2009 Toronto Film Festival Winners
Gabourey ‘Gabby’ Sidibe in Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire (top photo); Lee Daniels
The bizarrely titled Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire, formerly known as Push: Based on a Novel by Sapphire, was the Audience Award winner at the 2009 Toronto Film Festival. The Toronto win, which follows widespread critical acclaim and a couple of Sundance awards earlier in the year, has pushed Precious to the forefront of likely Oscar contenders come February 2010. (Last year’s Toronto winner and critics’ favorite, Slumdog Millionaire, eventually turned out to be the best picture Oscar winner.)
Directed by Lee Daniels, Precious tells the story of an overweight, illiterate, pregnant teenager (Gabourey ‘Gabby’ Sidibe) who is abused by her mother (Mo’Nique), [...]
by Andre Soares | September 20, 2009
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Tags: Bruno Dumont, Cairo Time, Daybreakers, Film Awards, Film Festivals, Hadewijch, Lee Daniels, Mao's Last Dance, Michael and Peter Spierig, Patricia Clarkson, Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire, The Loved Ones, The Topp Twins, The Wild Hunt, Toronto 2009, Toronto Film Festival
WHATEVER WORKS d: Woody Allen
Whatever Works (2009)
Direction and Screenplay: Woody Allen
Cast: Larry David, Evan Rachel Wood, Patricia Clarkson, Ed Begley Jr., Henry Cavill
Larry David, Evan Rachel Wood
Woody Allen’s return to NYC has resulted in one of his best comedies in years. Of course, he hasn’t been making comedic films of late, but whatever.
"Hello, I Must Be Going" by Groucho Marx plays during the opening credits of Whatever Works. The song is perfect for setting the film’s contradictory tone. At the start, Boris (Larry David) speaks directly to the audience, commenting that this is not a feel-good movie – if you want to feel good, get a foot massage.
His character is miserable, a pessimist suffering from “I’m a genius and everyone else sucks” disease. [...]
by Keith Waterfield | July 27, 2009
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Tags: Comedies, Evan Rachel Wood, Film Reviews, Henry Cavill, Larry David, Patricia Clarkson, Whatever Works, Woody Allen
