Special Presentations (Galas you can actually get into!)

TIFF [1999]

Terence Stamp

TIFF 99 saw premieres from established filmmakers like Michael (Welcome To Sarajevo) Winterbottom, Patrizia (I've Heard The Mermaids Singing) Rozema, Paul (Affliction) Schrader, and James (Two Girls And A Guy) Toback.

However really, the only buzz generated from any of the films programmed were for Alan Rudolph's much loathed Vonnegut adaptation "Breakfast Of Champions", Kevin Smith's controversial-from-the-get-go "Dogma", and Norman Jewison's "workprint" screening of his upcoming biopic "The Hurricane", starring Denzel Washington as boxer Rubin "Hurricane" Carter.

My Pick:

Steven Soderbergh's lean-and-mean-but-ultimately-melancholy crime drama "The Limey", one of the best films of the year, IMHO. Star Terence Stamp was deeply moved by the rousing standing ovation that he ignited as he took the stage before the screening. The elegant (and intimidating) veteran seemed genuinely proud of his work in the film, and thanked director Soderbergh for the chance to be given such a meaty role given his advancing years. Soderbergh humbly offered that the best thing about "The Limey" wasn't only star Stamp, but the fact that it was "short", too (under 90 minutes).

Runner Up:

"Princess Mononoke", from Japanese anime legend Hayao Miyazaki (Kika's Delivery Service, My Neighbor Totoro). A 1997 Japanese box-office sensation purchased by Miramax, and dubbed with the voices of American actors Billy Crudup, Gillian Anderson, Claire Danes, and Billy Bob Thorton, this long but dazzling fantasy adventure is the "Beowolf" of adult animation "Princess Mononoke" is being primed for a major U.S. release later this fall and will serve as an exceptional introduction to the genre to those not already converted. In the meantime, get psyched by reading my review.

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