Atomic Blonde Review
The Plot
As the 1980s and Cold War draws to a bitter close a British agent is dispatched to the murky underworld of Berlin to recover priceless information and track down the identity of a mysterious double agent.
The Good
From its opening scene to its closing moments Atomic Blonde is relentlessly propelled by a catchy soundtrack of deliciously 80s electro beats. This distinctive score combines very well with the grim urban wasteland of cold war torn Berlin and a fun parade of stark 80s fashion to give the film a truly distinctive style. It’s a colourful and chaotic canvas for director David Leitch to work with.
Charlize Theron is perfectly cast as the beautifully deadly British agent ruthlessly fighting her way through Berlin in pursuit of her mission and some more mysterious personal goals. Beneath of bob of bleach blonde hair and wrapped in a monochrome wardrobe, Theron is the epitome of cool. The film does a fine job of crafting an indestructible aura around Theorn and making her a highly credible and memorable action heroine.
A strong supporting cast packed with familiar British stars like Toby Jones, Eddie Marsan and a notably feral James McAvoy lend authenticity to the brutal and banal world of international espionage. The film also frequently injects flashes of dark humour into its regular barrage of blood soaked action. The film wisely eschews melodrama in favour of unashamed mayhem and copious guilty pleasures.
The Bad
Atomic Blonde tries to balance an ambitious combination of brutal action, spy thrills and black comedy. The results are mostly satisfactory but by turns can feel both a little predictable and gratuitous. The John Le Carre-esque spy plot isn’t quite as clever as it attempts to be, while likewise the consistently blood drenched action is well executed but ultimately becomes slightly repetitive.
The film often panders to the mostly male audience it clearly anticipates attracting by flaunting Charlize Theron’s naked charms and even some surprisingly Sapphic sex scenes. While the film’s target market will no doubt welcome some sexy distractions it may be a little less popular among those hoping to turn Theron’s indestructible super-agent into any kind of de facto feminist icon.
Ultimately while the film fuses various elements of films like Taken, John Wick and even Grosse Point Blank it seems unlikely to match their enduring popularity. It will be interesting to see how well the film ultimately survives repeat viewing once it has been robbed of any initial intrigue. The soundtrack and set pieces are fun but the film does lack the sort of memorable dialogue and iconic scenes that seems most necessary for achieving true cult classic status.
The Ugly Truth
Atomic Blonde flirts obviously with cult classic status thanks to a memorably kitsch style and killer soundtrack. Theron is a perfect fit for her femme fatal heroine and her considerable presence may be enough alone to satisfy some fans. Those seeking a more subtle spy thriller should probably look elsewhere though as Leitch’s 80s throwback is more shameless guilty pleasure than anything else.
Review by Russell Nelson
TIFF 2017 Talent Lab Participants Announced
Twenty emerging filmmakers from across the globe have been selected for the 14th annual TIFF Talent Lab. They will have the opportunity to learn from leading international film artists, with an emphasis on developing their creative vision and craft. The five-day artistic development programme will take place from September 5 to 9, 2017.
“We are excited to welcome this group of talented filmmakers, and to support them to develop their artistry and expand their connections,” said Kathleen Drumm, TIFF Industry Director. “The breadth of their work displays the quality and diverse storytelling that TIFF is committed to supporting, and we see them as important filmmaking voices for the future.”
Since its inception, TIFF Talent Lab has been crucial in shaping the careers of many young directors and screenwriters. Notable Canadians who have attended Talent Lab in the past include Wiebke Von Carolsfeld, Richie Mehta, Elan Mastai, Semi Chellas and Michelle Latimer. Distinguished directors and producers, acting as Talent Lab Governors, will be mentoring the 20 up-and-coming filmmakers (10 international, 10 Canadian) through workshops, pitch sessions and masterclasses, with a focus on creativity, artistic process and independent voice.
