It’s almost time for one of the best film festivals on the planet! If you’ve been following Entertainment Maven then you know that I will be covering/reviewing the entire Midnight Madness segment of the festival, that focuses on wicked, weird and wonderful films from around the world. Midnight Madness features the programming of Colin Geddes, who in the past has unveiled exciting horror, martial arts, action and black comedy films. If you like to stay up late, experience a few thrills and don’t mind being shocked once in a while, then Midnight Madness is probably for you.
In addition to the Midnight Madness program, I will also be attending and reviewing seven other screenings, for a total of 17 films in 11 days! Gasp! Make sure to check in with Entertainment Maven throughout the festival (September 8 – 18) to see which films impressed and which ones fell flat on their faces. Below is a list of the seven additions to my lineup. Check out the Midnight Madness preview here. If you need to buy tickets or just want to see what is still available, then check out the TIFF website.
Let the madness begin!
388 Arletta Avenue
A thriller set in Toronto, in which a married couple are unknowingly under constant surveillance. Will the privileged couple discover the true nature of the voyeurs or will they fall victim to their own paranoia? The interesting thing about this film is that every single shot is from either a surveillance or handheld camera.
Intruders
A film that promises to transcend the horror genre by taking a fresh look at the primal fear of the unknown. Clive Owen plays a father who cannot protect his daughter from a faceless intruder named Hollow Face. The film blurs the line between real and imaginary as the family searches for a way to protect themselves from their unseen assailant.
The Moth Diaries
A vampire story set in an all-girls boarding school. Like Intruders, The Moth Diaries will walk the fine line between the real and the imaginary.
Alois Nebel
This is my dark-horse pick of the festival, an animated film out of the Czech Republic. The trailer for Alois Nebel just oozes atmosphere. The film follows a troubled train dispatcher haunted by memories of the Cold War.
The Sword Identity
Although it will probably contain some excellent traditional fighting scenes, The Sword Identity is being billed as a philosophical or historical essay on screen.
From up on Poppy Hill
From Goro Miyazaki, the son of the great Hayao Miyazaki, comes the director’s second feature length film. From up on Poppy Hill tells the story of a group of teens that stage a protest in an attempt to save their clubhouse from being demolished, in order to make way for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics.
A Letter to Momo
Seven years in the making, A Letter to Momo is a hand drawn animated tale about supernatural events on a small island and young Momo’s attempt to find the source of the disturbances.
Entertainment Maven 
I have been going to TIFF for the better part of 20 years and have never made it to Midnight Madness — and this year is no exception. I am looking forward to reading your reviews. I am going to 47 movies and will be reviewing them — or at least giving some opinions. Hope you check out some of mine. Have a great festival!
Thanks for reading, I will absolutely check out your reviews!