Me and granny at the movies.

I went to the movies with my grandma. I met her at broadview and helped her navigate to the theatre. We saw the shape of water. It's the 5th time I have seen it and it gets me every time. My brother Marc worked on it and it was cool to point out his credit to her as it crawled up the screen. We had some food afterwards at milestones. The burger was forgetable but looked good when it hit the table. I'm posting the photo because you Can see my grandma stealing my fries before trying her soup. We talked about the movie a lot. It was an awesome time.

Justice League

There is no Justice.

Otherwise I could see Batman and Superman team up and it wouldn't suck.

I grew up loving Superman. He was my hero. When I was a kid and we first got a VHS player one of our first tapes was Superman 3. I went to the movies with my dad to see Superman 4, it's a terrible movie but I remember my dad being into it. Now I contemplate that he was faking it because I loved Supes so much. If I had a kid would I have had to pretend I enjoyed Justice League? I don't and I didn't.

This movie's Batman is a shitty detective. He can't figure stuff out even with copious notes and digital files. He gives up on finding Cyborg (who glows red and was hiding in his father's well windowed apartment) and asks Wonder Woman to try to find him. She uses the Batcomputer. 

This movie feels like many elements forced together from multiple creative voices. Which it was. 

It's not all bad, there are a few choice moments, but they can all be seen from the comfort of your living room in a few months. The score is good, Danny Elfman is on his game.

I'm disappointed that my low expectations were met.

Thor: Ragnarok

Yes, it's funny. Very funny. The funniest of any of the MCU movies so far, and of course it is!
Taika Waititi is the director and comedy is this New Zealanders bag. If you haven't seen What We Do In The Shadows, check it out on netflix.

This is the third Thor film, and it's the best of all 3, which doesn't say much, but it's still really great.

Standout performances from Jeff Goldblum as the clueless despot Grandmaster and the director himself as Korg is so damn funny.

I had predicted a cameo by the Guardians of the Galaxy but I was wrong and it didn't happen.

This was an action-comedy closer to Deadpool in its approach (without the hard R, you can take the kids).

TIFF Volunteer Stories: Julien and Sachin

I was asked to be in a video for the Toronto International Film Festival. I love volunteering for the Festival and I can't wait for this year's fest to begin (as soon as I get back from Burning Man).

Here is the video, Sachin and I spoke for almost two hours and it was edited down to this: 

Working Hard at Hardly Working

Spadina streetcar tracks are being replaced so I had to take a bus home from the airport (They had just started when I left and the job is supposed to be finished in November).  The entire intersection at Queen street is closed to traffic for two weeks (a pedestrians dream). I cooled off for a bit before going to see The Amazing Spiderman at the Scotiabank Theatre.

Construction closes Queen and Spadina

Before the movie I went to get some snacks at Shoppers Drug Mart and a woman with incredible Obsessive Compulsive Disorder held up the line while she counted out her items to make sure she had he right number of glass and boxes, then searched for the right plastic bags to load her groceries into. I gave up on waiting when the cashier dropped ont of the pickle jars and it shattered on the ground. The woman nearly lost it.

Today I'm trying to keep busy, I have lots to do before Burning Man starts in 49 days. I really want to get some posts out on my Burning Man blog done this week(along with catching up on all the unpublished posts from my UK trip). Getting some laundry done while I drink my morning coffee  and catch up on some Howard Stern episodes. All my stuff stinks like travelling.

Me at Gotham City Blvd

The heat in the apartment becomes too much, I leave to take my picture in front of some signs for a Dark Knight Rises contest. I can't wait to see this movie, I love Batman. I have tickets for the midnight screening but seeing it even earlier would be awesome. I want to go find a cool t-shirt.


The plan for the rest of the day?
-writing Postcard blog posts.
-finish some uk posts.
-Picking up groceries (the fridge is bare!).
-Going to the Gym
-Scanning new postcards I received while I was away.


If I can do all that and watch some missed Daily Shows I will deem my first day back a success and redouble my efforts tomorrow.

20 years of Batmobiles

Me in front of the Bat Tumbler from Dark Knight Rises 2012

I love Batman. I have followed his silver screen adventures with feverish interest since my auntie Chrissy showed me Tim Burton's 1989 version when it came to VHS. I was even overly enthusiastic about the Joel Shumacher films, knowing the character deserved better but happy just to have him on the big screen.

