Toronto International Film Festival wrapped up yesterday. The awards were handed out yesterday with the French film "Where Do We Go Now" winning the People's Choice Award (Drama). Here are the complete list of award winners from this year's Toronto International Film Festival.

People's Choice Award (Drama) - "Where Do We Go Now?" directed by Nadine Labaki

People's Choice Award (Documentary) - "The Island President" directed by Jon Shenk

People's Choice Award (Midnight Madness) - "The Raid" directed by Gareth Huw Evans

Best Canadian Feature Film - "Monsieur Lazhar" directed by Philippe Falardeau

Best Canadian First Feature Film - "Edwin Boyd" directed by Nathan Morlando

Best Canadian Short Film - "Doubles with Slight Pepper" directed by Ian Harnarine

Prize of the International Critics (FIPRESCI Prize) - Special Presentations - "The First Man" directed by Gianni Amelio

Prize of the International Critics (FIPRESCI Prize) - Discovery - "Avalon" directed by Axel Petersen

Talk about a surprising piece of news coming out of this year's Toronto International Film Festival. WWE Studios announced today that they've picked the US distribution rights to Doug Aarniokoski's "The Day". This news is surprising, because it doesn't feature any WWE wrestlers. This is certainly a right step in the direction for WWE Studios, considering that their films recently haven't been entertaining. 


For more information on this film, you can visit the film's official Facebook page at:  http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Day-The-Movie/113702875361382


Press Release:


WWE Studios (NYSE:WWE) announced today it has acquired all US distribution rights to the Toronto International Film Festival cult hit The Day, Doug Aarniokoski’s visceral action thriller. The film screened to sold-out crowds in the Midnight Madness section of the Festival. WWE® will use its television, digital/social media and print assets, which reach more than 20 million people domestically each week, to help market the release of film. 

“The Day is a renegade thrill-ride that will not disappoint audiences,” said newly named WWE Studios President, Michael Luisi. “We went to Toronto looking for films to showcase and expand the WWE Studios brand and found exactly that with Doug’s exceptional film,” added Luisi.

"The Day has been a wild ride from start to finish and we are very excited that we have found the right home to get the film out to the fans in a big way. We could not be happier to be in business with WWE Studios," said director Aarniokoski.

Aarniokoski is currently directing the Lionsgate film Nurse 3-D. The Day is a nightmarish 24 hour look into the lives of a band of survivors fighting to stay alive in a post-apocalyptic world.

The Day stars Shawn Ashmore ( X-Men Trilogy), Ashley Bell (The Last Exorcism), Michael Eklund (Watchmen, 88 Minutes), Cory Hardrict (Battle Los Angeles, Gran Torino), Dominic Monaghan (Lost, Lord of the Rings trilogy), and Shannyn Sossamon (A Knght’s Tale, Road to Nowhere). The film features music by Rock Mafia.

The film was written by Luke Passmore and produced by Guy A. Danella. Doug Aarniokoski, Michael Finley, Tim James, Antonina Armato and Ross M. Dinerstein served as executive producers.

Oscilloscope Laboratories announced today they have acquired Andrea Arnold's latest film "Wuthering Heights". They've already set the film for a 2012 release. The film is currently playing at the Toronto International Film Festival.

Press Release:

We are pleased to announce that we've picked up Andrea Arnold's WUTHERING HEIGHTS out of the Toronto International Film Festival. We've been a longtime admirer of her films so we couldn't be more excited to be working with such a talented filmmaker who brings her unique perspective to the English classic.

Come 2012, look for WUTHERING HEIGHTS in theaters.

Plot Synopsis:

A Yorkshire hill farmer on a visit to Liverpool finds a homeless boy on the streets. He takes him home to live as part of his family on the isolated Yorkshire moors where the boy forges an obsessive relationship with the farmer’s daughter. Starring James Howson and Kaya Scodelario.

One of the films that have been gathering alot of buzz at this year's Toronto International Film Festival is Adam Wingard's latest film "You're Next". It has rummored to have sparked a bidding between studios like Summit Entertainment, Lionsgate, The Weinstein Company, CBS Films, which was first started on the Dread Central website.

Hanway Films has recently released a couple of stills from that film.

Plot Synopsis:

A lively reunion is abruptly brought to an end when a gang of mysterious killers, disguised in animal masks, wage an all-out assault on the Davison’s secluded home.

