Toronto International Film Festival

I am back at TIFF for another dose of movie madness!!

This year is packed with must see movies including 12 Years a Slave, Dallas Buyers Club, Gravity and many many many more!

Hopefully the next week will be full of amazing movies, a few games of spot the celebrity and maybe a popcorn dinner or two.

I'm pretty excited!

MIFF: Frances Ha

Last year during the Toronto International Film Festival I decided to skip Fances Ha because it looked like a movie that would make me mad. These madness inducing movies usually include a 20-something hipster/pixie dream girl who is down on her luck but miraculously gets her shit together in 2 hours of screen time. If you watch the trailer this is what Frances Ha looks like and to make it worse it's in black and white (pretentious much??)

I hear you asking 'why did go and see it?'

The reason for my change of heart is partly so I won't be left out of all the Frances Ha talk that is bound to start any day now and partly because I was wrong and this is one hell of a movie!

Director Noah Baumbach is known for making films where his characters stumble through life in painful and humourous ways. Frances Ha is no exception. Frances (Greta Gerwig) is approaching 30, struggling to make it as a dancer and more often than not struggling with life.

The film is funny, beautiful, painful and touching. Although the plot could be seen as simple, the film is really exploring the time in ones life when we just want to know where we belong.

With each new disaster Frances has the courage to pick herself up and start again, each time getting a little closer to finding her place in this crazy world.

I really didn't think I would like this movie but alas, I loved it!

MIFF: Prince Avalanche

When I saw there was a new movie starring Paul Rudd and Emile Hirsch screening at MIFF I was very intrigued. When I noticed it was a buddy movie set in the 80's it was a done deal.

Prince Avalanche tells the tale of two men spending the summer of 1988 isolated, repainting yellow road lines after a savage brushfire destroyed the area. The men are ying and yang, Alvin (Rudd) is serious and driven whilst his girlfriends brother, Lance (Hirsch) is dopey and aimless.

The film is driven by the interaction between the two characters, with dialog that is both vulgar and poignant in equal measure. The characters slowly reveal themselves to the audience and to each other  as it becomes clear neither character has their life in order.

MIFF: The Spectacular Now

The Melbourne Film Festival is back for another year. Yay! My first pick was a hit at Sundance and from the preview a sure to be hit in my heart.

The Spectacular Now reads like any other coming of age film. Bad boys meets good girl. Against the odds they fall in love. Will he ruin her life or will she save him?

What make this movie different is the subtlety with which it's told. The characters aren't glorified for popularity and there is no makeover for the plain Jane.

Miles Teller (from Footloose remake fame) is brilliant as Sutter Keely. A boy on the verge of manhood and alcoholism, who appears to be the life of every party but whos empty smile would suggest otherwise. When the good hearted Aimee (Shailene Woodley) comes into Sutter's life I felt equally hopeful and fearful of where this would take him.

Not often does a American highschool drama make you care so much for the characters. The Spectacular Now makes you care for these people, about their well being and about their future.

Although the film plays to some high school stereotypes I couldn't help but love it, zits and all!

MIFF 2013

The MIFF program has finally been announced and I now find myself trying to pick the best of the best, the crème de la crème, the “OMFG did you see” movies to watch.

Having read and reread the program all weekend I think I have found my Top 5 Must See MIFF Movies! 

They are:
1. The Spectacular Now
2. Fruitvale Station
3. Prince Avalanche
4. Ain’t them Bodies Saints
5. Frances Ha

The Spectacular Now is a coming of age story, starring Shailene Woodley (of The Descendents fame) and Miles Teller (who danced into our hearts in the Footloose remake)  I think the preview says it all.



Fruitvale Station is this year’s Beasts of the Southern Wild, after being ‘discovered’ at Sundance this film is expected to be one of the big hitters come awards season. I feel I need to see it to be included…




Prince Avalanche had me at Paul Rudd and Emile Hirsch.

Ain’t Them Bodies Saints also premiered at Sundance this January and since then has had nothing but good things said about it. Casey Affleck is in it too, just in case it had you sitting on the fence!

