Quantcast
Channel: blogTO
Viewing all 48221 articles
Browse latest View live

Drake hits the red carpet in Toronto for TIFF

$
0
0

Drizzy is back, not to make a surpriseappearance at a concert, but just in time for TIFF.

He was spotted last night at his restaurant, Fring's, with former Raptor's star Chris Bosh and NBA superstar LeBron James before hitting the red carpet today for the premiere of The Carter Effect.

He arrived this afternoon at The TIFF Bell Lightbox for the premiere, surrounded by a huge entourage that quickly disappeared into the theatre. 

A post shared by blogTO (@blogto) on

The movie tells the story of how Raptor's Vince Carter, who played on the team from 1998 to 2004, helped propel professional basketball in Toronto into the international spotlight.

It features Drake, the Raptors' Global Ambassador, and others discussing the impact Carter had on the city and his role in making basketball an integral part of the city's sports culture.

🇨🇦6️⃣

A post shared by champagnepapi (@champagnepapi) on

No word yet if Drake will perform at some point, but TIFF did screen "Hotline Bling" during Festival Street last night.


Lady Gaga causes a stir at TIFF

$
0
0

Toronto loves Lady Gaga, and from what it looks like, she loves it back. 

The popstar was in town for a couple of shows at the ACC this week and then appeared on Friday for the TIFF premiere of her film, Gaga: Five Foot Two.

She had recently suffered a respiratory infection that saw the Montreal leg of her Joanne World Tour cancelled, but recovered just in time to greet adoring fans and transform King West into her own personal runway.

After the premiere, she treated moviegoers to a small but intimate concert, featuring a piano rendition of her hit "Bad Romance".

The Netflix-produced documentary chronicles Lady Gaga over an eight-month period, providing a glimpse into the glamorous and sometimes messy life of the superstar.

The top 10 custom & made to measure suits in Toronto

$
0
0

The top custom and made-to-measure suits in Toronto offer fabric options imported from all over the world as well as local and international production. They're not quite as mass-produced as off-the-rack and not quite as expensive as bespoke. In a day and age where modern city life is as fast as it gets, the demand for quick and painless - yet unique and well-fitting - attire is piping.

Here are my picks for the top places to get a custom or made-to-measure suit in Toronto.

Indochino

With showrooms on King East, Yorkdale, and beyond this well known suit supplier lets you select your materials, collar styles, and pocket shapes, plug in your measurements, and cough up as little as $500. Your suit arrives at your doorstep a month later. 

Suitsupply

This Dutch menswear brand is best known for bold, funky colours - it’s no surprise they offer over 3,000 Italian fabrics in their made-to-measure program. Full suits start at $1119, while jackets start at $729 and trousers start at $390. Production and delivery can take up to 8 weeks, but it’s well worth the wait for one of a kind.

Sydney’s

This West Queen West storefront has been around for over a decade thanks to their high end offerings of staple wardrobe pieces. They offer all the sophisticated gear a man needs at least two of, including made (in Canada!) to measure suits and separates. Their styles are slim, tailored, and 60s- esque.

Gotstyle

The mecca for men’s fashion, Gotstyle has locations across the GTA offering ready-to-wear suits from the likes of Ted Baker. However, Konstantine Maleshevski, the brand’s very own tailor, can whip up a custom suit starting at $895 like nobody’s business.

Surmesur

The future is here! Montreal’s Surmesur is paving the way for a new wave in retail: 3D body scanning. The Corktown location uses the technology to take measurements and calculate fits to a T. Top the whole experience off with touchscreen options and a few hundred dollars, and you’ve got yourself a revolutionary ensemble.

Gian-Parolo Mazzotta

Though Gian-Parolo Mazzotta’s namesake boutique peddles a handful of sartorial garments, his bread and butter is the custom service. Simplified to three fit profiles (“slim,” “trim,” and “comfort”), he and/or his associates tweak the suits based on your measurements. Classic, Italian fabrics and tailoring are his specialties.

