Mahmoud Bassem Samra: Joe Wright

Yousry Nasrallah Dept: After the Battle: A soapy story dulls Yousry Nasrallah s Egyptian timely drama of the aftermath of the Arab Spring social uprisings, which nevertheless asks the pointed question: What s more important, jobs or democracy? Based on The Battle of the Camels of early 2011, in which camel and horse riders clashed with government forces in Tahrir Square, it follows the travails of humble horseman Mahmoud Bassem Samra , who gets caught in life-changing events, both in the street and at home female trouble times two . All politics may be personal, but this just gets simplistic and sudsy. Peter Howell, according to The Star. Anna Karenina: Joe Wright s high-concept retelling of Tolstoy s famous morality tale about love, seduction and duty aided with a pared-down script by Oscar-winner Tom Stoppard that doesn t completely clear up the confusing multiple names in Russian novels won t be everybody s cup of borscht. But it is so gorgeous and stylistically wrought it s hard to take your eyes off the elaborate spectacle. Wright s version takes place in a lavish 19th-century theatre, much of it onstage. The carefully choreographed set pieces and stunning costumes highlight Keira Knightley s skilful portrayal of the alternating flighty and tragic heroine, with Jude Law as her reserved, cuckolded husband Alexei, and Aaron Johnson as the dashing Count Vronsky who steals her heart and destroys her soul. Linda Barnard Wondering what to see at this month s Toronto International Film Festival ? Here is a selection of capsule reviews by Star critics and entertainment writers. Titles of recommended movies are preceded by a . Find screening times and other festival information at tiff.net/thefestival . Amour: Michael Haneke s dramatic two-hander, the Palme d Or winner at Cannes 2012, is a quietly devastating illustration of how tough the for better or worse marriage pact can be when or worse occurs. An elderly couple veteran French actors Jean-Louis Trintignant and Emmanuelle Riva are put to the test when the wife suffers one stroke and then another, robbing her first of speech and then mobility. Together they must find a way to endure, as the end approaches. It s one of the simplest and arguably the most passionate films of Haneke s incredible career, sure to be a candidate for Best Foreign-Language Film at the next Academy Awards. PH (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.