Toronto After Dark Film Festival 2008 Coverage

Pre-Festival Coverage
Aug 22/08: Sneak preview at FaxExpo!
Aug 30/08 First 8 Titles Announced
Sept 22/08: Live announcement at the [REC] screening
Sept 28/08: Full Line Up Announced
Oct 16/08: Filmmakers in Attendance
Oct 16/08: Shorts Preview
Oct 16/08: PreFestival Vlog

Daily Coverage
Day 1 - Friday October 17, 2008: Write-Up, Vlog
Day 2 - Saturday October 18, 2008: Write-Up, Vlog
Day 3 - Sunday October 19, 2008: Write-Up, Vlog
Day 4 - Monday October 20, 2008: Write-Up, Vlog
Day 5 - Tuesday October 21, 2008: Write-Up, Vlog
Day 6 - Wednesday October 22, 2008: Write-Up, Vlog
Day 7 - Thursday October 23, 2008: Write-Up, Vlog
Day 8 - Friday October 24, 2008: Write-Up, Vlog

Film Reviews - Features
4bia / Phobia / See Prang
Brain Dead, Kevin Tenney's
Donkey Punch
Home Movie
I Sell the Dead
Idiots and Angels
Let the Right One In / Låt den rätte komma in
Mirageman
Mutant Chronicles
Netherbeast Incorporated
Red
Repo! The Genetic Opera
South of Heaven
Tokyo Gore Police / Tôkyô zankoku keisatsu
Trailer Park of Terror
Who is KK Downey?

Film Reviews - Shorts
Attack of the Robots from Nebula-5, The
Auburn Hills Breakdown, The
Bum Rush
Bumblebee Man, The
Cabin of Terror
Deadspiel
Doxology
Ending the Eternal
Facts in the Case of Mister Hollow, The
Flower, The
Found Objects
Goblin Man of Norway, The
Hydro-Levesque
I Live In The Woods
Kingz
Laser Ghosts 2: Return to Laser Cove
Laundromat, The
Lucky 10
Mars Project, The
Martians Go Home: The Revenge of Sara Clockwork
Notes from the Acrid Plain
Queen, The
Shut-Eye Hotel
Transrexia
Treevenge
Vengeance

Videos - Q&As, Introductions, etc.
Olly Blackburn: Selections from Donkey Punch Q&A
Larry Fressenden, Glenn McQuaid, Peter Phok and Angus Scrimm: I Sell the Dead Q&A
Steven Goldmann: Trailer Park of Terror Introduction
Andrew van den Houten: Home Movie Q&A
Pat Kiely and Matt Silver: selections from Who is KK Downey? Q&A
Steven Kostanski: Lazer Ghosts 2: Return to the Laser Cove Introduction
Jay Malloy and Pat Corcoran: Introduction to Deadspeil
Mirageman Introduction
Kevin Tenney: selections from Brain Dead Introduction and Q&A
Tokyo Gore Police Introduction
J.L. Vara: selections from South of Heaven Q&A
Terrance Zdunich, Tre Armstrong: selections from Repo! The Genetic Opera Introduction and Q&A

Post Festival Coverage
Wrap Up
Awards

The Toronto After Dark Film Festival 2008 ran from October 17-24/08 at the Bloor Cinema, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.



That's all folks! Until next year...

Toronto After Dark Film Festival 2008 - Wrap Up

Well the audience has had their say in the best films of the 2008 Toronto After Dark Film Festival. Although I always tore my ballot at the end of the screening, I'll like to also highlight what I thought were the best films:

Best Overall: Mirageman followed closely by Let the Right One In / Låt den rätte komma in.

Best Zombie Film: I'm actually going to go with a short on this: Deadspiel. You can't beat zombie curling.

Best Comedy: Netherbeast Incorporated

Best Short: Tie between Deadspiel and Laser Ghosts 2: Return to Laser Cove. This was an awesome year for shorts. So many of the short films were absolutely steller. I would highly advise checking them out if you can!

Scariest Film: Home Movie

Rockin' Shout Out to the Horror Genre: 4bia (specifically 'In the Middle')

Best Q&A's: The excitement in the house goes to I Sell the Dead, and the guys from Who is KK Downey? were hilarious

Funnest screenings: Mutant Chronicles and Tokyo Gore Police / Tôkyô zankoku keisatsu both films are enriched by seeing with an audience.

