haikugirl movies

Monsieur Lazhar and friends

2012-01-29T08:50:00.000-05:00

I went with Mary and Terry, friends from Book Club, and we saw Mary's sister and her husband and we also ran into 3 friends from Montreal now transplanted to Toronto. Everybody was at this movie!

Monsieur Lazhar has 9 Genie nominations (Canada's Oscars) including the lead and supporting actress Sophie Nelisse who plays Alice. She is an amazing young talent - I hope they both win. The film is also Canada's entry in the Foreign Language Film Oscar but has stiff competition from the Iranian movie A Separation which won the Golden Globe. Also in the running is In Darkness, a Polish film about a Catholic man who hides Jewish families in the sewers during the war. Pavlina and I saw this at TIFF and it was very powerful - it is up for a few Genies because it is a Canadian co-production and Toronto screenwriter David Shamoon is up for best adapted screenplay. But I loved Cafe de Flore by Jean-Marc Vallee so I hope that does well too.

Enjoyed watching the live stream from the Sundance Film Festival Awards. We'll hopefully see these exciting films at Hot Docs or TIFF later this year. Tonight the SAG Awards are on (Screen Actors Guild). Oscars are on Sun Feb. 26 and 2 days before are the Cesars (French Oscars). I hope I can catch that (but I don't have TV5).

Meanwhile there's tennis today, SuperBowl XLVI next wkd and golf from Arizona starts tomorrow. Yay!

Melancholia haiku

2012-01-06T08:48:00.004-05:00

haikugirlmm's Melancholia haiku, for your enjoyment:

Lars von Trier's Melancholia: weird, chilling, haunting, beautiful

Melancholia | stunning opening tableaux | cinematic crack

Lars von Trier: persona-non-grata at Cannes, daring filmmaker

Kirsten Dunst: Best Actress at Cannes, funny, tough, gorgeous, mesmerizing

Broke down and got a TIFF membership | Can't wait for PINA in 3D

Will see Grace Kelly exhibition before it closes Jan. 2-2

haikugirlmm ROCKED the VEGAS Strip at Night!

2011-12-08T23:00:00.000-05:00

On Sunday, December 4, 2011 I rocked the Rock 'n Roll Las Vegas Marathon & Half-Marathon - stripatnight.com The Half Marathon race started at 5:30pm Sunday night, December 4th. I walked up the Strip then through old downtown past Fremont St., & back down again to Mandalay Bay Hotel (total of 13.1 miles or 21K) - Here's the route

So thrilled to have my brother Sam and my Uncle Wes and Auntie Marcella in Vegas to cheer me on!! The event was sold out so Sam couldn't do the half-marathon with me, but he met me at the finish - Yay! My time has been slowly improving - I've been going to my walking clinic on Monday nights - I had to finish within 4 hours (or they close the course) - and I made it in 3:48:25. Whoohoo!

We stayed at a Suite at The Venetian. They kindly upgraded us from the Luxury Suite (with a King Bed) to a suite with 2 Queen beds. Otherwise Sam would have had to sleep on the couch.

The race was sold out and they ran out of medals (boo!) so they will send it to me. Thinking about another race in the US but not Vegas (tho I LOVED being there once again).

Brooke Burke (co-host of DWTS) hosted the first-ever Rock 'n Roll Las Vegas Stiletto Dash: 100 women raced 50 yards through the Casino in 3-inch heels for charity. I definitely did not sign up but when we went to watch, we heard several women fall. Our Aunt & Uncle stayed at the Palazzo so the race was easy to find -- but CROWDED!

On my Monday recovery day, my brother Sam treated me to Le Reve at Wynn Casino - AMAZING!

Kitchen Reno in full throttle. Looking AWESOME! Details later. Bonne nuit! MMP

Rocked the Strip at Night
Steak dinner and Le Reve, then
Slots and Shopping time

In her seven-month sabbatical, haikugirl did achieve

2011-10-07T17:47:00.002-04:00

7 months of blogging

2,370 photos

6 YouTube uploads

500 Tweets

200 Followers

5K run for charity

Weekly Pilates classes

Drove through 4 provinces
(AB, SK, MB, ON)

Four < Book Club > Books!
(P.S. We are the Best Book Club Ever! and I actually FINISHED all of these)

A Homemade Life
The Shadow of the Wind
The Postmistress
A Visit from the Goon Squad

3 Trips to Winnipeg

2 Film Festivals

2 new Mac products

...and a glorious 2-week trip to France!

Happy Thanksgiving to all my Canadian friends
(and Happy Columbus Day to all my American friends)

Whatever you're celebrating this weekend, SAVOUR IT!
I am relishing every last day/hour/minute that remains of my self-funded leave.

See you on the other side of October 17th! <3 MMP

TIFF 2011: Cadillac People's Choice Awards

2011-09-18T12:42:00.002-04:00

Friday after work went to the TIFF Bell Lightbox to see the opening night screening of Monsieur Lazhar. LOVED IT! Such a sweet movie. FELLAG is the Lead Actor and he is brilliant and the young kids in the film are fantastic! Besides the touching story (it's based on a play) I loved young Alice's description of Montreal in winter. Really took me back to the days I lived there.I went with Mary and Terry, friends from Book Club, and we saw Mary's sister and her husband and we also ran into 3 friends from Montreal now transplanted to Toronto. Everybody was at this movie! Monsieur Lazhar has 9 Genie nominations (Canada's Oscars) including the lead and supporting actress Sophie Nelisse who plays Alice. She is an amazing young talent - I hope they both win. The film is also Canada's entry in the Foreign Language Film Oscar but has stiff competition from the Iranian movie A Separation which won the Golden Globe. Also in the running is In Darkness, a Polish film about a Catholic man who hides Jewish families in the sewers during the war. Pavlina and I saw this at TIFF and it was very powerful - it is up for a few Genies because it is a Canadian co-production and Toronto screenwriter David Shamoon is up for best adapted screenplay. But I loved Cafe de Flore too so that might clean up.Enjoyed watching the live stream from the Sundance Film Festival Awards. We'll hopefully see these exciting films at Hot Docs or TIFF later this year. Tonight the SAG Awards are on (Screen Actors Guild). Oscars are on Sun Feb. 26 and 2 days before are the Cesars (French Oscars). I hope I can catch that (but I don't have TV5). Meanwhile there's tennis today, SuperBowl next wkd and golf from Arizona starts tomorrow. Yay!

MM runs for cancer

2011-09-18T07:50:00.001-04:00

Off to do my Terry Fox Run bright and early. This year is the 31st Annual Terry Fox Run for Cancer. I am at the Beaches site - it's already been featured on TV at CP24.com

Thank you, thank you, thank you to my many generous sponsors! With your support I've raised $610, exceeding my fundraising goal of $500, honouring my Mom and supporting research for all cancers. The Beaches site where I am running this morning expects to raise $80,000 today; the Terry Fox Run / Foundation has raised over $550 million for cancer research in the past 31 years.. so please know your contribution has made a difference.

It's only 8C this am so I'm in long sleeves and a jacket. I need to take a short bus ride down Coxwell to the run site - glad it's so close!

Later this morning I'll be back at home enjoying a nice warm breakfast. Thanks again and see you on the other side!

WhooHoo! Proud that I finished my first 5K in 2 years with a Personal Record (PR) - and Lance Armstrong came onto my Nike GPS to congratulate me! Later today I want to go see Drive with Ryan Gosling at our local Beaches cinema as a reward (only it's not playing there so I can't). Instead, it's the Emmys hosted by Jane Lynch of Glee (starts again Sept 25th). Truly an awesome Sunday in store my friends - hope you enjoy it too!

From the Sky Down and Other Rock Docs

2011-09-17T23:28:00.000-04:00

a haiku: Where was the soul in From the Sky Down? Go see other Rock Docs instead.

Saturday night at TIFF saw From the Sky Down, the U2 documentary by Davis Guggenheim, which opened this year's festival. Like these U2 fans on the website, I love the band and their music and was very excited to see this doc. I've also seen a few "Rock Docs" in the past few years but sadly this one left me a little cold.

This is the first year TIFF has ever opened with a documentary (usually they kick things off with a Canadian premiere).
-- Maybe they were trying to emulate the success of Hot Docs 2010? Last April it opened with RUSH: Beyond the Lighted Stage. Now that's a great Rock Doc! TIFF GALA attendees this year did not get the same experience as Hot Docs GALA attendees last year.
-- Maybe TIFF was capitalizing on the popularity and reputation of Director Davis Guggenheim? He brought his powerful doc Waiting for Superman to TIFF 2010. Guggenheim is also the Director of An Inconvenient Truth and another rock doc It Might Get Loud which featured The Edge and Jack White and Jimmy Page. Somehow that movie held together better for me than From the Sky Down (still I do love me some Bono).
-- Maybe TIFF expected the same audience response they got when Bruce Springsteen came in 2010? He came to the GALA premiere of Promise: The Making of Darkness on the Edge of Town (IMDB) and also did a TIFF talk with Edward Norton. Tickets for both the gala and the talk were impossible to get. Although I haven't seen the film, it combines 30-year old stock footage of the band's work in the studio with recent interviews (i.e. similar premise to the U2 doc) and looks engaging.

After the U2 screening I heard others in the audience who said they still love the band but were disappointed with the doc. I have to agree. Although From the Sky Down tried to give us a window into the creative process, it lacked soul that the band has in spades, and didn't convey the exhilaration of the songwriting process in the same way that Feist does in Look At What the Light Did Now - brilliant! Even Ron Sexsmith's story in Love Shines was somewhat sad and still very compelling.

After the U2 screening - my last of TIFF 2011 - we went to the BlackBerry Lounge at the TIFF Bell Lightbox and had drinks and hors d'oeuvres. We also met up with my friends Joe and Ed from DC who called Almodovar's The Skin I Live In A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! How come Pedro always makes the best movies of the fest? (case in point: the also-amazing Broken Embraces in 2009 which we saw together)

Tyrannosaur

2011-09-16T23:42:00.000-04:00

some haiku:
TYRANNOSAUR is tough to watch - talented cast and new director.
TYRANNOSAUR makes me glad for my family - life in this film's bleak.

International trailer for Tyrannosaur - people's comments are pathetic

Cameron Bailey's intro to this hardhitting film at TIFF 2011
"This is what is often described as a tough film - I prefer the word true.

This was the 8th film in our 6pm VISA Screening Room package and it is still haunting me, like last year's Blue Valentine. Paddy Considine's feature debut is shocking, surprising and tender. The writer/director returned after the film for a brief and revealing Q&A - straight talk, straight up. Congratulations Paddy - great job! We're glad you found this outlet too!

Habemus Papam

2011-09-16T23:20:00.000-04:00

a haiku: HABEMUS PAPAM - Loved Nanni Moretti's latest film - he was there!

Pavlina kindly got online early today and secured me a ticket for this - THANK YOU PAVLINA!

Surprise! Director Nanni Moretti came with Piers Handling to introduce the film (he was taking a flight home so no Q&A but extended intro was interesting). As the director said, this is a personal film and he wanted to tell the story of his Vatican, his Cardinals and his conclave. I was thrilled to see this movie and it is one of my favourites at TIFF11. Funny, touching and unexpected, full of the "acerbic sense of social reality" that Piers attributes to this master director.

more haiku: Nanni Moretti: masterful director of HABEMUS PAPAM -- here's his intro:

Afterward I went to the Fellini exhibition at the TIFF Bell Lightbox. Saw Cardinals in the morning, playing volleyball in Moretti's movie, and Cardinals in the afternoon rollerskating in Fellini's ROMA. Not to mention the opening of LA DOLCE VITA when Marcello is in a helicopter transporting a statue of Christ to the Vatican. Loved my crazy, colourful Italian extravaganza today!

The Artist

2011-09-10T13:48:00.009-04:00

Last night we saw The Artist our first of eight films in the VISA Screening Room "at the beautiful and historic Elgin Theatre" (we must have heard that 100 times over the years.)

The Artist is a silent black and white movie which screened in 4:3 but with crystal clear HD to see every line in the older cast members' faces (John Goodman, James Cromwell, Malcolm McDowell). It was also the perfect vehicle to fall in love with Jean Dujardin (hot French actor who was there and did a few dance moves) and the irresistable Berenice Bejo (gorgeous Argentinian-born actress and wife of the Director who was pregnant so she did not travel.)

This film is adorable - so are its stars (especially the dog). The audience laughed and then leapt to its feet. a haiku: The Artist is pure delight! A charming silent film of the twenties.
Here is the exclusive extended trailer:

Perhaps the biggest surprise of the night was seeing my old TIFF friend Joe strut down the aisle to sit with us. WELCOME BACK to TORONTO JOE and ANNE!

Great start to the VISA series. More films and martinis to come! Tonight: George Clooney in The Descendants. Sunday morning: Ewan McGregor in Salmon Fishing in the Yemen.

Here's a not-so-favourable review of From the Sky Down, the U2 doc I'm taking Richard to next Saturday. Guess we'll see what we think when we see it.

TIFF '11 Final Schedule [ Final ]

2011-09-03T11:01:00.001-04:00

After 4 hours and 4 crashes, I FINALLY managed to get into the TIFF Box Office and get tickets for 3 screenings (3 others were either "Off-Sale" or "Allotment not large enough - try again later")

Just saw a TV segment on CBC NewsWorld about the online box office crashing and the ENORMOUS length of the lineup of die-hards at the in-person Box Office. As my husband says, I'm not alone. Definitely won't be going there later today to pick up my tickets.

So that's it my friends. I tried. You are now officially on your own.
Here's my final TIFF 2011 Schedule [ Total: 13 films ]

Fri Sept 9 6:00pm: The Artist - dir. Michel Hazanavicius (with Alison)

Sat Sept 10 6:00pm: The Descendants - dir. Alexander Payne (with Pavlina)

Sun Sept 11 11:00am: Salmon Fishing in the Yemen - dir. Lasse Hallstrom (with Ivana and Antonio)

Sun Sept 11 6:00pm: In Darkness - dir. Agnieszka Holland (with Pavlina)

Mon Sept 12 6:00pm: Coriolanus - dir. Ralph Fiennes

Tues Sept 13 6:00pm: Damsels in Distress - dir. Whit Stillman

Wed Sept 14 11:45am: Cafe de Flore - dir. by Jean-Marc Valle (with Joe and Anne)

[ Wed Sept 14 6:00pm: Mausam - dir. Pankaj Kapur - CANCELLED ]

Thurs Sept 15 1:00pm (TIFF Bell Lightbox 2): Short Cuts Canada Programme 6 including ORA in 3D

Thurs Sept 15 6:00pm: Violet & Daisy - dir. Geoffrey Fletcher (with Pavlina & Sarah)

Fri Sept 16 11:45am: Habemus Papam - dir. Nanni Moretti

Fri Sept 16 6:00pm: Tyrannosaur - dir. Paddy Considine (with Pavlina, Joe & Anne)

Sat Sept 17 2:30pm: Moneyball - dir. Bennett Miller
[ no tix for Lars von Trier's Melancholia -we'll see it in Nov at the TIFF Bell Lightbox ]

Sat. Sept 17 6:00pm: From the Sky Down - U2 doc by dir. Davis Guggenheim (with Richard & Terry)

Sun Sept 18 am: I'm doing the 5K Terry Fox Run - please sponsor me
-- thinking of 4:00pm (AMC 7): Paul Williams Still Alive
-- thinking MORE of staying home to watch The 63rd Prime-Time Emmy Awards hosted by Jane Lynch (who's NOT Ellen)

TIFF PAIN, NO GAIN (yet)

2011-09-03T09:32:00.005-04:00

Lousy start to this long weekend. Got up early (6:30am) put on coffee and waited to get into the TIFF website when the Box Office opening at 7:00am. I clicked through and got in - hooray! Then, after I made my various picks, clicked Continue and waited. Nothing. For 10 minutes. Then it just gave up.

