TIFF

Toronto – Day #9+ – 2013

September 14, 2013 By Jonathan McNeal Leave a Comment

Dear Readers,

I’m back in Dayton. Yesterday evening and this morning were a whirlwind, so I didn’t have time to type this review until just now…sitting in the comfort of my living room. Yesterday morning was taken leisurely, and I eventually saw 2 films in the afternoon and evening…then I went out for some cocktails. Upon waking up this morning, I decided to fit in one more film before scurrying to the airport at Noon. Thus this update includes films I screened on Friday and this morning.

EASTERN BOYS is a film about a French man who hires a male prostitute only to have his entire life uprooted by an entire gang of Eastern European hustlers. It’s a scary film with long takes that forces us to deal with the situations, and it eventually makes way for a sort of love story that changes course. There are moments in this film when my heart was beating so fast that I found myself holding my breath. The film is sexually frank, and the lead hustler is both sexy and terrifying. Though there are moments when we don’t understand a character’s motivations (like not immediately calling the police…though I’m guessing shame played a role), I ultimately really liked this film.

ROCK THE CASBAH is a beautifully directed film about the gathering of a family for an important funeral. Set in Morocco, this film is both funning and touching…and it’s full of amazing performances by a couple women I love – Hiam Abass and Nadine Labaki. The film is narrated by the ghost of the recently deceased, played by Omar Sharif, and the film tackles some important issues – one being the role of women in Moroccan society. Directed by Laila Marrakchi, this is a really solid crowd-pleaser by a woman who is shaking things up. (Abass, Marrakchi, and actress Morjana Alaoui came out for a Q&A after the screening.)

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6Oy9qKsCig’]

A PROMISE was my last film of the festival. Unfortunately not the best. From veteran director Patrice Leconte, directing for the first time in English, this film is based on the novel JOURNEY INTO THE PAST by Stefan Zweig. The story follows a love triangle about an ailing steel factory owner (Alan Rickman), his young wife (the lovely Rebecca Hall), and the factory owner’s assistant (the adorable, but new to me, Richard Madden – I’ve never seen GAME OF THRONES). The costumes and sets are lovely, but the story is relatively bland with some clunky dialog and there’s some questionable camerawork (some camera moves actually made me angry). There’s an audience for this film…but it just didn’t cut it for me.

So here I am. Back at home and just beginning to think of all the films I saw. 32 in fact!! It seems like weeks ago that I was heading into CLOSED CURTAIN. In 9 days, I’ve been to far off lands, outer space, and familiar territory. I’ve seen a couple masterpieces, and I walked out on a couple stinkers. TIFF is always a highlight of my year, and I appreciate your interest in reading my thoughts.

All the best.

I hope to see you soon at THE NEON!

Jonathan

Toronto – Day #8 – 2013

September 13, 2013 By Jonathan McNeal Leave a Comment

My time in Toronto is wrapping up. I’ll screen a couple films today and perhaps 1 film early tomorrow before I head to the airport. It’s been a blast so far, but I am starting to drag.

The first film I saw yesterday was IGNACI M. – a Spanish documentary about an artist. Brought up in a home with a mother and father who were also artists, this is an exploration of his relationships with his parents, children, and others in the community. Ignaci is a colorful, gay, HIV+ man who takes 29 pills every day (the opening of the film has him explaining each pill – which is funny and heartbreaking all at once) and is willing to speak frankly with anyone. Though I found this piece interesting, some of the interviews go on way too long. I felt as though the editor was stretching this film to make it a feature – whereas it would make a much stronger 30-40 minute portrait. (The cheesy photoshoot moments didn’t help matters.)

THE RAILWAY MAN, based on a memoir by Eric Lomax, is the story of a man who is dealing with the demons of having been tortured while a prisoner of the Japanese troops in Thailand. Starring Colin Firth and Nicole Kidman (among many other great performances in the flashback scenes), this film has lush visuals and strong performances. Lomax, in real life, died just last year…and the director of the film told the audience “Lomax loved that Colin Firth was playing him…his wife Patti was at the festival earlier in the week…she loved being here with her best friend Nicole.” This film is well done, and it will appeal to people who love historical, war dramas – like THE EMPEROR from earlier this year.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ksrkKXoEJbM’]

SALVATION ARMY is a quiet, directorial debut for Abdellah Taia – based on his own semi-autobiographical novel. This is the story of a young Moroccan boy who is discovering his sexuality and social codes in Casablanca. Told in two parts, we see his upbringing and familial relations…then we see him off to study in Geneva – where more political and social obstacles lay in wait. With very little dialog and told in a very matter-of-fact style, this film is certainly not for everyone…but I liked it quite a bit. (Below is just a clip – a trailer doesn’t exist yet.)

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_CB0aVpKsw’]

And off I go to start my day.

Thanks for reading!

Toronto – Day #7 – 2013

September 12, 2013 By Jonathan McNeal Leave a Comment

I saw 4 films yesterday…among them was one big, special effects movie. I rarely go for the huge, Hollywood titles while in Toronto, but I decided that because Alfonso Cuaron directed GRAVITY, I’d give it a go…but let’s start at the beginning of the day.

