Last night marked the beginning of the Calgary International Film Festival (CIFF) with a star studded gala, and what I believe has been the best gala film chosen in the last 5 years.
The Young and Prodigious T.S Spivet
Filmed partly in Canada, the movie was visually appealing from start to finish.
The story follows a ten-year-old cartographer who secretly leaves his family’s ranch in Montana where he lives with his cowboy father and scientist mother to travels across the country aboard a freight train in order to receive an award at the Smithsonian Institute.
The film was well acted, offered a few chuckles and stirred up emotions.
A film I would recommend.
But over the next week and a half, dozens of films will be shown and each year I turn to my good friend Jasmine to help me pick 5 films that are a ‘Must See’.
Take it away Jasmine!
Well it’s that time of year again, CIFF has returned to YYC!!
Every year by the end of August I obsessively watch every available film fest preview and frantically schedule in all my choices for the year. So many great films to choose from as usual but an overwhelming amount of this year’s headliners look amazing!!
So fantastic that I’m gonna try to see them all! But for those who have a little less time to commit, here are my 5 top picks!!
Hector and the Search For Happiness
Starring my beloved Simon Pegg as a middle aged psychiatrist stuck in a dull routine until he wakes up one day and wants to start living again. He begins his journey around the globe in search of the secret to finding happiness. This one will be a funny feel good choice, plays Sept 19 @ 7pm
Maps to the Stars
A David Cronenberg film starring Julianne Moore, John Cusack, and Robert Pattinson, follows the troubled Weiss family struggling for normalcy while living the Hollywood “dream”. This searing satire is sure to entertain, plays Sept 20 @ 9:30pm
Foxcatcher
Featuring an all-star cast Steve Carrell, Channing Tatum and Mark Ruffalo in this heart pounding drama about an eccentric wrestling coach that has been able to buy his way to victory all his life. Using a pair of Olympic wrestling champion brothers, he becomes dangerously obsessed with winning, resulting in an event that creates haunting consequences. This real life tale will definitely shock and amaze, plays Sept 21 @ 7pm
Boychoir
With a stellar cast including Dustin Hoffman and Kathy Bates is a tale of an orphaned boy sent to a historical boarding school. Stet is a recently orphaned 11 year old ripped from his small Texas town and sent to the American Boychoir boarding school. Stet is not happy to say the least but this doesn’t prevent his choirmaster from seeing his immense talent and potential. Much of the filming actually takes place at this historic school as well as a worldwide search was undertaken to cast the role of Stet! I’m really excited about this musical drama, plays Sept 24 @ 6:45pm
Elsa & Fred
Starring Academy Award winners Shirley MacLaine and Christopher Plummer is a true love story about a bubbly retiree and a straight laced widower. From the moment they meet, Elsa breathes life back into Fred as they begin their adventure chasing her dream with a trip to the Trevi Fountain. This heart warming drama proves you are never too old to fall in love, plays Sept 27 @ 7pm
5 fantastic picks and even if you can only see one of these films I assure you, you will leave satisfied!
See you there!
Mr. Fab & Jasmine
