Two major news. Yes, the above title says it all.
I’m in Toronto now, all geared up to watch the screenings of a dozen films I’ve selected at the Toronto International Film Festival Sept. 6 – 16. Will keep you posted on the sights and sounds here.
There are 342 films in TIFF’s various Programs, submitted by filmmakers from 84 countries. Among the selections, 254 are full feature films, 88 shorts. These are selected from 7,926 submissions from all over the world.
Following a Ripple tradition, presenting titles from book to screen, here are some of TIFF’s feature productions that are adaptations from published, written sources:
First Man, dir. by Damien Chazelle, Ryan Gosling as Neil Armstrong, based on the book First Man: The Life of Neil Armstrong by James R. Hansen
Beautiful Boy dir. by Felix Van Groeningen based on two memoirs, Beautiful Boy by father David Sheff and Tweak by son Nic. Steve Carell and Timothée Chalamet play father and son.
Burning dir. by Chang-dong Lee, based on the short story “Barn Burning” by Haruki Murakami, which (in my opinion) is in turn based on the short story of the same name by William Faulkner.
The Hate U Give dir. by George Tillman Jr., based on the book of the same name by Angie Thomas (2017 National Book Award longlist, Young People’s Literature)
If Beale Street Could Talk dir. by Barry Jenkins (2017 Oscar winner ‘Moonlight’), based on the book of the same name by James Baldwin.
The Front Runner dir. by Jason Reitman, based on the book All the Truth Is Out by Matt Bai. Hugh Jackman as the 1987 presidential candidate Gary Hart.
The Sisters Brothers dir. by Jacques Audiard, based on the book of the same name by Patrick Dewitt (shortlisted for the Booker Prize 2011)
Wildlife dir. by Paul Dano, based on the book of the same name by Richard Ford. Carey Mulligan and Jake Gyllenhaal star.
A Million Little Pieces dir. by Sam Taylor-Johnson, based on the (controversial) memoir by James Frey
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The second piece of news actually is equally exciting. My movie reviews on Ripple Effects are now approved to be included in the Rotten Tomatoes® review aggregation website. That means, yes, my two pebbles will be counted in the Tomatometer® score for a movie which I’ve reviewed on Ripple and submitted to them. (This actually is a spin-off as they first approved me for my reviews on Asian American Press.)
Nothing’s changed. Just feeling good that the Ripples from the Pond can have far-reaching Effects.
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Ripple Effects 
Enjoy your time there, Arti. I know you will. The films you’ve selected surely will keep you engaged. Congrats, too, on having your reviews selected for the Rotten Tomatoes review site. I have no idea how the site works, and I’ve rarely gone there, but it’s fun to know that you’ll be part of the process now!
I was astonished to see a film about Gary Hart is among the offerings. I’d forgotten about him, and all those events. And I was equally surprised to see Frey’s “memoir” turned into film. That’s not one I’d be interested in seeing, unless it’s a documentary of his fabrications.
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Linda,
Somebody in the film industry must think it’s timely to bring out the Gary Hart episode now. As the front runner of the 1988 presidential election, GH was shot down like a falling star once the tabloid news about a certain woman called Donna Rice appeared in the then ‘social media’. Based on the book: All the Truth is Out: The Week Politics Went Tabloid by Matt Bai.
My own viewing list is different from the above, mainly for assignment purposes, but I’ve also picked out a few of my own interest. The major problem is: so many films, so little time. 🙂
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I am elated for you and for Rotten Tomatoes! Yay! And just delighted you’re in your element at TIFF, fully credentialed and all! It sounds like an interesting line-up and I’ll be curious to hear your take on the various films. Hope you get to meet Carey Mulligan!
Will you be seeing other films in addition to this? Not that this isn’t pretty darned full. And hopefully a little downtime to see some of your favorite Toronto sights, sounds and people! Sounds wonderful to me!
