Ryan Gosling, this film had me on my feet immediately as the “The End” appeared on screen. For the rest of the night, melodies swirled in my head and merely walking down the street was accompanied by the film’s infectious score. I can’t wait to obtain the soundtrack and see the film again!

Tomorrow is an extra busy day. Hoping I’ll be able to stay awake for all of it.

Thanks for reading,

Jonathan

TIFF 2016 – Day #4

September 12, 2016 By Jonathan McNeal

julieta620x709-1461716694 Hello Everyone,

I’m up to my old TIFF tricks now. Long days/nights…minimal sleep.

My first film today was The Weinstein Company’s big Oscar hopeful for this year – LION, directed by Garth Davis and starring Dev Patel. This is the story of a little Indian boy who gets lost in the streets of Calcutta – hundreds of miles away from home. After eventually being adopted by an Australian family, 20+ years later he begins a trip to find his birth family. Once again, I found myself interested in trimming this film down. Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that I’m watching dozens of movies…but I’m finding most material would be better if trimmed down. This film shouldn’t be 2 Hrs & 10 Min…it should be 20-30 minutes shorter. That said, what it accomplishes is indeed lovely, and the story is wonderful. The final bit of archival footage at the end resulted in even more tears.

I met up with a friend to catch the next film on my list – A UNITED KINGDOM, directed by Amma Asante (director of BELLE). This is the film about the relationship between Seretse Khama (a former African royal) and his wife Ruth Williams. Being a black man, alarm bells go up on each side of the fence when he courts and eventually asks for a white Englishwoman’s hand in marriage. This film feels old-fashioned in a good way. The storytelling is very direct – nothing edgy here, just solid storytelling, and I came away feeling as though I’d just had a good (and entertaining) history lesson. David Oyelowo is fantastic as Khama – his speeches are particularly moving and seem like they could stand alone as inspirational messages about race and patriotism. Rosamund Pike plays Williams, and she’s lovely as usual.

After lunch with a friend from Dayton I hadn’t seen in almost a decade – who now works at Almo Drafthouse (in Austin), I took a little nap before heading to my two evening screenings. Next up was a film I had already seen at an exhibitor screening. I almost never see a film at TIFF that I’ve already seen…but because I got a tip that Pedro Almodovar was in town, I got a ticket to JULIETA. Unfortunately, the tip was some bad intel. He wasn’t there. That said, I had tweeted a hopeful message that I wished Rossy de Palma would attend…and imagine my giddiness when she was introduced – her first time to Toronto. The film was even better with a second viewing – it’s richness in color and layers of storytelling all the richer. This is the story of a woman who decides to stay in Madrid in hopes that her daughter will return – someone who left her side 20 years before. With an exceptional score and great performances (Julieta is played by three different actresses in different stages of her life), this film is lovely. It’s hard to let an Almodovar film stand on its own without comparison. When compared to his other work, it falls short of being one of Almodovar’s masterpieces…if it stood alone, it would be heralded as superb. And P.S. The Q&A was delightful…and Rossy was so funny, warm and personable. I got my picture taken with her at the stage door, and my day was made!

Tom Ford’s second feature film NOCTURNAL ANIMALS was my final film of the day. I’ve been waiting 7 years since A SINGLE MAN to see what Tom Ford would do next, and this new film is exceptional! Starring Amy Adams, Jake Gyllenhaal and Michael Shannon, this is the story of a woman who receives an advanced reading copy of her ex-husband’s novel which is a terrifying story that hits a little too close to home. The film uses certain visual devices to distinguish three different stories happening at once – the present story, the story of the novel and flashbacks to the relationship that spurred the novel. The costume design, sets and photography are stunning, the performances are incredible, and the story is intense and emotional. With a late 2016 release in store, I think this film will certainly begin to create some award buzz. (no trailer is available yet)

nocturnal

I then went out to meet up with a bunch of industry folks for a couple beers. That 5:50am alarm is gonna be hard.

Thanks for reading,

Jonathan

TIFF 2016 – Day #3

September 12, 2016 By Jonathan McNeal

Hello Everyone,

I got the tickets I needed this morning (for Monday), so the day was off to a great start. I hightailed it to the Scotiabank multiplex for my first screening of the day – a movie I know we won’t play (but I felt like I wanted something ridiculous) – Christopher Guest’s MASCOTS (which will soon make its debut on Netflix). It’s been a long time since we saw Guest and his crew, and I was delighted by the opening scenes. I thought “he’s back!” The set-up is an competition for mascots from around the world – and it lends itself to some really fun material. Unfortunately, the material lost some steam…and though the movie is sprinkled with a few gems, I felt like it didn’t quite live up to previous films (though the return of one of Guest’s most famous characters was a moment that made me feel like applauding).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6hqYhcPFvw

