DVD Releases for July 5, 2011

Time to take a look at a selection of DVD releases for Tuesday July 5, 2011! It is a list of dark, dark films this week for the most part.

• Hobo with a Shotgun (DVD Review) Rutger Hauer stars as a (you guessed it) Hobo with a Shotgun in the over the top Canadian explotation film based on the short film that played with Grindhouse from Treevenge director Jason Eisener
• UFC 129: St. Pierre vs Shields I've not quite got into UFC (mostly because I'd likely become addicted to it! but I can't help but be curious about this one as it as the first ever fight here in Toronto!
• Shelter thriller centred on a forensic psychiatrist working to solve murders before they happen, stars starring Julianne Moore and Jonathan Rhys Meyers and is definitely on my to see list.
• Jaloux / Jealous French Canadian thrilled set at a lakeside cottage starring Maxime Denommée, Sophie Cadieux and Benoît Gouin this one is also on my to see list.
• Essential Killing European political thriller that looks a little to harsh for me but I've heard good things about.
• Of Gods and Men Highly acclaimed and award French film centred on monks under threat of terrorists.
• The Cape: The Complete Series short lived superhero gets a complete release of its one season run.
• The Closer: The Complete Sixth Season The Kyra Sedgwick series gets a release of it's 6th season on DVD.
• Eureka: Season 4.0 I've never yet caught this quirky looking series but the more I hear about it the more curious I get.

Titles on Amazon.ca(Canada):


Titles on Amazon.com (US):


Shelter, Jealous & Essential Killing not currently listed on Amazon.com

Hobo with a Shotgun (DVD Review)

DVD review of the Canadian explotation feature film Hobo with a Shotgun starring Rutger Hauer, directed by Jason Eisener.



Image: Courtesy of Alliance Films.
Legal Line: Copyright © 2011 Hobo Inc. / 3243988 Nova Scotia Limited. All Rights Reserved. Distributed Exclusively in Canada by Alliance Films. All Rights Reserved.

Dir: Jason Eisener (Treevenge)
Cast: Rutger Hauer, Gregory Smith, Robb Wells, Molly Dunsworth, Brian Downey, Nick Bateman
Canada/USA, 2011

Reason to see: Doesn't the title say it all? Plus: Rutger Hauer and it's Canadian.

Ever wonder what would happen if a hobo rolled into a town overrun by anarchy and chaos? I know one way to find out: watch Hobo with a Shotgun! Rutger Hauer (Ladyhawke, Blade Runner) stars as our hobo in a town where no one is safe from fear, violence or torturous activity which runs rampant for the films 1h 27 minutes duration. This is purely for the extremist crowd with blood, guts and gore along with one liners and everything else you'd expect to go hand in hand with an exploitation film. And for that audience, it's amazing. Crazy over the top characters, brutal violence and kills and of course lots and lots of blood.

I'm not going to lie, there were moments that even I found hard to sit though and I'm well versed in a lot of extreme cinema. It starts off full throttle and keeps the level of tension and terror very high throughout the film. But, because it's so over the top you have to laugh and I did, a lot. Especially at some of the more bizarre characters which were, quite frankly, brilliant. I loved Rutger Hauer's pitch perfect performance as the rugged, tired and homeless hobo who has had enough and feels like the only sane man in an insane town.

Oddly, what I didn't expect from an exploitation-style film were things like a rather solid plot. That isn't even a dig, as it can be fun in these types of films to note the things that don't make sense but this proves that the plot making sense can work just as well! What I actually adored about the film is the beautiful retro look of hot/bright colours (see images below), hilarious and fitting costumes and overall wonderful art direction and production design that all work hand in hand creating this crazy world where Hobo with a Shotgun takes place.

It's quite astonishing that it can keep the extreme tension up for so long, and that's likely why it feels longer than it's just under 90 minute running time. But to be honest, like the hobo, I'm not sure I could have taken much more! A must-see film for extreme film watchers. And the post cards included in the DVD were a freaking nice touch to boot.

