With more than 300 films showing at TIFF this year, including 112 world premieres, it’s no easy task selecting which ones to go see. Since we’re always here to help, here’s our top five picks and one pan.
The Bang Bang Club
The Bang Bang Club tops our watch-worthy TIFF flicks list. Featuring an eclectic cast (including Toronto’s own Malin Ackerman), The Bang Bang Club tells the story of a group of photographers who attempt to document the demise of the apartheid. A must-see for shutterbugs and history buffs alike.
In a Better World
After seeing The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, we’ve got high hopes for Scandinavian cinema. We’re hoping In A Better World, directed by Susanne Bier, will continue—stylistically, at least—where the Stieg Larsson trilogy left off: providing viewers with suspense, intrigue and fast-paced motorcycle chases (yeah: we’re kidding about that last bit).
Jack Goes Boating
The Hoff (that’s Phillip Seymore Hoffman) makes his directorial debut with Jack Goes Boating. Apparently, a guy named Jack goes boating. And two American couples squabble, make up, and eventually betray one another. Starring John Ortiz, Daphne Rubin-Vega, Amy Ryan and, of course, Philip Seymour Hoffman.
The Trip
The Trip is England’s answer to North America’s Road Trip. Starring Steve Coogan (Steve Coogan!) and fellow funnyman Rob Brydon (Rob Brydon?), this UK-produced film will provide TIFF audiences with some much-needed comedic relief. And, yes: there will be cars, and there will be snacks.
Little White Lies
Well, the title of this French film pretty much says it all. And knowing that Marion Coutillard is a starring cast member (alongside actor/director Guillaume Canet) will likely entice you to see the film regardless of the content of our one-line plot summary.
PAN:
Peep World
The premise of Peep World goes a little something like this: the youngest of four siblings publishes a novel that exposes all of his family’s most intimate, dirty secrets. Sure, sounds intriguing enough (and the cast—which includes Rainn Wilson and Sarah Silverman— is killer)—but has the screenplay’s writer never heard of Facebook?