Cadillac People's Choice Midnight Madness Award Announced

The people have spoken and this year's winner of the Cadillac People's Choice Midnight Madness Award is Gareth Evans' The Raid! Congratulations to Gareth, Iko Uwais, Joe Taslim, Maya Barack-Evans and the producers, cast and crew of The Raid!

First runner-up is Adam Wingard's You're Next! Congratulations to Adam, Sharni Vinson, AJ Bowen, Joe Swanberg, Simon Barrett and the producers, cast and crew.

Second runner-up is Bobcat Goldthwait's God Bless America! Congratulations to Bobcat, Joel Murray, Tara Lynne Barr and the producers, cast and crew.

And thanks to everyone who marked a ballot for the Cadillac People's Choice Award for Midnight Madness.

The Red Carpet Interviews for GOD BLESS AMERICA

Here are the Midnight Madness red carpet interviews from the World Premiere of God Bless America:

God Bless America screens one more time:
Fri., Sept. 16th, 6:30PM, AMC 7

Ian Goring's Pics from Bobcat Goldthwait's GOD BLESS AMERICA!

If you didn't get a chance to catch Bobcat Goldthwait's God Bless America and its accompanying Q&A at Midnight Madness on Friday night (check out Robert Mitchell's post for the video), you missed out on the funniest, most entertaining couple of hours to hit the Ryerson stage in recent memory. Bobcat was in true form, playing with the audience and just seeming ecstatic to have his film (apparently only completed on Tuesday, if he's to be believed) shown in a raucous arena of Midnight Madness filmgoers.

Intrepid photographer Ian Goring once again takes you back to that night with some pictures from the screening!

Robert Mitchell gets the dirt from Joel Murray as the ghost of Bobcat looks on.

Can you feel the love, folks?

Awww, they're like a happy family. A happy, baby-splattering, rampaging family.

"KHAAAAAAAAAAAN!" (come on, you were thinking it too)

I seriously just noticed that belt buckle. I think Bobcat did too.

"Haha! They'll never let Tara on the Disney Channel ever again!"

You've got one more chance to check out God Bless America, and it's next weekend. If you've already watched a ton of super-depressing flicks about human trafficking or whatever Keyhole was supposed to be and need to seriously get your laugh on while watching people get blown away as only Bobcat can show you, make sure you lock down some tickets while you still can.

The final screening of God Bless America is:

Friday September 16 6:30pm AMC 7

The Intro/Q&A for Bobcat Goldthwait's GOD BLESS AMERICA

Here is footage from the Introduction and the Q&A of Bobcat Goldthwait's latest film GOD BLESS AMERICA. It was one of the funniest Q&A's in the entire history of the Midnight Madness programme, as Bobcat said on stage, "The kid's still got it!"

At the time of this posting GOD BLESS AMERICA still screens two more times:

Sunday September 11 AMC 6 1:30pm

Friday September 16 AMC 7 6:30pm

1. 
   

@thesubstream - Midnight Madness '11 Ep. 02: God Bless America!

Bobcat Goldthwait directs a dark comedy about people who are mad as hell and aren't gonna take it anymore! Plus, our buddy Tom attends his first ever Midnight Madness. thesubstream.com's coverage of the best program of films at TIFF continues...

YOU'RE NEXT Premieres Tonight + Adam Wingard Speaks!

The last time Adam Wingard had a movie at TIFF he inspired Bobcat Goldthwait to make God Bless America. What kind of madness will his new flick You're Next inspire? There's really only one way to find out and that is to be at the Ryerson tonight at midnight.

Adam also has a great five questions interview up over at filmmakermagazine.com. Here are a few highlights:

On twists in You're Next: ...we decided to make ours more of a fun ride, one that doesn’t punish its audience or take itself too seriously.

On directing directors Ti West and Joe Swanberg: It’s great; they both know what a pain in the ass making a movie can be so I felt a lot of empathy from them when the scenes were getting rough.

If you want to know more ask him yourself tonight at midnight!

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

GOD BLESS AMERICA
Sun., Sept. 1tth, 1:30PM, AMC 6
Fri., Sept. 16th, 6:30PM, AMC 7

"Bobcat Goldthwait Talks Stand-Up and GOD BLESS AMERICA"

SanDiego.com has an interview with Bobcat Goldthwait about God Bless America, the stand up comedy boom of the 80s and how if you're in a fight with "Bobcat Goldthwait" on Twitter, you're in a fight with a fake version of him.

