Movies News
Toronto 2011 in 60 Seconds: Busy Jessica Chastain Signs Autographs, ‘Oranges’ Picked Up, Roundups Begin
A busy new star makes time for her fans, two more deals are announced, and a wave of festival roundups begin.
CELEB SIGHTINGS
Jessica Chastain, above, signed autographs before the gala screening of Take Shelter at the Toronto International Film Festival last night. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images.) The actress, who appears in seven (?!) films this year, including the currently showing The Help and The Debt, arrived in town last week in support of Take Shelter and Coriolanus.
Star sightings on the red carpet and around town, last night and earlier today: Ryan Gosling, Colin Ferrell, Dave Matthews, Ethan Hawke, James Gandolfini, Saoirse Ronan, Alexis Bledel, Jessica Chastain, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Jonathan Pryce, Hugh Dancy, Ashley Bell, Dominic Monaghan, Shawn Ashmore, and Laura Ramsey. (Sources: Toronto Life, Torontoist.)
MOVIES.COM COVERAGE
Christopher Campbell reviewed Lovely Molly, a new horror film from director Eduardo Sanchez (The Blair Witch Project): “More a creepy and psychologically chilling film than something attempting to frighten you out of your seat.”
Relive all of our festival coverage right here.
DEALS
The Oranges, starring Hugh Laurie, Catherine Keener, Oliver Platt, Allison Janney, Alia Shawkat, Adam Brody and Leighton Meester, got picked up by ATO Pictures. The company “has slated an aggressive platform release commencing in 2012. (indieWIRE)
The Hunter has been acquired by Magnolia Pictures. Willem Dafoe, Sam Neill, and Frances O’Connor star in the psychological drama set in Tasmania. Magnolia plans a 2012 release through their “Ultra VOD” program. (indieWIRE) See the prescient note by Matt Dentler under “Hashtag Highlights,” made before the announcement.
“More than 31 films have been sold” to date, according to an official press release issued by the festival. (Deadline)
HASHTAG HIGHLIGHTS
@MattDentler: “More deals closing for #TIFF films (THE DAY, THE HUNTER) as the weekend nears. Expect at least a half dozen more to close before Monday.”
@dordotson: “Girl Model. WOW. Unlike any doc I’ve seen before and will haunt me for a long time. I was aching for there to be a q&a. #tiff11.”
@DrewAtHitFix: “Highlight of tonight may have been @jamesrocchi talking cooking secrets with Bobcat Goldthwait before “Jeff, Who Lives At Home” #TIFF11.”
@media_socialite: “The weather gods blessed #tiff11 with perfect weather. Sunshine galore with just a touch of Fall chill at the end.”
@BunnyBackInBox: “Well deserved standing ovation for Tyrannosaur at #TIFF11. Olivia Colman was fantastic.”
@SceneCreek: “I really enjoyed #TakeShelter. The last 15 minutes blew me away! Loved it! #TIFF2011.”
BLOGS AND NEWS PIECES
Let’s call it a concise photo essay: Scott Macauley of Filmmaker Magazine presents photos and notes from the festival.
Film journalist Wise Kwai rounds up reactions to Headshot, a thriller directed by Pen-ek Ratanaruang.
Director Steve McQueen talked about his controversial film Shame with Peter Knegt at indieWIRE.
For The Guardian, Catherine Shoard shares “the cinematic highs and lows” of the festival in a brisk three-minute video.
“My favorite films … seem to indicate that my soul is deeply troubled,” allows Anthony Kaufman at ReelPolitik.
Kim Voynar says goodbye to Toronto for another year: “This was a pretty fantastic year to be at TIFF.”
Check back with us on Sunday, when we’ll conclude our coverage with a very special “wrap edition”!