Review: Triage

I think for a couple of years there I forgot that Colin Farrell could act, then I saw In Bruges, and watched Minority Report again when it was on tv and remembered that he’s kind of great. Triage was initially a timeslot+director choice for me (fit in my schedule, directed by Danis Tancovic who did No Man’s Land. I’m really happy that I saw this film, and although it doesn’t have US distribution yet (someone buy it please) it will be released in Canada.

First off, this one gave me my first tears of the festival. Usually by this time at least two or three movies have had me crying like a Kanye at an awards show, but so far this year I have been more amused than weepy. I’m sure the  Scott Anderson novel is even more of an emotional journey into the most harrowing memories of war photographers, but the movie gave me more than a good taste at 9:00 AM on a Monday morning. The friendship between Mark (Farrell’s character) and David (Jamie Sives) in the middle of the carnage keeps the viewer grounded in the first act, and provides a welcome relief from some of the more heartbreaking scenes in the makeshift field hospital.

Branko Djuric (also from No Man’s Land) gives a fantastic performance as the cold, yet charismatic Dr. Talzani. Watching his character walk through the rows of men with this blue and yellow triage tags you find yourself holding your breath, while his character appears unbothered. You see moments where he reveals what the nature of his work has done to him – the way he asks Mark for a cigarette at one point is part of one of the best scenes in the performance – but for the most part the doctor has to just keep it moving.

Good performances from the entire supporting cast – great job by Christopher Lee as the best grandpa-in-law ever.

PN grade – A-

Review: A Serious Man

The latest work from the Coen brothers is a lot more like Fargo and a lot less like No Country For Old Men. It’s a grass-roots story set in a Jewish community in suburban Minnesota in the late 1960s. The Serious Man in the title seems like a normal, typical, nice guys whose world starts crashing down around him. This is a story of faith as much as anything else. Despite the compounding problems of the main character he keeps true to his Jewish beliefs and even though easy outs are readily available he still strives to do the right thing. But this loveable looser just can’t catch a break (in true Coen brothers fashion).

I think this film will appeal to die hard Coen brothers fans and the Jewish community. Otherwise I think it’s a little too far off the mark for mainstream audiences. If people were pissed with the ending of No Country For Old Men, then they’ll really feel cheated with the abrupt, Sopranos-esk cut to black of A Serious Man.

Derek’s grade: C

Review: Suck

This is one of the best Canadian movies I’ve ever seen. It’s not going to win an Oscar, but it was great nonetheless. It’s about a struggling rock band whose hot female bass player becomes a vampire. Her abilities begin drawing notice of the few fans attending the gigs and suddenly the band’s popularity explodes.

This is a very tongue-in-cheek comedy about both vampires and the music industry. It’s got a lot of laughs and a lot of inside jokes. A lot of recognizable musicians make excellent cameos (Alice Cooper, Iggy Pop, Henry Rollins and Moby). The story is great, the performances are strong and the music is excellent. Throw the whole vampire thing in there and you have a hit movie.

This film has one of the best vampire deaths ever. You’ll have to see it to judge for yourself.

Derek’s Grade: A

Review: Daytrippers

This movie was great. Set in 2019 the world’s population has been infected by vampirism. Only 5% of the human population remains human and most of them are harvested for their blood. Society has advanced considerably now that everyone is a vampire, but everything takes place at night. Homes and offices have no windows and cars are equipped with daytime shielding and cameras.

Our hero (played by Ethan Hawke) is a scientist working for the corporation that supplies the world with blood (lead by Sam Neil). While Hawk’s character attempts to synthesis human blood, the vampire society is on the verge on collapse as the dwindling supply of humans die. But Hawke is a reluctant vampire and is sympathetic to humans. He meets a human who has been cured of his vampirism (played by Willim Dafoe) and together they try to create a cure that can be massed produced.

This film is a good balance of sci-fi, horror and action thriller. The look and style of the move reminded me a lot of the original Matrix and Minority Report. Expect this one to hit mainstream theaters and when it does go see it. You’ll be glad you did.

Derek’s grade: A

Review: Last Ride

Kev (played by Hugo Weaving) and his son (played by newcomer Tom Russell) take an impromptu road trip. As the story unfolds we learn that Weaving’s character is an ex-con with a temper. We get the sense that the two are on the run even though the boy isn’t aware of it in the beginning.

Realizing that his recent actions will send him to prison and away from his son, Kev takes his son on a one last road trip. Kev has clearly not been the worlds greatest father and he uses this trip to try and make up for that. He also tries to teach his son some important life lessons along the way.

The boy begins to understand why they’re taking the trip about the same time we learn how much of an ass the father really is. Although his motive may be pure in this instance, usually he finds trouble around every corner.

The film is slow, but the performances were excellent. Weaving again demonstrates his incredible range as a dead-beat dad. You forget that he played such different characters in The Adventures of Pricilla Queen of the Desert, The Matrix and Lord of the Rings. If this film had a little more flash I’d expect Weaving to get nominated for awards come year end. Unfortunately I don’t think that will happen with this Australian film.

Derek’s Grade: B-

Review: Up in the Air

Note: After spending much of my time in my seat angrily tweeting about the movie starting late because of the talent on the red carpet, then Oprah came into the theatre with Gayle to watch the movie and for a moment I lost my damn mind. I liked-nay loved the movie but I fear the Oprah Effect may influence my overall feeling awesomeness because of the mere proximity to the mighty one.

