September 08, 2023

WIFF’S WEEKEND WATCH LIST — 9/8

Check out our recommendations of what to watch this weekend.

if you love sly stallone

creed

Vincent Georgie: Celebrating the terrific new documentary about Sly Stallone premiering at TIFF this year, let’s take a look back at the 2015 film that made us fall in love with him all over a game. An underrated, intelligent screen presence.

Synopsis: Adonis Johnson never knew his famous father, boxing champion Apollo Creed, who died before Adonis was born. However, boxing is in his blood, so he seeks out Rocky Balboa and asks the retired champ to be his trainer. Rocky sees much of Apollo in Adonis, and agrees to mentor him, even as he battles an opponent deadlier than any in the ring. With Rocky’s help, Adonis soon gets a title shot, but whether he has the true heart of a fighter remains to be seen.

Available on iTunes, Amazon Prime and YouTube.

if you love colm feore

thirty-two short films about glenn gould

Vincent Georgie: Windsor-born Colm Feore has done the Rose City proud on the world’s greatest stages and film sets alike. Arguably, his best cinematic performance was as another Canadian phenomenon, classical pianist Glenn Gould. From TIFF 1993.

Synopsis: In this episodic fusion of documentary and biographical drama, director François Girard explores the life of 20th-century pianist Glenn Gould through a series of brief fictional reenactments and real interviews with those who knew the musician. After distinguishing himself as a prodigy at a very young age, the enigmatic Gould grows up to dissect the accepted rules of musical theory and eventually refuses to perform before an audience. He also becomes addicted to prescription pills.

Available on iTunes and YouTube.

if you want to find your groove again

the end of sex

Vincent Georgie: A very funny and lighthearted sex comedy from TIFF 2022, this film explores the all-too-relatable platitudes and status quo that show up in even the best of romantic relationships. Go on a fun ride as the film’s lead characters explore what it will take to revive their stalling sex life.

Synopsis: Emma and Josh are excited to have some alone time while their twin daughters are away at camp. Unfortunately for them, their romantic week becomes a series of sexual adventures to revitalize their relationship.

Available on iTunes, Amazon Prime and YouTube.

DOUBLE FEATURE

friends & lovers

Two of the very best films that ever opened TIFF (1983 and 2003, respectively), both films offer us a large group of friends that reassemble in both early adulthood, and late adulthood to reassess the loves, losses and existential gripes they have. Both are modern classics, anchored by strong writing and huge ensembles of stars.

the big chill

A once close-knit gang of friends — including an actor, a doctor and her husband, a Vietnam veteran, and a journalist — meets for a weekend after the funeral of their much-envied friend Alex, who committed suicide. The friends spend the weekend confronting the personal truths, sacrifices and betrayals that have left them disenchanted. Each must contend with unresolved issues they have with Alex, and with one another.

Available on iTunes, Amazon Prime and YouTube.

the barbarian invasions

In this sequel to The Decline of the American Empire, middle-aged Montreal-based professor Rémy discovers that he is terminally ill with cancer. This revelation leads to his reconnecting with his son, Sébastien, a finance expert living in London who has embraced ideals that are at odds with his father’s socialist leanings. As Remy reconnects with his son, and other relatives and friends, they discuss everything from sex to politics to philosophy.