Day Three & Four - Why Do People Always Find Parking Spots in Movies?

Just a musing came to me today while watching a film set in New York (the otherwise thoroughly enjoyable 'Can A Song Change Your Life?' [see below]. Why is it so easy to park in movies? I don't know about you, but I can circle several blocks in San Francisco for a LONG time before parking. Anyway, as my grandmother would say, if that's my biggest problems with the movies I've been seeing here at TIFF, then...and its not. We're in the thick of it and thick is a good description. LOADS of movies we want to see booked on top of each other with masses and masses of the masses trying to get in. Yesterday was a mixed bag - mainly good.

Words and Pictures. What's my science for picking films to see? Hmmmm....oh yeah, do I have a crush on any of the actors. Had to see this because of Clive Owens. How about if I leave it to the critics to weigh in on this movie about two competing high school teachers, both with struggles of their own.

Philomena. Another opportunity to watch Judi Dench secure her place as one of the top three actors in the business. She plays an older woman who was forced to give up her child for adoption and her quest to track him down. A kind of shockingly pulled back effort by Steve Coogan as a journalist who goes along on a journey with her.

Our Man in Tehran. Did you love ARGO? Then you will love this documentary that tells the true story behind the story. Made by Canada, it of course smiles on the land to our north with good reason. They took in our escaped hostages before we could get in there and bring them out as filmmakers. The thing I loved is how they painted Jimmy Carter as a man who put the release of all the hostages above his political aspirations - something the great humanitarian has been paying for ever since.

August: Osage County. If this is fall, it must be time for a seriously well acted drama starring Meryl Streep. Based on a Pulitzer winning play, this is the ultimate dysfunctional family film. See it with your siblings, but never your mother. With Chris Cooper, Sam Shepard, Julia Roberts, Ewan McGregor, etc etc.

You Are Here. Owen Wilson and Zach Galifanakis are just plain mismatched both together and for the script as two close buddies struggling with being grown up men.