toronto

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

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

Toronto 2015 – Day 0.5 (Pre-Festival)

September 9, 2015 By Jonathan McNeal

Hello Readers.

Thanks for checking out the blog where I’ll cover my adventures during the Toronto International Film Festival!

After almost 12 hours of travel (a cancelled flight, a delayed flight, an extra flight, etc.), I finally made it to Toronto. Luckily, I never really let it get me down. And upon arriving at the apartment I rented, any possible negative vibes were wiped clean. The view is amazing, the apartment is adorable, and I’m less than 1/2 block from where I need to go every morning (instead of several blocks and 7 subway stops).

Films don’t start until tomorrow. Arriving a day early lets me get my bearings and truly begin to figure out what my screening schedule will be. For the general public, screenings kick off tomorrow evening…but for press and industry folks, there are a number of screenings beginning first thing tomorrow morning.

Each day, I’ll get in line around 7am. This allows me to pick 2 public screenings per day (but with 2 days advance notice). Tomorrow morning (Thursday), I’ll get 2 tickets for Saturday (which I hope will include the premiere of THE DANISH GIRL…more about that in a moment). In addition to those 2 public screenings, my pass allows me to watch as many P&I (“press & industry”) screenings as I’d like (but those can get a little stuffy with just industry folks – I like to hear and see true film lover responses…thus I upgraded my P&I pass to include the 2 public screenings per day).

I already picked up a couple tickets for Friday. One ticket isn’t a movie at all – it’s a Charlie Rose-style Discussion in an intimate-ish auditorium with Julianne Moore. Doesn’t that sound exciting?

Tomorrow’s first film will likely be HITCHCOCK/TRUFFAUT…and in the evening, I’ll head to the Opening Night Film & Party (courtesy of an invitation from Glenn Kiser – a director who visited Dayton for the LGBT Film Fest a few years ago).

Here are just a few films I’m really looking forward to over the next several days:

45 YEARS – directed by Andrew Haigh (we showed his incredible film WEEKEND at the Dayton LGBT Film Fest plus a traditional run at THE NEON, and I also adore his show LOOKING on HBO…and then there’s Charlotte Rampling to seal the deal)

THE DANISH GIRL (from the director of KING’S SPEECH comes a film that will likely have Eddie Redmayne back at the Oscars next year)

And of course a little something with Dame Maggie…

Stay tuned.

I’ll write each night/morning and review all the films I see each day (anywhere from 3 to 5 per day).

Thanks for stopping by,

Jonathan

Noah Baumbach’s MISTRESS AMERICA at THE NEON!

September 3, 2015 By Jonathan McNeal

Hello Everyone,

If you still need to see our biggest hit of 2015, you’ll need to hurry. MR. HOLMES will play for the last time today (Thursday, Sept. 3). Tomorrow, we will begin the new comedy by Noah Baumbach which premiered at Sundance in January – MISTRESS AMERICA. We will also hold both DIARY OF A TEENAGE GIRL and THE END OF THE TOUR for one more week. For this week’s remaining showtimes (which are different from the upcoming times listed below), please visit our website at www.neonmovies.com.

Synopsis for MISTRESS AMERICA: “Tracy (Lola Kirke) is a lonely college freshman in New York, having neither the exciting university experience nor the glamorous metropolitan lifestyle she envisioned. But when she is taken in by her soon-to-be stepsister, Brooke (Greta Gerwig) – a resident of Times Square and adventurous gal about town – she is rescued from her disappointment and seduced by Brooke’s alluringly mad schemes.” (taken from Fox Searchlight) Starring Greta Gerwig, one of the best comedic actresses working today, the film has been receiving rave reviews particularly for her performance. Joe Morgenstern of Wall Street Journal wrote, “…Ms. Gerwig’s performance is a comic diamond, and not in the rough. Her timing is flawless, her delivery is droll.” Click this LINK to visit the site and watch trailers.

Observe International Peace Day with family, friends and neighbors by meeting up at THE NEON for I AM BIG BIRD: THE CAROLL SPINNEY STORY – an engaging and heartwarming film brought to you by the Dayton International Peace Museum. The Peace Museum is celebrating 11 years of helping people throughout Miami Valley and beyond explore the question, “What does a more peaceful world look like for you?” “For 45 years, Caroll Spinney has been beloved by generations of children as the man behind Sesame Street’s Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch – and at 80 years old, he has no intention of stopping. A loving portrait of the man in the yellow suit, I AM BIG BIRD features extraordinary footage of Spinney’s earliest collaborations with Jim Henson as it traces his journey from bullied child to childhood icon. And as the yellow feathers give way to grey hair, it is the man, not the puppet, who will steal your heart.” The film screens Sunday, September 20 at 3:00, and tickets are first come, first serve. Suggested donation – $10. I saw this film at the Cleveland International Film Festival – it’s a real treat. Don’t miss it!

