Year: 2016

TIFF 2016 Movie Review: HANDSOME DEVIL (Ireland 2016) ****

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Movie Reviews of films that will be playing at TIFF (Toronto International Film Festival) in 2016. Go to TIFF 2016 Movie Reviews and read reviews of films showing at the festival.

handsome_devil_poster.jpgHANDSOME DEVIL (Ireland 2016) ****
Directed by John Butler

Starring: Andrew Scott, Nicholas Galitzine, Michael McElhatton

Review by Gilbert Seah

On would never tie a gay film with the sport of rugby with the climax of the film being the crucial rugby match.

HANDSOME DEVIL is the new sweet little Irish film that addresses both the topics of coming out and coming-of-age. Though coming out is a well-worn theme in gay films, Butler introduces a few neat approaches. “It does get better,” is the advice a gay adult gives to the gay lad who is facing trouble after trouble about his coming-out.

The film’s setting is a rugby-mad boarding school. An unlikely friendship develops between a dashing new roommate, the HANDSOME DEVIL, Conor (Nicholas Galitzine) of the title and the bullied kid, Ned (Fionn O’Shea). Ned’s voiceover claims that the most embarrassing thing he ever did in life is the best thing that ever happened to him.

With this notion, Butler’s feel-good film is a real surprise. It would be difficult to dislike this one. Openly gay actor Andrew Scott (he played “C” in SPECTRE) delivers a spirited and commendable performance as the English teacher.

Free logline submissions. The Writing Festival network averages over 95,000 unique visitors a day.

Great way to get your story out: http://www.wildsound.ca/logline.html

Deadlines to Submit your Screenplay, Novel, Story, or Poem to the festival:http://www.wildsound.ca

Watch recent Writing Festival Videos. At least 15 winning videos a month: http://www.wildsoundfestival.com

TIFF 2016 Movie Review: DEATH IN SARAJEVO (Bosnia and Herzegovina /France 2016) ****

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Movie Reviews of films that will be playing at TIFF (Toronto International Film Festival) in 2016. Go to TIFF 2016 Movie Reviews and read reviews of films showing at the festival.

death_in_sarajevo_poster.jpgDEATH IN SARAJEVO (Bosnia and Herzegovina /France 2016) ****
Directed by Danis Tanovic

Starring: Snezana Vidovic, Izudin Bajrovic, Vedrana Seksan

Review by Gilbert Seah

Another winner from director Danis Tanovic of NO MAN’S LAND. The setting is the financially troubled Hotel Europa where the camera skillfully moves in and out of the rooms and corridors.

The hotel staff are about to strike but if they do, the hotel will foreclose to the bank. The hotel needs be open two more days to get paid by a staying E.U. delegation.

Tanovic ties in lots of politics into the hotel drama. Above all this, on the rooftop, a TV show broadcasts discussions occasioned by the anniversary, covering topics ranging from Gavrilo Princip to Bosnian independence.

It is very intricate film, thankfully extremely well executed, with the hotel proceedings serving as a metaphor for the country’s past and present troubles.

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=in4feDE3GII

Free logline submissions. The Writing Festival network averages over 95,000 unique visitors a day.

Great way to get your story out: http://www.wildsound.ca/logline.html

Deadlines to Submit your Screenplay, Novel, Story, or Poem to the festival:http://www.wildsound.ca

Watch recent Writing Festival Videos. At least 15 winning videos a month: http://www.wildsoundfestival.com

TIFF 2016 Movie Review: DAGUERROTYPE (LE SECRET DE LA CHAMBE NOIRE) (France/Belgium/Japan 2016)

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Movie Reviews of films that will be playing at TIFF (Toronto International Film Festival) in 2016. Go to TIFF 2016 Movie Reviews and read reviews of films showing at the festival.

daguerrotype_poster.jpgDAGUERROTYPE (LE SECRET DE LA CHAMBE NOIRE) (France/Belgium/Japan 2016) **
Directed by Kiyoshi Kurosawa

Starring: Tahar Rahim, Constance Rousseau, Olivier Gourmet

Review by Gilbert Seah

Non French directors often do not translate well when making a French film. The latest casualty is Japanese director Kiyoshi Kurosaw (TOKYO SONATA, CURE). His latest film is a ghost story, a genre that Kurosawa is already familiar with. He is blessed with some great French speaking talent including Tahir Rahim (UN PROPHET, UNE SEPARATION), Matthieu Amalric and Olivier Gourmet.

