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 7

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.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2011

Photo: Paramount Vantage

We're seeing:

• JEFF, WHO LIVES AT HOME (Emily) - A comedy from the Duplass brothers (Cyrus, The Puffy Chair) about a day in the life of a slacker, who is played by the always lovable Jason Segel. Even if the rest of the cast wasn't awesome (Ed Helms, Judy Greer and Susan Sarandon), I'd be sold. I'll watch anything that could play out like what I imagine life would have been like for a grown-up Nick Andopolis. (9 p.m., Visa Screening Room)
• PEACE, LOVE, AND MISUNDERSTANDING (Michelle) - Shortly following a divorce, a lawyer takes her two teenage children to meet their hippie grandmother, played by Jane Fonda. (11:00 a.m., Visa Screening Room)

We wish we were seeing:

• SLEEPING BEAUTY - A sexual thriller loosely based on the fairytale of the same name, following a college girl who becomes a sex worker of sorts, agreeing to allow clients to do whatever they want to her while she sleeps. (9 p.m., TIFF Bell Lightbox 1)
• LOVELY MOLLY - A new film from the director of The Blair Witch Project? Yeah, I think we might give this spooky house flick a go. (11:59 p.m., Ryerson Theatre)

Also playing...

• TRESPASS - Joel Schumacher directs a orange-tinted sunglasses-wearing Nic Cage and a vampy Nic Kidman in a film about a home invasion that gets flipped on its head by the attacked parties. (9:30 p.m., Roy Thomson Hall)
• STARBUCK - A French Canadian flick about a sperm donor who is forced to meet the 100s of children he fathered for fast cash. (6:30 p.m., Ryerson Theatre)

Notes from last night/afternoon:

• INTRUDERS was a cross between Pan's Labyrinth and The Messengers, thematically (childhood imagination comes face-to-face with supernatural horror) and critically (amazing at times, predictable at others).