9-14-2001

you know, the great thing about movies is their ability to take you out of your own head, even if only for two hours.

i've still been attending the film fest every day, and the screenings have—for the most part—continued. a few prints didn't arrive in time, and all parties, press events, industry sessions and assorted fest-related festivities have, naturally, been cancelled.

but getting away from the news, getting out (or in, as it were) and talking to people, letting my brain breathe for a bit... has been incredibly helpful and a much-needed relief. judging from the people i've talked to, everyone else (canadians, americans, europeans, etc.) at the fest feels the same way.

that said, and because i know that eventually people will come back to this thread, here are some of my faves from the past couple of days:

"kissing jessica stein" is a cleverly written comedy about two "straight" women who go the personal-ad route and hook up for their first same-sex relationship. the two leads (who also co-wrote the script based on their play, "lipshtick") were adorably funny.

"treed murray" is a BRILLIANT canadian psychological drama about an advertising executive trapped in a tree by a gang of teens who wait below to beat him up. the WHOLE MOVIE is set in and around the tree. excellent performances and excellent writing.

"le fabuleux destin d'amélie poulain" (loosely translated: "the wonderful future of amélie poulain") is a delightfully eclectic comedy made up of several quirky, character-driven stories all somehow involving the same adorable central figure (amélie). laugh-out-loud funny in parts, thoughtful in others. very good all over.

i saw "serendipity" (the romantic comedy starring john cusack and kate beckinsale), which was totally charming in that "sleepless in seattle" way. plus, jeremy piven's in it, so you know it's at least going to be partially funny.

and tonight i went to see "lilith on top," the documentary about the final lilith fair tour. not bad. not amazing, though.

nothing else stands out right now. most festival-goers agree that we're all kind of watching the movies through a veil now, anyway, which makes reviewing what i've seen kind of weird.

but i'll be back there again tomorrow for my last three movies.

—Vickie