Gourmet plays a photographer who after the suicide of his wife becomes obsessed with her portrait being able to live forever. His obsession turns towards his daughter and soon, his new assistant (Rahim) also falls for the apparition.

The story is not well told with bouts of reality and fantasy flowing into each other uncomfortably. Kurosawa loves filming trains, and again the TGV trains are shown in the opening segment. If only his film would run as fast.

The film is a slow burning process with an unsatisfying and open ending.

Free logline submissions. The Writing Festival network averages over 95,000 unique visitors a day.

Great way to get your story out: http://www.wildsound.ca/logline.html

Deadlines to Submit your Screenplay, Novel, Story, or Poem to the festival:http://www.wildsound.ca

Watch recent Writing Festival Videos. At least 15 winning videos a month: http://www.wildsoundfestival.com

TIFF 2016 Movie Review: THE COMMUNE (Denmark/Sweden/Netherlands 2016) ***

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Movie Reviews of films that will be playing at TIFF (Toronto International Film Festival) in 2016. Go to TIFF 2016 Movie Reviews and read reviews of films showing at the festival.

the_commune_poster.jpgTHE COMMUNE (Denmark/Sweden/Netherlands 2016) ***
Directed by Thomas Vinterberg

Starring: Ulrich Thomsen, Fares Fares, Trine Dyrholm

Review by Gilbert Seah

The latest from Thomas Vinterberg (CELEBRATION, THE HUNT) details what happens in a commune Communes were popular in the 70’s in Denmark, also the time when the film is set. Vintergberg does not judge the workability of a commune environment but shows both sides of its workings – both good and bad.

All this is demonstrated through the downward spiral of a couple Anna (Trine Dyrholm, who won Best Actress at this year’s Berlinale for her performance and is the best thing about the movie) and her husband, Erik (Ulrich Thomsen).

It all happens when Erik’s father passes away. The couple must decide what to do with the huge house that Erik grew up in, as it’s too expensive for them to occupy on their own. So, they decide to form a commune. The events that occur are well conceived and well executed.

The main message of commune living would be that it works if one works at making it work.

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KsEXwrgKjQ0

Free logline submissions. The Writing Festival network averages over 95,000 unique visitors a day.

Great way to get your story out: http://www.wildsound.ca/logline.html

Deadlines to Submit your Screenplay, Novel, Story, or Poem to the festival:http://www.wildsound.ca

Watch recent Writing Festival Videos. At least 15 winning videos a month: http://www.wildsoundfestival.com

Best of Today’s TIFF 2016 Movie Reviews

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 Best of Reviews from the Toronto International Film Festival: 

TIFF 2016 Movie Review: RAGE (IKARI) (ANGER) (Japan 2016) ***** Top 10

TIFF 2016 Movie Review: THE LEVELLING (UK 2016) ****

TIFF 2016 Movie Review: THE BELKO EXPERIMENT (USA 2016) ****

TIFF 2016 Movie Review: THE OATH (Iceland 2016) ***1/2

TIFF 2016 Movie Review: THE UNTAMED (Mexico/Switz/France/Germany/Denmark 2016) ***

TIFF 2016 Movie Review: APPRENTICE (Singapore/Fr/HK/Germ/Qatar) ***

TIFF 2016 Movie Review: GODSPEED (Taiwan 2016)

TIFF 2016 Movie Review: FREE FIRE (UK 2016) **

TIFF 2016 Movie Review: THE DUELIST (Russia 2016) ***

TIFF 2016 Movie Review: SAFARI (Austria 2016) ***

TIFF 2016 Movie Review: PRANK (Canada 2016)

TIFF 2016 Movie Review: THE AUTOPSY OF JANE DOE

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Best of Interviews from Award Winning Short Filmmakers

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Interviews conducted by Matthew Toffolo at http://www.matthewtoffolo.com

Interview with Filmmaker Veronique Vanblaere (BOTTOMLESS)

I got to be a fly on the wall. Seeing and hearing people talking about my film while I could not be there was not only a “voyeuristic” treat, but provided fantastic constructive feedback on my work. I do not know of a festival that provides this type of experience for their filmmakers.