But I didn't give up. I went back in. The page said a 3 hour 30 minute wait. Then, in 15 minutes, it was down to 2 hours. Then POOF! Nothing - the connection timed out AGAIN.

People on Twitter said go in and start a new browser session (even though they say NOT to on the website because you'll lose your place in line). So I tried that. 5 hour 30 minute wait.

Finally I saw a Tweet that said try using Safari (browser). That started off better. 2 hours, and within 30 minutes (believe me I've been waiting) now down to 15 minutes. I am also holding online with the box office but have no update (am I even connected?)

This has been a painful morning my friends. Just pray I can complete my transaction online at http://tiff.net/festival without another timeout! Wish me Bonne Chance!

A Visit from the Goon Squad (Like)

2011-09-02T16:12:00.000-04:00

Our Best Book Club is reading A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan which won the Pulitzer this year.

I'm really enjoying this book - soon to be an HBO mini-series. The reviews on Good Reads are mixed but mostly positive. I especially like Patrick's review - it helps me explain why I like it so much.

Also, I am interested to see how the entire chapter written in PowerPoint will display in my Kobo.

The podcast may help us find a future Best Book Club book.

TDYLF Director's Flowchart - Brilliant!

2011-09-02T14:47:00.000-04:00

Check out this BRILLIANT flowchart for choosing a film created by The Droid You're Looking For (tdylf.com). Thank you George Stroumboulopoulos for mentioning.

I think there are even more hidden opportunities to JUMP to other directors within the flowchart than the clever creators at TDYLF.com made room for. (i.e. Rejecting Johah Hill should take me straight to Lars Von Trier)

ECO-PIRATE at Open Roof Festival

2011-09-01T09:48:00.006-04:00

Happy 49th Anniversary to my parents! Here they are looking good on FaceTime from Winnipeg.

haikugirl has a jam-packed day. First a run, then lunch with Les Filles at Pi-Tom.

Tonight: Open Roof Festival screens films each Thursday during the summer in the parking lot at the Amsterdam Brewery, 21 Bathurst at Fort York Blvd.

I won tickets to tonight's screening of ECO-PIRATE: The Story of Paul Watson. Glad to see it because I missed it at Hot Docs and it's the last screening of the summer. The band Junction is warming up the crown beforehand.

2 movies this week will help me gear up for 14 screenings at TIFF starting next week!

The Help: A Book, A Movie, A Lesson in Determination

2011-08-31T00:10:00.003-04:00

We read The Help for our Best Book Club and tonight a few of us finally went to see the movie. Really enjoyed it (great performances) and got emotional at the end.

Even more inspiring is the story behind the book: Did you know?
Kathryn Stockett was rejected 60 times before a publisher said yes to The Help

While I don't condone the author lying to steal time alone for her project, I do support her commitment to being selfish and carving out the hours and weekends she needed to pursue her passion. And not giving up, but working to make it better.

Her message is pretty clear: Persist. Never give up on your dreams. Wise words as I am in the homestretch of my sabbatical (7 weeks left), quietly editing my movie and planning a new kitchen. And slowly, faithfully rebuilding my running base. (And I do mean slowly!) Well, at least I'm out there.

Go, and be out there. Do what you love and love what you do.

Water: The ROM Exhibition and my Water video

2011-08-30T13:03:00.005-04:00

Went to see Water: The Exhibition at the ROM yesterday. Our Ministry of the Environment provided some content for the exhibition so I wanted to see it before it closes this weekend.

My eyes went wide when the guy asked me for $31 for my ticket. I couldn't believe it. Seriously. I'm an AGO Member so I get in for free but it's normally $25 (which I recognize is steep). This was $24 + $7 extra for the Water exhibition. For what? I paid $31 to read a bunch of bulletin boards and lift some towels and grass and turn some cranks (they're cranks for inventing an extra charge for a feeble exhibit). The best content was from the States (Minnesota), not Canada - only one panel and a (too) short video on Lake Simcoe.

In Paris, I paid 10 Euros ($15) at the Musee d'Orsay and the Louvre was free when we went. Even the Caravaggio exhibition in Ottawa is only $15 at the National Gallery (which sadly I will miss). I'll have to read the coffee table book.

So instead of paying $31, go to haikugirl31 (my YouTube channel) and watch the shimmering tide in Monterey Bay for FREE:

OTHER IMPORTANT STUFF for haikugirl this weekend:
-- buying extra TIFF tickets
-- watching the U.S. Open.
Amazingly, people were without power and water and still driving to get to Flushing Meadows (is that a pun?) to see opening day.

Go Serena, Go Djokovic! We saw Serena at Rogers Cup on the Thursday evening before she won the tournament in Toronto on Sunday. A truly inspiring comeback. TONIGHT: The Help

haikugirl's TUFF 2011 entries

2011-08-29T12:51:00.007-04:00

Each year during the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), the OneStop screens in the TTC subway show the finalists for the Toronto Urban Film Festival (TUFF).

haikugirlmm submitted 2 silent one-minute films to TUFF this year. Since you won't be able to see them underground, here are the links on haikugirl's YouTube channel:

SNACKARAZZI edited with iMovie on my iPad2
Sunday Afternoon in Paris (or watch it on my MobileMe Gallery)

I have embedded the videos here:

SNACKARAZZI

Sunday Afternoon in Paris

Your comments are welcome!

TIFF '11: The year of 3D and Vanessa Paradis

2011-08-25T11:36:00.012-04:00

Hey folks. TIFF Single tickets go on sale Saturday September 3rd. If you're free during the fest in the daytime, consider seeing The Story of Film. This 15-hour epic doc by Mark Cousins, author turned filmmaker, is screening 3 episodes a day during the week from 10am to 1pm for FREE at Jackman Hall (AGO). Not much at TIFF for free these days - I plan to take advantage. (not sure I can have a coffee in hand but still)

Here is my REVISED list of extra films I'm hoping to see at TIFF (beyond my 8 movies in the VISA Screening Room) - the list just grows and grows!

Thurs Sept 8 6:30pm (TIFF Bell Lightbox 1) thinking about Pina - a 3D dance doc by Wim Wenders

Thurs 9:30pm (Elgin) OR Friday Sept 9 1:00pm (Jackman Hall): Le Havre - which got glowing reviews at Cannes from The Hollywood Reporter and The Wrap

Sat Sept 10 11:00am (Elgin): First I was thinking George Clooney & Ryan Gosling in The Ides of March, then people were hot on 360, now I'm thinking A Monster in Paris in 3D with Vanessa Paradis - let's see what I end up with

Sun Sept 11 at 9:30am (Bader): Last Call at the Oasis OR 11:00am (Elgin) Salmon Fishing in the Yemen with Ewan & Emily Blunt
Later after our 6pm screening, maybe 9:00pm (Elgin): Anonymous OR 10:00pm (Princess of Wales) Almodovar's The Skin I Live In

Wed Sept 14 1st choice at 11:45am (TIFF Bell Lightbox 2): Cafe de Flore dir. by Jean-Marc Vallee with Vanessa Paradis and maybe if I can squeeze in 3:30pm (AMC 7): Monsieur Lazhar before our 6pm screening

Thurs Sept 15 1:00pm (TIFF Bell Lightbox 2): Short Cuts Canada Programme 6 with ORA in 3D

Fri Sept 16 11:45am (Scotiabank): Habemus Papam (Nanni Moretti) then 2:30pm (Elgin): Hick then our final 6pm VISA screening

Sat Sept 17 2:45pm (Ryerson): Melancholia (Lars Von Trier) then have Richard meet me at Ryerson for 6:00pm From the Sky Down - Davis Guggenheim's doc about (U2)

Sun Sept 18 am: Terry Fox Run -- thinking of 4:00pm (AMC 7): Paul Williams Still Alive
- thinking MORE of staying home to watch The 63rd Prime-Time Emmy Awards hosted by Jane Lynch (who's NOT Ellen)

Remember, this is a WISHLIST - I can't buy anything until September 3rd. And there is a scale of service charges that may affect how many extra tickets I buy.
Here's the policy:

Festival tickets and packages purchased online, by phone or in person prior to the Festival will be subject to a service fee. The nominal service fee is calculated based upon the cost of the order, and covers processing and handling of your ticket or package purchase.

Below please find a detailed list of our fees.
Per Unit (ie ticket or package) Service Fee
$0.01 - $18.99 $1.00
$19.00-$37.99 $3.00
$38.00-$99.99 $4.00
$100-$499 $5.00
$500+ $10.00
CAP $10.00

If I buy 8 extra tickets is that $5 for the whole order or $5 per ticket within an order worth $100 to $499? I hope it's the former - it wouldn't make sense to have fees that total more than the price of a premium ticket (guess that's why they have a $10 CAP). Guess we'll see on September 3rd.

haikugirl's TIFF 2011 Schedule

2011-08-23T09:28:00.020-04:00

YAY! The TIFF Schedule is released! Here are our 8 movies in the 6:00 VISA Screening Room "at the beautiful and historic Elgin Theatre":

Fri Sept 9 6:00pm: The Artist - Best Actor at Cannes

Sat Sept 10 6:00pm: The Descendants - from the writer/director of Sideways, starring George Clooney

Sun Sept 11 6:00pm: In Darkness

Mon Sept 12 6:00pm: Coriolanus - we get to see Ralph Fiennes

Tues Sept 13 6:00pm: Damsels in Distress - from Whit Stillman, director of Barcelona (1994) and The Last Days of Disco (1998)

Wed Sept 14 6:00pm: Mausam - looks like a sumptuous Bollywood show

Thurs Sept 15 6:00pm: Violet & Daisy - directorial debut of Geoffrey Fletcher who wrote the screenplay for Precious and won the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay, starring Alexis Bledel and Saoirse Ronan as teenaged assassins

Fri Sept 16 6:00pm: Tyrannosaur dir. by Paddy Consadine

VERY EXCITED! This is a good year for VISA my friends.

OTHER Films I'd also LOVE to see (if I can score extra tickets):

Sat Sept 10 11:00am (Elgin): George Clooney & Ryan Gosling in The Ides of March

Sun Sept 11 at 9:30am (Bader): Last Call at the Oasis OR 11:00am (Elgin) Salmon Fishing in the Yemen with Ewan & Emily Blunt
Later after our 6pm screening, maybe 9:00pm (Elgin): Anonymous OR 10:00pm (Princess of Wales) Almodovar's The Skin I Live In

Wed Sept 14 3:30pm (AMC 7): Monsieur Lazhar

Thurs Sept 15 1:00pm (Lightbox): Short Cuts Canada Programme 6 with ORA (with thermal imaging in 3D & music by Robert Lepage)

Fri Sept 16 2:30pm (Elgin): Hick

Sun Sept 18 am: Terry Fox Run -- then 4:00pm (AMC 7): Paul Williams Still Alive

Can't buy single tickets till Sept 3 so let's see what we end up with.

TIFF: Take a walk down memory lane

2011-08-20T21:32:00.036-04:00

Can't wait to pick up my TIFF Programme Book and the complete the TIFF Film Schedule on Tuesday! Then we'll find out which 8 movies they've booked for us at 6:00pm VISA Screening Room "at the beautiful and historic Elgin Theatre".

Before TIFF starts in just 18 days, take a trip down memory lane and visit these links to haikugirl's TIFF schedules and blog entries from years gone by:

TIFF 2010 Schedule - Les Filles couldn't get together for 1 film - saw 3 separately

TIFF 2009 Schedule and blog entries from September 2009
2009 Group Pick: The Joneses ("Like")

TIFF 2008 Schedule including Les Plages d'Agnes and RocknRolla
2008 Group Pick: Synecdoche, New York ("UnLike")

TIFF 2007 September blog archive (peppered with my marathon training updates)
2007 Group Pick: Then She Found Me

TIFF 2006 September blog archive - 2006 Group Pick: Radiant City ("UnLike")

TIFF 2005 September blog archive - with reviews and photos of Johnny Depp
2005 Group Pick: C.R.A.Z.Y. by Jean-Marc Vallee ("Like"). Also the year of Kiss Kiss Bang Bang

a haiku: Holy cow! haikugirl made a lot of blog entries over the years!

What about our TIFF Group Picks before the Internet? Here are a few:

2004 Group Pick: The Assassination of Richard Nixon with Sean Penn at Ryerson - also the year of Almodovar's Bad Education

2003 Group Pick: Dogville by Lars von Trier. Lars won't fly (like Pedro) but Nicole Kidman and Chloe Sevigny were there. A risky choice for a group pick that sparked a lot of post-film discussion but ultimately ("Like"). Also saw Love, Actually at the VISA Screening Room that year.

2002 Group Pick: City of Ghosts - Matt Dillon's directorial debut, at the Uptown. Started going to the VISA Screening Room to make up for the crappy galas. This was the year of Francois Ozon's 8 Femmes - brilliant!

2001 Group Pick: The Man from Elysian Fields - I got Andy Garcia's autograph at the good old Uptown - even Mick Jagger and Julianna Margulies were in it. This was the year of September 11th - we will never forget. The gala selection was totally pitiful - we needed a new gig.

2000: We were attending Galas at Roy Thomson Hall (when they were still affordable) and supplementing with the 10-ticket package

1999: Galas at Roy Thomson plus a book of 10 tickets. This was the year of American Beauty and the year we met Les Boys in line at RTH

1998 Group Pick: Very Bad Things - how could we forget?

1997 Group Pick: The Hips of J.W. at Varsity - we walked out after 15 minutes and went for beers at the Pilot

1996 Group Pick: Chacun cherche son chat - a charming French film. Also saw Trees Lounge - Steve Buscemi's directorial debut. 1996 was most notably the year of Tiburzi - our new baseline for bad

1995 Group Pick: La Haine at Varsity - directed by Mathieu Kassovitz who also acted in the film - very powerful. Can't believe I suffered through The Convent by Dir. Manoel de Oliveira with Catherine Deneuve and John Malkovich.

TIFF 2011: It's that time again...

2011-08-14T17:35:00.025-04:00

TIFF has announced their film roster for the 2011 Festival - only 24 days away now! Until they release the schedule on Tuesday, August 23rd, I can only speculate on which films they may program for my 6:00pm VISA Screening Room package. Traditionally, these are drawn from the Special Presentations (SP) and Contemporary World Cinema (CWC) programmes (with the odd Masters thrown in for good measure). I love that Bruce McDonald is now considered a Master with Hard Core Logo II.

Here is haikugirl's TIFF 2011 WISHLIST of films I'd LIKE to see at TIFF 2011:
-remember GALAS are off-limits -- so here goes:

Anonymous - who really wrote Shakespeare's plays? haikugirl wants to know
The Artist - looks interesting and was lauded at Cannes
360 by Dir. Fernando Mereilles (City of God) has an AWESOME CAST - so does 50/50
Cafe de flore - I LOVE Jean-Marc Vallee (he directed C.R.A.Z.Y and The Young Victoria)
Would see Chicken with Plums by Dir. Marjane Satrapi -- they'll probably put Billy Bishop in our series to ensure a capacity crowd (saw the play with Eric Petersen 30 years ago but would watch again)
Coriolanus by Dir. Actor Ralph Fiennes looks interesting or Elles with Juliette Binoche
I wonder if they'll give us Todd Solondz' Dark Horse or the Korean film Countdown
Films like The Deep Blue Sea (Rachel Weisz) or Drive or The Descendants (George Clooney) have good star power, sometimes those films screen at Ryerson
Would see Habemus Papam - it was panned at Cannes but it's Nanni Moretti
Hick with Chloe Moretz and Blake Lively looks fun or Jason Segal in Jeff, Who Lives at Home
PLEASE DON'T give us any more hockey movies like Goon or Breakaway, or The Last Gladiators PLEASE DON'T stick it to us with the latest Guy Maddin film - UGH!
Maybe they'll slide in another Marc Foster film? The last - Stranger than Fiction in 2006 with Will Ferrell, Emma Thompson and Dustin Hoffman was sweet. The new one with Gerard Butler playing a reformed American drug dealer - not so sure.
Would LOVE to see Pedro Almodovar's latest: The Skin I Live In with Antonio
And what about Lars? Melancholia is coming. Lars flamed out in his Cannes press conference and was banned from that festival. TIFF is still screening it and we've seen several Lars von Trier films here over the years (remember Dogville?)
Monsieur Lazhar sounds lovely as does Salmon Fishing in the Yemen with Ewan and Emily Blunt.
I HAVE TO SEE ORA - with music by Robert Lepage

As you can see there are a lot of promising options in the SP and CWC programmes. And TIFF has only 8 nights of 6:00pm screening slots to fill at the Elgin. As long as 50% of the films are decent, I'll be happy. Going through the film list today tempted me to buy an additional 10 tickets and make my own picks but that package is sold out. The next available package has 30 tickets and you can't share them. (Huh?) With all the new policies and restrictions I'll NEVER be able to use up 30 tickets by myself in addition to my 8 VISA screenings. C'mon TIFF - what are you thinking?

