216 screenings, 11 screens, 6 venues, 10 days!  So many great films
to see, so many synopsis to read, not to mention industry panels and
parties; this is the great thing about film festivals, the bad part –
there’s no way to see and do it all.

Here’s my tentative list of films I plan to see during the 19th Philadelphia Film Festival (Oct 14-24).  I also hope to blog quick, on the spot film reviews by attendees after screenings, so look for me during the festival.

• Thurs 14th (8pm Annenberg) – Opening Night! Black Swan Fresh from it’s Gala screening in Toronto to its Gala screening in Philly, Darren Aronofsky’s (The Wrestler) new film
  is garnering a lot of attention.  I say, nothing like a cat fight to
  determine lead swan. Sorry, just a little humor, actually this film is
  supposed to be dramatic and quite disturbing.

• Friday, Oct 15th (5pm Prince) – Lebanon, PA wanted to be sure I saw at least one of the Greater Filmadelphia offerings.  J. Miller
  description: “The film unfolds in a minimalist way, relying on the
  subtlety of its actors and naturalism of its dialogue to propel us
  forward…”
• Friday, Oct 15th (7:30pm Prince) - Blue Valentine yes, it’s easier to just stay in the same theater, but I really want to see this film because I’m sure Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams will have great chemistry.  I may remain for the TBA after, depends on how heart wrenching Blue Valentine turns out to be.

• Saturday 16th (12 noon 212 N. 12th Street) Industry Panel, hosted by Sigma Sound Studios. Not sure of the discussion yet, but should make for good blogging, besides they’ll be Tastykakes!
• Saturday 16th (2:15 Ritz 5 A) - Certified Copy Juliette Binoche has such a winsome quality about her that I will see a film just because she’s in it.
• Saturday 16th (9:30 IHouse) – Jim Carrey in I Love You Phillip Morris , playing a gay con man, need I say more?

Note: If you miss opening night, Black Swan plays again 7:30pm Saturday at the Prince.

• Sunday 17th (12 noon, 3pm, 5:45pm Prince) – The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, The Girl who played with Fire, The Girl who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest.
  Excellent programming  for anyone like me who somehow missed seeing any
  of the three of this highly acclaimed trilogy, based on the books by Stieg Larsson.  Now I’ll be able to see what all the fuss is about.

• Monday 18th (5pm Penn Book Store) Industry Panel, hosted by Penn Cinema Studies professor, Nicola Gentili.
• Monday 18th (9:45pm Rave 6)- Parade
  Even though these roommates have not been all about getting to know
  each other, it still puts me in mind of a Japanese “Real World”.

Conflicts:  Tiny Furniture floundering in limbo after college is something I definitely can relate to.  We Are What We Are, can’t fit this story of cannibalism into my schedule either, but real curious about this film.

• Tuesday 19th (7:15pm Ritz 5 East)- The Man Next Door, seems to have an off-beat quality that I tend to gravitate to.

• Wednesday 20th (5pm Rave 6)- A Buddy Story,
  Okay, I realize I’ve chosen a number of films because of the
  actor/actresses in it, and here’s another one.  I LOVE “Mad Men”, so I’m
  seeing this one because it features Elisabeth Moss (Peggy for ‘Mad Men” fans).
• Wednesday 20th (10pm Rave 6) - The Wolf Knife, Lerman’s description- “The Wolf Knife
  is constructed to make the viewer slightly uncomfortable. Nakadate’s
  vanguard sensibility allows her to freely play with taboos in a daring
  and often darkly humorous manner”.

Conflict: I’m still partly undecided, may fore go A Buddy Story, and instead see 11/4/08 , doc that consists of footage shot all over the world on the night President Obama
was elected.  Should be uplifting to see; that night so many people
felt a renewed sense of hope and accomplishment. It’s a shame that after
we elect a President, the overall outlook seems to be he can do no
right.

• Thursday 21th (5pm Prince) – Cafe, a movie about types, followed by Unbreakable, I remember liking this, but haven’t re-watched it in a decade. However, the main attraction will be M. Night Shyamalan’s Q & A  after.

No conflicts: OC87, the Obsessive Compulsive, Biopolar, Asperger movie, inspiring,  I’m sure, but I’ll pass.  Canal St Madam was my first choice, but as I’m still without income, I’d rather not give myself any bad ideas. Uncle Boonmee, dying man, ghost wife, half-ape son, again, I’ll pass.  Secret Sunshine, this really sounds like a downer, although, I’m sure it will be a beautiful, heartfelt downer.

• Friday 22nd (7:30 Prince)- Night Catches Us,
  as usual the festival is light on films made my African American
  filmmakers, gotta support this one. Should be very informative, hope it
  will be compelling as well.
• Friday 22nd (10:15 Annenberg Prince)- Sex Magic, now who isn’t intrigued by a movie called Sex Magic?

Conflict: Helen Hunt in Every Day, but in a choice between Night Catches Us and Housemaid (see below), I’m sure Every Day will be much easier to see after the festival.

• Saturday 23rd (5:30 Ritz 5 A)- Copacabana, although not an original premise, I have a feeling this will be very engaging to watch.

My schedule before and after Copacabana is still in flux.

• Sunday 24th Closing day – (12 noon Ritz 5 E)- Housemaid, K. Quigley description: “Kim Ki-young’s film plays like a horror story, preying upon the worst nightmares of the domestic sphere.”

• Sunday 24th Closing  (7pm Prince ) Awards Ceremony followed by closing night film Trust, about an Internet predator, featuring Catherine Keener and Clive Owens, directed by David Schwimmer.
  Will my brain be capable of  taking in more scenes, discerning another
  plot, appreciating more dialogue? Hope so! Then onto the party at Sigma
  Sound Studios.

Conflict: Sunday 24th (4:55pm Ritz 5 A) – Sound of Noise, very curious about how the overall “tone” and feel of this film is handled.

It truly is a feast of films to be seen during the 10 days. Sorry not to be seeing High School (p36 of the guide book) , Dog Pound (p47), Room in Room, (p89), Carlos, (p27), perfect food in film flick for my blog Tinsel & Tine, King of Pastry (p71) and many more…  Happy screening everyone!

You can visit Tinsel & Tine for a wrap up of Toronto Film Fest 2010, by contributor, Carol Coombes.