Mothman (DVD Review)

Dir: Sheldon Wilson (Kaw, Red: Werewolf Hunter, Killer Mountain)
Cast: Jewel Staite, Connor Fox, Susie Abromeit
USA, 2010 (TV)

Reason to see: I'm a sucker for anything supernaturally inclined.

In Mothman, Jewel Staite ('Firefly', Serenity) stars as Katharine Grant, a small town girl whose moved to the bigger leagues and when an assignment takes her back to her roots of non-glory days, secrets better left hidden come to light as her teen-year friends are burdened with the memories rather forgotten.

Mothman starts with an interesting premise and has a bucket load of fear mixed with guilt, but unfortunately Jewel Staite is the only character that I felt a connection too, the rest had little remorse so it feels like they will get what is coming and with that in mind it may appeal to the sympathetic revenge crowd. There is definitely a feel along the lines of films like I Know What You Did Last Summer, Sorority Row and even a hint on inevitability along the lines of Final Destination but it still keeps to it’s own mythology which is refreshing . Although there are some interesting takes on monsters and creates it's own lore, but I found the effects at times were not-so-hot distracting as oppose to spooky although there were some more subtle effects threaded in that worked a lot better than the direct ones. I think the concept was good, but would have loved to connect more to the characters or be taken away more by the story.

DVD Extras:
No DVD Extras

Mothman is available on DVD as of October 25, 2011. Check it out over at Amazon.ca & Amazon.com

Shannon's Overall View:
I didn't love it
I'd not likely watch it again
I'd recommend it to people who like revenge films and don't mind just okay effects, or Jewel Staite fans

Return to Film Reviews or see more DVD Reviews

© Shannon Ridler, 2011

Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival 2011 Preview

This week the Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival hits town and celebrates its 15th anniversary. I've been attending the festival since 2007 (it's year of the pig!) and it's been exciting to see the festival grow each and every year. This year they continue extend their film branches with screenings in Richmond Hill next week (Nov 18-19, 2011) as well as the hometown Toronto edition which runs from November 8-13, 2011.

The festival kicks off tonight with the Opening Night Gala screening of the genre-being Hong Kong film Lover's Discourse at the Isabel Bader Theatre. Note for festival regulars, this year again has the Toronto edition is at several locations including the Bader, NFB, Innis & Royal but all evening/weekend screening are at one location which makes this festival goer happy with not needing to account for any travel time! Especially or the Closing Night Film & Awards Ceremony which is on Sunday at 8pm with the highly acclaimed Buddha Mountain screening at the Royal, and all of Sundays films are at The Royal. I don't think I've even spent the entire day there before - a new experience happens every year!

UI'm looking forward to many of the films in this years line up, and considering one of my not quite a genre, but close enough sub-specialties is bodies in motion (i.e. dance, martial arts & sport) I'm very keen on seeing JUMP ASHIN! which is inspired by a true story of a young man who wants to become a gymnast. I'm also anxiously awaiting seeing performance piece LILY ENG: REAL ASIAN-CANADIAN WOMAN WARRIOR.

The festival also brings us many shorts to enjoy with the Canadian set Seize the Moment, Youth Presentations including Creatures, Crossroads and Resident Aliens plus a look at the stories of the lives of seniors with Trailerblazers. But is features are more your thing the festival has films from all over the world including Tibet, China, Hong Kong, Thailand, Vietnam, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan as well as USA & Canada.

I hope your curiosity is piqued! You can check out trailers for many of the films in this years line up over at the Real Asian Film Fest YouTube page & see the festival trailer below:



I'll be covering the festival all week here at Movie Moxie so be sure to check back for my daily for reviews. I can't wait for another great year of film at Reel Asian!

For more information, check out the Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival: Website, 15th Anniversary, How to Buy Tickets, Buy Tickets, Full Festival Schedule, Industry Series Information and Venue Information and Festival Awards & Jury Information. Also see the Reel Asian Facebook Page and you can follow the festival on Twitter.

The Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival 2011 runs from November 5 - 13, 2011 in Toronto and November 18-19, 2011 in Richmond Hill in Ontario, Canada

DVD Releases for November 8, 2011

Time to take a look at a selection of DVD releases for Tuesday November 8, 2011 and Friday November 11!

• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 the final chapter in the Harry Potter series is now out on DVD. This seems like an easy pick for Christmas, but I don't know if I can wait that long! (out Friday Nov 11, 2011).
• Harry Potter: The Complete 8-Film Collection If you've been waiting for all the films to come out on DVD and BluRay before buying - wait no longer. Okay, wait 3 days longer. Quite reasonably priced, too. (out Friday Nov 11, 2011).
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 3D [Blu-ray] Oddly I didn't see a part 1 & 2 of Deathly Hallows out, but I did find this Blu-Ray edition of Part 1 in 3D which is odd as the film wasn't in 3D theatrically (out Friday Nov 11, 2011).
• Cave of Forgotten Dreams Werner Herzog documentary on a pristine cave with thousands year old cave drawings found and explored. Quite fascinating. (US Release date November 29, 2011)
• Assassins' Code Pretty run of the film action flick that doesn't even have that much action.
• The Kate Logan Affair Alexis Bledel stars a police office that gets caught up in a mistaken identity case in a noir set thriller. I actually was kind of interesting in this one.(currently Canada only)
• InSecurity - Season 1 Canadian spy/comedy following the trials and tribulations of a teams who work for the fictional organization NISA. I loved Season 1. Very much in the sweet spirit of Get Smart. (currently Canada only)
• Bedlam Season 1 Just after it's run on Space, this institution-turned-living-space set series where strange things happens was actually quite good, even if short at 6 episodes. I hope they continue with a Season 2!
• Atlas Shrugged Part 1 hot of the heels of it's limited theatrical releases, this Ayn Rand adaptation adaptation hits DVD.
• The Change-Up Jason Bateman/Ryan Reynolds body switching comedy.

Titles on Amazon.ca(Canada):


Titles on Amazon.com (US):

Woman in Black (Book Review)

The Woman in Black by Susan Hill

Reason to Read: October 2011 Book Selection

The Woman in Black is one of the books for the Book to Film Club that I was most excited about, in part because I rarely read supernatural books (although I watch a lot of supernatural & paranormal film & TV), and also because it was a risk including it with the book as back in January it only had a UK release date and now it's confirmed that it will be released in North America in early 2012. I wish all the selections ended up with a release date, but that's the thing with risks - you never know how they will work out!

Anyhow, the book itself follows a young lawyer who goes to small town to settle up the legal affairs of a woman who has passed, and when arrives all the townsfolk are leery of him being out where she lived and no one seems to have cared very much about her. The book really gets the creepy vibe across very well, an unsettling, unnerving atmosphere which I wasn't quite sure I would take to on the printed page but I really did. I also really enjoyed the character of Arthur, the young lawyer whose young but it's historically-set so he feels very much a man even though young - I think this makes casting Daniel Radcliffe in the role a perfect choice because it fits very closely to where he is as an actor, and I appreciate that he'll be playing a character that fits his age.

After some of the lengthy books in the past few months, it was also a treat to breeze through a less than 200-page novel that was full of atmosphere and an intriguing story. There isn't a heck of a lot of dialogue, but it's quite haunting and chilling but it's a great choice for an adaptation (and not the first - it's been adapted for the stage and TV) because of the tone, interesting story and they may even be able to get everything in the film which would be such a treat. I know that it's one where there are a few scenes I consider to be must be included in the film, although I've not seen anything alluded to them in the trailer (which could be a good thing). As it's a supernatural tale and a mystery, I'll leave those details to be their own mystery for now and will move on to anxiously awaiting the films release on February 3, 2012.

Although we only have one more month for this year, you can still join the Movie Moxie Book to Film Club at any time. Sign up for updates here.

Book to Film Club November Book Selection: Brighton Rock by Graham Greene

November 2011 Book to Film Club Book Selection: Brighton Rock - by Graham Greene
The book is a crime thriller set in the 1930's, and the film adaptation shifts the setting to the 60's. Film stars Sam Riley (Control, Franklyn), Andrea Riseborough, Andy Serkis, John Hurt and Helen Mirren and is directed by Rowan Joffe. I think this one is the book I've looked the least in to, and I am just about to dive into it. I've rarely read crime thrillers so will be curious to see my own & others reactions to this one.

Film Release Date: This is a bit of an odd ball select for the club as it's already been released in the UK (Feb 4, 2011) and opened in New York & LA (August 26, 2011). I'm still hoping for confirmation on wider North American release date, but I do wonder if we'll only see in on DVD. Fingers crossed for theatrical!

