The TFS List
Trying to come up with a list of LGBT characters who aren’t solely defined by being the “catty, gay best friend” (think My Best Friend’s Wedding)–or whatever other stereotype a screenwriter can dredge up–is not the easiest thing in the world. Sadly, there aren’t all that many to choose from and even films that do feature LGBT characters as leads don’t always portray them as much more than a label. However, I’ve spun the invisible spinning wheel in my mind all day to try and create a list of some of the more well-rounded LGBT characters in film or, characters...
With Hot Docs quickly approaching, the TFS List is taking a look at the history of documentary filmmaking in this country, and a look at the NFB. As Canadians, we love our documentaries. As early back as 1922′s Nanook From of North, filmed in Northern Quebec, we have always supported this type of filmmaking. Despite being an American production, this early doc showed the world that our Home Land is the perfect place to showcase. Even though many of these scenes in Robert J. Flaherty’s film are now known to be staged, that particular form of filmmaking seemed to have...
The genre of the “buddy film” is historically male dominated, and has continued to be male dominated with films like Wedding Crashers and The Hangover being hugely successful. A lot of female friendships on film are the premise for sappy sob fests (I say that lovingly and as a huge fan of sappy sob fests like Beaches), but here is a list of funny women starring in funny films, alternately known as female buddy films. Instead of fart jokes and drunken shenanigans (not judging), these films are all genuine in their message, bring the laughs, and rise above the usual...
Admittedly, French Canadian cinema isn’t my strong suit. What little I knew about it, I learned from halfheartedly paying attention in a Canadian cinema course I took a few years ago. After writing this list, I can say I am only slightly more knowledgeable, but I am completely more willing to seek out the hidden gems of French Canadian films. I’ve separated this list into two categories: films that were extremely successful in Québec but failed to make the English Canada crossover; and films that were successful outside of just the Québec market. The one thing that all of these...
Roald Dahl is the coolest. As adults, we can learn a lot from kids ““ and Roald Dahl not only knew this, but he acknowledged it through his stories of ordinary children overcoming any and all obstacles. Through his books, and the movie adaptations that followed, Dahl’s young protagonists shine with innate kindness, wisdom, and resilience. Roald Dahl writes whimsy and dark humour better than anyone. Fantastical stories about witches, telekinesis, and candy factories serve as a backdrop for real stories about death, neglect, and poverty. Dahl expertly walks the fine line between horrible and hilarious so few are able...
In compiling a list of creepy Christmas classics, ones mind tends to go right for Black Christmas. I would include it in this list, but it’s already been covered so well, right here at Toronto Film Scene, that I’m going to skip it and offer up some alternatives. There’s certainly no shortage of horror films set at Christmas, it’s just that many of them aren’t very good. This was a lesson I learned when I attempted to watch a Christmas-themed horror film every day for a month. There were some incredible films among that list though, and these are the...
As we aptly demonstrated in this week’s cover story, the Bollywood industry is vast and has been through many transformations. While it can be said that all films made within India are technically part of “Bollywood”, the characteristic big musical dance numbers and epic love stories are not present in every film created in the Bollywood system. With this month’s TFS List, we wanted to draw your attention to some of the less brightly coloured films and highlight four films from Hindi cinema that are often overlooked. Pyaasa Pyaasa, which means “thirsty”, is a 1957 film about a young poet...
At Toronto Film Scene this month we’re looking at Horror, Canadian Style, but this list isn’t about the films – it’s all about the posters. An art form unto themselves, movie posters do much to set the tone or whet our appetite for a film. A great trailer or poster will get me to a theatre faster than anything else. They’re like a bite-sized morsel of movieness before the featured full helping. An appetizer, if you will. But horror posters are somehow more fun, more affecting than those of most other genres. Because horror films are meant to have a...
With almost 400 films playing at the 2012 Toronto International Film Festival, there are bound to be plenty of films that just don’t get the recognition they deserve. Since 1976, the first year of TIFF, thousands of films have been screened from every corner of the world. Some films may go on to receive a wide theatrical release, while others may never be seen again. To compile a list of TIFF films that may not have had their turn in the theatre was too daunting a task. There are so many movies that have graced the screens of TIFF that...
A whole decade can be summed up by its movies, whether it be through politics, dialogue, set design, or our topic for August, fashion. While defining a time, fashion in the movies also has a special way of transcending time, inspiring designers, trends, and fashionistas/fashionistos alike for years to come. Even beyond their original films, there is clothing that just stays with us – in popular culture, and in our ideas of style personified. Here are six fashions from the movies that do just that. This month Toronto Film Scene is unzipping the mystery surrounding Fashion in Film. Who are...
Here’s something I like to imagine: deep in the recesses of Chauvet Cave, one guy finished painting a horse and another guy walked up and said, “You know, you could paint a girl horse too and…” Even a cursory examination of the human history demonstrates that about as soon as people could make an image they could figure out a way to make that image pornographic. Love it, hate it, feel embarrassed to buy it; porn has been with us for a very long time and shows no signs of going anywhere. So it makes sense that even the most...
When it comes to Canadian music, few names stand out like Leonard Cohen. His work is prolific and beautifully literary in scope. It was easy to find five films for this list, given that there have been so many films made about this incredible artist, but choosing the ones that best represent his genius was the real trick. Can any film truly capture the essence of the father of Canadian creativity? A man who has inspired the work of so many, who, in their attempt to imitate his work have become genuine artists in their own right? And who am...