First off, I saw MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS – a Swiss film (in English and French) based on the book MARY STUART. Though I certainly appreciated elements of this film, there were also numerous elements that made me cringe. The score was often overbearing, and a few devices (the narration at the beginning and end, the over-use of puppets) fell flat. The costumes and sets were marvelous, but overall, it didn’t work for me.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpHckcAsES8′]

WE ARE THE BEST! is the new film by Lukas Moodysson. Set in 1982 Stockholm, the movie is about 3 13-year old girls who start a punk band. It’s a sweet portrait of rebellion and bonding, and the performances and situations are really wonderful. That said, it’s not a film I’d revisit…there’s just something missing. It’s good…just not great.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TfPytPjV1xc’]

GERONTOPHILIA is a film by Canadian filmmaker Bruce LaBruce. This is a movie about a young man who realizes he is infatuated and turned on by senior-aged men…so he gets a job at a nursing home where he forms a special relationship with one of the residents. Whereas I think this film might have some interesting things to say about age and aging, I felt that the shifts in tone (some of it feels like a farce, other parts seem very serious) made me less interested. Though some parts were genuinely funny…and some parts were genuinely touching…ultimately I’m not a fan. (Below is just a clip from the film…no trailer yet.)

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pP7Dg1fvEm0′]

Lastly, I saw GRAVITY in IMAX 3-D. Starring Sandra Bullock and George Clooney, I think this is biggest small film ever to come out of Hollywood. Set in space, there are only 3 on-screen characters (and 1 dies almost immediately – so it’s mostly Bullock and Clooney). After an accident (debris from a Russian satellite), an astronaut and a medical engineer are forced to figure out a way to survive . This film is simple and scary. And though there are a couple moments of on-the-nose monologue material (which kinda ruined the moment for me), I ultimately really enjoyed it.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OiTiKOy59o4′]

Thanks for reading!

Toronto – Day #6 – 2013

September 11, 2013 By Jonathan McNeal Leave a Comment

Today is my last day of needing to wait in line for early-morning tickets…thus my last day of waking up at 6:00am. How refreshing!

In addition to seeing 3 films yesterday, I got to hang out with a dear friend, Bill Taylor, who I met in line at a screening of TALK TO HER (one of my favorite Almodovar films) back in 2002 (my first year at TIFF). Bill just completed his first feature film (which I will soon get a chance to see), and we have played 2 of his short films at the Dayton LGBT Film Festival over the years. It was great to catch up.

VIOLETTE was the first film of the day, and it made me want to go out and pick up a bundle of books. This is a film about Violette Leduc and how she became a well-known author. A large portion of the film focuses on her relationship with Simone de Beauvoir, and several other renowned French authors work their way into the narrative. The film is gorgeously directed by Martin Provost – director of SERAPHINE (if you haven’t seen this film, I highly recommend it – available via netflix, etc.), and it’s a wonderful story of self-discovery through writing.

IDA, perhaps the most visually stunning film I’ve seen this year, is a lovely, quiet film (shot in black & white in a 1:37 aspect ratio (which means it appears more like a square than a rectangle)). A young Catholic girl – about to take her vows as a nun – goes into the city to meet her aunt for the first time. During the trip, she discovers her true roots and the life she had before being brought to the convent. I loved this film.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRzbCZtiWYc’]

TOM AT THE FARM is the new film by Xavier Dolan. Based on a play, this is the first time Dolan has directed material that was in-part written by someone else…and it works. I felt that Dolan’s last film suffered from its length – this one feels just right. Tom visits the family of his recently deceased lover, and the mother didn’t know of her son’s homosexuality. Very different in tone from Dolan’s first three films, this is a psychological thriller that becomes rather creepy. Though I questioned a couple script choices, I ultimately really liked this film. (The clip below doesn’t do the film justice…but at least you’ll get a small glance.)

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8bq-MGazn0′]

Thanks for reading! Off to more screenings!

Toronto – Day #5 – 2013

September 10, 2013 By Jonathan McNeal Leave a Comment

Hello!

Yesterday ended up being not as productive as I had planned. I only saw 3 films in their entirety…and the festival is officially starting to wear me out. The early morning line-up is dwindling. Some industry folks have already left town, and some of this drop-off is due merely to communal exhaustion.

First off, I saw a film called BELLE – a Fox Searchlight film (which means we’ll more than likely play it…but it won’t come out until next Spring) set in 18-century Britain about a mixed-race woman who is accepted by her affluent father and is brought up in high class society. Though not given all the same treatment due to her skin color and the fact that she is “illegitimate,” she is given a good education and is rather free-spirited. After asking lots of questions and meeting an idealistic son of the town vicar, she becomes instrumental in ending slavery in England. This film is beautifully shot and will be a crowd-pleaser – on par with films like YOUNG VICTORIA and THE DUCHESS.

THE INVISIBLE WOMAN is based on the true story of Charles Dickens and his secret relationship with a younger woman. Directed by and starring Ralph Fiennes, this is a lovely, intelligent film about a strong-willed woman facing her past. The lead character is played with a rich, layered performance by Felicity Jones (she had a small part in the under-appreciated HYSTERIA), and Sony Classics is positioning this film for a limited Christmas release – which makes it clear that they will push for some Oscar attention. The art direction, the costumes, and the performances are all lovely, and though the pacing is slow, lovers of mid-career Merchant Ivory films (like THE BOSTONIANS and MAURICE) will be delighted. Fiennes and Jones were present for a Q&A after the screening.

