THE DAY Drops On August 28th!

One of the coolest things about TIFF is being able to see a film before, and in some cases LONG before it's released to the general public.  Midnight Madness 2009 selection Solomon Kane is one of these - it's only seeing limited release in late September if IMDB is to be believed - and last years selection The Day is another.

The Day, however, is unique in that it's got the chokeslamming, powerbombing muscle of the WWE marketing machine behind it. It's being released on the 28th of August and Vince McMahon and his cadre of publicists ran a special sneak preview of the post-apocalyptic siege film with several wrestlers (don't worry, no cameos from The Big Show in this film) in attendance. Check it out!

With this in mind, don't forget to pick up your TIFF Midnight Madness passes, so when your friends are lining up like schlubs to see these films next year, you'll be able to lord over them the fact that you've seen them all already.  And isn't that what friendship is all about?

TIFF Midnight Madness passes for all ten films in the 2012 schedule are SOLD OUT, but you can still pick up single tickets to films in the Midnight Madness Programme (and others) starting on Sept 1.  

The Red Carpet Interviews for THE DAY

The Midnight Madness Red Carpet was rocking Thursday Sept. 16th when Doug Aarniokoski's post-apocalyptic film The Day had it's world premiere. I had the opportunity to speak with actors, Dominic Monaghan, Michael Eklund and Ashley Bell as well as director Douglas Aarniokoski and producer Guy Danella. Here is the video:

If Ya Smelllll.....What THE DAY Is Cookin'!

Good news for fans of The Day and also for those who didn't get to see it when it screened at Midnight Madness or any of the subsequent screenings! It seems that WWE Films (yes, you read that right) has acquired the distribution rights to the post-apocalyptic siege movie.  Dread Central has the full report.

Now, WWE Films doesn't exactly have the strongest track record for its properties, which, up until this acquisition, have all featured professional wrestlers like Triple H, Kane, John Cena, and Stone Cold Steve Austin in prominent roles.  Here's hoping that The Day marks a turnaround for the distribution arm of the most successful sports-entertainment company on the planet and that Vince McMahon won't be digitally adding The Big Show into the background (please, please do me a personal favour and never watch Knucklehead).

The last screening of The Day is TONIGHT!
Saturday September 18  9:45pm Scotiabank Theatre

@thesubstream - Midnight Madness '11 Ep. 08: The Day!

What would you do if the apocalypse came tomorrow? Do you have your machete ready? We asked this question of some die-hard Midnight Madness fans in line for last night's screening of The Day, a dreary post-apocalyptic yarn starring Dominic Monaghan, Shawn Ashmore and Ashley Bell. It was the first real red-carpet affair of this year's Midnight Madness program which got Rajo pretty excited, let me tell you. Or, hell - why not just watch for yourself? thesubstream.com's coverage of TIFF 2011 Midnight Madness continues!

THE DAY Premieres at Midnight Madness Tonight!

 

Tonight is the world premiere of Douglas Aarniokoski's The Day, shot in the post-apocalyptic wasteland of Ottawa!

THE DAY screening times:

Thurs., Sept. 15th, 11:59PM, RYERSON

Fri., Sept. 16th, 3:00PM, SCOTIABANK THEATRE 2

Sat., Sept. 17th, 9:45PM, SCOTIABANK THEATRE 11

Who's Who With The Cast of THE DAY!

Thursday night's screening of The Day is actually the most star-studded of the Midnight Madness lineup this year. Here's a little rundown of the cast in this post-apocalyptic journey through a bleak, ruined landscape.  

Dominic Monaghan - If you were a geek at any point  in the last ten years, Monaghan's name will undoubtedly be a familiar one.  Starring in two of the biggest geek properties of the last decade - JJ Abrams' LOST and Peter Jacksons' Lord of the Rings films - Monaghan has made a name for himself as one of the go-to actors when something sinister and dark is afoot.  In The Day, Monaghan straps on his genre hat (yes this is a real hat) once again as the leader of a small band of survivors traversing a world without hope.

Ashley Bell - The highlight of last year's Eli Roth-produced possession tale, The Last Exorcism, Bell made a splash as the young farmer's daughter caught in the grips of a demonic spirit.  Her unbelievable transformation from wallflower to venom-spitting hellion invited comparisons to Linda Blair and even her sickly-arched posture on the film's poster was enough to give most people chills.

Shannyn Sossamon - Sossamon's not widely known for her genre efforts but she does have a couple of horrors under her belt in the form of 2007's Catacombs and 2008's One Missed Call.  Her skills at playing bleak characters in other fare such as The Rules of Attraction and Wristcutters: A Love Story are put to great work here in the tense, desolate landscape of The Day.