To lead the newest cohort, this year’s Governors are producer Cassian Elwes (Dallas Buyers Club, Blue Valentine, Lee Daniels’ The Butler, Paperboy), along with Carole Scotta and Caroline Benjo from French production and distribution company Haut et Court (The Lobster, Foxfire, The Class). Additional Governors will be announced soon.
Special TIFF Talent Lab guests, including acclaimed international filmmakers, will be announced in the coming weeks. Talent Lab is produced by Hayet Benkara, TIFF Talent Development Programmer.
The 2017 Talent Lab participants are: Nathalie Álvarez Mesén (Sweden/Costa Rica); Jessica Beshir (Mexico); Mamadou Dia (Senegal); Belén Funes (Spain); Tinna Hrafnsdóttir (Iceland); Sara Kern (Slovenia); Jacqueline Lentzou (Greece); Samantha Nell (South Africa); Jenni Toivoniemi (Finland) and Wei-Ning Yu (Taiwan/USA/Canada). Joining them from Canada are Alexandre Dostie; Connor Gaston; Lawrence Le Lam; Trevor Mack; Emilie Mannering; Ryan Noth; Lina Roessler; Jorge Thielen Armand; Thyrone Tommy and Heather Young.
Toronto International Film Festival 2017 Line Up
The Toronto International Film Festival reveals gala and special presentation titles for 2017. Featuring premieres from filmmakers including Hany Abu-Assad, Haifaa Al Mansour, Darren Aronofsky, George Clooney, Gui llermo del Toro, Richard Eyre, Stephen Frears, Deniz Gamze Ergüven, Greta Gerwig, Craig Gillespie, David Gordon Green, MahamatSaleh Haroun, Angelina Jolie, Anurag Kashyap, Mélanie Laurent, Sebastián Lelio, Ben Lewin, Martin McDonagh, Hansal Mehta, Olivier Nakache, Alexander Payne, Angela Robinson, Andy Serkis, Eric Toledano, Wim Wenders, Joe Wright and more.
Piers Handling, CEO and Director of TIFF, and Cameron Bailey, Artistic Director of TIFF, today unveiled the first round of titles premiering in the Gala and Special Presentations programmes of the 42nd Toronto International Film Festival.
Of the 14 Galas and 33 Special Presentations, this first announcement includes 25 World Premieres, eight International Premieres, six North American Premieres and eight Canadian Premieres. Handling explained
“Festival-goers from around the world can anticipate a remarkable lineup of extraordinary stories, voices and cinematic visions from emerging talent and some of our favourite masters. Today’s announcement offers audiences a glimpse at this year’s rich and robust selection of films, including works from Canada, USA, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Spain, Ireland, Luxembourg, Belgium, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, India, Chile, Egypt and Cambodia.”
Cameron Bailey added
“Every year we set the stage for film lovers of all ages and cultural backgrounds to come together and embrace the universal power of cinema. As the Festival enters its fifth decade, we’ve challenged ourselves to adapt and build on our strengths, and we look forward to championing a new selection of films that will captivate and inspire global film audiences.”
The 42nd Toronto International Film Festival runs from September 7 to 17, 2017.