Frances Ha premiered last year at TIFF and I missed it, so I won’t miss it this time! Although it does look like the type of movie I want to hate but can't, pretty much like every Sofia Coppola movie. In other words it looks self-indulgent.

There are so so so many other films to take your fancy, I can't be bothered naming them so look at the MIFF website instead!

It's Friday!!!

The World's End

This year The Cornetto Trilogy comes to an end.

Having savoured every last bite of Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz, I have been eagerly awaiting details of The World’s End.

And that time has come my friends; finally the first preview is here:

A new direction

After a prolonged period of procrastination I have decided that this blog needs to make a change.

It has spent the last 3 years ranting about movies, seeing the world and taking a lot of breaks.

That period of self discovery is over.

The Joy Of Mediocrity has finally chosen a major and from now on, this blog will be an amazingly insightful and oh-so entertaining movie blog. It will be filling your computer screens with reviews, opinions  and the occasional rant - very possibly about Lena-bitch stole my name-Dunham, although I will try to keep these to a minimum.

This is truly exciting news, is it not? Get ready for the magic!

I GOT BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN TICKETS

I can't wait to be Dancing in the Dark at hanging rock which is basically a Secret Garden on Holy Ground. I mean he was Born in the USA and I was Born to Run there are no Better Days. I might take the Backstreets in a Stolen Car and wear a Brilliant Disguise. He will be a Local Hero in My Hometown.

 Oh Glory Days, We are Alive!

It is possible I am a tad too excited...

things are looking up

I've been a little down recently due to how quickly this year has disappeared and my lack of enthusiasm for anything in particular. However in recent days a number of things have provoked excitement for 2013!

(**SPOILER** they are movie related)

I love me some action movies. Cowboys, aliens, zombies, Bruce Willis, good, bad, I don't care. I recently rented Battleship and I am not ashamed to admit that I frickin' loved it.

So you can imagine my excitement when this was released last week.

STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS

The dramatic music and the ominous voice over, combined with screaming and the return of Chris Pine and his disproportionately large head, leaves me salivating for more.

That was until this came along....

MAN OF STEEL

Trying to make a Superman that can be taken seriously is a terrific plan. Casting a handsome beardy weirdy in the title role, genius.  

I'm pretty sure I also spotted Rusty Crowe, so my ticket is already purchased.

Well, that was my thinking until this appeared.

PACIFIC RIM



This gem appears to combine the likes of Jurassic Park, Iron Man and Prometheus into one giant ball of awesome.

Idris Elba, you just cancelled my apocalypse.

I guess it's time to reappear

So, what am I up to these days....

Since I last updated this blog I have also volunteered at the Melbourne International Film Festival, travelled across the globe to NYC, volunteered some more at the Toronto International Film Festival and seen a butt-load of movies.

In the coming days/weeks/months I'm going to try and turn this blog something amazing.
Hold on to your pants, I'm back!

TIFF - Day 2

I think I’m in love.

Today I spent 2 hours in a dark room with Bradley Cooper but he managed he steal my heart in minutes. OK, Bradley Cooper wasn’t physically in the room and on screen he was hot for someone else, but hey I can’t help it… I’m smitten!

The film that will cause issues for all my future relationships is David O. Russell’s Silver Linings Playbook. Cooper stars as Pat, a man struggling to get his life back on track who forms a friendship with the equally troubled Tiffany (Jennifer Lawrence). Rounding out the cast is Robert De Niro, Jackie Weaver and Chris Tucker. The film is equal parts drama, romantic comedy and dancing, which in my eyes is the perfect movie.

Silver Linings Playbook feels like the kind of movie you watch on a Sunday afternoon after a big night, or the type of movie you watch because you can’t agree on something to watch. It is the kind of movie that deserves to be loved and, from the reviews so far, I’m guessing it will be!

TIFF - Day 1

Every September thousands of people ascend on the lovely Canadian city of Toronto for the Toronto International Film Festival. The festival is considered to be one of the most prestigious film festivals in the world with over 200 films screened each year.

This is my first trip to the festival and so far I am overwhelmed by its size and quality. At every turn people are lining for hours to catch the next ‘best’ movie. While standing in these lines myself, I am meeting people from every corner of the world, who all share a love of movies and are not afraid to express passionate opinions to strangers.

After one day of festival-ing I have already seen two movies, spotted 6 celebrities and eaten the most amazing burrito.

The first film I caught was Rust and Bone starring Marion Cotillard. Rust and Bone is Jacques Audiard’s follow up to the much acclaimed A Prophet, and tells the story of Ali (Matthias Schoenaerts) and Stephanie (Cotillard) who form an unlikely bond in trying times. The film is beautifully shot and acted with superb subtlety, although this doesn't mean it is an easy film to watch. Dealing with the pain and disappointment that life can throw at you, I was constantly fearing the unknown for these characters. This film left me in awe of the human spirt and once again in owe of french cinema.

First thing on my schedule tomorrow is a screening of Silver Linings Playbook, starring the ever-so-handsome Bradley Cooper. The film is about a man getting his life together after spending time in a psychiatric hospital for bipolar disorder. Although it may not sound like it, it’s a comedy and I can’t wait.

we shall return to Oz

The first preview for Disney's Oz: The Great and Powerful has been released and my first impression is meh.

It stars James Franco (doing his best Johnny Depp impression) as a magician, who after becoming trapped in a storm wakes to find himself in a foreign land called Oz. Here he encounters three witches played by Rachel Weisz, Mila Kunis and Michelle Williams and then something happens

As you can tell I’m not very excited about this movie, it may have something to do with the fact that once again Disney are telling me that because I have brown hair I am an evil witch.

Thanks Disney!

dance me to the end of love

The Daily Life is proving to be one of my favourite internet spots. It is an eclectic mix of pop culture, food and odd topics; much like my brain. Todays oddities were Liz Lemon and Troy Barnes rapping and more importantly a top 20 list of movie dance madness!

I love dancing. Choreographed, drunken, I love it all.

The list was pretty good, covering the expected dirty dancing etc. If you are interested to know what they think click here...

More importantly, here are my top 5 cinematic dance moments:

5. Mary Poppins - Step in Time

Mary Poppins would have to be one of the best musicals ever. Wonderful accents, ceiling tea parties and pigeons. Could you ask for anything more? Yes! rooftop dancing. Kick your knees up, step in time!

4. Nice moves Potter.

I love Harry Potter. I love this scene.

        I love his dancing the most.

3. Grease 2 - We're Gonna Score Tonight

What can I say, this movie is amazing.

2. Romy & Michelle

For my 10 year high school reunion I intend to behave like Heather and dance like this.

                                            And now drumroll please......

                                  my number one best movie dance scene ever is

1. Toy Story 3

This is how you finish a movie.

Take This Waltz

A few weeks ago I went to see Take This Waltz and since then I have been trying to figure out whether or not I liked it, loathed it or just maybe loved it.

The film is about Margo (Michelle Williams), who upon meeting a handsome neighbour starts to question her comfortable existence.  I'm very easily won over by self indulgent movies and this one has a very Sofia Coppola feel to it*. It threatens to question the idea of taking chances vs playing it safe, however like Williams's Blue Valentine it feels a little watered down.

It does have a great cast, with Seth Rogen (Husband), Luke Kirby (Handsome man) and Sarah Silverman (Best Friend) rounding out the mains. Rogen and Silverman are particularly lovely, and I would have preferred to watch the film from their perspective.

I think my issues with the movie are due to the fact that Margo is a very unlikeable character, by the end I was rooting for her to fail.

I really did love parts of this movie.

There is a wonderful version of Leonard Cohen's Closing Time, accompanied by dancing and vintage dresses.

Maybe I was wanting too much? Maybe I've just become a cynical movie goer? Maybe it was just crappy?

My favourite beard loving movie critic David had this to say about it:

 "it does have these sort of rather strange and seemingly slightly clunky elements of coincidence and contrivance and what have you, but it seemed to me that maybe it's a little bit like a Leonard Cohen song"

I do love Leonard but I just don't know about this.