So I guess I'll just buy single tickets online or rush some of the daytime screenings. Question: how will TIFF schedule and sell tickets to the 15-hour epic The Story of Film? 5 x 3 hour blocks? 3 x 5 hour blocks? One long marathon session? (but then I'd miss my evening screening)

Stay tuned TIFF followers - more updates and insights to come!

new haikugirl photos and videos ONLINE

2011-07-13T18:25:00.009-04:00

Today haikugirl is ON FIRE!

I have been busy creating mini-movies with MY NEW TOY! Totally gorgeous. I LOVE IT!

Check out my trailer for Project TIFF - LOVE IT! If you can't view it on YouTube, here is the Project TIFF trailer on my Mobile Me Gallery.

Watch my silent SNACKARAZZI movie - I created the whole thing on my iPad2 using iMovie then uploaded it directly to YouTube.

I also uploaded several photo albums to my Mobile Me Gallery. Apple keeps reminding us that Mobile Me will soon be discontinued to make way for iCloud. I'm going to use MM till its dying breath! Check out these Photo Albums in my Gallery:

Avignon photos

Strasbourg photos

Nice photos

haikugirl's new bike: "one gigantic GirlPower statement"

2011-05-20T11:01:00.002-04:00

Just bought a brand new K2 bike on sale from the very helpful Adrian at SportChek Yorkdale. (Did you know Canadian Tire just bought SportChek?)

It is a K2 T9 Trailhead 1.0 women's mountain bike, designed by women for women. And this bike is XtraSmall - specifically built for women 5'0" to 5'3" - perfect! Of course, it's in my signature colours: black and pink (the design is also by a woman). So essentially, this bike is one gigantic GirlPower statement. See the photo and specs. I also have a black and pink helmet, pink bell and new mud flaps (fenders).

Finally brought it home this morning after being at the Yorkdale store 2 days in a row. Last night when I went to take it home on the subway, I was denied by the TTC (no bikes during peak hours 3:30 - 6:30.) In fact, there was plenty of room for me and my bike on the southbound line and even eastbound. Curse you TTC!

I have not been riding since 1994 when my bike was stolen in Toronto. Touch wood my hot new bike will escape that fate. Also touch wood (or pray to your god(s)) that haikugirl always has a safe ride on her new bike.

But for now, I get to relax with a 3-course lunch and a soothing aromatherapy massage at The Elmwood Spa to celebrate the May Long weekend. Whoohoo for me!

A Night at the Opera

2011-05-19T23:15:00.000-04:00

May 19 marked a break in the constant rain we've been having with some nice warm sun. Enjoyed a delightful Sushi Lunch at Ichiban with a former colleague (my replacement on my leave), followed by quick visits with several other work friends.

Later I went to Yorkdale to pick up my bike but was DENIED on the TTC (see my next post). I FINALLY made it to dinner at The Keg York Street before "A Night at the Opera" - Cinderella by Rossini.

Cinderella is my idea of a great opera: didn't take itself too seriously, funny, in Italian (those interminable German operas drive me nuts) and great voices. What topped this performance were the costumes and staging. The stage looked like everything from Versailles to Saturday Night Fever. My friend said the banquet scene looked like the Christmas Dinner with The Grinch and she was right. The stepsisters looked like they were plucked from Priscilla Queen of the Desert, the Wizard looked like the illustration from The Little Prince, and the footmen looked like Swiss Guards from the Vatican. But the best part were the dancing rats - definitely the HIT of the show. And the rats looked just like Spy vs. Spy from Mad Magazine in the 70's.

The Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts is absolutely GORGEOUS. What a stunning facility. Airy, lots of wood, with a very European feel. Looking forward to returning for my next great performance - Donny and Marie are there until Sunday!

Hot Docs 2011 haikugirl's fave films

2011-05-15T13:14:00.009-04:00

Well, Hot Docs is over but still thinking about several of the 28 films I saw. If you saw my final screening list, you know I was planning on more than 30 films - and finally ended up with 28 (features + shorts) PLUS 4 seminars (some longer than the films).

HAIKUGIRL'S TOP 5 FILMS at HotDocs 2011 (3/5 r Canadian):

Mighty Jerome - Charles Officer's feature doc debut: gorgeous, compelling

Family Portrait in Black and White - inspiring female director (who shot, wrote and edited the doc), well-crafted story, haunting music -- screened with the interesting short Hand to Toe

The Samba Within Me - another inspiring female director; gorgeously, gorgeously shot with endearing characters (loved the pipe-smoking great, great grandma)

You've Been Trumped - a true, fearless indie from a first-time director with the guts to challenge Trump

People of a Feather - a beautiful film that profiles the plight of the Eider duck and peers into the lives of a remote Inuit community

ANOTHER 15 STANDOUTS

The Bengali Detective

Being Elmo

Buck

The National Parks Project - watch "making of" episodes on Discovery World HD

Draquila - L'Italia che trema - from "Italy's Michael Moore"

POM Wonderful presents: The Greatest Movie Ever Sold - fun to see Spurlock

À St-Henri, le 26 août - from the creators of H2Oil, one of my Hot Docs 2009 favourites

Mama Africa - and the short The Power of Love

Magic Trip - for its 100% use of archival footage & audio

Ron Sexsmith: Love Shines - saw it last night on HBO

Wiebo's War - creepy but interesting

The Chocolate Farmer - and the short Uprooted

Carol Channing: Larger than Life - a sweet portrait of an inspiring lady

What we did last night

2011-05-14T13:17:00.015-04:00

Last night my friend went to a French movie at Glendon College - then sent me an email about it. Which is awesome! So I told her that she was basically blogging, but since she has no blog, I posted it on mine and added the links et voila: an instant blog entry!

Dear MMP
I just returned from seeing a French movie at Glendon College with my mother. I received an email from Cinefranco a few weeks ago announcing a free screening of the movie “Paris selon Moussa’. So I took my mother and it was a really good film. And the woman who runs Cinefranco was there to introduce/talk about the movie. It was a treat.

Because of her email I am inspired to see the movie. And because I found the listing for the event at Glendon, I am planning to attend a Summer Institute in Film event on Open Space Documentary 2.0 at York on Monday.

That's the power of blogging. Welcome to the wonderful world of social media!

P.S. As for me, last night I was out at Taps & Tales talking to another friend about Wiebo's War at Hot Docs - and Wiebo had been at her screening.

My Final List for Hot Docs 2011

2011-05-01T00:17:00.013-04:00

I reposted my updated Hot Docs 2011 Schedule. Still seeing a total of 32 films (including short docs) but shifted things to attend some Industry Sessions in between.

So far Mighty Jerome and POM Wonderful presents: The Greatest Movie Ever Sold are my favourites - Bengali Detective was really fun. Check the Hot Docs schedule for complete listings.

THURS APRIL 28 - Opening Night Film
POM Wonderful Presents: The Greatest Movie Ever Sold
6:30pm Winter Garden

Party at Design Exchange

FRI APRIL 29 - 3 films
Beauty Day screening with w/ Farenheit 7-11
6:45pm Isabel Bader

Mighty Jerome (1st screening) LOVED IT!
9:30pm TIFF Bell Lightbox 3

SAT APRIL 30 - 4 films

The Bengali Detective - FUN!
1:30pm Isabel Bader

Art Show

Weibo's War (World Premiere) w/ Danger
7:00pm Isabel Bader

Magic Trip
9:45pm Isabel Bader

SUN MAY 1 - 3 films
Missed the 1:30pm screening of Bobby Fischer Against the World editor Karen Schmeer's last project)

Mama Africa with The Power of Love -- about Celine Dion Fans in Africa - very sweet!
6:30pm TIFF Bell Lightbox 2

The Pirate Tapes w/ Only Sky & Water (World Premiere)
9:15pm Bloor Cinema

MON MAY 2 - Election Day, 2 films

Industry Session: National Parks Project Panel
9:30 - 11:30am, Emmanuel College

then VOTE!

Carol Channing: Larger Than Life - reinterpreted by Johnny Depp?
6:15pm Bloor Cinema

The National Parks Project
9:15pm, The Royal

TUES MAY 3 - 4 films

Draquila – Italy Trembles (Draquila - L'Italia che trema)
1:00pm TIFF Bell Lightbox 3

The Hollywood Complex
3:45 TIFF Bell Lightbox 2

Buck (Audience Award Sundance) (Int'l Premiere)
6:30pm Bloor Cinema

You’ve Been Trumped (World Premiere)
9:00pm Bloor (+3 friends)

WED MAY 4 - 3 films

Matchmaking Mayor w/ Two's a Crowd
2:00pm TIFF Bell Lightbox 4- didn't make it

Family Portrait in Black & White, w/ Hand to Toe
4:30pm TIFF Bell Lightbox 3

The Samba Within Me
7:30pm TIFF Bell Lightbox 3

THURS MAY 5 - 3 films

À St-Henri, le 26 août (World Premiere)
12:30pm Cumberland 2

People of a Feather (World Premiere)
6:30pm TIFF Bell Lightbox 2 (+1)

The Future is Now (Gary Burns)
9:00pm TIFF Bell Lightbox 1 (+1)

FRI MAY 6 - 1, thinking of 2 others

Project Nim (from the team of Man on Wire)
11:00am Isabel Bader

either Awards Ceremony or Rooftop screening

SAT MAY 7 - 2 in pm only

Being Elmo
7:15pm Isabel Bader

Love Shines
9:45pm Isabel Bader (+1)

SUN MAY 8 - 4 films

The Chocolate Farmer w/ Uprooted
1:15pm ROM Theatre

A Simple Rhythm w/ 75 Watts
3:45pm ROM

(maybe) Grinders w/ Chance Encounters
6:30pm, Fox (in the 'hood)

Very excited to receive my Hot Docs Industry Pass Event List this week. Every day there is a "Meet the Delegation" reception and every night a party! (Whoohoo for me!)

Cannes et Gondry

2011-04-18T19:17:00.009-04:00

Exciting announcements from Cannes! Robert De Niro is the President du Jury and Michel Gondry is the President du Jury des courts metrages (Short Film Jury President)

Gondry has an exhibition at the Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris called "L'Usine des films amateurs" (Amateur Film Factory) where visitors can come and make a film in 3 hours - similar to his wonderful film Be Kind, Rewind. BRILLIANT - CAN'T WAIT! I am determined to go there and make a film when I am in Paris later this Spring.

Voice la Selection Officielle de Cannes 2011. Notice how it is alphabetical by Director (not film). Of course, some of the best films are "hors copetition" (out of competition, e.g. Woody Allen, Jodie Foster) or screen during "Un Certain Regard" or "Quinzaine de Realisateurs" (Directors' Fortnight).

Who will win the Palme d'Or this year? And will they come to TIFF?

Fans of the Swell Season

2011-04-18T19:11:00.004-04:00

Looks like there's a doc called The Swell Season capturing the stars of Once on their European and North American tour.

We saw the show live in Toronto and I bought Richard the concert DVD for Christmas but this is a new doc that now playing at the Tribeca Film Festival. It is not on the list for Hot Docs.

IndieWire interviews the 3 co-directors.

Tim Burton Exhibition at TIFF

2011-04-09T14:38:00.006-04:00

Went to the Tim Burton Exhibition at the TIFF Bell Lightbox on March 31st, before seeing the premiere of the beautiful and touching Ma Jeanne d'Arc, part of Cinefranco.

The Tim Burton exhibition was organized by the Museum of Modern Art in New York (we are reminded everywhere), and it's the first MoMA exhibition to come to Toronto in 20 years. An interesting collection that spans his life, including attending CalArts and working for Disney before branching out on his own. Lots of quirky short videos, cool props from his films (Catwoman's suit and Edward Scissorhands' costume), as well as handwritten notes (in rather eclectic penmanship). I loved seeing the maquettes (mini models) of characters from Corpse Bride. We saw the premiere at TIFF in 2005.

I was only in there an hour but it was enough. At $22.75 it is rather pricey but can be used towards a credit for a TIFF Bell Lightbox membership. Still deciding about that. It's not too late! Exhibition closes April 17th.

Creative agility and a long, long, love

2011-04-07T17:26:00.006-04:00

Recently, I read a very moving and inspiring keynote speech that was delivered by Joe Drake of Lionsgate to the Directors Guild of America (DGA) to open the 2010 Filmmaker Forum in LA. Indiewire says: "Drake is a smart exec; there’s some strong nuts and bolts advice here. And some fascinating nuggets."

Drake calls it: The Field Guide for the Independent Filmmaker. I call it pure motivation. Here are the links to the:
-- IndieWIRE blog with highlights
-- full keynote with stories and tips.

In his speech, Drake echoes Canadian author Malcolm Gladwell's claim (in his book Outliers) that it takes people about 10,000 hours (or 8-10 years) to get really good at something. Cases in point: The Beatles, Steve Jobs.

Drake also cites the optimism and tenacity of filmmakers:
“I was reminded that independent filmmakers are, unanimously, a motivated group of optimists. In my experience, it’s only the optimists who ever get anything done! Despite experiencing setbacks, this group was no less determined to figure out how to get their films made.

He said you need to have "a long, long, love" for your movie project to see it through. And remember: "You can’t just have a dream, you have to have a plan... Your major asset is your creative agility. When you use it effectively, the marketplace will reward you like never before."

I couldn't agree more and think these ideas apply to filmmaking, work and life. For example, in my "day job" I've been developing e-learning mostly full-time for over a decade now so I've put in my 10,000 hours. I can honestly say: I know what needs to be done and I'm really good at doing it. I've been playing around with filmmaking for the past several years, and the more I see and do, the more I recognize how much I need to learn to approach the 10,000 hour mark. I do have a passion for learning and a long, long, love for my filmmaking projects: both are the focus of my precious time away.

Wanted this link on my blog for quick reference. Enjoy - and be inspired today!

Documentary Challenge and Adaptions

2011-04-07T00:46:00.005-04:00

Visit Facebook and participate in the 10-day Documentary Challenge

No, you don't have to make a movie. You just need to share your favourite docs in various categories. 10 days: 10 topics. Go for it! I'd love to hear your favourites.

I went back to through my blog and the Doc Soup archive for ideas.

Also reviewed last year's Hot Docs Programme Guide - I'd forgotten how many great movies I saw last year.

Wed night we saw Love Etc. for our last Doc Soup of the season. Very sweet.

Also tonight, found a few lists of top adaptations (from book into film). Don't really agree with the 3 picks from this blogger - I prefer the Guardian's List of Top 50 Books Made into Films. If I had to pick 3 of those, I would probably say:
- Trainspotting
- The Shawshank Redemption
- Fight Club

What say you?

Gearing Up for Hot Docs 2011

2011-03-28T23:47:00.005-04:00

Had a lovely lunch with Hardish at Ouzeri and we started to discuss our picks for Hot Docs 2011. Being off this year I bought an Industry Pass so I will be able to attend virtually all of the screenings. I currently have a shortlist of 32 films.

