Toronto International Film Festival '05 : Day 1

So what did I do on my final day of vacation before the Film Fest begins? That's right, I watched some movies. With enough of the redesign to be happy done, no real games to play, and not enough energy or initiative to go out on a shoot I went out for lunch and came back, ending up watching Spartan and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. I've seen both before [nothing new on the Movie network right now] but Spartan was good as a Val Kilmer refresher before tonight’s film, and Eternal Sunshine is just a great movie I appreciate more and more as time goes on [too much maybe].

My format for posting throughout the festival will be to post general daily impressions [good, bad, guy with the gun] in a way that's visible at all levels, and the "reviews" of each of the movies only on the individual entry screen, which is accessible through the Continue Reading... link the the bottom of each post. Due to some very long days recaps may not be available right away.

Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang

Ryerson

4.5/5 Fun Fun

From the writer of Lethal Weapon comes another Comedy-Action movie, this time starring Robert Downey Jr. and Val Kilmer.. Downy is a crook on the run who finds himself auditioning for a role he's ideally suited for. He soon finds himself in L.A. with Kilmer as a Homosexual Gumshoe "Gay Perry" helping him research his role. I'm sure the audience will be shocked to discover that soon afterwards bodies start lining up and a "deadly and devious plot" to uncover. Oh yes, and there's a love interest of course, for Downey - not Kilmer. Now it's here I should add that Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang is probably the funniest movie I've seen in a long time! Best user of a severed finger, best use of a derringer, great narration and editing. Oh crap, yeah and KIlmer and Downey work really well together, can't forget to mention the actors!

No, really it's like really really funny. And smart, did I say smart? I'm doing this badly ;)

Let me start over. I almost ended up in the Rush line because they switched the directions from last year. Luckily I caught it early and still ended up close enough to the front of the line that good seats were assured. Apparently this was the North American premiere, so of course there was the Red Carpet and Limos and all that jazz. Upon entering the theatre I was shocked to see new seats! The seats last year were HORRIBLE (read: bad) old wooden ones like in your high-school gym. Unfortunately the new ones weren't much better for a taller person like me, and the front row of the balcony had terrible leg room. It was not a comfortable time. But it was a fun time, so much so lots of good dialogue was lost due to the laughter. Okay it's late and I have a 9:15am, so I'll just say that (other than the theatre) the only downside was that I know this movie will get released, so I still rather have seen The President's Last Bang - but I'm sure if I hunt for it that will come out later as well.

Posted at 08:30 AM to Film By: John Fairley