Film Fest Blog: Saturday, Sept. 9, 2006

There’s not much worse than this: waking up bright and early after about four hours of sleep, rushing to get to an interview in time, and as you go to check-in with the publicist, find out you’re a day early.
I was supposed to (well thought I was supposed to) interview the director of “Citizen Duane,” Michael Mabbott Friday morning. Apparently I wrote it down wrong and I’ll be speaking to him today instead. My interview with the cast of the film is also today, not Friday, meaning I had time to kill.
I caught a screening of the new Ashton Kutcher and Kevin Costner film, “The Guardian,” in advance of today’s press day with the two actors. More on that tomorrow. My thoughts on the film? As per Disney screening policy, I cannot write an official review of the film until the week of release. I will however say this. It is a film that stars Ashton Kutcher and Kevin Costner.
Went back to the IT Lounge at the 4 Seasons, no, not for more free stuff. My phone died and I needed to reply to emails, and the lounge has a computer available to use (thanks!) and of course, a plug! Also, talked with one of the sisters who runs The Right Hand Gal, the jewelry company I mentioned yesterday. I wrote that they were with one of their daughters, which I was completely wrong about; it was an employee, not blood related. This makes much more sense, seeing as Shawna and Randi Herlich and too young to have teenaged/20-something children.
At around 10, headed over to the Chum building where they had their annual Star! Schmooze event.
Paul Fox, director of “Everything’s Gone Green,” who I interviewed Thursday, stopped in front of me on the red carpet and mentioned how he was talking about our interview with the film’s writer, Douglas Coupland. They had discussed my observation that Paulo Costanzo’s character, Ryan, was relatable, even as he became greedier and greedier. This was not, as Coupland explained, intentional, yet he says it’s a reflection of today’s society, one with blurred boundaries. I will make more sense of that once I write a bigger feature on the film, but something you can take away from this now: yes, it’s a Canadian film, and yes, some Canadians are scared by that description, but take a chance and support Canuck products and start with this film.
Samuel L. Jackson showed up, posed for cameras for all of three seconds, and went into the party. Perhaps he’s avoiding questions like, “what was with the disappointing opening of Snakes on a Plane?”
Also at the Schmooze: Eugene Levy, many Canadian actors, the lady who won Canada’s Next Top Model, Brittany Snow from “Hairspray,” Shawn Ashmore and Lyriq Bent.
After that, I headed to Chanel, where Time Magazine was throwing a party for Penelope Cruz. I was there for about 5 minutes on the tiny black carpet and it started to rain, so away from Chanel I went and called it a night.
Other film fest notes:
-Vince Vaughn appeared in Toronto to open his film, “Vince Vaughn’s Wild West Comedy.” Don’t expect to see much of him around town as he is heading out quicker then you can say…
-Brad Pitt is scheduled to be in Toronto today for a few minutes for his film “Babel.”
-The Flaming Lips played a secret show at Gabys, home of the party for “Summer Camp,” starring camp counselors you have never heard of unless they were your counselor.
-Norman Jewison left the Schmooze party before the cameras even started rolling.
-Borat pleased fans by posing for pictures and signing autographs outside his hotel.
The next two blog postings are going to be packed! Don’t miss them.
Related Stories:
- Film Fest Blog: Monday, Sept. 11, 2006
- Film Fest Blog: Friday, Sept. 15, 2006
- Film Fest Blog: Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2006
- Film Fest Blog: Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2006
- Film Fest Blog: Sunday, Sept. 10, 2006