I haven’t seen a movie where things go so wrong at Christmas since the days of Gremlins and Die Hard. In Stalled, a custodian-type everyman, W.C. (writer/star Dan Palmer) finds himself trapped in the women’s washroom at a company party on Christmas Eve when the zombie apocalypse suddenly breaks out. Soon he’s barricaded himself…
Tag: 2013
Toronto After Dark 2013: We Are What We Are – Jim Mickle
TAD’s opening night gala film had all the makings of a crowd-pleaser – a director with a fresh new voice (Mickle also directed Stakeland, which I saw and loved at TIFF a few years ago), a tension-filled plot, and cannibals. I am very happy to say that this one did not disappoint in the…
Toronto After Dark 2013 – Sue’s Most Anticipated Films
I love October! I love the leaves turning colours, I love how clean the air smells (and the fact that there is actually air in the city again), I love love love Halloween! And added to all that is a film festival for me to love – Toronto After Dark, showcasing the year’s best…
TIFF 2013 – CinemaNovels – Terry Miles
It’s possible – even likely – that I am kind of biased towards Lauren Lee Smith in general. I mean, she’s funny, sweet, smart, talented and fairly gorgeous (if you’re into that breathtaking sort of thing), and since Tim and I now count her as almost a friend, it’s only natural that I would…
TIFF 2013 – Hateship Loveship – Liza Johnson
I knew almost nothing about this film going into it – just that it had a wonderful cast and was based on a short story by Alice Munro, which I’ve yet to read. As such, it was nearly impossible for me to predict anything that was going to happen, and before long, I found myself…
Hot Docs: Here One Day – Kathy Leichter
When her mother, Nina, committed suicide by jumping from her apartment window, Kathy Leicher made the decision to move into that same apartment as a way of keeping her mother close. Amongst all of Nina’s belongings was a box of audio tapes which Nina had recorded over the years – a form of journal…
Hot Docs: High Five: A Suburban Adoption Saga – Julia Ivanova
When Cathy and Martin Ward, a suburban Canadian couple living in Surrey, BC, decide to adopt a child from an orphanage in the Ukraine, they have their sights and hearts set on a single infant or toddler. While waiting for the child they want, however, they agree to host a 4-year-old girl, Alyona, for the…
Hot Docs: The Life And Crimes of Doris Payne – Matthew Pond and Kirk Marcolina
When I first read the synopsis of this film – about an 80-year-old notorious international jewel thief – I knew I would be in for a fantastic story, if nothing else. Just looking back on what this woman has seen and done in her lifetime was bound to be incredible. What I didn’t expect, however,…
Hot Docs: Valentine Road – Marta Cunningham
This is another one of those cases where I wish I was a better writer, because nothing I can come up with could possibly cover the gamut of emotions and questions and reactions to this amazing documentary. It’s something I feel everyone should see, and talk about, and then see again. I started my…
Hot Docs: When I Walk – Jason DaSilva
When director Jason DaSilva is suddenly stricken with a severe form of multiple sclerosis, everything changes. Everything about his exterior reality becomes more difficult – and sometimes impossible – and is in constant battle with his internal reality, which feels as though he should still be able to do all the things he could…
The Mind Reels 