Here is an IndieWire article on Hot Docs with Director Sean Farnel commenting on the special presentations at the fest.

Here is the link to Hot Docs website where you can find films by date, title and subject.

I will post my shortlist soon. See you at the movies!

MMP wants an iPad2

2011-03-27T15:56:00.011-04:00

Planning to treat myself to a new iPad2. YAY for me!

I want black one with either a grey or light blue smart cover. I am trying to decide between 16GB and 32GB and whether or not to get 3G.

Need to check with my wireless provider Rogers - I know they have a plan for data-sharing across devices. I already have a 32GB iPhone 3GS and need to know how much it would be to add the iPad with 3G. Considering all the travelling I plan to do, it may be worth it. (or maybe just more expen$$$ive)

Not impressed that the Apple website says I have to wait 3-4 weeks to have the iPad2 shipped. Hmmm. We'll have to see what we can do about that.

Please add a comment and tell me which iPad2 you would buy.

Graffiti's and Junos

2011-03-27T14:40:00.010-04:00

Went to Graffiti's in Kensington Market on Saturday afternoon to watch the band Dodge Fiasco. Here are Rob, Gord, Terry and Anita showin' us how it's done: (also on Twitpic)

Then we went back to Terry & Gord's place for souvlaki. We "delayed" celebrating Earth Hour till the BBQ was ready. Anita made an amazing Greek Salad. Then the Steinhoff portion of Steinhoff and the Snapping Turtles (plus Steinhoff's sister) entertained us in the living room.

A great night was had by all! Thanks to the Hosts and the Cooks. And so wraps Week 2 of the leave.

Are you watching the Junos on Sunday night? LIVE at 8:00pm only on CTV

Hasta la vista

2011-03-14T11:52:00.009-04:00

Welcome to the First Day of the Rest of My Life.

Today, Monday, March 14, 2011 marks the start of my Self-Funded Leave. I am on a 7-month sabbatical from my job until mid-October 2011. Seven months off in my seventh year of service, and it's also the Year of the Rabbit (pretty special).

It is certainly a very exciting opportunity with a world of possibilities to explore. I already have a few trips and film festivals lined up for the next few months. I am also eager to get more organized on the home front and spend time editing my film projects and getting back into running.

Last week the people at work threw a lovely Farewell party for me (so sweet). I am about to head out for a walk and some errands - in the glorious afternoon sunshine.

Please stay in touch on Facebook, on Twitter or via email.

I'll be thinking of you all! (but not too much) :-) -MMP

Happy International Women's Day!

2011-03-08T08:18:00.004-05:00

Happy International Women's Day to all my friends.

Watch this video of Daniel Craig (who transforms into drag) with a stirring monologue by Judi Dench. Created by WeAreEquals.org

We Made It! (so far)

2011-02-23T07:37:00.005-05:00

Update to my February 11th post on participating in 48 Go Green

Our Producer for Stop Eco Abuse received this email from the challenge organizers:

Dear friends.

This is the complete list with the ON TIME TEAMS from the ON LINE competition.

http://www.48gogreen.com/notice/34/list-of-on-time-teams

We are working hard at the moment in order to ensure the highest standards expected for the best streaming of your movies.

Later today all films will be available in public for review.

On Time teams doesn’t automatically means qualified teams.

The 48 GO GREEN team will evaluate each entry and will present on 24th of February the list with the qualified movies that will be available for the on line voting.

In order to vote you should register either as a Green (Free) Member or as a 48 Pro Member.

We would like to thank all the teams, the filmmakers, the crew and the thousand of the creative people who has joined the Ultimate International Eco film competition 48 GO GREEN 2011.

Thank you for your great efforts, your excitement, your amazing talent and creativity, as well as your patience.

Grammy Sunday | Best and Worst

2011-02-14T17:24:00.007-05:00

TOP FIVE BEST THINGS about my Grammy Sunday

1. Anderson Cooper's interview with Lady Gaga on 60 Minutes

2. Cee Lo and Gwyneth singing Forget You at the Grammys. (Even though we know Gwyneth sings it better)

3. Train's acceptance speech for Hey Soul Sister: "Thank you Justin Bieber for not being a pop duo".

4. Arcade Fire winning Album of the Year - GO CANADA!

5. Mick Jagger's energetic performance AND Nicole Kidman dancing along in the audience (she also sung along to Katy Perry)

TOP FIVE WORST THINGS about my Grammy Sunday

1. Who the *bleep* is Esperanza Spalding? Now she's a Grammy-winner for Best New Artist. Never heard of her before last night. Justin Bieber and Florence and the Machine were totally robbed.

2. The camera direction for the entire Grammy show was BRUTAL. I have seen a lot of live shows (Oscars, MMVAs) and the people who do that are pros. It's music's biggest night and they have some lowlife in the control room calling cuts between cameras. And failing to show audiences the amazing projections going on behind them. Just constant boring close-ups of singers. Camera direction was SO brutal that they should get a Razzie Award for being so brutal.

3. The now famous Esperanza Spalding and some Grammy Band Camp cronies who have their big shot on the Grammy stage and kept playing (loudly) through the speeches by the Grammy President and Matthew Morrison (Will Shuster from GLEE). Huh? These people just gave you an award and you play over them? NOT impressive. HIGHLY annoying.

4. Matte Babel (formerly of CP24, now of Global's ET Canada) was on the Grammy Red Carpet. Last year he was feeding hay to horses at the Royal Winter Fair doing the remote locations for the morning show - now he's interviewing celebs at the Grammys? How did that happen?

5. Grammy's weird picks. Wha? It's as if the Academy just wanted to STICK IT to popular culture. Just because they don't want to give Justin Bieber the Best New Artist, doesn't mean they have to give it to someone that NOBODY has heard of. At least pick someone who's had a few record sales.

And I like Lady Antebellum - they pulled a Taylor Swift and walked away with 5 Grammys last night - but let's face it. All we've heard is their one big song.

Anyway Grammys - take a lesson from the Oscars. The Director treats it like a military operation. And the precision results reflect it. Like my friend Dave who used to technical direct the MMVAs.

BOCCE! by haikugirlmm

2011-02-13T14:53:00.003-05:00

Missed out on tickets to UFC? Don't worry.

Watch BOCCE! - haikugirlmm's latest addition to her YouTube channel: haikugirl31

"75 seconds of pure excitement"

"she shoots, she scores"

Les Oscars 2011 - haikugirl's picks

2011-02-12T10:49:00.013-05:00

Sunday night may be the Grammys but in two weeks it's the Oscars!

I am going to watch on TV and online - you can select your camera / vantage point on the Red Carpet - just like being there! (which is always how I like to shoot things)

Oscars in 2 weeks
Here are the Nominations
WHO WILL WIN | who should

See if haikugirl can outguess Ebert
- or just read his Thumbs Up Movies and Your Movie Sucks TM files

CATEGORY | WHO WILL WIN | who should
Best Picture | The King's Speech | The King's Speech
Best Director | David Fincher for The Social Network | Darren Aronovsky for Black Swan (he's the next David Lynch)
Best Actor | Colin Firth | Colin Firth - a great role but maybe James Franco? (he works so hard - I loved that SNL skit where he was doing every job - worried he looks tired in the recent Oscar commercial)
Best Actress | Natalie Portman | Natalie Portman
Best Supporting Actor |Christian Bale | Geoffrey Rush
Best Supporting Actress | Melissa Leo | haven't seen The Fighter or True Grit
Best Adapted Screenplay | Aaron Sorkin for The Social Network | only him (get real)
Best Original Screenplay | should be Mike Leigh or the guy who wrote King's Speech but doubt they will give it to a Brit - they'll probably pick The Kids are Alright (to make it like a Made in America "Good Will Hunting" success story)
Best Score | The Social Network (it won at Golden Globes) | Inception
Best Song | either Randy Newman (Toy Story 3) or Alan Menken (Tangled)
- I pick Tangled
Best Animated Feature | Toy Story 3 | The Illusionist was sweet and touching
- my last film at TIFF 2010
Best Doc Feature | all 5 of the Doc Features are strong |Exit Through the Gift Shop (featuring Banksy) is popular | I think something with "-land": Gasland or Waste Land
I haven't seen the short films but they all sound good - I'll pick
Best Doc Short | Sun Come Up or Warriors of Quigang
Best Short Film | The Crush or Wish 143
Best Animated Short | Madagascar: Carnet de Voyage sounds lovely - and it's by Sacrebleu Productions (Love it!)
Best Foreign Language Film | going with Roger Ebert on this one: Incendies
- Vive le Canada! Just saw Polytechnique again - DV is brilliant
Best Art Direction | Alice in Wonderland | Inception (totally overlooked)
Best Cinematography | Black Swan
Best Costume Design | toss-up: Alice in Wonderland or I Am Love
(too bad Tilda Swinton has to be in a movie to wear nice clothes)
Best Editing | probably The Social Network | I pick Black Swan (creepy!)
Best Sound Editing | TRON Legacy |
Best Sound Mixing | Inception |
Best Visual Effects | Alice in Wonderland | Inception

We'll know the winners in 2 weeks. See you on the Red Carpet!

48 Go Green Film Challenge: Get ready!

2011-02-11T19:37:00.007-05:00

The first global 48 Go Green film challenge starts in less than a week!

Teams from around the world have to complete a short film in 48 hours. haikugirl is part of a team called Stop Eco Abuse . Our task is to script, shoot, edit and upload a short film on an environmental topic within 48 hours. There is a judging panel, then the public can vote. Winners get screened at NAB in Las Vegas and later at Cannes.

So far 168 teams have registered to participate next weekend (February 18-20). I haven't participated in a 48Hour Film Challenge since October 2009.

Tonight we had to test accessing the website to view the elements of our assignment, which worked. Next Friday night will be the real thing: we will be assigned a Theme, Character, Line of dialogue and a Prop and we have to incorporate all the elements into a 4 to 6 minute movie.

You can visit the Screening Room and see the videos teams made last year. The 2009 films are from Greece. 2011 is the first year the 48 Go Green challenge is global.

http://www.48gogreen.com/

I'm also planning to go to Podcamp Toronto 2011 the weekend after - busy, busy

Rabbits unite!

2011-02-03T08:10:00.000-05:00

Kung Hei Fat Choi! Welcome to the Year of the Rabbit.

Just found out today that Johnny Depp and I are both Rabbits (like my Dad and Dori). And Johnny's birthday (June 9) is 1 day after my Anniversary (June 8) which is also my husband Richard's birthday! (he's a Horse, like my Mom)

Yay Rabbits! It's our year!

Rabbits are talented, articulate, kind, prosperous and love the finer things.
- What's your sign in Chinese Astrology?

Check out my original posts and photos from TIFF 2005:
-- @haikugirlmm and Johnny and even more Johnny.

If you scroll down, you'll see that Helena Bonham Carter can actually look nice on the red carpet!

DOC Soup: Thundersoul

2011-02-03T06:56:00.010-05:00

We've got the funk, everybody's got the funk. Especially Thundersoul!

Director Mark Landsman brought his SXSW Audience Award-winning doc of a 70's high school stage band to Toronto's Bloor Cinema last night on a snow day. What a delight after last month's abysmal The Mouth of the Wolf (blech).

Conrad O. Johnson ("Prof") was an inspiring music teacher at Kashmere High School in Houston, TX who brought together a group of kids and made them into a band that won National Championships and toured the world. Thirty years later his students come back to Kashmere to put on a performance for their beloved 92 year old Prof. This is a touching story brimming with joyous music and inspiring characters - see it when it comes to theatres this Fall!

Thundersoul screened at Hot Docs 2010 and is currently doing the festival circuit.
-- LIKE Thundersoul on Facebook or
-- Buy "Texas Thundersoul" - Kashmere Stage Band's CD of original 70's recordings

Viva Las Vegas! by Elvis, Bellagio, haikugirl

2011-01-29T15:39:00.005-05:00

Last weekend I posted this video on YouTube. I have 20 views already and just added the link to my Facebook.

Hope you enjoy it!
-haikugirl

Black Swan: a real trip

2011-01-28T23:14:00.014-05:00

a haiku:
Black Swan: sexy thriller, paranoid trip, mind f**k, pure genius - WOW!

Saw Black Swan on Wednesday at the Varsity: totally freaky, creepy, engrossing, and sometimes gross. Natalie Portman is amazing and deserves every award she gets. The entire cast shines: Mila Kunis (as the sexy new dancer), Barbara Hershey (as the icky Mom), Vincent Cassel as the Head of the ballet company, and Winona Ryder as the aging prima ballerina who is passed over for Natalie Portman's character. Winona is brilliant at being bitter, angry, drunk and self-mutilating - all without dancing a step. The Director chose well.

I need to see this movie a few times (and replay it in my mind) before I figure out what's real and what Natalie's character Nina Sayers imagines. I've seen a trailer on TV where she is dancing and suddenly her arms sprout wings. What's with that? Seriously weird.

After seeing this movie, I have a new respect for Director Darren Aronovsky. Ivana and I were not impressed by The Fountain (which we saw at TIFF) featuring his (then) wife Rachel Weisz and Hugh Jackman. When I finally saw The Wrestler with Mickey Rourke it was very powerful and moving. And garnered Mickey a box full of awards.

Dare I predict that Darren Aronovsky will someday take over the mantle from David Lynch? (Whose movies for me require multiple viewings with either my husband or Joe from DC at my side to interpret what's real, what isn't.) I've seen Mulholland Drive three times - I think I'm starting to get it. Time will tell if my prediction comes true.

Bonne Année Film (Fest) Lovers!

2011-01-09T21:27:00.007-05:00

Happy New Year! I have no doubts that 2011 will be a banner year for haikugirl. Let's see how many film festivals I can make it to this year...

Robert De Niro will be the Président du Jury of this year's Cannes Film Festival

Next Sunday January 16 is the Golden Globes - can't wait to watch

Hot Docs is coming up in late April (after Easter) but in the meantime, all eyes are on Park City as Sundance gets underway on January 20th.

Saw The King's Speech and Barney's Version over the holidays plus tons of movies on The Movie Network. I need to see Black Swan (looks a bit scary)

DOC Soup this month was strange, unappealing and sleep-inducing. Last month's Men Who Swim was absolutely charming.

SJR Class of '81 - Reunion 2011

2010-12-08T00:20:00.003-05:00

My fellow classmates are starting to make plans for our 30th Reunion next year. Of Kindergarten. (kidding) Middle School. (nope)

I started an sjr81 blog for our 25th - how many more of us have smart phones now!?

All I can say is: the Big R the Better!

Head Smashed In Katy Perry

2010-11-30T21:03:00.014-05:00

Slipped and fell on stairs
Grateful I am still alive
Almost Head-Smashed-In

Grey Cup Sunday November 28, 2010. 11:30pm. Left my cozy bed to get some lip balm from my purse downstairs. Slid in my socks on the bottom 3 steps and nearly killed myself. Seriously. Fell flat on my butt and have the biggest, purplest bruise in history. Every part of my body is tender. All I can say is: "Thank God my head isn't in my butt or I'd be dead." Seriously. If I was at the top of the stairs or I didn't fall right on my very sweet butt, I could be dictating this through a voice recognition program right now. I could have been my own private "Head Smashed in Buffalo Jump". And the world would be robbed of another struggling creative genius.

But thankyou God I am able to type. Thankyou God I don't think I will have any permanent injuries. (Still, I should probably see my doctor). And as sore and stiff as I am, I didn't even skip work this week. (Quelle dédication. Quelle stupidité.)

GLEE tonight cheered me up. Great selection of songs. I really have to buy Vol 4 (I have the first 2). Kurt was AMAZING doing "Don't Cry For Me Argentina" (I just loaded Madonna's version from the Evita soundtrack onto my iTouch last weekend.) The Warblers song tonight (Hey Soul Sista by Train) wasn't as good as their version of Katy Perry's Teenage Dream (which actually blows Katy Perry out of the water.)