Using a series of sophisticated traps, axes, crossbows and machetes, the family are slaughtered one by one until nowhere is safe. But neither the attackers, nor their victims, have counted on Erin; an innocent girlfriend who has the killer instinct to fight back…

Upcoming Screenings:


Friday September 16
TIFF Bell Lightbox 2
4:00pm
Toronto, Canada

The filmmakers behind the documentary "Paul Williams Still Alive" send us over a couple of stills. The documentary goes into the director's obsession with Paul Willams and his chance meeting with him. The documentary is screening at this year's Toronto International Film Festival.

Plot Synopsis: 

 He won Grammys and an Academy Award; wrote many #1 songs from Barbara Streisand's "Evergreen" to the Carpenter's "We've Only Just Begun" as well as Kermit the Frog's biggest hit, "The Rainbow Connection"; starred in a Brian DePalma movie; put out his own hit records and albums; was a guest on The Tonight Show fifty times; and is the president of ASCAP... and you might not have heard of him. In the 1970's, Paul Williams was the singer / actor / songwriter that emotional, alienated teenage boys all over the world wanted to be, a sex symbol before MTV, when sex symbols could be 5"2 and sing songs about loneliness with the Muppets. One of those boys was Steve Kessler, a chubby kid from Queens. Thirty years later, Kessler discovered something amazing: Paul Williams didn't die. And no one had ever tried to make a documentary about him. A wistful musical journey that will re-introduce a new generation to Williams' soulful classics, "Paul Williams: Still Alive" is the charmingly self-narrated story of Stephen Kessler's lifelong obsession with the former superstar-and what happens when the nostalgic filmmaker finally catches up with him.

Upcoming Screenings:

1. Wednesday September 14 
2. Jackman Hall - AGO  
3. 5:30pm
4. Toronto, Canada
5. 
   
6. Sunday September 18
   AMC 7
   4:00pm
   Toronto, Canada
   
   
   
   

Traction Media recently send us information that they've picked up the sales rights for the Malaysian action drama "Bunohan" (Return to Murder), which is playing at this year's Toronto International Film Festival.

Press Release

LA-based sales company Traction Media has boarded Malaysian action drama BUNOHAN (RETURN TO MURDER), which is receiving its world premiere in the Discovery section of 2011 Toronto International Film Festival.

Traction will work in tandem with Arclight Films' Asia-focused division, Easternlight Films, to handle the sale of North American rights on the film.

Easternlight is also handling international rights on the film and has pre-sold it to Universal Pictures for a slew of territories including UK, Germany, France, Australia and New Zealand.

Directed by Dain Said, BUNOHAN focuses on the dark relationship between three estranged brothers who end up fighting for their lives when they are called back to their village by their dying father.

"We are thrilled to be representing BUNOHAN, which, beyond the action and suspense that will draw audiences in, is a beautiful piece of filmmaking from a talented director," said Traction Media's Maren Olson.

"Its an honor to be working with Maren and Doug from Traction Media on this film as we look forward to their incredible experience of working on helping young filmmakers be discovered by North American buyers." Said Nandita Solomon who produced the film through her Apparat company in conjunction with Convergence Entertainment's Tim Kwok who also serves as Co-Producer. Dain Said, who also wrote BUNOHAN, is a Kuala Lumpur-based filmmaker who studied film in London.

Traction Media has represented films such as HALF NELSON, HARD CANDY and the recent SXSW Film Festival Grand Jury winner NATURAL SELECTION.

TIFF -- BUNOHAN Screenings:
Saturday, September 10th at 9:15pm at AMC 2 - Premiere Screening
Sunday, September 11th at 3:45pm at AMC 5 - Public Screening #2

Thursday, September 15th at 12:15pm at Scotiabank Theatre 6 - P&I Screening #2
Friday, September 16th at 9:30pm at Scotiabank Theatre 3 - Public Screening #3

Relativity Media recently send us over the official trailer and stills for Marc Forster's upcoming film "Machine Gun Preacher", which is currently playing at this year's Toronto International Film Festival. The film stars Gerard Butler (300), Michelle Monaghan (Due Date), Kathy Baker (Cold Mountain), Madeline Carroll (Mr. Popper’s Penguins), Academy Award® nominated Michael Shannon (Revolutionary Road) and Souleyman Sy Savane (“Damages”). The film is scheduled to be released in limited release on on September 23rd.

For more information on this film, you can visit the film's official website at: http://www.machinegunpreacher.com/movie/

Plot Synopsis:

In this inspirational true story, Machine Gun Preacher is about Sam Childers, a former drug-dealing criminal who undergoes an astonishing transformation and finds an unexpected calling as the savior of hundreds of kidnapped and orphaned children. Gerard Butler (300) delivers a searing performance as Childers, the impassioned founder of the Angels of East Africa rescue organization in Golden Globe-nominated director Marc Forster’s (Monster’s Ball, Finding Neverland) moving story of violence and redemption.

