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• Reputation: 56 Q&A: 2 0 0 17 1 0 Classifieds: 0 0 what's this? Expert: 2 topics Film SIFF Follow Following 0 Clinton McClung

  1 0 We have a slew of programmers, and it usually takes a thumbs up grade from at least three of us for a film to be considered for the festival - and even then a lot of debate tends to ensue. We don't base selections on stars, reviews, or directors (though some directors make truly interesting films, even when they feel like misfires), but on the overall quality of the film and if our SIFF audience will appreciate it. That said, there are all kinds of SIFF audiences, and films that some people find boring, others love. Not every film will be a gem for everyone who watches it, but we hope that the right films will find the right audiences and they will make a connection. And I personally tend to ignore the reviews - especially from films that have played at other festivals - because sometimes the reviews are only partly about the movie, and partly about the expectations and their relation to other festival films. As a long time fest binger, I have often times experienced a films that I didn't enjoy when I first saw it because I had just hit that sensory overload point of seeing 5 films a day (as many critics do when doing festivals). But then on later reflection I really grow to love it. But seriously, what film were you thinking of? I'll give you an honest answer! Clinton McClung answered in SIFF about 1 year ago | Report 2 comments by Christina L and Clinton McClung… 0 0 I was really gung-ho on "Burke & Hare", and I know John Landis is a hit-or-miss director, but either way he goes it's spectacular. I greatly enjoy Bill Bailey, but then again I thought I'd like "Peter's Friends" (1992) because of its presumed "can't fail" cast. I selected "The Trip" and "Submarine" instead for this year, probably because cast and crew from those went to Toronto to promote the films, and I've read Joe Dunthorne's novel _Submarine_. I do congratulate your programmers in selecting more than one Tracy Wright film for this year's festival, as she passed on in December, and she didn't/doesn't get much exposure south of the 49th parallel. I wanted to see "You Are Here" but went with "Fathers & Sons" for my Canadian content quota. Maybe if there are remaining tickets for it I'll check "You Are Here" out. I wish there were a way to ask her widowed husband: "If I could see only one Tracy Wright film this year at SIFF, what should it be?" I'll ask you (and your cadre of programmers) instead. I bought enough tickets for my family to see the shows we want to see without being overscheduled or bankrupt or "movie'd out." I wish my budget could keep up with your tantalizing selections!! Christina L commented about 1 year ago | Report 0 0 I think "The Trip" is the better of the two. Really fresh and original and funny, and Steve Coogan and Rob Bryden have such amazing chemistry. It's like "My Dinner with Andre" with huge laughs (the Michael Caine-off had me rolling). "Burke and Hare" certainly has it's charms. Landis really makes a departure by doing a period piece, and there are a lot of genuinely funny gags - mostly of the gross and crude variety (which I do have a soft spot for). Best of all, Andy Serkis' performance reminds me of the classic BBC Python style comedy that I still love. But, yeah, reaction has been mixed...yet it's still way funnier than most of the mainstream comedies I've seen this year. And thanks for the Tracy Wright comment. She is a long time favorite actress of ours (my personal favorite performance was in Don McKellar's "Last Night") and we were really pleased that there were two great performances to choose from this year. I haven't actually seen "You Are Here" yet (hopefully during the festival I too will be able to see more films), but I loved her in "Trigger", which also has a who's who cast of my favorite Canadian actors (Callum Keith Rennie needs a star vehicle, already!). Oh, and I really liked "Peter's Friends", though I haven't seen it in years. Then again, after "Henry V" and "Dead Again", I didn't think Kenneth Branagh could do anything wrong. That opinion has changed... Clinton McClung commented about 1 year ago | Report Enter your comment or ask a new question New comments are not being accepted at this time.

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