Warnings: extreme violence, gore, torture, disturbing ideas & imagery that persist for the entire film

DVD Extras
The 2 Disc DVD set has a bucket loads of bloody extras including postcards. Here are the details of the extras:

Disc One - Includes the film, audio Commentary, Shotgun Mode and Shotgun Mode Clips

• Feature Commentary with director Jason Eisener, writer John Davies, producer Rob Cotterill and actor David Brunt who played "Hobo" in Grindhouse trailer - very entertaining commentary with it's fair share of colourful language - even chatting about the colourful language in the film and discusses everything from films & character inspirations to technical info and often notations to how non-technical the shots are, notations of the (minimal) use of CGI, discussion of the make up and special effects, when different scenes were shot, the challenges of filmmaking and challenges of keeping certain scenes in the film, discussion over the inclusion of nudity, changes along the way, stories and inspiration behind ideas, scenes, moments and dialogue as well as scenes & ideas that were from the short Hobo with a Shotgun. Also has some really nice special touches like importance of fonts for opening credits (and the opening credits in Hobo are awesome) and, I kid you not, grizzlybear insights.
• Shotgun Mode: a icon appears on the screen at times when you can see behind the scenes looks of the film or you can watch the 40+ Shotgun Mode Clips with there Shotgun Mode extra gory shotgunness on the own or as a set.

Disc Two - Special Features

• More Book, More Heart: The Making of Hobo with a Shotgun, Deleted Scenes, Alternate Ending, Video Blogs, Camera Test Reel, Fangoria Interviews, HDNet: A Look at Hobo with a Shotgun, Grindhouse Trailer Contest Winner: Hobo with a Shotgun, Hobo with a Shotgun Faux Trailer Contest Winner: Van Gore, Redband U.S. Theatrical Trailer and Canadian TV Spots

Plus

• Free Collectible Hobo Postcard Set (7 Postcards)

Hobo with a Shotgun is available on DVD as of July 5, 2011. Check it out over at Amazon.ca (DVD) & Amazon.com (DVD)

Shannon's Overall View:
It was more brutal than I expected
I'd have to be in an extreme mood, but I would watch it again
I highly recommend it to fans of extreme films, exploitation films and over the top horror films

Return to Film Reviews or see more DVD Reviews

© Shannon Ridler, 2011


Molly Dunsworth stars as Abby in HOBO WITH A SHOTGUN, an Alliance Films release


Nick Bateman stars as Ivan in HOBO WITH A SHOTGUN, an Alliance Films release


Hobo With A Shotgun, an Alliance Films release

TIFF 2011: Packages on Sale Today for Visa Cardholders

Today at is the day that ticket packages for TIFF go on sale to VISA cardholders and this is the day that feels like the festival is really upon is and the excitement and anticipation starts to set in. We won't hear titles for a bit yet (although I'll keep my eyes peeled for new press releases and will share the excitement once we know more), and I always particularly enjoy diving though the Midnight Madness titles which is often release about 3/4 of the way thought July although last year was later. I remember the 3/4 of the way through July bit as it's right by my birthday and it feels likes a present to know what's coming! But until then, we'll have to wait patient

Find out more about this years festival by checking out information on Ticket & Packages, Tickets & Packages FAQ, Package Delivery Service, Box Office, New This Year and Festival Policies at the TIFF Festival website.

I also highly recommend the TIFF Talk website which is a great resource on changes year to year and always has a great how to buy tickets walk though and advance ordering process explanation (see 2010's here) which I know can be overwhelming to first time festivallers. Don't worry, with some paper, highlighters and patience you will get the hang of it. Believe me you will! And it always gives everyone something to chat about in line.

The Toronto International Film Festival 2011 runs from September 8 - 18, 2011 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Miss Independent

Wishing you a happy and safe Fourth of July!
-- Movie Dearest

July Book to Film Club Book Selection: The Help

July 2011 Book: The Help by Kathryn Stockett

Set in Mississippi during the early 1960s the centred on unlikely friendships and courageous women. The film stars Emma Stone (Paper Man), Viola Davis and Octavia Spencer, Directed by Tate Taylor (Pretty Ugly People).
Film Release Date: August 12, 2011 (see trailer here)

This one I found has been wildly popular and I put my library hold request in early (it had over 900 hold requests in Toronto!) and just recently got it. Even with moving around the corner I think I'll make it through as I'll have some in transit time which I find tends to be a great time to get some reading done. Besides, after getting through On the Road - I feel like I could get through just about anything! The Help is a bit of a different pick than what I normally read, but I have dipped in a bit and am enjoying it so far.

I hope you will join us in reading The Help this month!

You can join the Book to Film Club at any time. Sign up for updates here.