Fullest Screenings: All of the screenings were bustling, but their is no question that the four sell outs shows you hoped you knew your neighbours! Those four films were: Let the Right One In / Låt den rätte komma in, Repo! The Genetic Opera, Tokyo Gore Police / Tôkyô zankoku keisatsu and I Sell the Dead

Scariest Imagery: Home Movie

Icky-ist Imagery: Tokyo Gore Police / Tôkyô zankoku keisatsu

Best Double Bill: Tokyo Gore Police / Tôkyô zankoku keisatsu and Home Movie. Japanese splatterfest alongside found-footage horror. Who knew it would be such a great mix?

Happy Surprize: Donkey Punch I was really impressed with this film and I'm glad I gave it the benefit of the doubt. A well told story with fantastic acting and great soundtrack. Fabulous.

Repeating themes: Faces being sliced and/or falling off, scary kids and funny one-liners

Wish I hadn't missed: Nada! I saw all the films this year. One day I will make it out to the zombie walk though, but really I wasn't going to pass up the International Shorts to walk slowly (I do that every day :).

Best Experience: Chatting & meeting fellow film fans and online reviewers. I went from last year only knowing one other person covering the festival to this year knowing everyone whom sat in the near vicinity. It's a great community and I encourage you to check out their sites: 10 Movies to See Before You Die, Eternal Sunshine of the Logical Mind, Pop Journalism, RowThree, Toronto J-Film Pow-Wow, Toronto Screen Shots and Twitch Film. There is also awesome coverage over at Renerd.com.

Astonishing fact: I made it through all 8 days without caving to buying popcorn!

The Toronto After Dark Film Festival 2008 ran from October 17-24/08 at the Bloor Cinema, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Toronto After Dark Film Festival 2008 - Awards

The Toronto After Dark Film Festival awards winners have been announced. Three out of the four catagories are audience chosen and it sounds like many of you had your say! Overall more than 3,500 ballots were cast! Let's check out the results.

Audience Choice Award for Best Feature Film:
Let the Right One In - Gold (1st Place)
Repo! The Genetic Operal - Silver (2nd Place)
4BIA / Phobia - Bronze (3rd Place)

The Toronto After Dark Vision Award for Best Independent Feature Film:
I Sell the Dead - Gold
Home Movie - Silver
South of Heaven - Bronze

Audience Choice Award for Best Canadian Short Film:
Treevenge - Gold
The Facts in the Case of Mister Hollow - Silver
The Flower - Bronze

Audience Choice for Best International Short Film:
I Live in the Woods - Gold
Kingz - Silver
Martians Go Home: The Revenge of Sara Clockwork - Bronze

The Toronto After Dark Film Festival 2008 ran from October 17-24/08 at the Bloor Cinema, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Selections from I Sell the Dead Q&A at Toronto After Dark Film Festival 2008

The following video clips are from the screening of I Sell the Dead on Friday October 24, 2008 at the Toronto After Dark Film Festival. The post screening Q&A was led by Adam Lopez (Toronto After Dark Film Festival founder and director) and included from I Sell the Dead Glenn McQuaid (director) , Larry Fessenden (actor & producer), legendary screen actor Angus Scrimm, Brenda Cooney (actor) and Peter Phok (producer).

See my review of I Sell the Dead here.

Director Glenn McQuaid discusses the film and his love of the horror genre:


Larry Fessenden discuss his involvement with the film and introduces Angus Scrimm:


Angus Scrimm responds to an audience question regarding if he played the violin:


Producer Peter Phok speaks to the production side of the film including locations:


Larry Fessenden on why they chose to premiere at Toronto After Dark and where to go from here:


The Toronto After Dark Film Festival 2008 ran from October 17-24/08 at the Bloor Cinema, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Selections from South of Heaven Q&A at Toronto After Dark Film Festival 2008

The following video clips are from the screening of South of Heaven on Wednesday October 22, 2008 at the Toronto After Dark Film Festival.

See my review of South of Heaven here.

South of Heaven writer/director J.L. Vara discusses inspiration and influences for the characters:



J.L. Vara discusses locations, sets and effects:



J.L. Vara response to audience question regarding the kind of direction did he gave to the actors:



The Toronto After Dark Film Festival 2008 ran from October 17-24/08 at the Bloor Cinema, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Selection from Who is KK Downey? Q&A at Toronto After Dark Film Festival 2008

The following video clips are from the screening of Who is KK Downey? on Tuesday October 21, 2008 at the Toronto After Dark Film Festival with Peter Kuplowsky - Programming Manager, Pat Kiely (director/producer/actor) and Matt Silver (writer/actor).

See my review of Who is KK Downey? here.