GALAS 2017
Breathe Andy Serkis, United Kingdom World Premiere
The Catcher Was A Spy Ben Lewin, USA World Premiere
*Closing Night Film* C’est la vie! Olivier Nakache, Eric Toledano, France World Premiere
Darkest Hour Joe Wright, United Kingdom Canadian Premiere
Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool Paul McGuigan, United Kingdom Canadian Premiere
Kings Deniz Gamze Ergüven, France/Belgium World Premiere
Long Time Running Jennifer Baichwal, Nicholas de Pencier, Canada World Premiere
Mary Shelley Haifaa Al Mansour, Ireland/United Kingdom/Luxembourg/USA World Premiere
The Mountain Between Us Hany Abu-Assad, USA World Premiere
Mudbound Dee Rees, USA International Premiere
Stronger David Gordon Green, USA World Premiere
Untitled Bryan Cranston/Kevin Hart Film Neil Burger, USA World Premiere
The Wife Björn Runge, United Kingdom/Sweden World Premiere
Woman Walks Ahead Susanna White, USA World Premiere
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS 2017
Battle of the Sexes Valerie Faris, Jonathan Dayton, USA International Premiere
BPM (Beats Per Minute) Robin Campillo, France North American Premiere
The Brawler Anurag Kashyap, India World Premiere
The Breadwinner Nora Twomey, Canada/Ireland/Luxembourg World Premiere
Call Me By Your Name Luca Guadagnino, Italy/France Canadian Premiere
Catch the Wind Gaël Morel, France International Premiere
The Children Act Richard Eyre, United Kingdom World Premiere
The Current War Alfonso Gomez-Rejon, USA World Premiere
Disobedience Sebastián Lelio, United Kingdom World Premiere
Downsizing Alexander Payne, USA Canadian Premiere
A Fantastic Woman Sebastián Lelio, Chile Canadian Premiere
First They Killed My Father Angelina Jolie, Cambodia Canadian Premiere
The Guardians Xavier Beauvois, France World Premiere
Hostiles Scott Cooper, USA International Premiere
The Hungry Bornila Chatterjee, India World Premiere
I, Tonya Craig Gillespie, USA World Premiere
*Special Presentations Opening Film* Lady Bird Greta Gerwig, USA International Premiere
mother! Darren Aronofsky, USA North American Premiere
Novitiate Maggie Betts, USA International Premiere
Omerta Hansal Mehta, India World Premiere
Plonger Mélanie Laurent, France World Premiere
The Price of Success Teddy Lussi-Modeste, France International Premiere
Professor Marston & the Wonder Women Angela Robinson, USA World Premiere
The Rider Chloé Zhao, USA Canadian Premiere
A Season in France Mahamat-Saleh Haroun, France World Premiere
The Shape of Water Guillermo del Toro, USA Canadian Premiere
*Special Presentations Closing Film* Sheikh Jackson Amr Salama, Egypt World Premiere
The Square Ruben Östlund, Sweden North American Premiere
Submergence Wim Wenders, France/Germany/Spain World Premiere
Suburbicon George Clooney, USA North American Premiere
Thelma Joachim Trier, Norway/Sweden/France/Denmark International Premiere
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri Martin McDonagh, USA North American Premiere
Victoria and Abdul Stephen Frears, United Kingdom North American Premiere
Dunkirk Review
The Plot
The iconic military evacuation of British forces from France during World War 2 is brought to life following the experiences of soldiers awaiting rescue on land, boats rushing across the sea to save them and fighter pilots trying desperately to protect them all from the air in the skies above.
The Good
Christopher Nolan is one of the most critically accomplished and popular filmmakers of his generation, with Dunkirk he manages to deliver a film which is respectfully realistic but yet still generally uplifting and thrilling. It’s an incredibly difficult balance to create but the film does a generally excellent job at balancing harrowing tragedy and sombre reflection on the horrors of war with more optimistic themes of survival and courage. It’s testament to Nolan’s skill as a storyteller that he is able to turn such potentially grim historical subject matter into something that feels intimate and gripping.
Nolan relies on a familiar line up of charismatic stars such as Tom Hardy, Cillian Murphy, Kenneth Branagh and Mark Rylance. He also once again takes full advantage of Hans Zimmer’s genius, with the acclaimed composer providing yet another excellent soundtrack that pulse through the film with the captivating urgency of a ticking clock. Zimmer’s score helps tie together the three strands of the storytelling and keeps audiences suitably adrenalized.
Nolan also bravely hands leading roles to a host of young stars, including a very prominent acting debut for One Direction star Harry Styles. Styles and his fellow fresh faced co-stars do a fine job of collectively breathing fear and desperation into efforts to escape the doomed beaches of Dunkirk. With minimal dialogue and commendable physical performances they make the nightmare of war a horrific reality for audiences. Though Styles may predictably grab headlines and plaudits, in truth there’s little to distinguish him from a generally fine ensemble of young actors.
