TIFF Preview 2014

The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) is the World's largest public film festival. Beginning in 1976 as a collection of films from other festivals around the world, the TIFF has grown to more than 372 films watched by over 400,000 fans from around the globe. Considered by studios to be an ideal release vehicle for their Oscar contenders, TIFF features some of the best films of the year. With all of that in mind, we have decided to profile ten films from the two week long festival. The below films include some of the most highly touted of the year, but in no way serves as a “best of” list. Because the LIST is so huge, I have included an “honorable mention” selection at the bottom.   99 Homes Directed by Ramin Bahrani Starring Michael Shannon, Andrew Garfield In order to save his own home, an unemployed construction worker (Garfield) teams up with a ruthless real estate agent (Shannon) whose job is foreclosing on the homes of others.   Foxcatcher Directed by Bennett Miller Starring Steve Carrell, Channing Tatum Probably one of the most anticipated film of the year, Foxcatcher is the story of megalomaniac wrestling coach (Carrell) who assembles a team of US wrestlers in order to compete globally. In perhaps the best chance he will ever have at an Oscar, Tatum delivers an extremely powerful performance.   The Imitation Game Directed by Morten Tyldum Starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Keira Knightly Another of the most anticipated films at this year's TIFF is The Imitation Game that features rising star Benedict Cumberbatch as the famed British code breaker, Alan Turing during the Second World War. In what promises to be one of the major contenders at this year's Academy Awards, Cumberbatch's heartfelt portrayal of Turing is one that should not be missed.   Manglehorn Directed by David Gordon Green Starring Al Pacino, Holly Hunter In what some are speculating as Pacino's return-to-form, Manglehorn is the newest picture by the talented (although sometimes misguided) David Gordon Green. Pacino plays a small-town locksmith with an eccentric past, whose unrequited love has haunted him for 40 years.   Nightcrawler Directed by Dan Gilroy Starring Jake Gyllenhaal A loner and small time thief (Gyllenhaal) moves to LA where he struggles to survive. After discovering the underground world of crime scene photography, he is sucked into a dark and disturbing trade.   Pawn Sacrifice Directed by Edward Zwick Starring Tobey Maguire, Liev Schreiber Bobby Fischer's (Maguire) harrowing chess match against Russian Grand Master Boris Spassky (Schreiber) is featured in this reality-based drama.   Rosewater Directed by Jon Stewart Starring Gael Garcia Bernal The real-life events behind Rosewater inspired comedy news anchor Jon Stewart to make his foray into film. Depicting the false imprisonment of Iranian-Canadian journalist Maziar Bahari under the guise that he was an international spy.   The Sound and the Fury Directed by James Franco Starring James Franco, John Hamm, Tim Blake Nelson, Joey King James Franco's adaptation of William Faulkner's Southern Gothic masterpiece of the same name. Detailing the dissolution of southern aristocratic family, the Compson's.   St. Vincent Directed by Theodore Melfi Starring Bill Murray, Melissa McCarthy, Chris O'Dowd, Terrance Howard One of my more light-hearted picks centers around a grumpy old conman (Murray) who takes to babysitting his twelve-year-old neighbor. Featuring the same old man, young boy dynamic as the Royal/Ari/Uzi Tenenbaum relationship in the popular Wes Anderson film, the teaming up of Murray and McCarthy promises some good laughs.   Wild Directed by Jean-Marc Vallée Starring Reese Witherspoon Deciding to end her path of self-destruction, a woman finds herself backpacking across the Pacific Crest Trail. Forced in her isolation to reflect on her painful journey and descent into depravity, Reese Witherspoon promises the performance of her career in this powerful drama.   Other Films to watch out for: Adult Beginners Bang Bang Baby Before We Go Boychoir Cake Escobar: Paradise Lost The Face of an Angel Goodbye to Language 3D Hector and the Search for Happiness The Judge Kill Me Three Times A Little Chaos Men Women and Children Love and Mercy Mr. Turner Ned Rifle Preggoland Shelter The Theory of Everything This is Where I Leave You Tusk What We Do in The Shadows While We're Young Whiplash