UNDER THE SKIN is the new, highly anticipated film by Jonathan Glazer – director of SEXY BEAST and BIRTH. (It’s been a decade since his last film.) Each of his films is distinctly different, and UNDER THE SKIN is partially experimental in form. The movie is about a young woman who stalks the streets of Scotland – looking for single, unattached men. The film is sexually charged and absolutely captivating. There’s very little dialog in this film, but the images and score create poetry. A lot more could be added in describing the plot to this film, but as the catalog states, “it’s best to allow UNDER THE SKIN to reveal itself.” Lead actress Scarlett Johansson and director Jonathan Glazer were in attendance for an insightful Q&A. I can’t remember the last time I saw such an abstract film with over 1500 people…it was a nice feeling…but it won’t be appreciated by the masses. (That said, there will certainly be a cult-like following for this film.) Watch the teaser to get a small sense of tone for this film.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGDnbcq0BkU’]

More soon!

Thanks for reading!

Toronto – Day #4 – 2013

September 9, 2013 By Jonathan McNeal Leave a Comment

Hello!

Yesterday was another epic day. After seeing 5 films, I still managed to meet up with a couple friends for drinks…a nap is certainly in store at some point today. One person I met up with is a Dayton native (a former Neon regular and Stivers grad) – Rachel Allen. She now lives in Brooklyn and works for a PR firm in NYC…and she’s in Toronto working with a handful of films at the festival. It was great to see her, and I was delighted to hear of her recent successes.

The first film I saw in the morning was THE F WORD – a romantic comedy starring Daniel Radcliffe and Zoe Kazan. This charming film is full of fast, witty dialog (and sadly way too many poop-obsessed jokes), and it doesn’t try to be anything beyond a sweet film targeted at young adults. The story centers on 2 young people who meet at a party. The young girl, delightfully played by Kazan, is an animator who is in a relationship. The young guy, played by Radcliffe (he has 3 films at TIFF this year), is still getting over a broken heart (the opening scene has him finally deleting a year-old voicemail from his ex-girlfriend). The 2, upon meeting, have great chemistry…but they determine that they can only be friends. Thogh predictable and at times a bit too screwball for my taste, this film ultimately works.

DALLAS BUYERS CLUB was the 2nd film of the festival that I really loved. Based on a true story, this is a film about a man in the 1980’s who is diagnosed with HIV. Frustrated by the lack of FDA-approved drugs, he sets out to smuggle non-approved treatments into the US. Matthew McConaughey plays the main character, and his performance is mind-blowing. That said, Jarred Leto – who plays a trans character – is also out of this world. With lots of interesting choices (great sound design and an urgency that makes the film not seem like a period piece), this will go down as one of the best films of the year…stay tuned for lots of award season recognition.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8utPuIFVnU’]

Next up was a romantic, modern musical by John Carney (director of ONCE) – CAN A SONG SAVE YOUR LIFE? Starring Keira Knightley and Mark Ruffalo, this film is full of great music and good performances. It’s the story of two broken people who begin working together to produce an album of fresh, new music. I’ve heard many people raving about this film. Though I liked it, I didn’t think it was amazing. There are some magical moments, but I didn’t buy into the film entirely. (There’s a scene where Ruffalo imagines orchestrations over Knightley’s simple, guitar-accompanied performance…and I found it terribly cheesy.) There will certainly be an audience for this film, but I don’t think the results are as successful as ONCE.

PHILOMENA, the new Judi Dench film by Stephen Frears, is absolutely wonderful. This is the story of a relationship between a journalist and an aging woman. Philomena gave birth to a boy in a convent when she was 14, and the nuns found a home for him when he was an toddler. After years of feeling guilty for her sins of the flesh (the nuns were successful at shaming her for decades), a journalist takes interest in Philomena’s attempt to locate her son. The story is ultimately a mystery, but it’s so much more. The script is absolutely terrific, and the performances are rich and layered. This film is 100% NEON material! Without harping, the film has very interesting things to say at the Catholic Church, contemporary journalism and the Republican Party.

LE WEEK-END – a new film about a retirement-aged, British couple during a weekend is Paris – is clearly inspired by (and even references) films of the French New Wave. Though there are several great scenes in this film, and the performances of Jim Broadbent and Lindsay Duncan are terrific, I had a hard time connecting. Duncan’s hot/cold character changes moods on a dime, and I ultimately found her so frustrating that I found it difficult to care about anybody. Though I was ultimately moved by the film, I didn’t love it overall. Directed by Roger Michell (NOTTING HILL, THE MOTHER, VENUS, HYDE PARK ON HUDSON), I don’t see a lot of commercial success with this title.

I’m about to head into a screening of BELLE…then 3 other films today.

Thanks for reading! More tomorrow!

Toronto – Day #3 – 2013

September 8, 2013 By Jonathan McNeal Leave a Comment

Hello!

Well…I’m really exhausted this morning…but it’s my own fault. I was simply having too much fun last night, and I didn’t get to bed until about 2:00. I then got up at 6:00am and darted out the door to land in this line by 6:50. The Fox Searchlight Party was last night, and it was a winner. The cocktails were good, the food was exceptional (though I couldn’t bring myself to sample everything), and the mingling was perfect. The party was celebrating 4 films that the distributor will release this year – BELLE, DOM HEMINGWAY, ENOUGH SAID, and 12 YEARS A SLAVE. I met and chatted with several folks, and the party was full of industry folks including numerous stars (like Michael Fassbender, Alfre Woodard, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Paul Giamatti, Tom Felton, Sarah Paulson and more).

