Harry Potter and Client 9

So Is it safe to say that Harry Potter fans have something to celebrate today or will there be riots in the streets?

I think am happy to say the wait is over for Harry Potter fans and they can rejoice in the fact that this part 1 of the final installment is truly a gem.

With Hogwarts in disarray, Harry, Ron and Hermione embark on a perilous quest to track down and stop the forces of darkness from putting a stranglehold on the wizarding world.

My initial worry was that the film would lose itself in one last final celebration but instead it is filled with dark and creepy yet vibrant and compelling work that carries on a Potter tradition with great results.
I’ve never read any of these books and so the movies is all I have to go and I was impressed with this film.

I feel like the film requires some general knowledge of characters etc, but you immediately find them interesting and compelling. They stuck with David Yates on this one who directed Order of the Phoenix and Half Blood Prince and in many ways those films too were great tributes to the books. The one thing I would say is that it clearly says that the movie is a part 1 and the real Potter fans may be a little miffed as to how and when it stops because if nothing else it’ll make you want more right away.

A lot of talk about this movie not taking the 3D road, what is the big deal and are we better off as the viewer watching it in normal 2D

So just a a quick re-cap of what went down with this. The movie was originally going to be up converted into 3D and Warner recently received some back lash for doing this Clash of the Titans which implies that the movie is not in True 3D – all this caused a delay in the release of the film which was suppose to be a summer release and is now coming out this weekend. There are parts you can tell are designed to pop out of the screen but the 2D format is still wonderful to watch on screen and listen to I might add. Don’t be surprised if a 3D verison of this film is released just prior to the release of Part 2 in July.
I should also mention that I screened the film in the new Cineplex Ultra AVX format which does cost little bit more but the sound and picture quality alone makes it worth it – and btw they let you now reserve your seats in these select movie theatres with the Ultra AVX format.

Turning the page to something totally different, a new documentary based on the rise and fall of Elliot Spitzer is the subject of the new documentary Client 9.

Yes the Tiger Woods of the political world is telling his side of the story through the lens of Alex Gibney and just a quick reminder that this is the same director of Enron : The Smartest Guys in the Room and Taxi To The Dark Side in my opinion a directer that has help to re-invent the social documentary with different elements of style and substance. This time it’s an in-depth look at the rapid rise and dramatic fall of New York Governor Eliot Spitzer.

Many thought Spitzer was on his way to becoming the first Jewish President after his election as Governor of New York and most of us followed the story after The New York Times printed the article about Spitzer being caught with prostitutes, but what happens through the documentary is a detailed account both by Spitzer and parties on both sides of the conspiracy behind what lead to him being caught.

Is this vindication? I felt more sorry for him then I ever thought I would and the documentary does a great job of walking that line of the news vs entertainment factor. It’s definitely one of the better documentaries I’ve seen in a long time and if you are a fan of conspiracy theories and political intrigue you will love this movie.

Last , a different film festival of sorts happening in Toronto – we are a city of Film Festivals and I’d like to congratulate the Reel Asian Film Festival which had record numbers and wrapped this last week and just to highlight the variety of festivals we do have this weekend you can check out the Breast Fest Film Festival which showcases inspiring stories from around the world the world’s only film festival dedicated to breast cancer. The programme features seven films from Germany, Sweden, Singapore, Japan, the United Arab Emirates, the United States and Canada that explore breast cancer from witty, heartfelt and unexpected perspectives more info at www.breastfestfilmfest.com

