Last Night I attended the first ever Toronto After Dark Film Festival Summer screening. It was awesome!
Much like the full festival in the fall, Toronto After Dark (TAD) presents us new rare and interesting films from the horror, sci-fi and cult genres. Festival director Adam Lopez did a wonderful job of selecting and presenting these films. Last night I had the pleasure of seeing Juan of the Dead and the short Ward13.
The real treat, in addition to seeing two great genre films I wouldn’t know existed without TAD, was getting to watch them in the newly renovated Bloor Hot Docs Cinema. This cinema has a place very close to my heart. Many years ago (HAH! – Editor Justin), as a high school nerdling there wasn’t a lot to do, but I could always go to the Bloor. A regular at Rocky Horror Picture Show shadowcasts, I could always find new and interesting films playing at the Bloor, and it was a favourite evening destination for me and my friends. At the Bloor we were always accepted and treated with respect even though we were minors.
At the time we didn’t care how old or run-down the theatre was, but I have to say the fresh look was very much worth the wait. Everything is very fresh: the paint, carpets, bathrooms, box office, seats and the concession stand are all excellent. It seems like everything is new, but the atmosphere in the theatre stayed the same: a bunch of film fans ready to laugh, cheer, applaud, and have a good time. Maybe that had to do with the TAD event, but I have to say this was such a good night to be back at the Bloor for the first time in over a year!
Missed out last night? Good news: Toronto After Dark is continuing their summer screenings on July 11th with Detention & V/H/S. I’ve rarely been disappointed by the films at Toronto After Dark, and while I’m squeamish, they always strike a balance between true horror and silly gore type films. The best clue is the silly gore types play first in the evening.
There will be a film review up on TdotComics.ca tomorrow of Juan of the Dead. Special thanks to Toronto After Dark & The Bloor Hot Docs Cinema for turning a ‘meh’ day into an awesome evening!
