Senez delivers a moving drama that examines familial connections against the backdrop of Tokyo and Japan’s clean break policy when it comes to family separation. Jay (Romain Duris in a role that allows him to deliver a stellar performance) drives a cab at night, while he spends his days trying to find the daughter he…
TIFF24: It Doesn’t Get Any Better Than This dir. Rachel Kempf and Nick Toti
It’s right there in the title, so if you aren’t into found footage films and the restraints (sometimes creatively solved) it puts on the horror subgenre, this may not be the one for you. I reality, Rachel, Nick and Christian are three good friends, and they’ve been making goofy horror movies together since they met,…
Stargate SG-1 (1998) – Tin Man, and There But for the Grace of God
After SG-1 encounters the strange and eccentric Harlan (Jay Brazeau) they return to Earth, better, but discover that despite their memories and personalities, they aren’t human… they’re androids? Tin Man was written by Jeff King and debuted on 13 February, 1998. When they begin to falter at Stargate Command, they have to return to the…
TIFF24: The Order dir. Justin Kurzel
Jude Law plays Terry Husk, an FBI agent who is investigating a murder and a series of large bank robberies along the American Northwest. As he digs in, he begins to suspect it’s all tied to a racist terrorist organization that may be planning a big move. Based on actual events, and just as relevant…
TIFF24: Heretic dir. Scott Beck and Bryan Woods
Scott Beck and Bryan Woods deliver a masterclass in anxiety-inducing tension with Heretic. Shot brilliantly with tight close-ups, Beck and Woods continually ratchet things up even as they present a theology lesson that is as conversation-starting as the film is unnerving. Sister Paxton (Chloe East) and Sister Barnes (Sophie Thatcher) are young Mormons canvassing for…
Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (2024) – George Miller
I love the Mad Max universe, and have enjoyed every single one of the films that George Miller has delivered us that give us looks into that world. I had plans to see the latest film, Furiosa, on the big screen but life happened. So I finally had a chance to settle in and enjoy…
TIFF24: Conclave dir. Edward Berger
Edward Berger’s All Quiet on the Western Front stunned TIFF audiences and now, he’s back, with a cinematic adaptation of Robert Harris’ novel, Conclave. Starring Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow and Isabella Rossellini, Berger delivers a visually arresting dramatic piece that takes viewers inside the Vatican as Cardinals gather from across the globe to…
TIFF24: Nightbitch dir. Marielle Heller
Amy Adams stars in this sharp-toothed film about the trials of motherhood and societal expectations around that role. Delivering a biting inner monologue Adams is completely engaged as an exhausted and angry Mother. She’s left her aspirations of being an artist behind to be a stay-at-home mom while her next-to-never-there husband (Scoot McNairy) continues with…
Mr. Mom (1983) – Stan Dragoti
A screenplay by John Hughes and a starring comedic role for Michael Keaton? What’s not to love? Sure some of the film hasn’t aged well and sadly in the end things go back to the way they were, though both characters have a better understanding of the other’s world. Jack (Keaton) is an automotive engineer,…
TIFF24: The Life of Chuck dir. Mike Flanagan
Tears. Happy tears. When things just feel right, when something is translated so well from page to screen that it looks the way it did in your mind’s eye. The Life of Chuck moved me to happy tears. Mike Flanagan is at the top of his game. He has proven that he excels at adapting…
The Mind Reels 