And now the films from yesterday. I saw three.

First off was HATESHIP LOVESHIP – a film by Liza Johnson starring Kristen Wiig and Guy Pearce. This film has a Dayton connection…the production design (done very well!) was by Hannah Beachler – graduate of WSU’s Motion Picture Program. The story is about a socially awkward woman – Johanna – who is hired to take care of a teenage girl with a mother who has died and somewhat absent father (the girl lives with her grandfather – played by Nick Nolte). Upon receiving a note from the girl’s father, Johanna responds with a letter that is ultimately hijacked by the girl and her friend. They devise a scheme where they respond to Johanna via e-mail and make her think that the father has developed a crush and is ultimately falling in love. It’s a cruel, teenage prank, and Johanna goes headfirst into the “relationship.” Though not without some wonderful moments, I didn’t love this film. I felt that it had some tone issues and had a few moments that I just didn’t buy. It’s nice to see Wiig do some serious material, but it was a bit of a challenge to hear her deliver some monotone, unaffected delivery and not be swept back to former SNL characters.

12 YEARS A SLAVE – I finally saw a really amazing film…one that will clearly be nominated for Best Picture along with numerous acting nominations. This new film by Steve McQueen (director of HUNGER and SHAME) is a masterpiece – based on the memoir by Solomon Northup. Northup was a free African American who was kidnapped in 1841 and sold into slavery. The film is harrowing and beautifully done, and the performances are rich and complex. After the screening, a Q&A with McQueen and several actors provided some eloquent insight into the production. Upon talking about the films of McQueen, Michael Fassbender said something that sums up the challenging material that McQueen often addresses, “As an audience member, you have to contribute. It’s not a passive experience.” Those are the films I love. I don’t want to be spoon fed, and McQueen always presents material that requires some work and introspection. One issue that I don’t think too many people want to talk about is the use of the Bible in the film. Slave owners often refer to it – justifying their rights by the Biblical text. This is not unlike people who continue to use the Bible to promote their hate-filled agendas today. Without making it a focus, I think McQueen wants us to consider how we approach this book.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iiw1cYXQw4g’]

THERESE was the last film I saw yesterday. Based on the novel THERESE RAQUIN by Emile Zola, this film stars Elizabeth Olsen, Tom Felton, and Jessica Lang – who were all present for a Q&A following the film – along with director Charlie Stratton. This period story (which ultimately became the basis for THE POSTMAN ALWAYS RINGS TWICE), is about a sexually repressed young woman who must marry a sickly cousin. Upon meeting an old family friend, she has a sexual awakening and yearns to be set free from the confines of her current surroundings. This film is a bit clunky, but the production values are lovely and the performances are solid. The director mentioned one thing that attracted him to the story – it’s rare to go into a film where you change who you’re rooting for several times. I think that’s rather interesting…and I need to think about it.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XCLBkM4OfSY’]

A few of you asked which film I walked out of yesterday. You’ll have to ask me in person…as I don’t reveal the titles of films that I don’t watch in their entirety.

More soon! Thanks for reading!

Toronto – Day #2 – 2013

September 7, 2013 By Jonathan McNeal Leave a Comment

Hello Everyone.

On my second day, I set out to see 4 films…but I really only saw 3. I sat down for my first film, and I simply couldn’t take it. After 5 minutes, I thought I might leave. After 10 minutes, I couldn’t stand it…but I thought I needed to give it more time. After 30 minutes, I simply couldn’t tolerate seeing one of my favorite actresses in such a terrible film. So I left.

A couple hours later, I made my way to LABOR DAY – the new film by Jason Reitman starring Kate Winslet and Josh Brolin. This is the story of a mother and son who live alone in a small town in the late 1980’s. Winslet’s character is extremely lonely and depressed, and her son (a nice performance by Gattlin Griffith) tries to keep her afloat. An escaped convict works his way into their home, and rather unlikely relationships ensue – new lover for mom and a father figure for her son. The movie is shot beautifully, and the performances are really wonderful – Winslet’s melancholy is palpable. I really loved a lot about this film, but it sadly has a few big annoyances…a couple bad situations and a couple moments of laugh-out-loud bad screenwriting. A slight recut could fix a lot…but I don’t think that will happen before its release.

Next up was the world premiere of the first animated feature by Chomet (director of THE TRIPLETS OF BELLVILLE) – ATTILA MARCEL. As a big fan of PARIS JE T’AIME, I was already familiar with the fact that he can direct live material with great success – he did the short about the little boy with mime parents. This film is highly stylized with lots of charm and a lot of great music. It’s the story of a mute piano player who is raised by his overbearing aunts. After meeting an herbalist who lives on a secret floor in his building, he begins to explore hidden memories of his deceased parents. Though a bit clunky (a couple devises just don’t work) and a bit long, it’s got enough magic to keep you invested…and you’ll root for the protagonist all the way through. (Sorry…there’s no trailer with subtitles.)

