September 16

Simpatico
Directed by Matthew Warchus
Cast: Nick Nolte, Jeff Bridges, Sharon Stone, Catherine Keener, Albert Finney
U.S. Distribution: Fine Line
* ½ / D+

[U.S.A. / 106 minutes / Gala / Uptown 1]

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Wadd: The Life And Times Of John C. Holmes
Directed by Cass Paley
U.S. Distribution: none as of this writing
*** ½ / A-

In attendance: director Cass Paley, actor Marilyn Chambers

[U.S.A. / 120 minutes / Midnight Madness / Cumberland 3]

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Ghost Dog: The Way Of The Samurai
Directed by Jim Jarmusch
Cast: Forest Whitaker, John Tormey, Cliff Gorman, Henry Silva, Isaach de Bankolé, Victor Argo, Richard Portnow
U.S. Distribution: Artisan
*** / B+

In attendance: director/screenwriter Jim Jarmusch

[U.S.A. / 116 minutes / Special Presentation / Cumberland 3]

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Peau Neuve (New Dawn)
Directed by Émilie Deleuze
Cast: Samuel Le Bihan, Marcial Di Fonzo Bo, Catherine Vinatier, Claire Nebout
U.S. Distribution: none as of this writing
** / C

In attendance: producer Carole Scotta

[France / 96 minutes / Contemporary World Cinema / Varsity 1]

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Pas De Scandale
Directed by Benoit Jacquot
Cast: Isabelle Huppert, Fabrice Luchini, Vincent Lindon
U.S. Distribution: none as of this writing
** ½ / C+

[France / 103 minutes / Special Presentation / Uptown 1]

Random Notes: Indicative of growing impatience and irritability as the festival draws to a close, another audience member was roundedly booed during the Q&A of Ghost Dog: The Way Of The Samurai when he pushed Jarmusch on the film's "ennoblization of a killer" ... my first experience with digital projection came at the screening of Wadd: The Life And Times Of John C. Holmes -- it looked quite sharp...

Alex Fung (aw220@freenet.carleton.ca)

Back to Alex's 1999 Toronto International Film Festival page.
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