ALL I SEE IS YOU, the new film by Marc Forster (FINDING NEVERLAND, MONSTER’S BALL) starring Blake Lively, was next on my list. This is a dramatic film with Lively playing a woman who lost her sight in an accident when she was a child. The first 20 minutes of the film has a certain experimental tone – as Forster has us experiencing many moments as the lead character “sees” them. It’s a lovely, interesting approach, and the film works in setting a tone (though I never understood why it was set in Thailand). An operation is available for Lively’s character to have her vision restored, and everything changes. With sight, she is surprised by how the world around her looks…and her husband quickly becomes disappointed in how their lives are changing. The movie then shifts tone and becomes more of a quiet thriller. I won’t give away more of the story, but I did feel like the tonal shift was surprising and the final 6 minutes of the film wrapped things up in a very frantic pace from what started as a slow and methodical first 90 minutes. The sound design is incredible, and the photography is lovely. I think this film will find an audience, but it’s not incredible.

After a short nap and a bite to eat, I went to an event – IN CONVERSATION WITH ISABELLE HUPPERT. This 80 minute curated Q&A was incredible. Accented with clips of Huppert’s body of work (she’s made over 100 films/television appearances), she sat with Piers Handling and talked about her craft. From insight to how she doesn’t feel like she truly “prepare” for roles to inside stories about movies like HEAVEN’S GATE to the fact that sometimes she takes a role because she reads the script and falls in love with one line, it’s a wonderful inside look at one of the greatest actresses working today. Here’s a treat…you can watch the taped event by visiting this LINK and clicking the image of Huppert.

My final film of the day was also the highlight of the festival so far – Barry Jenkins’ MOONLIGHT. This gorgeous, poetic look at the life of a black man growing up in Miami, is based on the play IN MOONLIGHT, BLACK BOYS LOOK BLUE. The film is told in three chapters – with the protagonist played by three different actors (each giving incredible performances). We see him grow from a bullied, guarded young boy to a hyper masculine drug dealer. This examination of masculinity is one of the most thoughtful and beautifully told stories I’ve seen in recent years. Performances are incredible across the board, the photography is lovely, and the screenplay is touching and heartbreaking and honest. I think this film will see a lot of love this award season. (Janelle Monae, one of my favorite music artists, has a small role in this film…and seeing her on screen seemed like a natural extension of her talents. She sat across the aisle from me at the screening, and though I contained myself, I was a giddy schoolgirl inside.) The cast, director and playwright had a Q&A after the screening, and it was also incredible.

After the screening, I met up with a friend from NYC for a couple beers and a bite to eat. I returned to my apartment at 2:00…so my alarm going off at 5:50 will not be a welcome sound.

Thanks for reading,

Jonathan

TIFF 2016 – Day #2

September 10, 2016 By Jonathan McNeal

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Hi Everyone,

I was in bed by 12:30 last night, so getting up by 6:00am wasn’t so rough today (it will get much worse later in the festival). That said, the line was already about 15 deep when I arrived at the industry box office at 6:40 (by 7:30/7:45, it was at about 100).

BURN YOUR MAPS, directed by Jordan Roberts, was my first film of the day. This is a film with Jacob Tremblay (the little guy from ROOM) & Vera Farmiga, and they give really wonderful performances…unfortunately, I can’t say the same for everyone else. This is a story about how a kid begins to say that he’s actually Mongolian. He becomes “obsessed” with wearing traditional costumes and shepherding his make-believe goats. His parents are having marital problems after the loss of a child, and the desire for the boy to connect with his “true heritage” is a pleasant distraction for his mother…and a source of frustration for his father. The story eventually “takes” us to Mongolia, and budget restrictions rear their heads. There were some lovely moments in this film, and it will certainly find its fans – but overall, it wasn’t a big success for me. (There is no trailer currently available, so a photo is all I can post.)

burnyourmaps_01

FRANTZ was up next for me. Francois Ozon is a French director who has made some of my favorite films (I adore UNDER THE SAND, 8 WOMEN, SWIMMING POOL, TIME TO LEAVE and IN THE HOUSE). That said, he’s quite unpredictable and difficult to nail down as an auteur, and he’s made a couple magnificent clunkers, too. Tone, themes and genres are often in flux, and this film lends itself to that sentiment quite well – as it’s his most accessible work. Gorgeously shot in black and white, this post WWI story is about a German woman who meets the French man who has been visiting her fiancee’s grave. The film is shrouded in mystery, and and to tell you more of the story is to reveal too much. In both setting and a story with twists-and-turns, this film had me thinking of A VERY LONG ENGAGEMENT – a film that I admire much more than critics did. This film has found American distribution with Music Box Films, and I hope the timing works for us to be able to bring it.

