Torontoist Excited About LIVID

Torontoist.com named its top 11 picks for TIFF 11. Devoted midnight maniacs will immediately recognize four of the names on the list:



Julien Maury and Alexandre Bustillo who showed us all how much damage a simple pair of scissors could do in À l'intérieur (Midnight Madness 2007).



Pen-ek Ratanaruang who presented 6ixtynin9 at Midnight Madness 2000.



And Johnnie To who brought us the GREATEST. ACTION. MOVIE. EVER: Fulltime Killer (Midnight Madness 2001). That is an indisputable title which I am allowed to confer because I'm a blogger. Don't believe me? Go watch it... Now... See, told you!

Here's some of what they had to say about their films at TIFF11:

Julien Maury and Alexandre Bustillo’s Livid ...promises some of the same claustrophobic indoors tension of Inside. And if it’s even half as tense and pants-shittingly gnarly, then all you sicko gorehounds out there are in for a treat.



Johnnie To’s Life Without Principle ...is a heist caper and mini–morality drama involving a bank teller, a small-time crook, and a cop. Sounds promising.



Pen-ek Ratanaruang’s Headshot ...is about a cop who gets double-crossed and shot in the head, then wakes up three months later to find that he sees the whole world upside down. ...sounds amazingly trippy and inventive...

Livid Screening Times

Sunday September 11 11:59:00 PM RYERSON

Tuesday September 13 5:00:00 PM AMC 7



Life Without Principle Screening Times

Monday September 12 9:00:00 PM VISA SCREENING ROOM (ELGIN)

Wednesday September 14 3:30:00 PM TIFF BELL LIGHTBOX 1

Saturday September 17 8:30:00 PM SCOTIABANK THEATRE 3



Headshot Screening Times

Sunday September 11 9:00:00 PM SCOTIABANK THEATRE 2

Monday September 12 5:30:00 PM SCOTIABANK THEATRE 2

Saturday September 17 3:00:00 PM TIFF BELL LIGHTBOX 1

Ramping Up to Midnight Madness at the Festival of Fear

Can't wait for the Madness to start? You can get a little taste this weekend at Rue Morgue's Festival of Fear.



Midnight Madness usually has a table at the Festival of Fear. We're sorry to say we couldn't this year (for scheduling reasons), but as Colin Geddes says, “What a show they got going on!”



The Festival of Fear runs its spooky racket as part of the titanic Fan Expo, this weekend August 25-28 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.



This year's Guest of Honor is Robert Englund, who everybody knows as Freddie Krueger, but who will always kind of be Willie from the tv miniseries, V, to me. John Waters, iconic horror host Elvira, Martin Landau, Doug Bradley, Tom Savini, John Astin, Victoria Price, Malcolm MacDowell, Katee Sackhof, Lance Henriksen, Danielle Harris, Sam Tramell, Eliza Dushku and many more will also be appearing for photo opportunities, signings and Q &A's throughout the weekend.

Oh Willie, you are so sweet and clumsy...

Friday, August 26:



A noon screening of last year's Midnight Madness pick, John Carpenter's The Ward. If you think noon's too light for a horror movie, just remember the Romans considered noon to be the eeriest hour (MTCC 709).



Canadian Horror Geeks and fans of Canadiana might want to check out the “Remembering Frightenstein” panel at 5pm (MTCC 715B)



Victoria Price, author and the daughter of the late Vincent Price, will be available at at Q & A at 7pm (MTCC 715B)



Go on “A Dream Date with Freddy” when the Toronto Underground Cinema (186 Spadina Ave) screens Nightmare on Elm Street III: Dream Warriors, followed by a Q & A with Robert Englund. $20 in advance/ $25 at the door.



The 2011 Festival of Fear Shocktail Party featuring the Texas Hellbillies, Ghoultown, and DJ Peter Black at The Courthouse (57 Adelaide St. East). The shocktails start pouring at 10 p.m.

Ask Victoria Price about this baby picture at her Q & A!