Fellini/Felliniesque: "Dream" Double Bills at TIFF Bell Lightbox

Photo: Anthony Quinn & Giulietta Masina in La Strada (Photo Credit: Janus)

Fellini/ Felliniesque - Fellini "Dream" Double Bills
A delicious summer feature arrives at TIFF Bell Lightbox with Fellini/ Felliniesque - Fellini "Dream" Double Bills. As fascinating concept of double bills hand picked by the internationally recognized film directors, programmers and industry movers and shakers who put together dream double bills of a Fellini + non-Fellini-yet-Fellinieque film. It's a beautiful set of films to dive deeper in to the not only the world of Fellini but also the inspiring effect he's had on the world. We have a great selection of Fellini and non-Fellini films to enjoy, and I love how La Strada is in there twice, one time with Isabella Rossellini pick of Charles Chaplin’s Limelight and also with Miranda July's pick of Jane Campion's An Angel at My Table. I also love Apichatpong Weerasethakul's selection of Fellini’s Roma with Terry Gilliam’s Brazil. Let's take a closer look and a few of the selected double bills.

Dream Double Bill: Federico Fellini’s Toby Dammit and Dario Argento’s Suspiria
Selected by James Schamus


Toby Dammit (Photo credit: TIFF Film Reference Library) and Suspiria (Photo credit: Fotofest)

Toby Dammit
Dir: Federico Fellini
Cast: Terence Stamp
France/Italy, 1968

Moments into Toby Dammit I could see exactly why it has been paired with Suspiria. Shockingly bright and hot colour palette, sets that manage to feel brilliant and minimalist even though lesser hands it could have come off like a kids play. The short follows Toby Dammit (Terence Stamp), a too-soonly washed up star who arrives to attend an awards show, although he's not really interested in anything or anyone. Rampant, raging and ready to roar he's a handful from the get go. Like several films of Fellini's that explore celebrity and expectation of excellence, we travel the road of destruction with Toby Dammit during that darkness of an empty creative well. Loud, brash and very entertaining. Toby Dammit is a part of Spirits of the Dead, a collection of short films adapted from Edgar Allan Poe short story.

Suspiria
Dir: Dario Argento (Inferno, Mother of Tears, Giallo)
Cast: Jessica Harper, Stefania Casini, Flavio Bucci, Udo Kier, Alida Valli,
Italy, 1977

Ah, Suspiria. I love Suspiria, because it's a film that knows exactly what it's doing. As far as supernatural horror goes, it knows all the right marks to hit and even 30 years later those marks keep on hitting and working. From the new girl in town scenario, to the large and mysterious location, to local legends and or course ooey gooey bright red bloody goodness. It is a horror film after all! We follow Suzy (Jessica Harper) and American ballet student who arrives as a new student to a ballet academy where people seemingly leave quickly and quietly, when in fact they really seem to be dropping like flies. Seriously, what other supernatural horror film could be so brash as to be set in a ballet school? That openness is one of the things I love about the film, along with the ridiculous bright colour story that makes the screen literally glow. It's over the top, all of the time from the story to the gore to the bright, brilliant colours. Add some creepy characters and highly creative and creepy sequences and it makes it creepy to boot. Gotta love it. Seriously, you have got to love Suspiria.

The Dream Double Bill of Fellini’s Toby Dammit and Dario Argento’s Suspiria plays on July 2, 2011 and will have Guillermo Del Toro in attendance. Find out more information here and buy tickets here.

Dream Double Bill: Federico Fellini’s La Strada and Jane Campion’s An Angel at My Table
Selected by Miranda July


Anthony Quinn & Giulietta Masina in La Strada La Strada (Photo Credit: Janus) and Kerry Fox as Janet Frame in An Angel at My Table

La Strada
Dir: Federico Fellini
Cast: Anthony Quinn, Giulietta Masina, Richard Basehart
Italy, 1954

I'm very surprized that I've never reviewed La Strada before, at it's a lock in my Top 5 Films of All Time from the moment I saw it in an Italian Film Class back in my OCAD days. I loved it instantaneously, and what felt like against better judgment as we follow the sad tale of the brutish-yet-charismatic Zampanò (Anthony Quinn), a travelling performer who goes on the road with more than a little odd Gelsomina (Giulietta Masina). By today's standards there is a lot that feels not PC, but I can't help but love it. A lot of the love comes in the expressive performance by Giulietta Masina as Gelsomina, someone who has had so few opportunities but actually has in her the natural performance talent that brings joy to the audience but frustrates Zampanò whose performance day in and day out is his trade but rarely feels like a calling. A bizarre duo they make, from all-knowing to wide-eyed, and add that neither are that skilled at social graces we are along for the ride on their strained pairing as they perform around the country. It's a marvelous, although at times painful, look at the world through the eyes of two very different people and the effect each of them has on the other. An absolute must-see film for everyone.