A MONSTER CALLS, directed by J.A. Bayona, was next on my list. People may immediately want to dismiss a story about a pre-teen boy who is visited by a monster as being too fantastical or juvenile…but this lovely film connects and works on so many levels and is certainly not for children. Dealing with repeated nightmares and constant fear of the declining health of his mother, the boy summons a monster who comes to tell him stories…and potentially save his mom (played by Felicity Jones). Though I thought the film could use some trimming, it’s ultimately quite wonderful (albeit a challenge to market).

AMERICAN PASTORAL, the directorial debut of Ewan McGregor (based on the novel by Philip Roth), was my final film of the day. With a story that spans from the late 40’s to the early 90’s, this beautifully shot and gorgeously art directed film stars McGregor and Jennifer Connelly. Examining the breakdown of American society via looking at an American family who has to deal with the radicalization of a daughter who eventually becomes an underground terrorist, this film sadly falls a bit flat and didn’t live up to my hopes for the material. Though the look of the film and the performances are solid, I came out feeling like the film never really hit the mark.

Tomorrow morning is an important one for me. There are two tickets for Sunday that I really want to make sure I get for Monday – LOVING and LA LA LAND. Wish me luck.

Thanks for reading,

Jonathan

TIFF 2016 – Day #1

September 9, 2016 By Jonathan McNeal

Hello Everyone.

With the pass that I have, I can screen as many “press/industry screenings” that I’d like during the festival. That said, those screenings are just screenings. It’s awesome to have the opportunity to see so many films with an audience, but part of the reason I come to a festival (people come for a variety of reasons) is to hear filmmakers talk about their craft. Thus I have the opportunity to obtain two “public screening” tickets per day. Public screenings are the fun, glamorous screenings where they roll out the red carpet and hold Q&A’s with directors, producers, screenwriters and actors. These tickets are only available two days in advance of each screening, so I find myself in line every day during the festival…usually before 7am.

This morning, I was out to obtain tickets for Barry Jenkins’ MOONLIGHT and a curated interview with Isabelle Huppert. Both take place on Saturday…and I got both!

Then I was off to my first screening at 9:00am – Kenneth Lonergan’s MANCHESTER BY THE SEA. This film had a lot of tonal qualities of Lonergan’s first feature – YOU CAN COUNT ON ME. With a wonderful central performance by Casey Affleck (and a spectacularly touching small role by Michelle Williams), the story is about a man who seems to lead a rather thankless life of mundane routines (he’s a janitorial handy man for an apartment complex). When he gets a call that his brother has passed away, he is forced to confront lingering pain from his past – told through a series of flashbacks. Though I thought the film was a bit overscored, the drama really works and the story unfolds in a lovely way. There were a couple moments of schtick that I thought seemed a bit out of place – but so is life. I think this film will go far.

Olivier Assayas’ PERSONAL SHOPPER was next on my list. This non-traditional ghost story had me teetering back and forth throughout…I was invested, I was raising my eyebrows, I was intrigued, I was disappointed…and then I ultimately was sold by the final 10 minutes. Kristen Stewart gives a great performance as a woman who shops for high-end designer clothing and jewelry for a wealthy client who is always on the go. She’s also a medium. While trying to connect to the spirit world for a client, she’s also hoping to catch a sign from her recently deceased brother. Assayas’ previous work included THE CLOUDS OF SILS MARIA (with Juliette Binoche as well as Stewart) and of my favorites from TIFF in 2008 – SUMMER HOURS. This film won’t go down as one of my favorites, and I know many people will be quite disappointed, but I was a fan by the end.

The third film of the day for me was Terence Davies’ A QUIET PASSION – a film about Emily Dickinson starring Cynthia Nixon. The film opens in a sort of parochial school. A teacher asks students who have given themselves to Christ to go to one side and for students who are still working toward giving themselves to Christ to the other. Left in the middle is one student – a young Emily Dickinson (at this point played by Emma Bell). The dialog is sharp and thoughtful (one of the best strengths throughout the film), and the teacher eventually tell Dickinson, “You stand alone in your rebellion.” This telling line haunts the remainder of the film. Though I found some filmmaking devices to be odd choices (one superimposed was particularly weird), it’s ultimately a thoughtful and visually stunning film with wonderful performances and some very funny moments due to razor sharp dialog.

