10:23 AM
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The Trip
A review by John Szablewski
When I first sat down to see The Trip, I only knew that it was going to be a movie with a few goofy British guys. Just knowing that I was excited. I am after all a huge fan of Monty Python so this was going to be right up my ally.
The Trip tells the story of Steve Coogan (an actor with a failing career) and Rob Brydon (a voice comic) who have known each other for the last eleven years. The two embark on an excursion around England trying different foods from various restaurants along the way. While eating, and there was a lot of that happening, the two would laugh and joke over various nonsense. Many Michael Caine and Sean Connery impressions took place over this two hour work of hysterical “rubbish”.
This film was a very entertaining two hours, however, the piece really did not follow the coveted three act structure which main stream Hollywood is accustomed too. There was very little exposition and absolutely no climax to this story at all. The audience however enjoyed themselves and it can be argued that a movie has done its job if it has entertained its audience. Do I think that The Trip would ever make it into the main stream of Hollywood? No. Do I think The Trip is a great for TV movie that people who may have liked Seinfeld will enjoy? Possibly.
The Trip premiered at the 2010 Toronto International Film Festival.
10:21 AM
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Out of the Law Review
By Ben Streeter
In the epic French movie Outside the Law directed by Rachid Bouchareb the battle of Algeria against French colonization of the area unfolds. The movie was banned from the Cannes Film festival due to remaining French feelings about the loss of Algeria. The movie was heavily for the independence of Algeria, however nothing was sugar coated. While the film was about Algeria the underlying theme was brotherhood, literal and figuratively. Three brothers are attempting to make a name for themselves while attempting to avenge the lives of their Algerian people who were brutally massacred by French militants in the first half of the 20th century. The movie while dark and graphic told a story of true happenings and is very important to the French people. The movie maybe difficult for Americans because it was with subtitles however the fighting and action aspect of it would definitely attract many Americans. Over all I would rate this movie a 3 out of 5 only because it wasn't my kind of movie however as a movie it was very well done.
10:20 AM
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Late Autumn
By Derek McIntyre
Late Autumn is a masterfully told story of a woman who is incarcerated for murder after she acts in self defense again her abusive husband. Anna (Wie Tang) is released on bond for two days to attend her mother’s funeral. While Anna is on her way home she meets an eccentric and confident man from Korea who pursues her after they meet on a bus to Seattle. Hoon, (Bin Hyeon) the man who is revealed to be a Gigolo, is first introduced to Anna when he is forced to borrow money from her to board the bus to Seattle.
After the two are separated and Anna returns home to her family, she again crosses paths with Hoon and he soon brings her out of her shell and teaches her how to love again. Both Anna and Hoon discover an escape from their loneliness with each other, the charming Hoon tries mightily to get Anna to simply speak, and when she finally does Hoon is rewarded by her equally charming personality.
The pace at which the story is told is perhaps the most important character in the film Kim-Tae Yong slows the film to a grind which can at first be its downfall. Once the viewer becomes engaged in the film it is as though the pace is another character in it. Many scenes continue on far after their purpose, even many of the individual shots are held artistically longer than they should be. It is the grinding pace that ads to the film and furthers the emotional attachment to the characters and allows the viewers to fall deeper into the heartwarming story of two misfits who fall in love.
The film was fantastic and far exceeded my expectations, the manner in which Yong told the story and the cinematic elements he used were perfect to engage the viewer. Wie Tang’s performance in Late Autumn was also nothing short of spectacular and is another why I found the film to be so entertaining. Anna faced a sobering reality once her two days were finished and her broken and wounded portrayal of Anna is spell binding and nothing short of perfect.
10:15 AM
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How to start your own country
By Travis Carlson
How to Start Your Own Country is not some drab constitutional loophole instruction manual but in fact a great way to spend the afternoon. Both light and informative in tone it’s eccentric characters will lead you through their slivers of civilization you probably never knew existed. There is a whole world of Micro nations that arguably could be as legitimate as the United States of America, and if it wasn’t for some dedicated and fun story telling we would never know it.
Just beneath the surface of the quirky and yet real characters the film makers help you discover a genuine struggle and often the strong philosophies behind the bold decision to declare your own country.
With fascinating sub plots about the future of living at sea or a discussion about what actually is a country this documentary is sure to entertain throughout. You’ll come out of it feeling smarter and with a dozen great stories to share with friends. Perhaps some will find inspiration to transform their backyard into that brand new nation of their dreams. After all, now you know how to start it.
10:03 AM
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The Illusionist
by Jessica Thomas
Originally a never-before-produced screenplay by Jacques Tati, director and writer Sylvain Chomet (known for his Oscar-nominated Triplets of Belleville) adapted The Illusionist into a 2-D animated feature that had its North American premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival. While the original was set in Prague, Chomet takes his audience from the beautiful countryside of Scotland to the bustling city of Edinburgh. He tells the story of a man named Tatischeff, a magician who discovers that his illusionist act is not as popular as it once was. With his rabbit in tow—a memorable little character, for sure—Tatischeff travels across the country, trying to compete with rock ‘n’ roll and televisions, and failing miserably. During his stay in a town tucked deep into the Scottish coastline, he encounters a young girl who is genuinely impressed by his magic. Together, they move to the city of Edinburgh, where Tatischeff, along with other washed-up, old time performers, tries to keep his act alive and relevant. The story ends in a bittersweet way, with one of the characters experiencing a loss and the other a gain.
Personally, I would recommend this film to anyone. The group who went to see it at the TIFF screening had nothing but great things to say afterward. It was a good break from all of the 3-D hype in Hollywood right now, and the animation style was absolutely stunning to look at. We really got a feel for the setting, not just in the animation, but also the music used in the background. The characters were very memorable, and even though there wasn’t much dialogue at all, it didn’t make a bit of a difference. The tones of the voices conveyed everything, and told a poignant little tale. It was simple, yet carried the themes well throughout the film in a subtle manner. The film transported us all back to a time where the world was changing and upgrading, pushing aside the pioneers in performing arts. The fact that The Illusionist was made with 2-D animation rather than the 3-D of today’s Disney/Pixar, was a true testament to the message Chomet successfully sends.