January 10, 2025

WIFF’S WEEKEND WATCH LIST — 1/10

Check out our recommendations of what to watch this weekend.

if you want a TEARJERKER

WE LIVE IN TIME

Vincent Georgie: Back in the Fall, we brought this emotional and loving drama to WIFF Presents screens, and our audience responded with smiles and tears at the same time. This is an excellent, touching, and well-made drama from Irish filmmaker John Crowley. Stars Andrew Garfield and Florence Pugh nail the assignment.

Synopsis: Almut (Florence Pugh) and Tobias (Andrew Garfield) are brought together by a surprise encounter that changes their lives. As they embark on a path challenged by the limits of time, they learn to cherish each moment of their unconventional love story.

Available on Apple TV, Amazon Prime and YouTube.

if you want a vintage classic

st. elmo’s fire

Vincent Georgie: Come for the hairstyles, love affairs, and starry young cast; stay for the killer soundtrack.

Synopsis: A group of recent college graduates embark on a series of misadventures in the real world. There’s Kirby (Emilio Estevez), a waiter who wants to be a lawyer; Kevin (Andrew McCarthy), a moody writer who yearns for the wild Jules (Demi Moore); Alec (Judd Nelson), whose political aspirations alienate his girlfriend, Leslie (Ally Sheedy); and Wendy (Mare Winningham), a quiet girl in love with Billy (Rob Lowe), who juggles roles as husband, dad and drunk. Together they grapple with adulthood.

Available on Apple TV and Amazon Prime.

if you want a complex drama

godland

Vincent Georgie: An excellent Icelandic drama. This is for film lovers looking for a full meal instead of a light snack. A favourite from WIFF 2023.

Synopsis: At the end of the 19th century, a young Danish priest is sent to a remote part of Iceland. The deeper he travels into the unforgiving landscape, the more he loses touch with his own reality, his mission, and his sense of duty.

Available on Apple TV and The Criterion Channel.

DOUBLE FEATURE

all hail, 25th anniversaries

Vincent Georgie: As 2025 kicks off, let’s turn our attention to films celebrating 25 years of entertaining us. The first film was a worldwide hit for filmmaker Ang Lee and gave us breathtaking, kinetic action sequences. The second film took the Best Picture Oscar, and cemented both Russell Crowe and Joaquin Phoenix as two of our most exciting actors. Both of these filmes, combined, won 9 Oscars and are still highly rewatchable favourites with audiences.

crouching tiger, hidden dragon

In 19th century Qing Dynasty China, a warrior (Chow Yun-Fat) gives his sword, Green Destiny, to his lover (Michelle Yeoh) to deliver to safe keeping, but it is stolen, and the chase is on to find it. The search leads to the House of Yu where the story takes on a whole different level.

Available on Apple TV, Crave, YouTube and Amazon Prime.

gladiator

Set in Roman times, the story of a once-powerful general forced to become a common gladiator. The emperor’s son is enraged when he is passed over as heir in favour of his father’s favourite general. He kills his father and arranges the murder of the general’s family, and the general is sold into slavery to be trained as a gladiator – but his subsequent popularity in the arena threatens the throne.