What can you tell me about God Bless America?
Bobcat Goldthwait: It’s funny, the other day I showed it to my friends and I was really surprised that they were all kind of shocked by it. I think people think it’s a vigilante movie where this character goes out and starts killing reality stars. I mean that's a little part of it, but it’s also kind of about where are we going and the culture and basically the dumbest members of our society. Sometimes when I hear myself giving interviews I want to punch myself in the throat, because I’m like, ‘Really, this is the dude from Police Academy pontificating about where are we going as a society, blah, blah, blah.’

Well, I think a lot of people often forget how young you were when you filmed the Police Academy movies.
BG: Yeah, I was in my early 20’s when I did those movies, but I really didn’t know I’d be talking about this for the rest of my life, I think I probably would’ve worked harder.

[....]

What actors are you working with in God Bless America?
BG: It’s funny that we’re talking about Scrooged, because Joel Murray, who’s Bill’s brother is in it; Joel’s a very talented actor. The rest of the cast are people that we either found or are my friends. The young girl in the movie is named Tara Lynn Barr and she has been on a bunch of Disney shows, but I don’t think they’ll have her back on after this movie.

Make sure to click through for the rest of the interview.

God Bless America premieres tonight at Midnight Madness!

GOD BLESS AMERICA

Fri., Sept. 9th, 11:59PM, RYERSON

Sun., Sept. 11th, 1:30PM, AMC 6

Fri., Sept. 16th, 6:30PM, AMC 7

GOD BLESS AMERICA Musical Interlude: Bonnie et Clyde

God Bless America premieres tonight and nothing says cross-country spree like Bonnie and Clyde, or as Serge Gainsbourg and Brigitte Bardot have it, "Bonnie et Clyde. "

GOD BLESS AMERICA

Fri., Sept. 9th, 11:59PM, RYERSON

Sun., Sept. 1tth, 1:30PM, AMC 6

Fri., Sept. 16th, 6:30PM, AMC 7

Midnight Madness Ticket Giveaway on Facebook!

Sure movies and film festival excitement can drive you to extremes. I hear John Dillinger robbed banks throughout the Midwest just to fund his movie habit. He was shot dead walking out of Chicago's Biograph Theater, after all.  But you don't need to pick up a gun and go on a cross-continental rampage to get "free" tickets to Midnight Madness.

John Dillinger, cinephile.

Just follow Midnight Madness on Facebook for a chance to score tickets to films in the program this year. So far we've given away tickets to The Raid and currently have a contest on for tickets to God Bless America!

Just click through to Midnight Madness at the Toronto International Film Festival and hit "like!"

Nobody gets hurt.

Just put the ax down, Ma'am.

THE RAID screening times:

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

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

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

Five Questions with GOD BLESS AMERICA Director Bobcat Goldthwait

Throughout the ’80s and a good chunk of the ’90s, Bobcat Goldthwait was best known for his role as screechy-voiced Officer Zed in the Police Academy series, in addition to his screechy-voiced stand-up. Since making his feature-directing debut with 1991’s Shakes the Clown, Goldthwait has steadily become one of the coolest cult directors in America. Before his latest pitch-black comedy has its world premiere at Midnight Madness on September 9th, we got to chat with the comic-turned-director about American Idol, clown noir and how making God Bless America stopped him from blowing up MTV.   

1) Like many of your other films, God Bless America is an intriguing blend of genres—from buddy comedy to vigilante and road film to even horror. Is this a deliberate strategy or something that just happens intuitively?

I guess it's unintentional. It's how they come out of my head. I bet the movies would be easier to market if they weren't. “If you see one bestiality rom-com this year, make it Sleeping Dogs Lie.” Shakes the Clown: “Who doesn't like clown noir?” World's Greatest Dad: “See Robin Williams in a heartfelt coming-of-age story where his son dies beating off with a belt around his neck!”

2) God Bless America instantly recalls other killers-on-the-road classics. Did any films in particular serve as inspiration? 

Badlands, Bonnie and Clyde and Network were the ones I kept coming back to.

3) In the film, an American Idol-type contestant named Steve Clark becomes an overnight sensation for all the wrong reasons. This character is so accurate and yet so surreal. How did you come up with him? And did you write his music?

