September.  There’s a few things that you can count on: An upcoming NHL season, leaves of red, yellow and orange, and Peyton Manning suiting up for the Colts.  Wait..what?  I’ve just been told that there’s a strong possibility that the NHL season won’t start on time, leaves are either still green or dead because the seasons are all screwed up and Manning plays for the Broncos now.  What the hell happened?  At the end of the day though, there is one thing that you can hold on to.  TIFF.  It’s back.  I’m there.  Let’s do this.

I realize that TIFF started on Thursday, but I’m a busy guy.  I have dogs now and they come first.  Yes, I still have my bunny, Janis Hoplin, but she requires less involvement from a pet standpoint.  It’s 15 seconds in to this blog and I’m already distracted.  If you came to read about pets, then go to my pet blog at www.ireallydon’thaveapetblogiwasjustbeingsillyican’tbelieveyou’restillreadingthisfakewebsite.com.

So…TIFF.  2 films in the evening so I took a late afternoon GO Train ride into this busy metropolis.  The first thing I noticed is that there is a serious lack of crazy people here.  I understand that I work and spend a lot of time in the fucked centre of the universe known as Jackson Square, but I think I always expect more crazy here.  Maybe I’m just not looking hard enough.  Maybe I need to create my own crazy.  Maybe it’s just not there.  No, you’re right.  It’s there.  I’ll find it.

The first thing I needed to do was head to the TIFF box office and pick up my tickets.  I have to say that this was the first time that I can think of where I had a quick and pleasant experience at the TIFF box office.  Well done, TIFF.

First movie of the Festival for me was a documentary called the Act of Killing.  I met Beauty Day director and Film Junk maverick Jay Cheel in line and we discussed the possibility or trying out the new Coke machine at the Scotiabank Theatre.  The Scotiabank Theatre has the `Escalator of Terror` and once had the most amazingly comfortable chairs in the lobby.  What’s so new about this Coke machine? For one thing, it’s do it yourself and 2nd there are over 100 flavour combinations.  Think of drinking Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, Barq’s, and Coke Zero and the possibility of adding in Cherry, Vanilla, Raspberry, Lime, Orange or Cherry/Vanilla?  Crazy, right?  Who the fuck drinks Orange Coke?  Assholes, I guess.  I had Vanilla Coke Zero and it was repulsive.  Jay was pretty milk toast about it and went with Mr.Pibb.  Mr.Pibb is like Dr.Pepper except he didn’t go to medical school, but got a job as an investment banker or something like that.  In refreshing soda retrospect, Jay ended up making the better choice.

Okay, the Act of Killing.  In Indonesia, back in 1965 the military overthrew the government and in order to control the citizens, death squads were created and they helped the army kill more than one million alleged communists, ethnic Chinese, and intellectuals in less than a year.  Usually, in a very sadistic way.  The movie is about killers and murderers who have won.  They’ve never been prosecuted because these death squad leaders are revered as legends in the military.  The military group is so strong now that they are happy to boast about the killings, rigged elections and corruption.  It’s absolutely nuts how freely these men talk about what they did and the joy that it brought them.  They act out scenes to replay their horrors for the film crew including using extras, costumes, make-up and fake blood. No remorse.  Slitting throats, raping children, burning homes, taking money and beating people to death was just all in a days work.

The second film I saw was a horror movie called No One Lives.  Here’s the set up, a gang of thugs kidnap a couple who are moving across the country and discover things aren’t exactly as it seems.  Honestly, if I tell you any more it will ruin everything.  I will say that it’s violent and bloody and hilarious.  This movie was backed by WWE Studios, but sadly it doesn’t star the Rock or ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin or Terry Funk.  There is only one wrestler in it and he has a very small role.  Who is it?  Well, it’s ‘the Funkasaurus’ Brodus Clay!  Anyway, I had a lot of fun watching this.  It’s very theatrical much like a WWE event.  Check it out, you’ll have a blast.

The night ended with a smelly bus ride home complete with an unfortunate seat sharing of a young girl and drunken Uncle Bad Touch.  Well done, 2am Saturday Bloor-Danforth Bus.  You helped me find the crazy after all.

Four films Sunday including cops, sprinters and vampires.