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxYhMGHKZzo’]

My last film of the day was BAD HAIR from Venezuela. This is the story of a curly-haired boy who lives in the projects with his mother and her newborn. It’s a gritty existence – surrounded by gunfire, violence and rough terrain. More than anything in the world, the little boy wants straight hair so he can be “like a singer.” The mother fears that her son is gay, and her lack of education and fear for his well-being makes her take strides to eventually “heal” her son. This is a grim film – but not without moments of sheer joy. The performances are incredible from everyone, and the material is transportive. Though I wish the film had been 10-15 minutes shorter (not a whole lot happens…it would be stronger if it was tighter), I think it’s my favorite film of the festival so far (it brings to mind two other films – the great performances of childhood in TOMBOY and the gritty style of FISH TANK).

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uW0o1jz5d9Y’]

After screening 3 films, I met up with Glenn Kiser – director of SABBATICAL (which won the Audience Award at last year’s Dayton LGBT Film Festival). We had a great time catching up, and he mentioned that Dayton was one of his favorite festival experiences during his travels with SABBATICAL. I don’t think he was just feeing me a line – he mentioned the great sense of community, the friends he made, and his overall experience. I think we can be proud of that!

I’m currently in line for tickets…then off to 3 films today and a big party tonight. More soon. Thanks for reading!

Jonathan

Toronto – Day #1 (5 Films)

September 6, 2013 By Jonathan McNeal Leave a Comment

Hello!

Today was one of those packed days…and I’m thinking I might finish typing this while in line tomorrow morning (so I can get at least 5 hours of sleep).

I saw 5 films on Day #1.

First off was an Iranian film called CLOSED CURTAIN by Jafar Panahi & Kambuzia Partovi. This is a film about a man who goes into hiding with his dog – residing in a “friend’s house” where he blacks out all the windows and fears any sounds of people outside. A strange woman finds her way into the house, and tensions mount. About half way into the film, the story reveals itself. Not everything is as it seems…for this is a story being written/imagined by a director. This is a film about inspiration and character development…and how one creates under certain constraits. Not knowing Panahi’s story (of being under house arrest in Iran) could make this film a little more difficult to initially understand…though I eventually found the cinematic riddles/metaphors to be a little obtuse and tedious. (There’s a side story about how dogs are not allowed to be seen in public…and the dog in this movie steals every scene.)

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBLiT13SBl8′]

(CONTINUED at 7:00am Friday morning)

Francois Ozon’s latest film – YOUNG AND BEAUTIFUL – is a sexually charged film about a girl losing her virginity over the summer…and how she eventually is drawn into the power-play of sexuality. At 17, while still in high school and living at home, she begins leading a double life of a prostitute. She uses on-line pornography as tutorials, and she steals her mother’s clothes to look more sophisticated. Told over the course of 4 seasons, this film has a couple clunky moments and on-the-nose song choices (and a little too overscored – though I do love the score). It even visually references BELLE DE JOUR – which is clearly loved by Ozon. Overall, I rather liked the sexual politics of the film…and I loved the ending. (Last year, I saw Ozon’s last film – IN THE HOUSE…it ended up being one of my favorites.)

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMSiEhAw4PA’]

ABUSE OF WEAKNESS is Catherine Breillat’s latest film – based loosely on her personal story of dealing with the aftermath of a stroke and being swindled by a man who she came to admire (who was supposed to star in her next film). This film stars Isabelle Huppert, and she is out of this world! The control of her body and speech are unbelievable! Though a bit too long and sometimes a bit frustrating (though I’m guessing that might be the point…as dealing with an illness and its physical challenges can be much the same). The psychology of what makes people do things that seem out of character is a driving force of this film, and it’s worth seeing just for Huppert’s incredible performance.

KILL YOUR DARLINGS stars Daniel Radcliffe as Allen Ginsberg – which should seal the deal to mainstream America that Radcliffe can do a lot more than play a boy wizard (many already knew this given EQUUS and other examples). Though produced by Killer Films (known for a variety of indie gems over the years – BOYS DON’T CRY, FAR FROM HEAVEN, and many many more), this film seemed more “Hollywood” than anything I saw on Day #1. This is due mostly to its simplistic script. The visual style is rather nice, and most of the performances are really quite good, but it seemed a little too easy and I found myself rolling my eyes a lot – especially in the first 20 minutes (and the use of some contemporary music killed a few moments instead of making them relatable). Overall, I came away liking several things about the film – but it’s far from being a masterpiece. (Part biopic, part thriller!…you didn’t see that coming, did you? Without the opening scene set in prison, you wouldn’t really guess the film was heading that direction.)

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6i4XR5Z4lU’]

ONLY LOVERS LEFT ALIVE was my final film of the day. Jim Jarmusch’s vampire movie isn’t what many might suspect. It’s not at all a horror film! This is a love story about 2 sophisticated people who have lived for hundreds of years. Told in a bit of a hallucinogenic haze, this film is actually full of humorous moments and thoughtful insights to today’s world. (Tom Hiddleston’s character – who plays opposite Tilda Swinton – is contemplating suicide…due mostly to being so disenchanted with the monstrous actions of today’s human beings – who he refers to as “zombies”). Told in a languid, poetic fashion, this is a character driven film with lots of long, slowly moving scenes with beautiful music and photography. Some might find the film boring (especially if they’re looking for a traditional genre film), but I thought it was rather lovely. Tilda was NOT there! Though disappointing, it was nice to see and hear Jarmusch and Hiddleston discuss the film (I didn’t previously know who Hiddleston was…but fans were shrieking with delight when he emerged from his car). Mia Wasikowska was also in attendance. She had little to say.

3 Films today. Maybe 4!

More later! Thanks for reading!

Toronto International Film Fest – I Made It To Town!

