Movie Review: Drive

And while I spent so much time volunteering and hanging around TIFF, I even wrote a movie review published on andPOP!


CLICKIE...only if you want to...

Rating: 4.5/5

If you’re looking for another heartthrob-worthy performance from Ryan Gosling, you won’t be getting much of that in Drive.

But nevertheless, you won’t be able to keep your eyes off him.

In Drive, Gosling is mysterious and riveting and the only name available for his character is Driver.

A Hollywood stunt driver and mechanic by day, Driver serves as a wheelman for night time heists.

In early scenes of the movie, he’s helped by his boss and mentor Shannon (played by Malcolm in the Middle’s Bryan Cranston) who gives him a Chevy Impala to  drive his clientele around to do their dirty deeds.

All goes well until he gets involved with his neighbour Irene (Carey Mulligan) and her young son Benicio. When her  husband Standard (Oscar Isaac) is released from prison, Irene and Benicio’s safety is at risk.

Gosling’s ‘Driver’ tries to save the situation by helping Standard steal money from a pawn shop.  But when the heist goes awry, it’s up to ‘Driver’ to take things in his own hands.

Fresh from Nicolas Winding Refn’s Best Director win at the Cannes Film Festival, Drive is an excellent action-drama thriller packed with violence and exciting car chases. Much like the style of Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill: Vol. 1 and Pulp Fiction, the film is filled with blood and gore.  Though the movie lacks dialogue,  Refn somehow makes it work through the film’s characters’ actions and expressions.

While Gosling is supported by a talented cast that includes the likes of Christina Hendricks, Albert Brooks, Mulligan and Cranston, he holds his own playing the violent and badass Driver. And while there isn’t much that can be learned about the Driver, you’ll somehow still be swooning over him as he tries to save the day in order to protect the girl he’s fallen for.

Drive may not be for everyone due to its violence and gore, but it’s definitely a film worth watching. With a retro ’80s-inspired score and beautiful shots of the Los Angeles streets and skylines, it will keep the audience  jumping in their seats from all the adrenaline and tension that arises from the film.


(Photo courtesy of andPOP) 

Late Update: TIFF

Holy moley. It's probably been three weeks since I last posted on this thing?

Well, apologies x 1 million!  School has been really busy...and I never expected it to be this stressful!!!

First of all, I would like to say that after seeing Drive at TIFF, I ended up seeing three more movies for free
From what I saw, my recommendations would be From the Sky Down, Damsels in Distress (surprisingly!), and Where do We Go Now?

DO NOT, I TELL YOU, waste your time watching Wuthering Heights.

The film was boring, lacked dialogue, was too long, and the acting was horrible.  Maybe I'm just being overly-dramatic and critical, but what I did know was that I should have watched something else with my volunteer voucher. I guess you could say the good that came out of the film was taking someone's second-hand popcorn they left (probably because the movie was a hot mess) and joking with my friend Beth.

By the way, when I mean second hand popcorn, it technically was not taking someone's trash and eating it when they left more than half of their box full of popcorn...but make your judgments.

On the other hand, the People's Choice movie, Where do We Go Now?, was a pleasant surprise. Directed by Lebanese actor/writer and director Nadine Labaki, the film touches on the sensitive issue of religious conflicts while adding in a little heart and humour.

Overall, TIFF was an incredible experience. I am definitely going to rush line films again!  Rushing is probably the most exhausting and best part of TIFF.  Not to mention, seeing the beautiful face of Ryan Gosling here and there.

Alas, I will end off with a couple of pictures I shot from the red carpet of 50/50.  Which of course, I need to see!!

P.S.  I was a little bit disappointed when Joseph Gordon-Levitt didn't stop by for photos or autographs.  I'd just like to say that half the people waiting were there just for him.  He made a lot of people angry that day.  But on another note, Seth Rogen signed my  poster!

Goes to show Canadians keep it classy.

 JGL why you lookin'so smug?!

 High fives all around with Seth Rogen!

 "AHUHEHEHE."That's how he laughs. 

Keepin it classy Rogen. Keepin' it classy.

TIFF 2011: Waiting in Line for Drive.

As you all know, the Toronto International Film Festival is in town...and I get to be part of it!

