Oh What A Night

The dresses. The films. The awkward hosts. There is just something about the Oscars that I look forward to every year.

To get ready for the evening, the boyfriend and I printed off ballot sheets to vote for our choices. Whoever lost owed the other one a post-workout back massage this week, which I was very pleased about because I already knew I was going to win. The odds were kind of in my favour anyways considering that I went to film school, work in the industry and had seen many of the film nominated. But he was a good sport and filled out a ballot card. In the end he scored 8 and I scored 12 out of the 24 awards presented last night. Not too shabby!

We also made a delicious dinner of Spinach and Feta Stuffed Pork Tenderloin (recipe up tomorrow), with his favorite Roasted Broccoli. He seriously could eat a whole baking sheet of the stuff if I would make it for him.

I have to admit that I wasn't crazy about Anne Hathaway and James Franco as the Oscar hosts. She was good, but nothing spectacular and he just seemed to be bored/stoned. However, I did like the opening clip that they did using all the films nominated for Best Picture. Here's a clip:

While I thoroughly enjoyed watching the show in my sweats at home, I was envious of all the gorgeous dresses worn last night. The glitz and glamour gets me everytime. I never get tired of seeing the wonderful creations that Halle Berry, Sandra Bullock, Reese Witherspoon, Hilary Swank and Gwyneth Paltrow wear.

Natalie Portman looked absolutely radiant in her fuchsia gown when she went up to accept her award for Best Actress. I thought it was so sweet when she thanked her parents for showing her "every day how to be a good human being by example" and her fiance for giving her the "most important role of my life".

I think one of my favorite newcomers to the red carpet was the young Hailee Steinfeld, who was nominated for Best Supporting Actress in True Grit. She looked cute, sweet and dressed appropriately for such a young actress, while still looking very fashionable.
After a long award show (they really do seem to go on forever!), we were absolutely wiped and hit the hay. Now we have a new list of films that we want to see, including The King's Speech. I wasn't too keen on it before, but after all the hype last night I'd love to see what its like.

My Favorite Christmas Movies

This weekend, my little 6 year old cousin has been staying with us for her annual Christmas sleepover. We do crafts, drink hot chocolate, decorate the tree and of course watch plenty of Christmas movies. Seeing how excited she gets about Christmas reminds me of how much I LOVED it as a kid (and still do). My sister, brother and I would watch Christmas movies the whole month of December, sometimes even on repeat.

Curled up with her on the couch this morning watching Christmas cartoons, it got me thinking about all the Christmas movies that I have loved so much over the years. Its a tradition to watch these every year and when we don't, things just don't feel right. There were always plenty of classic cartoons to watch like Rudolph, The Grinch, Frosty and Mickey's Christmas Carol, but here are some of the ones that have stuck with us as we've gotten older.

We love Christmas Vacation so much that our old VHS copy was practically worn out and was replaced with a DVD as soon as we could. I remember one year my sister and I watched it over and over again, every few days. Needless to say, we can recite it line for line. Anyone who spends the holidays with lots of family can relate to the mayhem and chaos, but I can't picture it any other way.

Muppets! Sesame Street! Fraggle Rock! What more could you want in a Christmas special? Muppet Family Christmas always makes me feel warm and happy. Its childhood nostalgia at its finest. I don't know if its the talking snowman, a house full of Muppets, the Swedish Chef determined to cook Big Bird or  the wonderful renditions of Christmas carols that gets to me most. Probably a combination of everything. (Hint: You can watch the entire thing on YouTube in the clip I linked about)

In The Family Stone, the house is a character unto itself, and the quirky family that fills it is just icing on the cake. The film is full of a great cast: Diane Keaton, Craig T. Nelson, Sarah Jessica Parker, Dermot Mulronney, Luke Wilson, Rachel McAdams and Claire Danes to name a few. Every time that I watch it, I wish that there as more afterwards. I fall in love with the characters and want to see how their lives continue onward. To learn more about the house, check out what Hooked on Houses has to say.

As a kid, the idea of having the whole house to myself like in Home Alone sounded like so much fun, up until the point where he had to defend his house from the bad guys...and the tarantula. I could do without that. I still like to watch it when its on TV during the holidays. Young Macaulay Culkin is just too cute.

Not exactly the most uplifting Christmas movie (there is alot of heartbreak in there), Love Actually follows a series of Londoners in the six weeks leading up to Christmas. With fantastic performances by Hugh Grant, Emma Thompson, Liam Neilson, Keira Knightly and Bill Nighly. Its a modern take on what the holidays are really about.

