NEXT Magazine

Smooth direction overcomes run-of-the-mill script Drifter What: Movie, 147 mins. Where: Toronto International Film Festival When: Mon., Sept. 14; Fri., Sept. 18 Genre: Sports, Drama Rating: NNN (out of 5) Why you should watch: For Kang’s energic and visually appealing direction Drifter actor, writer and director Sung Kang will always be best known for his long-running role as Han in the Fast and Furious saga. Yet here he’s faster and contemplative in this moody ode to the art of drifting.

Who: NOBRO What: Girls Like Us When: Mon., Sept. 14 Genre: Punk, Rock Rating: NNNN (out of 5) Why you should listen: For that unmistakable swagger NOBRO bring to every single. NOBRO are punk personified. Even in the low-key setting that is a 7:30 opener slot at the Bandshell stage at the CNE, the band find a way to push the limits of a family-friendly affair.

TIFF review: Whimsical second half of “Ha-Chan, Shake Your Booty!“ saves tribute to the power of dance Exposition-heavy opening gives way to playful take on grief Rinko Kikuchi as Haru in Ha-Chan, Shake Your Booty! Ha-Chan, Shake Your Booty! What: Movie, 121 mins. Where: Toronto International Film Festival When: Tue., Sept. 15; Wed., Sept. 16 Genre: Drama, Comedy Rating: NNN (out of 5) Why you should watch: For a handful of whimsical dance numbers.

What: The Importance of Being Earnest Where: Stratford’s Avon Theatre, 99 Downie St., Stratford ON When: Now, until Fri., Oct. 23 Why you should go: To see some of the funniest characters in the Western dramatic canon Throughout my matinee showing of The Importance of Being Earnest at the Stratford Festival, I am surprised by the laughter.

TIFF Review: ‘Wild Horse Nine’ is an unexpectedly moving bromance McDonagh Americanizes his humour to good effect John Malkovich and Sam Rockwell in Wild Horse Nine Wild Horse Nine What: Movie, 118 mins. Where: Princess Of Wales Theatre, Scotiabank Theatre When: Mon., Sept. 14 (3 pm), Tue., Sept. 15 (9:30 pm), Sat., Sept. 19 (9 pm), Sun., Sept. 20 (10:15 am) Genre: Drama, Thriller Rating: NNNN (out of 5) Why you should watch: To be charmed by seemingly charmless people.

TIFF review: Bardem shines as fragile director in plodding ‘The Beloved’ Overly long opening scene sets tone for a film that’s lacks development Victoria Luengo (left) and Javier Bardem in The Beloved The Beloved What: Move, 135 mins. Where: Princess of Wales Theatre, Scotiabank, TIFF Lightbox When: Sun., Sept. 13 (2:45 pm), Mon., Sept. 14 (11:15 am), Fri., Sept. 18 (10:45 am), Sun., Sept.

Oasis: Don’t Look Back in Anger What: Movie, 123 mins. Where: In theatres, eventually on Disney+ When: Fri., Sept.

TIFF review: Nigeria-set Virginia Woolf adaption “Clarissa” is a visual treat Sophie Okonedo magnetic as regretful socialite Sophie Okonedo as Clarissa in Clarissa Clarissa What: Movie, 134 mins. Where: Toronto International Film Festival When: Sat., Sept. 12 Genre: Drama Rating: NNNN (out of 5) Why you should watch: For Jonathan Bloom’s gorgeous 35 mm cinematography that makes this one of the festival’s best-looking films.

Over 400 films will screen across downtown Toronto – including shorts, bringing household names and homegrown talent together at the 51st annual Toronto International Film Festival, between Sept 10 and 20. Here’s a few selections of Canadian films that we’ve got on our radar this year. You can view the full festival schedule here. Where and when: TIFF Lightbox 1, Sun., Sept. 13, 9:30 pm; Scotiabank Theatre 14, Tue., Sept. 15, 6:15 pm; Scotiabank Theatre 4, Sat., Sept.

TIFF review: Chemistry of leads in “The Unknown” saves poorly paced body horror Lack of mystery saved by emotional turmoil within the lead performances Lea Seydoux in The Unknown The Unknown What: Movie, 139 mins. Where: Toronto International Film Festival When: Tue., Sept. 15, Thurs., Sept. 17 Genre: Drama, Horror Rating: NNN (out of 5) Why you should watch: For a great pair of lead performances that carry the film’s emotional tone.