An Angel at My Table
Dir: Jane Campion (Bright Star, The Piano, In the Cut)
Cast: Kerry Fox, Iris Churn, Kevin J. Wilson, Alexia Keogh, Karen Fergusson
New Zealand/Australia/UK, 1990

An Angel at My Table is based on Janet Frame's autobiographies To the Is-Land, An Angel at My Table and The Envoy from Mirror City. The film is an amazing combination of sadness and joy through a biographical lens as we look at the life of writer Janet Frame from childhood, to school years and beyond. Although she has a fair share upset throughout her life, I loved how she always had support from her family especially as they engaged together with words, literature and education. In contrast, it was wild to see how different he life was socially outside of home. Faced with severe social anxiety, to the point where her mental health is in question and through this her writing continues to be her creative outlet. The adult Janet Frame is played expertly by Kerry Fox who braves a performance from timid and shy to open abandon. It's extraordinary to see such an breadth and depth of character in a performance.

One of the most interesting things about watching An Angel at My Table in this context, was that it shed a light on a different way to look at La Strada. Both films have a strong, but odd, woman in the arts who is often unaccepted and is seen as having issues with mental health. I don't think I would have picked that out seeing the films individual, but thinking about the together it brings the issue to a brighter light. Fascinating.

The Dream Double Bill of Federico Fellini’s La Strada and Jane Campion’s An Angel at My Table plays on July 30, 2011. Find out more information here and buy tickets here.
La Strada also plays with Charles Chaplin’s Limelight on July 9, 2011. Find out more information here and buy tickets here

And here's the whole run down of Fellini/Felliniesque: "Dream" Double Bills selections:

• Fellini’s 8½ and Rainer Werner Fassbinder’s Beware of a Holy Whore on June 30, 2011
• Fellini’s Toby Dammit and Dario Argento’s Suspiria on July 2, 2011 with Guillermo Del Toro in attendance
• Fellini’s Roma and Terry Gilliam’s Brazil on July 3, 2010
• Fellini’s La Strada and Charles Chaplin’s Limelight July 9, 2011
• Fellini’s Juliet of the Spirits and Michel Gondry’s Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind on July 13, 2011
• Fellini’s Casanova and Hal Ashby’s Shampoo on July 23, 2011
• Fellini’s La Strada and Jane Campion’s An Angel at My Table on July 30, 2011
• Fellini’s City of Women and Frank Perry’s The Swimmer on August 6, 2011
• Fellini’s I Vitelloni and Barry Levinson’s Diner on August 8, 2011
• Fellini’s Nights of Cabiria and Satyajit Ray’s Devi on August 14, 2011
• Fellini’s The Clowns and Marcel Carné’s Children of Paradise on August 18, 2011
• Fellini’s Fellini Satyricon and Derek Jarman’s Sebastiane on August 26, 2011

Fellini Dream Double Bills runs at TIFF Bell Lightbox from June 30 - August 26, 2011. Find out more information here and buy tickets here.

Love Fellini? There is even more....

Fellini: Spectacular Obsessions
An exhibition exploring the obsessions in director Federico Fellini work presented at TIFF Bell Lightbox from June 30 - September 18, 2011.

Film Fan Fridays for Friday July 1, 2011

Hello Film Fans and Fanatics!

Welcome to Film Fan Fridays for Friday July 1, 2011 and a Happy Canada Day to All! Yes, North, South or side of the border I hope everyone has an awesome Canada Day weekend.

In limited release this week we have 4 films to choose from and starting things off patriotically we have a Canadian western, The Mountie which following relocated Mountie who comes to straighten things out after an innocent man is found dead. We also have the Cannes 2010 Critics Week winner Armadillo a documentary following Danish soldiers from an army base in the southern Afghan province of Helmand. On a bit of a lighter note we have The Trip starring Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon semi-as-themselves in a comedy/improvised tour reviewing restaurants in the North of England. Last up for limited releases is The Names of Love / Le nom des gens, a French romantic/political-comedy. That's a whole new genre!

