So how do you follow up two really in depth and eloquent film reports? Throw everything up into the air and hope that when it hits the ground you have something coherant with correct spelling. It's simple. If you want to know about the content go back to Todd and Opus' lengthy and complete reviews. What I will do is share my thoughts and feelings about the movies the best I know how. With hand puppets and the banging of sticks...
So last night I started my TIFF experience which the somewhat anticipated The Machinist. I can guess that most of the audience were looking forward to this so much because of the physical transformation that Christian Bale underwent to complete his character, Trevor Reznik. All throughout the viewing last night you heard gasps with each protruding collar bone or spinal chord. This physical transformation is what will get everyone into the theatre. Unfortunately the rest of film won't keep you there. I liked the muted color tones and feel of the film but that's just your basic film making 101. Ultimately by the end of the film you're not surprised with any of the twists or turns. You appreciate Christian Bale's performance but the other characters in the film are formulaic stock parts. The movie isn't about them, of course, but it's distracting nonetheless because you cannot help but think that you've seen each and every one of them somewhere, someplace before. I left the theatre underwhelmed, as I sensed most of the audience did. I don't know how many stayed behind for the Q&A but if the major exedous outside was any indication I think Brad Anderson was taking questions from his own shadow. The movie should have been titled The 'MEH'chanist. Get it? Eh? How clever of me.
Fours hours of sleep, a quick stop at the box office and breakfast at the Rock N' Roll Diner on Gerrard, and we were back at the Ryerson Univeristy Theatre for the eagerly anticipated House of Flying Daggers. I love Hero. I have three different copies of it at home. So I had expectations going into this movie but I didn't know that they would be met and then left lying on the floor like the scattered remnants of Mei's sleeves after the echo game in the Peony Pavilion. As was stated in earlier reviews HoFD is a far more commercially approachable movie than it's predecessor but still delivers what will be a bonafide Wu Xia classic. The film was introduced by the master himself, Zhang Yimou, who thanked us all for packing out the 1,200 seat venue so early in the morning. But our hopes were dashed when the lovely Zhang Ziyi was nowhere to be seen. Alas, I couldn't offer to help her get her Green Card. Curses! Foiled again. HoFD delivers in spades. There are things that happen in this movie that will make you yell and cheer out loud. There are things that I have never seen in a Wu Xia film either. Look for the four arrows, the bending sword and the sleeve sword. Structurally, yes, I agree with Todd that the third act can be tightened up a bit and with a couple edits and cuts you can eliminate the chuckles during the Three Deaths of Mei. Look. If you love Hero that much then support Sony Classics Pictures and see HoFD when it comes to theatres in December.
Kim Ki Duk's 3 Iron was my third and probably final film of the day. Mostly because it was the third time in less than 24 hours that we were packed like cattle into the Ryerson theatre. My ass needs time to return to it's robust and ample form. So sore. Korean cinema has made such headway over the past few years and with the success of Kim Ki Duk's 2003 film Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter... and Spring around the world I was looking to get my Korean 'on' at TIFF. 3 Iron is a movie about the possibility of friendships and love to happen in the most bizarre circumstances and it is a beautiful piece of work. Strong performances from lead and supporting cast. Then there is the beauty of communicating without words. The exchange of language, but through subtle looks and gestures. It might drive mad those that love to talk to hear themselves speak but for those with patience and a desire to see something off the mainstream I would highly recommend this film to anyone. Khum-sa-ham-nee-da Kim Ki Duk for a fantastic movie experience.