Casting Steve Clark was incredibly difficult. You want the character to be a believable American Idol reject/weirdo type, but not so much of a parody that it seems like you're mocking those sad people (rather than the people who abuse them). Aris Alvarado (who plays the part) is amazing. He came in the room and was so funny and so sweet and at the same time so unlikeable where he needed to be. As far as his music, we literally went down a list of cheap songs and when my wife saw this one she pretty much dictated that we were using it.

4) Along with this mock-celebrity, your stand-up persona and your 2003 film Windy City Heat all tackle a running theme: audiences laughing at someone who's clearly awkward and uncomfortable.

I think that's just the theme of my whole life.

5) This film pokes fun at some very grating aspects of popular culture (i.e. reality shows). Was there a perverse sense of satisfaction in creating such a wild revenge scenario?

I hope people see this movie and realize that what passes for entertainment these days is often just stupid, disgusting abuse and/or a celebration of the worst qualities in humanity. I think if I hadn't made this movie I may have actually blown up the MTV offices.

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

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

Killer Couples on the Road

God Bless America’s Frank and Roxy aren’t the first big screen duo to go on an interstate killing spree. Allow us to reacquaint you with some of cinema’s most gruesome twosomes in preparation for Bobcat Goldthwait’s demented road trip that will be crashing into this year’s Midnight Madness on September 9th.

Barton Tare and Annie Laurie Starr in Gun Crazy: 

Clyde Barrow and Bonnie Parker in Bonnie and Clyde:

Kit and Holly in Badlands:

Sailor Ripley and Lula Fortune in Wild at Heart:

Clarence Worley and Alabama Whitman in True Romance:

Mickey and Mallory Knox in Natural Born Killers:

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

Three Things You Didn't Know About Bobcat Goldthwait

Anyone who grew up in the late 80’s – early 90’s probably remembers Bobcat Goldthwait as Zed from the Police Academy movies. But, did you know…



1. If you were at Midnight Madness 2010, he was probably nearby. Goldthwait was scouting Toronto locations last year and took in a few Midnight Madness screenings. He also caught Adam Wingard’s A Horrible Way to Die, which inspired him to make his Midnight Madness Entry God Bless America.



2. He knows how to entertain people late at night. Goldthwait is a highly successful television director whose credits include Chappelle’s Show and The Man Show. Plus, during his time directing Jimmy Kimmel Live ratings rose to over 2 million viewers a night.



3. He really knows how to fire up late night TV. In the 90s he had a penchant for going on late night tv and trashing the sets. The most memorable incident was when Goldthwait was on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and he set a chair on fire! NBC has made sure the clip is impossible to find online but here’s a pic to prove it.





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

A Kindler, Gentler Midnight Madness???

What does a kindler, gentler Midnight Madness look like? I suspect it has something to do with the fact that the killers in You're Next wear cute little kitty cat masks. But for the real answer check out this interview with TIFF Programmer Colin Geddes at The Toronto Star.



In the article Colin gave some insight into some of this years titles: The Raid: ...features silat, a style of martial arts that is probably unfamiliar to audiences here. Plus, audiences will get a first look at 28-year-old Iko Uwais in action.

God Bless America: ...a satire about a possibly terminally ill man who decides this town needs some cleaning up with the help of a teen sidekick. “It’s Bonnie and Clyde for the 21st century,” says Geddes.

Livid: ...“Like Black Swan, only bleaker,” says Geddes with pleasure.

You’re Next: ...it’s a home-invasion mixed with the “awful, biting family pettiness that goes on at any (family) reunion.”

You’re Next Screening Times

Saturday September 10 11:59:00 PM RYERSON

Monday September 12 6:30:00 PM AMC 7

Friday September 16 4:00:00 PM TIFF BELL LIGHTBOX 2



The Raid Screening times:

Thursday September 8 11:59:00 PM RYERSON

Saturday September 10 12:15:00 PM AMC 2



God Bless America Screening Times

Friday September 9 11:59:00 PM RYERSON

Sunday September 11 1:30:00 PM AMC 6

Friday September 16 6:30:00 PM AMC 7



Livid Screening Times

Sunday September 11 11:59:00 PM RYERSON

Tuesday September 13 5:00:00 PM AMC 7