CMW
That’s right, it’s a film about The Doors. And it’s narrated by Johnny Depp. Those are two very good reasons to check it out. Written and directed by Tom DiCillo, the documentary When You’re Strange: A Film About The Doors is playing at select locations throughout Toronto tonight, April 15, and Saturday April 17....
Even a full day after I saw Michelle Gun Elephant Thee Movie: Last Heaven 031011 as part of the CMW Film Festival, I’m not sure why I did, but I’m glad that I sat through the two hour and twenty minute audio onslaught (rather than the advertised 119 minute version). The longer-cut was not originally asked for by the festival’s programmers, but the fine folks at Nikkatsu studios thought that us Canadians would probably enjoy that more, and without subtitles....
The newest film from director Shane Meadows (This is England, Dead Man’s Shoes) finds the Brit taking on the mock-doc but still with the flair of his usual films in a love for music and a soft spot for the rejects of society. Le Donk and Scor-Zay-Zee is no different, and quite possibly the lowest of the low in society, but Le Donk (Patrick Considine) still has dreams of stardom in his roommate and wannabe rapper Scor-Zay-Zee (playing himself, I’m not kidding.) If only Scorze can get a slot at a massive Arctic Monkeys gig....
The Canadian premiere of photographer Sam Taylor-Wood’s directorial debut came as the closing feature of the CMW Film Festival. Nowhere Boy details the late teenage years of John Lennon in Liverpool as he struggles with family and passions, but offers much more. When many think of the early years of the clean-cut Beatles, smiling honestly with eyes full of wonder, very little mind is actually paid to the trials and tribulations that they — Lennon specifically — faced before making it big....
The second day of the CMW Film Festival, now at The Royal, which was kicked off by Seperado! from Gruff Rhys of the Welsh band the Super Furry Animals. Clearly aware of the caveats of a typical “road movie” that bands and artists typically phone in for a profit, Rhys, like his music, takes a completely different turn. More like a psychedelic folktale than a simple retelling of his South American tour, Rhys manages to create meaning without getting lost in the eccentricities that have sometimes hampered the Furries over nine albums. Instead the flourishes are provided over top of...