Interview with Filmmaker Oscar Lewis (1916)

I was very touched. I’m not sure how to properly express this, but what I appreciated above all else is the fact that it was understood – I mean really understood – more so than anything anyone had said about it before or since. I made this film because I wanted to explain how you often don’t realise when something life changing is happening. And that memory is fragmented and imperfect like a ‘bad flick book’. I thought that was…

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Read Interviews with Film Festivals from all over the world:

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Read interviews with Film Festival directors from all over the word: https://festivalreviews.org/tag/festival-interview-2/

Interview with Festival Director Danny MAlin (YES! Let’s make a Movie Film Festival)

This festival aims to bring together all corners of the globe to share passion of filmmakers.

Interview with Festival Director Jon Mercurio Knight (Wasteland Film Festival)

The Wasteland Film Festival is entering its fifth year and only growing bigger. The highlight short films with especially post-apocalyptic subject matter and, in addition, alternative films displaying a certain character right at home in the post nuke society. Films meeting certain criteria will be screened as part of the competition, others will simply be for exhibition.

Interview with Festival Director Moosa Saleem (Access Code Short Film Festival)

After amazing 8 editions, we are here again. It’s a festival where 200 movies are played, more than any of the festival in the world. Almost every film that enters the festival will be screened…

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Deadline TODAY: 1pg. Screenplay Contest

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The Los Angeles FEEDBACK Festival Presents:

Submit a screenplay that is only 1 page long and have it performed at the Writing Festival by professional actors. Also garner FULL FEEDBACK on your work.

(NOTE: The screenplay submission must be properly formatted.)

 Submit for only $15. Most of the screenplays will be accepted and performed. If there is a beginning/middle/end, and the grammar is sound, we will perform it.

A great way to get your words out there, obtain the Agent you’re looking for or just get your story and work seen by more people. If you win, your story will be seen by 100,000s of people when it’s read online using top professional actors. It’s a rush you’ll never experience in your life seeing it come to life that way.

The RULES are simple:

1. Write a story that is 1pg. maximum. Edit the heck out of it. We accept…

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Deadline TODAY: 1pg. Short Story Contest

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WILDsound Festival's avatarWILDsound Festival

Submit a short story that is only 1 page long (maximum 400 words) and have it performed at the Writing Festival by a professional actor. Also garner FULL FEEDBACK on your work.

 Submit for only $15. Most of the stories will be accepted and performed. If there is a beginning/middle/end, and the grammar is sound, we will perform it.

A great way to get your words out there, obtain the Agent you’re looking for or just get your story seen by more people. If you win, your story will be seen by 100,000s of people when it’s read online using a top professional actor. It’s a rush you’ll never experience in your life seeing it come to life that way.

The RULES are simple:

1. Write a story that is 1pg. maximum. Edit the heck out of it. We accept novels in all genres.

2. Email your story to novels@novelwritingfestival.com

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Died Today (September 12): Raymond Burr

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raymondburrBorn: Raymond William Stacey Burr

May 21, 1917 in New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada

Died: September 12, 1993 (age 76) in Geyserville, California, USA

Read reviews of the best of the actor:

MOVIE POSTERA PLACE IN THE SUN
1951
dir. George Stevens
Stars:
Montgomery Clift
Elizabeth Taylor		 Rear WindowRear Window
1954
dir. Hitchcock
starring
Jimmy Stewart
Grace Kelly
GODZILLA KING OF THE MONSTERSGodzilla King of the Monsters
1956
dir. Ishiro Honda
Terry O. Morse
Starring
Raymond Burr