Saturday, August 27:



Get your FX on at an FX workshop featuring Remy Couture at 12pm (MTCC 717)



If you're looking for a sweetie who's into horror and do well in job interview situations, you might want to check out the Horror Expo Speed Dating at 12pm. If you're openminded about genre, you can also try the All Genre Speed Dating at 6pm. (MTCC 803 for both).



At 4:30 there's the intriguingly-titled, “Lance vs. Lance, featuring Lance Henriksen.” (MTCC 713)



Remy Couture returns for the “Art/Crime” panel at 5pm. (MTCC 709)



But then there's also, “Satanic Sinema Screening featuring Salako Kalfou” at 5pm. (MTCC 711)

Will Lance vs. Lance be like this, but with another Lance Henriksen?

“This Filthy World: Filthier and Dirtier! An intimate evening with John Waters” at the Toronto Underground Cinema. Advance tickets are $30 at the Rue Morgue's Festival of Fear booth. Show starts at 7pm at the Toronto Underground Cinema (186 Spadina Ave.)



Back at the convention centre at 7pm there will be a “Monster Brawl featuring Art Hindle and others.” (MTCC 709)



Teletoon will be hosting a Retro Costume Contest at 8pm in MTCC Hall H.



Night Terrors: Horror Expo Party the Official Rue Morgue Festival of Fear Party starts at 10 pm. It features a midnight costume contest hosted by Tom Savini, the hypnotic sounds of Witch Rock pioneers Blood Ceremony. Plus Terror tunes from Rue Morgue Radio's Tomb Dragomir, Oz and LaMort at Revival Event Theatre (783 College St. West). $15 door/$10 advance.







Sunday, August 28:



There's a 12pm Horror Short Showcase, featuring Tim Sullivan and Adam Rifkin. (MTCC 711)



It's a war of the Midnight Madness Bloggers with a screening of Android Reenactment featuring Midnight Madness blogger Darryl Shaw and Steve Walsh. (MTCC 709) and “Creature Features” featuring Midnight Madness blogger Eric Veillette (MTCC 711) both set for 2pm



At 3pm, “The One and Only William Shatner” will be in MTCC Hall G.



And if you missed the previous day's Satanic Sinema Screening, never fear. The Devil has heard your prayers with “Satanic Sinema Screening II” at 4pm.

And who wins in the eternal struggle between the Devil and William Shatner?

My favourite Tweet of #TIFF11 so far

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

The Cryptic Tweets of Midnight Madness' Colin Geddes

At The Toronto Star, Peter Howell has written a piece deciphering the mysterious tweets of Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) Co-Director, Cameron Bailey. But Bailey isn't TIFF's only man of mystery. Followers of Midnight Madness programmer Colin Geddes' tweets know that there were plenty of teasing hints this summer leading up to his late night “leak” of stills from eight of his ten selections.

Is Colin Geddes a ghost kitty as this photo suggests? Experts disagree.

While Howell compares Bailey to a chess player or a knife-fighter, Colin surely brings a gun to a chess game, knife fight or Twitter tease... and knows something nasty a human being can do with a piece of chicken, if his tweets are anything to go by.



So prepare yourself, Midnight Madniks, for the Twittertastic teases of Colin Geddes and, if you're not following Midnight Madness, follow @mmadnesstiff on Twitter now!

@mmadnesstiff on 30 July:

I was incredibly impressed when I saw this actress in her last film and she does a tremendous turn in this one. I'll reveal all soon...

@mmadnesstiff on 30 July:

Just noticed in the credits of this Midnight Madness selection that they thank the band Explosions in the Sky. Interesting... #TIFF11

@mmadnesstiff on 29 July:

I have a bunch of #TIFF11 films I've picked that [Toronto] Mayor [Rob] Ford should see that are about "cuts". And deep cuts at that... #tocouncil

@mmadnesstiff on 25 July:

I just emailed a very funny man to tell him his film has been invited to Midnight Madness #TIFF11

@mmadnesstiff on 22 July:

Watching a film by and starring a director who likes to get beaten and bloody in his films regularly.

@mmadnesstiff on 15 July:

Just saw CDN film full of profanity, punches to the head + blood by a dir who was in MM. Wont be in Midnight, but might find home elsewhere

@mmadnesstiff on 8 July:

Off to a secret location to see a TIFF11 contender! Don't think there will be popcorn at this place....