The official “Opening Night Film” was a big Hollywood remake – THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN, directed by Antoine Fuqua (SOUTHPAW, BROOKLYN’S FINEST) and starring Denzel Washington, Chris Pratt, Ethan Hawke and many more. Here’s the point that some of you might find disappointing…I left 20 minutes into the film. (I almost never write about films that I don’t finish.) I went to the Opening night with my friend Glenn Kiser – a great filmmaker who attended The Dayton LGBT Film Festival with his short film SABBATICAL. We had “great” seats – very close to the stage…only paces from all of the stars and director. The movie started an hour late and the speakers were above us – thus pushing the sound far behind us and bouncing off the back walls. Having difficulty understanding any of the dialog, we decided to leave. Not being a film I would seek out under any other circumstances, I wasn’t disappointed…it gave me a great opportunity to catch up with Glenn and finally grab dinner.

At the end of the day, I’ll simply say I’ve seen 3 films (and a dozen stars) so far.

Thanks for reading!

More soon,

Jonathan

TIFF 2016 – Arrival & Prep

September 7, 2016 By Jonathan McNeal

Hello Everyone.

I made it to Toronto with minimal delays…and made my way to the Industry offices to pick up my credentials and begin the madness. This is just an intro! Watching movies actually starts tomorrow (Thursday, Sept. 8).

I always give myself a buffer day when traveling to Toronto for TIFF. It can come in handy if you have flight delays, ridiculous lines in customs or you’re carrying an expired passport (that was a nightmare 2 years ago)…that extra day can make certain that you don’t miss any of the good stuff.

If all goes as planned, tomorrow will be a busy day with 4 films – including the splashy Opening Night film with a friend who I first met when he was a guest of The Dayton LGBT Film Festival. If all goes as planned, tomorrow’s screenings include new work by Kenneth Lonergan, Terence Davies and Olivier Assayas.

In the next couple hours, I’ll grab a bite to eat, check into my apartment and continue to plan my schedule for the next 9 days.

Here are trailers for a few films I can’t wait to see:

Check back in Friday morning…that’s when I’ll have my Thursday wrap-up posted.

Thanks for reading!

Jonathan

SOUTHSIDE WITH YOU & New Chair Update at THE NEON

August 30, 2016 By Jonathan McNeal

Hello!

We opened SOUTHSIDE WITH YOU this weekend – the charming and inspiring film about Barack & Michelle Obama’s first date…and we still have HUNT FOR THE WILDERPEOPLE and INDIGNATION for a couple more days (Thursday will be your last chance to catch them at THE NEON).

Synopsis for SOUTHSIDE WITH YOU : From executive producer John Legend comes a charming and inspiring film about a wonderful couple. “Inspired by Barack and Michelle Obama’s first date, SOUTHSIDE WITH YOU recounts the eventful summer day in 1989 when a young law firm associate named Barack Obama (Parker Sawyers) tried to woo lawyer Michelle Robinson (Tika Sumpter) during a daylong date that took them from the Art Institute of Chicago to a screening of Spike Lee’s DO THE RIGHT THING to the site of their first kiss outside of an ice cream parlor.” (taken from Roadside Attractions) Click this LINK to visit the film’s official site.

YARN ticket sales have passed the threshold and the screening will move forward as planned! The Miami Valley Knitting Guild is bringing the film YARN to town on Wednesday, August 31 at 7:30. ” Meet the artists who are redefining the tradition of knit and crochet, bringing yarn out of the house and into the world. Reinventing our relationship with this colorful tradition, YARN weaves together wool graffiti artists, circus performers, and structural designers into a visually-striking look at the women who are making a creative stance while building one of modern art’s hottest trends.” Click this LINK to reserve your advanced ticket. If tickets remain, they will be available at our box office one hour before the screening.

“Join us for a special screening of 91%: A Film About Guns in America. A film collaboration between John Richie and Dayton Native Ian Cook. 91% is a documentary that examines U.S. gun policies with a focus on the background check system. 91% of Americans are for background checks on all gun sales, yet Congress continues to fail to close the loophole. Why is that and how does that undermine our public safety? The hour long film will be followed by a discussion afterwards. Please join us for this important event!” (taken from 91% press notes) This film will screen on Sunday, September 4 at 7:30, and tickets are now on sale at THE NEON’s box office – traditional ticket prices apply.

“NEON Lumbar Supporter” Update: Amazing news! We made our Goal!!! Replacing our 30 year-old chairs will cost us $50,000, and we hoped to raise at least half of that through your generous donations. As of this weekend, we have sold 113 chairs at $250 each! Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!! You can read all about this project by clicking this LINK, and we’ll keep the campaign running until the end of August. Donations can be accepted on-line, but we can also take donations in person — where we’d love to chat with you about the new chairs and have you try out the samples in our lobby.

We’ve had many requests for the new film from Mike Birbiglia – DON’T THINK TWICE. I’m happy to let you know that this new comedy (rated “99% Fresh” on rottentomatoes) is slated to open Sept. 9!

EQUITY – a film about women on Wall Street – opens Friday!!

