Do you love being the first to see new movies? If so, here are some of the films opening in Toronto this weekend.
Maria
Maria follows American-Greek soprano Maria Callas (played by Angelina Jolie) as she retreats to Paris after a glamorous and tumultuous life in the public eye. The movie reimagines the legendary singer's final days as the diva reckons with her identity and life choices. Maria is playing at the TIFF Lightbox.
The Heirloom
In the 2024 Canadian comedy The Heirloom, Eric (played by Ben Petrie) is a control freak filmmaker who succumbs to a campaign by his restless partner Allie (played by Grace Glowicki) to adopt a dog. Eager to master the dog-training process with their new rescue, Eric enforces his role as leader of the pack — one that a philosophy that spills recklessly into his art and personal life, taking Allie and dog, Milly, with him. The Heirloom is being screened Friday and Monday at the Revue Cinema with a special cast and crew Q&A.
All the Lost Ones
A future civil war is sparked by government-imposed measures due to climate change. Nia (played by Jasmine Mathews), her sister Penny (played by Vinessa Antoine) and her boyfriend Ethan (played by Douglas Smith) are hiding out when a militia leader and his followers arrive on their doorstep. All the Lost Ones, a Canadian production filmed in northern Ontario, opens Friday at Imagine Cinemas Carlton.
Look Back
Popular, outgoing Fujino (voiced by Yumi Kawai) is celebrated by her classmates for her funny comics in the school newspaper. One day her teacher asks Fujino to share the space with Kyomoto, a truant recluse whose beautiful artwork sparks a competitive fervour. The 2024 film Look Back will screen in in Japanese with English subtitles on Saturday at The Revue Cinema.
Flow
A motley but irresistible crew of animals bands together for an unforgettable adventure in the watery world created by animator and filmmaker Gints Zilbalodis. The Latvia, France and Belgium co-production features no dialogue between a cat, a dog, a lemur, a secretary bird and a capybara who find refuge on a boat after a flood. You can watch Flow this weekend at the TIFF Lightbox.
The Nightmare Before Christmas
While not a new release, the 1993 American gothic stop motion musical The Nightmare Before Christmas is a cult classic. The film will appear on the big screen this Sunday at 3 p.m. at the Paradise Theatre on Bloor Street West. Tired of scaring humans every Oct. 31 with the same old bag of tricks, Jack Skellington, the spindly king of Halloween Town, kidnaps Santa Claus and plans to deliver shrunken heads and other ghoulish gifts to children on Christmas morning. As the big day approaches, Jack’s rag-doll girlfriend, Sally, tries to foil his misguided plans.
