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.

Accepting what I cannot change

I just bought two movies at the video store.

After seeing Burn After Reading at the theatre (not awesome-if you are looking for a quirky Coen fix you would be better served by getting yourself some vodka, Kahlúa and milk and watching the dude abide).

I can’t think about anything but watching movies. I couldn’t relax today until I was safe in a dark movie theatre again. Every year after the festival I get a bit strange, but I usually turn to tv as methadone after the festival-the timing is great with all the fall shows. But after the writers’ strike last year I don’t have the same level of television dependency. I’ve tried turning to video games-the demo for The Force Unleashed is pretty awesome, but as a form of entertainment it’s too active.

I came home sweating and I’ve hidden the movies in my bag so boyfriend won’t ask any questions. I need help.

Administration

A pause on the festival postings to do some prep work related to my real life – sitting on my butt watching TV at home instead of movies all over town.

• Clear out some of the old eps of Battlestar on the PVR
• Schedule recording of the season premiere of Terminator on Monday
• Schedule recording of the series premiere of Fringe on Tuesday
• Schedule recording of Gossip Girl
• Make sure Coronation Street is set up for daily recording
• Add reminder to my iCal to pick up the next Buffy issue (my regular comic book guy didn’t get a shipment last week)

I realized today after my panicked call home to get boyfriend to record Mad Men that I was neglecting my regular couch potato duties. I love movies, but the other 11 months of the year it’s me and the TV and a girl has to keep up with her stories.

However I will not recording the new 90210. The first episode was not terrible, but I watched the original – and I’m not feeling it this time around. I get my David Silver fix on Terminator. Except better because he’s all hot and muscly now.

I’ll post more about the movies I saw today, but tomorrow is a five movie day, and as entertaining as it was to hear the words ‘Steven Speilberg’ and ‘Fuck’ in the same sentence multiple times in the Zack and Miri Q and A I have to get to sleep.

Priceless

Deciding not to buy any Gala or Visa Screening Room tickets- $0.00

Overhearing in a line that no talent showed up for the second screening of Burn After Reading-Priceless.

If I had spent 40 bucks to see a movie that opens next week and not have anyone from the film show up I’d be pretty pissed right now.

And we’re off

My festival started off in style at the Passchendaele party at the Drake Hotel on Thursday night. You know you’re in for a good time when they hand you a flute of champagne as soon as you cross the threshold, and you are informed that sushi and shrimp are available at the raw bar.

After eating two plates of seafood while sipping bubbly and bemoaning the fact that my real life is nothing like this, I headed to the rooftop (bypassing a whole other spread of salted cured meats and artisinal cheeses).

On the roof, guests were treated to more free booze and a never-ending parade of bite-sized delights. My favorites were the steak tartare, mini hamburgers, fries with chipotle mayo and the baby lamb chops.

In no time, the patio was jam packed with the cast and assorted industry hangers-on. Since it was a work night, I had to pack it in early – a tear sliding down my cheek as I passed the ET Canada lounge, crossed to the other side of the velvet rope and hopped on the 504 streetcar to resume my real life.

Grab your coat and get your hat

Today’s lineup:

Beer Festival Lineup

The annual trip to the Toronto Festival of Beer is a great trial run for the city camping experience that is the Toronto International Film Festival. This year for the first time in the seven years I’ve been going the weather was terrible. While waiting in the lineup to get in Mother Nature was a bit of a c**ktease – a sprinkle of rain, then the suggestion of sunshine.

Once we got in Fort York Nature brought the pain, the wind, the rain and the mud.

Muddy Festival

Muddy Porta-potties

I’m getting too old to be scampering around in wet tank tops and hoodies. I’m going to need to get some kind of Mountain Equipment Coop gear this year to add to my festival pack.