If you haven't yet joined the Book to Film Club, you can join us now for our last 2011 selection and read Brighton Rock with us. We will be taking December off for reading for the club as I know the holidays can be a little squirrly, but I will share recommendations for rabid fans looking for reading options over one of the chiller months. Sign up for updates here for the club to keep on the up and up of Book to Film Club News.

14th British Independent Independant Awards Nominations (2011 Films)

On October 31, 2011 the nominations were announced for the 14th annual BIFA's (British Independent Film Awards), which will be held on December 4, 2011. Leading the awards are Tyrannosaur, Shame and Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy which all received seven nominations including Best British Film Award, Best Director, Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor or Actress awards. Also in for multiple nominations include the much loved scifi/comedy Attack the Block, the Charlotte Brontë adaptation Jane Eyre (2011), dark cop non-buddy comedy The Guard, festival fave Kill List, one weekend stand romance Weekend and documentary Senna which is even up for Best Independent British Film.

I love the nominees for Best Actress, I loved Olivia Colman in Tyrannosaur and was very impressed with Mia Wasikowska in Jane Eyre, and Tilda Swinton is always on my watch list which brings We Need To Talk About Kevin even higher on my to see list along with The Awakening with Rebecca Hall and Kill List with MyAnna Buring. Overall, it's a fantastic list of films and I love the recognition given here and will anxiously await to hear the winners. Until then, congratulations to all the nominees.

The 14th British Independent Film Awards Nominees

BEST BRITISH INDEPENDENT FILM
SENNA
SHAME
TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY
TYRANNOSAUR
WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN

BEST DIRECTOR
Ben Wheatley – KILL LIST
Steve McQueen – SHAME
Tomas Alfredson – TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY
Paddy Considine – TYRANNOSAUR
Lynne Ramsay – WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN

THE DOUGLAS HICKOX AWARD for BEST DEBUT DIRECTOR
Joe Cornish – ATTACK THE BLOCK
Ralph Fiennes – CORIOLANUS
John Michael McDonagh – THE GUARD
Richard Ayoade – SUBMARINE
Paddy Considine – TYRANNOSAUR

BEST SCREENPLAY
John Michael McDonagh – THE GUARD
Ben Wheatley, Amy Jump – KILL LIST
Abi Morgan, Steve McQueen – SHAME
Richard Ayoade – SUBMARINE
Lynne Ramsay, Rory Kinnear – WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN

BEST ACTRESS
Rebecca Hall – THE AWAKENING
Mia Wasikowska – JANE EYRE
MyAnna Buring – KILL LIST
Olivia Colman – TYRANNOSAUR
Tilda Swinton – WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN

BEST ACTOR
Brendan Gleeson – THE GUARD
Neil Maskell – KILL LIST
Michael Fassbender – SHAME
Gary Oldman – TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY
Peter Mullan – TYRANNOSAUR

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Felicity Jones – ALBATROSS
Vanessa Redgrave – CORIOLANUS
Carey Mulligan – SHAME
Sally Hawkins – SUBMARINE
Kathy Burke – TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Michael Smiley – KILL LIST
Tom Hardy – TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY
Benedict Cumberbatch – TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY
Eddie Marsan – TYRANNOSAUR
Ezra Miller – WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN

MOST PROMISING NEWCOMER
Jessica Brown Findlay – ALBATROSS
John Boyega – ATTACK THE BLOCK
Craig Roberts – SUBMARINE
Yasmin Paige – SUBMARINE
Tom Cullen – WEEKEND

BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN PRODUCTION
KILL LIST
TYRANNOSAUR
WEEKEND
WILD BILL
YOU INSTEAD

BEST TECHNICAL ACHIEVEMENT
Chris King, Gregers Sall – Editing – SENNA
Sean Bobbitt – Cinematography – SHAME
Joe Walker – Editing – SHAME
Maria Djurkovic – Production Design – TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY
Seamus McGarvey – Cinematography – WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN

BEST DOCUMENTARY
HELL AND BACK AGAIN
LIFE IN A DAY
PROJECT NIM
SENNA
TT3D: CLOSER TO THE EDGE

BEST BRITISH SHORT
0507
CHALK
LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT
RITE
ROUGH SKIN

BEST FOREIGN INDEPENDENT FILM
ANIMAL KINGDOM
DRIVE
PINA
A SEPARATION
THE SKIN I LIVE IN

THE RAINDANCE AWARD
ACTS OF GODFREY
BLACK POND
HOLLOW
LEAVING BAGHDAD
A THOUSAND KISSES DEEP

THE RICHARD HARRIS AWARD (for outstanding contribution by an actor to British Film)
To Be Announced

THE VARIETY AWARD
To Be Announced

THE SPECIAL JURY PRIZE
Announced at the Moët British Independent Film Awards on Sunday 4 December.