Empire Customs

Unlike most destinations on this list, Empire’s offerings are entirely custom, so they can focus on giving you the perfect fit without the bespoke price. All you have to do is schedule a consultation with a stylist in the showroom, get measured, and make selections for fabric and style. 

MADE Clothing Co.

This showroom on Adelaide East focuses on simplifying the custom suit process. All their styles are categorized by price point (ranging from $895 - $1895) and style (like “The Summer Suit” and “The Essential Navy”). Plus, the turnaround can be as quick as 3 weeks. It’s perfect for the super busy dude who prefers a more private shopping experience.

Four Fifty Five

Founded by a couple of dapper young men, this store has a solid selection of suits - in every staple colour and pattern - that can be made by hand to your measurements. They can also create one custom to your liking using their many swatches of fabrics, linings, and trims.

Soren Custom

This Etobicoke shop is all about the customer service; as soon as you walk through the door you’ll feel comfortable and welcomed by the staff. They truly know their stuff, so much that their website pledges, “Spend an hour with us [...] and you can decide if the Soren Custom MTM suit is the right one for you.” 

People really aren’t liking George Clooney’s new movie at TIFF

$
0
0

In the days leading up to the start of the Toronto International Film Festival, few films were more anticipated and buzzed about than Suburbicon.

It’s not hard to see why. It stars Matt Damon, Julianne Moore, and Oscar Isaac. It’s based on a script that Joel and Ethan Coen (No Country For Old Men, Inside Llewyn Davis) wrote in the 1990s. And it’s directed by George Clooney. How could that not be a sure thing?

Well, four days into the festival, and shockingly Suburbicon is the worst movie I’ve seen so far, and I’m not the only one who was extremely let down by Clooney’s film.

“Embarrassingly awful” reads the headline of the Business Insider’s review, and a lot of the critical reception echoes that.

Kate Erbland, film editor at Indiewire, called it a “baffling mess that almost never works.” Freelance critic Charles Bramesco quipped, “Finally, a film that dares to ask, ‘what if the Coens were really bad at this?’” 

Before you think this is just a case of critics and general audiences being out of step, Suburbicon had its premiere at TIFF last night at the Princess of Wales Theatre, and the public reaction wasn’t much better.

Now, not everyone hated it. Some audiences were genuinely enthusiastic about it.


Nonetheless, it's hard to imagine a TIFF film - especially such a high-profile one - really wants the word "disappointment" and "embarrassment" floating around so much. 

The silver lining? While nobody wants a TIFF film to be bad, there's still a lot of festival to go and hey, maybe something else will prove to be a bigger letdown. 

10 things out of towners notice about Toronto

$
0
0

You can travel to most major cities and notice traffic is horrible, buildings are beautiful or ugly, and people are nice or grumpy — that's just city life. It's the specific things you notice about a metropolis when you visit that are the most intriguing. Toronto has a set of easily discernible quirks that distinguish us from any other city.

Here's what out of towners notice when they visit Toronto.

It's really, really multicultural 

From food, shopping, and cultural activities to just the general population walking around downtown, a visitor quickly realizes this is a city of so many wonderful cultures and traditions. We were named the most diverse city in the world, after all.

There are so many condos being built

Whether you're riding in from the airport, driving down the Gardiner, walking around downtown or .... hell anywhere you go in Toronto there's a crane lifting its long neck into the sky building another condo. It seems like there's an endless amount of towers being built here. We're a hot market!

There are Tim Hortons everywhere

We love our Timmies. It seems they've been everywhere for years as a cheap coffee/doughnut option, but are now on every spare corner we've got. They rival any local coffee shop or Starbucks. Love them or hate them you'll basically be able to find a Tim's no matter what neighbourhood you're in.

