blogTO:Film Feed

Spenny Rice in Confessions of a Porn Addict

Corina — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 13:52:00 -0500

Confessions of a Porn Addict, starring Toronto TV star Spencer Rice, will open this Friday at the Bloor Cinema. Though the film is being pitched as "a hilarious mockumentary about voyeurism, obsession, and life in the San Fernando Valley," I might call it more of an extreme modern romance - and definitely one you don't want to miss.

Spencer 'Spenny' Rice plays Mark Tobias, a man who has lost everything due to his obsession with porn. In order to salvage his character and himself in court, he decides to document his addiction... and thus we enter the quasi-reality of Confessions of a Porn Addict.

I must admit, I wasn't sure what to expect when I sat down to talk with Spenny. His persona from Kenny vs. Spenny and that of Mark Tobias can be misleading, and difficult to sort from reality. However with the help of his co-star and Yuk Yuk's Canada owner, Mark Breslin, we got down to the business of sorting out the 'mock' from the 'documentary.'

Adrift in Tokyo, The ReelAsian Experience

Corina — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 14:47:31 -0500

As Toronto's 2008 ReelAsian International Film Festival comes to an end, I am thrilled at the organizer's choice for last night's closing gala. Satoshi Miki's Adrift in Tokyo is a perfect film for this festival, plunking the audience down deep in the heart of Japan's capital city and immersing them in both a weird and wonderful Asian experience.

The European Film Festival, Free Movies for 2 Weeks

Tim — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 05:08:37 -0500

The European Film Festival just might be Toronto's most accessible. Starting today with a 4pm screening of The Class at the Isabel Bader Theatre, the 4th edition of the European Film Festival brings with it more than 30 films from across the Atlantic for a two week run where every film has an admission price of zero dollars.

It's a deal almost too good to be true. Almost everyday of the festival there are screenings at 6 and 8:30pm with the majority playing at Innis Town Hall but a number of the more buzz-worthy films scheduled for the Royal. Earlier this weekend I emailed with Elena Rosauro, intern at the Spanish Consulate, who helped fill me in on some of the festival's finer details.

ReelAsian International Film Festival 2008

Corina — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 23:28:09 -0500

Toronto's 2008 ReelAsian International Film Festival is almost here, kicking off on November 12th and running until the 16th. One of Toronto's most entertaining and longest-running small film fests, the ReelAsian program features films from 14 different countries and some of the most talented directors in the World.

With over 50 film premiers and entries from Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore/Cambodia, the Philippines, Vietnam, USA, and Canada's own Paul Wong, I had to narrow down a few of the best picks at this year's fest. Banzai!

The Brazilian Film Festival Starts Tonight

Tim — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 11:43:35 -0500

The first of two Brazilian Film Festivals starts tonight for a four night run at the Bloor Cinema. The Brazilian Film Festival of Toronto (BRAFFT), now in its second year, will be showcasing a range of films from South America's largest country including Thursday night's 7:30pm screening of Not by Chance (see trailer below) produced by Academy Award nominated director Fernando Meirelles.

Lawrence of Arabia Rides Again At Cinematheque

matthew — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 23:46:17 -0500

In case you were worried, Cinematheque Ontario will deliver a second screening of David Lean's 1962, and very very long, masterpiece Lawrence of Arabia, after the first showing in late November sold out faster than hotcakes. Like two weeks ago.

My source at the Cinematheque box office says they've already moved about a quarter of their tickets for the second screening on December 7th.

In addition to the ongoing David Lean retrospective, Cinematheque Ontario will be screening all fifteen intense hours of Berlin Alexanderplatz over three days, starting December 12th. There's also the monumental and ongoing retrospective of Nagisa Oshima's ouvre, which blogTO's own Danielle D'Ornellas beat me to the punch on last week.

Oh, and happy Barack Obama Day.

Shock and Awe: Grindhouse Returns

Jerrold — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 09:37:57 -0500

What do the world's first superhero to arise from a pool of toxic nuclear waste, a beachball with claws wreaking havoc on a spaceship, racist cops, and sexual liberation in Amsterdam have in common?

They're all going to be on the big screen at the Fox Theatre this coming Saturday night, as Shock and Awe: The Grindhouse Experience returns for an all-night homage to classic grindhouse films.