My all-time favorite Christmas movie has to be Its a Wonderful Life. It holds a special place in our family's hearts because 21 years ago this December 21st my mother had my little sister and had to spend Christmas Eve night alone in the hospital. That night Its a Wonderful Life was on the television in her hospital room as the snow came down outside and she watched it while holding on to my newborn sister. Its the first movie my sister ever "watched" and it reminds us all of that little Christmas baby that came home the next day on Christmas morning.

While writing this post, I realized that there are so many more Christmas movies that I love and wanted to share, but I just didn't have enough time to write about them all. A Christmas Carol, Miracle on 34th Street, Scrooged, White Christmas, The Santa Clause, Elf, Jingle All The Way (My boyfriend's personal favorite. He's a big Arnold fan), Home for Christmas, Just Friends, Bad Santa, The Family Man, Prancer, Gremlins (it counts!), Die Hard (it also counts!), Holiday Inn, Shop Around the Corner, the list goes on....

And now I turn it to you:

What are your favorite Christmas movies? 

Toronto International Film Festival 2010 Recap

 
The past two weeks have been a flurry of activity here in Toronto with all the press and industry people here to cover the 35th Toronto International Film Festival. Being a part of the film industry here in Toronto, I took full advantage of the festivities, putting in lots of work, but lots of play as well.

My beautiful friend C and her husband (Who have 6 kids together! Can you believe it?) invited me along to the Entertainment Tonight Canada party one night. It was a great way to enjoy all the excitement of the festival.

We got to see the delectable Canadian hottie Scott Speedman (and his mother too, haha). He is every bit as interesting and charming as he is handsome.

I also happened to run into Morgan Spurlock, the director of Super Size Me. His current film is called Freakonomics, done with five other rogue documentary filmmakers who explain the hidden size of everything. I'm looking forward to seeing that one soon.

While the days were filled with meetings and events, there were lots of great nights spent out with friends. These lovely ladies danced the night away at an event in Yorkville.

Another night we ran into Canada's own Emmanuelle Chriqui from Entourage at the Spoke Club. Although I would have loved to meet Ryan Kwanten too! I love him on True Blood.

There was also a late night run in with Will.I.Am at the Nikki Beach party.

Another highlight of the festival is getting coveted invite to the exclusive Canadian Film Centre's BBQ. Full of great people, good food and fun drinks, its always a blast.

This year Tokyo Police Club was the surprise band. They did an amazing set and had everyone stopping what they were doing to watch them.

While I was at the CFC BBQ I ran into veteran actor Gordon Pinsent!

There were also many of Canada's great young actors present. Particularly some very good looking ones like Eric Johnson (Smallville, Flash Gordon, Rookie Blue).

Another blue-eyed beauty at the BBQ was Craig Olejnik (The Listener). What is it about a great event that brings out some good looking guys like this ;)

And just so that you don't think I spent the whole time gawking at good looking men, I also had a chat with a Canadian actress who I greatly admire: the lovely Nadia Litz.

Of course I had to take advantage of some of the great chocolates they were giving out and took one home to enjoy for a mid-office day sugar high. Yum!

I also got to see a few films during the festival:

Tamara Drewe
"A young newspaper writer returns to her hometown in the English countryside, where her childhood home is being prepped for sale."
The trailer for this film plays it up to be a romantic comedy, but it is so much more than that! Its funny, charming and far more entertaining than I expected.

Stone
"A convicted arsonist looks to manipulate a parole officer into a plan to secure his parole by placing his beautiful wife in the lawman's path."
It is great to see Robert DeNiro as the morally struggling parole officer, but it is ED Norton who shines as the troubled convict. He also manages to get some good laughs out of the audience.

Everything Must Go
"When an alcoholic relapses, causing him to lose his wife and his job, he holds a yard sale on his front lawn in an attempt to start over. A new neighbor might be the key to his return to form."
It was refreshing to see Will Ferrell in a dramatic role and he is fantastic in this film. It is fascinating to watch his character hit rock bottom and then go through every material thing that he owns to pull himself out of it. I highly recommend seeing this when it comes out.

Super
"After his wife falls under the influence of a drug dealer, an everyday guy transforms himself into Crimson Bolt, a superhero with the best intentions, though he lacks for heroic skills."
First off, this isn't like any other superhero film you've seen. I know that people said that about Watchmen and then Kick-Ass, but I really mean it here. Its violent and spiritual at the same time. It was great to see Rainn Wilson break out of from the shadow of the role of Dwight Schrute on The Office and step out into the spotlight.

And don't even get me started on Ellen Page. This girl is only going up.

(which is ironic, because she is so short!)

