Tackles Toronto Film Festival's

Ricky Buzz is on the ground with a packed schedule, providing an unfiltered look at some of the season's most anticipated films. Operating without a press embargo due to a general public ticket purchase, Buzz is free to deliver immediate reactions and full reviews, offering an unrestricted perspective on the festival circuit.

The week's lineup is ambitious, kicking off with Monday's highly anticipated premiere of Angelina Jolie's Contour, a multilingual exploration of the Parisian fashion world. The festival's first full day on Tuesday promises a genre-bending gauntlet. The morning begins with Netflix's Frankenstein, directed by Oscar-winner Guillermo del Toro and starring Oscar Isaac, Jacob Elordi, and Mia Goth. The film, a high-profile entry into the festival, is expected to have a limited theatrical run before its November Netflix debut, positioning it as a strong contender for the upcoming awards season.

The emotional range continues with I Swear, a heartfelt drama based on the true story of UK Tourette's Syndrome advocate John Davidson, followed by the fantasy romance Eternal Return, starring Naomi Scott and Kit Harington. The day concludes with the midnight selection Karmadonna, a satirical thriller about a pregnant woman receiving murderous instructions from a demon. The film's title, a clever portmanteau of "karma" and "Madonna," hints at its themes of retribution and maternal symbolism.

Mid-week offers a mix of global thrillers and intimate dramas. Wednesday's schedule features Dog 51, a futuristic AI-driven mystery set in a class-divided Paris. Following that is My Father's Shadow, a poignant and critically acclaimed film from Cannes that follows two brothers in 1993 Lagos. The day culminates with the South Korean crime drama Project Y, a premiere about two women attempting a casino heist, with tickets reportedly ranging up to $125 CAD.

The climax of the week arrives on Thursday with Wake Up Dead Man, the third installment in the globally recognized Knives Out franchise. The film, a major theatrical highlight amidst a festival slate featuring many streaming entries, boasts a star-studded ensemble cast including Mila Kunis, Cailee Spaeny, Josh Brolin, Josh O'Connor, Glen Close, and Kerry Washington. In this installment, Daniel Craig's Benoit Blanc faces what is described as his most dangerous case yet, set within a church environment. The film's premiere reignites ongoing industry discussions about the theatrical experience's enduring relevance.

Buzz will also attend the Japanese film Ren Renor, a deeply emotional story about a young girl grappling with her father's terminal illness. The festival's roster is notably global, with films hailing from Japan, Serbia, England, Nigeria, the UK, America, and France. Beyond the screenings, attendees can look forward to discussions with industry heavyweights such as Ryan Reynolds, The Rock, Nia DaCosta, and Tessa Thompson. Buzz expressed regret that a schedule conflict will prevent him from attending the discussion with legendary director Park Chan-wook.

Beyond the Screen: A Dive into Film Culture

The conversation also delved into the podcast's recurring segments, showcasing a deep appreciation for cinematic moments both grand and unconventional.

Set the Scene

The hosts celebrated two memorable, yet underrated, scenes from Quentin Tarantino films. Ricky highlighted a tense moment in Inglourious Basterds where a subtle mistake in a German hand gesture for "three beers" reveals a character's true identity. The segment concluded with a discussion of a comical and insightful scene from Django Unchained where a plantation owner struggles to define the proper way to treat a free Black man.

Grade-A B-Movies

Showcasing their love for cult classics, the hosts discussed two beloved "B-movies." Ricky championed the 1991 Japanese action-comedy The Story of Ricky for its unique blend of martial arts, cheesy gore, and parody. Chris, meanwhile, made a case for the 1987 fantasy film The Barbarians, praising its impressive practical effects and the principled stand of its stars who insisted on casting a woman of color in the lead role, which was uncommon at the time.