Written by 10:55 am
First movie of the fest is Guy Ritchie’s ‘RockNRolla’ and if it’s everything I hope it is it will be a great way to start the whole shebang! Laughs, action and tough guys beating and shooting the hell out of each other. Our thoughts about it afterwards!
11:34 am
First movie and there’s already an annoying guy behind me. Apparently he’s from Aint it Cool News and his name is Art Snob. Anyways, he’s a douche.
RocknRolla
Guy Ritchie introduces RocknRolla
Paul: 
JP:
Plot: In London, a stolen painting pits some of the city’s scrappiest tough guys (Butler, Elba) against its more established underworld players (Wilkinson).
Trailer: http://www.movie-list.com/trailers.php?id=rocknrolla
Notes:
- The film is not as funny, or as violent as Ritchie’s past work. Although it’s tone is certainly less serious than Revolver. It did still have some laugh-out-loud moments.
- Although nice and loud, the sound at the Ryerson isn’t the greatest which made some of the thick accents hard to understand. Even viewers with great sound might have some trouble early in the movie until they get used to it.
- We enjoyed everyone in the cast, especially Gerard Butler.
- It took us a while to get ‘involved’ in the movie. Maybe because it didn’t ‘hook’ us.
- The script was original and unpredictable. Ended perfectly.
2:15 pm
2nd movie of the day is ‘JCVD’, a sort-of-mocumentary starring Jean-Claude Van Damme that has lots of buzz on it from Cannes. I don’t know what to expect except that apparently we will see Jean-Claude in a new light.
JCVD
Mabrouk El Mechri (in middle)
Paul:
JP:
Plot: Between his tax problems and his legal battle with his wife for the custody of his daughter, these are hard times for the action movie star who finds that even Steven Seagal has pinched a role from him! In JCVD, Jean-Claude Van Damme returns to the country of his birth to seek the peace and tranquility he can no longer enjoy in the United States.
Trailer: http://www.movie-list.com/trailers.php?id
Notes:
- Great… Incredible monologue by Van Damme — no spoilers, but… wow.
- Not sure if the flashback-style was necessary. It didn’t detract from the film necessarily, but the film could have been told chronologically.
- Nice to see Van Damme poke fun at himself and his career
- The opening scene — one long action cut, was very well done and hooks you into the movie.
- Had a few laugh-out-loud moments as well as some touching scenes.
- Great, original idea and premise. Not as much like Being John Malkovich as you might hear. But we can see why the connection would be made.
- Van Damme surprised us with his acting ability.
11:22 pm
End of day one.
