Having been an enthusiast for youth in iconic movies, I was surely not disappointed by the amazing performance by Dakota Fanning and Kristen Stewart. The Runaways Movie was a collective of imagery and story telling of youth in revolt, girls with drive and a powerful mission, and transformation. To my amazement, it was a film that ended before I could have even dreamed of wanting it to be over.

I’m in awe already of Dakota Fanning and Kristen Stewart – on film, their animated characters come alive. It’s a tale of drug, sex, and rock and roll lifestyle that the two iconic stars have brought to life in a spectacular way. It’s the pairing as you’ve never seen them before (strip away your misconceptions from the Twilight series, this is so much and more). It’s not the teen movie that’s going to have you giggling and braiding your hair about. It’s the one that’s going to be a game changer for you, the one that makes you want to get up and make things happen.

My take? A film full of amazement and the perfect cinematography to match. Moments in the movie that had me thinking and marveling at the amount of detail and re-living that Joan Jett and Cherie Currie had to play through. It’s rock-band story telling perfection, if you ask me.

The film is now out on DVD – if you had been wanting to pick it up but haven’t quite gotten around to it, I suggest you saunter into your nearest movies retailer and give it a grab. Here’s the trailer.

> Thanks Carly for passing this along!

Last night, Gloria and I had the opportunity to attend the screening of Sex and the City Two at Bloor Cinemas. The opening reception was giddy with excitement, high heels, Trojan men (handing out condoms), and ladies with pink boas. But who cares about all that, it’s time for us to take two, on the sequel.

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Hot Docs is North America’s largest documentary film festival, featuring over 170 documentaries from Canada and around the world, to be viewed at venues around Toronto.

Waste Land, directed by acclaimed British director Lucy Walker (Blindsight, Devil’s Playground), premiered at the Isabel Bader Theatre on Day 3 of the festival.

The documentary is an uplifting story about the transformative power of art and the beauty that can be found in even the most worthless garbage.

The story begins as top-selling contemporary artist Vik Muniz decides to return to his home country of Brazil to create art out of materials picked from the largest garbage dump in the world, the Jardim Gramacho. Muniz collaborates with the ‘catadores’-pickers of recyclable materials, as they recreate photographic images of themselves out of garbage. Think compelling human-interest dimension to the works of art that are created, as we see the art reveal the dignity within the catadores and magic that challenges them to re-imagine their lives.

Documenting first hand the transformative ability of art. From worthless garbage into valuable and treasured, and its ability to inspire even the most under-classed catadores to find the beauty and pride in themselves.

This year the Hot Docs (@hotdocs or http://www.hotdocs.ca for more info).

> looking for more? see the facebook page here.

Sent by Twitter friend Mahsa, this all Canadian cast and crew movie (filmed in Toronto no less) has me in a fit of giggles from the trailer. Being a fan of local talent, I’m digging the cultural creation that English Butler Masala Chai has to offer. “Girl meets British boy. Falls in love. Dad hates Brits. Boy becomes dad’s butler?”. Hey, it could happen.

The film is set for release on April 30, 2010, with emerging actors Geoffrey Hymers , Tara Joshi, Richard Young and Sachin Sharma.

What is Masala Chai? Masala chai is a beverage from the Indian subcontinent made by brewing tea with a mixture of aromatic Indian spices and herbs.

You’ll be able to see the movie at the following locations:

AMC – Yonge and Dundas
Empire Theatres – Mississauga Square
Famous Players – Scarborough Town Centre
Famous Players Silvercity – Brampton

Watch the trailer:

Visit their Facebook Fan Page or Twitter them.

> image from blogto.com

Shame on me – I missed the NADA Shepard 3D Women’s Short Film preview that happened on March 17th, 2010 (sometimes bloggers get sick, hard to believe, I know). I love the movement that fashion has taken in producing videos – it’s really and truly bringing clothing to life. Why be so elitist to deny the general public the beauty of fashion-coming-to-life? It’s like having a better version of fashion week – you can relive it and replay it any time and any where.

Worldwide Fashion First.

 

Canadian-based fashion designer Nada Shepherd, creative director of NADA, is set to unveil the industries first ever stereoscopic 3D women’s wear short film – featuring her 2010 fall collection. Action packed 3D cinematography pairs with superior design to create a futuristic, martial arts meets gladiator vibe in this worldwide fashion first.

 

Taking the place of the traditional runway show, Fembots clad in NADA take to the screen in a virtual 3D computer environment designed by Pheinixx Paul of Pencil. The film is Directed by Grant Padley, with Producer Kevin Hedley of Atomic Clock Cinematic Arts in conjunction with Stereo 3D Unlimited’s Paul Rapovski and 3D Cinematographer / Post-Supervisor Tim Dashwood. It features the use of innovative software from Dashwood Cinema Solutions, PHYX and Noise Industries, a leading developer of visual effects tools for the post production and broadcast markets.

Beauty.