I’ll be heading to The Toronto International Film Festival again this year…and I’ll be there Sept. 7-17. You can check in on all my screenings and parties and sightings by visiting www.mostmetro.com/tag/tiff

Thanks so much for your continued support.
We hope to see you soon,
Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Tuesday, Aug. 30 – Thursday, Sept. 1:

HUNT FOR THE WILDERPEOPLE (PG-13) 1 Hr 41 Min
Tuesday-Thursday (Aug 30-Sept 1): 5:20

INDIGNATION (R) 1 Hr 50 Min
Tuesday (Aug 30): 3:00, 7:45
Wednesday (Aug 31): 3:00
Thursday (Sept 1): 3:00, 7:45

SOUTHSIDE WITH YOU (PG-13) 1 hr 24 Min
Tuesday-Thursday (Aug 30-Sept 1): 3:00, 5:15, 7:30

YARN (NR) 1 Hr 16 Min
Wednesday (Aug 31): 7:30

COMING SOON:
(All Dates Are Tentative. Dates Often Move And Sometimes Disappear.)
Sept 2 – EQUITY
Sept 9 – DON’T THINK TWICE
Sept 16 – THE INNOCENTS
Sept 23 – COMPLETE UNKNOWN
Sept 23 – THE HOLLARS
Oct 7-9 – DAYTON LGBT FILM FEST
Oct 7 – BIRTH OF A NATION

TIFF 2015 Day #9 – My Final Day!

September 18, 2015 By Jonathan McNeal

Hello Everyone,

Today was my last day of screenings, and even though I feel like I’ve been away for months, I’m actually a little sad to be packing my bags. There are several films I didn’t get a chance to see, and every year I think I’m going to take part more in the industry activities (indiewire talks, a variety of lectures, etc.) – but I don’t. I just end up cramming in movies.

First off today, I saw STONEWALL, directed by Roland Emmerich. This film was lambasted before anyone saw it. Criticism soared across the web based only on the trailer, and I must admit that I went into this screening with very low expectations…and I was pleasantly surprised. Though not a masterpiece by a long shot, it’s better than I anticipated. The story of the actual Stonewall Riots is only a portion of this coming-of-age tale about a young guy kicked out of his home and now living on the streets of NYC with numerous other LGBT youth. This is a fictional story set in the midst of some recognizable events and characters, and despite some giggles at some inappropriate moments (due to trite material) it worked emotionally for several people around me in the cinema.

YOUTH is director Paul Sorrentino’s follow-up to his masterpiece THE GREAT BEAUTY. It’s a lovely film about two long-time friends (Michael Caine and Harvey Keitel) vacationing in the Swiss Alps. Though not much “happens,” there’s a lot of discussion about life – both present and past, and there is an abundance of cinematic poetry. The two men are on different paths. One is finishing a screenplay for what should be his next great film and the other is retired with no intention of returning to his work (even at the request of the Queen of England). Though perhaps a bit too avant garde for some, I devoured this film and its interesting gaze.

My last film of the festival was THE WITCH, directed by Robert Eggers. This period thriller/horror film set in 1630’s New England was a smash at Sundance, and I have to admit that I have a secret thing for witches. From Margaret Hamilton to Angelic Huston, from Shakespeare’s “double double, toil and trouble” to Miller’s trials – I’ve always been fascinated by them. Though stylish and sometime startling, The performances and period details are very well executed, the cinematography is moody and beautifully done, and there are some genuinely haunting moments…but something wasn’t working for me. Perhaps the score which purposefully misguides us numerous times helped to create a distrust in the storytelling – I’m not entirely sure what was creating the disconnect for me. That said, as much as this film is about a witch, it’s even more about paranoia and distrust and a creepy devotion to the Bible. During the Q&A, we heard the director talk about all of his research for this film – from court documents and diaries from that era to architectural elements, his knowledge of the subject made me appreciate the film a bit more. I think this film will certainly find a devoted audience…but I wasn’t 100% sold.

And now it’s time to pack my bags. I’ve met some great people during this trip – critics that write for international publications, people who curate festivals in other markets and numerous lovers of cinema. I’ve seen old friends, I’ve had good food, I’ve seen numerous movie stars and famous directors, and I’ve watched 34 movies. It’s been a blast. Thanks for checking in on me.

I hope to see you soon. All the best,

Jonathan

TIFF 2015 – Day #8

September 18, 2015 By Jonathan McNeal

Hello Everyone.

Today was the first day I didn’t have to get up terribly early, and that extra 45 minutes of sleep was much appreciated.