I am of course, a volunteer this year. As a result, I get to see a ton of movies and also some celebrities!!

While I was off duty on Saturday, I lined up for Drive, which of course stars the gorgeous and immaculate Ryan Gosling. I was at Roy Thomson Hall the day before to try and catch a glimpse of him and George Clooney...which failed quite miserably. People kept pushing...and to make things even better, a 6 foot dude decided to stand in front of me...blocking my view.

I did however, catch Clooney's face and Ryan Gosling's hair that day. Since I was disappointed about not seeing Ryan Gosling, I felt the need to rush Drive the next day. Apart from that, I really wanted to see the film  anyways.

So, after my early morning shift, my cousin and I headed down to the Ryerson Theatre to line up extra early. You would think we were crazy (okay, maybe a little) but we ended up getting free tix! (I'll get to that later)

The first red carpet gala I caught was for Melancholia starring Kiefer Sutherland, Kirsten Dunst and Alex Skarsgard. I heard the film was quite amazing, and now I am determined to watch it!!

Here are some shots I caught while stuck in the scrum of madness (AKA the people asking for autographs just so they could sell them on eBay.)

Not super amazing, but close enough. Kiefer Sutherland walks the red carpet.

Alex Skarsgard signing autographs for fans

Striking a pose on the red carpet.

Kirsten Dunst signing for some fans. 

I LOVE HER OUTFIT!!!!!

So after than fun, it was time for some more waiting!! These girls tried asking to get in front of me which I immediately declined. I was already in the front of the line. There was NO WAY I was letting them butt in. I was there waiting for three hours already!! Honestly, I really don't know how or what compelled these people to ask such a ridiculous question.

And of course, when 5:30 rolled by, the cast of Drive was starting to arrive!! I really could not contain my excitement to finally see Ryan Gosling! I'm so sorry Patrick Chan. I still love you but Ryan Gosling has captured my heart as well...(wow that sounds really creepy).

Seriously, would you look at that face?! 

It was hard to take pictures, but I was soon delighted to find out some really good news! Me, along with my cousin and two other friends, won reserved seats courtesy of Diet Coke because we were in the front of the rush line!! 

See, sometimes it pays to line up for six hours!! 

HAHA.  And while I thoroughly enjoyed Drive, nothing beat seeing Ryan Gosling in the flesh and on stage being all sexy and such. (Okay, I really have to stop...)

As for a more detailed review of Drive, that will come later!!

So now, I will just leave you with two pictures of Ryan Gosling.

Sorry if it's dark!!!!

TIFF and then some

I attended the Toronto International Film Festival yesterday and boy, was it exhausting.  Though as tired as I am, lining up for 6 hours just to get a hold onto some rush tickets was well worth it.  You may think I'm crazy for doing this, but if you love movies and seeing famous people, the experience never gets boring!  I was lucky enough to have a ledge to sit on, and while waiting in line, we met some very nice and interesting people!  I have found a contact to buy English Textbooks from, AND I also got to take pictures of movie stars...and Canadian Rapper K-0s!!!

It's the HOT Andrew Garfield (he's the new Spiderman FYI), and Carey Mulligan! Carey is wearing a modified Christopher Kane Dress that looks very intergalactic and space-like. Love the print, unsure about the design.

Toronto's Kier Gilchrist (starring in It's Kind of a Funny Story) looking very sharp, on the red carpet.  I thought he was much taller!

Here is the cast of It's Kind of a Funny Story.  Directors Ryan Fleck and Anna Boden, Kier Gilchrist who plays Craig, Zach Galifianakis as  Bobby and Emma Roberts as Noelle.

It's Kind of a Funny Story was a great, coming of age film.  It is serious, but still offers the humour and talents of the cast such as Zach Galifianakis, and Gilchrist to name a couple.  As well, the soundtrack is filled with Canadian indie band Broken Social Scene! Best part of the movie?  An 80s inspired music video using the song Under Pressure by Queen.  The downfall?  Watching at the very front to see distorted faces up on the movie screen. But who cares!  I saw the movie stars up close!!!

And to prove that waiting in line wasn't so boring, I met K-Os!!! 

P.S.  I LOOK LAME!!!