The Deaf Community Resource Center is bringing a special, one-time screening of THE DEAF CLUB to town on Thursday, Sept. 24 at 7:30. This movie is completely done in sign language (though subtitles are available for those who don’t sign). “Deaf people have it all – friends, romance, fights, etc. – at their own club, where everyone uses sign language. Suddenly, the members face a situation where their precious club may have to close. Can they save the deaf club? Almost the entire production team is deaf or hard of hearing.” (taken from press notes) Tickets, just $10 each, will be available at THE NEON’s box office beginning Monday, Aug 24.

On Saturday, September 26 at Noon, Twentig, Inc. will host a special benefit screening and discussion of the film BELLE. “BELLE is a historical fictionalization of a true story about Dido Elizabeth Belle who was born of mixed race in the West Indies. She lived with her great uncle William Murray, the first Earl of Mansfield, Lord Chief Justice of England. Lord Mansfield’s decision on a case in 1786 in the English Courts led to the abolition of slavery in Britain. The film was inspired by the 1779 painting of Belle beside her cousin Lady Elizabeth Murray at Kenwood House.” (taken from press notes) Tickets are $30 each and come with admission to the film, the post-film discussion, a glass of wine and popcorn.

Due to the holiday weekend, we will have a couple extra shows. We’ll stay open a bit later on Sunday and open extra early on Monday. Please help us spread the word. Showtimes are below.

On Sept. 9, I will be heading to the Toronto International Film Festival. Over the course of 9 days, I plan to see more than 30 films. As usual, I’ll chronicle my adventures via a daily blog post. Stay tuned to next week’s newsletter for the link.

Thanks for your continued support.
We hope to see you this weekend!
Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Friday, Sept. 4 – Thursday, Sept. 10:

THE END OF THE TOUR (R) 1 Hr 46 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday: 12:20, 5:00
Tuesday – Wednesday: 5:15

MISTRESS AMERICA (R) 1 Hr 24 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 1:00, 3:10, 5:20, 7:30, 9:40
Monday: 1:00, 3:10, 5:20, 7:30
Tuesday – Wednesday: 3:10, 5:20, 7:30

THE DIARY OF A TEENAGE GIRL (R) 1 Hr 42 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 2:30, 7:20, 9:30
Monday: 2:30, 7:20
Tuesday – Wednesday: 2:50, 7:40

COMING SOON:
(All Dates Are Tentative. Dates Often Move And Sometimes Disappear.)
Sept. 11 – MERU
Sept. 18 – LEARNING TO DRIVE
Sept. 18 – GRANDMA
Oct. 2 – PHOENIX
TBD – JIMMY’S HALL

TIFF 2014 – Day #8

September 12, 2014 By Jonathan McNeal

Thursday, September 11, 2014

Welcome back! Thanks for checking out my Day #8 blog of my TIFF adventures.

This morning was so different than the others. I slept in! Because I didn’t need to be in line by 7:00, I woke up at 9:15 instead of 6am. It was glorious!

My first film of the day was LOVE IN THE TIME OF CIVIL WAR – a French-Canadian film about a 20-something guy with a crack problem. An alternate title for this film could be DON’T DO CRACK. I’ve never seen such a gruelingly monotonous film about drug use. The lead character smokes to get high, has some sex (in what is generally very unsexy footage), buys some drugs and gets high again. Sometimes, he has to find money – so he robs someone, gets paid for sex and then buys more drugs and gets high. This film could essentially be a 2-hour PSA about the horrors of crack. As much as I wanted to go, I felt like I needed to stay. I didn’t make the right decision.

There is no trailer available for this film. Below is a picture.

I went into my next film with a qualifier in place. If the film failed to reel me in within the first 12 minutes, I would leave to go to a different selection. It failed and I walked. The next selection was worse. Including eye-rolling situations with characters that were much too twee or playing on archetypal stereotypes, I failed to see the backbone of good storytelling…so I left that screening and got lunch instead.

After a 30-minute nap, I was off to AN EYE FOR BEAUTY – the new film from Denys Arcand (director of BARBARIAN INVASIONS, JESUS OF MONTREAL and more). It’s the story of a married man and how he’s both interested in another woman and dealing with the mental instability of wife. This film is full of stunning landscapes, the changing seasons, and well-written dialog.Though fully engaged, I felt the film fell flat with a lack of focus.