My day started off with a screening of a film that will be on the top of my list – SPOTLIGHT, directed by Tom McCarthy. This is a newsroom procedural of the Boston Globe uncovering the Catholic Church scandal in 2001. Starring Mark Ruffalo, Michael Keaton, Rachel McAdams and Liev Schreiber, this film has a great script, tight editing and at times plays like a thriller. The material is certainly chilling – especially when one character states that when it comes to priests and pedophilia, it’s not just a few bad apples, it’s “a recognizable psychiatric phenomenon.” I think it could go the distance for numerous nominations this season.

VICTORIA, directed by Sebastian Schipper, was next on my list. This 2+ hour film was done in one long, mobile take. It’s the story of a young woman who gets caught up with a group of guys after leaving a nightclub in Berlin. She’s romantically interested in one of the guys, but the gang has a mission that night…and she ends up getting tangled up in a bank robbery. Though the last 40 minutes are quite exhilarating, it takes a long time to get moving. Because it’s one shot, we would never buy the protagonist’s motivations to join the guys on their heist if we didn’t have time for her to form a connection. Thus we are forced to watch the set-up of their relationship in what would normally be trimmed down to 15 -20 minutes (instead it takes more than an hour – some of which is rather tedious). The film is technically incredible and the performances are wonderful too…I just felt it went on too long – but I understand that’s part of the point.

JAMES WHITE, directed by Josh Mond, was my final film of the day. Cynthia Nixon and Christopher Abbott both give incredible performances in this film about a walking powder keg who is taking care of his sick mother. Abbott plays James – a hot-headed, partying slacker with bursts of violence, and the performance is riveting. The raw feel of the film truly puts us in the heart of New York without ever feeling like a triptych, and there are a couple powerful moments between mother and son which really cemented Josh Mond as a filmmaker to watch. The director and cast were present for a Q&A, and Nixon was asked about her preparation for the part. She spoke eloquently of having lost her mother to Cancer during the same year of shooting the film and of losing two close friends to AIDS in the 90’s…and how she was able to draw upon those bedside experiences to prepare for the role.

Only one more day!

Thanks for reading,

Jonathan

TIFF 2015 – Day #7

September 17, 2015 By Jonathan McNeal

room_poster Hello Everyone.

Today was a rough start. One of the boys at IndieWire threw a little party last night, and I got in very, very late…so getting out of bed at 6:30 was a challenge. But I made it…and managed to squeeze in a nice nap mid day. So everything worked out fine.

First off, I saw THE MAN WHO KNEW INFINITY, directed by Matthew Brown. This is a film about an Indian mathematician whose theories revolutionized his field…and the his hardships in having them heard due to racial tensions in England. The movie stars Dev Patel and Jeremy Irons, and this is certainly Patel’s most subtle and best role since SLUMDOG. Though I found some material a little hokey, it’s ultimately a solid period piece that will be a crowd-pleaser. (There is not yet a trailer for this film.)

the-man-who-knew-infinity

ROOM, directed by L Abrahamson is fantastic. This is the story of a young woman and her son who are being held captive in a small garden shack. The little boy turns 5 early in the film, and the “Room,” his mother and the man who visits regularly (their captor) are the only things the boy knows of the world. Though they have television, he’s been raised to believe that everything there is make-believe. I had quite a response to this film. My entire body was trembling during the scene when the boy’s mother created a plan for the boy to escape. I haven’t had this type of bodily response to a film in a long, long time. (I’m not going to tell you anything more about the plot. Just trust me…it’s great.)

I SMILE BACK, directed by Adam Salky, was next on the list. Sarah Silverman is getting a lot of praise for this brave, raw performance – and it’s well-deserved. This is the story of a married mother of two who is battling mental illness and substance abuse. It’s a gritty film, and the story is actually simple. Though performances are strong across the board, and I think the film is well done, there was something keeping me from really connecting.

My final film of the day was MISS SHARON JONES!, directed by Barbara Kopple. This documentary is about the legendary singer and her battle with Cancer. Kopple is one of a handful of directors who had a film premiere at the very first Toronto Film Fest (then known as “The Festival of Festivals”) – the film was HARLAN COUNTY, USA, and it went on to win the Academy Award. This film is full of great music and Jones’ soaring spirit. During industry screenings, audience response is quite minimal…this one was followed by a nice round of applause. (I’ll soon be acquiring some Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings music.)

USA - MUSIC - Sharon Jones

I no longer have to get in line super early, so I get to sleep in until 7:45 tomorrow. I’m looking forward to that extra sleep.

Thanks for reading,

Jonathan

TIFF 2015 – Day #6

September 16, 2015 By Jonathan McNeal

Hi Again.

Thanks for coming back. Today, in addition to 4 films and one late night party, I managed to have a window of time that allowed me to have a nice dinner and small shopping spree – so I have now contributed nicely to the Canadian economy.