@mmadnesstiff on 30 June

Just arrived in NYC to see a screening of a Midnight Madness contender! Got high hopes for this one! #TIFF11

@mmadnesstiff on 28 June

And I can't tell you the name of the film! Some people must be new to this game I play every summer!

@mmadnesstiff on 28 June

Writing a #TIFF11 note for an exceptionally brutal film (not in MM) + listening to OST for Martyrs by Seppuku Paradigm for inspiration.

@mmadnesstiff on 23 June

What just those two major actors did with that piece of chicken is the movie I just saw is certainly going to make people talk in Sept...

Chicken?! My god!

@mmadnesstiff on 17 June

Asked a major film I love to dance with me at Midnight. Still waiting by the phone for an answer #playinghardtoget #TIFF11

@mmadnesstiff on 13 June

Good morning! I'm back at it watching bad horror films, so you don't have to! #TIFF2011submissions

@mmadnesstiff on 12 June

After a [dismal] day of watching poor submissions, I might have found a winner. Half way thru, but I think the French have saved the day.

@mmadnesstiff on 12 June

For the past 15 mins, this submission has had 4 characters talking about their emotions. Clearly a contender for Midnight Madness.

And while this doesn't have anything to do with Midnight Madness--at least I hope it doesn't--I can't help being curious:

@mmadnesstiff on 16 May

The closing tagline of the Austin Fantastic Fest/Fantasia Karaoke Party in #Cannes: There Will Be Piss.

It's official! MIDNIGHT MADNESS 2011!

WHEN THE CLOCK STRIKES TWELVE MIDNIGHT MADNESS DELIVERS WILD CINEMATIC THRILLS

The Midnight Madness programme walks on the cinematic wild side at the Toronto International Film Festival® with a riveting roundup of supernatural slayers, crossbow killers, corpse smugglers and a re-imagined Bonnie and Clyde for the 21st century. Programmed by Colin Geddes, the international lineup features nine world premieres and is one of the most highly-anticipated announcements on the radar of genre geeks around the world.



“Ravenous cinephiles will devour the roster of chillers, action thrillers and pitch-black comedies that fill this year’s slate,” said Colin Geddes, TIFF Programmer. “Martial arts assassins, cops and robbers, escaped lunatics and vampire ballerinas will take over Ryerson Theatre every night at midnight, and deliver the shocking and rocking experience that our loyal audience flocks to take part in, helping make these screenings so memorable.”



The Midnight Madness selection includes films from Bobcat Goldthwait, The Blair Witch Project director Eduardo Sanchez, Japanese cult director Katsuhito Ishii, and marks the return of a director-duo discovered in the program in 2007, Julien Maury and Alexandre Bustillo.

Midnight Madness Opening Night

The Raid

Gareth Evans, Indonesia

World Premiere

Deep in the heart of Jakarta’s slums lies an impenetrable safe house for the world’s most dangerous killers and gangsters. Until now, the run-down apartment block has been considered untouchable to even the bravest of police. Cloaked under the cover of pre-dawn darkness and silence, an elite swat team is tasked with raiding the safe house in order to take down the notorious drug lord that runs it. But when a chance encounter with a spotter blows their cover and news of their assault reaches the drug lord, the building’s lights are cut and all the exits blocked. Stranded on the sixth floor with no way out, the unit must fight their way through the city’s worst to survive their mission. Starring Indonesian martial arts sensation Iko Uwais.

The Day

Douglas Aarniokoski, USA

World Premiere

In a post-apocalyptic future, an open war against humanity rages. Five survivors wander along rural back-roads, lost, starving and on the run. With dwindling food stocks and ammunition, an attempt at seeking shelter turns into a battleground where they must fight or die. Starring Ashley Bell, Dominic Monaghan and Shannyn Sossamon.

God Bless America

Bobcat Goldthwait, USA

World Premiere

Loveless, jobless and possibly terminally ill, Frank has had enough of the downward spiral of America. With nothing left to lose, Frank takes his gun and decides to off the stupidest, cruellest and most repellent members of society with an unusual accomplice: 16-year-old Roxy, who shares his sense of rage and disenfranchisement. From stand-up comedian and director Bobcat Goldthwait comes a scathing and hilarious attack on all that is sacred in the United States of America.

