Sue and I were delighted to sit down with the director, Christy Garland, and the subjects of the truly enjoyable documentary, Cheer Up, a film that follows a cheer coach, Miia Norvapalo, and two of her squad, Patricia Fisk and Aino Selin through their personal lives, as well as their race to win the…
Category: Did You See That?!? (Tv & Film)
Hot Docs 2016: The Mind Reels chats with Aim for the Roses
Hot Docs is well under way and Sue and I are having a great time!! We’ve seen some great films, and have had some wonderful interviews. We chatted with John Bolton and Mark Haney, the director and subject of Aim for the Roses, a doc, by Bolton, about a concept album, by Haney, about a failed attempt…
Hot Docs 2016: Life, Animated – Roger Ross Williams
If there is a more honest, emotional and human film at this year’s Hot Docs Film Festival, I can’t imagine what it could be. Owen Suskind, the young autistic man who is the focus of William’s objective eye, is a brilliant soul, and we learn through the film, his story, his life, and his…
Toronto Screenwriting Conference – The Mind Reels Interviews
The Toronto Screenwriting Conference weekend may be over, but, the ideas, and creative juices are still flowing. Sue and I have been throwing around all manner of ideas, from writing a spec script to get in the habit of writing for the television format, to tossing around story ideas for series that we would…
Hot Docs 2016: Obit – Vanessa Gould
Having its international premiere this evening at 9:15 at the Bloor Hot Docs Cinema, is what may be my favorite documentary at the festival so far. With additional screenings on Tuesday May 3 at 3:45 at the Isabel Bader Theatre, and again at 9:15 on Saturday May 7, with a final screening at the…
Hot Docs 2016: Wizard Mode -Nathan Drillot & Jeff Petry
Robert Gagno is a brilliantly talented pinball wizard, he is also autistic. And amidst the flashing lights, electronic sounds, and crowds of people, he comes of age as he travels to Pinburgh, the pinball competition mecca of the world. Wizard Mode introduces us to Robert, a young man, with an easy smile, a knack…
Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011) – Rupert Wyatt
Ten years after the last film, Fox reinvigorated the Planet of the Apes series as I continue my exploration of it with the Sci-Fi Chronicles book. Featuring a stunning performance by mo-cap superstar, Andy Serkis, and emotional performances from both James Franco, and John Lithgow, the film gets the series back on track after…
Toronto Screenwriting Conference 2016 Day 2
The creativity and writing began early as day 2 of the Toronto Screenwriting Conference got underway this morning with showrunner Stephen Falk (Orange is the New Black, Weeds, and You’re the Worst) took to the stage to talks about how to break a season, or specifically how he and his writer’s room, break a…
Hot Docs 2016: Cheer Up – Christy Garland
Having its World Premiere this evening at Scotiabank at 7pm is this charming, emotional, little gem, that takes us to northern reaches of Finland’s Arctic Circle, and into the lives of some wonderful young women, cheerleaders, who have big hearts, and bigger dreams. Led by their coach Miia, this cheerleading team tries to win…
Hot Docs 2016: Fear Itself – Charlie Lyne
Screening this evening at 10pm at the Lightbox, and again on May 3rd at 3:45pm, before moving to the Bloor Hot Docs Cinema for a final screening om May 4 at 9:45pm. An experiential film, a solo voice, that of Amy E. Watson, guides the narrative as she recalls and experiences fear as brought…