First thing this morning, I saw THE DRESSMAKER, directed by Jocelyn Moorhouse and starring Kate Winslet. Moorhouse, known for her weepie HOW TO MAKE AN AMERICAN QUILT, wasn’t quite sure which tone to give to this most recent novel adaptation…so she went with several. What starts out as a “Screwball Western” changes genres and mood so many times, it’s difficult to explain. Winslet, returning home after a long absence, appears as a curvaceous outlaw – her nontraditional weapons are her Singer sewing machine, a great gold swing and her feminine wiles. Accused of killing a classmate while in grade school, she hasn’t been back to town for years. Now she’s back to take care of her mother and set things straight. This Australian film is completely bonkers! It also stars the awesome Judy Davis and the terribly sexy Liam Hemsworth, and was penned by P.J. Hogan (MURIEL’S WEDDING). Though I found this film to be an overall disaster, I couldn’t stop watching – the performances are fun and some of the material is quite hysterical.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=580PmstF7IA

Next up was a film that many have been quite excited about. WHERE TO INVADE NEXT, directed by Michael Moore isn’t quite what it seems. There is no trailer yet for this film that critics are dubbing “Michael Moore’s Happy Film,” and if you watch the clip below, even the press was speculating about the subject of the film before it premiered (the young woman in the clip mentions what the film is about…and she’s completely wrong). In what might seem to be Michael Moore’s most optimistic film, he visits various countries and gives us ideas as to how we could do things better. From Italy’s vacation policies to school lunches in France to Slovenia’s no tuition for college system, Moore explains that these practices lead to better living conditions, a more productive work force and overall better state of affairs. This film is a crowd-pleaser.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ZVGbH2awic

I then scurried across town for the under-attended MA MA, directed by Julio Medem. Medem, known for his film LOVERS OF THE ARCTIC CIRCLE and SEX AND LUCIA, was in attendance along with the stunning lead actress Penelope Cruz. This is the story of woman who finds out she has breast Cancer but continues to be a most compassionate, giving/forgiving woman. Critics have not been terribly kind to this beautifully executed melodrama (but they rarely are with this genre). Though not without its flaws, I really liked this film. (Unfortunately, I can’t find a trailer with subtitles, but you should watch this one regardless.)

ANOMALISA, directed by Charlie Kaufman & Duke Johnson, was my final film for the day. This stop-motion puppet film, written by the much beloved Kaufman (BEING JOHN MALKOVICH, ADAPTATION, ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND), is 100% made for adults. It’s a relatively simple story about a motivational speaker staying overnight at a hotel trying to escape his monotonous life. There is no trailer for this film – only the Kickstarter campaign below. The film won the Grand Jury Prize in Venice, and word has it that it is being picked up for distribution.

Thanks for reading! Only a few days left.

More tomorrow,

Jonathan

TIFF 2015 – Day #5

September 15, 2015 By Jonathan McNeal

Hello Again. Thanks for coming back!

Half way through today marked the half way point of the festival. And by the end of the day, I had seen 20 films in all…but there’s lots more to go.

My first film of the day was the thriller COLONIA, directed by Florian Gallenberger. Starring Daniel Bruhl and Emma Watson, this film started out like a conventional political thriller about civil unrest in Chile in 1973. But then it became an over-the-top cult escape thriller. This is the story of Colonia Dignidad – a hideous compound in Chile that housed a religious cult and also served as a military torture prison. Though entirely engaging, I found some of the characters to be of the Disney villain sort – thus making it seem like it couldn’t be based in reality. That said, the story is based on fact, and seeing the actual photos at the end was a nice pay-off. There were moments that seemed a little too much HUNGER GAMES driven – so I’m not sure who the intended audience is…serious subject but a little too young adult driven to rise to the top for me.

Next up was FREEHELD, directed by Peter Sollett and starring Julianne Moore and Ellen Page. This was a film I was looking forward to seeing, and I was a little disappointed at first. Though the performances are certainly quite good, the film seemed a bit flat at first. This film is based on the short documentary of the same name. We played it at the Dayton LGBT Film Fest several years ago, and it went on to win the Academy Award. It’s the story of Laurel Hester and her attempt to get her police pension left to her domestic partner in New Jersey. Though perhaps a little “one-note” in this role, it takes Steve Carell to inject some energy into the film. The original documentary covered the material that picks up in the second half of the film, and that’s where I became most engaged. This story was groundbreaking in its role to bring marriage equality to New Jersey…and now that marriage equality is nationwide, it serves as an important reminder of why LGBT people have been fighting so hard.

