We are 7 days into the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) and full disclosure: I am absolutely crashing out. I have crossed the 70 festival film mark with a steady average of 5-6 films a day on the ground, so you can imagine how mushy my brain is after consuming so much cinema in such a short period of time. But there are more films to see, and some true standouts among the wreckage of my mind, so here are 6 under the radar films that we highly recommend putting on your must-see list immediately.
“The Furious“
One of the only Midnight Madness films I stayed up into the wee hours of the morn for. I love a good martial arts action film, and “The Furious” combines performers and fight choreographers from across the world into one non stop collection of fisty cuff carnage. All styles are welcomed here, and while narratively it doesn’t reinvent the wheel it sports some of the most exhiliterating and unbelievable fight sequences you’ll see all year. “The Furious” never stops, quickly moving from one action sequence to the next with little to no fluff in between. It is the definition of unrelenting, and the pure unadulterated violence is enough to satiate even the most bloodthirsty action fans. I have never seen anything like the final 40 minutes of “The Furious,” and if you’re even kind of a fan of martial arts cinema, this is the movie for you!
“Carolina Caroline“
I could legitimately watch Samara Weaving and Kyle Gallner two fall in love and so crimes all day. “Carolina Caroline” is an achingly romantic southern style “Bonnie & Clyde” emotionally packed with longing and heartache, super charged by electric chemistry between its two leads and one of the most riveting finally 30 minutes of the fest. It’s stunning road trip movie that really works to attach the audience to its protagonists and watch the wander the country together. Director Adam Rehmeier continues to demonstrate his varied talents, with “Carolina Caroline” feeling nothing like his previous film “Snack Shack” and excelling in distinct genre experiments he feels called to operate in. It requires some patience as its anchored on the listlessness of its leads on the road of self discovery and new love, but “Carolina Caroline” culminates in a gut punch conclusion that genuinely left me in tears.
“Eternity“
Goddammit. “Eternity” made me a sappy mess. A hopelessly romantic romcom that wears its heart on its sleeve, elevated by a knockout cast and exquisite world building. A surprisingly genuine look at love and loss and the million small things that make life worth living. I’m not the biggest romcom fan, but “Eternity” does both well with its well balanced blend of romance and comedy. Sure, it’s predictable and can be accused of being a bit too cliche ridden and uninterested in some of the more pressing ideas it presents, but it works in spite of it all and really tugs at the heartstrings. I’m as surprised as you are that a romcom made the list, but this was genuinely a delight and reminded me how wonderful it is to love and be loved. “Eternity” reminded me how much I love arguing in the car about traffic with my partner and I literally sent her flowers the next day, just because. It’s THAT kind of sappy romance and I dug it. Starring Miles Teller, Elizabeth Olsen, Callum Turner, John Early, and Oscar winnner Da’Vine Joy Randolph.
“Nuremberg“
Dad movies have never been more BACK! As the head of the Rami Malek hate club, “Nuremberg” is by far his best performance, and I continue to be all in on Russell Crowe doing accents. Leo Woodall has the juice and the rest of cast is comprised of reliable character actors who all understand the assignment.  “Nuremberg” is such a riveting, entertaining courtroom drama that never once feels its length and moves at a breakneck but engaging pace. Sure it trades out historical accuracy for their own “A Few Good Men” moment, but it’s so goddamn cinematic it doesn’t even matter. It also leaves you with an unsettling reminder that we are more that capable of repeating the worst of history and that holds hauntingly relevant now more than ever. Genuinely shocked by how good this was and how much I loved this.
“Hedda“
“Downton Abbey: After Dark,” Nia DaCosta directs the hell out “Hedda,” a gossipy, jazzy tension riddled pressure cooker chamber piece of escalating manipulation amid a night of debauchery among high society. A bold reimagining of the famed play, DaCosta proves her talents with exquisite directorial confidence and camera work and announces herself a true award worthy filmmaker. Tessa Thompson is an absolute tour de force, electric and firece and sultry as she prances around the party in fancy gowns stirring up shit with every snake like word she utters. Nina Hoss is equally excellent, reviving “Hedda” into a catty film about women by women in a man’s world and the means they use to carve their way despite the casualties they leave behind. “Hedda” is sure to thrive on a second watch and I can’t wait for more people to see this.
“Tuner“
If you took “Good Will Hunting” and “Thief” plus the jazz of “Collateral” and threw it in a blender the result would be “Tuner,” a shockingly brilliant hybrid of some of my personal cinematic favs without ever feeling like its trying to BE any of its inspirations. It is a true MOVIE movie, and makes Leo Woodall 2 for 2 at TIFF and proves the guy has the juice to be a leading man. Impeccable sound design and a taut script propel this hidden gem into a must see indie darling, the kind of movie people don’t always hear about until someone who has seen it tells them they HAVE to watch it. “Tuner” may be one of my top surprise favorites from the fest so far, a film comprised of everything I love about movies and one that fully executes on its premise. It’s just a good time at the movies and I’m pulling for “Tuner” to get a much bigger stage with more audiences able to check it out. It’s GOOD ya’ll.
We’ve got plenty more films lined up and many more reviews to come, so stay tuned!