Black Swan

Two years after he brought us The Wrestler, Darren Alfonosky was back at the festival again with this incredibly intense and powerful film. You don't need to be a fan of the ballet to appreciate the beauty (and brutality) behind the dance. Natalie Portman gives one of the greatest performances of her life as the physically and emotionally fragile ballerina Nina, who is consumed with playing the coveted dual role of the lovely Swan Queen and the evil Black Swan in Swan Lake. I was on the edge of my seat throughout the entire film, and even jumped a few times. It is definitely a must-see when it comes out in theatres this December.

The Trip
This film is the feature version of a British series that is airing this Fall. Steve Coogan plays a food critic for the UK's Observer who is joined on a working roadtrip with his impersonator friend Rob Brydon. Be prepared to laugh until your stomach hurts as these two go back-and-forth over who has the best Michael Caine impression.

Peep World
Michael C. Hall, Rainn Wilson, Sarah Silverman and Ben Schwartz really know how to put the fun in dysfunctional in this quirky film. On the day of their father's 70th birthday party, the four siblings come to terms with the release of a novel written by the youngest sibling, that exposes the family's most intimate secrets.

I also got to see some great Canadian films:

Small Town Murder Songs
"A modern, gothic tale of crime and redemption about an aging police officer from a small Ontario Mennonite town who hides a violent past until a local murder upsets the calm of his newly reformed life."
Set in a small town in Southern Ontario, I could relate a great deal to the characters in the town. My dear friend Amy came along for her first festival screening, so it was a real treat for her to get to see the director and actors on stage. The beautiful Jill Hennessy (Crossing Jordan) was fantastic in the film.

The Whistleblower
"A drama based on the experiences of Kathryn Bolkovac, a Nebraska cop who served as a peacekeeper in post-war Bosnia and outed the U.N. for covering up a sex scandal."
This film was extremely graphic and powerful in its representation of the horrific sex trade occurring in Eastern Europe. This Canadian German co-production was able to get a fantastic cast including Rachel Weisz, Monica Bellucci and Vanessa Redgrave.

On the one morning that I actually had time (and energy) to go for a run, I ran past Canadian director Bruce McDonald (The Tracey Fragments, Hard Core Logo, Pontypool, Trigger). I've had the chance to meet him before and so I absent mindedly waved at him as a ran by (that small town instinct to be friendly, even when you're drenched in sweat). He gave me a fleeting confused look, and I was a bit too embarrassed by my quick move to stop and properly re-introduce myself. So...I just kept running. Hopefully I don't see him again for alittle while. Or that he doesn't remember me. Like Don McKellar on the right. I had an embarrassing introduction to him about 5 years ago and but thats for another time.

On a final note, I leave you with the photobooth film strip that C and I took at the Guess booth. It is a great idea, because not only does it bring back that nostalgia from being a kid at the mall (which going to was always a big deal for a kid from a small town), but also because this particular machine prints out DOUBLES! Thats, right, no need to fight over who gest the top two or the bottom two. Great idea. I'll have to remember this for the next event I need to do.

Well that is my condensed, sporadic account of the Toronto International Film Festival. It was also full of meetings with foreign industry delegates and happy hour at the Filmmakers Lounge, but I figured that you wouldn't be too keen on that part. It was many glasses of white wine, passing of business cards and discussing the new shift of the festival from uptown to downtown.

Another year of TIFF as come and gone and now I'm ready for three things:

F.L.S. = Food. Laundry. Sleep.

(And catching up on Jersey Shore!)

Be sure to check out my post about the Opening Gala of this year's Toronto International Film Festival, as well as Whiskey's recap of last year's Festival.

Some images credited to the Toronto International Film Festival.

And so it begins...

Yesterday was the kick off of the 2010 Toronto International Film Festival!

The centerpiece of the festival was a large, amazing ice sculpture in the shape of a hockey rink. Little square shot glasses of vodka were set in holes in the rink. People could take one out and slide it around on the ice. Later on, some pucks came out and were tossed around on the rink like an air hockey table. Seeing people have fun and play during all the mayhem of the festival is a refreshing sight to see.

My dear friend Justin got right into the theme of the night and enjoyed some Pink Candy Popcorn. I didn't even know they made it still!

Although the place was packed with local filmmakers, TIFF staff and international delegates, there were some recognisable faces in the crowd. Callum Keith Rennie (Californication, Harpers Island)  made an appearance, as did actor/director David Schwimmer and Canadian comedian David Foley. Funny story about seeing David...when he came into the venue, Justin and I happened to be by the doors and I start seeing cameras going off everywhere. I turn to Justin and ask "Is that David Schwimmer?" at the same time that he asked me "Where did that lady get popcorn?". I literally had to turn his head away from the delicious food long enough to see 'Ross'. Justin then proceeded to sing the Friends theme song all the way to the popcorn booth. That sums us up: I'm looking for the excitement. He's looking for the food.

Many local artists came out too, including Metric. I love these guys. Sooo good!