There are rules against having fun

When you live here you know there's a lot of fun, creative and exciting stuff happening... but as a visitor or hosting of an out-of-towner, you're quickly reminded Toronto doesn't always like fun. Our patios close at 11 p.m. (and you can't smoke on them), our last call is 2 a.m., and there's plenty other by-laws aimed at keeping everyone in check.

People take streetcars

They're often slow, problematic, and overcrowded, but they're also unique (for now). Toronto is a one of the few North American cities with a major streetcar network, and it can be a great way to get around the city. 

Cyclists riding all over the place

We're no Amsterdam, but Torontonians like to bike downtown and around, a lot. Cycling advocates continue to push for more bike lanes, and we slowly get them. But bikes are also on major streets, side streets, down by the water and locked up to everything they can be. Look both ways before crossing!

Get in line

Torontonians like to lineup. For ice cream, cheese tarts, or pop-ups. We even wait in line to get on a bus or for movie tickets. For whatever reason, we're really good at politely standing in an orderly fashion until it's our turn.

Inner city ravines

Toronto's doesn't have the highest ranking when it comes to percentage of urban space designated as parkland , but it's impossible to spend much time here without noticing the massive ravine system that exists so close to the most dense areas in the city. It's as though the city erupted out of its ravines.

People wait at traffic lights

Though many claim we're always trying to catch up to our Southern New York neighbours, there's one major thing we'll never share, and that is traffic light etiquette. We stop at them. We wait at that red light, in fact most people are terrified of a yellow light. Even when we have intersections with a lack of traffic lights we wait.

Locals don't actually call it the 6ix

Visitors beware, don't arrive calling Toronto the 6ix. No one actually likes the term or calls it that. Drake did, and kind of still does in song and text, but in the same way no one ever calls us the Big Smoke or Hogtown out loud, just ignore this moniker.

The top 10 free events in Toronto this week

$
0
0

Free events in Toronto this week include the last major street festivals of the summer, a free outdoor movie, a day-long concert in one of the city's coolest parks, and a picnic for guinea pigs. 

Events you might want to check out:

Toronto Arthouse Film Festival (September 13-15 @ The Fox Theatre)
This little film fest is dedicated to showcasing innovative and exciting work by risk-taking filmmakers from around the world. If you need to see something new and exciting, try these films out for free.
Fall Exhibitions Opening Party (September 13 @ Ryerson Image Centre)
The Ryerson season opener is always a fun, free thing to do. This season the gallery launches shows like The Faraway Nearby: Photographs of Canada from The New York Times Photo Archive and Zacharias Kunuk: Dog Team.
Extend (September 14 @ The Great Hall)
This is an exhibition of film, music, art and photography by young women creators, which shows the ways they extend themselves into new spaces creatively and professionally. It's a celebration of strong women in the arts.
Movie Night in Liberty Village Park (September 15 @ Liberty Village Park)
This might be the final free, outdoor movie screening of the season. Catch Rogue One: A Star Wars Story at dusk, but arrive early for giveaways and games before showtime.
Toronto Ukrainian Festival 2017 (September 15-17 @ Bloor West Village )
North America's largest Ukrainian Festival happens in our very own city with three days of entertainment, music, dancing, vendors, community awareness and of course, food. So much food. 
Toronto Beaches Festival (September 16 @ Woodbine Beach)
Woodbine Beach is throwing its first festival directly on the beach. Stroll the boardwalk, bounce to the music blasting all day, check out local art displays and pray for no rain.
Roncesvalles Polish Festival (September 16 @ Roncesvalles Ave)
This is North America’s largest celebration of Polish culture, and it happens along one street for one day only! There are Polish food vendors, stages with entertainment and dancing under the stars.
Toronto Pignic (September 16 @ Greenwood Park)
Get to this east side park from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. for a guinea pig "pignic". Bring your guinea pigs, enter them in the pageant with 10 categories, walk them on the red carpet, or just show up to watch.
Small World in the Park (September 17 @ Trillium Park)
This is a day of global sounds at the beautiful new Trillium Park. Bring a blanket and a bite, stay for the day and linger by the fire. Shows start at 2 p.m. and the last show starts around 9 p.m.
TIFF People's Choice Award screening (September 17 @ Roy Thomson Hall)
Every year movie-goers cast their votes for their favourite movie of the festival and a winner is then chosen and screened for free on the final day of the festival. Last year's winner was La La Land ... what buzzy movie will take the crown in 2017?