In truth the film’s most memorable star turn comes from Tom Hardy. Given the role of heroic spitfire pilot, in truth Hardy only has to stare stoically out his cockpit and occasionally pull on his joystick to make him a crowd pleasing highlight. It’s a gift for any actor but at least Hardy is a deserving recipient.
The Bad
Dunkirk is as well-crafted as it possibly could be, but it still can’t escape the fact that it is a war film about a particularly dark, tragic and familiar portion of military history. While individual human stories may hold audiences interest, overall there’s no surprises and the scale of loss of life and human suffering makes it difficult to ever truly ‘enjoy’ proceedings.
Certainly compared to Nolan’s other popular work there’s little chance audiences will leave the cinema feeling an urgent need to race back for another viewing. Real life horrors of human conflict are clearly far less escapist fun the gravity defying dreams and comic book superheroes.
While the film’s approach of exploring the evacuation efforts form the land, sea and air serves as a neat way at exploring the full scope of events, sometimes the transition back and forth between each strand can be a little jarring. Repeating events from different perspectives can briefly confuse audiences already feeling a little overwhelmed by the epic fog of war on screen. It’s never a major problem but not quite as flawless in its execution as it could be.
The Ugly Truth
Christopher Nolan delivers a War film that is both admirably faithful and thrilling. An accomplished director, excellent soundtrack and stoic ensemble cast all combine to keep Dunkirk afloat and to grip audience’s attention from start to finish.
Review by Russell Nelson
Priyanka Chopra Attends TIFF Soirée 2017
TIFF announced today that award-winning actor and activist Priyanka Chopra will be the guest of honour at TIFF Soirée, an annual fundraiser this year organized in support of Share Her Journey, a recently launched campaign to support female voices in screen industries.
Chopra will talk about her prolific and globally multifaceted career in and outside of the entertainment industry during an exclusive onstage conversation to be moderated by TIFF Artistic Director, Cameron Bailey, followed by a celebratory cocktail party on TIFF Bell Lightbox’s scenic rooftop with live musical entertainment, gourmet food and beverages, and a few surprises. An ideal kickoff for the 42nd Toronto International Film Festival, the event will take place on Wednesday, September 6 at 6 pm.
“A longtime staple of international screens, Priyanka Chopra is not only celebrated for playing strong and nuanced female characters that have their own agency, she is also committed to creating equal opportunities for women so they can reach their full potential. We are honoured to welcome such an inspirational woman to our year-round home and celebrate her journey as part of our recently announced Share Her Journey campaign,” said maxine bailey, VP of Advancement at TIFF. “Proceeds from TIFF Soireé will enable the organization to grow its Talent Development programmes with female-forward programming to increase participation, skills and opportunities for women behind and in front of the camera.”
An actor and producer, Priyanka Chopra has forged an impressive and prolific career in global cinema with lead roles in more than 50 commercially successful Hindi-language films, including the award-winning Fashion (08), and TIFF Official Selections What’s Your Raashee? (09) and Mary Kom (14). She made her American TV debut on ABC’s hit drama Quantico, which has just been renewed for a third season, and took on her first Hollywood role in the action-comedy Baywatch(17). Besides her acting career, Chopra is involved in a number of efforts to protect children’s rights and promote the education of girls around the world, including UNICEF, for which she is a Goodwill Ambassador, and her namesake charity The Priyanka Chopra Foundation for Health and Education.
The Share Her Journey campaign runs from July 10 to September 17, 2017 and aims to raise $3 million (CAD) over five years. Donations made in the first year will be generously matched by Betty-Ann Heggie and Anne-Marie Canning. For more information on the Share Her Journeycampaign and to make a donation, go to tiff.net/shareherjourney.
Tickets to TIFF Soirée are $300 to $750. To purchase tickets, visit tiff.net/soiree.