Shawn Ashmore - Richmond BC's Ashmore is no stranger to science fiction roles with several high-profile turns as Iceman/Bobby Drake in the first three X-Men movies and roles in the television series Fringe.  His horror resume is quite extensive as well, with roles in Frozen, The Ruins, Hatchet 2, and Mother's Day.

This dark, futuristic journey takes the Ryerson by storm on Thursday night and it looks to be one of the most chilling films in this year's lineup.  We expect at least a few members of this star-studded cast to be walking the blood-soaked red carpet that night, so don't miss it!

The Day screens:

1. Thursday September 15 Ryerson 11:59pm
2. Friday September 16 Scotiabank Theatre 2 3:00pm
3. Saturday September 17 Scotiabank Theatre 11 9:45pm

Interview with THE DAY Actress Ashley Bell

1) It seems to me at least that genre films have seen a remarkable shift in the past several years and the roles for women are moving from victims to strong leads and protagonists. Your recent roles seems to reflect this trend. Are you finding more scripts and roles that are more than one-dimensional characters? Do you think the opportunities for women in the film business are getting stronger?

I’ve been blessed with playing 3 dimensional characters. When Guy Danella (producer), Doug Aarniokoski (director), and Luke Passmore (writer) approached me with the script I jumped at the chance to play a badass who refuses to be a victim. I was attracted to Mary because she was both an emotionally and physically challenging character.

2) Could you tell me about your character in the film, Mary?

What interested me about Mary was that she was determined to be a survivor. I loved the fact that she has to hone all her instincts and physical abilities to live in this apocalyptic world. Even with all the horrors she has faced, she still maintains her humanity.

3) I was wondering what kind of research you did to prepare for your role in The Day? Have you ever shot a gun before?

Yes, I have been to the range on a number of occasions, and generally enjoy working with guns. My weapon of choice is a 9mm Berretta. But I’d never worked with a shotgun before, especially one that’s as tall as me. All the bruises I received from working on the film were like medals of honor. To acquire the look they wanted, I ate just enough to work out. Besides a lean vegetarian diet with some fish, I did a mix of cardio and weights twice a day, paired with ballet for flexibility. I privately worked with a stunt woman since I knew I had to do most of my own stunts.

4) The film was shot in Ottawa, and from the early stills looks to be late in the year, what difficulties did you face with the elements during production?

The first clue was when I sat down with Doug Aarniokoski and Guy Danella and they tried to talk me out of doing the film. They told me I’d have to loose weight, add muscle, learn how to shoot a shotgun, do your own stunts and survive in below freezing weather... I said sign me up! It was a challenge, but that’s what I love most about acting. There’s a moment, where I’m in a sub zero creek, in a wet dress, clutching a real shotgun, in below freezing weather with a wind chill and I thought: in what alternate universe would I ever get the chance to do this?

5) It's hard not to mention that you have worked with Midnight Madness alumni, Eli Roth, on The Last Exorcism. What did you learn about acting and film making from Eli?

Eli Roth is a master storyteller, and a genius of the horror and thriller genre. Just watching him work is a learning experience. I saw him edit a scene on The Last Exorcism and with just three tweaks he transformed a scary scene into something absolutely terrifying.

6) You have said in numerous interviews that you have wanted to work in a comedy, what's next for you? Are there any pratfalls in your future?

I want to do Bridesmaids 2! I’ve got my broken fingers crossed for a physical comedy where I play a beautiful debutant who falls in love in Paris, but not in the Seine. *ba dum ching* I recently finished a pilot called Grow, where I play drug dealer, and I’m attached to several projects that I’m sworn to secrecy about.

THE DAY screens:

Thur., Sept. 15th 11:59pm Ryerson
Fri., Sept. 16th 3:00pm Scotiabank Theatre 2
Sat., Sept. 17th 9:45pm Scotiabank Theatre 11

BlogTO Submits Five Picks for MIDNIGHT MADNESS 2011!

Excited for Midnight Madness yet? If, for some reason, you haven't made your picks for this year's lineup yet, BlogTO has posted their five top picks to see in our little late-night fiesta of fists and phantoms!

First up is Midnight Madness opening film The Raid, which screens tomorrow night:

"I ALSO declare a thumb war!"

Sometimes the best ingredients for a film at Midnight Madness is fast-paced frenetic action film with a little bit of martial arts and perhaps some disposable criminals to punish. The opening night film Midnight Madness film, The Raid provides all of the above.

Next is, uh...You're Next. No, not you - the film! It screens this Saturday the 10th:

Brenda would stop at nothing to win Dinner Party Wars.

