The Filles Take TIFF: The Best and Worst of our Fest

THE BEST

• DRIVE - This romantic thriller, which was released in theatres on Friday, cruises some really cool, uncharted territory with its John Hughes-meets-Michael Mann tone. A must for 80s action thriller lovers. (Out now)
• MARTHA MARCY MAY MARLENE - A scary good drama about a young woman recovering from a harrowing stint in a cult. Elizabeth Olsen (MK & A's sis) is so damn riveting in the title role, making us wonder if this will be the year an Olsen takes home an Oscar. Or at least a nomination. (October 21, limited release)

THE WORST

• FRIENDS WITH KIDS (Emily) - A rom-com that tries way too hard to be different, but does more of the same. Directed by and starring Jennifer Westfeldt (star of Kissing Jessica Stein and long-time lady of Jon  Hamm), this lacklustre flick, which follows two straight best friends (Westfeldt and Adam Scott) who decide to have a baby together, starts off strong (Chris O'Dowd is hysterical as a disenchanted father) and slowly unravels. (April 2012)

WE'RE STILL WAITING TO SEE...

• LIKE CRAZY - A British student falls passionately in love with an American student only to be torn from him when she's banned from the U.S. for overstaying her visa. The film was applauded for its chemistry between lead actors and beautifully crafted story-telling. (October 28, 2011)
• STARBUCK - In this flick from Quebec, 42-year-old slacker finds out he's the father to 533 children, thanks to donating to a sperm back 20 years ago. Now, 142 of those offspring are filing lawsuits against the donor bank to find out who their father is. Critics called it hilarious and sweet, praising Patrick Huard in the lead role. (Release TBA)
• YOU'RE NEXT - This Midnight Madness indie film brings together the unexpected: the family reunion and the slasher. It was a hit with horror fans and as Torontoist describes, "Clever, violent, and funny, this film is what Midnight Madness is all about." (TBA 2012)

• TAKE SHELTER - Amid apocalyptic visions, a father (Michael Shannon) begins to feverishly construct a shelter to protect against an impending storm. The Hollywood Reporter puts it best: "A riveting genre blend of thriller, domestic drama and supernatural horror propelled by a brilliant lead performance." (September 30, 2011)
• ALPS - From the director of Dogtooth comes an even darker story. ALPS is a service that stands in for the dead. Literally. They will play the role of your dead husband, daughter or brother for a fee. Critics described this Greek film as as compelling yet unnerving, leaving you deep in thought. (October 27, 2011, Greece; Worldwide release TBA)

What did you love/hate at the fest? What did you miss? Comment below!

The Filles Take TIFF!: Day 6

A daily documentation what's we've seen, want to see and aren't even trying to see at the 2011 Toronto International Film Festival.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2011

Photo: Universal Pictures

We're seeing:

• INTRUDERS (Michelle) - From the director and writer of 28 Weeks Later, psychological drama meets horror in this film, as childhood fears of "intruders" rattle a family. (4 p.m., Scotiabank Theatre 1)

We wish we were seeing:

Photo: Paramount Pictures/Indian Paintbrush Productions  

• LIKE CRAZY - A picture-perfect, intense and pure love gets torn apart. (6 p.m., Ryerson)
• ALPS - We've been waiting for it. From the director of Dogtooth comes something even darker: the story of a service that stands in for the dead. (7:30 p.m., Isabel Bader Theatre)
• THE MOTH DIARIES - A teen vampire BFF movie directed by Mary Harron, the director of the awesome American Psycho movie. (10 p.m., Isabel Bader Theatre)

Also playing...

• PEACE, LOVE & MISUNDERSTANDING - Katherine Keener, Jane Fonda and Elisabeth Olsen star in this "heartfelt comedy" about a recently divorced woman who takes her teenage kids on a trip to meet their long lost grandma. From the director of Driving Miss Daisy and Mao's Last Dancer. (6:30 p.m., Roy Thomson Hall)

The Fille Files (August 27 - September 2)

Each week, the Filles bring you some of our favourite films finds of the week -  news, reviews,  features, interviews, tweets, new releases, etc. -  just in case you missed them.

REEL GREAT READS

• Our Top 11 TIFF Canadian Film Picks (Torontoist): Need some help navigating the Canadian flicks at TIFF? This list has some pretty good suggestions. We recommend Hard Core Logo II too. And if you haven't seen it yet, the prequel is playing too.
• 14 Things We Learned From 2011's Summer Movies (IGN): It's tough to disagree with most of these learnings from the movies released this summer. Cases in point: "The Hangover II: A Huge Hit... That No One Liked" and "Jack Sparrow Need To Do... Something". Right?
• The She Decade (Vanity Fair): A profile on Jane Fonda. Because Jane Fonda is amazing: "member of a leading Hollywood dynasty, Broadway actress, international film star, relentless political activist, physical-fitness entrepreneur, author."

WEEKEND WATCHES

• Shark Night 3D: What better way to wrap up summer than with a bloody, shark flick? We refrain from saying campy because this one actually looks intense.
• This is Not a Film: This mockumentary channelling René Magritte was released in 2003, but returns to Toronto for free. Why? In attempt to draw attention to the possibility of director Jafar Panahi's six-year jail sentence and ban from making films for the next 20 years. And writing screenplays. And giving interviews. And leaving Iran.

TRAILER OF THE WEEK: Alps

From the director of Dogtooth comes something even darker: the story of a service that stands in for the dead.