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Film Fridays: Canadian Cinema’s Neglected Souls
It’s been nearly a week since the Oscars, so the question is, have you supported those poor souls in Hollywood by going to the cinema yet? Don’t you understand that by watching a DVD you’re probably supporting terrorism, or something, and just not getting the film experience you deserve? Yes, you’d be a right idiot to watch films on anything but the big screen. Which might beg the question why they now rush DVDs out about two weeks after a film’s release with a whole bunch of extras, eh?
We could ignore all of that jazz and support those poor souls of the Canadian film industry, by venturing out for the belated release of TIFF2003 Discovery prize winner Rhinoceros Eyes, directed by David Cronenberg’s nephew (?) and unfortunately shelved for three years. Anyone unlucky enough to have sat through Gus Van Sant’s torturous Last Days will be glad to hear that here Michael Pitt spends most of the film in a Tor Johnson mask, and then sad to hear that he’s none the less playing a stumbling weirdo again. “More of an interesting debut for director Woodley than a fully realized film. ” is NOW’s John Harkness’ take.
We could ignore that, then, and support the poor souls of the Canadian Cinema industry, by going to see one of the films being shown at one of Toronto’s many indie cinemas – trying, perhaps, Midnight Movies: From The Margin To The Mainstream, (at the Royal Cinema, 608 College) which, funnily enough laments the death of cinema-going as a ritualistic celebration of counterculture, but you could, instead, just ritualistically celebrate the counterculture of awesome Kung Fu flicks by going to see The Sword of Many Loves as part of the biweekly Kung Fu Friday experience (Tonight at the Revue, 400 Roncesvalles). We’ll let this image speak for itself.
Doesn’t suit? Well why not support those poor souls who are trying to live in our lovely little social democratic utopia, by seeing Escape to Canada at the Bloor Cinema (506 Bloor W), a documentary examining the filthy hordes of homosexual drug fiends who are spilling over our borders to get married and smoke… Marijuana. Oof, sorry, I accidentally channelled Stephen Harper, there. ‘More like a greatest-hits comp of factoids than a coherent examination of recent events. ‘, I then proceeded to say, channelling Eye’s Jason Anderson.
You’ve got this far and you still don’t want to support anything? Oh you’re a hard one to please. Then why not support those poor souls who see fit to put on a film festival in this crowded city of film festivals, by checking out the World of Comedy Film Festival, running till March 12 at the Innis Town Hall Theatre (2 Sussex).
Or you could just go and rent something from Rogers… You cinephobic monster.