When ex-biker-gang member Sam Childers (Butler) makes the life-changing decision to go to East Africa to help repair homes destroyed by civil war, he is outraged by the unspeakable horrors faced by the region’s vulnerable populace, especially the children. Ignoring the warnings of more experienced aide workers, Sam breaks ground for an orphanage where it’s most needed—in the middle of territory controlled by the brutal Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), a renegade militia that forces youngsters to become soldiers before they even reach their teens.

But for Sam, it is not enough to shelter the LRA’s intended victims. Determined to save as many as possible, he leads armed missions deep into enemy territory to retrieve kidnapped children, restoring peace to their lives—and eventually his own. The explosive, real-life tale of a man who has rescued over a thousand orphans from starvation, disease and enslavement, Machine Gun Preacher also stars Michelle Monaghan (Due Date), Kathy Baker (Cold Mountain), Madeline Carroll (Mr. Popper’s Penguins), Academy Award® nominated Michael Shannon (Revolutionary Road) and Souleyman Sy Savane (“Damages”).

Upcoming Screenings:

Friday September 16
Scotiabank Theatre 1
12:00pm
Toronto, Canada






"Machine Gun Preacher": Official Trailer

Sony Picture Classics recently released the official trailer and stills for Pedro Almodóvar’s latest film "The Skin I Live In" The film is reteaming him with Antonio Banderas, as the both haven't worked together since the film "Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down!" back in 1990. This is also one of the films that I've been looking forward to this fall. The film also stars Elena Anaya (Talk to Her) and Marisa Paredes (All About my Mother). "The Skin I Live In" hits NY and LA on October 14th, with more cities to follow.

For more information on this film, you can visit the film's official website at: http://www.sonyclassics.com/theskinilivein

Plot Synopsis:

Ever since his wife was burned in a car crash, Dr. Robert Ledgard, an eminent plastic surgeon, has been interested in creating a new skin with which he could have saved her. After twelve years, he manages to cultivate a skin that is a real shield against every assault.

In addition to years of study and experimentation, Robert needed a further three things: no scruples, an accomplice and a human guinea pig. Scruples were never a problem. Marilia, the woman who looked after him from the day he was born, is his most faithful accomplice. And as for the human guinea pig…

Upcoming Screenings:

Sunday September 11th
Princess Of Wales
10:00pm
Toronto, Canada

Saturday September 17th
TIFF Bell Lightbox 2
9:30am
Toronto, Canada

"The Skin I Live In": Official Trailer

Sayaka Producciones recently released the official poster and stills for "Extraterrestrial". It's the latest film from "Timecrimes" director Nacho Vigalondo. The film will be having its world premiere at this year's Toronto International Film Festival. "Extraterrestrial" has no US distributor as of yet.

For more information on this film, you can visit the film's official facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Extraterrestre/224769577555382?

Plot Synopsis:

When strangers Julio and Julia wake up together, groggy and hung-over from the night before, the last thing they are expecting is to discover that an alien invasion has taken place. In Extraterrestre, Nacho Vigalondo melds science fiction, romance and black comedy in his latest feature about the darkly fascinating aspects of the human psyche.

Upcoming Screenings:

Sunday September 11th
Scotiabank Theatre 2
6:00pm
Toronto, Canada

Monday September 12th
AMC 7
2:00pm
Toronto, Canada

Edward R. Pressman Films recently released a couple of stills for Mary Harmon's upcoming horror film "The Moth Diaries". This is one of those horror films that I'm interested in seeing, considering that I liked Mary Harron's last two films ("American Psycho", "The Notorious Bettie Page") a lot. The film is based on the book by Rachel Klein, which was published in 2002. "The Moth Diaries" recently played at the Venice Film Festival before playing at this years Toronto International Film Festival. No US release date or distribution information has been announced yet.

Plot Synopsis:

Rebecca, haunted by her father's suicide, begins her junior year at an elite all-girls‟ boarding school, hoping for a fresh start. Her friendship with sunny Lucy is shattered by the arrival of Ernessa, a mysterious girl. As Ernessa consumes more of Lucy's attention, the latter‟s body grows pale, thin and weak. Starring Lily Cole, Sarah Gadon, Sarah Bolger, Judy Parfitt and Scott Speedman.

Upcoming Screenings:

Tuesday September 13th
Isabel Bader Theatre
10:00pm
Toronto, Canada

Wednesday September 14th
Scotiabank Theatre 4
12:15pm
Toronto, Canada

Columbia Pictures recently released the official trailer and stills for Roland Emmerich's upcoming film "Anonymous". This film feels like it has the necessary elements that would make it an Oscar contender. Rhys Ifans, Vanessa Redgrave, Joely Richardson, David Thewlis, Xavier Samuel, and Derek Jacob stars in this film. "Anonymous" is playing at this year's Toronto International Film Festival and will be hitting theaters in the US on October 28th.

