10 Movies that TIFF Got Me Extra Excited For

The Toronto International Film Festival may have ended a week ago, but it's going to stick with me a while. Why? Because I'm super excited to see a whole lot of films, mainly because the reaction they got at TIFF. It is a fairly boring list, but hey, it was nice to know that these movies should be pretty decent. (Plus...in case you're wondering why The Master isn't on here and everyone must be super excited about that movie, TIFF didn't really do anything to amp up my excitement. I've had the same level ever since I knew that Paul Thomas Anderson's name was attached to it)

Frances Ha

Admittedly, I had no idea that this movie existed until TIFF happened. I'm damn glad that TIFF shed some light on it, though. Directed by Noah Baumbach, which reunites him with his Greenberg star Greta Gerwig, who both co-writes and stars in the film, Frances Ha is basically a slice of Frances' life shot in black-and-white. It just looks like one of those simple films with a simple purpose, which is something that gets so overtly dressed up these days. Plus, Greta Gerwig is a pretty funny lass.

Looper

I knew that this one would be good, but I wasn't expecting the amount of rave reviews that I've seen. Rian Johnson's latest, again reuniting him with Joseph Gordon-Levitt (who this time has a few alterations so he looks like a young Bruce Willis), looks like quite the mind-bender. Like, it looks a little Inception like, but with a bit of an indie twist. I don't know, I could be talking complete bullocks, but all I know is that I'm really looking forward to catching this on the big screen in the holidays.

Much Ado About Nothing

I like Joss Whedon. Not because he made a whole lot of TV programs which apparently are very good because there are a whole lot of fangirls/fanboys out there for them. I like him because he made The Avengers, which is one of the biggest movies ever, and then after that, he decided to make his own little version of a Shakespeare play, just because he could. The Avengers and Much Ado About Nothing couldn't be more different. One is big-budget explosions and everything else, whereas the other is shot at Whedon's house, with a group of his friends, and is given a black-and-white touch (black-and-white is really in this year, isn't it?). You'd think that The Avengers would leave him on top of the world, but it is nice to see him doing some smaller projects - especially on his 'vacation'.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower

Yes, I was excited about this before because it has Ezra Miller in it, and it is a well-known fact that I love him. But the reviews have been good, from both TIFF and its limited release this weekend. It is a super bonus that looking on Rotten Tomatoes for this has Ezra's name popping up a bit as the standout. I love me a good teen film, and I can't wait for this one. Along with the book which is waiting for me at the library.

The Place Beyond the Pines

With Blue Valentine being one of my very favourite films, the reunion of writer/director with Derek Cianfrance and Ryan Gosling has me beyond excited. Apparently it is quite an interesting, ambitious, complex film that looks to tick all the boxes from the list of things that I could want in a movie. Including a bleached blonde, motorcycle riding, tattooed Ryan Gosling. Dane DeHaan has me excited, too.

Rust and Bone

Cannes should have got me excited for this, but it wasn't until TIFF that I really mustered up some interest in the film. From Jacques Audiard, who directed the excellent A Prophet, Rust and Bone tells the story of a killer whale trainer and a solo father. It looks like one of those oddly affecting films, with a brilliant performance from Marion Cotillard like only Marion Cotillard could do. I'm not sure what to really expect from it, but I'm looking forward to it all the same.

Seven Psychopaths

As a big fan of In Bruges, I'm really looking forward to Martin McDonagh's second outing. Hopefully it'll be just as funny, and just as dark - while we're at it, does it make me a sadistic person if In Bruges is one of the funniest things I've ever seen? Anyway, Seven Psychopaths has a great cast, along with a fairly bizarre storyline, so hopefully dark madness ensues.

Silver Linings Playbook

Admittedly, I wasn't excited for this movie at all before TIFF. I saw the trailer and couldn't really grasp on what kind of direction the movie was going to go in. Plus, I didn't really see Jennifer Lawrence in that role just yet. However, the film managed to win the festival, and apparently Jennifer is on her way to winning an Oscar (as the early punters would have it). So yeah, I'm excited, especially because I'm quite a big Bradley Cooper fan and this looks to give him something interesting to do. Plus, Jacki Weaver!

Smashed

Simple dramas are always a hit with me. This one is all about a couple who are dependent on alcohol who put their relationship to the test when one of them decides to get sober. It just sounds like it could be really interesting. The trailer wasn't really a hit with me, but apparently Mary Elizabeth Winstead, who I've always liked, gives a wonderful performance.

Writers

This film kinda flew under the radar when it was at the festival, but I've heard a few good things about it, so I'll be keeping it in mind in the coming months. With a cast including Greg Kinnear, Jennifer Connelly, Logan Lerman, Lily Collins, Kristen Bell and Liana Liberato, it's hard for me not to be excited. Especially because Lily Collins apparently gives a really good performance - something which I knew she had in her, despite the fact that she's starred in some really crappy movies (cough cough Abduction cough cough).

What are some TIFF films that have you really excited now?