Calgary International Film Festival preview
by Stefan Kesic
Since 1999, the Calgary International Film Festival (CIFF) has brought people tears, cheers, awe, and wonder. The festival is back at it again and it’s loaded with 220 films from all corners of the world. This ten-day event features both full-length feature films and short films from a wide variety of directors — some up and coming and some already with recognizable film credits. So you say you want to watch some great flicks but there are too many to choose from and you don’t know where to start? The following five films are a great place to start. Then once you’re in the theatre, just follow the “oohs” and “ahhs” to the next film. The Calgary International Film Festival runs September 23 to October 3, 2010.
FUBAR 2 is a sequel to the comedic mockumentary filmed in Calgary about two simple- minded metal head friends Terry and Dean. When Dean got testicular cancer, the life-long head bangers dealt with it in their own Pilsner-shot-gunning ways. Now they’re back and in need of some quick cash to keep the heavy metal, ladies, and beer flowing. So they head to Fort McMurray for some quick dough and a barrel of idiotic hilarity as they try their hand at working on an oil rig.
Showtime: Monday, Sept. 27 at 7 p.m. Where: The Plaza Theatre
Every year the CIFF has its share of over-the-top Japanese gore movies that are sprinkled with outrageous moments and this year is no exception. Mutant Girls Squad is this year’s must-see Japanese gore flick. Its plot is simple: mutant hotties band together to take over Japan to make it more mutant- friendly in their own special way. With things like “tentacles that grow from fingernails” and an “anal chainsaw,” this film promises to satisfy any gore action movie lover.
Showtime: Saturday, Oct. 2 at 11:30 p.m. Where: The Plaza Theatre
The Robber is a much-anticipated film from Germany that chronicles an adrenaline junkie named Johann Rettenberger. He is good at two things: running and robbing banks. Robbery gives Johann the adrenaline rush he yearns for. Wearing a mask to conceal his identity, Johann has not yet been discovered by the police, but as his adrenaline addiction increases to include three robberies, will Johann be able to hide his identity? This is a great flick for thriller fans.
Showtimes: Thursday, Sept. 30 at 9:30 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 2 at 2:45 p.m. Where: Eau Claire Market
An interesting drama called The Freebie tells the story of a married couple going through a dry spell in their sex life. In order to overcome the problem, the two decide they need one night alone — a freebie night where each can sleep with someone else. But will it better their marriage or simply leave them in a worse situation than before? The film takes a look at human companionship and the animalistic desires that drive us. If drama is your thing, The Freebie would be a great one to watch.
Showtime: Wednesday, Sept. 29 at 9:30 p.m. Where: Eau Claire Market
[REC] 2 is the highly anticipated sequel to the Spanish horror film [REC] which dealt with a virus that infected a quarantined apartment building, trapping all its residents in a violent frenzy of raging beasts who seemed more like monsters than humans.
This time, a government official tries to probe deeper into the virus to find some answers. Answers of “biblical proportions.” The sequel picks up 15 minutes after the first left off and the gritty first person cinematography of the first film offers a great view of things to come in the second.
Showtime: Wednesday, Sept. 29 at 11:00 p.m. Where: The Plaza
