With last weekend’s whirlwind of excitement between Canada Day, Pride, and the Eurocup, you may want to take it easy this weekend with a few movies. If you aren’t sure what to see, this is what’s happening on the Scene for Saturday, July 7, 2012.
If you have kids, or are just a big kid at heart yourself, then Cineplex’s ongoing Family Favourites series is right up your alley. This morning at 11:00 am you can catch The Spongebob Squarepants Movie at select Cineplex locations. With a ticket price of only $2.50, air conditioning, and proceeds going to Starlight Children’s Foundation, you can’t really go wrong with this early screening.
Another way to support charity through film this weekend is attending The Projection Booth’s Fright Nights presented by Fangoria. It happens tonight at 8:00 pm with two Canadian horror films, If a Tree Falls and Kill. The ticket is $10 for both films, with half the proceeds going to the charity, Drop in the Bucket, which helps to ensure safe drinking water for war torn countries.
There’s a great line-up at TIFF Bell Lightbox today. If you’re asking me, I’d start in the early afternoon and spend my entire day watching their offerings. Jaws continues its theatrical run with four show times throughout the day. The wonderful documentary, Jiro Dreams of Sushi, is playing twice at 12:45 pm and 6:15 pm. If you haven’t watched this doc yet, I wholeheartedly recommend it. If you want to make it a documentary double bill, the crowd favourite Marley about Bob Marley is playing at 2:45 pm and 8:30 pm.
Feeling a little more rock n’ roll than reggae? The Bloor Cinema is screening the concert film to end all concert films, the Maysles’ Brothers Gimme Shelter about The Rolling Stones. This is the first screening of the day at 3:30 pm, with documentaries Unfinished Spaces and Coast Modern to follow at 6:30 pm and 9:00 pm, respectively.
The summer festival season is still in full swing today with two first-time festivals, the Toronto Animation Arts Festival International (TAAFI) and the North Korean Human Rights Film Festival. TAAFI is a festival dedicated to local and international animation, featuring screenings, panel discussions, and workshops. Notably, you can attend a rare screening of the Canadian cult favourite Rock and Rule at 7:00 pm, with a reunion Q&A afterwards. If you’re looking for something that the whole family can enjoy, there is a Family Animation Workshop at the NFB Mediatheque starting at 12:45 pm. Check out their website for the full festival line-up.
On a more socially conscious note, the North Korean Human Rights Film Festival focuses on the plights and injustices faced by North Koreans. The festival runs at Innis Town Hall, with three screenings today: Yodok Stories, with a special preview of The Defector presented by director Ann Shin, Dear Pyongyang, and Friends of Kim. All three films promise to deliver the real North Korea, a perspective that is rarely seen until now.
With so much to choose from today, I hope you’re not too movie-d out to check back for Sunday’s happenings on the Toronto film scene.
Danita Steinberg
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wonderful and thoughtful piece with such a informative perspective. The support for a variety of real world issues as well as straight up fun for all ages is beautifully handled. Much appreciated.