For more information on this film, you can visit the film's official website at: http://www.anonymous-movie.com/

Plot Synopsis:

Set in the political snake-pit of Elizabethan England, Anonymous speculates on an issue that has for centuries intrigued academics and brilliant minds ranging from Mark Twain and Charles Dickens to Henry James and Sigmund Freud, namely: who was the author of the plays credited to William Shakespeare? Experts have debated, books have been written, and scholars have devoted their lives to protecting or debunking theories surrounding the authorship of the most renowned works in English literature. Anonymous poses one possible answer, focusing on a time when cloak-and-dagger political intrigue, illicit romances in the Royal Court, and the schemes of greedy nobles hungry for the power of the throne were exposed in the most unlikely of places: the London stage.

Upcoming Screenings:

Sunday September 11th
Visa Screening Room (Elgin)
9:00pm
Toronto, Canada

Monday September 12th
Winter Garden Theatre
4:30pm
Toronto, Canada

Saturday September 17th
Scotiabank Theatre 2
11:45am
Toronto, Canada





"Anonymous": Official Trailer

Open Road Films recently released stills and the official trailer for their upcoming film "Killer Elite". This action film is inspired by true events and boast an very good cast that includes Jason Statham, Robert De Niro and Clive Owen. The film is also playing at this year's Toronto International Film Festival. "Killer Elite" will be hitting theaters in the US on September 23rd.

For more information on this film, you can visit the film's official website at: http://www.killerelite.com

Plot Synopsis:

Inspired by true events, KILLER ELITE is an action-adventure spy film that follows Danny (Jason Statham), one of the world's most skilled special-ops agents. Lured out of self-imposed exile, Danny reassembles his crack team of operatives to execute a near-impossible mission of retribution- to rescue his former mentor and partner Hunter- (Robert De Niro). Together they must penetrate the highly feared and respected military unit, the British Special Air Service (SAS), to take down a rogue cell of soldier assassins and their leader Spike (Clive Owen) before their actions create a global crisis. KILLER ELITE’S whirlwind journey of action hurtles across the globe: from Mexico to Australia, from Paris and London to Oman and Wales. The film is based on Ranulph Fiennes’ controversial non-fiction bestseller “The Feather Men.”

Upcoming Screenings:

Saturday September 10th
Roy Thomson Hall
1:30pm
Toronto, Canada

Monday September 12th
Scotiabank Theatre 1
7:30pm
Toronto, Canada





"Killer Elite": Official Trailer

Mount Pleasant Pictures recently released the official poster and stills for Todd Solondz's latest film "Dark Horse". The film is playing at this year's Toronto International Film Festival, after playing at film festival in Venice, Deauville, and London. The film stars Justin Bartha, Selma Blair, Zachary Booth, Mia Farrow, Jordan Gelber, Aasif Mandvi, Donna Murphy, Christopher Walken.

For more information on this film, you can visit the film's official Facebook page at:https://www.facebook.com/darkhorsemovie .

Plot Synopsis:

Thirty-something guy with arrested development falls for thirty-something girl with arrested development, but moving out of his junior high school bedroom proves too much. Tragedy ensues.

Upcoming Screenings:

Sunday September 11th
Visa Screening Room (Elgin)
2:30pm
Toronto,Canada

Monday September 12th
Isabel Bader Theatre
4:45pm
Toronto,Canada

Saturday September 17th
Isabel Bader Theatre
6:45pm
Toronto,Canada

Magnolia Pictures recently released some stills and official poster to one of the most controversial films of the year, Lars Von Trier's "Melancholia". The film boasts an all-star cast that includes Kirsten Dunst, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Kiefer Sutherland, Charlotte Rampling, John Hurt, Alexander Skarsgard, Stellan Skarsgard and Udo Kier. Lars Von Trier's "Melancholia" is slated to hit VOD on October 7 and In Theatres November 11 in the US.

For more information on this film, you can visit the film's official website at:http://www.melancholiathemovie.com or Like the official US Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/melancholiafilm .

Plot Synopsis:

Justine, a woman suffering from an extreme case of clinical depression, celebrates her marriage with a extravagant reception that is marred bickering family members, leaving the bride feeling withdrawn. The following morning Justine notices a planet, with no orbit of its own, hurtling toward Earth. And as the newlyweds are helpless against Justine's depression ruining their marriage, the entire wedding party can do nothing but freak out and watch as the world comes to an end.

