Welcome to round 2 of our epic non-coverage of the 2008 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), in which we live vicariously through our friends and neighbors around the web. In this edition, we’ve got more buzz from the festival as well as some films being picked up for distribution. As well, Toronto was invaded by Paris Hilton, who showed up to the premiere of her doc Paris, Not France despite reports of her legal team trying to shut the film’s presence down. All that and more as we keep an eye on TIFF:
First Showing: Zack and Miri’s ‘Porno’ is an “Instant Hit”
If there is one thing to love about my good friend Alex Billington over at First Showing, it is his unbridled enthusiasm. And in his review of Kevin Smith’s Zack and Miri Make a Porno, he unleashes his enthusiasm, calling the film “an instant hit” and “easily one of the best comedies I’ve seen in a long-time.” Was this an expected outcome with Smith’s return to raunch-com? Of course, but it is nice to hear, either way.
Cinematical: ‘Che’ Goes to IFC, Bigelow’s ‘Hurt Locker’ goes to Summit
Two soon to be major contenders in this year’s awards season, Steven Soderbergh’s Che and Kathryn Bigelow’s The Hurt Locker, found distributors today. Che will be distributed domestically by IFC’s theatrical division, and will make an awards qualifying run in NYC and LA in December, with a wider release to follow in January. Kathryn Bigelow’s Iraq war drama was picked up by Summit Entertainment, distributor of Twilight, for release sometime at the end of the year.
Entertainment Weekly: Will Aniston’s ‘Management’ Sell?
EW’s Dave Karger and Missy Schwartz talk about Jennifer Aniston and Steve Zahn’s quirky new comedy Management. They talk about the strong buzz behind the film, as well as whether or not it will get a distributor before TIFF comes to a close.
Spout: Paris, Not France Review
I’ve been following Karina Longworth’s coverage over at Spout all week, as her snarky style really seems to captivate me. In her review of the Paris Hilton doc, she mentions the hoopla that ensued when the hotel heiress showed up. As for the film, she didn’t seem too impressed, but said that it “may serve in the future as a valuable time capsule of that exploitation in action.”
Coming Soon: Danny Boyle Gets Animated
Ed Douglas over at Coming Soon caught up with director Danny Boyle, whose film Slumdog Millionaire seems to be tearing up Toronto (in a good way). Boyle talked tentatively about an upcoming project where he might be doing an animated movie based on the Terry Pratchett children’s book “Truckers.” Very interesting, indeed.
Slashfilm: Darren Aronofsky Talks About ‘The Wrestler’
As our own Cole Abaius pointed out earlier this week, the film that has undoubtedly seen the most buzz at TIFF is Darren Aronofsky’s The Wrestler, starring Mickey Rourke. Peter over at Slashfilm caught up with Aronofsky for what can only be described as a marathon interview — so much so that he has broken it up into two parts. In part one, they talk about the epic experience that was making The Fountain as well as the development of The Wrestler.
Keep an eye out throughout the week as we will continue to keep tabs on all the TIFF-related happenings from around the web.
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