TIFF - 6 Days of Movie Watching

Well, that was a wild ride! I got to see 10.5 movies, and my head is swimming with all my thoughts and reactions. I'll definitely be writing some of them out here in article form, but for now please enjoy this round up!

Day 1

Eleanor the Great (dir. Scarlett Johansson)

Eleanor the Great2025

Good, not great. Would recommend to my mom. 

Sentimental Value (dir. Joachim Trier)

Sentimental Value2025

Great acting, terribly self-indulgent. For more, see the article I wrote.

Day 2

I Like Me (dir. Colin Hanks)

John Candy: I Like Me2025

Wonderfully bittersweet. I've got an article about this one too. 

Day 3

EPiC: Elvis Presley In Concert (dir. Baz Luhrmann)

Epic: Elvis Presley in Concert2025

So great! I unconsciously clapped at the screen after songs. 

Day 4

Wake Up Deadman: A Knives Out Mystery (dir. Rian Johnson)

Wake Up Dead Man2025

Maybe the best Knives Out so far? Certainly as good as the first one. 

Hedda (dir. Nia DaCosta)

Hedda2025

At times a bold adaptation, Nina Hoss steals the show as Eileen Lovborg.

Day 5

Frankenstein (dir. Guillermo del Toro )

Frankenstein2025

Pure del Toro! A very sweet approach to the monster from a very sweet man. 

The Smashing Machine (dir. Benny Safdie)

The Smashing Machine2025

The entire movie is a love letter to its subject, confidently directed by Safdie. 

Day 6

Mile End Kicks (dir. Chandler Levack )

Mile End Kicks2025

I had to leave halfway through for a meeting, but I was totally onboard. Looking forward to finishing this at VIFF.

Ballad of a Small Player (dir. Edward Berger )

Ballad of a Small Player2025

Shitty white guy finds salvation through Chinese mysticism. Super cringe. No good. Hated it. 

Nouvelle Vague (dir. Richard Linklater )

Nouvelle Vague2025

One of the best films I saw! A total surprise. Linklater, man… 

Did anyone else see these? Any of these anyone is looking forward to seeing?