The Incident

Alexandre Courtès, France

World Premiere

George, Max and Ricky are in a rock band and waiting for their big breakthrough. Between small gigs and rehearsals they work in the kitchen of a high-security asylum for good pay at minimum risk – they have no physical contact with the inmates. One night just before dinnertime, a big storm shuts down the security system, the doors open and the lunatics break loose. Help is on its way and should soon arrive... they just have to survive until it does.

Kill List

Ben Wheatley, United Kingdom

Canadian Premiere

Eight months after a disastrous job in Kiev left him physically and mentally scarred, ex-soldier-turned-contract-killer Jay is pressured by his partner Gal into taking a new assignment. As they track their prey, they descend into a disturbing world that is darker and more depraved than anything they experienced on the battlefield.

Livid

Julien Maury and Alexandre Bustillo, France

World Premiere

The directors of 2007’s Midnight Madness hit A L’Interieur (Inside) return with a twisted gothic nightmare. A young woman and her friends break into a decrepit mansion looking for treasure, only to unlock a dark secret of unspeakable horror ready to dish out bloody punishment for their greed.

Lovely Molly

Eduardo Sanchez, USA

World Premiere

When newlywed Molly Reynolds returns to her long-abandoned family home, frightful reminders of a nightmarish childhood begin seeping into her new life. She soon begins an inexorable descent into evil that blurs the lines between psychosis and possession. From the director of The Blair Witch Project.

Sleepless Night

Frederic Jardin, France/Belgium/Luxembourg

World Premiere

When Vincent, a double-dealing cop, steals a big bag of cocaine from some drug dealers they counter by kidnapping and threatening to kill his son if the bag isn’t returned – fast. The swap is to go down at their headquarters in a big nightclub on the outskirts of Paris, but Vincent gets caught in a spiral of deception and betrayal and must fight his way through packed dance floors and dark corridors of the labyrinth-like club.

Smuggler

Katsuhito Ishii, Japan

World Premiere

After his dreams of becoming an actor go nowhere, 25-year-old Kinuta does nothing but gamble every day. Broke, framed and now neck-deep in debt, he is recruited as a smuggler – an underground mover of everything from dead bodies to illegal goods – but one cargo triggers the rage of a psychotic gangster hell-bent on revenge. By acclaimed cult director Katsuhito Ishii of Shark Skin Man and Peach Hip Girl and Funky Forest fame.

You’re Next

Adam Wingard, USA

World Premiere

From the director-writer team that brought Festival audiences A Horrible Way To Die in 2010 comes a new experiment in tension. A family comes under a terrifying and sadistic attack during a reunion getaway. Barricaded in their secluded country home, they have to fight off a barrage of axes, crossbows and machetes from both inside and outside the house. Unfortunately for the killers, one of the victims proves to have a talent for fighting back.



Tickets to screenings for this programme will be available for individual purchase as well as through the Midnight Madness Package, which includes all 10 screenings for $156, or $100 for students and seniors. Purchase Festival ticket packages online 24 hours a day at tiff.net/festival, by phone Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET at 416-599-TIFF or 1-888-599-8433,

and in person at the TIFF Bell Lightbox Box Office at 350 King St. West from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET. Methods of payment include cash, debit or Visa†. The 36th Toronto International Film Festival runs September 8 to 18, 2011.

Black Saturday

I have not been active on my blog for sometime, ever since the revolution broke out in my country of Egypt I seem to have lost my footballing appetite. Yesterday was a disastrous day for Egyptian Sport in general and Football in particular. Thousands of Zamalek fans invaded the pitch with minutes to spare during their game against Al Afreeky (Club Africa) of Tunisia. Zamalek where on their way to getting knocked out and then all hell broke loose...