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Jeanie,
O the book to movie list is just for Ripple’s readers. That’s not my viewing list. My list is all for assignment purposes, and I’ve also chosen a few of my own interest. Will be posting them gradually. It’s kind of overwhelming to take in all, and Carey, O Carey, just saw Wildlife today. Her performance deserves an Oscar nom. I also saw Olivier Assayas’ newest and one on the above list: Burning. Reviews to follow.
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Enjoy your film viewing and congratulations on joining the Rotten Tomatoes reviewers! We visit the site fairly often when we’re looking for movies- it would be fantastic to see a reviewer I’m familiar with! (and one who’s reviews I might put a little more stock in than some… 🙂 )
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Thanks Anne! So far I’ve only submitted two reviews from AAPress to RT, and one from Ripple (that’s Guernsey) In case you’re interested in the two on AAPress, they are Crazy Rich Asians and Searching. I’ve embedded the links just for when you want a break. 🙂
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Thanks! I will check them out.
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And I couldn’t resist- thanks for two great review! I didn’t have either film on my radar. I think that will have to change.
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Anne,
I’ve enjoyed Kevin Kwan’s “Crazy” trilogy. He’s a good writer, and that “Crazy” movie is a lively adaptation with a wonderful cast. Prepare for a fun, culture shock. 🙂
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I admit the titles prompted me to scroll past when I was looking through my library’s ebook offerings, but those are now on hold 🙂
Enjoy your time in Toronto!
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Congratulations Arti for your reviews being further recognised. Well deserved.
I look forward to hearing about the films you see at TIFF.
We’ve seen two films recently BlacKkKlansman (good overall, even though it took liberties with the facts BUT it is a feature not a documentary), and Crazy Rich Asians (a rom-com hoot, simplistic, but I’m glad it’s been done. I did enjoy seeing Michelle Yeoh again.)
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WG,
Thanks! As for Crazy Rich Asians, here’s my review on AAPress. It looks simplistic, and of course, as a rom-com, has to follow certain formulaic structure, but is actually very rich (pun not intended) in symbols and cultural meaning. (take e.g. the Mah-jong game towards the end.)
Glad you’d enjoyed it. There are those who avoid it due mainly to the title. I’ve explained a little in my review. I’d enjoyed Kevin Kwan’s Crazy trilogy. There are already plans for the movie sequels.
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I’ll read your review Arti. Yes, my friends and I discussed the Mahjong game at the end. I’ve only “played” it once, but one of our movie group had played it a bit and understood a bit more. I got some cultural references and jokes – such as the red dress and the envelope, but appreciate that there’s a lot that I missed.
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PS and yes, it had to follow the structure as a rom-com which my friend was uncertain about. She said it was “too predictable” but I said “it’s a rom com, it has to be. There was no sense that it was eschewing the genre at all. It was playing it up to the hilt”
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If you think your friend is interested, feel free to forward the link I sent you.
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Will do.
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Just checking in to say congrats! No surprise, however! You are a thorough and thoughtful reviewer.
I look forward to your reviews to see what’s worth squeezing in til things calm down here and I can take a proper look.
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Michelle,
Thanks so much for your kind words and visits all these years! This will likely be the most prolific TIFF for me. 🙂
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Congrats to you!
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Ellen, thanks for walking this path with me all these years! 🙂
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Arti, I’m thrilled for you that you will have an important presence in the reviews on Rotten Tomatoes—you deserve this! You have an encyclopedic knowledge of literature and movies — and you are a beautiful writer who can communicate her thoughts extremely well. Have a wonderful time in Toronto… looking got to your reviews.
Heather W.
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“Looking forward to your reviews” (auto correct missed that one)
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Heather,
You’re too kind. All the knowledge and info are a click away from the encyclopedic, online resources. 🙂 I must thank you and all visitors to the Pond for the pebbles thrown in to create all the ripples – thoughts and feelings in response to my reviews.
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Well done! And enjoy the festival.
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