Fall Movie Preview on Breakfast Television

Social Network Tall Dark Stranger and FILMI 11

Intro – Opening up the Fall Movie Vault this weekend you will find a legend back at work, a social media phenomenon on the big screen and a Canadian pioneer leaving his mark.
The name Woody Allan carries with it a aura of legendary status when it comes to film making. He’s never been a unanimous critical favourite, what world do we dive into with You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger?
Woody takes us back to familiar territory with his comment on the complexity of relationships and the problems we are all in for even if we are knee deep into our marriage as is the case with with this movie which is Set in London amongst the well-to-do, the story centres on two married couples – Alfie (Anthony Hopkins) and Helena (Gemma Jones), who have been wed for 40 years, and their daughter Sally (Naomi Watts), who is supporting her husband Roy (Josh Brolin).
It has elements of both – Labelled as a Dramedy, Anthony Hopkins tries to restore his youth and leaves behind his old-fashioned wife Helena, played by Gemma Jones. Helena enters a tailspin that only becomes manageable when she takes comfort from the positive advice of a well meaning, but faulty psychic. Meanwhile, Alfie takes up with the call girl Charmaine, played by Lucy Punch straight off of her comedic role in Dinner for Schmucks. They soon decide to marry. What works about the movie is the trademark almost independent nature of Woody Allen films filled with visual art appreciation and wonderful jazz music. I also think that Woody Allen has a wonderful knack for casting. Using a supporting cast that includes Frieda Pinto, Josh Brolin and the scene stealing Lucy Punch are at pivotal points in their career Woody Allen proves that he will continue to make movies that spark conversation even if the market for them is limited.
Moving onto another legend in another field the David Sazuki documentary
FORCE OF NATURE: THE DAVID SUZUKI MOVIE is One of my favorite documentaries I’ve seen in a while. In this captivating documentary portrait, the passionate environmentalist’s legacy lecture is entwined with candid interviews in which he reflects on his life and shares deeply personal stories, revealing a side previously unseen. It’s interesting, concise and a great celebration of a pioneering Canadian.
You will gain a whole new appreciation for the work that David has committed to in his career. Not only that but the visuals directed by Sturla Gunnerson look amazing on the big screen so I urge people to watch this movie in theatres. It also WON Cadillac’s People Choice Documentary Award at the 2010 Toronto International Film Festival
The Social Network
Most people are calling ‘The Social Network’ the Facebook Movie, tell me are we considering watching a movie about status updates and pictures from Cancun vacations?
Not exactly, Instead The Social Network is a dramatization of the relationship an circumstances that lead to the creation of a social media method that has over 500 million users to date. Eisenberg plays Mark Zuckerberg, the brilliant, ruthless Harvard student who starts with the simple ambition of having women rated on ‘hotness’ on campus.
The irony is that the movie starts with our lead characters simply developing an idea for Harvard, the school that they attend. It jumps back and forth between the idea ’s incarnations to round table legal disputes that the creator has with both close friends and other;s who are claiming the idea as their own. From the opening moments, the actor Jesse Eisenberg grips you with the force of his verbal attack and uncanny geeky confidence. What follows is a wonderfully entertaining roller coaster ride that is highlighted by performance by Andrew Garfield (who is rumored to be the next Spiderman) as well as Justin Timberlake who plays the founder of Napster.
It’s interesting because Kevin is actually the executive producer of this film. His company Trigger Street is one of the first film companies who back this film being made. For those who don’t know Kevin a few years back started Trigger Street as an online search for the next big thing in filmmaking and asked ‘wanna be’ filmmakers to submit their projects via the web to be considered for feature film development. The Trigger Street project though awesome from a conceptual point of view, never got much mainstream Hollywood attention. Mr. Spacey started pulling together the Facebook movie, even as Mr. Mezrich was still writing his book on Facebook, “The Accidental Billionaires”. As they say in this business ‘Timing is Everything’ and it would seem as if Kevin has a hit on his hands as a producer this time.
The surprising thing about this film is that it’s as little about the Facebook cult status as Million Dollar Baby is about boxing or The Wrestler was about wrestling. Instead what you have is a story about passion and an idea. An idea that started out as bunch of people bantering about something the world may need and how the success of the idea spawned million dollar law suits and questions of idea ownership.
I found it to be very insightful to the point where I was worried that I was believing all of the dramatization as being fact. I have not read the book nor am I very familiar with how this Social Network was really started, but what I do know after seeing this movie is that the back story is compelling and I will so as far as to say that the supporting cast including Justin Timberlake deserve nominations for their performances.

FILMI 11

Filmi is designed to promote young filmmakers from a South Asian background who have stories to tell that go beyond the Bollywood theme. When I was growing up though I loved Bollywood films I realized that second generation citizens like me had stories to tell that were more about real life experiences rather then the escapism associated with Bollywood.
Now in it’s 11th year we have showcased some fine Canadian and International work. It runs from Thursday to Sunday this week and boasts talent from right here at home including new work from Richie Mehta to the famous Indian from Office Space, Mr Ajay Naidu. It’s sort of like a Sundance for Bollywood, IT’s a passion project that has lived on and for screenings and show times you can log onto www.filmi.org

