“Blackbird”
Cast: Kate Winslet, Susan Sarandon, Mia Wasikowska, Sam Neill, Rainn Wilson, Lindsay Duncan
Synopsis: A terminally-ill matriarch (Sarandon) reunites three generations of her family to tell them that she will soon be ending her life, but drama and a buried family secret makes the situation even more complicated.
What You Need to Know: A remake of the acclaimed 2016 Danish film “Silent Heart,” Roger Michell’s film retains the original film’s screenwriter Christian Torpe, while stacking the cast with stars. Michell has been directing for a long time now, but his current stride, including his last film “My Cousin Rachel,” has been some of his best work. Expect a dramatic, well-acted, chamber piece. Sarandon (who replaced Diane Keaton) has been in mostly broad comedies recently, so it’ll be a welcome return to drama, especially opposite the always steady Winset and star on the rise Wasikowska.
Release: Date: TBD – Christian Gallichio
“Proxima”
Cast: Eva Green, Matt Dillon, Lars Eidinger, Sandra Hüller
Synopsis: An astronaut (Green) training for a mission on the International Space Station deals with shared parenting of her young daughter who isn’t happy with her mother’s upcoming journey.
What You Need To Know: The elephant in the room (or should that be festival?) is that this isn’t the only female astronaut movie at TIFF. Noah Hawley’s “Lucy in the Sky” with Natalie Portman will also debut in Toronto, but has a questionable Wednesday night premiere date. “Proxima,” director Alice Winocour‘s third film at TIFF, has a more plumb Saturday night premiere although it is up against stiffer competition. Winocour is best known for writing the acclaimed 2015 drama “Mustang” and directing the 2015 Cannes drama “Disorder” starring Matthias Schoenaerts.
Release Date: TBD (acquisition title)– GE
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“The Two Popes”
Cast: Anthony Hopkins, Jonathan Pryce, Juan Minujin
Synopsis: Behind the Vatican walls, Pope Benedict and the future Pope Francis must find common ground to forge a new path for the Catholic Church.
What You Need to Know: After a few misfires, including “Blindness” and “360,” director Fernando Meirelles appears to be back in awards contention, featuring two heavyweight actors in Pryce and Hopkins. If the reactions out of Telluride are any indication, this should hopefully be a broader hit for Netflix than previously imagined, as critics have described it as a surprisingly funny buddy comedy about the transition between popes. Not exactly expected considering the subject matter, but Netflix has committed to theatrical release, meaning the streaming service clearly believes in it. Hopkins and Pryce have hit their late-career strides (both surprisingly on HBO shows: “Westworld” and “Game of Thrones,” respectively), so no matter what, watching these two actors opposite each other should be reason enough to seek this film out, or at the very least stream it.
Release Date: Limited Theatrical – Nov. 27; Steaming – December 20 –CG
“Harriet”
Cast: Cynthia Erivo, Janelle Monae, Leslie Odom, Jr., Joe Alwyn, Jennifer Nettles, Vanessa Bell Calloway
Synopsis: The story of Harriet Tubman’s escape from slavery and her transformation into an American icon once she helped liberate hundreds of slaves.
What You Need to Know: Back in 1997, actress-turned-director Kasi Lemmons made a splashing debut with “Eve’s Bayou” which was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry last year. Since then, Lemmons’ directorial work, which includes “Talk To Me” and “Black Nativity,” has been decidedly under the radar. However, the biopic “Harriet” could be a stepping-stone for her. “Harriet,” which follows the life of abolitionist Harriet Tubman, feels primed to be an Oscar contender with rising star Cynthia Erivo playing the title character. After stealing the show in “Widows” and “Bad Times at the El Royale” last year, the Tony-winning actress gets to star in a film she can carry on her shoulders. In addition, singer-turned-actress Janelle Monae has a supporting role. “Harriet” finally makes its way to the big screen after years of development and if its November release date is any indication, Focus Features has high hopes for its awards prospects.
Release Date: November 1st- Matthew St.Clair
“Jungleland”
Cast: Jack O’Connell, Charlie Hunnam, Jessica Barden, Jonathan Majors, Fran Kanz
Synopsis: A bare-knuckle boxer and his brother/manager must travel across the country for one last fight, but an unexpected travel companion exposes the cracks in their bond along the way.
What You Need to Know: It feels safe to say that Max Winkler works in the “offbeat comedy” wheelhouse. “Ceremony” was an anti-rom-com about a jilted weirdo who crashes his ex’s wedding, while 2017’s polarizing “Flower” attempted to mine laughter from molestation, drug addiction, and sexual coercion. If we’re to go off of the synopsis of Winkler’s latest, “Jungleland,” it would appear that this new film is a horse of an entirely different color. “Jungleland” sounds like an earnest, hard-hitting boxing drama infused with fraternal undertones and road movie flourishes, starring two actors (Jack O’ Connell and Charlie Hunnam) known for their attraction to tough-guy material. O’ Connell is an impressive screen presence, and Hunnam can give a great performance when there’s a gifted director guiding him. The film could prove to be an interesting left turn for this particular director, and a chance for Winkler to showcase some grit in an entirely new genre.
Release Date: TBD – NL
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