Me and the Batmobile from
Batman Returns back in 1992

This polaroid cost me 10$ at the CNE back in 1992. I knew the Batmobile would be there thanks to a vague map. My grandma and I were the all over the fair grounds looking for it. My hand is recoiled because the photographer snapped "DON'T TOUCH THE CAR!" at me as he snapped the picture.

So twenty years later, when I found out the Tumbler from the upcoming Dark Knight Rises was going to be at Yonge/Eglington I had to put it on my to-do list.

Bat Tumbler in Toronto

Bat Tumbler rear-view

Here are some photos of the batpod (or is it a catpod now?).

baby steps though blogging

I should try and write a little bit every day. I have to write something everyday. I have been quite ill.

I spent the day volunteering at the Lightbox. It's the "Bell Free Weekend" and wasn't nearly as busy as it was last year, when thousands came for the free Tim Burton Exhibit and movies. They didn't screen any big name family titles that could draw crowds (although the older folks turned up for the Oscar-nominated Monsieur Lazhar) Hopefully next year they will have a little more going on for the kids.

It was great to see my friend Lars, who I haven't spoken to since before I went to Japan. He just got a job at the Lightbox, I'm very happy for him (and proud too). He's a film buff and a Jays fan, so we had much to discuss but only spoke a little (he's a responsible employee, after all). I'm headed back there now to meet up with him and watch the Nic Cage classic Con Air.

Kevin Smith announces Jay & Silent Bob's Super Groovy Cartoon Movie

Kevin Smith in Toronto

Kevin Smith announces new Jay & Silent Bob cartoon, hopes to premiere at tiff.

Last night Kevin Smith and Jason Mewes returned to the big screen for Kevin Smith: Live from Behind. A one night only live podcast and Q&A recorded at the Scotiabank Theatre in Toronto and simulcast in theatres across North America.

The podcast of Jay & Silent Bob Get Jobs will be available on Smodcast.com soon.

The big announcement of the night was the existence of Jay & Silent Bob's Super Groovy Cartoon Movie, An animated feature with live-action elements. The animation will be produced by Starktoons (of Smodimation fame). Kevin said he hoped to screen it in September at the Toronto International Film Festival during Midnight Madness.

On the subject of Hit Somebody!

Strombo's Secret Movie (Young Adult)

Young Adult Lil Tuffy Poster

I went to Strombo's "secret" movie at the Tiff Bell Lightbox. I had guessed it was Young Adult, I was right (Strombo tweeted me with a denial, then a wink).

The lineup was huge.

The guy in front of me was dressed like Dr. Who, different guy but I have seen it before. It's not Hallowe'en dude. I feel I have to point out that a grown man is playing dress up going to see a movie called Young Adult. I don't get it, I like Super Mario, but if I wore white gloves, a red shirt, overalls and a tool belt you would think I was fucking insane.

Cosplay Dr Who Manchild

We ended up in the second screening, which started about a half hour after cinema 2 filled up. Some people got turned away, but they should have showed up earlier.

The movie was great. I wrote a review here.

Jason Reitman and Diablo introduced the movie and came out for a Q&A after the screening.

On the way out of the theatre the Tiff staff handed out limited edition poster prints from Lil Tuffy, an artist out of San Francisco.

I waited around afterwards . I talked to George Strombolopolous. He really made this an event for the people. He rocks.

I missed Jason Reitman, but I saw Diablo Cody and she autographed my copy of Juno and my Lil Tuffy poster. I will post a picture once I get it back from the frame shop.

Super 8 IN THEATRES FRIDAY JUNE 10

I saw an advance screening of Super 8 last night at the AMC.
Go see it this weekend!

JJ Abrams (Cloverfield, Star Trek) has a flair for monsters, and a real flair for lens flares. His collaboration with Steven Spielberg is a match made in film-geek heaven.
Comparisons have been made between Cloverfield and Super 8, and they do share common elements but Super 8 is a much better film. I didn't like Cloverfield, it made me nauseous (although it was on my birthday and I had drank a fifth of Wild Turkey, so I can't blame the shaky camera).
Cloverfield was a bunch of unlikable urban adults running from a monster armed only with a digital camera, while Super 8 has lovable small town youth running from a monster with a Super8 camera. The movie is set in the late 70's and it really works well. everything has a certain innocence. It's funny and cute and scary, and has a certain quality that will make it re-watchable for years to come. Try and see it on the big screen.