Matt Silver and Pat Kiely describe how Kidnapper Films came to be as well as the inspiration for the characters and story of Who is KK Downey? (includes spoilers)



Pat Kiely response to audience question regarding the Voltaire scene (includes spoiler).



Pat Kiely and Matt Silver respond to audience questions regarding whose hair is real in the film as well as upcoming projects.



The Toronto After Dark Film Festival 2008 ran from October 17-24/08 at the Bloor Cinema, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Selection from Lazer Ghosts 2: Return to the Laser Cove Introduction at Toronto After Dark Film Festival 2008

The following video clip is from the introduction of the screening of the short Lazer Ghosts 2: Return to the Laser Cove on Wednesday October 22, 2008 at the Toronto After Dark Film Festival. See my review of Lazer Ghosts 2: Return to the Laser Cove here.

Peter Kuplowsky introduces Lazer Ghosts 2 Return to Laser Cove director Steven Kostanski whom discusses the company Astron 6:



The Toronto After Dark Film Festival 2008 ran from October 17-24/08 at the Bloor Cinema, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Selection from Tokyo Gore Police Introduction at Toronto After Dark Film Festival 2008

The following video clip is from the screening of Tokyo Gore Police on Thursday October 23, 2008 at the Toronto After Dark Film Festival. International features programmer Todd Brown introduces Tokyo Gore Police including discussing director Yoshihiro Nishimura as well as a few prominent faces in the Japanese film industry to look for.

See my review of Tokyo Gore Police here.

Please note the following clip includes mild spoilers.



The Toronto After Dark Film Festival 2008 ran from October 17-24/08 at the Bloor Cinema, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Home Movie Intro & Q&A

The following video clips are from the screening of Home Movie on Thursday October 23, 2008 at the Toronto After Dark Film Festival. The clips contain some discussions that speak to the plot of the film and therefore may contain spoilers. See my review of Home Movie here.

Adam Lopez and Home Movie producer Andrew van den Houten introduce the film:

Home Movie Producer Andrew van den Houten discuss the casting and working with child actors:



Home Movie Producer Andrew van den Houten discusses if any animals were harmed during the production:



Home Movie Producer Andrew van den Houten response to then question regarding how much the actors filmed scenes of the movie:


The Toronto After Dark Film Festival 2008 ran from October 17-24/08 at the Bloor Cinema, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Toronto After Dark Film Festival 2008 Day 8 - Friday October 24, 2008

Closing Night at the Toronto After Dark Film Festival was a star-studded and sold out event! There was festive energy in the as the audience searched and grabbed every last seat in the house. The short, Treevenge, certainly had the house in an uproar and the feature film for the evening in it's World Premiere screening, I Sell the Dead was well represented with a lively Q&A after the film with Glenn McQuaid , Larry Fessenden, legendary screen actor Angus Scrimm, Brenda Cooney and Peter Phok.

To hear and see about Day 8 check out my TADFF'08 Vlog for Day 8.


Festival Director & Founder Adam Lopez with Treevenge director Jason Eisener

Treevenge
Dir: Jason Eisener
Canada, 2008
15 min

In this first ever (that I've heard of) Christmas Tree Explotation film, the trees are out for blood and they aren't taking any prisoners! It might be safe this year to keep the holly away of the jolly in annual yuletide celebrations. This short literally had the audience going wild.


Festival Director & Founder Adam Lopez with I Sell the Dead cast & crew: Brenda Cooney (actor), Glenn McQuaid (writer/dir), Angus Scrimm (actor), Peter Phok (producer)

I Sell the Dead
Writer/Dir: Glenn McQuaid
Cast: Dominic Monaghan, Larry Fessenden, Brenda Cooney, Angus Scrimm, Ron Perlman, John Speredakos, Eileen Colgan
USA

Dominic Monaghan and Larry Fessenden play unconventional graverobbers in this historically set horror comedy. We also see Ron Perlman in his second religious role of the festival as the recorder of the last words on Arthur Blake (Dominic Monaghan). There are hilarious creature encounters and touching storylines woven throughout the film which gives you an idea of the genre blends involved.

The screening of the film was followed by a lively Q&A by the enthusiastic cast & crew. One of the astonishing tidbits shared was that the pub in the film was actually a New York bar that was transformed nightly at 3AM into the Irish pub in the film, and then back to the regular bar every day during the filming.


Festival Director & Founder Adam Lopez with I Sell the Dead cast & crew: Larry Fessenden (actor/producer) Brenda Cooney (actor), Glenn McQuaid (writer/dir), Angus Scrimm (actor), Peter Phok (producer)




One of the great things about Day 8 was hanging out with my sisters, Suzie and Jamie , who came to the film with me - thanks ladies!

The Toronto After Dark Film Festival 2008 ran from October 17-24/08 at the Bloor Cinema, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Toronto After Dark Film Festival 2008 Vlog Day 8 - Friday October 24, 2008

Here is my Toronto After Dark Day 8 Vlog!
Films discussed: Treevenge and I Sell the Dead

Notes & Links from Vlog:
-Treevenge I previously seen during the Fantastic Fest live streamed films in September 2008.
-Toronto After Dark had four sell out films this year: Let the Right One In, Repo! the Genetic Opera, Tokyo Gore Police and I Sell the Dead.
-The Award Winners from the festival to be announced next week.

The Toronto After Dark Film Festival 2008 ran from October 17-24/08 at the Bloor Cinema, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Toronto After Dark Film Festival 2008 Day 7 - Thursday October 23, 2008

Big line up at the box office for Tokyo Gore Police around 6:10pm


Huge passholder & ticket holder line for Tokyo Gore Police around 6:20pm.

Day 7 at the Toronto After Dark Film Festival was amazing. Not only did I completely enjoy both of the features, I also got to catch up with some fellow Toronto film festival goes Chris from Toronto J-Film Pow-Wow, Polly, Trista from 10 Movies to See Before You Die as well as Toronto After Dark regulars Bob from Eternal Sunshine of the Logical Mind, Sarah from PopJournalism and Andrew from RowThree. It's always fun to chat about the films, but even more so when they were as entertaining as Tokyo Gore Police or as terrifying as Home Movie.

One of the funniest moments of the night didn't come from one of the films at all. After successfully emerging from the mammoth popcorn line before Tokyo Gore Police with my tea in hand, I overheard someone ask if they take debit. Debit. Debit for popcorn at The Bloor? Now that is funny. It's the Bloor people! Cash only, and at their great prices you probably have the money in your pocket.

To hear and see about Day 7 check out my TADFF'08 Vlog for Day 7.


Todd Brown Programmer with Bum Rush directors Jesse MacMillan and Simon Box

Bum Rush
Dir: Jesse MacMillan and Simon Box
Canada, 2008
6 min

Winner of the Toronto Film Challenge Spring 24 Hour Competition 2008, Bum Rush follows three guys as they seek revenge on one tough as nails bum. Pretty awesome for a short that was made in such a limited time frame.

Tokyo Gore Police / Tôkyô zankoku keisatsu
Dir: Yoshihiro Nishimura
Cast: Eihi Shiina, Itsuji Itao, Tak Sakaguchi
Japan

After seeing, but not loving, Machine Girl earlier in the year I wasn't expecting too much from Tokyo Gore Police as it appeared to have a similar structure of create a story than add as much gore as you can. The kicker is, I ended up loving Tokyo Gore Police I was laughing so hard I thought I would fall out of my seat. What made it work for me was that they created this hyper-stylized near future world where all the crazy gore effects fit into place. Is the premise over the top? Of course! Were there times when it didn't quite make sense? Sure, but not so many that it really mattered. To top it all off, the sold out crowd made a ton of noise, cheering, gasping and giggling along the way. It is not for the faint of heart though, nearly any body part that could be torn, ripped, sliced or gutted was done so repeatedly, explicitly and with more blood than a vampire banquet.

The Auburn Hills Breakdown
Dir: Geoff Redknap
Canada, 2008
13 min

A hilarious take on horror movie character and plot clichés set in a mild mannered suburban home. Very clever timing and editing make for great shots that had the crowded giggling throughout.


Festival Director & Founder Adam Lopez with Andrew van den Houten producer of Home Movie

Home Movie
Dir: Christopher Denham
Cast: Adrian Pasdar, Cady McClain, Amber Joy Williams, Austin Williams
USA

Home Movie has been billed as the scariest film at the festival this year. I'm don't think it surpasses some of the scares in 4BIA/Phobia but that film gave us many opportunities to release the tension whereas Home Movie does not let up. The atmosphere of tension created if phenomenal given that it comes from perspective of a home movie camera, and the acting is without question amazing. Both Adrain Pasdar and Cady McClain are fantastic as the parent of two creepy kids, showing a vast range of emotions from depicting with clarity everyday events, to their 'professional' selves to different states of concern for their children. The kids are creepy as well, the actors are real life brother and sister but play twins in the film that are more than a little demented. The view from the video camera was used very well, and the film provided us with lots of scares. Overall, it was a chilling experience and certainly one of the best films at the festival.

Want to see if you can take it? You can. Home Movie will be released on DVD by Anchor Bay.



The Toronto After Dark Film Festival 2008 runs from October 17-24/08 at the Bloor Cinema, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Selections from Donkey Punch Q&A with director Olly Blackburn

The following video clips are from the screening of Donkey Punch on Saturday October 18, 2008 at the Toronto After Dark Film Festival. The clips contain discussions that speak directly to the plot of the film and therefore contain spoilers. See my review of Donkey Punch here.

Donkey Punch director Olly Blackburn shares where the idea of the film came from:


Olly Blackburn speaks of the different rating classification the film has received world wide (this vid got a little shaky):


Olly Blackburn responds to an audience question about the violence against women:


Olly Blackburn response to an audience question regarding the music & score:

The Toronto After Dark Film Festival 2008 runs from October 17-24/08 at the Bloor Cinema, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Toronto After Dark Film Festival 2008 Vlog Day 7 - Thursday October 23, 2008

Here is my Toronto After Dark Day 7 Vlog!
Films discussed: Tokyo Gore Police and Home Movie

Notes & Links from Vlog:
See Home Movie Intro & Q&A here
The final screening of the festival is I Sell the Dead, which is sold out! Limited tickets will be at the theatre on Friday October 24, 2008 released 15 min before the show but they recommend getting there an hour before the film.

The Toronto After Dark Film Festival 2008 runs from October 17-24/08 at the Bloor Cinema, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Toronto After Dark Film Festival 2008 Day 6 - Wednesday October 22, 2008

Science fiction and colourful film noir bookend Day 6 of the festival. It is so sad we only have two more nights of mayhem to enjoy! To hear and see about Day 6 check out my TADFF'08 Vlog for Day 6.


Lazer Ghosts 2: Return to Laser Cove director Steven Kostanski with Peter Kuplowsky, Programming Manager

Lazer Ghosts 2: Return to Laser Cove
Dir: Steven Kostanski
Canada
9 min

Science fiction film fans rejoice - this is one short you are going to want to see. I've seen a lot of great shorts at the festival so far but this one is a cut above. The entire short is done trailer style for what would be a direct to video (yes, video) science fiction sequel. It's got all the things you need for a sequel from cheesy one lines, sketchy back stories, the ultimate villian and effects that are so bad they are good. The crowd went absolutely bonkers for this film, myself included.

Check out the Lazer Ghosts 2: Return to Laser Cove website for more information or to download the film

Mutant Chronicles
Dir: Simon Hunter (Lighthouse / Dead of Night)
Cast: Thomas Jane, Ron Perlman, Devon Aoki, Anna Walton, John Malkovich
USA

I was thrilled to see that a science fiction feature was including in the line up for this years festival and when I realized it was Mutant Chronicles the anticipation got a whole lot bigger. This film has been getting buzz online on and off for over a year so you can imagine it was pretty exciting to see it. The steampunk world they created was awesome and the action sequences kicked butt. It is always great to see strong women in film and both Devon Aoki and Anna Walton were great parts of the rag tag team to save the world. Thomas Jane's performance was also great, including fun one liners and a fair share of action. The crowd was very vocal, which always adds to the experience even though sometimes the laughs were in the wrong places. I do hope this film gets a theatrical release, it certainly made for a really good time in the theatre.

Cabin of Terror
Dir: Jimi Cuell
Canada, 2007
5 min

This truly terrifying short is based on the idea video/board game Nightmare, following players from one horrifying task to the next. In such a game, it is a wonder what the prize for winning would be.


South of Heaven writer/director J.L. Vara (centre)

South of Heaven
Writer/Dir: J.L. Vara
Cast: Shea Whigham, Aaron Nee, Diora Baird, Lena Gwendolyn Hill
USA

South of Heaven is a hyper stylized film that in film noir style punches bright colours, bruises and occasionally clipping off fingers. Unfortunately, this is the only film at the festival that didn't quite cut the mustard for me due to the repeated of sexual assaults.


South of Heaven (above)

The Toronto After Dark Film Festival 2008 runs from October 17-24/08 at the Bloor Cinema, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Toronto After Dark Film Festival 2008 Vlog Day 6 - Wednesday October 22, 2008

Here is my Toronto After Dark Day 6 Vlog!
Films discussed: Lazer Ghosts 2: Return to the Laser Cove, Mutant Chronicles and South of Heaven

Notes & Links from Vlog:
What we have left to look forward to!
Three more features: Tokyo Gore Police & Home Movie on Thursday and I Sell the Dead on Friday. As we come near the end of the festival it is always a good idea to get your tickets in advance to avoid possible disappointment!
There is also more night of Pub After Dark on Thursday October 23, 2008 and then the closing night party on Friday October 24, 2008 at the Bovine.

The Toronto After Dark Film Festival 2008 runs from October 17-24/08 at the Bloor Cinema, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Toronto After Dark Film Festival 2008 Day 5 - Tuesday October 21, 2008

Day 6 at the Toronto After Dark Film Festival was a giggle fest! Comedies invade the festival with the vampires in Netherbeast Incorporated and hipsters in Who Is KK Downey?.

To hear and see about Day 5 check out my TADFF'08 Vlog for Day 5.


Festival Director & Founder Adam Lopez with Ending the Eternal director Justin McConnell and actor Adam Wilson

Ending the Eternal
Dir: Justin McConnell
Canada, 2008
14 min

Starting the vampire double bill was the short Ending the Eternal which has a cool premise to add to vampire lore. The sound was great, effects gory and snappy dialogue to boot. The one thing that got me was the setting - I swear, I have lived in an apartment just like the one in the film, just not with vampires - as far as I know.

Ending the Eternal is a prequel to the upcoming film The Eternal. The short can be seen online at The Eternal website (select "About", then "Ending the Eternal")

Netherbeast Incorporated
Dir: Dean Matthew Ronalds
Cast: Darrell Hammond, Dave Foley, Judd Nelson, Jason Mewes, Robert Wagner, Amy Davidson, Steve Burns
USA

Wow, what a freaking hilarious film Netherbeast Incorporated was. I thought it would be a fun twist of the vampire genre but this really blew it out of the park. I knew that it was a vampire office comedy, which the idea itself it hilarious. The film is deadpan humour pulled off by stellar performance from the fantastic cast. I was laughing my guts out at the beautiful blend of vampire lore with office politics, a bizarre pairing made in the best kind of hell. Freaking awesome.


Peter Kuplowsky, Programming Manager with The Bumblebee Man co-director Ryan Cavan

The Bumblebee Man
Dir: Ryan Cavan and Alex Heaslip
Canada, 2007
15 min

This short totally has the student vibe going, which completely works as with the wacky concept of Bubblebee royalty, drugs of honey played out in Shakepearian fashion. Add some random ballet performances and a rundown urban setting as the castle gives you only a drop of what is involved in this highly artistic short.


Peter Kuplowsky, Programming Manager with Pat Kiely (director/producer/actor) and Matt Silver (writer/actor) of Who is KK Downey?

Who is KK Downey?
Dir: Darren Curtis and Pat Kiely
Cast: Darren Curtis, Matt Silver, Kristin Adams, Pat Kiely, Dan Haber
Canada

Welcome to the land of hipster subculture. Well, no, if you are Terrance (Darren Curtis) and Theo (Matt Silver) you certainly aren't welcome to the world of quick witted urbanites with crazy hair and people hanging on your every word. But how to break into this world when you are only on the fringe? That is the question that Terrance and Theo face, however the fact remains to be careful what you wish for. The film definitely has great dialogue and precious moments in true comedic fashion. I especially thought the performance from Pat Kiely who plays Connor, the original pompous hipster you love to hate, is pitch perfect. The film is over the top, spiralling into chaos but the characters always remain beleivable even in their craziness, which is quite a feat.

Side note: I'll never think of Voltaire the same way again

Who is KK Downey? opens in Toronto on Friday October 24, 2008 at The Royal.

The Toronto After Dark Film Festival 2008 runs from October 17-24/08 at the Bloor Cinema, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Toronto After Dark Film Festival 2008 Day 4 - Monday October 20, 2008

Day 4 of the Toronto After Dark Film Festival was all about the scares, be they from the revenge or ghosts. After a few marathon days at the festival I was very content to attend 2 screenings for a total of four to seven films depending on how you look at it as 4BIA is actually 4 short films put into one. Ironically on a day of chills I spend the afternoon watching Mamma Mia! with my sisters and my Mom. There were giggles and tears, but no zombies. Back on point, lets check out the films from Day 4!

To hear and see about Day 4 check out my TADFF'08 Vlog for Day 4.

Vengeance
Dir: Lanan Adcock
Canada, 2008
6 min

Rocking short film with a mischievous and mystical crab who grants vengeance instead of wishes.

Red
Dir: Trygve Diesen & Lucky McKee
Cast: Brian Cox, Noel Fisher, Kyle Gallner, Shiloh Fernandez, Amanda Plummer,Tom Sizemore, Robert Englund, Richard Riehle
USA

Revenge films are usually not my cup of tea, so I was a little hesitant going into Red but the film happily surprized me as it is much more than a revenge film. Red explores doing the right thing, justice and closure on top of your standard revenge themes. It can revel in the idea of revenge is sweet but also questions what would it take to close an emotionally traumatic wound. Avery Ludlow (Brian Cox) goes on this journey and takes us along for the ride. The film has some stand out performances, including Brian Cox as well as two of the younger cast Kyle Gallner and Noel Fisher.


Festival Director & Founder Adam Lopez with Manny Kargov director of Lucky 10

Lucky 10
Dir: Manny Kargov
Canada, 2008
10 min

Playing with fate and luck, Lucky 10 pounds us with many incarnations of the number 10 from subtle to serious in this short study of when your luck can run out.

4bia / Phobia / See prang (4 sections):
Happiness writer/dir: Youngyooth Thongkonthun (Maid / Jaew)
Tit for Tat writer/dir: Paween Purikitpanya (Body #19)
In the Middle dir: Parkpoom Wongpoom, writer: Banjong Pisanthanakun (Alone / Faet, Shutter <2004>)
Last Fright writer/dir: Parkpoom Wongpoom (Alone / Faet, Shutter <2004>)

We have some scares in the house people! 4BIA is an omnibus film featuring four short films that are ready to make you jump out of your seat. All of the films had their strong points from tension building in Happiness and Last Fright to crazy effects in Tit for Tat. The joy of the night was without a doubt In the Middle, which is clearly made for horror movie fans and had the audience in stitches. It has a classic setting of a group of friends who take a rafting trip, and of course are staying in the woods at night. There are many opportunities for scares and they really go to town with them. It's a beautiful thing when a film can make seamless transitions from scares to laughs and back again. One of the best of the fest so far!



It seems that zombies are still welcome in the nearby areas! Although I decided to pick a non-brain serving location to catch a bite and work on some reviews before the night began. Yay for free wi-fi at Insomnia.



The Toronto After Dark Film Festival 2008 runs from October 17-24/08 at the Bloor Cinema, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Toronto After Dark Film Festival 2008 Vlog Day 5 - Tuesday October 21, 2008

Here is my Toronto After Dark Day 5 Vlog!
Films discussed: Netherbeast, Incorporated and Who is KK Downey?

Notes from Vlog:
Prior to the screening of Netherbeast, Incorporated it was announced that Angus Scrimm will be at the Closing Night Gala screening of I Sell the Dead.

The Toronto After Dark Film Festival 2008 runs from October 17-24/08 at the Bloor Cinema, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Toronto After Dark Film Festival 2008 Day 3 - Sunday October 19, 2008

Day 3 at the Toronto After Dark Film Festival is all about shorts and zombies. The day brings Shorts After Dark, an International Showcase of short film. The shorts program pulled in a solid house which was great to see considering it was on at the same time as the Zombie Walk and on top of the it was a great selection of shorts. The latter part of the day was all about the zombies whom came from near and far reaches of the undead world to see the night of zombie films with Kevin Tenney's Brain Dead and Trailer Park of Terror.

To hear and see about Day 3 check out my TADFF'08 Vlog for Day 3.



Shorts After Dark - International Short Film Showcase

The Attack of the Robots from Nebula-5
Dir: Chema Garcia Ibarra
Spain, 2008
6 min

Cute short film following our faithful protagonist and his singular goal of convincing those around him of the inevitable upcoming invasion of robots. I enjoyed the realism in this film as well as the makeshift props and visual aids used to create a home grown feeling.

Doxology
Dir: Michael Langan
USA, 2008
5 min

Interesting combination of varying visual effects with deadpan performances to create a startling world. I found there was just enough said visually to create narrative but it also could easily be enjoyed by the visuals alone.


(Left to Right) Peter Kuplowsky introducing The Goblin Man of Norway executive producer Denis Dyack, director Jay Cheel and producer Sean Llewellyn

The Goblin Man of Norway
Dir: Jay Cheel
2008
24 min

Brilliant use of documentary style filmmaking to achieve an eerie film surrounding the discovery of a Goblin Man. The pacing of the film is spot on and enhanced by a great score that gently pulls you deeper and deeper into the bizarre study with re-enactments, interviews and exhibits. I love how it maintains a consistent and distanced point of view on the subject matter, letting the viewer make their own decisions on what to believe.