The BIFA's will be presented on Sunday December 4, 2011 at Old Billingsgate in London.

About the nomination & voting (source):
?The Pre-Selection Committee of 70 members viewed nearly 200 films, out of which they selected the nominations, which were decided by ballot and the winners of The Moët British Independent Film Awards are decided by an independent jury comprised of leading professionals and talent from the British film industry.

The Jury for 2011 includes:
Josh Appignanesi (Director / Writer), Lucy Bevan (Casting Director), Edith Bowman (Broadcaster), Mike Goodridge (Editor), Ed Hogg (Actor), Neil Lamont (Art Director), Mary McCartney (Photographer), Molly Nyman (Composer), Debs Paterson (Director / Writer), Tracey Seaward (Producer), Charles Steel (Producer), David Thewlis (Actor), Ruth Wilson (Actress) and Justine Wright (Editor)."

Toronto After Dark Film Festival 2011 Awards

After 8 Nights and 3000 votes, the Audience for the 2011 Toronto After Dark Film Festival have been announced, I've already weighed in on my own Best of the Fest and there is some overlap for several of the awesome films like Father's Day, The Woman and The Divide. Here a full list of where the ballots fell:

AUDIENCE AWARDS, BEST FEATURE FILM
1. GOLD: Father's Day
2. SILVER: The Divide
3. BRONZE: DeadHeads

AUDIENCE AWARDS, BEST CANADIAN SHORT FILM
1. GOLD: The Legend of Beaver Dam
2. SILVER: Blind Spot
3. BRONZE: My Main Squeeze

AUDIENCE AWARDS, BEST INTERNATIONAL SHORT FILM
1. GOLD: Nursery Crimes
2. SILVER: Brutal Relax
3. BRONZE: Dirty Silverware

2011 FANS’ CHOICE AWARDS

BEST HORROR FILM
The Woman

BEST SCI-FI FILM
The Divide

BEST ACTION FILM
A Lonely Place To Die

BEST COMEDY
DeadHeads

BEST DIRECTOR
Lucky McKee for The Woman

BEST SCREENPLAY
Ryan Levin for Some Guy Who Kills People

BEST LEADING ACTOR
Sean Bridgers in The Woman

BEST LEADING ACTRESS
Pollyanna McIntosh in The Woman

BEST ENSEMBLE CAST
The Divide

BEST SPECIAL EFFECTS
Love

BEST MAKE-UP
Monster Brawl

BEST MUSICAL SCORE
TIE: Love and The Woman

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
A Lonely Place To Die

BEST EDITING
The Woman

BEST VILLAIN
Chris Cleek (performed by Sean Bridgers) in The Woman

BEST HERO
Ahab (performed by Adam Brooks) in Father's Day

BEST KILLS
Father's Day

SCARIEST FILM
The Innkeepers

MOST THRILLING FILM
A Lonely Place To Die

MOST ORIGINAL FILM
Father's Day

MOST DISTURBING FILM
The Woman

BEST TRAILER
Father's Day

BEST POSTER
Father's Day (by The Dude Designs)

How the votes are cast:
1. Audience Awards, Feature Films - Determined by Audience Votes at Feature Film Screenings
2. Audience Awards, Canadian Shorts - Determined by Poll of Festival All-Access Pass Buyers
3. Audience Awards, International Shorts - Determined by Audience Votes at Shorts After Dark Screening

And the 2011 FANS’ CHOICE AWARDS: A representative sample of over 100 Festival All-Access Pass Buyers were polled in the week after the festival to determine the feature film winners in a range of different specialty categories:

The 6th Annual Toronto After Dark Film Festival ran for 8 Nights of Horror, Sci-Fi, Action and Cult Movies at the Toronto Underground Cinema in Toronto, Ontario, Canada from October 20-27, 2011.