Top 10 2011 TIFF Films

The Toronto International Film Festival screens over 300 films from over 60 countries during a span of 11 days.  So…how does one decide what to see? You could almost spend every afternoon and evening attending the films but someone’s got to make dinner and feed the kids. But there truly is something for everyone from children’s films to world cinema. Here are some of our picks of what we’d like to see …

1. The Ides of March –  George Clooney directs this edgy political drama set in the days leading up to a presidential primary. Clooney stars as a Democratic candidate who gives his campaign press secretary, played by Ryan Gossling, a crash course on dirty politics.

2. From the Sky Down – is a documentary about the universally successful band U2. This will be TIFF’s opening night gala and world premiere that will look at 20 years of the band’s journey. Includes interviews and unseen footage and looks at how this band continues its successes.

3. The Flying Machine – several kid friendly screenings are in this year’s line up. This film is about an 11 year old girl, Anna, whose father is forced to close shop and Anna is left behind with her aunt. This story follows the young girl who discovers an old piano which transforms into a magical flying machine. Chopin’s music plays a strong part in this film with the famous pianist Lang Lang performing throughout. Heather Graham stars as the mother.

4. We Need to Talk About Kevin – based on the best-selling novel, this film is about a mother who always knew her son was different, angry and perhaps evil. It’s an intimate look at how a mother confronts very dark truths about her teenage son as she re-examines her own life and role as a mother. Starring Tilda Swinton, John C. Reilly, and Ezra Miller.

                                      Photo credit: Courtesy of eOne Films Publicity

5. The Hunter – based on the novel by Julia Leigh, this is a psychological drama that tells the story of a mercenary sent from Europe by a biotech company to the Tasmanian wilderness on a dramatic hunt for the last Tasmanian Tiger. Unexpected connection to a family of a missing zoologist, and the majestic wilderness around him, he is forced to confront the reality of his work and personal morality. Stars Willem Dafoe, Frances O’Connor, and Sam Neill.

6. 50/50 – Seth Rogen and Joseph Gordon-Levitt star as best friends whose lives are changed by a cancer diagnosis. Inspired by life experiences, this story is about friendship, love and survival and sometimes funny journey to health.

7. A Dangerous Method – drawn from true-life events, this film takes a glimpse into the turbulent relationship between psychiatrist Carl Jung, his mentor Sigmund Freud and Sabina Spielrien, the troubled young and beautiful woman who comes between them. Starring Kiera Knightley, Viggo Mortensen, Michael Fassbender, Sarah Gadon, Vincent Cassel.

                                     Photo credit: Courtesy of eOne Films Publicity

8. Albert Knobbs – stars Glenn Close, Mia Wasikowska, Aaron Johnson, Janet McTeers is a witty Irish-set period piece about the lives of staff at a Dublin lux hotel. This story is about Albert…a woman who pretends to be a man to survive in 19th century Ireland as a butler in the hotel.

9. Melancholia – this psychological disaster movie is about the end of the world as we witness a couple celebrating their marriage with family tensions mounting and relationships fraying while a planet called Melancholia is heading directly towards Earth. Starring Kirsten Dunst, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Kiefer Sutherland, Alex Skarsgard, and Charlotte Rampling.

10. Friends with Kids – what happens when a group of married and single friends start having kids? This romantic comedy is inpired by that moment when a tight-knit circle of friends begin to unravel. Starring Kristen Wiig, Jon Hamm, Adam Scott, Jennifer Westfeldt, Maya Rudolph, Chris O’Dowd, Megan Fox and Edward Burns.

For a complete listing visit www.tiff.net for schedules and show times.
UrbanMoms.ca will be reviewing some of the films over the next two weeks!

Follow Sonya as the Toronto International Film Festival 2011 (TIFF) mayhem collides with back to school. This mom of two boys dubs herself as “the right place, right time gal” and will be hitting the circuit running from movie screenings to events for our readers. Sonya will get chatty with tweeps and peeps in the industry and report on celebrity sightings. Who knows…she may be able to swing some swag for our readers!  Follow us on twitter and facebook to find out! @sdhypertweets @urbanmomsca #TIFFmoms