The film that opened LightBox, the multiplex/gallery/condo-tower/festival-headquarters in the middle of this years edition of TIFF, was Bruce McDonald’s Trigger (Rot’s Review) which went a long way toward adding a scrappy spirit, and a bit of the old T-dot love, to all the pomp and circumstance of a project that was hyped for years around Toronto. The best eulogy-film since Robert Altman’s A Prairie Home Companion, Trigger is a film about community (using many of the McDonald-regulars) and relationships and the spirit of keep on keepin’ on. Tracy Wright’s star has never shone brighter than her all night bickering, conversation and reflection with her friend and rival Molly Parker. Equal parts Before Sunset, My Dinner With Andre and good old fashioned Rock n’ Roll, Trigger is getting a full run at Lightbox starting September 30th, and the first few screenings, McDonald will be on hand to intro the film and Q&A with the audience. If you are in Toronto, check out McDonald’s entertaining look at death and friendship to come along in a while.

For a local cinema-goer, the new TIFF LIGHTBOX, is a weird mix of ultra-corporate polish, über-arthouse-fare and down-and-dirty cinema (such as Colin Geddes’ upcoming Grindbox presentation). It is an odd mix, that sort of is the spirit of the TIFF-group in general. They have their five screens running year round, giving full releases to films that do not often get that treatment (case in point with Apichatpong Weerasethakul’s Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives), and often they get the directors (especially when they are local) to come and intro the films, a la the local festival environment.

Full show times September 30th – Oct 6th

Thursday 12:30, 2:45, 5:15 (with intro and Q&A by Bruce McDonald), 7:30, 10:00
Friday 12:30, 2:45, 5:15, 7:30, 10:00, 11:45
Saturday 12:30, 2:45, 5:15 (with intro and Q&A by Bruce McDonald), 7:30 (with intro by Bruce McDonald)
Sunday 1:00, 3:30, 7:30, 9:30
Monday 7:30, 10:00
Tuesday 12:30, 2:45, 5:15, 7:30, 10:00
Wednesday 12:30, 2:45, 5:15, 7:30, 10:00

The 60 second teaser trailer is tucked under the seat.