Ryerson Theatre evacuated during midnight screening at TIFF

$
0
0

Every year, you can always count on something  unusual happening at the Ryerson Theatre during TIFF.

Sometimes it's a critic calling 911 to report someone using their phone during a movie. Sometimes it's Sacha Baron Choen arriving for Borat with a cart and barn animals in tow. Sometimes it's people passing out during Midnight Madness screenings - like with last year's Raw

Last night, the fire alarm was pulled during the Ellen Page zombie movie, The Cured, and the entire theatre was evacuated.

Adding salt to the wound was the fact that the alarm was apparently pulled during one of the film's most intense scenes. (Perhaps someone couldn't stand the tension any longer?)

Given how these things can go, some even considered going home.

But there was a happy end for those who decided to wait.

The fire alarm was quickly resolved, the audience were let back in, and they were even rewarded with a free TIFF tickets voucher to make up for the inconvenience.

And hey, now Ryerson Theatre now has one more story to add to its eventful TIFF history. 

Toronto driver not happy getting cut off by TIFF caravan

$
0
0

We all know Toronto traffic is awful, and with TIFF happening it hasn't exactly gotten better. But it doesn't help if someone parades their caravan through the streets and intentionally blocks traffic.

Well that's what happened to this guy while he was driving west on Adelaide Street yesterday.

The video, which the man claims shows Drake being accompanied by his large entourage, was filmed from his dash cam and includes him arguing with what appears to be a security guard.

In the video, the man challenges the security guard and even records the California plate numbers, threatening to report them. 

The video originally appeared on Reddit and has generated a lot of comments and a heated debate over if Drake - the city's golden child - would abuse his star power in such a way. 

It's difficult to know if it is actually Drake or not, although he did arrive the same day to the TIFF screening of The Carter Effect accompanied by a large group of people.

Even so, blocking traffic like that would certainly warrant a Driver's Complaint and at the very least is just totally not cool.


Toronto is confused about this new ad on the TTC

$
0
0

A peculiar ad appeared in Toronto subway stations recently that has some people scratching their heads.

The ad is for the Dairy Farmers of Canada and seems to be a work of poetry so complex that it's incomprehensible to the average person.

Yet the obviously dense and carefully crafted free-verse is not resonating well with people on Facebook.

adToronto is no stranger to unconventional or controversial ad campaigns.  Last month, York U got a ton of heat for a questionable ad in the women's washrooms, and earlier this year the Toronto Alliance to End Homelessness took aim at NIMBYs across the city. 

The ad might have something to do with the DFC's new initiative to promote sustainability, but we may never know. And that's what makes for truly great art. 

Photo of Toronto woman grabbing George Clooney's chin goes viral

$
0
0

Hollywood star George Clooney got the recognition he deserves this weekend at TIFF. But it definitely wasn't for his new film.

Clooney was in Toronto yesterday for the premiere of Suburbicon and stopped along King Street West to pose with fans. One elderly fan caught his eye and grabbed hold of his chin just as the photographers snapped a pic.

The Internet quickly got a hold of it and went into a Photoshop feeding frenzy on Reddit. The results were impressive. Someone was even inspired by Jane Austen.

Probably during the Middle Ages idk.

How do we even know this isn't real?

Kendrick Lamar just did a surprise show in Toronto

$
0
0

The last few days have seen a ton of the music world's biggest stars take the stage in Toronto -Drake, Lady Gaga, The Weeknd - and most recently Kendrick Lamar.

