Hot Docs: China Heavyweight

China Heavyweight is beautifully-shot documentary about overcoming adversity and doing whatever it takes to become a champion.

Serving as a follow-up to Yung Chang’s 2007 film Up in Yangtze, the Chinese-Canadian director takes his viewers back to China and introduces them to three men involved at a boxing academy in Southwest China. Qi Moxiang, is a state boxing coach who searches for raw talent in village schools and rural tobacco fields of the Sichuan province.  A former boxer himself, Moxiang longs to have one more shot at victory after losing an Olympic qualifying match from a previous year.  The younger boxers on the other hand, are Miao Yunfei and He Zongli. Chosen to go into elite training, both hope they won’t spend their lives as tobacco farmers.

Having its Canadian premiere at the HotDocs film festival in Toronto, this film takes an observational approach into showing  Coach Qi’s dedication to the sport and the lives of two aspiring boxers who vie for a better life outside the village they grew up in.

While three characters can be a handful to focus on, Chang does an excellent job in intertwining their stories and bringing them back together at the end of the film during Coach Qi’s final match.

But with several intimate and personal scenes involving the characters and their families, having to shoot in such close settings isn’t always easy.

“We tried to build trust and a relationship with the characters,” said Chang, noting that he wanted to give the audience the vision that the film was “almost in the mind of the subject”.

But given that the documentary’s subject is boxing, there’s deeper meanings entwined in the film’s narrative approach. While extremely personal, it successfully highlights the camaraderie between each individual and the struggles faced as they go away from home to take a shot at fighting for the glory of their country.

And even though the summary of this movie may seem like any sports documentary about overcoming challenges in order to become a champion, it’s interesting to see young individuals evolve into elite athletes from their humble village surroundings in the Sichuan province.

Movies I want to see: Gangster Squad

Anyone who knows me knows I love Ryan Gosling…especially when he’s acting like a sexy badass.

After attending the Toronto premiere of Drive last year, I was not only amazed by the cinematography, sound effects and car chases.  I was amazed by Gosling himself!

Having been an avid watcher of old Canadian classics such as Breaker High and Ready or Not to his older films like Lars and the Real Girl and The Notebook, it was different seeing him in some more serious and intense action roles.

Having been impressed with Drive, I couldn’t help but be excited after seeing the trailer for an upcoming flick called Gangster Squad.

Directed by Ruben Fleischer and starring Ryan Gosling, Sean Penn and Emma Stone, the film is a chronicle of the LAPD’s fight to keep the East Coast Mafia types out of LA in the 1940s and 50s.

Now I’m not only excited to watch this because of Ryan.  This film looks intense, action-packed and… okay, sexy as well.  Not only do I love seeing actors in ’50s garb,   I also love the way people talked back then.  How I wish we were more eloquent nowadays!

Having lined up in the rush line last year to see Drive (we ended up winning tix from Coca-Cola after six hours!!!), I think I may have to prepare myself and line up again for this flick if it ends up coming to TIFF.  Who’s with me?!

Watch the trailer here: 

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Hot Docs: Laura

If you’ve ever had fantasies of living like a socialite, you might want to think again.  As the film Laura shows, it isn’t as glamorous as it looks.

Directed by Fellipe Gamarano Barbosa, the film’s subject is Laura, a South American socialite who sneaks into back entrances of exclusive parties to mingle with celebrities and  upper-class individuals.

Serving as the fascination of Barbosa, this film captures Laura’s double life  through shaky camera footage, several uncomfortable close-ups and conversations (which are often arguments) with the director himself.  And while she basks in the glitz and glamour of New York’s elite,  she continues to conceal her poverty to protect her persona as a diva.

Labelled the “first lady” of the building where she resides, Laura is a hoarder who lives in an apartment crammed to the ceiling with bags of clothes and miscellaneous things like playbills, posters, books and CDs.  With no apparent job and a mysterious stream of money coming to her from Brazil, Laura remains an enigma.

Not much is known about her past and her as a person.  We only know that she was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina and later moved to Brazil when she was 13.  Having  once been married, she has since left her house in Brazil to live vicariously in New York.

At many times, the film appears messy, unfocused and unorganized.   But who can blame the director when the subject’s way of life is all over the place? The film tries so hard to find the real “Laura”.  But evidently, it seems more like a cat-and-mouse game of seeing what she’s up to next.

With her life’s motto being “Let it roll”, it’s clear Barbosa faced challenges while shooting the film. Through following Laura during her different escapades, what’s interesting here is  the director’s choice to include himself in the film.  By making his focus more about the relationship he had with Laura, Barbosa says he thought “it would be easier to dramatize” the film if he showed how their friendship changed over time.

That being said, Barbosa and Laura are no longer friends.

“Once the film was out there,  I knew our relationship was over,” he said, noting that Laura hated the film. “It was a big struggle.  It was not what I thought it was going to be.”