I also loved the last number (featured in the trailer for Eat Pray Love - a movie I still haven't seen - only read the book last year). The Dog Days are (definitely) OVER people! Florence and the Machine ROCKS!

To all my friends who are busy surviving their own dog days: Don't worry - they will soon be over too. Tomorrow is December 1st so presents and food and holiday good times are around the corner. And tomorrow night is the next Doc Soup: Men Who Swim.

Matt and Nat - Editor's Note

2010-11-19T10:11:00.006-05:00

Don't I have amazing timing?!

No sooner do I run a blog post about the inspirational creed of Matt and Nat than the company appears on the front page of the National Post, accused by a former employee of violating her rights as a carnivore by banning meat on the premises.

As they say on those Global TV spots: Huh!

Hey Coach, what's up? - FOOTNOTE

2010-11-18T11:24:00.011-05:00

Two weeks ago I treated myself and bought a POPPY Patent Zippy Wallet in Licorice and Silver by Coach at the Shops at Don Mills.

I really like this new wallet but on Tuesday the zipper jammed. Permanently. It is now completely immovable so it sits open in my purse with my money and cards visible. This was the second time the zipper jammed - the first time I was able to dislodge it.

HUH? WHA? How irritating! I thought this was supposed to be a quality product and I paid full price for it in-store. This was not an outlet purchase my friends (although I'm dying to go - when are you driving down?)

So today, I'm taking it back to the store to exchange it. I will let you know how they make it right. How TOTALLY inconvenient.

FOOTNOTE: HOORAY! A no-hassle exchange of my wallet at the Coach store on Bloor today followed by a Gold Bento Box Lunch at Sushi Inn - delish!

Bag Lady chooses to MAKE A DIFFERENCE

2010-11-18T10:48:00.012-05:00

I love bags: purses, totes, wallets. I can never get enough. Some women hide new shoes from their husbands. I hide new bags (and glassware).

Today I was changing purses and noticed these words on the cloth bag I'm using to protect my gorgeous new Lauren LUX leather bag by Roots. (Thanks to my former co-workers for the generous gift certificate which helped me purchase it!)

Lauren bag by Roots; dustbag and WORDS by Matt & Nat:

Choose LIFE
Choose POSITIVITY
Choose the GOLDEN RULE
Choose to be at PEACE with yourself
Choose SALVATION

Choose to be DIFFERENT
Choose to be a REBEL
Choose to BE YOURSELF
Chose to CREATE a Fashion Statement

Choose to MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Choisissez de FAIRE UNE DIFFÉRENCE
Scegliete di FARA UNA DIFFERENZA

Even if we CHOOSE to, we still have to DO IT. Some days are easier than others.

How will I make a difference? How can you?
More importantly, what bag are you carrying right now?

I think Blogger WR2BAM might enjoy this latest post by haikugirl.

NEW and IMPROVED www.haikugirl.com

2010-11-07T18:22:00.006-05:00

Please visit my personal domain www.haikugirl.com and check out my new look and updated content. I have spent the past weekend updating and look forward to your feedback.

Thanks for visiting my site... More updates to come!

P.S. Just came from a delightful Silpada Jewelry Party at my friend Michelle's new home. So many tempting pieces to buy I couldn't resist!

Priscilla: Best Musical EVER

2010-10-24T18:14:00.004-04:00

Okay. I've seen a lot of musicals in Toronto: Mamma Mia, We Will Rock You, Wicked, Avenue Q, Beauty and the Beast, Miss Saigon, Sunset Blvd. Showboat and The Phantom of the Opera. And my vote for BEST MUSICAL EVER goes to Priscilla, Queen of the Desert! It was even better than the 1994 movie. It had us rocking in our seats, the costumes were over the top and the staging was wonderful. Bought the soundtrack and the T-Shirt.

The Toronto production is the warmup for New York. When this goes to Broadway in 2011 I predict it will SWEEP the Tonys - for sure Best New Musical. It already swept the awards in London. HANDS DOWN the best value for your entertainment dollar and a TOTALLY FABULOUS event.

All the dancers were so buff it made me want to commit to a workout regimen. Les Boys you must come and see the show in TO!

Next DOC Soup: LENNONYC

2010-10-19T08:41:00.007-04:00

This doc is airing on PBS in November - DOC Soup subscribers get a Canadian premiere on Nov 3rd. Looking forward to it.
http://www.pbs.org/americanmasters
View the extended trailer on YouTube

On October 6 we saw Sons of Perdition - interesting. The filmmakers were in attendance. It has been acquired by the Oprah Winfrey Network to screen as part of their documentary film club - good for them.

Tonight: PRISCILLA!

Journey to the Heart of FABULOUS!

2010-10-06T23:26:00.004-04:00

My friends and I will be taking our Journey to the Heart of FABULOUS on Tuesday, October 19th. I'm so excited I can't wait - and I want the T-shirt!

Loved the movie Priscilla, Queen of the Desert when it came out and the soundtrack gets regular play on my iPod. The stage musical is in TO for a few months before its Broadway debut. Looks like an absolute TREAT and it has C. David Johnson (I was a huge Street Legal fan and always enjoyed him).

Priscilla opens in Toronto next Tuesday October 12th at the Princess of Wales Theatre.

Happy Thanksgiving to all! What are you cooking and what films are you seeing?

The Social Network

2010-10-05T23:24:00.000-04:00

Saw The Social Network last Friday October 1st on opening night. It was very good but it wasn't "the movie of the year" like some of the critics claim. Aaron Sorkin's script is brilliant (of course!) and he even makes a cameo. The performances are excellent - Jesse Eisenberg may get an Oscar nomination. So might Justin Timberlake.

Despite the billing, this is NOT a Justin Timberlake movie but JT does a great turn as Sean Parker, founder of Napster (possibly a Supporting Oscar?) Like the movie, his character is definitely "of the decade", and kinda sleazy.

Be sure to watch the iTrailer and Reveal All Facts - an interactive way to discover more about the making of the movie and the phenomenon that is Facebook. The song Creep that plays over the trailer is very effective.

As for the movie of the year, I don't think I've seen it yet. Saw 12 movies at TIFF and will post my capsule reviews soon (this weekend?) I am waiting to see Clint Eastwood's Hereafter later this month after being denied during TIFF.

TIFF 2010 has begun!

2010-09-10T08:44:00.006-04:00

TIFF got underway Thursday Sept 9 but I was strategically absent. Off to bed early to bank ZZZzzzzs for my busy busy weekend ahead.

My first movie is tonight at 8:45pm (AMC 3): A Night For Dying Tigers (with Mary and Richard). The trailer looks funny.

Saturday I have 3 movies - ALL at the Winter Garden!
The Way (with Dori), Waiting for Superman (with Ivana) and Love Crime (with Les Filles).

Sunday afternoon I have the The First Grader at 4:30 (VISA/Elgin) - looks sweet

See you in the lineup!

Our New Porch and Fence

2010-09-04T14:01:00.002-04:00

Our New Porch and Fence | See Before and After shots | Enjoying it now...

Must-See Movies

2010-09-04T11:36:00.005-04:00

The Awards Daily blog posted these Toronto Must-Sees

Although we didn't get Barney's Version - it's premiering in Venice this week - we can see it when it comes out in theatres.

Other fall film club options include Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps (opening Sept 24) and The Social Network (opening Oct 1). I thought these might come to TIFF but guess they have other priorities.

Some interesting views in this Awards Daily blog post about Marketing in the Age of Cynicism.

TIFF 2010 FINAL Schedule

2010-09-03T16:31:00.007-04:00

Thank you Richard for picking up my tickets. Here's the final list:

Fri Sept 10 8:45pm (AMC 3): A Night For Dying Tigers - (Mary & Richard)

Sat Sept 11 12:30 (Winter Garden): The Way - Martin Sheen walks the Camino (Dori)

Sat Sept 11 4:30 (Winter Garden): Waiting for Superman - my token doc (Ivana)

Sat Sept 11 8:00pm (Winter Garden): Love Crime - c'est diabolique! - (Alison & Pavlina)

Sun Sept 12 4:30 (VISA/Elgin): The First Grader - an 80 year old goes to primary school in South Africa - utterly charming!

Mon Sept 13 9:00pm (Ryerson): Let Me In - with the girl from Kick Ass - (Mary & Richard)

Wed Sept 15 6:15pm (Ryerson): Blue Valentine - starring Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams

Fri Sept 17 7:45pm (Varsity): Three - by Thomas Tykwer, Director of Run Lola Run (Sarah)

Sat Sept 18 12:45pm (AMC): Good Neighbours - set in Montreal (Pavlina)

Sat Sept 18 9:00pm (VISA/Elgin): The Town - Ben Affleck's latest (Richard)

Sun Sept 19 12:30pm (Isabel Bader): L'Amour Fou - bio of YSL (Pavlina)

Sun Sept 19 6:30 (Bell Lightbox 2): L'Illusioniste (Pavlina)

There's a week of work before TIFF begins but in the meantime:
Happy Labour Day Weekend to all!

Box 9

2010-08-30T13:46:00.004-04:00

Email from Ivana says they picked box 9. Not too bad we hope.

Fingers crossed... We'll know by email on Wed.

TIFF Final Picks ADDENDUM

2010-08-30T13:13:00.003-04:00

Just uploaded some eBooks on my Kobo so R and I can swap (he's got way more titles on his). Got the "celebrated" novel Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro. Then I said to myself: "Hey that sounds like the title of a movie at the festival." Sure enough, it is.

Never Let Me Go with Carey Mulligan and Keira Knightley could have been our second choice on the first Saturday night. The trailer looks creepy so I still think our first choice Love Crime will be better. Please watch the trailers and share your comments.

Pavlina, you are our HERO for dropping everything off on Sunday. I know we will end up with SOMETHING great. (Remember to chant our box # for good karma: Box 21, Box 21) Will update when I know more.

TIFF Final Picks!

2010-08-29T11:18:00.017-04:00

Okay, I just realized I can't have several of my picks because they are considered "Premium Screenings" so we can't use our coupons to bid for them.

So, after much deliberation (and several more calls) here are my final picks:

Fri Sept 10 8:45pm (AMC 3): A Night For Dying Tigers - the trailer looks quirky (and we love Jennifer Beals). Biutiful with Javier Bardem - my previous pick for Friday night - is a premium screening and will have to wait

Sat Sept 11 12:30 (Winter Garden): The Way - not that I'm a fan of Emilio Estevez but I really want to walk El Camino de Santiago and Martin Sheen does just that. (Dori you must come!) The King's Speech by the director of The Damned United is the second choice.

Sat Sept 11 4:30 (Winter Garden): Waiting for Superman - An intriguing look at the crisis in the US education system and the limited access to good schools. By the director who did An Inconvenient Truth. I saw the trailer and would love to see Bill Gates LIVE in the debrief afterward.

Sat Sept 11 8:00pm (Winter Garden): Love Crime - Kristin Scott Thomas looks positively diabolical!

Sun Sept 12 4:30 (VISA/Elgin): The First Grader - looks sweet and touching! (and fits with my emerging education theme). Beginners with Christopher Plummer and Ewan McGregor is now a second choice

Sun Sept 12 9:00pm (VISA Screening Room/Elgin): Hereafter - Clint's latest with Matt Damon - Dirty Girl is a second choice

Mon Sept 13 9:00pm (Ryerson): Let Me In - English language remake of the Swedish book/film Let The Right One In about a child vampire - R and I really want to see Chloe Moretz who was the best thing about Kick Ass

Wed Sept 15 6:15pm (Ryerson): Blue Valentine with Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams - Negativipeg is now a second choice

Sat Sept 18 12:45pm (AMC): Good Neighbours - I want to see them make NDG creepy. The Solitude of Prime Numbers is a second choice

Sat Sept 18 9:00pm (VISA/Elgin): The Town - would love to see it at the festival before it comes out

Sun Sept 19 12:15pm (Bell Lightbox 3): Barney's Version - Mordechai's classic Canadian novel; no stars but I would like to see this during TIFF. L'Amour Fou - the bio of YSL - is a second choice

Sun Sept 19 6:30 (Bell Lightbox 2): L'Illusioniste - I'd love to end the fest with Sylvain Chomet. The Way is a second choice.

We'll see what box we're in when Pavlina drops off today - MERCI PAVLINA! By Wed we should know our picks.

TIFF 2010 - Makin' my picks

2010-08-25T08:44:00.009-04:00

Building my TIFF festival schedule is like putting together a puzzle. You know the pieces you want and you make them work together. Sometimes, there is a challenge with immovable objects like work or weddings - in 18 years, we've always found a way to make the pieces fit. Unless we get screwed and wind up in a crappy box with no choices left. JINX - so now that I've said that, I think (hope) the curse will pass us by.

The Official Schedule says: 11 days, 300 films, 300,000 tickets: What will you see? Here are my First Choice Picks by day:

Fri Sept 10 (Winter Garden): Biutiful - Inarritu's first since Babel. Can't wait to see Javier Bardem con mis amigos!

Sat Sept 11 12:30 (Winter Garden): The Way - not that I'm a fan of Emilio Estevez but I really want to walk El Camino de Santiago and Martin Sheen does just that. (Dori you must come!)

Sat Sept 11 4:30 (Winter Garden): Waiting for Superman - An intriguing look at the crisis in the US education system and the limited access to good schools. By the director who did An Inconvenient Truth. I saw the trailer and would love to see Bill Gates LIVE in the debrief afterward.

Sun Sept 12 4:30 (VISA/Elgin): The First Grader - looks sweet and touching!

Sun Sept 12 9:00pm (VISA Screening Room/Elgin): Hereafter - if Clint Eastwood and Matt Damon are in the house, I want to go to there. One screening and it's not even a GALA. I think this should be our first choice group pick (may be tough at 9 on a Sunday night)

Mon Sept 13 9:00pm (Ryerson): Let Me In - English language remake of the Swedish book/film Let The Right One In about a child vampire - R and I really want to see Chloe Moretz who was the best thing about Kick Ass

Wed Sept 15 9:00pm (Bell Lightbox 2): Short Cuts Canada, including Negativipeg - like I said on Twitter: Winnipeg, The Guess Who, Slurpees: I'm there!

2nd Choices

Sat Sept 11 12:00pm (Ryerson): The King's Speech - might be interesting. Colin Firth is one of our filmfest staples (a possible group pick for Les Filles? or a second choice?)

Sat Sept 11 8:00pm (Winter Garden): Love Crime - Maybe an alternate group pick (en francais)? Can I just plant myself at the Winter Garden all day?

Sat Sept 18 9:15am (AMC 5): Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives - looks weird and interesting. Won at Cannes - I'll see if I have a spare ticket

Sat Sept 18 9:00pm (VISA/Elgin): The Town - would be nice to see at the festival before it comes out, even if the stars only go to the GALA

Let's get one thing straight. I am SO avoiding Phillip Seymour Hoffman's directorial debut Jack Goes Boating because ever since Synecdoche at TIFF 2008 I can't face seeing him again! And (wait for it Alison) I am also avoiding the special Mavericks presentation: In Conversation with Phillip Seymour Hoffmann because it is moderated by Seamus O'Regan of Canada AM (only Canada's WORST interviewer EVER!) He just interrupted Brian Orser today (in an exclusive interview) and I had to turn off the TV. I... am... speechless...

Roger at the Rogers Cup - et bientot TIFF!

2010-08-16T21:00:00.006-04:00

Saw Roger Federer up close and personal practicing at the Rogers Cup in Toronto. Nancy and I spent the day at the Rexall Centre at York University. What a treat! The guy is so calm, classy and COOL (I know he changed his shirt at Sunday's final but I've never (hardly ever) seen him sweat!) Too bad Roger didn't win but good for Andy Murray that he was the first in many years to win 2 in a row. Looking forward to the U.S. Open in September. Someday I would like to go there in person. And go back to the French Open.