The hip-hop star surprised fans when he performed last night at The Four Seasons Hotel for Canada Goose's 60th Anniversary party, part of the TIFF celebrations happening this week.

He was in Toronto earlier this summer as part of The Damn Tour and appeared at a one day pop-up shop event at Livestock on Spadina that drew huge crowds and long lines.

Lamar has made a huge name for himself internationally in recent years and Toronto holds a special place in its heart for him.

Puppy photoshoot attracts a crowd in Toronto

$
0
0

It was like something out of a dream - a group of Pomeranian puppies appeared on Bloor Street in Toronto Saturday evening, much to the delight of literally everyone who passed by.

The little clouds of fluff showed off their cuteness outside of UTS and had everyone melting.

puppies toronto

People stopping to pet the puppies. Photo by Lisa Power.

They drew a large crowd of people that stopped to give them pets and take pictures, even causing cyclists and drivers to slow up or turn their heads as they passed to get a good look.

puppies toronto

Puppies playing in the grass near UTS. Photo by Lisa Power.

The puppies belong to a local breeder who runs PerfectPoms.com and brought them out for some exercise.

The breeder brings by different litters regularly when the weather is nice, always causing commotion, like these Pomsky's from a couple weeks ago.

And another group that appeared last spring.

Playing with the puppies offered some much needed happy time for students who had just started classes last week. Later on people got up on the hill and let the bundles of joy run around all over them.

Hopefully more pups will be back before it gets too cold. 

This Week on DineSafe: Dr. Laffa, Spring Sushi, Loga's Corner, Against The Grain

$
0
0

This week on DineSafe there are no restaurant closures to report. A number of spots did, however, land conditional passes, including one of the city's best destinations for falafel and shawarma, Dr. Laffa. 

See which other restaurants got busted by city health inspectors on DineSafe this week.

Loga's Corner (216 Close Ave.)
  • Inspected on: September 5, 2017
  • Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
  • Number of infractions: 6 (Minor: 1, Significant: 3, Crucial: 2)
  • Crucial infractions include: Operator failed to ensure food is not contaminated/adulterated and operator failed to maintain hazardous foods.
Against The Grain (125 Queens Quay East)
  • Inspected on: September 6, 2017
  • Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
  • Number of infractions: 2 (Minor: 1, Significant: 1)
  • Crucial infractions include: N/A
Caldense Bakery (3497 Dundas St. West)
  • Inspected on: September 6, 2017
  • Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
  • Number of infractions: 2 (Minor: 1, Significant: 1)
  • Crucial infractions include: N/A
Rocco's Plum Tomato (1068 Islington Ave.)
  • Inspected on: September 6, 2017
  • Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
  • Number of infractions: 1 (Significant: 1)
  • Crucial infractions include: N/A
Sakawa Coffee (867 Danforth Ave.)
  • Inspected on: September 6, 2017
  • Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
  • Number of infractions: 2 (Minor: 1, Significant: 1)
  • Crucial infractions include: N/A
Spring Sushi (10 Dundas St. East)
  • Inspected on: September 6, 2017
  • Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
  • Number of infractions: 7 (Minor: 2, Significant: 3, Crucial: 2)
  • Crucial infractions include: Employee failed to wash hands when required and operator failed to maintain hazardous foods.
Dr. Laffa (3021 Bathurst St.)
  • Inspected on: September 7, 2017
  • Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
  • Number of infractions: 7 (Minor: 1, Significant: 5, Crucial: 1)
  • Crucial infractions include: Employee failed to wash hands when required.

Note: The above businesses each received infractions from DineSafe as originally reported on the DineSafe site. This does not imply that any of these businesses have not subsequently corrected the issue and received a passing grade by DineSafe inspectors. For the latest status for each of the mentioned businesses, including details on any subsequent inspections, please be sure to check the DineSafe site.