And yet, he is proud of the final product.  Even though the film doesn’t fully capture Laura, what we get is an incredible and complex portrait of a unique woman who lives by her own rules.

In fact, Barbosa is still trying to figure her out.  While he tries to keep his thoughts to himself, he only offers one piece of insight about his subject.

Realizing that Laura doesn’t seem have the ability to see what she’s looking for in life, he only says, “I’m not sure if she really loves herself.”

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Hot Docs review: The Record Breaker

The Record Breaker is a short film that depicts the perfect example of someone who lives life happily and to the fullest.

Directed by Brian McGinn, the film follows Ashrita Furman, a man who currently holds the official record for the most Guinness World Records set by an individual.

With approximately 415 records  such as apple cutting with a Samurai sword  and walking backwards in 440-lb iron shoes under his belt, Ashrita has been obsessed with the Guinness Book of World Records since he was a young boy.

A health food store owner and devotee of meditation, he travels the world creating new categories for record achievement.  Driven by the passion he holds for breaking records, this film documents Ashrita as he attempts to climb the Machu Picchu on stilts.

Part of the World Showcase at the 2012 Hot Docs film festival in Toronto, this film is light-hearted with several funny moments. But despite not being a full-length feature, it does a great job at looking into Ashrita’s past and the challenges he has faced.  Once a  good student who had the potential to become a lawyer, his parents were not always supportive when he decided to drop out of school to pursue other goals.

But not once does this film make its viewers feel that its subject has failed to lead a fulfilling life.  In fact, Ashrita appears as happy as can be.

Even his estranged father Bernard begins to take note of this. Coming to terms with his son’s way of life of following his own joys, he offers, “He is the happiest person I know.  Isn’t that what every parent wants?”

And despite being a 28 minute feature, the film certainly depicts Ashrita as someone who has a good sense of who he is.  Even though he has a humble occupation with  no signs of a wife or girlfriend,  this individual is a charming and happy-go-lucky character who finds deeper meaning in the world by living on his own terms. 

Delightful and touching, this film is one that will leave you in a good mood. 

With Ashrita serving as the perfect model of someone who lives life to the fullest, we should all aspire to be more like him.

Blu-ray Review: New Year’s Eve

Hollywood must be running out of ideas if they think casting a bunch of actors in a romantic comedy is a good idea.  If Valentine’s Day was any indication with its two Razzie award wins (Ashton Kutcher and Jessica Alba won Worst Actor and Worst Supporting Actress), the makers of that movie would have not considered another film of this kind.

But here they are again, in a new installment called New Year’s Eve. Directed by Garry Marshall, this film intertwines nine random and unnecessary stories over the course of…you guessed it, New Year’s Eve in New York City.

Written again by Valentine’s Day screenwriter Katherine Fugate, there’s barely any plot to be seen.  In fact, the film is like a really bad attempt at imitating Love Actually, failing to smoothly connect the film’s characters.

Among the most intriguing of these stories includes bike-messenger Paul (Zac Efron) helping Ingrid (Michelle Pfeiffer), an aging and miserable secretary, hoping to fulfill a list of resolutions.  The other, features Tess and Griffin Byrne (Jessica Biel and Seth Meyers), a couple who try to give birth to the year’s first baby in order to win 25 grand.

Rounding out the rest of the movie is Claire Morgan (Hilary Swank), vice-president of the Times Square Alliance, who makes the final arrangements for the “extremely important” annual ball drop; Paul’s sister Kim (Sarah Jessica Parker), who is having trouble with her teenage daughter Hailey (Abigail Breslin) because she wants to spend New Year’s Eve with her friends in Times Square; Paul’s pessimistic friend Randy, (Ashton Kutcher) who gets stuck in an elevator with aspiring singer Elise (Lea Michele); musician Jensen (Jon Bon Jovi), who tries to rekindle his failed relationship with ex Laura (Katherine Heigl);  Stan (Robert De Niro), a dying man in his final stages of cancer who wishes to see the ball drop one last time and Sam (Josh Duhamel), a business man for a fancy record company who keeps wondering about the mysterious woman he met last New Year’s Eve.

Add in appearances by Alyssa Milano, Sofia Vergara, Jake T. Austin, Halle Berry, Common and Ryan Seacrest, watching this film is almost like playing a game of Guess Who: Celebrity Edition.

Considering this extensive cast of talent, it’s unfortunate to see that the characters are randomly and suddenly put together.  Marshall spends little time developing their relationships, and that’s probably because there are way too many people in this movie.

Oddly enough, Efron’s Paul seems to hold the most connections in the film playing the best friend of  Kutcher’s Randy and the brother of Parker’s Kim (which was completely unbelievable).   But considering how much of a mess this movie already is, we never get to see them on screen together.  Add that in with Heigl and Bon Jovi’s lack of chemistry, it’s almost as if the makers of this film were having so much trouble giving screen time to the large cast they hired.