Watch The Goblin Man of Norway online.

Shut-Eye Hotel
Dir: Bill Plympton
USA, 2007
7 min

More Bill Plympton (Idiots & Angels) creative goodness. This short is set in a hotel whose visitors stays are as mysterious as they are brief.

Transrexia
Dir: Aurelio Voltaire
USA, 2008
1 min

Double Dino shortness. I swear, I blinked and this one was already over!

The Queen
Dir: Walter Krudop
USA, 2007
1 min

Bizarre and cute short which adeptly conveyed a huge sense of loneliness in such a brief period of time.

Martians Go Home: The Revenge of Sara Clockwork
Dir: Dani Moreno
Spain, 2008
20 min
See review from screening at the Worldwide Short Film Festival 2008.

Notes from the Acrid Plain
Dir: Jonathan Ashley
USA, 2008
15 min

A scientific study is depicted focusing on humanoid like creatures, a plant and the environment they inhabit. Impressive art direction and even armour flesh out this study with the precision and patience of true research.

Kingz
Dirs: Benjamin Diez and Marinko Spahic
Germany, 2007
20 min

The underworld meets otherworld in a nightclub setting with heavy beats and kinetic energy. The visual style blends perfectly to the organic movement from those on the dance floor whether they are dancing to the music or fighting with shiny weapons.

I Live In The Woods
Dir: Max Winston
USA, 2008
3 min

Bloody short of a power tripping guy wrecks havoc in the woods and beyond.


Festival Director & Founder Adam Lopez with Zombie Walk co-ordinator Thea Faulds

One of the big events during the Toronto After Dark Film Festival is the Annual Zombie Walk which started at Trinity Bellwoods park and lands at The Bloor before the double bill of zombie films. As each film is preceded by a short, we were in store for four zombie films. What a undead delight!






(Left to Right) Festival Director & Founder Adam Lopez with Deadspiel director Jay Molloy and producer Pat Corcoran

Deadspiel
Dir: Jay Molloy
Canada, 2008
8 min

Deadspiel is without a doubt my favourite zombie film of the festival. When zombies are mixed with curling the results are hilarious. Campy, Canadian and cantankerous to boot, Deadspeil is a joyful addition to the world of zombie films and sparks a mighty high precedent for zombie curling films!

See introduction from the Deadspiel screening here.
To see an awesome pic of the Deadspiel team at the Zombie Walk look here.


(Left to Right) Festival Director & Founder Adam Lopez with Kevin Tenney director of Brain Dead

Kevin Tenney's Brain Dead
Dir: Kevin Tenney (Witchboard, Night of the Demons)
Cast: Joshua Benton, Sarah Grant Brendecke, David Crane, Andy Forrest, Elizabeth Lambert
USA

I'm not the target market for what is aptly described as a "blood, gore and gratiutious nudity" film, but I have to say that Brain Dead does what it does well. The old school make-up special effects were bloody, squishy and all around impressive. The performances were strong from Sarah Grant Brendecke, David Crane as the psycho criminal and Joshua Benton as the one line wonder Clarence. The dialogue was snappy as all the characters were pretty mouthy. Was I scared? Not that often. Was I entertained? Yep.

See highlights from the Introduction and Q&A for Brain Dead here.


(Left to Right) Festival Director & Founder Adam Lopez with The Laundromat director David Jacombs, Jr.

The Laundromat
Dir: David Jacombs, Jr.
Canada, 2008
8 min

This is one of the few short films at the festival that was actually terrifying. I've found most of the shorts go for the comedy or surprize angle but The Laundromat fills us with chills from start to finish with a young couple in a laundromat during a zombie apocalypse.


(Left to Right) Festival Director & Founder Adam Lopez with Trailer Park of Terror director Steven Goldmann

Trailer Park of Terror
Dir: Steven Goldmann
Cast: Nichole Hiltz, Matthew Del Negro, Stefanie Black, Myk Watford, Hayley Marie Norman

Trailer Park of Terror is the perfect name for this film as the it really takes the violence over the edge, around the corner and back again with a whole lot of trailer park trash along the way. For me, it was way too much on all levels as the back story for the main character was really harsh and the violence and terrorizing was pretty heavy. But, that is the point of the film and it really hits that nail on the head and fries it up for dinner.

See the introduction at the screening of the Trailer Park of Terror here.



The Toronto After Dark Film Festival 2008 runs from October 17-24/08 at the Bloor Cinema, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.