This year director and writer Adam Wingard returns with You're Next a locked-house horror film about a family reunion gone completely awry. Remember that feeling, which only arises at family functions, of wanting to commit matricide or patricide to get your parents to stop talking? How would you react if somebody else tried to beat you to the punch? You're Next attempts to find that out, as a dinner with the family turns deadly when a group of armed invaders attack and send the familial unit on the defense as they try to band together against their assailants.

Third up is the film I'm most looking forward to, that gruesome French fairy tale, Livid which screens this Sunday the 11th:

"Well dammit, now you owe me a new bedsheet, ya jackwagon! You are SO never sleeping over again."

The directors who presented the unapologetically gory and disturbing film Inside to horrified audiences at Midnight Madness in 2007 return this year with Livid, a dark, dream-like horror film about going where you don't truly belong...Rumoured to be the goriest film at Midnight Madness this year, Livid promises to be a terrifying fairy tale of horror that you won't soon forget.

Fourth is the dark post-apocalyptic road movie with a stellar cast and a distinctly bleak outlook, The Day, screening next Thursday the 15th:

"This commute is really starting to get to us."

The story sounds similar to other zombie-related apocalypse films, but The Day seems like it might have a more ambiguous edge to it that will propel the story further than your average survival flick. With an interesting ensemble cast with lesser known but respectable names such as Dominic Monaghan (LOTR), Shannyn Sossamon (The Rules of Attraction) and Shawn Ashmore (X-Men Franchise), there seems to be something a bit different here, while absolutely bleak at the same time.

Finally, the funniest Japanese flick you'll see at TIFF this year, Smuggler, providing you a necessary break from the high tension (see what I did there?) of the rest of the lineup next Friday the 16th:

"Dye job? WHAT DYE JOB??"

While there aren't too many laughs to be found on the programme this year, Smuggler makes up for that in spades as a ridiculous black comedy about Kinuta, a man indebted to the Yakuza and burdened with the unfortunate task of disposing of their dead. When a major Yakuza boss is murdered, Kinuta and his associates are imperiled when his minions plot revenge on anybody they believe may have had a part in his death. And let me assure you, stuff is only about to get stranger.

Don't forget that if you're still undecided, no one would fault you for foregoing sleep all week like your intrepid blog team will be doing, and coming out to all the screenings! Whoever said that sleep was integral to a healthy lifestyle (other than most health professionals)?!

The Raid screens:

Thurs., Sept. 8th, 11:59PM, RYERSON

Sat., Sept. 10th, 12:15PM, AMC 2

You're Next screens:

Saturday September 10 11:59pm RYERSON

Monday September 12 6:30pm AMC 7

Friday September 16 4:00pm TIFF BELL LIGHTBOX 2

LIVID screens:

Sun., Sept. 11th, 11:59PM, RYERSON

Tues., Sept. 13th, 5:00PM, AMC 7

The Day screens:

Thur., Sept. 15th 11:59pm Ryerson

Fri., Sept. 16th 3:00pm Scotiabank Theatre 2

Sat., Sept. 17th 9:45pm Scotiabank Theatre 11

Smuggler screens:

Friday September 16 11:59 PM RYERSON

Saturday September 17 6:45 PM SCOTIABANK THEATER 4

Sunday September 18 12:00 PM SCOTIABANK THEATER 4

Colin Geddes Talks Midnight Madness 2011

Still on the fence about getting those Midnight Madness tickets? You won't be after watching the clip below where TIFF Programmer Colin Geddes talks about Midnight Madness Selections God Bless America, You're Next, Sleepless Night, and The Day.



GOD BLESS AMERICA screening times
Fri., Sept. 9th, 11:59PM, RYERSON
Sun., Sept. 1tth, 1:30PM, AMC 6
Fri., Sept. 16th, 6:30PM, AMC 7

YOU’RE NEXT screening times

Sat., Sept. 10th, 11:59PM, RYERSON
Mon., Sept. 12th, 6:30PM, AMC 7
Fri., Sept. 16th, 4:00PM, TIFF BELL LIGHTBOX 2

SLEEPLESS NIGHT screening times

Tues., Sept. 13th, 11:59PM, RYERSON
Wed., Sept. 14th, 3:00PM, AMC 1
Fri., Sept. 16th, 9:45PM, SCOTIABANK THEATRE 11

THE DAY screening times

Thurs., Sept. 15th, 11:59PM, RYERSON
Fri., Sept. 16th, 3:00PM, SCOTIABANK THEATRE 2
Sat., Sept. 17th, 9:45PM, SCOTIABANK THEATRE 11

Interview with Douglas Aarniokoski Director of THE DAY

Douglas Aarnioski always wanted to work in the film business, taking the advice of his mother he got a job on the Universal Studios lot so, as Douglas said, "on my days off I could walk around the backlot and pass out resumes." He landed a work behind the camera and has built an insanely impressive filmography as an assistant director and a second unit director working with such film makers as Robert Rodriguez and Terry Gilliam. The Day marks his third feature as a director and his first ever film at Midnight Madness. I recently had the opportunity to ask Mr. Aarniokoski some questions.

