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film review: Harry Benson: Shoot First
Directed by Matthew Miele & Justin BareReview by Allan TongYou've likely seen this iconic image. But in February 1964, nobody expected a "pop" group of English moptops called The Beatles to last....
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film review: Gold
Director: Stephen GaghanWriters: Stephen Gaghan, Patrick Massett and John ZinmanFeaturing: Matthew McConaughey, Édgar Ramírez, Bryce Dallas Howard, Corey StollReview by Allan TongMatthew McConaughey...
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film review: Live By Night
Director: Ben AffleckWriter: Ben AffleckFeaturing: Ben Affleck, Zoe Saldana, Chris Cooper, Sienna MillerChinoKino score: BReview by Allan TongA showcase of Ben Affleck's talents behind and in front of...
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film review (Netflix): Miss Sharon Jones!
Director: Barbara KoppleFeaturing: Sharon Jones, The Dap KingsChinoKino score: A-Review by Allan TongOriginally released before her death last November, Miss Sharon Jones! now serves as a memoriam to...
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Nominations announced for the 2017 Canadian Screen Awards
The nominations for the 2017 Canadian Screen Awards were announced today in joint press conferences in Montreal and Toronto. Montreal director Xavier Dolan’s It’s Only the End of the World | Juste la...
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Toronto mixes paint and party at the Artist Project
The 2017 Artist Project exhibition opened Thursday night at the CNE's Better Living Centre with a party surrounded by beautiful creations. For $28 ($30 at the door), any art collector, hipster or party...
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IDS 2017 warms up Toronto with design and dance
by Allan Tong(last update: Feb. 24)Toronto is a frozen hell-hole in January. Besides paying off Christmas credit card bills and enduring the darkest days of the year, Torontonians have little to enjoy...
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A step forward for Canadian diversity at 2017 CSAs
Tatiana Maslany (above) walked away with two big statues at Sunday's Canadian Screen Awards gala in Toronto. That's three if you count the award that Orphan Black (below) snagged for its farewell...
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Sundance Now enters the streaming game
by Allan TongSundance is entering the streaming game with a new service called Sundance Now. For US$6.99 a month, subscribers access a catalogue of indie features, award-winning docs and some...
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20 things I learned at the Toronto Screenwriting Conference
by Allan TongTV scribes and some film writers, descended on the Toronto Screenwriting Conference last weekend (April 22-23) to listen to two full days of advice about the craft and business of writing...
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The Italian Contemporary Film Festival returns to Toronto with De Sica honours
by Allan TongThe line-up of the sixth ICFF (The Italian Contemporary Film Festival) was unveiled at Toronto's Ritz-Carlton earlier today, highlighted by Christian De Sica (above), son of iconic...
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Something New at this year's ICFF
by Allan TongYou gotta love the Italians for opening their film festival, the ICFF on June 8 in Toronto, with a romantic comedy about two older women and a younger man.In Qualcosa di nuovo (Something...
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Indivisibili tops this year's Italian film festvial, ICFF
Indivisibiliby Allan TongAfter a decades-long slumber, Italian cinema may finally be waking. It's too soon to call this a golden age or even a revival, but recent films such asThey Called Me Jeeg,...
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Stars Cortellesi and Gullotta shine at the opening weekend of ICFF
Story by Allan TongPhotos by Sally WarburtonThe Italian Contemporary Film Festival opened at Toronto's TIFF Bell Lightbox Thursday night with star Paola Cortellesi (above) presenting the crowd-pleasing...
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Toronto International Film Festival announces Gala and Special Presentations...
TORONTO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL REVEALS FIRST GALA AND SPECIAL PRESENTATION TITLES FOR 2017Featuring premieres from filmmakers including Hany Abu-Assad, Haifaa Al Mansour, Darren Aronofsky, George...
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TIFF 2017 wrap: Netflix
by Allan Tong2017 will be remembered as the downsized TIFF: fewer films, slower sales and smaller red carpets (literally). The Canadian economy is growing, but Hollywood is in a slump, coming off its...
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film review: Blade Runner 2049
Director: Denis VilleneuveWriters: Hampton Fancher (also story), Michael Green, based on a Philip K. Dick novelFeaturing: Ryan Gosling, Robin Wright, Ana de Armas, Sylvia HoeksChinoKino score: AReview...
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IIDEX 2017's sights and designs
story & photos by Allan TongIIDEX, Canada's largest architecture and interior design expo, returned yesterday (ending today) to occupy the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. Among the two days of...
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film review: Star Wars: The Last Jedi
The next generation of Rebels (left to right): Finn, Rey and TicoDirector: Rian JohnsonWriter: Rian JohnsonFeaturing: Daisy Ridley, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Kelly Ann Tran, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac,...
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IDS kicks off 20th anniversary with wine, food and design
A day after Canadian interest rates rose and as housing prices continue to flirt with all-time highs, 5,500 Torontonians celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Interior Design Show last night. At the...
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