There is no trailer with English subtitles, but take a look at this anyway.

THE IMITATION GAME was my final film for the day. I am quite certain that this film will be nominated for “Best Picture.” I’ll bet the farm on it! Based on the story of Alan Turing and the breaking of the Enigma codes, this film is filled with familiar NEON favorites Benedict Cumberbatch, Keira Knightley and Matthew Goode. The art direction is superb, the story is touching and suspenseful with quite a few laughs, and the packed 1200+ audience was truly engaged. Though I wasn’t as emotionally attached to this film as I was to THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING, I still think this film will play very well. (For those who know the story, NCR was only mentioned once very quickly. No other mention of Dayton was made.)

A last-minute decision for a late-night cocktail in the neighborhood where I’m staying ended up creating a nice evening. I ran into some old and new friends and was able to talk about highlights of the festival before wrapping it up for the night. More than likely, I’ll see at least 3 films tomorrow…and I head home Saturday.

More soon!

Thanks for reading,

Jonathan

TIFF 2014 – Day #7

September 11, 2014 By Jonathan McNeal

Wednesday, September 10.2014

Hi Again!

I only saw three films today, but I also attended a pretty great, intimate party.

First off, I saw OUT OF NATURE – a Norwegian film about a man who decides to spend the weekend hiking in the mountains…away from his job, his wife, his son. In film school, you’re taught to – “Show. Don’t Tell.” This simply means that an audience should be able to figure out what someone is thinking by their strong performance…not by what a narrator or bad dialog is telling us. This film is a rule-breaker – but it’s also the point. As the protagonist is getting ready for his trip and as he’s hiking up the mountain, we get his interior dialog and realize exactly what he’s thinking, what he’s feeling. In earlier scenes, we understand that he has issues connecting with people, and through the voice-overs, we understand that his thoughts are mostly of sex and breaking free from the routine of his current life. Ultimately, I liked this film…but it’s a tough sell. Including everything from a naked jogging scene to masturbation and urination, we truly live with this character over the course of the weekend. It’s an inner journey we take with this character, and though you may not be on the same page with his thoughts, you can certainly empathize with the idea of an interior monologue.

Because this trailer contains graphic content, you’ll have to follow the link to find it on youtube.

MAPS TO THE STARS was next up. It’s the new, darkly satirical film about “Hollywood-types” from David Cronenberg (that said, it could be about any “types” where greed and narcissism play a role in success). Julianne Moore won “Best Actress” this year at Cannes for this film (but I think her performance in STILL ALICE is even stronger). If you’re familiar with Cronenberg’s work, you know you’re in for a non-traditional ride in MAPS TO THE STARS. It’s unsettling, it has awkward moments when laughter seems imminent but also wildly inappropriate, and the stellar cast is committed to the long, crazy ride. Not a favorite…but not bad.

ELEPHANT SONG was the big treat today. I went to see this film because I wanted to see Xavier Dolan in a film that he didn’t direct…and one in which he’s speaking English. Though this film certainly shows its roots of being based on a play, I didn’t mind. The performances (Dolan, Catherine Keener, Bruce Greenwood), the set design, the screenplay – they are all terrific.This is the story of a young man in a mental institution who may know the whereabouts of a doctor who has recently disappeared. Taking place mostly in the doctor’s office, the film has a claustrophobic feel…and Dolan at times channels a young Jack Nicholson. I went on a lark to this screening, and I’m so glad I did. I hope this film find distribution!

At the end of the evening, I was invited by a friend to attend a party being thrown for Ethan Hawke’s new documentary called SEYMOUR: AN INTRODUCTION. It was a small party at the Trump Hotel, and it was lovely. I ran into a couple folks from indiewire as well as got to hang out with a festival programmer I met several years ago. Hawke was in attendance, but I never felt like interrupting him. On my way out, someone whispered, “Did you see who just walked by you?” “I didn’t,” I responded. “That’s Mike Tyson.”

More tomorrow – including one of the most talked about/buzzed about films of the festival season – THE IMITATION GAME.

Thanks for reading,

Jonathan

TIFF 2014 – Day #1

September 5, 2014 By Jonathan McNeal

Hello Everyone,

I got back on track rather quickly this morning. After a couple hours of waiting in lines, I still managed to get the tickets I wanted for the next couple days. (Each day, my pass allows me to get 2 tickets for public screenings that occur 2 days later (i.e. on Friday morning, I’ll get 2 tickets for public screenings on Sunday). My pass also allows me to see an unlimited number of screenings that are designated for press & industry.)) After I got my tickets, I went to see a press/industry screening of MOMMY – the Cannes-Award-Winning film from Xavier Dolan.