1) The Day is your second feature as a director, however you've had numerous experiences as a first assistant director & 2nd Unit Director. How vast is the difference moving from first A.D./2nd Unit to the director of a film?

It's DAY and night. As an AD you are really in charge of the nuts and bolts of the film making process and facilitating the vision of the director. My 2nd Unit directing however was a great way to get me ready for directing in the sense that you are given portions of the story and it's my job to make it fit seamlessly with the directors footage. Granted we are usually blowing up shit and filming car chases, but the story has to work within the scene or the action has no guts to it.

2) What did you connect to in this story that made you say I want to be in the director's chair on this film?

The struggles that these five characters go through within the course of one DAY. Both physically and emotionally. And it is just a wickedly fun ride--I literally read the script in 40 minutes the first time I read it, picked up the phone, called Guy Danella (producer) and said I have to make this. And we never looked back.....

3) You have worked with Robert Rodriguez on numerous films, From Dusk Till Dawn, Once Upon A Time in Mexico come to mind, what did you learn about directing from Robert?

Robert was my mentor--he was my film school. He was the one who said, "pick up the camera and go do it, you learn by doing." We would shoot all day on separate units when I was shooting his 2nd Units, and then stay up into the wee hours of the night editing. Then we'd get up and rock and roll again the next day. I learned the importance of story and how to connect with actors.

4) You were also first assistant director: second unit on Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas is there a memory you can share working with Terry Gilliam?

Mr. Gilliam was so collaborative with everyone on the crew. His mind works in a way like I've never seen. He pushes you to think in the most unconventional way. It's amazing to see a true artist at work....I've been able to tap into those moments when conceiving the way I approach a film project.

5) What was your experience shooting The Day in Ottawa, Canada?

Fucking Cold!!!! Did I mention it was cold? HAHA--We had a crazy schedule that was literally eat, sleep, work. The actors had to be on the set all day every day in extreme conditions and fight through it....the crew was amazing and resilient. We became like a family in order to pull off an impossible story.

6) How did the Northern surroundings lend themselves to the atmosphere of the story?

It was perfect--isolated, desolate, and harsh. It kicked our ass and just kept coming....but we were looking for just that. We had scouted all over the states and Canada to find the perfect setting. Ottawa provided that, in spades.

7) We have been seeing a lot of post-apocalyptic films recently what makes The Day different and unique from the other films in the genre?

The setting is post-apocalyptic--but the story and the depth of these characters you'll meet are unlike any you've ever seen. The world that is created here is raw and real. It's gonna grab you by the balls and not let go.

From your first job in show business being a tour guide on UniversalStudios lot to having a world premiere at the Toronto International FilmFestival, congratulations! I look forward to meeting you.

Yeah, it's been an amazing journey. HAHA, sitting on a tram in Universal Studios and getting to talk about the history of film and how is all comes together to now being blessed to have the opportunity to tell stories and make movies--wow! It's something I will never take for granted and a path that I would not change for anything. Enjoy the festival everyone and hope to see you at The Day. Peace, Doug A

Here is the trailer for THE DAY:

THE DAY screens:

Thur., Sept. 15th 11:59pm Ryerson
Fri., Sept. 16th 3:00pm Scotiabank Theatre 2
Sat., Sept. 17th 9:45pm Scotiabank Theatre 11

Check Out the Poster for THE DAY

Next time you are on facebook make sure to check out the page for The Day. You'll find all sorts of promotional material (like the stylin' poster above). While you're there don't forget to like the official Midnight Madness Fan Page as well where you can win cool prizes like tickets to The Raid!

THE DAY screening times
Thurs., Sept. 15th, 11:59PM, RYERSON
Fri., Sept. 16th, 3:00PM, SCOTIABANK THEATRE 2
Sat., Sept. 17th, 9:45PM, SCOTIABANK THEATRE 11
http://tiff.net/filmsandschedules/tiff/2011/day

THE RAID screening times
Thurs., Sept. 8th, 11:59PM, RYERSON
Sat., Sept. 10th, 12:15PM, AMC 2
http://tiff.net/filmsandschedules/tiff/2011/raid