Things are heating up for TIFF 2010. In a week they release the Programme Book with all the film titles. I have them as keepsakes from most of my 18 years of attending the festival. I can't believe it's been over 18 years since I moved to TO.

Check out my Twitter page - you can post Tweets about films you discover in the list. (I found a bug they have to fix but that's for another day)

View the Film List

Inception is BRILLIANT!

2010-07-20T07:53:00.007-04:00

Loved it! Christopher Nolan is a genius. So is Leonardo Di Caprio.

GO OUT AND SEE THIS MOVIE!

I LOVED The Matrix and Inception is cooler because it's not a parallel reality, it's inside YOUR MIND. Freaky! ("freakaay")

This article/review offers a brilliant take on the movie.
SPOILER ALERT: ONLY READ THIS AFTER YOU'VE SEEN INCEPTION - http://bitURL.net/6kc

GEE I'VE USED A LOT OF CAPS AND EXCLAMATION MARKS TODAY!!!!! ("freakaay")

First Weekend Club

2010-06-27T12:49:00.003-04:00

I just joined the First Weekend Club - it's free and it looks like a great way to support new Canadian film. Maybe our Book Club will be interested in the DVD Club?

Last night I went out during the G20 (ooooh - scary) to see El Secreto de sus ojos (The Secret in their Eyes). Haunting. It was at TIFF 2009 and won the Best Foreign Film Oscar this year - very deserving. Besides being very engaging (yes Sean, I do like slower-paced films that hold my interest) I found it had several parallels with The Lives of Others (another Oscar winner): both told a story over many years that involves a secret love, a secret life and ends with the writing of a book.

Taking the TTC to the Cumberland cinema we had no problems on the Bloor line. All subways below Bloor on the Yonge - University line were closed Saturday evening. Later, it was disturbing to see the footage of the violence downtown. Why are people lighting a police car on fire and smashing windows? That is NOT very Toronto. Very disappointing and disturbing. I agree with MayorMiller, StevePaikin and DeputySloly

Open Letter to Doc Soup and Hot Docs

2010-06-16T08:49:00.005-04:00

May 12, 2010

Dear Doc Soup Subscriber,

Now that the Festival is over, we want to take this opportunity to thank you again for your tremendous support. Attendance at Doc Soup screenings was phenomenal and audiences for the Festival grew to 136,000. This is in no small way attributed to individuals like you, who continue to turn up and support Hot Docs and our various activities.

As a subscriber your feedback is important to us. We would truly appreciate it if you would take a moment to share your thoughts.

Did you like the Doc Soup film selection? Did any particular films stand out? Were there certain types of documentaries that you would have liked to have seen more of? How was the overall experience – from ordering your subscriptions, to receiving your tickets to attending the screenings? Any suggestions you may have for improving the series or the services we provide would be invaluable to us...

Here is my response of June 16, 2010:

Thank you for the opportunity to provide feedback on Doc Soup and Hot Docs.

I have been a dedicated and enthusiastic Doc Soup subscriber for 3 years (since 2007). The 2009/2010 season was by far the most disappointing and the selections actually made me question whether I would renew my subscription. In the end, I did renew before the end of Hot Docs but it took a lot of soul searching.

After an exhilarating kick-off with The September Issue, I cut short a family visit to Winnipeg to come back to TO to see October Country in November. This was absolutely the worst movie of the season and probably the worst I've seen in my 3 years of Doc Soup. I understood from Sean that he knew it would be a controversial choice. Controversial I can take; abysmal I don't have time for. It bordered on offensive and I know several longtime subscribers who would echo that sentiment. It should have been a tip off when the directors said: "Wow this is the largest audience we've ever had," as well as the larger-than-average number of subscribers who got up and walked out during the film, even before the Q&A. (We were very tempted.) What Sean, and perhaps the directors, failed to remember is that we are a CAPTIVE sold-out audience: we faithfully come to the films you program for us each month. October Country totally missed the mark. Just because it may have won awards or may have nice transition shots of birds does not make it a good doc.

I was encouraged by the announcement of the December screening: Tibet in Song, which went a long way to redeem the previous month. Last Train Home in January was also very powerful. One fellow subscriber I talked to said "that movie was worth the price of admission for the entire season." Having the directors present for both screenings was very beneficial.

Soundtrack for a Revolution was lovely. It was a stroke of genius the way they wove the lyrics of the gospel songs with the trajectory of the civil rights movement. Also amazing to have access to so many leaders of the movement who were still with us. Garbage Dreams was okay but could have been edited more tightly.

The Doc Soup season finale Sweetgrass was another disappointment. It was boring, purposeless and had no narrative or emotional payoff. The sound levels and image quality were all over the place. (the director even admitted some of his shots were out of focus) In addition to an abrupt, bizarre ending, perhaps the biggest shame is that the film fails to convey the most interesting stories, facts and tidbits about the subject - these only came out during the director Q&A.

As a filmmaker, I consider the Doc Soup series "my winter film school". This season had a higher-than-average percentage of lame selections (3 out of 7) that left me reluctant to renew my subscription. In the end, I did renew but I would like to suggest some ideas to help you stay more connected to your faithful Doc Soup audience and perhaps help subscribers have more of a hand in shaping the programming:

1. Why not make our Doc Soup tickets our ballots, like you do at Hot Docs? Then you could get immediate feedback on the films you have programmed, rather than waiting until the end of the season to invite comments.

2. I would like to understand more about your approach to programming the Doc Soup series: is there one person who programs the entire season or is it done by committee? Do you ever involve guest programmers? You have a terrific staff of programmers at Hot Docs whose selections I look forward to seeing at the festival year after year. Perhaps some of the "gems" they find around the world could be included in our subscription? And they could be on hand to lead the Q&A.

3. I recognize you aim for Canadian premieres of international docs (which is great). Could we have one screening each year where it is maybe not a premiere but maybe a film that is harder to access? For example, I have been attending TIFF even longer than Hot Docs and I was hoping you would program The Art of the Steal (about the Barnes exhibit) as one of our Doc Soup screenings. After sold out screenings at TIFF, I understand it had a (very) limited release in the winter - and I still can't find it on DVD. Couldn't something with that kind of pedigree find a place at Doc Soup? This seems more like the approach for NYC's Stranger than Fiction (STF) series - I'm in the STF group on Facebook.

4. I really appreciate your "green" Q&As via Skype. (hearing from R.J. Cutler for September Issue was awesome) Perhaps you could adopt that approach for more of the screenings. You need someone strong to facilitate Q&A. Sean always does an especially great job - I would love to see him at more of the screenings.

As for the ten 2010 Hot Docs screenings I attended, I loved them all - probably because I carefully selected them myself! My favourite was Autumn Gold (echoed by several friends who also attended). I also liked Cooking Up Dreams and Bhutto.
You can find my 2010 Hot Docs list and reviews on my blog: http://haikugirlmovies.blogspot.com/

Once again thank you for the chance to share feedback. I look forward to an exciting season of Doc Soup, starting in October 2010.

Regards,

Mary Margaret Powrie
http://haikugirlmovies.blogspot.com/
www.haikugirl.com

Running and Hot Docs

2010-05-16T16:20:00.004-04:00

Congratulations to my Mentor Frances E. who achieved an AMAZING time on today's Mississauga Half Marathon: 2:00:13 - WOW! (1:59:08 chip time) That means a sub-2-hour half. IN MY DREAMS?! Way to go Frances! Your mentee is proud of you!

Last week I started a Learn to Run Clinic at The Runners Shop (on Bloor St. W across from the ROM). It feels great to be back running. The people are really nice. I go every Thursday at 6:30pm and every Sunday at 9:30am. Today we ran/walked for more than 30 minutes (unfortunately I am back to running 1 minute, walking 1 minute but HEY... I'm back!)

Today is a GORGEOUS day in Toronto. When we started running this morning it was 11 C - now over 20 C. The patio furniture is out. Time for a BBQ!

Work continues to be busy and enjoyable. This week I have a really big project. Will write more once it's wrapped up.

Ed. Note: All subscribers to Doc Soup have been invited to submit their feedback on the series and the films they saw at the festival. I will DEFINITELY be composing my response. (my picks = good; their picks = not good)

During Hot Docs, Frances and I were both at Autumn Gold - an inspiring film about 85 yr old+ athletes and our favourite doc of the fest.

Les Docs Hot: Cooking Up Dreams

2010-04-30T23:12:00.006-04:00

Hot Docs 2010 has begun! Saw Cooking Up Dreams this evening about delicious Peruvian food and the cooks who make it - watch the trailer. The director asks: Can an entire nation be represented in its cuisine? We heard from people cooking in village streets to Peruvian chefs featuring their cuisine around the world, including Astrid y Gaston in Madrid and in London and Paris. I was especially intrigued by the demos at MadridFusion.net - yum. As Tina Fey likes to say: "I want to go to there."

Cooking Up Dreams was mouth-watering and delightful. Made me want to go to a Peruvian restaurant or at least try a recipe. When I asked in Q&A whether there would be a cookbook they said they were working on adding recipes to the website or the DVD. The Director was very personable, his passion was obvious and I loved the way he came bounding down the aisle for questions. This review gives a good description of the film.

The short doc that screened first was called Green Sea - (Oro Verde) - about a family tea plantation in Argentina. Interesting that the farmer was Ukrainian who had settled in Argentina looking for a better life. The tractor in the film looked as old as our tractor on the farm in Winnipeg. This short was beautifully shot and the music was wonderful - watch the trailer.

So enjoyed hearing the Spanish in both films - made me want to immerse myself in the language again. Perhaps a trip to South America? Or Spain?

Tomorrow Spalding Gray and Bhutto. Off to a great start for Hot Docs.

KICK-ASS is Kick-Ass!

2010-04-29T08:30:00.004-04:00

Loved this movie. Saw it opening weekend (Sat April 17) at our favourite Beach Cinemas. Forget the boys, this is a total Girlpower movie - Kill Bill for kids. Yes, there's language and violence but Mindy (aka Hit Girl) was totally AWESOME and Kicked ASS! My favourite line in the movie was "Add to Shopping Cart" which you will get whenever you see it.

Looking forward to my 10 Hot Docs starting Friday night. Our last Doc Soup on April 17 was totally DISAPPOINTING (and NOT kick-ass). Sweetgrass had no plot, no storyline and if we hadn't heard from the director afterward, it would have been a total bust. He was interesting but none of his insights made it into the film. We just watched (and heard) a herd (ha!) of sheep crossing the mountains of Montana for new grazing land. That's it. One title at the end of 80 minutes of sheep baa-ing and trucks roaring and tractors blaring and cowboys swearing. A couple shots of the nice mountains but they only lasted seconds compared to minutes-long takes of sheep shearing, walking, and standing still. I'm not kidding. Actually, the shot of the sheep looking back at the camera (which lasted over a minute) was CLASSIC. That's it.

I am SERIOUSLY doubting renewing my Doc Soup subscription next year since only 3 of the 7 movies we saw I'd consider watchable. October Country was excruciatingly bad. I have till the end of the festival to decide. Stay tuned.

GLEE Tuesday!!

2010-04-11T21:42:00.004-04:00

As you know, I'm a GLEEK. Cannot WAIT for Tuesday's Season Premiere of GLEE. Starts (oddly) at 9:25pm. It's the Power of Madonna episode. I will be at home watching LIVE and PVRing. Will play my 2-disc GLEE soundtrack in the next 2 days to get psyched...

Watch the GLEE 13th episode highlights to get caught up. See the Madonna set list for Tuesday's season premiere.

Delighted to see Phil Mickelson win the Masters Golf today. He made so many AMAZING shots.

Wednesday is the last screening for Doc Soup: Sweetgrass. I now have absolutely NO CLUE as to the strategy for picking films for our Doc Soup series. If Brokeback Mountain was a doc, it might look like this. All I can say is what Christine Baranski said in The Good Wife: "I think I've just been visited by the Marlborough Man."

Hot Docs 2010 Picks

2010-04-06T10:16:00.021-04:00

Hot Docs twenty-ten
My themes? Food, fame, nostalgia
10 great picks so far...

As part of my subscription for Doc Soup during the winter, I get 24 vouchers for movies during Hot Docs, which I split with Hardish. Met her at the box office at Hazelton Lanes today to pick up our tickets - getting excited! Here are my FINAL 10 picks for Hot Docs 2010:

Fri Apr 30 6:30pm Cumberland 3: Cooking Up Dreams / screening with Green Sea (1)

Sat May 1 1:45pm Isabel Bader: And Everything is Going Fine - saw Gray's Anatomy (monologue by Spalding Gray) at TIFF years ago - very interested to see how Steven Soderbergh adapts nothing but file footage (1)

Sat May 1 6:15pm Bloor: Bhutto looks riveting (1)

Sun May 2 - a BIG day (3 films):

12:00pm ROM Theatre: I Bought a Rainforest - looks sweet & retro (1)

7:00pm Royal: Listen to This World Premiere - bringing a music program to a tough Toronto neighbourhood - sounds inspiring (1)

9:30pm Innis Hall: IDC Showcase - dying to see what this year's crop of finalists came up with - screening was moved from the traditional slot on the 2nd Saturday to the 1st Sunday (probably to give winning teams a chance to see more films near the start of the festival) (1)

Considering a 4th film on Sunday: Small Wonders (but more than 3 films in 1 day breaks the Code)

Tues May 4 7:00pm Isabel Bader: Autumn Gold about award-winning Masters Runners over age 80 (2 tix)

Wed May 5 6:30pm Isabel Bader: Kings of Pastry by veteran filmmakers Chris Hegadus and D.A. Pennebaker (because it sounds so yummy) / screening with Seltzer Works (2)

Thurs May 6 9:30pm Koerner Hall in the RCM: Teenage Paparazzo by Adrian Grenier, star of Entourage who's also a doc filmmaker (2)

Sat May 8 7:00pm Isabel Bader: Casino Jack and the United States of Money (from the director of Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room and 2008's Oscar-winning documentary Taxi to the Dark Side) (1)

Other films of interest (that don't fit in my schedule):
- Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work (which won the U.S. Documentary Editing award at Sundance)
- The World According to Ion B.
- Space Tourists

Curtains: Book Launch

2010-03-18T12:41:00.008-04:00

…more surprising than Six Feet Under, …funnier and more illuminating than Stiff. If Bill Bryson were searching for the meaning of life and death, as an apprentice at a funeral home, you’d have Curtains.

You are invited to the launch of Curtains
Adventures of an Undertaker in Training
by Tom Jokinen

“Jokinen’s wry observations…and revelations about mortality and the industry it has engendered evoke a youthful adventure into the unknown…”
— Whitney Scott, Booklist

Curtains will be introduced at This Is Not A Reading Series (TINARS)

When: Tuesday, March 23, 2010 @ 7:30 pm
Where: The Gladstone Hotel - 1214 Queen Street West
RSVP: curtains@rogers.com (requested but not required)

* Can't attend? Curtains is now available at stores like Book City or Chapters/Indigo
and Amazon.ca

Tom Jokinen is the partner of a dear friend of haikugirl's from Winnipeg who wrote:
"Curtains looks at the "death care industry" - where it's been, where it's going, and why. Tom worked at a family owned funeral home in Winnipeg as a "hands on" apprentice/trainee for the research, but also travelled around North America (including a Death and Dying in Vegas trip to a funeral industry convention, and a visit the late Jessica Mitford's assistant!) so he tells the story on the micro and macro level.

The book explores what happens between the time the body is taken to the funeral home (a removal) and when it ends up some combination of buried, burned and scattered. There's drama in the family funeral home, and in the funeral industry as a whole as it tries figure out how to survive the boomers, the experience economy and people who just don't want to spend 10,000 on a funeral."

