Lead character "B" (Bobby Del Rio). Image from tiff.net

Written & Directed by: Mio Adilman
Starring: Bobby Del Rio, Jean Yoon, Paul Hyung Sun Lee

“Unlocked” is a dramatic comedy about an average, but nice guy named “B” who is trying to get his life back together after some not-so-happy experiences. However, he has to overcome many obstacles throughout his journey into living and rebuilding a normal life.

This film highlights the difficulties downtown Toronto cyclists face with other fellow cyclists, as opposed to the cars versus bikes dilemma we’re all aware of. It just shows how much integrity and tenacity it takes to be a long-term cyclist. It’s not just about riding a bike in your neighbourhood or park just for fun; neither is cycling simply just a mode of transportation. It is, rather, a type of lifestyle for many in Toronto and especially around the U of T campus.

This film is fun, funny, witty, and even a little bit spiritual, although some may disagree. (more…)

This being opening night of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, I could not help but be completely excited since I, as most fans are, am an avid reader of the books. I have my own favourite movies as I do favourite books and I understand that my opinion will be torn apart and picked on or be received with a certain amount of agreement. That is, of course, assuming that you’ve already seen the movie. If you haven’t, then feel free to partake in whatever I express in this review of mine, although, if you are a fan like me, I don’t think my opinions would affect whether or not you will watch it. (more…)

Departures is a new Japanese film about a man, Daigo, whose dream to be a concert cellist fails because he lacks the necessary talent, and so is forced to make other plans. He moves from Tokyo back home to a small town, where news seems to travel surprisingly slowly. Untrained in any profession other than music, he answers a classified ad in the newspaper for a job in “departures”, thinking he is applying to work at a travel agency, only to discover it was a misprint and a job about “the departed”. The job interview lasts 2 minutes; the interviewer asks Daigo if he will work hard, Daigo responds “yes, sir!”, the interviewer tells him he’s hired and hands him a pile of cash. When Daigo discovers the job deals with dead people, he is hesitant, having never seen a corpse before or had to deal with death. Nevertheless, upon discovering how well it pays, Daigo decides to accept the job.

And so Daigo enters a world of ritual for the dead, performed for the living. His job consists of carefully cleaning the bodies of the dead discretely in front of the family, safeguarding family members from the sight of skin, in order to prepare the body for the coffin.

The beginning of Daigo’s dalliances with “the Departed” is filled with a lot of good humour. On the first day of his job, Daigo participates in a promotional video; he has to wear a diaper, have a powdered white face, and must play a corpse. His first encounter with a dead person involves finding a woman in an apartment filled with bugs and the strong stench of her decaying body. Sad, disgusting, and for Daigo, incredibly shocking events are happening, but they are shot with such light humour that we can’t help but laugh at Daigo’s confusion and initiation. When he is no longer a neophyte, he still encounters new and bumpy ground, including discovering, in the middle of the ceremony, that the person he was preparing, who looked like a woman, happens to have a penis. These scenes are genuinely funny and a whole lot of fun; they are also dealt with in a delicate, caring fashion so that we are not laughing cruelly or poking fun at this ritual. We experience the same amusement as the other characters in the film. (more…)

Oh summer, how wonderful you are… if you aren’t in summer school and have essays or exams to write. If you’re one of the fortunate souls that have free time this or next week/weekend, here are some events going on in the city that sound pretty exciting!

Worldwide Short Film Festival

295 short films from 46 countries! Short attention span? No worries, you get to see 5 to 22 films at each 90-minute screening.

Where: Various places around Toronto
When: June 16 – 21
Website: http://www.worldwideshortfilmfest.com

Photo from http://www.dragonboats.com

21st Telus Toronto International Dragon Boat Festival

Two full days of Dragon boat races by teams from all around the world, including some from the various clubs at U of T! Go and cheer them on!

Where: Toronto Centre Island
When: June 20 – 21 (Races generally happen in the morning and early afternoon)
Note: Watching the races is free, but you have to pay the small fee for the ferry to the Island
Website: http://www.dragonboats.com

11th Annual Taste of Little Italy

A lovely little festival celebrating Italian culture in Toronto!

Where: College St., between Bathurst and Shaw
When: June 19 – 21 (see site for opening and closing times)
Website: http://www.tasteoflittleitaly.ca

Beach Ribfest

Yum… Ribs…

Where: Woodbine Park
When: June 20-21
Website: http://www.beachribfest.com/

Toronto’s 29th Annual Pride Parade

Last, but not least is the annual and vibrant Pride Parade! Pride Week is from June 19 to June 28 and the Parade is but one of the various events happening to celebrate Pride in Toronto. Please see the website for more details.

Where: The Parade travels west from Bloor St. between Church and Yonge, south on Yonge St. from Bloor to Gerrard, and east on Gerrard St. to church.
When: The Parade begins at 2PM on June 28th
Website: http://www.pridetoronto.com

Did you know that acclaimed Canadian filmmaker, Atom Egoyan made his first film at Hart House? Well now might be your chance to make your own movie debut. The UofT Film Fest has a call out for submissions to its 2008 film festival. While it might not be glamorous as the Toronto International Film Festival – it might just be the best place to launch your film career. Submissions are due on Feb 15th so you still have time to get working on your masterpiece.

And… if you have no idea what you’re doing behind the camera, the Hart House Film Board is offering workshops that can teach you everything you need to know about making a movie, with beginner and advanced classes in directing, editing, lighting, and art direction just to name a few. Plus if you decide to join the film board you’ll have access to all the equipment you’ll need to make your film.