Check the video below...There are some graphic scenes

I am lost for words to describe this chaos. In my opinion this was no ordinary mob of angry fans, but I'm not going to talk about politics here as I hope this blog continues to remain 100 percent sports related (with the odd movie here and there). However here is food for thought:

In my 30 years of watching football in Egypt I have never seen such scenes not even in the most violent of Cairo derbies. In my experience Egyptian fans when they start getting angry or feel injustice proceed to do the following:

Step 1- Hurl vocal abuse towards the referee

Step 2- Start throwing objects from stones to water bottles to anything they can get their hands on onto the pitch

Step 3- Possibly engage with opposition fans by verbal abuse and or throwing stuff at them too

Step 4- Start destroying their surrounding from chairs and such and possibly start using these objects as projectiles to hurl at opposition players and fans

Step5 - The might try to invade the pith but they usually are unable to..

I have never seen fans in this country skip all these steps and proceed to step 5 and succeed with out barriers to stop them. Not only that, they reached step 5 armed with weapons and clubs. Made me feel they were ready for this. I had never seen prior to yesterday in Egypt:

1- Fans Assault their own players

2- Fans assault their club manager and staff

3- Sections of the Angry mob proceed to protect other team players and the referee??

4- Fans attack their own fans in the stadium

More food for though:

Where was the stadium security?

Why was it so easy to invade the pitch? The security gates were easily opened during the game, how?

Why did this not happen in the Ahly game vs Supersport, or the Ismailly game were the stadium was packed. Playing a Tunisian team is much more high profile I guess.

Why was there no security to check that people had nothing on them? That's ABC stadium security

Whats the whole thing bout fans coming to stadium at 10am (game was at 6pm) and they refused to leave ?

Some one should be held accountable for allowing this invasion and permitting fans to enter the stadium with such weapons. There is enough video evidence to make hundreds of arrests. It should be examined carefully. Athletes were assaulted, sportsmen whose job is to entertain were beaten up and made to fear for their life. This is UNACCEPTABLE! My condolences and sincerest apologies go out to our Tunisian brothers

There had to be some footballing factors as well. Ibrahim Hassan's comments prior to the game in response to some Tunisian fans invading the pitch with Egypt/Tunisia flags in the first leg had to insight many fans. He more or less suggested that fans should come onto the pitch in Egypt. However I've heard the recording and the accusation that this was the real cause seems shady at best, although I truly despise this guy for his attitude and ignorant comments.

The referee overturning an injury time goal could have been a real factor, however there were 3 minutes left to go, so the game was not over yet...how about you wait till it ends then go down?

Again how was it that easy to get onto the pitch...

In my opinion Zamalek will be crucified for the lack of security for this game and deservedly so. I would think 5years ban from African competition would be fair. If Zamalek felt there was a security risk then the game should have never happened. I think the impact over all will be huge on football in Egypt. Probably Ahly will not be able to continue playing in this competition. Who would want to play in Cairo stadium again and frankly who could blame them? If the police can't handle stadium security at the moment and I don't blame them, football should be stopped for the foreseeable future.

People will say clubs will go bankrupt...I say let them go bankrupt, the footballing industry is one of the most shady and corrupt organizations in the country and public resources are thrown down the drain everyday.

To Zamalek fans not involved in these appalling scenes. You should be proud of your players who stood side by side with their Tunisian brothers and tried to protect them. Some even took blows for them. Even the Hassan brothers (who I despise) deserve credit for their efforts in trying to protect Tunisian players. Also be proud of your fans who tried to protect both.

To all the thugs that caused these scenes. I call on the army and the police to hunt you down. Your faces are all over TV. You should be prosecuted and given the maximum punishment because I am ashamed to be affiliated with you in any shape or form.

To Tunis and Tunisians. The scenes I saw yesterday made me angry and disgusted so I can only imagine how it made you feel. I can apologize for all Egyptians from here to eternity and it would not be enough. Our deepest sorrow and condolences go out to the players and their families for what they had to go through. Our promise goes out to all of Tunisia that we will find those who were responsible and will bring them to justice.

Egypt and Tunisia are forever bound in revolution. You had been an inspiration to our country in it's quest for freedom. What has been bound in blood cannot be broken by the mere actions of a few who would aim to brake this feeling of solidarity.

Please forgive us Tunisia