  

...And I feel fine

I'm working on my New York blog and should have it up soon.

I was too pooched out yesterday to attempt the game. I just listened on the radio and fell asleep.

Giant Canadian Beaver

Paul and I watched the Jays beat the Astros today. The dome was open and I got a little sun. Jose Bautista hit his 17th and 18th home run of the season.

Afterwards I went to the AMC. The Rapture was supposedly on its way and I wanted to be watching movies when it went down.

Bridesmaids was really funny, the theatre was 95% women. They reacted loudly when Kristen Wiig's character made a bad relationship decision. It was a good audience to take the movie in with.. It's not "The Hangover with ladies" as it had been pitched in ads. Wiig carries the picture well. Her friendship with Mya Rudolph is totally believable (being SNL alum they probably are).

I have too many movies to see this summer and can't start falling behind now so I figured I'd try and see another movie. I'm all about the Double Bill.

Arthur was fun. I'm a fan of the original, and I think Russel Brand does a good job as the infinitely rich drunkard. Gretta Gerwig is in the Liza Minnelli role, and much more believable as an attractive woman.
If you see one movie before the end of the world, see Bridesmaids, but if you see two, go see Arthur.

The Doom Generation at Tiff Bell Lightbox

When faced with the choice of watching the Blue Jays beat the Yankees again tonight or seeing Rose McGowan in The Doom Generation at the Lightbox, thankfully I can do a bit of both. I can go see the movie and after I will go watch the game since the Lightbox is so close to Skydome.  This was the first Gregg Araki movie I ever saw. I rented it at Quick Mart back in Timmins when I was a teenager. I met him at tiff when he debuted Smiley Face. His movies can get pretty fucked up. I love living in a city where I can see an awesome movie and a baseball game in a single night.

    

The High Cost Of Living @ Tiff Bell Lightbox

I vas volunteering at the Lightbox and I got to watch a great new Canadian film called The High Cost of Living. Shot in Montreal and starring Zach Braff (an American, playing an American) and a fantastic Quebecoise actress Isabelle Blais, this is the first feature for writer/director Deborah Chow. It preemed at tiff last year and it gets a Canadian theatrical release later this month.
The movie is about two people whose lives colide in a tragic accident. It was very good. If you only know Zach Braff as a prat-falling doctor on Scrubs then you should check this out. Both the Director and the two stars were there to introduce the film. Unfortunately I could not take pictures because I was working.

Splice at the Lightbox

I won free tickets to see Splice at the Lightbox as part of the Canadian Top 10 of 2010, I was going to see it anyways since I missed it's theatrical run. It was fun take on the Frankenstein story. The director, Vincenzo Natali was in attendance and spoke about the film afterwards. It was very cool.

Red State out October 19th, see it early

Kevin Smith debuted his new film Red State at Sundance this week, and then announced with much fanfare that he would forgo selling his first horror film to traditional distributors and release the film himself. Kevin Smith alway bets on Kevin Smith. It's a good bet and it's paid off before (Kevin backed his first film Clerks on multiple high-intrest credit cards). He is willing to make this gambit because he has supreme confidence in his work and in his ability to secure an audience by networking directly with his fans. He blogged for a long time, and then he pretty much stopped blogging the minute he discovered twitter, and hasn't stopped tweeting since.

The movie will Open October 19th 2011, but US fans can see it early, buy tickets here.

March 5 Radio City Music Hall, NY, NY
March 6 Wilbur Theater, Boston, MA
March 8 Harris Theater, Chicago, IL
March 9 State Theater, Minneapolis, MN
March 10 Michigan Theater, Ann Arbor, MI
March 11 Clowes Memorial Hall, Indianapolis, IN
March 12 Midland Theater, Kansas City, MO
March 14 Clark State PAC, Springfield, OH
March 22 Paramount Theater, Denver, CO
March 26 McAlister Auditorium, New Orleans, LA
March 28 Paramount Theatre, Austin, TX
March 29 Cobb Energy Centre, Atlanta, GA
April 4 Marion Oliver McCall Hall, Seattle, WA

I'm sure he will add some Canadian dates, perhaps around the Walter Gretzky Ball Hockey Tournament in June. I hope the screenings happen at the Lightbox but I could see it happening at the Underground since they have a bigger room. Either way Red State will sell out when it screen in Toronto. I will be there and if you want to know about it keep checking this blog.

