The Toronto International Film Festival, or TIFF for short, is one of the biggest film festivals in the world. This year, we covered the fest entirely virtually, save a few in-person NYC screenings. Even though we missed out on some big movies due to being inaccessible to United States press (including Award-winning Belfast, Dune, The … Continue reading TIFF 2021 Wrap-Up
TIFF 2021: Flee
★★★★★ Emotionally compelling, satisfying, and incredibly raw—Flee is all three of these things, which surprised me even more being that its very concept is unconventional and risky. Flee blends the worlds of animation and documentary into a film unlike any I have ever seen before. Amin’s story being told in this fashion makes for some … Continue reading TIFF 2021: Flee
Interview: Actors Haley Lu Richardson and Owen Teague
One of the best films at 2021’s Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) was the searing intimate drama, Montana Story. Both Allison and I adored this dark story, and are individually huge fans of lead actors Haley Lu Richardson and Owen Teague, so we were thrilled to chat with them! Our special guests this week answer … Continue reading Interview: Actors Haley Lu Richardson and Owen Teague
TIFF 2021: Dear Evan Hansen
★★★ (Written by Alllison Brown) The film adaptation of extremely successful Broadway musical, Dear Evan Hansen, was highly anticipated on my list. I saw the musical in February of 2019, after winning the ticket lottery, and had the luxury of watching from the very first row with a friend. Despite my caveats with its unethical … Continue reading TIFF 2021: Dear Evan Hansen
TIFF 2021: After Blue
★★★ Have you ever thought to yourself, man I would love to see a French space western with lesbians? Well, your prayers have been answered! TIFF selection After Blue is hands-down one of the strangest films I have seen in recent memory. In the same breath, its provocative erotic imagery and steadfast dedication to fleshing … Continue reading TIFF 2021: After Blue
TIFF 2021: Lakewood
★★★★ Naomi Watts attaching her name to any project is usually a mark of quality. Watts takes chances with the films she tends to choose, making any movie in her filmography worthy of watching at least once. Phillip Noyce (2014’s exceptionally good The Giver) directs this harrowing thriller imagining a parent’s literal worst nightmare. Noyce … Continue reading TIFF 2021: Lakewood
TIFF 2021: The Starling
★★★★ After years on the “Black List” for most liked unproduced screenplays in Hollywood, The Starling is finally here, and thankfully it is well worth the wait. If one has lost a loved one recently, this film may provide the balm of looking forward and moving on after grief. Director Theodore Melfi is no stranger … Continue reading TIFF 2021: The Starling
TIFF 2021: The Eyes of Tammy Faye
★★★★★ Armed with minimal knowledge about the film itself, I headed into my viewing of biographical dramedy The Eyes of Tammy Faye ready to see Jessica Chastain and Andrew Garfield knock it out of the park. Chronicling the rise and fall of the most famous televangelist couple of all time, Jim Bakker and Tammy Faye … Continue reading TIFF 2021: The Eyes of Tammy Faye
TIFF 2021: Dashcam
★★★★ Director Rob Savage, responsible for Shudder’s 2020 breakout horror hit Host, is back with a vengeance in his found footage followup, Dashcam. This time around, Savage channels the manic energy of Evil Dead and the REC series for a bloody and bizarre feast for the senses. The introduction takes its time plunging us into … Continue reading TIFF 2021: Dashcam
TIFF 2021: Music Box: Jagged
★★★★ As a music documentary, I think it is already obvious if one will find enjoyment in this new feature on iconic songwriter, Alanis Morissette. Like all of the best docs, we chart Morissette’s comprehensive rise from a faux-pop singer to an influential girl-power songwriter. The documentary gives one a glimpse into the headspace of … Continue reading TIFF 2021: Music Box: Jagged