Ultra luxe glamping destination opens just east of Toronto

$
0
0

Yes, nature is wonderful and lovely, but forest getaways are often defined by swarms of mosquitos and uncomfortable sleeping bags. For those who like their nature retreats complete with high thread count sheets, this new glamping destination near Toronto should come as good news.

The Whispering Springs Wilderness Retreat is equipped with luxury amenities like a saltwater pool, guest lounge and bar, and king-size beds in log-framed safari tents. You won't be "roughing it" here, but you will be in the midst of picturesque scenery and clean forest air.

Glamor camping or "glamping," has become a popular trend for vacationers looking to escape the city without the hassles of traditional camping. Located just outside of Cobourg, this new spot is one of the closest sites of its kind to Toronto.

Along with the luxe offerings, the retreat features traditional wilderness activities like hiking and forest walks, fishing, lawn games, paddle boating, and communal fire pits that are lit each night.

Stargazing on rustic-chic furniture from the porch of your safari tent won't come cheap, though. Prices start at $295 a night (based on double occupancy). But, hey, it sure beats sleeping on the ground. 

Massive Chinese restaurant chain Peking Duck opening first Toronto location

$
0
0

A 153-year-old Chinese restaurant brand, famous for its crispy, roasted duck, is expanding into North America  – and the Toronto area just happens to be first on its list.

quanjude toronto

QJD is known for serving as the first choice for state dinners in China. Also, flowers made out of duck meat.

QJD Peking Duck Restaurant, also known as Quan Ju De, was founded all the way back in 1864. According to the company, its newest restaurant at 7095 Woodbine Ave. will officially open its doors on Sept. 23 after four years of preparation.

"It has become the quintessential Chinese culinary dish," says QJD of its heritage roast duck on Facebook

Looking at photos from Quan Ju De restaurants in Beijing, it's easy to see why. The dishes are plated beautifully and uniquely, giving diners a feast for the eyes as well as for their mouths.

Pieces of duck arranged to look like an open rose appear to be quite popular, but so too do messy, gigantic piles of oven roasted, golden-skinned duck meat.

Quanjude's heritage of roast duck preparation – using open ovens and non-smoky hardwood fuel such as Chinese date, peach, or pear to add a subtle fruity flavour to the skin – was originally reserved for the imperial families.

The company is currently taking limited reservations for its 8,000 square foot dining space in Markham, but walk-ins aren't being accepted just yet. 

peking duck toronto

A preview of QJD's signature dish was pictured earlier this month on the restaurant's new Toronto-based Facebook page.

When it's fully open to the public, though, you can expect to see lots of duck flowers in your feed. Regardless of how it tastes (probably pretty good,) QJD definitely makes for some fine foodie photo fodder.


Vote for your favourites in 10 new best of categories

$
0
0

It's that time of year again. We're opening the poll to 10 new best of categories including dim sum, burritos, cupcakes, cookies, poutine and more. Voting ends on Tuesday September 12 at midnight.

Toronto is getting a tabletop games bar

$
0
0

Game-themed bars are a big hit in Toronto. Right now you can play Monopolyarcade games or even shuffleboard while imbibing in this city. The latest bar to join this mix, however, sounds rather different from the rest.

Bangarang Bar, from the team behind Track & Field and Pray Tell, promises to feature long-lost games most people have never heard of. Early word is that many of these will be of the table top variety, which sounds ideal for combining booze and a bit of friendly competition. 

SJOELEN (shoo-lin). See you + your fiercely competitive Dutch grandma real soon.

A post shared by Bangarang (@bangarangbar) on

Sjoelen, Cornhole, Japanese billiards, and Rebound are just some of the games that will be available here, much to the excitement of Dutch grandmothers everywhere.

The bar's website shows the location as 552 College Street, which was formerly  The Midtown, but the ownership group will only confirm that the new venture will open in the College and Euclid area. You need a fair bit of space for a games-themed bar, so the old Midtown space would make sense.