September 4, 2013 By Jonathan McNeal Leave a Comment

Hello Friends of THE NEON!

I made it to Toronto. With very little sleep, I ran right to registration and picked up my pass and catalog…which I looked at very quickly and made my first picks. The Toronto International Film Festival (which I’ll refer to now as TIFF) officially begins tomorrow night. That said, industry screenings begin tomorrow morning. Each day, my pass allows me to see 2 public screenings and numerous industry screenings. (The public screenings are more fun…they’re filled with film lovers…and the filmmakers and stars often attend those screenings.) Only a handful of tickets for those public screenings are put aside for people who have passes like mine…and we can only collect them 48 hours in advance. This means that I’ll be up every morning at 6:00 so I can leave my apartment and get in line by 7:00. At 8:00, I’ll hopefully be one of the first people in line so I can get the tickets I want….then I’m off to screenings for the rest of the day.

Each day, I’ll see 3, 4 or sometimes even 5 films (that’s a rarity, though…my eyes can only handle so much).

I just returned from grabbing a beer and plotting my next few days. I picked up some local publications and started to assess the buzz about any films that I might need to see, and my initial plan of attack is in place. With over 300 films to chose from, the scheduling can become madness…and I love it.

Thanks for checking in with my blog. One film I’ll be seeing tomorrow (Thursday night) is Jim Jarmusch’s new vampire film (not a genre I really like…but my favorite actress is the star – TILDA SWINTON). Tune in again (and each day thereafter) to read about each of the films I’m seeing (and each of the stars I see flitting around).

More soon,

Jonathan

Toronto Film Fest – Day #7

September 13, 2012 By Jonathan McNeal Leave a Comment

I’m Back!

Wow…though my eyes are starting to blur a bit and my feet are slightly dragging, I’m still makin’ it to all the screenings I’ve got on the docket.

First of the day was Terrence Malick’s TO THE WONDER. You might remember that THE TREE OF LIFE earned the title of most walk-outs in NEON history…and I think this film might give TREE OF LIFE a run for its money. This visually lovely and poetic film is quite experimental…and it not only feels like a follow-up to TOL, it feels repetitive. With identical shots from TOL, some similar “plot” lines and similar tone, this film will have both fans and detractors. I heard one woman late this afternoon say to her friend, “I saw TO THE WONDER this morning. It’s the worst movie I’ve EVER seen.” The film is a rumination on relationships. It has some wonderful moments, but I ultimately found the film to be tedious. If I had to watch Olga Kurylenko skip through one more wheat field or twirl around down one more grocery store aisle, I might have to end it all (see below). Ben Affleck seemed to phone in his performance (or perhaps he just wasn’t given much to do), and Rachel McAdams is certainly not the lead of this film (regardless of the marketing you might see).

Next I saw STILL – a Canadian film directed by Michael McGowen…starring James Cromwell and Genevieve Bojuld (Bojuld made a surprise appearance during the introduction of the film – it was a delight to see her). This film is about how an elderly man is building an accessible home on his land for himself and his wife…and how the authorities keep handing him building violations. The reason the man is building the house is because of the deteriorating health of his wife. The director talked about how he read about this story from the headlines…and how he worked directly with the family in order to bring the film to life. It’s a lovely, quiet film with great performances, a great score, and a wonderful backdrop of the Canadian landscape.

PEACHES DOES HERSELF was next on the list. This film is the a record of a performance done by the rock star/performance artist Peaches. Originally from Toronto, Peaches has been a part of the Berlin art scene for years. This transexually charged performance had its highs and lows with some moments that had me (as well as a few folks beside me) in fits of hysterical laughter (some of it was like a train wreck), but it wouldn’t work well at all in a traditional engagement. That said, it might find an audience at midnight screenings – especially for fans of the Peaches catalog.

My last screening of the night was SUICIDE SHOP – a life-affirming, French, animated, musical film about suicide. Huh? It’s true. This sweet and funny film was directed by Patrice LeConte (RIDICULE and GIRL ON A BRIDGE), and it’s about a shop that sells anything needed to end one’s life. Due to the recession, sales are up, and the gloomy family are happy to help folks find their preferred method of exiting the world. The arrival of a new son throws the shop into a tailspin. Why? Because he’s too darn jovial. Though I saw the film in 3D, it’s absolutely not necessary. Unfortunately, I thought the film lost a little steam in the second and third act (and it’s only 80 minutes). In addition, I don’t know who the film is for. It’s full of adult themes, but the narrative arc is rather slight. That said, I’m still glad I saw it…some of it is wonderful.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75gJaI_7eMM’]

Tomorrow I’ll see 2 or 3 films…and then I’m going to a non-TIFF-related event. I’ll see Madonna in concert, and I have a great seat.

More to come.

Thanks for reading!

Jonathan

FAREWELL MY QUEEN at THE NEON + TIFF News

September 12, 2012 By Jonathan McNeal Leave a Comment

Hello Everyone,

The Toronto International Film Festival has been terrific. I’m heading into my seventh day of screenings, and I’ve already seen 21 films. Though a nightly allotment of 4 to 5 hours of sleep is starting to wear me down, I’m having a great time. I’ve met Francois Ozon and Sally Potter (2 directors I greatly admire), and I’ve attended screenings the were introduced by (and sometimes with Q&As by) Susanne Bier, Keira Knightley, Susan Sarandon, Ben Wishaw, Tom Hanks, Dustin Hoffman, Kristin Scott Thomas, and my absolute favorite star encounter – Maggie Smith. If you’re interested to know about the movies I’ve seen, check out my other blog postings on this site. I’ll post some personal pictures upon my return to Dayton.

