DeNIRO, WEAVER AND OLSEN-HEADLINING "RED LIGHTS" TO FILM IN TORONTO?

Robert DeNiro at TIFF 2010

Director Rodrigo Cortés heightened his profile significantly at TIFF 2010 with Maple Pictures' Buried and its One Man-Cast of Ryan Reynolds.  It is said that Cortés has completed Pre-Production on his next project titled Red Lights and is now ready to begin filming. 

Red Lights is a Thriller about a Psychiatrist and her Assistant who study Paranormal Activity.  From this, they are led to a Psychic. 

Now here's the Kicker. Attached to the project are Blockbuster names like Sigourney Weaver, Robert DeNiro, Toby Jones, Cillian Murphy and Elizabeth Olsen, younger Sister of Mary-Kate and Ashley.  22 year-old Olsen created quite a bit of buzz at the Sundance Film Festival a couple weeks ago with her performance in Silent House, another Thriller.

Although we are waiting on confirmation whether or not Red Lights will actually film in Toronto, a telling sign is that Pre-production for the Film has taken place in both Barcelona and Toronto.  Tentatively, it is set for a 2012 release.  IMDB indicates that filming indeed will take place in Canada.  Stay tuned.... 

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

FILM REVIEW: THE RITE

Still from The Rite

"What were you expecting, spinning heads and Pea Soup?" Father Lucas Trevant (Anthony Hopkins) asks. Well actually.... yeah. 

Mikael Håfström's The Rite is suggested (note, not based upon) by the Book The Making of a Modern Exorcist by Matt Baglio. Its story centers around one American Priest Michael Kovak (Colin O'Donoghue) who journeyed to Rome, studying at a school for Exorcism after deciding initially that he wanted to retire his apsirations to remain in the Priesthood. Realizing quickly that his College Scholarship would require a $100k repayment, he decides to take up the opportunity in Rome after some blackmail masked thinly as persuasion from Mentor, Father Matthew (Toby Jones).

Failing to connect in a classroom setting under the tutelage of Father Xavier (Ciaran Hinds), Michael is referred over to study as an Apprentice to a trusted name in the field, Father Lucas (Hopkins). Despite witnessing a series of Exorcisms alongside Father Lucas, Michael is left unconvinced still, believing that these Possessions are nothing more than Neuroses.

HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS: PART 1 REVIEW

Still from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 is the latest installment in J.K. Rowland's massively popular adapted franchise and the third to be directed by David Yates. Although Fantasy isn't particularly a favoured genre of mine, even I was able to enjoy this one.

This first half of this final chapter has longtime Wizard friends Harry (Daniel Radcliffe), Ron (Rupert Grint) and Hermione (Emma Watson) out to complete a deceased Dumbledore's mission and defeat the Dark Lord. Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) now controls the Ministry of Magic and he is on a mission to kill Harry, who has managed to escape death time and again in previous installments. Overly-zealous Death Eater Bellatrix Lestrange (Helen Bonham Carter) however, is both ambitious and evil, wanting to earn the honour of being Harry's slayer all her own.

Harry must locate the Sword of Gryffindor which he has inherited through Dumbledore. He believes it is situated in his hometown of Godric's Hollow, where his Parents died also. The Death Eaters who report to the Ministry of Magic, locate Harry and lead him back to Lord Voldemort.  Will Harry, Ron and Hermione be able to escape a doomed fate? And also, as the three of them journey away together, will unresolved issues in their ongoing Love Triangle prove self-destructive?

The ensemble of Grint, Watson and Radcliffe is wonderful, with Watson particularly attention-grabbing with her expressive eyes even where there is no dialogue.  Bonham Carter is absolutely terrifying in her villainous goodness, putting on what might possibly be a performance stronger than her already excellent work in Oscar contender The King's Speech.  And despite only doing Voice Work here, the impeccable Toby Jones as resourceful Elf Dobby, is wonderfully endearing and quite possibly tear-inducing.  Riveting CGI and an engaging story line make the two-plus hours here go by quickly, serving as a perfect build-up to next summer's ultime Finale.

Warner Bros.' Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 has a bit of something for everyone and if you aren't really that big a Harry Potter fan like me, it's still not too late to start.  The Film hits theatres November 19, 2010 and thank God, it's not in 3-D!  Grade: A-