Photo: CBS Films
I saw four films included in the Midnight Madness selection at this year's Toronto Film Festival -- Aftershock, The Bay, John Dies at the End and Seven Psychopaths -- and I wasn't necessarily all that impressed with any of them, with Aftershock being the worst of the 24 films I saw over the course of my nine days in Toronto. I guess if any of those four had to win the People's Choice Award, I'm happy to hear it was Martin McDonagh's Seven Psychopaths.
To look at the ten films in the selection, from those I spoke with regarding Seven Psychopaths most came out like me, feeling a bit mezzo-mezzo, with Laremy being the only one I know that really liked it. I also heard plenty of good comments regarding Dredd 3D as much as that surprises me.
I enjoyed Seven Psychopaths, but it is such a far cry from McDonagh's In Bruges I can't help but look at it as a disappointment. Here's a snippet from my review that I think best sums up my thoughts:
The story feels like its on life support and needs a jump start every five minutes or so. And with a film that runs 11 minutes shy of two hours, that's a lot of ups and downs.
I would add to that that both Christopher Walken and Sam Rockwell do turn in some solid performances. You can read my full review right here and find Seven Psychopaths in theaters on October 12.
In other Midnight Madness news, Anchor Bay Films has picked up rights to Rob Zombie's The Lords of Salem, which had some reviewers calling it Zombie's best film yet. I'm not exactly sure if that is saying much, but it is certainly saying something.
Here's the trailer for Seven Psychopaths in case you aren't yet familiar.
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Ahh, so you didn't like John Dies at the End? That's unfortunate...
I wouldn't say "didn't like", just didn't really "anything" it, if that makes any sense.
Ahhh okay, I get it now. Hah sorry, just wondering.
You seem to be in a huge minority regarding Seven Psychopaths. It's not only won this award, but the official reviews are fantastic. And that's from people who also loved In Bruges.
Yea the reviews aren't as bad a Brad made it seem, they are more with Laremy on this one. The consensus is at 94%, looking forward to this.
However it's still a bit early. The consensus is good right now but could still drop, as most do, closer to release date.
I wasn't referring to the reviews, just the people I talked to while in Toronto.
I see. Well your one of my fave critics. Just hope i enjoy this one a bit more than you.
I'm actually excited for John Dies at the End. I really like the director's Phantasm series..
Have you seen Bubba Ho-Tep?? It's fantastic!!!
Need to see that one. Heard very good things about it.
Glad to hear. Mr. Brevet wasn't too sold, but most early reviews are pretty good. Like Brad I have been surprised with what I've been reading about Dredd. I might check that out.
I saw Dredd here in the UK. Did not like it. Very much like a video game and not much of a film.
Critics have been enjoying The Lords of Salem surprisingly. But from what I hear, Rob Zombie fans won't be to pleased. Apparently, it's a bit slow and artsy. It's about time Rob Zombie puts out a good film.