Before the party last night, I picked up my badge and my swag bag. It was full of lots of great goodies, like a Pizza Nova gift card, 3D glasses to use on the NFB website, information on the upcoming Tim Burton exhibit, Blackberry Mints (sooo good!) and even a pack of microwave popcorn.

I've gone through all the program guides, circling the films that I really want to catch while they're at the festival. I'm trying to focus on international films that may not go to theatres here in Canada, however its hard not to be tempted to go see some of the big features screening this year.

Leading up to the festival, I tried to get as much done as I could beforehand. My favorite high heels are out and polished (sort of...). I've ironed all my dresses and shirts (well...most of them....wrinkles are in, right?). And I tried to stock the fridge up with healthy and delicious food options to deter me from taking advantage of all the easily avaliable junk food around.

Well I'm off to some screenings and then cocktail party fun. I'll be sure to keep you guys posted on how the festival is going!

Be sure to check out Whiskey's coverage of the festival last year! (including an appearance by the one and only George Clooney!)

Summer Movie Madness!

As a film student, one of my favorite things about summer are the big movies that come out every year. Its a constant dilemma whether to stay outside to enjoy the sunshine or go seek the comfort of an air conditioned theatre. The solution: Going to the Drive-In! Here are just a few of the films that I'm looking forward to catching this summer.

Christopher Nolan (the director who brought us The Dark Knight, Batman Begins and Memento) is back with another tantalizing film with the much anticipated Inception. My intern in so psyched about this film that he talks about it every day. Its hard not to be excited where there is someone at your office just bubbling with it.

Julia Roberts returns to the big screen with the big screen adaptation of Elizabeth Gilbert's best selling book Eat, Pray, Love. This may just do to India and Indonesia what Under the Tuscan Sun did for Italy. Woman around the world will be booking flights before the night is over!


Last year during the Toronto International Film Festival I was able to catch a screening of the indie film Ondine with Colin Farrell. I ran into him twice when he was in town for the festival and he is even more handsome in real life. The film is a touching story of an Irish fisherman who finds a beautiful woman in his fishing net and believes that she is a mermaid.

And last but not least, I am going to feed my comedy addiction with Will Farrell and Mark Wahlberg (who will forever be Marky Marky to me) in their new buddy cop comedy The Other Guys. It may turn out to be horrible and cheesy, but sometimes thats the whole point of watching films like that. A little bit of escapism never hurt anybody ;)

What movies are you looking forward to this summer?

Drive-in Night: American Graffiti

Last weekend my family (minus my sister who sadly had to work) headed to London, Ontario to go to the Fleetwood Country Cruize-in. They were doing a drive-in screening of the 1973 cult classic American Graffiti on the Friday night and we couldn't wait to catch it on the big screen.

And to make the weekend even better, we decided to take my dad's prized 1967 Camaro. I love this car and its so rare that we get to take it on fun road trips so it was a real treat.

I think my dad was pretty happy to drive it too.

About ten years ago my dad drove this all the way home from Portland, Oregon. I remember the look on my mom's face when she saw the car pull into the driveway. The body, hood and doors were all different colours and the interior was falling apart. But looking at it now after my dad has put so much work into it you'd never know what it was like before.

Maybe one day I'll convince him to let me take it for a little road trip of my own.

My mom's friend decided to bring her VW beetle along to the drive-in too.

The boys helped her get it all ready to hit the road.

Cruising through London on the way to the drive-in.

We made it to the drive in (otherwise known as a field), drove painfully slow down a mile long gravel road (seriously, who planned this?) only to discover that it was a swampy mess! The Camaro was stuck in 4 inches of mud before the movie even started.

All that we could do was stay put, pour some rum and cokes and watch the film. We thankfully made it out with some pushing and skillful driving (Thanks Dad!), but there were dozens of classic cars stuck. They were towing them out one by one until 3am.

Even some of the modern cars were stuck.

The boys got out of the car to help push everything out of the muck.

The Beetle didn't seem to have any trouble zipping out of there. All that light German engineering.

My mom's friend and her boys were sure proud of getting their Beetle out of the mud and back home.

The poor Camaro was covered in mud. We were hosing it off in the driveway until 1am. After spending the entire day detailing it inside and out, lets just say that Dad wasn't a particularly happy camper.

My dad's good friend Per was there to help push us out, as you can see by all the mud he is covered in. What a good sport.

Now this looks like the brother that I knew growing up. Covered in mud with a big grin on his face.

My brother, Dad and Per after the drive-in. Dad is trying to point out that he got a little bit of mud on his toe (he was in the car driving the whole time while the others pushed).

Despite lots of mud and mess it was a great night that I'm sure we'll be laughing about for years to come.