#TIFF2016 announcement came with a few surprises

This mornings TIFF announcement came with a few neat surprises, but there were no key fall films from the likes of Ang Lee, Clint Eastwood, Terrence Malick,  Denzel Washington, and Martin Scorsese to be found. That was only the initial slate, a second slate will be announced later this month. These are the five surprises that happened with this morning's announcement:

Christopher Guest's "Mascots"
Who knew this one was brewing. Any film by Gueat is worthy of a watch. His best, A Mighty Wind, was released more than 13 years ago. I very much welcome a comedy to the fest lineup. Most of the titles are dire and dark, but a Guest movie usually celebrates the hidden joys of life. Will probably be key to try and fit this in my itinerary.

Rob Reiner's "LBJ"
Not too many people paid attention to even this movie's existence. With every Reiner film getting released I cross my fingers it'll be the start of a comeback. I mean this is the guy who gave us The Princess Bride, This Is Spinal Tap, Stand By Me, When Harry Met Sally and A Few Good Men, all considered classics today. He's been on the downwards since the mid-90s, but consider me interested in LBJ. He was a tremendously important president and it's nice to see s biopic happening.

Jonathan Demme's "JT + The Tennessee Kids"
Yes, it's a documentary. But, it's Demme. As good as those Neil Young docs have been its about time Demme uses his incredible talent at filming concert footage towards another artist. Because that artist is the highly talented Justin Timberlake the urge is irresistible to find out how the finished product will look like.

Jim Sheridan's "The Secret Scripture"
A vastly underrated filmmaker, Jim Sheridan still has the chops for the blue collar angst he tackled the peak of his career. Based on the popular book about the diary of a patient at a mental facility, the territory is familiar as Sheridan tackled the Irish penitentiary in "In the Name of the Father". Add Rooney Mara and I'm intrigued.

Marc Foster's "All I See is You"
Tell me you're not intrigued by the premise. A blind woman regains sight and discovers the secrets her husband has kept hidden from her all these years. Foster's track record is decent and he could have easily done another high budget blockbuster following his World War Z success, but no he has decided to go back to his roots. Blake Lively stars, but in all honesty I'm less concerned now that I've seen "The Shallows" and know she can act.

Vikram Gandhi's "Barry"
Sundance had "Southside By You" which focused of Barack and Michelle Obama's first date. It was a Linklater-esque type of affair. "Barry" is Vikram Gandhi's look at the President's college days. It features Ashley Judd, and "The Witch" breakout Anya Taylor-Joy. Not much is known beyond its premise, but rest assured after 2011's "Kumare" Gandhi might be ready for the big time. 

Garth Jennings' "Sing"
British actor-director Garth Jennings, whose 2007 debut “Son of Rambow” was praised at Sundance returns  A decade later with his follow-up “Sing”: an animated 3-D musical which features animal characters (including a koala voiced by Matthew McConaughey and his sheep pal voiced by John C. Reilly) who try to rescue their theater from closing. There's a pig named Rosita played Reese Witherspoon, if that doesn't excite you then I don't know what to tell you, but expect something special from Jennings.