MOMMY is a film about a volatile teenage boy who has come back home to live with his mother after a stint in a group home. The film’s protagonist – Steve – is a good-looking, foul-mouthed powder keg, and the film is at times truly terrifying. Dolan’s love of creating music montages (almost music videos within the narrative) is back in full-force with this film. The film has some very powerful moments and the performances are mostly quite strong – in particular, Dolan favorite Anne Dorval, who plays Steve’s mother. (Dorval was also in the Dolan films I KILLED MY MOTHER, HEARTBEATS, and LAURENCE ANYWAYS.) Though I feel the film could still use some trimming (much like I did with LAURENCE ANWAYS), I ultimately think it’s a solid film with some dark Oedipal themes. The small aspect ratio is also exciting (its such a narrow frame that there’s barely ever room for more than one person in a shot – much like “Mommy’s” life).

After MOMMY, I ran into some folks I know…different people who play a variety of roles in the industry – PR, distribution, press. It’s fun to just randomly stumble into folks from across the country all in the same place. I grabbed a bite with a friend from NYC and then I headed to my next P&I screening.

’71 – a period military thriller set in Belfast during a rather scary time – is a tense film with strong performances and great editing. Though I rarely like films with lots of gun play, I was quickly enamored by the main character. It’s the story of a British soldier, who during a scuffle with vocal and eventually violent townspeople, is separated from his unit in IRA-controlled territory. Once his unit discovers that he’s missing, the film becomes a manhunt – both from his fellow soldiers who want to bring him back and from the IRA who want him dead.

For my last screening of the day, I went to the Opening Night Film – THE JUDGE. This is a film that will open wide (aka – at multiplexes everywhere…not THE NEON). This was my first time attending Opening Night festivities (Glenn Kiser, a director who visited The Dayton LGBT Film Festival with his short film SABBATICAL, invited me to be his guest). Director David Dobkin and stars Robert Duvall, Robert Downey Jr., Vera Farmiga, Vincent D’Onofrio and others introduced the film. It’s the story of a sleek, big city lawyer who returns home to the midWest for the funeral of his mother. Long-estranged from his father, the trip isn’t meant to last long. But the revelation that his father has been involved in an accident which resulted in the death of a former defendant has him sticking around to defend his father in court. For the first 20-30 minutes, I thought I was in for a truly terrible ride…but eventually the film found its sometimes-stable footing and managed to have a few honest, wonderful moments (Duvall was the reason for any of these scenes). Ultimately, the film is too, too long and full of contrived moments – with lots of terribly underused great actors.

After the film, Glenn and I attended the Opening Night Party. Hundreds of beautiful, well-dressed people filled the TIFF Bell Lightbox – with music booming, dancers on scaffolding and appetizers and cocktails swirling around the various rooms and levels. It was fun to people watch for a while, but eventually we left to grab dinner…and I got back to my apartment by 1:30am. At 6:10am, my alarm will go off and I’ll be running out the door by 6:30.

More tomorrow!

Thanks for reading,

Jonathan

TIFF (The Toronto International Film Festival) Starts Today!

September 4, 2014 By Jonathan McNeal

Hello Everyone.

Jonathan from THE NEON here. After a rather hideous day of travel (including an unexpected, long stop in Chicago due to passport issues (my own fault)), I finally made it to Toronto. As of right now, I’m about a 1/2 day behind. It’s 7:30am, and I’m usually in line for tickets. That said, I don’t yet have my credentials (which is why I wanted to arrive yesterday afternoon)…so I have to wait for a different office to open at 9am (I’m first in line – as I’m determined to get back on track as soon as possible).

Having only briefly looked at the catalog on-line, I still don’t have a complete sense of what I want to see (I need both an actual catalog in my hands as well as to hear the buzz about what’s hot to truly know what’s happening). I have a list of about 15 films that I “Must” see…but what will fill the other 15-20 spots has yet to be determined. My list includes THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING about Stephen Hawking, Ozon’s new film NEW GIRLFRIEND, Xavier Dolan’s film MOMMY, the new film from the Dardenne Brothers – TWO DAYS, ONE NIGHT, and the adaptation of the play MISS JULIE. Here are a couple trailers to hold you over:

Tomorrow morning, you’ll be able to check in and read about what I get to see today. One thing is for sure, I have a ticket to the opening night film tonight. A previous guest of The Dayton LGBT Film Festival – Glenn Kiser – invited me to be his guest this evening. I’m excited to finally attend an Opening Night film…as well as to see Glenn again.

More soon,

Jonathan

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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!