Second note: This movie was introduced by Jane Schoettle whom I LOVE and directed by Jason Reitman who told the audience at the Ryerson that he was offered a chance to be in the Gala program and said no so that the real movie fans could see his film. If I didn’t love him before…ah hell it just made him even more adorably fantastic. And in the Q&A he gave a shout out to his dad for writing one of the biggest laughs in the movie – he may be one of the nicest people in the universe. And he’s talented. And has lovely hair. So basically this will be less of a review and more me trying not to be spoilery whilst gushing praise.

I love seeing Jason Reitman first screenings at the festival.  I’m three for three now and I have loved them all, and for both Thank You for Smoking and Juno I watched them again in the theatre when they were released. I anticipate this will be the case with Up in the Air because there were so many laughs, that occasionally you miss the dialogue.

Reitman has an eye for plucky tiny brunettes, and Anna Kendrick is bringing the balls to the wall intensity in this movie that you saw in her performance as Fritzi in Camp. The only thing that could have made it better is if her character actually sang ‘Ladies Who Lunch’ at some point. The difference in this film is that you get to see her redemption, where I imagine that Fritzi is still slipping the competition laxatives somewhere.

Jason Bateman is sublime.

George makes us forgive all Ryan Bingham’s anti-social tendencies not with his smirks and quirks but by showing us that this guy knows he is flawed. When his sister asks him for a favour with the caveat that she knows he’s not great at ‘doing things for others’ he does not look really offended or resigned. He just continues with the conversation as she is merely stating a fact. His reaction to how small his contribution was to the picture project in comparison to the whole shows that he really has created a life outside-or above-others. He’s not entirely a sociopath, since he can empathize with others, he just chooses not to connect.

I want Sam Elliott to appear magially when I hit milestones in life. Odds are I won’t even hear the words, but damn what a voice.

Umm…something negative…the beginning credits were better in Thank You for Smoking and Juno. That’s about it. Flove.

PN grade – A

Review: Bran Nue Dae

Based on the long running musical the movie Bran Nue Dae was the perfect thing at the end of a long day of movies. As much as I love seeing the types of films you have access to at TIFF, it can’t be incest and abuse of power all day – occasionally you need a bit of singing and dancing to keep the feeling of one never-ending bad touch away.

The younger actors were very naturalistic, and when you think of the over-the-top camp in a High School Musical compared to these performances it makes it all the more charming. Jessica Mauboy’s voice is truly lovely as the young singer/temptress Rosie, and the first time she opens her mouth to sing in church you can understand why any young man who spent a bit of time with her would rethink entering the priesthood. Rocky McKenzie as Willy is charmingly bumbling in his attempts to get the girl, and his acting during the musical portions actually makes you feel like the character is talking with the music – and not just bursting into a song-and-dance number. When he tells (sings) us that there is nothing that he’d rather be than an Aborigine you believe that the character is having an epiphany about his – or rather his mother’s – life and career choices, and that moment will start him on the path to finding himself.

If you hate musicals, well you’d still probably go mad watching this, but overall a delightful way to spend an hour and a half.

PN grade – B+

Review: Backyard

Based on a true story, Backyard is at its core a murder-mystery. But why just make a murder mystery when you can shine a spotlight on a real-life atrocity that are not getting the media attention they deserves? This film brings the atrocities happening in Mexico and other thired world countries to the forefront. The number of sex-related murders against women committed in Mexico is unbelievable.

The film has top-notch production values and great performances (especially from Ana de la Reguera best known to North American audiences from her role in the Jack Black comedy, Nacho Libre). Jimmy Smits has a small role as a dodgy character which certainly gives this film some additional star power.

The film ends with some staggering statistic about the number of murdered women in third world countries around the world. It’s kind of hard to applaud the movie when they end it on that kind of reality-shock, downer. Overall this was a good movie with a powerful message.

Derek’s grade: B+

Review: Dirty Saints

This movie was terrible. When I read the description and saw the “post-apocalyptic” description I got very excited. But as it turns out this was the post-apocalyptic genre movie I was expectant. I don’t understand why the film was called Dirty Saints. It is the tale of six very different people, possibly the only remaining survivors in an area devastated by war, as they try to return to humanity and civilization. There is very little dialogue in this film, but loads of imagery and metaphor. It’s a film studies professor’s wet dream, but for the movie-going masses it boring and slow. If you have a ticket for this film I’d strongly recommend that you trade it in for something else.

Derek’s grade: F

Review: The Informant!

If you’ve seen the trailer for this movie then you’ve only glimpsed act one of a two act play. I expected the majority of this move to be Matt Damon undercover, but that’s really just the first act. The second act (and a full half of the movie) is the fallout and reproductions of Damon’s whistle blowing. I didn’t dislike this film, but I have a hard time recommending it.

The direction was great. This is Steven Soderbergh at his best. Matt Damin did a fantastic job and may even see some love come awards season. But the movie itself, especially the second act, was too slow and dragged on way too long. I’m sure this will find some measure of success simply because of the A-list talent associated with it, but it’s just an average movie at best.

Derek’s grade: B-