Hey - head out to Queen West and support Canadian Literature.
See you Tuesday! - haikugirl.com

Footnote: (haiku)
Curtains launch was great!
TIME.com interviewed Tom
Now to read the book...

DOC Soup 6: Garbage Dreams

2010-03-17T23:57:00.007-04:00

Saw Garbage Dreams with Hardish as part of Doc Soup. Focused on 3 teenagers who live in the slums outside Cairo and pick up garbage which they recycle for a living. They are coming up against private companies that the city has hired who dump the garbage they collect without recycling.

Although the link shows a lot of awards, I found the pacing slow and some of the edits jarring (suddenly they went from Cairo to Wales where they were working with the local trash collectors - huh?) And one guy (Osama) kept struggling to keep a job (even as an altar boy) to boost his self-image and overcome his mother's disappoinment. His bumbling generated some laughs during the screening. How many altar boys do you know named Osama?!

Watching people rummaging through piles of garbage with their bare hands was an immediate turnoff but I guess that's what life is like in the slums of Egypt. I'm just glad I work in an office. You might have enjoyed this film more than I did if you're doing a Masters in Environmental Studies.

Meanwhile I am doing my own doc programming at home. Picked up 4 titles from the library, starting with Tell Them Who You Are, an fantastic doc about a filmmaker who makes a movie about his dad, famous cinematographer Haskell Wexler. Really well done and a perfect model for the doc I want to do with my Dad. Next: the early work of D.A. Pennebaker.

The Hot Docs Schedule comes out next Tuesday, March 23 so I will definitely check what's available and start making my picks. We are also planning to book some films at Cinefranco next weekend (when Earth Hour is on).

After Garbage Dreams, I ended St. Patrick's Day with my wonderful friends in the M Club. We were in that table right at the back of the Globe Bistro on the Danforth. I think we could talk forever if every place we went to didn't have to close for the night...

We Still Own the Podium

2010-03-03T08:12:00.002-05:00

After an awesome showing by Team Canada at the Olympics, and a great job by Vancouver hosting the games, I'm SO proud to be Canadian! We shone when the spotlight was on. Maybe my last blog spurred on the Men's Hockey team? Maybe playing all those extra games gave the team a chance to gel and was all part of their Master Plan? Who knows. We watched the game on Sunday like 22.5 million other Canadians and our hearts were in our throats the whole time. But then, VICTORY!! A storybook Golden Goal by Sydney Crosby! CANADIANS DIDN'T CHOKE! WHOOHOO! And what a fun Closing Ceremonies with the (re-)lighting of the torch and a great performance by Michael Buble (and others). So proud to be Canadian... So many reasons to CHEER!

Parliament is back to work today with a MONSTER Throne Speech (over 1 hour long). One commentator has already asked if the Governor General will be taking a break during it. Tomorrow is Budget Day. After an 82-day break (!?), things are moving again in Ottawa. Stephen Harper sure got to sit with a lot of Olympians during the games.

I hope the government will commit to maintaining and expanding the Own the Podium program. Everyone can see the results: more Gold medals than any other country at a Winter Olympic Games - EVER. WAY TO GO, CANADA!!! Not only do I think they should continue the program (even though I haven't cast my vote in any of the online polls) I think they should engage Canadians and businesses and say they will match donations and offer tax receipts, like they did for Haiti relief. Our athletes deserve the support and have proven they can deliver. And it seems like such a small percentage compared to what US athletes receive. I heard some bozo on one poll say "Why should they get paid to work out?" And what are you getting paid to do, buddy?

Countdown to the Oscars Sunday night. Can't wait to see Alec Baldwin (not waiting for Steve Martin) as co-Hosts. I will post my Oscar picks this weekend.

Also this weekend, my annual International Documentary Challenge. Thursday morning I get an email with my assigned genres. This year I plan to collaborate on a project with my Dad. Stay tuned...

Que pasa Team Canada?

2010-02-21T22:08:00.008-05:00

Canada we are so proud of you and then you blow up against the US in hockey. Que pasa? What's going on? No wonder that unstoppable US goaltender Ryan Miller is wearing Dominik Hasek's number 39.

I've watched so many of our Canadian athletes win Gold and Silver and Bronze medals and it is veeeeeery disappointing to watch a hockey game where everything falls apart and Canadians CAN'T SCORE. Tres triste.

Anyway, I am happy for the other Olympic medal winners, including Manitoba's own Jon Montgomery for Skeleton.

Hey Canadian Men's Hockey Team: I hope you can pull it together before your next showdown. Prove what Canada is REALLY made of. Good luck.

haikugirlmm

DOC Soup 5: Soundtrack for a Revolution

2010-02-21T22:04:00.001-05:00

Soundtrack for a Revolution was shortlisted for a 2010 Oscar for Best Documentary Feature. I think it should have been on the final list of 5 films.

Our 5th DOC Soup this year, Soundtrack for a Revolution was moving, had great pacing and wove together tons of archival footage with present day interviews of people who were involved in the civil rights movement. It also cleverly used the lyrics of the spirituals and freedom songs propel the storyline of the movie, introducing reinterpretations of the songs by current artists they selected to perform in the film. The soundtrack of this soundtrack would be awesome.

Looking at the 5 films that are finalists in the Oscar's Best Documentary Feature race:
--Burma VJ was very popular at Hot Docs 2009 (didn't see it)
--The Cove was Audience Favourite at Hot Docs 2009 (it was good, will likely win for the caper style like Man on Wire and the animal rights angle)
--Food Inc. was at TIFF 2008 (2 TIFFs ago) - you can rent it on DVD (haven't yet)
--The Most Dangerous Man in America: Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers was at TIFF 2009 last September (sounds fascinating but we couldn't get in to see it)
--Which Way Home about kids from Central America trying to get into the US in the most dangerous ways

Soundtrack for a Revolution would have been a great choice for the Oscar's Top 5 Docs. It's historical and topical, and easy to like. The September Issue (about Anna Wintour) and Valentino: The Last Emperor were also good - why did none of them make it? We'll have to watch the Oscars on March 7 (two weeks from today) to see who takes home all the prizes.

N.B. Just saw an episode of Stephen Frye in America where he visits the factory outside Chicago where the Oscar statuettes are created. AWESOME!

Back to work

2010-02-16T08:26:00.007-05:00

Looks like the Ontario Legislature is back to work today, then off for a week in March (after the Olympics), then back to work again with a Throne Speech and Budget. Sounds better than Stephen Harper. Looks like they needed the break.

Nice reminder: six critical elements for embracing change from a lawyer implementing eDiscovery processes and technologies.

Best Book Club - Timeline

2010-02-15T13:17:00.023-05:00

Thank you Tamara for hosting our recent book club. Thought I would recap the books we've read so far for our newest member: Welcome Iona!

May 27 2008 - Book Club Founders' Meeting (at Terry's)
July 15 2008 - The Poisonwood Bible (at Mary Margaret's)
September 24 2008 - Late Nights on Air (at Mary's)
November 4 2008 The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society (at Tamara's)
December 9 2008 The Lost Garden (at Sarah's)
February 3 2009 - "we can't remember the book" (at Anita's)
April 1 2009 - The Book of Negroes (at Terry's)
May 20 2009 - The Secret Book of Grazia dei Rossi (at Ivana's)
July 6 2009 - The Josephine B. Trilogy (at Monica's)
September 22 2009 - February (at Mary's)
October 7 2009 - Our Book Club attended the Launch at Stones' Place for Catherine Gildiner's "After the Falls"
December 7 2009 - Discuss After the Falls with the Author (at MM's)
February 9 2010 - Jeff in Venice | Death in Varanasi (at Tamara's) - our consensus was not as glowing as this NY Times review, nor do we think Jeff/Geoff is as brilliant as the India Telegraph says he is

Next book club: Snow Flower and the Secret Fan in March or April 2010 (at Anita's) - read an excerpt

Best Book Club House Rules:
1. You don't have to read the book
2. You can't make anyone feel stupid
3. The outgoing hostess picks the next title (thank you Tamara!)
4. Everyone gets a few minutes to talk about the book at the meeting.

Friends, we might want to consider trying another pick from the Toronto Public Library - TPL will reserve a set of books for book clubs for 6-week periods. The Glass Castle is on the list and it's at a library near me! (I'm just saying...)

CANADA WINS GOLD!

2010-02-15T13:16:00.006-05:00

Very exciting to see Alexandre Bilodeau win Gold in Men's Freestyle last night!! Such a touching story of him and his brother Frederic. Alex seems like such a great guy - so inspiring and deserving, and so composed in endless interviews.

Also saw Jenn Heil win Silver on Saturday and the repeat of Kristina Groves winning bronze. And I can see it all on Richard's Olympic Ticker with the latest results and medal count at the bottom of your TV screen. Yay Rich - it looks great!

Another Silver by Mike Robertson in Snowboard Cross at Cypress Hill. He's so relaxed. Such a cool sport.

Happy Family Day to ALL!

Our pride is showing
Our athletes are performing
GO CANADA GO!

4 medals, 4 days
Proud to be Canadian
GO CANADA GO!

2010 Reunions

2010-02-15T13:16:00.005-05:00

Excited that my Dad is planning the 60th Reunion for his University of Manitoba Medical Class of 1950 in Winnipeg. Also psyched that Mom and Dad are thinking of coming to TO for his University of Toronto Spring Reunion May 27-31, 2010. I notice there is a reception hosted by Chancellor David Peterson for all Class of 55 grads.

Dad - go to the Reunion homepage and subscribe to updates or browse the list of events.

There is talk of an SJR Reunion in early 2011 - our 30th year since graduation (gee that was hard to type :^) On verra...

Oscar Noms

2010-02-04T08:04:00.007-05:00

Oscar nominees were announced Tuesday morning. Anne Hathaway looked GREAT! I am still working on seeing all 10 Best Picture nominees (I've only seen 3 - got a long way to go!)

Saw UP with my brothers this summer (SQUIRREL) and Up in the Air at the festival - both were very good.

Last night saw An Education - sweet with an awesome performance by Carey Mulligan who's also up for Best Actress.

Planning to rent The Hurt Locker, Inglourious Basterds and District 9 in the next two weeks.

Planning to see Precious and Avatar in theatres before Oscar night March 7 - can you believe it's in the middle of my IDC weekend? A Serious man and The Blind Side will have to wait till after Oscars when they're on DVD.

Countdown to LIVE OSCAR event in 31 days! Download The Hour's Official Oscar scorecard (with Moose to mark the Canadian entries)

Meanwhile, our family is counting down to the Olympics on CTV. Donald Sutherland is IN the commercials now (not just doing voiceover) and the tagline has shifted to: "It's Time to Believe." I'm ready. And I'm ready for some smokin' hot chili on this SuperBowl Sunday!!

haikugirl's Top Ten+ Movies of the Decade

2010-01-10T12:12:00.014-05:00

This is only my second post of the new decade but haikugirl has been busy making slideshows of her trips and thinking hard about which movies to put on her Top Ten List of the Decade.

You would think this task would be easy, given the sheer volume of movies I've seen. Not so. I went back to my old blog to check TIFF reviews from September 2008, 2007, 2006 and 2005 for inspiration. 3 of the top 5 spots are ties (favourite movies by fave directors), so you'll have to forgive my indulgence:

1. Amelie (2001) - every frame is perfect. People's Choice at TIFF 2001 - it screened the night before 9/11
2. Volver (2006) and Broken Embraces (2009) - Almodovar is THE Master
3. Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003) and Vol. 2 (2004) - Quentin's masterpieces - Uma is pure girlpower!
4 Juno (2007) and Up in the Air (2009) - Jason Reitman is a Master-in-Training
5. About a Boy (2002) - loved re-watching this over the holidays - we laughed and cried. Hugh Grant's acerbic voiceover is sooo hilarious (and true) and the soundtrack is amazing
6. The Departed (2006) - Scorcese and an all-star cast PLUS the haunting theme music
7. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004) - well-acted and inventive: I want to take a vacation in Michel Gondry's mind
8. Paris, je t'aime (2006) - some of these shorts are absolute gems - it was my perfect ending to TIFF 2006
9. Another TIE: 500 Days of Summer (2009) - the opening is brilliant and Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist (2008) - one of the best soundtracks of the decade
10. Man on Wire (2008) - an exciting "caper" documentary with amazing "lost" stock footage

In haikugirl's Top Twenty:
Be Kind Rewind (2008) - one of the sweetest movies ever made and a true hommage to moviemaking
Les Plages d'Agnes (2008) - Agnes Varda is another Master - this is a brilliant auto-portrait
Stranger Than Fiction (2006) - fun and quirky, especially seeing it with the stars at TIFF
Chacun son Cinema (2007) - 33 shorts by 33 directors. I loved this at TIFF 2007!

You'll notice I don't have any films by Steven Soderbergh or the Coen Brothers. Steven is a great filmmaker and a true chameleon. Who else could go from making Oceans Eleven and Twelve and then make Che Parts 1 and 2 and The Girlfriend Experience? I am actually a bit tired of the Coen Brothers right now, so I am gonna go see me some Avatar.

Plus they confused us at TIFF this year. There was A Single Man (by Tom Ford), Solitary Man (starring Michael Douglas) and A Serious Man (by Joel and Ethan Coen). Who can keep them all straight? In the end we decided not to see ANY of TIFF's "Man" films.

What are YOUR Top Ten Movies of the Decade?
Please share your comments - I'd love to hear them.

Happy New Year! Happy Movie-watching!

2010-01-10T11:26:00.007-05:00

Happy New Year to ALL!
Have a GREAT TWENTYTEN - from
haikugirlmovies

Spent the holidays doing what I love most: cooking, listening to music, relaxing and WATCHING MOVIES!

In theatres saw:

Sherlock Holmes - MMMm - a great Guy Ritchie take on the classic. Robert Downey Jr. was wonderful (he gives it the extra m). Jude Law gave a fine performance (constantly complaining about Holmes and getting dragged into his exploits.) Rachel McAdams was okay. Perfect setup for the sequel: who will play Moriarty? Rumours say Brad Pitt (this would not be good)

NINE - After waiting for this to open for months - literally - I was disappointed with the film. The musical numbers were AMAZING - MMMMM. The film itself? Only MMm. Hats off to Rob Marshall and the leads for all their hard work to pull off the songs and the moves. The rest of the film made me depressed. Judi Dench and Marion Cotillard gave great performances but Daniel Day-Lewis sunk into a charicature over the course of the 118 minutes. One reviewer said his accent sounded like he was from Transylvania. By the end of the flick I would have to agree.

Avatar - I wasn't going to go until my boss said "It's a game changer." The extended trailer also had me sold. I will see it on my first free afternoon in January.

During the holidays we had free previews of SuperChannel and got AMC (American Movie Classics) added to our TMN subscription (The Movie Network). That meant I got to see lots of 2009 movies I had missed from the comfort of my couch, including:

27 Dresses (Why does the world like Katherine Heigl so much? - I won't see The Ugly Truth)
I Love You, Man (enjoyable, funny cast like Forgetting Sarah Marshall)
Role Models (is this a Paul Rudd film festival in the making?)
Babylon A.D. (with Vinn Diesel)
The Rocker (Rainn Wilson kills me)
Sunshine Cleaning (only okay, and pretty sad. Leap Year opened this week - how many lame movies does Amy Adams have to carry singlehandedly?)
Bring It On: Fight to the Finish, the 5th in the Bring it On series. I still remember the first cheerstory with a perky young Kirsten Dunst, circa 2000.

To think that's 10 years ago. Before next Sunday's Golden Globes, I need to see The Young Victoria and hopefully squeeze in Avatar.