In wide release this week we also have 4 releases to choose from starting with Monte Carlo, which follows a trio of girlfriends take a trip to Europe which goes awry and a course correction presents itself in the form of taking on mistaken identity of a British heiress - stars Selena Gomez, Leighton Meester (Country Strong), Katie Cassidy and Cory Montieth (Glee) and I think out of the wide releases this is the one I'd see. We also have Larry Crowne starring Tom Hanks (also director on this title) and Julie Roberts star in this romantic comedy about a man who goes to college after being downsized. Two Bollywood choices this week with Bbuddha...Hoga Tera Baap I love the description of this one which starts with the well-known premise of a retired hitman returning for one last job,.. and then the twist of 'Just don't call him "Buddah"' cracks me up and Delhi Belly which might be my favourite title of the year because it's just so much fun to say.

And already in release is Transformers: Dark of the Moon which technically came out on Wednesday June 29, 2011 although I know they had Tuesday night shows as well.

Have a great weekend!

Shannon

Special Screening

Fellini/ Felliniesque - Fellini Dream Double Bills
A fascinating concept of double bills hand picked by the internationally recognized film folk who put together dream double bills for a Fellini + non-Fellini-yet-Fellinieque film (see my thoughts on the selections here). Here are some of the selections:

• Fellini’s Roma and Terry Gilliam’s Brazil - July 3, 2010
• Fellini’s Casanova and Hal Ashby’s Shampoo on July 23, 2011
• Fellini’s La Strada and Jane Campion’s An Angel at My Table - July 30, 2011
• And a huge highlight will be this weekends Fellini’s Toby Dammit and Dario Argento’s Suspiria on July 2, 2011 which will have Guillermo Del Toro in attendance.

Fellini Dream Double Bills runs At TIFF Bell Lightbox from June 30 - August 26, 2011

Fellini: Spectacular Obsessions
An Exhibition exploring the obsessions in director Federico Fellini work presented at TIFF Bell Lightbox from June 30 - September 18, 2011

Free Screenings

Harbourfront Free Flicks presents City Flicks: Six int the City
Stars with Scott Pilgrim vs. the World at 9pm on Tuesday July 5, 2011 on the WestJet Stage
Harbourfront Free Flicks runs July 5 - August 9, 2011

TIFF in the Park: Classic Musicals
Starts with The Wizard of Oz at 9pm on Wednesday July 6, 2011 at at David Pecaut Square (formerly Metro Square, next to Roy Thomson Hall)
TIFF in the Park runs until July 6 - August 31, 2011

Free Dancing in the Dark Films at Yonge & Dundas Square
Stars with Beach Blanket Bingo at 9pm on Tuesday July 5, 2011 at Yonge & Dundas Square
Dancing in the Dark runs until August 30, 2011 and make sure to check showtimes carefully as some start before the hour and the double bills start earlier than singles.

Friday July 1, 2011 Releases

Armadillo
Dir: Janus Metz Pedersen - Feature Film Directorial Debut
Documentary
Denmark
Limited Release
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

Bbuddha...Hoga Tera Baap
Dir: Puri Jagannath (Golimar, Neninthe)
Cast: Amitabh Bachchan, Hema Malini, Raveena Tandon
India
Official Film Site & Videos, IMDb Page

Delhi Belly
Dir: Abhinay Deo (Game (2011))
Cast: Vir Das, Kunaal Roy Kapur, Imran Khan, Shenaz Treasury
India
Film Facebook Page, IMDb Page, Trailer

Larry Crowne
Dir: Tom Hanks (That Thing You Do!)
Cast: Tom Hanks, Julie Roberts, Bryan Cranston, Cedric The Entertainer, Taraji P. Henson, Gugu Mbatha Raw, Wilmer Valderrama, Pam Grier
USA
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

Monte Carlo (2011)
Dir: Thomas Bezucha (The Family Stone)
Cast: Selena Gomez, Leighton Meester, Katie Cassidy, Cory Montieth, Luke Bracey, Andie MacDowell
USA/Hungary
Film Facebook Page, IMDb Page, Trailer

The Mountie
Dir: Wyeth Clarkson (Sk8 Life, deadend.com)
Cast: Andrew W. Walker, Jessica Paré, George Buza, Earl Pastko
Canada
Limited Release
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

The Names of Love / Le nom des gens
Dir: Michel Leclerc (J'invente rien)
Cast: Sara Forestier, Jacques Gamblin, Zinedine Soualem
France
Limited Release
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

The Trip
Dir: Michael Winterbottom (The Killer Inside Me, A Mighty Heart)
Cast: Steve Coogan, Rob Brydon
UK
Limited Release
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

**please note this list of releases reflects first run film released in Toronto, Ontario, Canada as of July 1, 2011**