1898 - August: Osage County

When you've got an all access pass to TIFF, it's difficult to not just use it to see all the big films that are being released for Oscar season, and while I don't avoid them entirely, I try to see a good mix-bag to keep me honest.  This is, clearly, not one of those - this is oscar bait through and through.
It's a powerful ensemble that comes to give powerhouse performances - there's a, roughly 25 minute living room scene, which that allows every single performer to have a moment all of their own including several reversals.  It's delightful.
For years I've been dancing around a dysfunctional family film of my own - but now I'm not sure I've got anything to say that this film hasn't.  So good on them for that.  It's not an easy film to make - none of the characters are super likable, but that isn't the point - the point is that they're interesting.  We want to know what makes them tick - we want to see what they'll do, how they'll end up.  Making a character do unlikeable things isn't enough to make them someone interesting and this filmmaking team nows that.
Expect to hear a lot about this film in the upcoming months.  For those who love character dramas - it's a muse-see.

1608 - I Love You Phillip Morris

This is one of those films that got announced during the casting process and then, for the most part, disappeared.  I'd followed it behind the scenes and I remember that it was having a hard time finding a distributor.  I guess even with Jim Carrey and Ewan McGregor it's hard to sell a gay romantic comedy.  Carrey and McGregor play two convicts whom fall in love, and when separated from their prison cell, Carrey's character goes to extreme lengths to try and be with his beloved, Phillip Morris, which always lands him in trouble.
I liked this film, but I was primed to love it.  I realize that it's based on a true story, but at the same time I thought it could have been a little funnier, more biting, or something.  For an already short film I'd be lying if I didn't say that it dragged just a tad in the middle and takes a little too long to get going off the top.  As much as I love Leslie Mann I think that you could have completely cut out the storyline of his old family and career as a cop without missing a single thing (outside of a tinge of irony). 
It's on netflix now, so check it out if you're interested in it.  In a coincidental turn of events I'm having somewhat of a Glenn Ficarra & John Requa double-bill as Emily and I plan to see their Crazy Stupid Love later in the week (had no idea that they were the ones whom made this).  So in terms of a recommendation, take a look at the subject matter and go from there.  It's not an amazing film, but it's entertaining enough for it's hour and a half running time.
I Love You Phillip Morris  I Love You Phillip Morris(book)