That’s a wrap from TIFF 2010

From – Blog.greygoose.com

When I look back at the 35th annual Toronto International Film Festival I am not sure just one thing will stick out as being the main highlight. Over the last 11 days I have had some of the best moments you can imagine at the festival and most of it has been documented through the daily posts in my role as The Goose Insider (and on Twitter of course). As the festival comes to an end and the stars pack up their stuff and head to the airport I attended the traditional Awards Brunch where the festival attempts to acknowledge some of the stand out films of this incredibly diverse festival.
The main standout films for me were Rabbit Hole, That Girl in Yellow Boots – Conviction, For Documentary – Sounds of Mumbai and The Debt and The High Cost of Living.
The festival acknowledged The Kings Speech as the audience favourite.
You can read more about the winners at www.tiff.net
I wish there were social awards to give out because 2 of them would go to the Grey Goose Ambassadors – Ludo Miazga and Dimi Lezinska. From hosting some of the most talked about parties at The Grey Goose Soho House, to speaking to throngs of stars who could not get enough of the signature cocktails these 2 were on point every night of the festival and became fixtures at some of the hottest parties in town.
For myself it was about the conversations. I would never have dreamed to speak to talent such as Helen Mirren, Breaking bread with Javier Bahrdem, Getting a bear hug by Josh Brolin, speaking with the legendry Kevin Spacey, trying to understand Sir Anthony Hopkins and yes timing out a bathroom break with Ben Affleck.
From my side I’d like to thank the wonderful people at Arts and Communication for the opportunity to go on this adventure and of course the wonderful people at Grey Goose for truly making me the insider that I wanted to be for everyone. Film Willing we will all re-connect again soon. Stay in touch with me year around on twitter @mohitsmovies and online at www.mohitsmovies.com
Fin (for now)

That Girl in Yellow Boots – Review – Toronto Film Fest 2010

Public Screenings – Friday September 17 9:00:00 PM VISA SCREENING ROOM (ELGIN) Saturday September 18 8:30:00 PM SCOTIABANK THEATRE 4
Sunday September 19 12:30:00 PMTiff Bell LightBox 2

The Toronto International Film Festival has traditionally showcased a
wide variety of films from the entire Indian Film Diaspora. In fact,
in wasn’t until recent years that commercial Bollywood film took over
the spotlight of Indian Films that are showcased at the festival. One
artist who’s work has yet to be showcased at the festival is that of
Anurag Kasyap. Anurag is the poster boy for ‘New Indian Cinema’. The
type of writer that directors beg to re-write dialogues, the type of
director who ‘new faces’ clamor to work with and the personality who
have the industry curious from Amitabh Bachchan right to Danny
Boyle.
In his latest work, That Girl in Yellow Boots, Anurag tells the story
of Ruth, played by Kalki Koechlin, a half Indian/half British girl
who finds her way back to India on a hopeless pursuit find her
estranged father who walked out of her life many years ago. To make
ends meet she works in a massage parlour, dodging everything from
serious commitments to slimy Mumbai locals who attempt to take
advantage of her. The story takes a few predictable twists and turns
before reaching a rather disturbing conclusion which closes the door
on the search but leaves a lot of her journey up in the air.
Anurag has the excellent ability to let his actors breath on screen.
He let’s the story unfold without trying to add to much flash and
effects (which have become typical of most directors shooting Mumbai
scenes) and lets and unconventional story keep the audience interested
in the film. Kalki Koechilin who plays Ruth is a force in the lead
role and could represent a stronger new crop of actors who have a
functional duality that some interesting roles could be made for. She
represents a new look, raw talent and and over all clean slate that
plays to the many ranges of her emotions well.
A smaller yet significant role played by Nasrudeen Shah offers a
familiar ‘indy’ element to the film and his scene stealing dialogues
leaves the audience wanting his character to play a bigger part in the
story. Finally the junkie, part-time boyfriend Prashant Prakash plays
a coke addict going to extremes to fight off his inner demons and a
group of South Indian thugs and does so almost too synthetically.
There has yet to be such a gritty, dirty character portrayed in this
type of cinema and though you may hate the character, the actor needs
to be recognized for some great work as well.
The question of whether there is a market for this ‘type’ of film will
haunt the surface level conversation about the movie, it is in your
face and the type of bold cinema India needs to showcase more of.
What you won’t be able to escape is talk about Anurag’s contribution
to forwarding Indian Cinema with a film like this. It’s the type of
ground work that will be studied in film schools later because it
offers a break from formula without trying to drive home a social
message. Instead That Girl in Yellow Boots showcases a pulse of India
rarely seen on screen without sacrificing the merits of cleaver film
making.

By : Mohit Rajhans Film Critic, Metro Morning, CBC Radio/Omni TV.
Follow his inside scoop on TIFF on twitter @thegooseinsider