Next up was THE FAMILY FANG, directed by Jason Bateman. This film is based on a beloved novel, adapted for the screen by David Lindsay-Abbaire (playwright of RABBIT HOLE). Starring Bateman, Nicole Kidman and Christopher Walken, this is the story of a family who are reunited after an unlikely accident. The parents are long-time, well-known performance artists who stage very public pieces that often come off as practical jokes. Though certainly a very touching film, it is also terribly funny. Somewhere between FLIRTING WITH DISASTER and SAVAGES and even a little ROYAL TENENBAUMS (though more for its elements of family dynamics), this film became my biggest surprise for the festival. I was intrigued enough to go…but was so delighted that I had. It’s a wonderful film. Bateman and Walken were there for a Q&A, and it was delightful. It was clear that Bateman loved having Walken in the role, and he said “Everything Chris did was fantastic. It was like killin’ babies in the editing room.” This film has yet to be picked up for distribution…but I bet it will be soon.

I had about half an hour to spare this evening, so I poked into JANIS: LITTLE GIRL BLUE, directed by Amy Berg – it was not my intention to stay for the entire film (and I didn’t). I was quick to learn that this documentary about Janis Joplin was made for PBS (I believe it will play on American Masters series). Though intriguing subject material and certain to find a big fan base, this film wasn’t working so well for me on the big screen. Much of the archival footage was so grainy and distorted via large format projecting…I think it will play much better on televisions.

THE ONES BELOW, directed by David Farr was my last film of the night. “Eagerly awaiting their first child, a young couple in a tiny London suburb become involved in a psychological battle of wills with the tenants in the apartment downstairs…” (taken from the TIFF program). Unfortunately, this film also looked like it would play much better on television – but not due to pixilation or grainy footage. This thriller had some unintended laugh-out-loud moments…and in most other circumstances I would have left after 20 minutes. But for some reason, I felt compelled to stay and so I could shake me head and roll my eyes at some very strange decisions in what had hoped to be a bit more of a nod to Roman Polanski. Though there were a couple gripping moments, I ultimately found this film to be the biggest turkey of my TIFF experience so far.

And now it’s off to bed. Thanks for checking in.

More tomorrow,

Jonathan

TIFF 2015 – Day #4

September 14, 2015 By Jonathan McNeal

Hi Again!

My first film today was TRUMBO, directed by Jay Roach. For the first few minutes, I had to get over its visual style. It seemed a little cartoony, and the cinematography seemed more like television than film…but then it took its hold on me with a sharp screenplay and terrific performances. This is the story of Dalton Trumbo, one of the “Hollywood 10” who was Blacklisted during America’s fear of people affiliated with the Communist Party. The script is terrific, and the story is playful but serious – and Brian Cranston is wonderful in his Big performance (during the Q&A, the director noted that “Trumbo didn’t just talk, he performed.”). This is a film that had the packed house bursting into applause during certain key moments, and I think it’s a film that would certainly go over well with NEON audiences. We’ll see what the distributor has in mind (not to mention the crowded marketplace this fall)! (NEON favorite Helen Mirren plays Hedda Hopper – and she chews up the scenery with her wickedly upsetting material. One other supporting role that stood out was John Goodman’s. You’ll love him.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2AaNh4FSig

DISORDER, directed by Alice Winocour, was the next film of the day. Starring Matthias Schoenaerts (a regular face at THE NEON – RUST AND BONE, THE DROP, and FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD…and possibly THE DANISH GIRL this Fall), this is the story of a man with PTSD who is hired to work security for a wealthy family while the husband is away on business. This psychologic turned invasion thriller is marked with great performances, edge of your seat tension and incredible sound design.

Up next was MAGGIE’S PLAN, directed by Rebecca Miller. This seemed like new territory for a Rebecca Miller film to me. It might be in large part to Greta Gerwig’s presence, but it felt more like a Noah Baumbach/Woody Allen comedy. That said, this love triangle comedy starring Gerwig, Ethan Hawke and Julianne Moore certainly has some wonderful moments (and Julianne Moore steals every scene she’s in as a Danish professor). The story is about a single woman (Gerwig) who is determined to have a baby and finds herself in a relationship with a married professor.

Lastly, I saw my favorite film of the festival so far – BROOKLYN, directed by John Crowley. In this lovely 1950’s period film, Saoirse Ronan plays a girls who moves from Ireland to Brooklyn in order to have a better life. We witness a wonderful transformation from reserved wallflower to a more confident, stunning woman. With a screenplay by Nick Hornby, this film works on all levels. The screenplay is great, the performances are wonderful, and the cinematography will make you swoon. Saoirse Ronan, Domhnall Gleeson (seen earlier this year in EX MACHINA), Emory Cohen (who you might recognize from THE PLACE BEYOND THE PINES) and director John Crowley were in attendance for an insightful Q&A.

After all my screenings, I met different people at a couple different locations for cocktails. It was a nice mix of business & pleasure to cap off the day.

More tomorrow. Thanks for reading!

Jonathan