At THE NEON, we’re moving forward this week. If you still need to see THE INTOUCHABLES, Thursday will be your last chance. On Friday, we will open the period drama FAREWELL, MY QUEEN. ROBOT & FRANK had a very solid opening weekend (Thank you!) – it will stick around for another week. (remaining showtimes for this week can be found at our site: neonmovies.com)

Synopsis for FAREWELL, MY QUEEN: “Based on the best-selling novel by Chantal Thomas, the film stars Léa Seydoux as one of Marie’s ladies-in-waiting, seemingly innocent but quietly working her way into her mistress’s special favors, until history tosses her fate onto a decidedly different path. With the action moving effortlessly from the gilded drawing rooms of the nobles to the back quarters of those who serve them, this is a period film at once accurate and sumptuous in its visual details and modern in its emotions. Diane Kruger gives her best performance to date as the ill-fated Queen and Virginie Ledoyen is the Queen’s special friend Gabrielle de Polignac.” (taken from Cohen Media Group) Kenneth Turan of The Los Angeles Times wrote, “Matching the strength of these actresses and their personal drama is the film’s masterful sense of time and place – the way it makes us feel that this was how it was during four pivotal days in July 1789 as the wheels came off the French monarchy.” Mike LeSalle of The San Francisco Chronicle wrote, “Other films about Marie Antoinette have had their moments, but Benoît Jacquot’s Farewell, My Queen is the first to give a real sense of what it must have felt like to live inside that palace as the walls were caving in.” Visit the official website.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOQfyExCVQk’]

Tickets are already available for this year’s Downtown Dayton LGBT Film Festival, and there are a few films you won’t want to miss – including the opening night film GAYBY (which includes admission to the opening night party at The Crowne Plaza). Jonathan Lisecki, director of GAYBY, will attend our festival. In addition, Travis Matthews, director of I WANT YOUR LOVE, will be able to do some research for his new project while he’s in the region! Read all about the films on the official website. The 7th Annual Fest is set for Sept. 28-30. Watch the trailers and mark your calendars…it’s gonna be great! Special thanks to DAYTON MOST METRO, WYSO and DAYTON DAILY NEWS for already committing to provide stories about this year’s films.

And on the horizon is our benefit to assist with our digital conversion – set for October 14 (if you didn’t read that e-mail, you can check it out here). Thanks so much for your kind words and encouragement! Tickets can now be purchased at our box office and on-line via paypal. If you’re not able to attend our benefit, you can also make a donation on the benefit page.

All the best.
I hope to see you soon,
Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Fri. Sept. 14 – Thu. Sept. 20:

ROBOT & FRANK (PG-13) 1 Hr 29 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:50, 3:00, 5:10, 7:20, 9:30
Monday – Wednesday: 3:00, 5:10, 7:20
Thursday: 3:00, 5:10

FAREWELL, MY QUEEN (R) 1 Hr 52 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:40, 2:50, 5:00, 7:15, 9:30
Monday – Thursday: 2:50, 5:00, 7:15

COMING SOON:
As always, all dates are tentative.
Many of these dates will change.
In some rare cases, titles may disappear.
Sept. 21 THE MASTER
Sept. 21 ARBITRAGE
Sept. 28-30 DOWNTOWN DAYTON LGBT FILM FESTIVAL
Oct. 5 SLEEPWALK WITH ME
Oct. ? SEARCHING FOR SUGAR MAN
TBD THE QUEEN OF VERSAILLES
TBD 2 DAYS IN NEW YORK

Toronto Film Fest – Day #2

September 8, 2012 By Jonathan McNeal Leave a Comment

Hello Everyone,

Another full day.

After my ticket line-up this morning, I went to see the Claude Miller’s final film starring Audrey Tautou – THERESE DESQUEYROUX. It’s a quiet costume drama with rising currents of tension throughout. I’m a big fan of Merchant Ivory films like HOWARDS END, MAURICE and REMAINS OF THE DAY – and though this film doesn’t deal as much with class as those films, and the score is very understated (by comparison to Richard Robbins’ Merchant Ivory scores) – I think the approach to design, period accuracy and dedication is similar. This is the story of a woman who unhappily marries because she thinks it’s what was meant to do…even though she thinks emancipated thoughts. Though many might find the pace too slow, I really fell inside the frame and thought it was a wonderful story of struggle for freedom – with no 100% likable character within reach. Below is a clip…as there is no trailer yet.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8c0gUNddZD0′]

Next I saw THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER – a wonderful little film that proves that Emma Watson will easily make the transition from the child star of the HARRY POTTER franchise to serious actress. This high school story might seem like traditional, angsty material, but it’s handled very well, and the script is great. Ezra Miller (from WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN) has a wonderful supporting role, and lead – Logan Lerman – is really someone to watch…subtle & focused. I’m not sure how Summit (the distributor) will handle this film – while at first glance it appears to be modern John Hughes…but I actually think it’s more thoughtful, honest & serious.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aog8680PVmU’]