Meanwhile, the disc’s extras include deleted scenes, a gag reel and featurettes such as “The Magic of Time Square” (where Marshall and the cast talk about the magic of Times Square on New Year’s Eve), “Jon Bon Jovi & Lea Michele Rock New Year’s Eve (where they discuss their not-so-epic musical collaboration), and “New Year’s Eve Secrets of the Stars” (where the cast discuss their most memorable New Year’s celebrations).

And just when you thought the movie was enough, the disc also includes some lively and enthusiastic film commentary from Marshall.  Discussing the troubles of filming in New York City during the winter (BECAUSE IT’S OH SO COLD!), he surprisingly offers some pretty interesting tidbits about the cast and set of the movie.

While New Year’s Eve ultimately throws storylines around, the movie does provide some cheap entertainment on a lonely night.  But as predictable and unorganized this 118-minute film is, we’re all just left waiting for the new year to ring in so the movie can end.

Recap: Fun. and Miniature Tigers Concert!!

After my drought of not going to a REAL concert, I got the chance to rock out to Fun. and Miniature Tigers when they stopped by in Toronto last Wednesday.

I was very glad I spent a total of $25.50 for the concert as it was well worth it. While I was there to see FUN., I do have to say that their opening act, Miniature Tigers, are becoming my new musical obsession. Not only are they great live, they are also very personable.

With lead singer Charlie Brand saying, “Toronto…I’m starting to have feelings for you. In a more than just friends kind of way,” and then serenading the crowd with a love song, I was absolutely sold. I want to see them again!!

And as for the main attraction, people went a bit wilder and the crowd definitely swayed a lot more.

But despite being pushed around and jumped on, I still had lots of FUN. (pun intended)! Even though I don’t appreciate rude people trying to make me move in an already cramped crowd, I’ll let it slide. The Guvernment was not exactly the most ventilated area. Someone even threw up within my vicinity!!

While I know most of the people there were probably at the concert because of “We Are Young”, my favourite song of Fun.’s will always be “All the Pretty Girls” because it’s just one of those songs I can never get sick of.  Other favourites the band played were: “Walking the Dog”, “At Least I’m Not As Sad (As I Used To Be)” and “The Gambler”.

I was pretty sure FUN. would come back and do an encore but they really had the crowd waiting for what seemed like eternity. If they were really leaving, I definitely didn’t feel like I got enough of a show as they didn’t even play my favourite song off the new album: “Some Nights”.

Thankfully, they came back and my wish was granted. The crowd also went nuts.

With the FUN. dubbing Toronto as “The Ront”, I think it’s safe to say that they have quite the appreciation for our city! I’m not a big fan of that nickname as we call it “T. DOT”, “T.O” and pronounce the city like  ”Torono”, I’m glad we were special enough to get a nickname.

After the show, my friends Alexa, Bethany and I got to meet Miniature Tigers!!

Charlie asked me what my name was and I said “Samantha”. Not really clear what he got, but he thought I said “Spicy-antha.” Pretty sure he was being cheeky, but now I think I want a name change!

I look kind of creepy fangirl in this picture with Algeron and Rick. But I was just so happy that I’ll let it slide. I do have to say that Rick has an awesome sweater!!

And lastly, here we are with Brandon, who is just so cheerful and adorable. I particularly enjoy his outfit as he is looking “Swaggerific”!

That was an excellent show. I am definitely going to go back to see either band again!

Not only did I get to see a band I’ve been dying to see for a while, I was also able to discover another excellent group.

I’ve started following the members of Miniature Tigers on Instagram and I have to say Charlie is a really talented artist. If you haven’t heard of them, here’s a song that’s been on replay for the past few days.

Movies I want to see: Ruby Sparks

As a sucker for indie romances, I couldn’t help but get excited when I saw the trailer for Ruby Sparks.

Directed by Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris (both who directed Little Miss Sunshine), the film stars Paul Dano as Calvin, a struggling novelist who manifests a female character he thinks will love him. And out of the blue, she, a.ka. Ruby Sparks (played by Zoe Kazan, who also wrote the script) becomes real.

While this may sound really similar to Stranger Than Fiction, I think this movie looks awfully sweet, cute, endearing, witty and all those vomitrocious characteristics that come with romances. Of course, I haven’t seen Stranger Than Fiction yet (maybe I should right after I write this…), but aren’t all films somewhat inspired by other movies and stories? I mean just look at Avatar as an example. That was very similar to Pocahontas.

And then again, I can also see a lot of people thinking that this movie enforces misogyny as a man manifests his “ideal woman”.  I mean Chris Messina’s character did say, “For men everywhere, tell me you’re not going to let that go to waste.”

But despite any criticism, I think this movie looks cute, sweet, funny and romantic. And while this may seem like some sort of “artsy, hipster” film, I will definitely be giving this one a chance. Who knows, maybe there will be a surprise at the end of this film. Maybe it was all just a dream and Ruby Sparks teaches him what he wants in life?

Food for thought.

Trailer for Ruby Sparks: