Brazil on Film

Episode 61 of This Is Toronto is now available!

This latest edition previews the 5th annual Brazilian Film and TV Festival of Toronto (BRAFFTv).

www.thisistorontopodcast.blogspot.com

NEXT EPISODE: Oct. 7, 2011

Cinefranco

Episode 47 of This Is Toronto is now available!

This latest edition previews the 14th annual Cinefranco Film Festival.

www.thisistorontopodcast.blogspot.com

NEXT EPISODE: Mar. 25, 2011

Toronto After Dark

Episode 31 of This Is Toronto is now available!

This latest edition previews the 5th annual Toronto After Dark Film Festival; Aug. 13-20.

www.thisistorontopodcast.blogspot.com

NEXT EPISODE: Aug. 13, 2010

CBC: Telefilm Wants US Stars in Canadian Films

Got a bit of a shock in the last day or so.

Details here: http://www.cbc.ca/arts/film/story/2010/02/20/telefilm-rules-change.html

Personal opinion time.

I've said it elsewhere, so I may as well say it here: Michel Roy committed an act of rudeness and contempt by wanting this rules change at all, never mind saying so publicly. One of the main points of Telefilm Canada - from where this Canadian sits, at least - is to build up and promote the homegrown talent base for a domestic motion picture industry. That talent base includes the actors, and it occurs to me that we've built it up considerable in spite of past mistakes.

Now, Mr. Roy's proposing to set that talent base aside for supporting roles only?

No, thank you, sir. If we're funding made-in-Canada movies, then we want Canadian talent for lead actors.

(Mind you, I'll certainly make allowances for US actors deciding to make permanent, full-time homes here, particularly the ones who find our films more interesting to work on than anything they've done back in the States. I've heard of a few of those hanging around, and am glad of such company!)

Movie Debate - An Open Thread

Since we're on the subject of CanCon movies at the moment, here's hoping you'll forgive a bit of nosiness by way of this question:

What's your current Favourite Canadian Movie? Any particular reason(s)? Got more than one?

Thoughts on a Movie Theatre Close to Home

I originally wrote this up as a letter to the editor - and the responsible reporter - on the subject of some changes in the works for movie theatres here in my neighbourhood of Orleans. I would strongly suggest that you read that article, linked in the first paragraph...

After reading the front-page article of the new edition regarding
Empire Theatres' plans for the Orleans region, I'm concerned about the future of the existing Orleans Town Cinema near Place d'Orleans.

I'm worried that it won't be permitted a future.

This would be a shame, given the opportunity to address a need - or
at least a good-sized want - for a decent repertory cinema complex
in the East End. Second-run films, art films of unusual subject matter
or length, first-run Canadian films that would otherwise not get any
chance at all outside of the First Weekend Club, all of these would be
available to Orleans audiences if the right financial supporters
were to step forward now to take the Orleans Town Cinema off of
Empire's hands.

It may be a pipe dream, but the Bytowne and Mayfair alone surely can't serve
the entire repertory market of the Ottawa region.

Reactions? IS my idea completely out to lunch?

A thought on bio-pics

On the subject of getting back to culture and the arguments to be had discussing it...

A friendly acquaintance of mine, James Nicoll, came up with an interesting thought.

Which Canadians would you want to see a biopic done on? Full-blown movie at the theatre, TV mini-series, whatever you like. The original discussion's being had over at James' blog, but why not hold a satellite discussion over here while we're at it?

Pee Wee Herman, Rocky Horror Style

Ever seen the Rocky Horror Picture Show? Sure you have. Ever seen it done by members of Broken Social Scene, Apostle of Hustle, The Hidden Cameras, Kids on TV, Republic of Safety, the Old Soul, the Phonemes, and reportely a guest appearance by Sook Yin Lee? I doubt it. Now scratch Rocky Horror and change it to Pee Wee's Big Adventure and you have what promises to be one of the Toronto events of the year.

The Cast (see below) will reenact the movie as it appears on the screen. All of this as a fundraiser for the Toronto Cyclists Union and will appear for two shows only at the Bloor Cinema, Thursday May 29, at 7 PM and again at 9:30 PM.

Tickets are on sale at

Downtown:
Grassroots Bloor, 408 Bloor St West
Grassroots Danforth,372 Danforth Ave
Soundscapes, 572 College St
Toronto Women's Bookstore, 73 Harbord St
Bloor Cinema box office (as of Monday May 12th)

Etobicoke:
Chain Reaction, 4231 Dundas St W
Bicycle Depot, 835 Albion Road
Daial Cycles, 555 Burnhamthorpe Rd W, Unit 107

The Full Cast for the Evening Includes

Lex Vaugh as Pee Wee Herman
Gentleman Reg as Francis
Joel Gibb as 'the hobo'
Maggie MacDonald as Tina

and

Adrian Heaps (Toronto City Council)
Andrew Whiteman (Apostle of Hustle)
Ariel Garten
Jedediah Smith (Bad Dog Theatre)
Jo-Ann Goldsmith (The Old Soul)
John Caffery (Kids on TV)
John Power (Brutal Knights)
Justin Stayshyn
Keith Cole (Keith Cole)
Kevin Drew (Broken Social Scene)
Lisa Smolkin
Magali Meagher (phonemes)
Margaret Hastings-James
Matt Blackett (Spacing Magazine)
Mike EB
Misha Glouberman
Rose Bianchini
Sook Yin Lee (Definitely not the Opera)
Yvonne Bambrick (Toronto Cyclists Union)

More info is available here and here and here and, of course there is a Facebook Event Page at http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=24642939648.

See you there! (If you're at the 7 pm show that is)

Weirdsville!

Ok, yesterday I saw the movie and I laughed in spite of myself, because in truth there is nothing funny about junkies in small town Canada who are trying to get clean while fighting a satanic cult to rescue their friend and retrieve money they owe to organized crime with the help of midgets in armor (who also happen to be mall cops) with medieval weapons. I mean, you should probably go see it, just to reassure yourself that there is no possible humor in that situation. =) You never know...there could be sarcasm in this post.