An exact opening date has not been set, but we're told to expect Bangarang to be up and running by late this month or early October.

Toronto might crack down on frat houses

$
0
0

As the university school year begins in Toronto, the city might impose new regulations on how frat houses operate. 

City councillors want to know if new rules for fraternities and sororities can help address pain points affiliated with frat houses like garbage buildup, loud noise, and low property maintenance standards.

The city's Executive Committee will be voting on a series of recommendations at the end of this month that, if approved, would require all sorority and frat houses to be licensed as rooming (or "multi-tenant") houses, with no exemptions.

"For many years, a number of fraternity houses in neighbourhoods adjacent to the University of Toronto have been identified as sites of increasingly problematic behaviour," wrote Ward 20 councillor Joe Cressy in a letter to the committee earlier this year.

 "I have been advised that fraternities and sororities operate outside of the formal University framework," he continued, "and thus exist in a grey area regarding disciplinary action and appropriate follow-up after incidents and in cases of ongoing negative and problematic behaviour."

A working committee has since been investigating the feasibility of removing such student houses from Section 285-8 of the Municipal Code, which exempts them from such things as needing to hold a license, post fire safety plans, or allow spot inspections.

"Licensing these houses not only provides the City with a mechanism to effectively respond to these concerns, but also entitles those who live in the houses a guarantee that their living environments meet building code and safety standard requirements," wrote Cressy. 

"Without a proper regulatory framework, fraternity and sorority houses post a risk not just to residents, but to those who live in and visit them."

As of right now, licenses are not legally required for residential buildings that contain more than three rooms and house more than three "students who are members of a bona fide nationally or internationally chartered student fraternity or sorority."

If that changes, fraternities and sororities will have to apply for a licence – and agree to all of the city's rules pertaining to safety, fees, and h0w much toilet paper must be kept in the house at any given time (enough to do the job, according to our municipal code.)

Student organizations that apply and are rejected from living near campus could very well be forced to find lodging elsewhere. 

The best and worst movies at TIFF 2017 so far

$
0
0

We are now officially five days into the Toronto International Film Festival, which puts us halfway through and about dozens of screenings deep. That means it's time to take stock of what films have already bowled audiences over, and which ones have deeply let them down. 

Here are my picks for the best and worst movies at TIFF 2017 so far. 

Best
Lady Bird

Actress Greta Gerwig's directorial debut stars Saoirse Ronan as a teenage girl coming of age in Sacramento, while struggling with her difficult relationship with her mother, her Catholic school, and her desire to escape. 

Call Me By Your Name

Armie Hammer plays a research assistant who arrives in Italy to help his mentor, and slowly begins a secret relationship with his mentor's son. 

I, Tonya

An unconventional biopic about the infamous assault on Nancy Kerrigan, but told through the eyes - and life - of Tonya Harding (Margot Robbie). 

The Death of Stalin

A comedy about the death of Joseph Stalin and the political chaos that ensues as only the creative brain behind Veep and In the Loop can tell it. 

Jane

A documentary about conservationist and primate expert, Jane Goodall, built from over 140 hours of National Geographic footage that was believed lost.

Three Billboards Outside Ebbing

A mother (Frances McDormand) whose daughter was murdered, deals with her grief, and hounds the local police force for not doing enough to find the killer. 

Thelma

A young girl who goes off to college starts to sense that she may (or may not) have supernatural powers. All while she falls in love with a woman, a relationship that proves challenging given Thelma's religious upbringing.

Worst

Downsizing

The latest from Alexander Payne (Election, The Descendants) finds scientists inventing shrinking technology in order to try and save the world. 

Roman J. Israel, Esq. 

A last minute addition to TIFF, the latest from Nightcrawler director find Denzel Washington playing an idealistic lawyers who slowly begins to have those ideals challenged. 

This is what opening weekend at TIFF looked like

Viewing all 48221 articles
Browse latest View live




Latest Images