An all-nighter marked by a lineup of not-so-serious B-movies brings serious enjoyment, and this unique experience is a way to ensure that we'll be thoroughly entertained on Saturday night, sleeping on Sunday, and groggy enough on Monday. It wouldn't be grindhouse any other way!

blogTO has tickets to give away to a few lucky readers. Check out the trailers and read on for contest entry details.

Cronenberg Headlines Student Film Fest

Tim — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 17:55:47 -0500

Brandon Cronenberg, son of David, headlines the final six nominees just announced today for this year's Enroute Student Film Festival. Teamed with Jonathan Hodgson he's created what some might call a Cronenberg-esque 8 minute short called Broken Tulips. I thought this was going to be about flowers. Ah, not so much.

Doc Soup Season Starts Wednesday

Tim — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 13:50:56 -0500

The first film of the 2008/09 Doc Soup weekly documentary series will screen this Wednesday at the Bloor Cinema. Trouble the Water (trailer above) tells the story of the disaster that was Hurricane Katrina and includes extensive raw footage of a New Orleans family's experience before and after the storm hit.

The Regent Park Film Festival Celebrates #6

Tim — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 13:57:39 -0500

The Regent Park Film Festival may not get as much love as some other film festivals in the city, but now embarking on its 6th year of screenings it has certainly earned its spot as one of the most ambitious.

Situated in Toronto's largest and oldest inner city neighbourhood, the festival programs all its films and panel discussions at Nelson Mandela Public School (440 Shuter Street) and throws its closing night party at the nearby Dominion on Queen.

World Animation Day at the NFB

Tim — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 10:10:14 -0500

I had no idea that this coming Tuesday was World Animation Day. Anyway, take my word for it. And NFB's. It is. And to celebrate the NFB (at the corner of John and Richmond Streets) will be screening a series of free animated films.

It all goes down October 29th and 30th. The screening is the same each night. It starts at 7pm and will feature 10 short films in 75 minutes. And for those who can't make it, two films - Flutter and At Home with Mrs. Hen - can be viewed in their entirety on the event web site.

Asian Ghosts & Gore at Toronto After Dark

Corina — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 01:35:10 -0500

Toronto's After Dark Film Festival has just wrapped up an incredibly successful 3rd year, with 4 sold out shows and tonight's closing gala topping off a week of delicious horror, sci-fi and cult action films. Among the best, and by far the most over the top, were two Asian offerings - 4bia (see trailer above) and Tokyo Gore Police.

While 4bia offered the best chills and 'what the eff was that?!' factor of After Dark 2008, Tokyo Gore Police had me pretty much wiping blood spatter from my face and drool from my chin... these two were sure standouts at this year's After Dark festival.

Toronto After Dark 2008 - Final Screenings

ellstar — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 11:05:52 -0500

All good things must come to an end, and the 2008 Toronto After Dark Film Festival is no exception. While the past seven days have resulted in line-ups around the block at the Bloor Cinema, zombies and ghouls marching around Toronto and people pouring out of Paupers Pub for Pub After Dark, the festival will be wrapping up tomorrow. Luckily however, they've saved some of the very best and most highly anticipated films for last, not to mention the always interesting Closing Night Party.

Short Films Shine at the Toronto After Dark Film Festival

ellstar — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 08:49:35 -0500

For the past two years the Toronto After Dark Film Festival has wowed audiences with sci-fi, action and horror films by directors such as Uwe Boll, Lloyd Kaufman and The Pang Bros, and with the strong opening night film yesterday of Let The Right One In, and Repo! The Genetic Opera tonight, it seems there is no end to the buzz circling the festival.

While we've already previewed some of the more interesting features that one can see this year, Toronto After Dark still has its share of hidden gems to be discovered; short films that are amongst the festivals most unique and best kept secrets.

Behind the Scenes of Rock Paper Scissors

Tim — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 08:13:31 -0500

Rock Paper Scissors is back for another year. The World Championship is only a week away and will take place at the Steam Whistle Brewery next Saturday at 8pm. The winner will walk away with a cool $10K.

But in addition to the usual lead with paper throwdown, what I'm most excited about this year is that the World RPS will be screening the award winning documentary Rock Paper Scissors: A Geek Tragedy the night before the big event at the Bloor Cinema. It should be interesting - the founders of RPS are two Toronto brothers and I expect lots of good gossip here about their relationship with Fox Sports and their dislike for the copycat USARPS. Showtime is 9:30pm.

More info: Yahoo! RPS World Championships.

Photo by gerwalker on Flickr