(source Yahoo Movies)

Upcoming Screenings:

Saturday September 10th
Ryerson
6:00pm
Toronto, Canada

Saturday September 17th
Ryerson
2:45pm
Toronto, Canada

Paramount Vintage recently released a couple of stills and a behind the scenes photo from "Jeff, Who Lives at Home", which will be playing at this years Toronto International Film Festival. The film is the latest film from Jay and Mark Duplass ("Cryus" "Humpday"). The film boast a funny cast that includes Jason Segel, Ed Helms, Judy Greer and Susan Sarandon.

"Jeff, Who Lives at Home" is slated for release in the US on March 2, 2012

Plot Synopsis:

Jeff, Who Lives at Home stars Jason Segel, Ed Helms, Judy Greer and Susan Sarandon. Penned by the writer/director team of brothers Jay and Mark Duplass (Cyrus), this is the story of one man searching for the meaning of life while running to the store to buy wood glue. Using the universe as his guide, Jeff looks for signs to help determine his path. However, a series of comedic and unexpected events leads him to cross paths with his family in the strangest of locations and circumstances. Jeff just may find the meaning of his life... and if he's lucky, pick up the wood glue as well.

Upcoming Screenings:

Wednesday September 14th
Visa Screening Room (Elgin)
9:00pm
Toronto,Canada

Thursday September 15th
Visa Screening Room (Elgin)
11:00am
Toronto,Canada

Saturday September 17th
Scotiabank Theatre 2
9:15am
Toronto, Canada

Sony Picture Classics recently released the official trailer and a couple of stills for the upcoming David Cronenberg film "A Dangerous Method", which stars Michael Fassbender, Viggo Mortensen,and Keira Knightley. The film will be making its North American Premiere at this year's Toronto International Film Festival. "A Dangerous Method" Opens in NY and LA on November 23rd.

For more information on this film, you can visit the film's official website at: http://www.sonyclassics.com/adangerousmethod/

Plot Synopsis:

David Cronenberg adapts Christopher Hampton's 2002 stage play concerning the turbulent relationship between Carl Jung (Michael Fassbender) and his mentor Sigmund Freud (Viggo Mortensen) as they struggle to treat a troubled patient (Keira Knightley).

Upcoming Screenings:

Saturday September 10th
Roy Thomson Hall
6:30pm
Toronto, Canada

Monday September 12th
TIFF Bell Lightbox 1
4:45pm
Toronto, Canada




"A Dangerous Method": Official Trailer

Summit Entertainment recently send us over stills for their upcoming release "Drive", which hits theaters here in the US on September 16th and is playing at this year's Toronto International Film Festival. The film world premiered at this year's Cannes Film Festival, where the film's director Nicolas Winding Refn won Best Director at the festival. "Drive" features an all star cast that includes Ryan Gosling, Carey Mulligan, Albert Brooks, Bryan Cranston, Christina Hendricks, Oscar Isaac and Ron Perlman.

For more information on "Drive", You can visit the film's official website at: http://www.drive-movie.com/

Plot Synopsis:

Breakout Danish director Nicolas Winding Refn (THE PUSHER Trilogy, BRONSON, VALHALLA RISING) throttles into the Hollywood fast lane with the precision-crafted action caper DRIVE.

Ryan Gosling stars as a Los Angeles wheelman for hire, stunt driving for movie productions by day and steering getaway vehicles for armed heists by night. Though a loner by nature, Driver can't help falling in love with his beautiful neighbor Irene (Carey Mulligan), a vulnerable young mother dragged into a dangerous underworld by the return of her ex-convict husband Standard (Oscar Isaac).

After a heist intended to pay off Standard's protection money spins unpredictably out of control, Driver finds himself driving defense for the girl he loves, tailgated by a syndicate of deadly serious criminals (Albert Brooks and Ron Perlman). But when he realizes that the gangsters are after more than the bag of cash in his trunk-that they're coming straight for Irene and her son-Driver is forced to shift gears and go on offense.

DRIVE was written by Academy Award® nominee Hossein Amini (THE WINGS OF THE DOVE) and adapted from the eponymous novel by James Sallis. It was produced by Marc Platt, Gigi Pritzker, Michel Litvak, Adam Siegel and John Palermo; executive producers are David Lancaster, Gary Michael Walters, Bill Lischak and Linda McDonough.

Upcoming Screenings:

Saturday September 10th
Ryerson
9:15pm
Toronto, Canada

Sunday September 11th
TIFF Bell Lightbox 1
9:00am
Toronto Canada






"Drive": Official Trailer