Happy TwentyTen!
Golden Globes SLIDESHOW of STARS
Cheers from haikugirl

DOC Soup 3: Tibet in Song | Reflections on: The Road Home

2009-12-16T22:21:00.009-05:00

Tonight's screening of Tibet in Song was lovely. The director Ngawang Choephel was in attendance and generously responded to questions. The film tells a sad story about how the Chinese government essentially tried to erase Tibetan music and culture and replace it with Communist Chinese propaganda songs. This has been happening since the 50's. The director was imprisoned for trying to make a documentary of Tibetan folk music and he and many others endured a great amount of suffering trying to preserve their culture. His heroic mother appealed to everyone to have her son released from jail and eventually got the ear of people like Paul McCartney and Annie Lennox who did benefit concerts for him and Amnesty International. The film features lots of stock footage of Tibet and recordings of music (some Tibetan, mostly Chinese). It was interesting to explore the past and the future of this dying cultural art form. Read the review in Metronews.ca Thank God the movie this month was good - last month's DOC Soup was terrible.

Next month's DOC Soup is: Last Train Home about people journeying home for Chinese New Year. This makes me think of another surprise screening I went to (programmed back in 2000 by our current Hot Docs Director Sean Farnel): The Road Home.

Directed by Zhang Yimou (who would become one of my favourite directors) and starring Ziyi Zhang (before she was famous in Croaching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and House of Flying Daggers) this dramatic film was beautifully shot and moved me to tears. I remember sitting in the now-defunct theatre on Eglinton East BAWLING my eyes out for half of the screening. The story is a about a young man (a teacher) who returns home to help his mother bury his father. I had just gone home to Winnipeg for my grandmother's funeral in December '99 and this film touched every raw nerve and homesick sinew in my body. My eyes still tear up just thinking about it. January's doc should be just as interesting.

Hardish's sister Baily is coincidentally in China RIGHT NOW! Merry Christmas B - wish I could see the Terra Cotta Warriors with you.

Olympic Torch Relay (Toronto Happens blog)

2009-12-16T22:11:00.006-05:00

Just got an email about a new blog Toronto Happens. Lots of exciting/quirky events:

Thinking about going to Nathan Phillips Square tomorrow (Thurs Dec 17) to see the Olympic Torch Relay. The nephew of a work colleague has a visual disability and is going to be carrying the torch in Markham tomorrow. Good for him! I really want to see the torch - or at least touch people who touch the torch (it's not kinky - just cool!) Wish I could have been selected as a torch bearer (sigh...)

The Toronto Happens blog is also advertising Santarchy on Saturday, December 19 and a No Pants Subway Ride starting from Queen's Park on January 10, 2010. Sounds hilarious! (and not for the faint of heart)

Golden Globe Noms

2009-12-16T07:20:00.008-05:00

Golden Globe noms in
Awards season has begun!
Here are my top picks:

haikugirl is DELIGHTED for Jason Reitman that Up in the Air scored 6 nominations and leads the pack: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Actor and 2 Best Actresses (Vera Farmiga and Anna Kendrick are both up). This film was one of my favourites at TIFF. See it now in theatres and cheer for it in the new year.

I can't believe I've only seen 1 of the Best Picture nominees. Les Filles will have to get out to another movie together before the Golden Globes are handed out on January 17, 2010. Good for other Best Director nominees Quentin and Kathryn Bigelow. Heard a lot about The Hurt Locker. Should rent it now that it's on DVD.

Nine is in 2nd place with 5 nominations including: Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress, Best Original Song. Been waiting to see this movie for MONTHS. Literally! And Sandra Bullock and Meryl Streep are both nominated twice. Good for them and for Emily Blunt in The Young Victoria (TIFF Closing Night Gala). I've only seen Julie and Julia but plan to see The Young Victoria this weekend.

Mo'Nique and Gabourey Sidibe and Precious are nominated. Will have to see this film (it will be tough to watch, despite the great performances). I was happy that Joseph Gordon-Levitt (JGL) was nominated for Best Actor for 500 Days of Summer (loved it!) and Richard's favourite new show is The Good Wife with Julianna Margulies so good for her. Other noms that made me smile: Glee, Broken Embraces, The Hangover.

I predicted in my last post that John Lithgow would be nominated for a Golden Globe for Dexter and I was right! He has stiff competition in the Best Supporting Actor in a TV series, mini-series or motion picture category: Jeremy Piven of Entourage has been nominated 4 years in a row (he won in 2007), not to mention the uber-talented Neil Patrick Harris (MMP hearts NPH), oh and did I mention Academy Award Winner William Hurt? (Kiss of the Spider Woman in 1986) Still, I think John will close the deal. He's due for another GG since winning for 3rd Rock from the Sun back in '97 and his creepiness is without peer. Go Dexter, Go Dexter.

Plus, have to say I LOVED watching the announcements (recorded on my PVR): Justin Timberlake is a DOLL. Can't wait to get out there, get shopping and SEE SOME MOVIES!

Best Book Club EVER!

2009-12-13T19:27:00.023-05:00

Thank you, thank you to Catherine Gildiner for so graciously joining us at our book club on Monday, December 7th. Cathy, it was such a pleasure to meet you! We could have listened to your stories all night long! We love Cathy! A toast to you...

Everyone loved your first memoir Too Close to the Falls - of course, it's our founder/photographer Terry's Favourite Book EVER. And the followup book After The Falls was just as funny, poignant and memorable.
Cathy - please keep us in the loop for your next book (and BEYOND!)

Some links to share:
--> Cathy's blog (hilarious)
--> hear Cathy's interview with Shelagh Rogers (Nov 16/09)
--> see our book club at Stones Place for the launch of After the Falls and Terry and I getting our books signed (Oct 7/09)

Thanks to Ivana for coordinating our night with Cathy and to EVERYONE for your company and all the wonderful treats.

Special Thanks to Terry for the gorgeous photos of our evening!

As promised, here is the link to Elizabeth Gilbert's speech (Feb 2009) about inspiration, creativity and just showing up. Ole to you, my friends!

I first heard and blogged about this speech in April 2009 - it really changed my view of her. Anita, I invite you to take the 19 minutes to watch it and then see if you want to get back to Eat, Pray Love -->"soon to be a major motion picture" starring Julie Roberts (even though My Life is Not a Movie Starring Julia Roberts), featuring Javier (Ivana!!) and directed by --are you ready?-- Ryan Murphy (creator of Glee!!)

And finally, here is the link to Dexter - Season 4 Finale - I'll be glued to my HDTV at 9 tonight. (John Lithgow is sooooo creepy - I predict a Golden Globe nom!)

The Young Victoria

2009-12-13T18:28:00.004-05:00

Just saw an interview of Jean-Marc Vallee, Director of The Young Victoria (who also directed C.R.A.Z.Y. one of our favourite films of TIFF 2005). Opens Friday - looks sumptuous and Emily Blunt looks amazing. Queen Victoria is truly an example of an inspiring, strong woman (like our favourite author Cathy Gildiner!)

Link to TIFF 2005 reviews on "haikugirl's old blog"

Found this website devoted to reviews of period dramas. Just saw Mrs. Brown with Judi Dench about her later life - quite a contrast to The Young Victoria.

Oscar-nominated docs

2009-11-20T08:35:00.005-05:00

This week 15 docs were short-listed for the Oscars. Films must have been released before September 30 to qualify.

Discussion in the blogosphere has focused on the omissions, rather than the nominees. Saw The Beaches of Agnes (Les Plages d'Agnes) by Agnes Varda at last year's TIFF and it was absolutely lovely. The Cove was one of my faves at this year's Hot Docs. Tyson was also popular at Hot Docs but I didn't see it and I still haven't seen Capitalism or Good Hair. I'd like to see more from the list, like The Garden. It screened at the Big Sky Documentary Film Fest (see their blog), which is also where Marathon Women screened following our premiere at Hot Docs.

Read more:
>>The Playlist
>>The Envelope
>> for good measure... Werner Herzog's 1999 Minnesota Declaration (love this blast from the past - the late 90's was the last time I was in Minnesota at the Walker Art Centre)

Doc Soup 2 - boo

2009-11-20T07:39:00.005-05:00

October Country, Doc Soup's second screening on Wednesday, November 18th, was very disappointing. It was all I could do to sit through until the end. I did not stay for the Q&A although the filmmakers were in attendance.

The film was described as "A beautifully rendered portrait of an American family struggling for stability, this vibrant and intimate documentary examines the forces that unsettle the working poor and the violence that lurks beneath the surface of American life."

Makes it sound alright, kind of like this review of October Country. Whenever someone says "lyrical meditation" in their description of a doc, warning bells ring in my head (are you listening Jennifer Baichwal?) Upon re-reading, I should have recognized THE CODE:
>> vibrant? No. The pacing was sleep-inducing (HkD had a great 20 minute nap during the screening)
>> violence? Yup. All 3 generations of women in this film were victims of abuse (psychological, physical, sexual). On camera they were seen repeatedly slapping the men (or toys) in their lives. Even the male foster kid dressed up as a female abuse victim for Halloween, complete with his friend in a T-shirt labeled Wife Beater.
>> intimate? Sure. The interviews were shot in extreme close-up and I guess you could call it brave that this guy aired ALL of his family's skeletons, secrets, misery onscreen. But the characters were not sympathetic so I couldn't relate and I didn't care what happened to them. They were totally resigned, full of blame and unmotivated to change. Even the young single mother just gave her baby over to her wife-beating, drug smoking ex and shrugged. Not good enough, sorry.

I avoided seeing Precious at TIFF this year because the trailers were enough for me (although I hope the performances are recognized at Oscar time) Despite the tough subject matter, that film seems to point to redemption at the end. I never watch the show Intervention but Wednesday's film felt like an entire season rolled into 90 minutes. I always look forward to my monthly doc screening because I always learn something new. Not this time. At least next month's film Tibet in Song sounds exotic.

Weekend in Winnipeg

2009-11-16T00:01:00.011-05:00

My family weekend in Winnipeg has been jam-packed and very enjoyable. It has been great to see my parents, my brother, and my Uncle Bill and Uncle Sam.

Spent much of my time redesigning my Dad's website - please visit and bookmark: http://web.me.com/semeon_hrushovetz/
I've been doing a lot of web design lately at work. We launched our new ministry intranet last week before I left on vacation - very gratifying to see that go LIVE after many months of collaboration and revisions (too bad you can't see it because it's inside our firewall :-)

Visited the Winnipeg Art Gallery (WAG) -- saw some amazing Innuit carvings, an interesting exhibition of modern Cuban art and the wonderful Yousef Karsh exhibition.

Karsh's portraits are absolutely exquisite! Too many familiar subjects to name but a few favourites: I really liked Jacques Cousteau (he had Uncle Wes' nose), Audrey Hepburn (looked gorgeous), the profile of Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier looked like it could have been used for the flipside of a coin, W.H. Auden's face had the deepest ridges I'd ever seen, Frank Lloyd Wright was smiling and smoking, Mies van der Rohe looked like Alfred Hitchcock, Picasso and Andy Warhol stared the photographer straight in the eyes, and Muhammad Ali looked young, powerful and handsome in a pinstripe suit.

Our Chinese food dinner last night was AWESOME! The leftovers tonight were just as good. How come I haven't found great Chinese in Toronto?

Of course, we've been to the Casino (Club Regent). I love my Wheel of Fortune slot machine whenever it doubles my money :-) Didn't win the big jackpot but there's always another day.

Winnipeg weekend:
dinners, websites, church, art, slots
family, no snow

Send me to Sundance!

2009-11-13T15:34:00.007-05:00

Dear Friends of haikugirl,

Last Sunday I entered a video contest. The filmmaker of the winning video goes to Sundance in January 2010.

PLEASE - SEND me to SUNDANCE!!

Simply follow the link to view my video and login to VOTE for haikugirl:
http://lovethephone.com/node/176

Registered voters can also win prizes so please tell your friends - and check out some of the other fun videos on the site: lovethephone.com

FYI - I'm blogging to you from Winnipeg! Bombers are out but it's a gorgeous sunny day here. Home for a fun-filled family weekend doing the 4Cs: Casino, Costco, Chinese Food and Church (almost in that order)

The September Issue

2009-10-23T06:44:00.018-04:00

Calling all Fashionistas (and everyone else who just loves a juicy doc!)

Doc Soup kicked off its 2009/10 Season in Toronto on Wednesday night with the Canadian Premiere of The September Issue - a 90-minute documentary about Vogue magazine Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour and the 5 months it took her and her staff to produce the September 2007 issue of Vogue (all 644 pages worth). Directed by R.J. Cutler, this film is an absolute treat! Rather than focusing on the celebrity side of fashion (although Sienna Miller does come to shoot the cover and her hair is so bad they want to put her in a wig), we see the interplay between these very strong, larger-than-life (sometimes passive, agressive) characters. An intriguing look behind-the-scenes into a fascinating and fast-paced world. After the screening, we had a "green" Q&A with the Director via Skype with lots of funny stories (how Anna had several "suggestions" for the edited film and wore her sunglasses during the entire screening at Sundance.)

The September Issue (TSI) opens in Canadian theatres this weekend (it's playing at Varsity). Join the Facebook fan site and SEE THIS FILM - or at least watch the trailer. Just like the trailer for Nine, it demands repeat viewing and creates instant converts.

And besides, it's Fashion Week in Toronto.

And The House of Pomegranates just wrapped their awesomely successful, elegant (and deathly) Scary Monster Beautiful gallery show and sale at Gallery 1313 on Queen West. Congratulations!

Now everyone, go forth, watch, and SHOP!

Coco Avant Chanel and Nine

2009-10-18T14:18:00.005-04:00

Last night the Film Club was reunited to see Coco Avant Chanel at the Varsity. We made the traditional pilgrimage to the Pilot afterwards for beers and burgers.

Enjoyed the movie - nice and relaxing. Audrey Tautou was excellent; Alessandro Nivola (of Junebug) was okay. The wealthy Balsan played by Benoit Poelvoorde stole the show. Pavlina reminded me he was also the voice of Steven the neighbourhood farmer in the stop-motion animated movie we saw during TIFF this year: Panique au Village (A Town Called Panic). This was the first animated movie invited to Cannes. It was pretty funny.

We also saw the trailer for Nine, the new film by Rob Marshall. Each time I see it I get giddy with excitement. A fun game I like to play is "count the number of Oscar winners in the trailer". This one features a tough-to-beat total of six: Daniel Day-Lewis, Dame Judi Dench, Nicole Kidman, Penelope Cruz, Marion Cotillard and Sophia Loren. Oh and bonus points to Pavlina and me (she for spotting Kate Hudson in a silver mini-dress, me for spotting Fergie (aka Stacy Ferguson) with a tambourine.) The whole thing just makes me want to get up and dance. And spray champagne. And drive in a convertible to Positano. And BE ITALIAN!

This is DEFINITELY the #1 upcoming Film Club pick - in theatres November 25th (not Christmas Day) so we can see it together opening weekend! (I can wait until Christmas for Sherlock Holmes.)

I LOVE GLEE! I'm a GLEEK!

2009-10-02T22:20:00.006-04:00

I confess - I LOVE GLEE! I'm a Gleek. This new series on Fox has me singin (and dancin') in the street. The musical numbers are DOPE.

Here are some awesome MUST-SEE clips:

What is GLEE?

official extended series trailer

Kurt's Beyonce teaser

Who is Josh Groban?

obsessed with Glee

Dance Bootcamp with Zach!

haikugirl's TIFF screenings

2009-09-13T09:21:00.004-04:00

Good Sunday Morning! I see Up in the Air today at 11:00am at the Elgin. I hope Jason Reitman comes for Q&A.

Saw Fish Tank Saturday at the Winter Garden and really enjoyed it. Talked to Director Andrea Arnold and Festival Co-Director Cameron Bailey afterward (great cocktail story I'll tell you about sometime.)

Opening Night Thursday saw Broken Embraces at the Elgin with Penelope - delightful! Set the TIFF '09 bar high since I'm calling it the best movie I've seen in the past 2 years. As Penelope says: Pedro is a "magic man".

TIFF and the TIFF Project are moving along nicely. Just bought a wide angle lens for my awesome Sony camera.

Bon Festival!