* meaning RIDICULOUSLY self indulgent 

Les Misérables

The preview for the new Les Mis has been released, and those who love Susan Boyle or Anne Hathaway are beyond excited. This adaptation is the latest film from Tom Hooper, his last film The King's Speech went on to Oscar glory and the internet is predicting a similar fate for this one.

Unfortunately I do not really care for musicals that take place outside of Greece, however the preview has taught me a few things:

1. The new Universal logo is pretty snazzy.
2. Hugh Jackman is in it and has one hell of a beard.
3. Russell Crowe is a terrific singer. Case in point 30 Odd Foot of Grunts.
4. It might encourage people to start wearing bonnets/pirate hats again. They look good on everyone!
5. Kids are adorable when running and covered in dirt.
6. All the men have mastered the 'pout and stare into the distance' look. Do they offer classes for this?
7. Anne Hathaway does not look good with short hair and is one ugly crier.

I love ugly crying

When Dawson cried over Joey leaving him for Pacey
 everyone knew she had made the right decision. 

Wah Glee

Wah Wah 

I know how she feels, I too have watched Bride Wars.
 Anne, I wouldn't recommend walking past anything
 reflective until your hair grows out either...

Ugly crying aside, I guess this looks ok.

Girls gossip, broke and new.

Stop the press! In 2011 Kristen Wiig proved that women can be funny and since then we have seen women take over the small screen. At the end of last year we meet a kooky new and 2 broke girls but this year everyone is just talking about Girls. Girls is a new HBO show from up-and-coming writer/director/actor Lena Dunham, which is being hailed as Sex & The recession City.

After four episodes I am not overly impressed by Girls. I think I understand what they are trying to do, as I too am a girl in my mid twenties who two years since graduating university is still just floating and occasionally accepting money from my parents to pay the rent. I get it, Life’s hard for educated white middle class Gen Yer’s. We have all been told we can do whatever we dream of so we never really settle on one thing, we jump from one idea to the next whether it be about employment, housing or men.

What erks me about Girls isn’t the idea or story but rather the easy road it appears to be taking. It is as if some marketing genius said ‘yeah I love it, it’s 4 girls like Sex & the City, its crass like Bridesmaids so let’s just add some stereotypically hipster bullshit and I think we have a winner’. Yes that’s what I hate about Girls, the hipster bullshit. The show looks as if it was shot through instagram as all the colours are muted to make it seem serious, seriously douchy. I get the impression they think they are making something really edgy and that bugs me too. The girls talk about abortions, cruel boys and sexual disappointments but everything is handled in such an american way* that I'm left feeling like I've seen it before.

Oh and what it the obsession with cupcakes and hipsters??? In 2 Broke Girls the super quirky Kat Dennings wants to make a career out of them and here, first episode in, Hannah just must have a cupcake for breakfast whilst taking a morning bath (also who takes a morning bath). I love cupcakes but AHHHHHHHH

But with all that said, I know I will keep watching because I really want to like this show. Maybe that’s what they are banking on.

* 'An american way' means they don't really tackle the issue and yes it is an insult. 

Gatsby, you look great

I should start by saying I love Baz Luhrmann. I believe he can do no wrong.

I even loved Australia

Luhrmann’s next project is the retelling of The Great Gatsby (in 3D) staring Leonardo DiCaprio, Carey Mulligan and Toby Maguire.

I have been concerned about this film for a number of reasons:
1. Why would you make it 3D? My eyes are not 3D compatable.
2. I don’t particularly care for Carey Mulligan. These issues stem from An Education which I did not enjoy and were then backed up after Never Let Me Go, which I also did not enjoy.
3. There has been too much hype surrounding it, which normally means this film will be garbage.
4. I do like Leo, but Robert Redford he is not.
5. 3D? What the frick?

But now the wait is over as the first preview is here and it looks.....

Great!

Cannes

Look who has turned up in Cannes today.
It is none other than my favourite volatile australian actor.

Glad to see he dressed up for the occasion.

I'm thinking maybe he was going for this 'I'm being ironic' look

But he failed*.

* Mendelsohn failed, not Murray. Murray and his pretty lady rocked this look. 
But seriously Wes, I'm loving the bob.