And then came ANNA KARENINA – the new film by Joe Wright (ATONEMENT), starring Keira Knightley and Jude Law with a screenplay by Tom Stoppard. I was excited about this film. Though it eventually paid off, it took me 15-20 minutes to “get used” to/become invested in this highly stylized adaptation. 80% of the film takes place in a theatre — on a stage, in the wings, in the lobby, in the rafters, etc. (the other material is shot outdoors). It’s a rather experimental film. I call it equal parts Derek Jarman’s EDWARD II and Baz Luhrman’s MOULIN ROUGE. It has exquisite costuming, set design, score, and screenplay…and the actors are doing some great work. That said, even with this cast, it’s not a film meant for the multiplexes…we’ll see how Focus handles it this fall. Joe Wright, Keira Knightley, Jude Law, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and Olivia Williams were there. When Knightley was asked if playing the part of Anna was intimidating (since it’s been played by some great actresses in the past), she responded, “I think every role is intimidating. But Elizabeth Bennet was more so. Women want to be Elizabeth Bennet…people don’t tend to want to be Anna Karenina.” Just watching this clip below makes me want to see the film again from the beginning. There are some key issues that take place in the beginning…and I need to see it with fresh eyes.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IhGxs7cipDo’]

The most thoughtful Q&A of the day came after the screening of Sally Potter’s GINGER & ROSA. I think this is Potter’s most “traditional” film in regards to storytelling style. It’s set in the 60’s, and it’s the story of 2 best friends who are growing up in the age of the nuclear threat and the Cuban Missile Crisis. It’s a coming-of-age story, and Elle Fanning does some incredible work. This was the first time many people involved with the film had seen it. Potter, Fanning, Christina Hendricks, Alice Englert, and Alesandro Nivola were all there…and it is a beautifully told story. (I’m hoping that the Q&A surfaces on youtube sometime soon…Potter, Fanning and Nivola all had wonderful things to say.)

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XD_pJgNRj9s’]

It was a great day…and now it’s time for bed.

Thanks for reading!!

Jonathan

“Celeste and Jesse” Starts Today at The Neon!

August 31, 2012 By Jonathan McNeal Leave a Comment

Hello Everyone,

We’re moving along this weekend. Today we open a smart, new comedy starring Andy Samberg and Rashida Jones – CELESTE AND JESSE FOREVER (the film was written by Jones, too).
THE INTOUCHABLES will hold for one more week.

Synopsis for CELESTE AND JESSE FOREVER: “Celeste is convinced that divorcing Jesse is the right thing to do — she is on her way up, he is on his way nowhere, and if they do it now instead of later, they can remain supportive friends. Jesse passively accepts this transition into friendship, even though he is still in love with her. As the reality of their separation sets in, Celeste slowly and painfully realizes she has been cavalier about their relationship, and her decision, which once seemed mature and progressive, now seems impulsive and selfish. But her timing with Jesse is less than fortuitous. While navigating the turbulent changes in their lives and in their hearts, these two learn that in order to truly love someone, you may have to let them go.” (Sony Pictures Classics) Visit the official website.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjxbVmxgY-Q’]

The Downtown Dayton LGBT Film Festival has just confirmed that 2 directors will attend this year’s festival. Jonathan Lisecki, director of the opening night film GAYBY plans to attend. In addition, Travis Matthews, director of I WANT YOUR LOVE, will book his flight tomorrow. Read all about the films on the official website! The 7th Annual Fest is set for Sept. 28-30. Watch the trailers and mark your calendars…it’s gonna be great! Special thanks to DAYTON MOST METRO, WYSO and DAYTON DAILY NEWS for already committing to provide stories about this year’s films. (Due to explicit content, viewers must be 18 and older for I WANT YOUR LOVE.)

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFo63Xhas1k’]

Folks have already been responding to the news of our benefit – set for October 14 (if you didn’t read that newsletter, you can check it out here). Thanks so much for your kind words and encouragement! Tickets can now be purchased at our box office and on-line via paypal. If you’re not able to attend our benefit, you can also make a donation on the benefit page.

Next week, I’ll be off to The Toronto International Film Festival. In my next newsletter, I’ll provide you with a link where you can keep up with my daily screenings. I’ve barely had time to look at the line-up, but I’m already excited about a few films.

FilmDayton had a great festival over the weekend. Thanks to everyone who came out and supported their screenings…and their mission.

We hope to see you soon,
Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Fri. Aug. 31 – Thu. Sept. 6:

CELESTE AND JESSE FOREVER (R) 1 Hr 32 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:50, 3:00, 5:10, 7:20, 9:30
Monday – Thursday: 3:00, 5:10, 7:20, 9:30

THE INTOUCHABLES (R) 1 Hr 52 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:20, 2:45, 5:10, 7:30, 9:45
Monday – Thursday: 3:00, 5:30, 8:00

COMING SOON:
As always, all dates are tentative.
Many of these dates will change.
In some rare cases, titles may disappear.
Sept. 7 ROBOT AND FRANK
Sept. 14 FAREWELL, MY QUEEN
Sept. 21 THE MASTER
Sept. 21 ARBITRAGE
Sept. 28-30 DOWNTOWN DAYTON LGBT FILM FESTIVAL
Oct. 5 SEARCHING FOR SUGAR MAN
Oct. ? SLEEPWALK WITH ME
TBD THE QUEEN OF VERSAILLES
TBD 2 DAYS IN NEW YORK
TBD SLEEPWALK WITH ME