Hey folks, Harry here with Professor Scopa, who has decided to run parallel to the pathway that Anton Sirius is on and check out a different set of films... of course we get to benefit from this as it allows us to look at more in the realm of cool films. We'll all get to see MUMFORD if we choose, but ME MYSELF I and BARENAKED IN AMERICA will be the tougher flicks to set eyes upon... but according to the wizened Professor Scopa... they're better than MUMFORD... Sigh... tis the old story...
Professor Scopa here and well, I've got back from the first gala in the series and it was great...the mood was warm and friendly...can't wait for Mumford and Dogma :)
Me, Myself I (no American Release date, Opens in France, October 6, 1999) Directed by Pip Karmel.
The first film presented in the 'early' gala at this year's Toronto International Film Festival was the dramatic comedy Me Myself I.
The movie tells the story of Pam who is a single, career-minded journalist. As we see the hectic life she leads we also watch her discover how lonely her lfe has become. One of the things we discover is that Pam feels she should have married her high school sweetheart Robert. Through a life changing series of events, Pam finds herself actually married to Robert. This leads to Pam making some interesting discovers about herself and her life.
Me Myself I is the directorial debut of Pip Karmel, the editor of Shine. Her style of direction is simple but visually nice. With its strong story and great performances from Rachel Griffiths (Hillary and Jackie) and David Roberts this movie is well told and emotional. Me Myself I goes beyond Sliding Doors (which had a similar plot) both in terms of character development but in depth as well.
This film has been picked up by Sony Classics and is a film that I would recommend.
8 out of 10
BARENAKED IN AMERICA (no release date) Directed by Jason Priestley (yeah, that one)
This was a really cool film and I got meet the band afterward those guys are cool anyway....
One of the hottest bands in past few years has been the Barenaked Ladies. With their recent success in the United States, the band was lucky enough to have someone make a documentary about them.
The best way to describe this movie is to say it follows them both onstage and off as they started their first large-scale stadium tour. This band, known for both their emotional songs as well as more light hearted fair, seemed right home in front of the camera. We watched their before show rituals, them hanging out and of course the band talking about themselves.
Jason Priestly (90210) who directed this film gives the viewer a lot about the band. He gives us history, onstage footage, and star cameos in order to fully get an idea what the band is about. The onstage footage is well shot and uses various angles. The sound is well crafted as well and using all of the 5.1 channels that Dolby provides.
If you like this band or have ever seen them live you might find this documentary a good compliment to what you already know. I would recommend this film.
8 out of 10
MUMFORD (opening in theaters September 24) Directed by Lawerence Kasdan
Mumford, the new comedy from the director of the Big Chill was the second film in the gala series.
Dr. Muford has the most successful psychiatric practise in his town. He knows everyone he treats and sometimes uses unusual methods to help his patients. When the two competing therapist decide to discredit him their inquires lead up to the shocking discovery, he isn't really a therapist.
This movie has lots good acting and a good plot. What brings this film down is that it lacks direction. We spent a lot of the movie learning how much good this man does and the events that spawn the ending seem to be thrown in. Loren Dean's is very good as Dr. Mumford. He both shows an emotional side and a very serious side to his troubled. Doctor'. Hope Davis is equality as good playing Mumford's patient turned love interest. The direction was pretty dull. It not only lacked in terms of its style but also seemed to drag.
With a good reedit this film could be more enjoyable but still with some patience Mumford is not a bad film.
7 out of 10
