Random
Why Lines and not Online?
Over the last few years I have heard the lament in every lineup at every point – the dropoff, the pickup, the rush-why is this not all online yet? Why must the love of film come with the theme park experience of waiting to ride the new roller coaster-sans funnel cake? As technology takes over every other aspect of our interactions with each other, and the management of our personal finances and expenditures, why is a trip to TIFF the waybackmachine of moviegoing?
I have heard, or overheard many theories on the hot sweaty sidewalks in Toronto – they don’t have the time or money to invest in the technology being the most popular. I think that one is a bit more difficult to swallow now since they managed to erect a building in the middle of downtown Toronto in a few short years – an online ticketing process should surely not be that onerous.
I believe that the excellent, creative and enthusiastic minds behind TIFF can accomplish anything they put their minds to – but I think they like the lines. They like us as a hot/sweaty/wet/shivering advertisement wrapped around street corners. They want us as a physical reminder to the city that the festival is coming-because it does seem as if every year there are those who forget. Anyone who has ever stood in line has had a stranger approach them and ask what the line is for – often to be met by incredulity and/or mockery after they hear the response that you are waiting to drop off a list of selections for a movie.
CURIOUS STRANGER
So this is a line for tickets?
TIFFGOER
This is where I drop off my selections
CURIOUS STRANGER
So can I get in this line if I want to see a movie?
TIFFGOER
Well you have to buy a package – they go on sale in June.
CURIOUS STRANGER
So you are picking up your ticket package?
TIFFGOER
No, I pay for the tickets, then two months later I pick the movies, then I drop off the selections.
CURIOUS STRANGER
So you aren’t getting your tickets today? When do you get the tickets? When can I buy tickets?
TIFFGOER
In a couple of days I can come back and pick up my selections, then make exchanges – then the next day you can come and buy tickets.
CURIOUS STRANGER
Why would you exchange your tickets after you had so long to figure out what you wanted?
TIFFGOER
I may not get everything I want – there is a draw to decide at random which box of selection envelopes is processed first. If I am at the end of the list I may not get my selections as some popular picks may be sold out.
CURIOUS STRANGER
So what happens when you pay for a movie, pick a movie, then they tell you that you can’t see the movie because it’s sold out?
TIFFGOER
I get a coupon to exchange for another movie at the same time – or I can make second choices for the same time. Either way I have to come back and line up again to pick up my tickets and coupons.
CURIOUS STRANGER
Will the line be this long?
TIFFGOER
Longer.
CURIOUS STRANGER
That’s what she said.
TIFFGOER
Excuse me?
CURIOUS STRANGER
Sorry – will the line move any faster?
TIFFGOER
Actually it will be much slower.
CURIOUS STRANGER
And why isn’t this whole thing on the internet now?
TIFFGOER
I don’t know.
CURIOUS STRANGER
What is up with that much shorter, faster moving lineup with the less sweaty and better-dressed people?
TIFFGOER
That is the donor line.
CURIOUS STRANGER
They gave organs to people so they don’t have to line up with the rest of you?
TIFFGOER
No, they give money – like at least a thousand bucks to the festival and they get to have their orders processed before everyone else and buy tickets before everyone else. The more money you give, the earlier your order is processed.
CURIOUS STRANGER
So if I give the festival lots of money I don’t have to wait in the super long lines.
TIFFGOER
Yes.
CURIOUS STRANGER
And if the festival were to get rid of the super long lines, by using the internet but kept the random draw and the processing order in place then there would only be a need for a way to do the exchanges? They could even let you print your tickets off the computer, couldn’t they?
TIFFGOER
In theory.
CURIOUS STRANGER
But if they got rid of the lines then how many people would give them a crap-ton of money to skip the line?
TIFFGOER
…
CURIOUS STRANGER
I think you’re getting screwed.
TIFFGOER
That’s what she said.
It burns
I love my idevices. They are bright and shiny and beautiful and whenever I unbox a new one I instantly turn into Gollum and hunch over it rubbing and stroking and calling it my precious.
Movie theatres are dark. I’m not sure if they have to be, I mean I can watch a movie on tv at home with the lights on but at the movies they like to keep it dark when the show starts.
I love movies. I take my vacation every September and see over 20 movies at the film festival.
What I don’t love is the bright shiny light of a device getting in the way of my suspension of frakkin’ disbelief and taking me out of the wondrous spell created by the filmaker during a frakkin’ movie.
Hoping this year there is MUCH less localized light emission during the films, but with the advent of the iPad I’m not holding out much hope that people will get their rub on and then power down before the show starts.
P’s Choice Awards
I will probably post reviews for some of the others movies that I saw, but in some cases I either did not like or dislike the movie enough to spend any time writing about it afterwords.
Best stuff that I saw (I did not see Precious or the Topp Twins)
Best dramatic film – Balibo. It will make you cry unless you are totally dead inside. And even then you might squeeze out a tear or two.
Best documentary – Waking Sleeping Beauty. I still can’t believe that they might have cut ‘Part of your world’ out of The Little Mermaid.
Funniest Movie – Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans. Amoral is the new black. Watching this movie made me wish they had an Oscar category for dark comedies.
Breaking the curse of my bad French picks: Partir. I’m not sure if this really counts as breaking the streak of bad French movies I’ve seen at the festival, since the leads are Kristin Scott Thomas (Britain) and Sergi López (Catalan/Spain).
Sure thing that lived up to expectations – Up in the Air. Love Jason Reitman.
Bitch Slap Q & A
I realize I get more hits when there are pictures of attractive women. I guess Peggy was right when she told Don that sex sells.
Something Good
Today I’d like to thank my iPhone for saving me from weeping on the subway after Balibo. The first song that played after turning it on was Chaka Khan, Tell me Something Good.
The film was outstanding but I’m damn glad I have the Disney doc next. I must say I haven’t been this good to myself with counter-programming since the year I had Lake of Fire followed by Stranger Than Fiction.
Great Times at Good Hair
Will review later in the week, here’s a pic for now of Chris Rock, Melyssa Ford and Thom Powers.
Originality Matters
First post by new contributor DJM
The recession’s hit a lot of people and businesses hard over the past year. It looks like TIFF was no exception. In what I can only assume is a cost cutting measure, they’ve decided to recycle the same commercials they used last year. These are the dozen or so advertisements played at the beginning of every single move of the festival. In the 10+ years I’ve done TIFF this is the first time they haven’t used new ads on the captive audience.
The Universal sponsored “Thank the volunteers” is the same one they used last year and the various introductions for the Cadillac People’s Choice Awards are the exact same series as last year too (ironically enough carrying the tag line “be an original”). Usually I don’t get sick of seeing the same commercials over and over again throughout TIFF until about my 10th movie (on or about the fourth day of the festival). This year I’m sick of them on day one, film one. Nice.
Stalking the Remix
I’m following Jason Reitman http://twitter.com/JasonReitman as he chronicles the “attempt to finish my film in time for the Toronto Film Festival”. Most recently there has been a spirited debate about Point Break, followed by him leaving to go to a BBQ for the fourth of July. I have concerns.
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