Breakfast and Green Hornet

Paul and I have a bounty of food in the fridge, thanks to me. Today I started breakfast while he was doing his ablutions. Bacon and sausage cooked on ye olde Geogio Forman and a super-cheese omelet and hash browns. It covered all the grease groups. Over coffee Paul mentioned how he would like to see some Captain Crunch in his cereal bowl, I recommended he try the grocery store.

Ian and I like to see every new movie we can, and opening weekend is a great time. We both wanted to check out Seth Rogen & Evan Goldberg penned Gondry directed Green Hornet. Ian picked me up in his production wheels and we drove to the Carlton since the snow was going to prevent us from making it to the Queensway in time for the 1:30 show. The old Carlton Cinemas was owned by Cineplex and had fallen in disrepair, but the Rainbow Cinemas bought it and cleaned it up a bit. The screens are still ridiculously small, and I probably would avoid going to see a movie there again if I was offered any other option. The movie itself was very entertaining. James Franco has a great cameo up against Christoph Waltz, who as the villan can't seem to gain the fear and respect he so deserves. Jay Chou is a great Kato and Rogen maintains plausibility as a hero. Rogen and Goldberg are my heroes, their writing is so violent and so funny.

My other hero Kevin Smith had a go at Green Hornet back when it was a Miramax picture. They have adapted his un-produced screenplay into a comic book, I'm going to check it out for sure.

Kevin Smith's Red State Coming Soon

Kevin Smith's new movie Red State is out next year, premiering at his alma mater the Sundance Film Festival. It's his first attempt at horror, and I can't wait to see it. Kevin has been auctioning off the movie poster to the highest bidder (funds going to charity), which would get any blog or website many thousands of hits. This first winner was Giant Fire Breathing Robot, you can click here to see the first poster. Smitty is now accepting bids for the next poster, but since I can't afford it I thought I would just post these great videos I took of Kevin Smith. I really need a HD video recorder.

Tron Legacy Toronto sneak-peek, TRONopoulos!

Torontonians following @Strombo on twitter were lucky enough to catch an advance look at this winters day-glo blockbuster Tron Legacy at the CN Tower.

This movie is excellent! It's been almost 30 years since Disney gave us the live-acation/CG hybrid Tron. Now the Mouse House brings us back into the gird in 3D! This time Flynn's son Sam must travel into the grid to find his long-lost father. Jeff Bridges is back as Kevin Flynn, and as his program alter ego CLU. CGI Botox makes Bridges look like his 80's self, mullet and all. It's very trippy to see them together. The older Flynn gives off a serious Lebowski vibe at times, and the crowd loved it. Daft Punk pumps some sick music on the soundtrack, and has a sweet cameo in the film. I really wish I could see 3D, but since I can't I have to rely on the oohs and ahhs of the audience, which were quite plentiful. I have the strongest feeling that the Production Designer goes to Burning Man. I really recommend you go see the new Tron when it comes out next week.

Tron Legacy to sneak at Tiff Bell Lightbox

So I was wrong. Tron Legacy will not be at the Scotiabank tonight. @catherinefaas tweeted I might try and look further south east. The Lightbox denied any knowledge of a screening, but anonymous commented that the Lightbox was the place. Roy Thompson Hall is full of old people so I know it's not there.

I'm at a Second Cup, heading back to the Lightbox to get some answers.

Tron-onto! Strombo promises sneak-peek at new Flynn

Twitter is a great way to find out about cool things going on in your neighborhood. I'm lucky that the King of Queen W., George Strombo lives in my neighborhood, and is also on my twitter. He's hipped me to a free screening of the new Tron movie. When he tweeted:

I did the math and figured it was at the Scotiabank Theatre mere blocks from the CBC. But upon arrival I was met by a clueless employee who assured me the movie doesn't open till next week. When I told her Strombo sent me she said maybe Strombo had lied.

I'm waiting in a Starbucks next to the Scotiabank Theatre, where I'm sure the event is going down. I'm just waiting for Strombo to tweet the word.