The God of the Woods (2024) – Liz Moore

Damn this book is good. It had popped up into my feed as a recommendation, and after reading the blurb I was in. I’m not going to say much storywise beyond the blurb because it’s wonderful to see how the narrative plays out. I am going to say, I loved the way Moore crafted her…

TIFF 25: Rental Family dir. Hikari

The Brenaissance continues as Brendan Fraser turns in another fantastic performance, one that leans into his abilities to be both comedic, and deliver great gravitas, often in the same scene. Fraser stars as Phillip, a struggling American actor living in Japan. When he gets a gig as ‘Sad American’ at a funeral, it opens a…

Anyone But You (2023) – Will Gluck

Using Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing as a template (there are quotes and references littered throughout), Will Gluck directs this delightful, and sexy rom-com that stars Glen Powell and Sydney Sweeney. Ben (Powell) and Bea (Sweeney) have a lovely little meet-cute, and have an amazing first date. One that is brought to an abrupt end,…

TIFF ’23: NYAD

Annette Bening gives a career-topping performance as marathon swimmer, Diane Nyad in the true story of her swim from Cuba to Florida. In the late 70s and 80s, Nyad made a name for herself for swimming the English Channel, around Manhattan Island and more, but she was foiled by her attempt to make it from…

Broadcast News (1987) – James L. Brooks

Holly Hunter is a treasure and she sparked in Broadcast News. She shines so wholly that she almost eclipses her co-stars Albert Brooks and William Hurt. James L. Brooks wrote and directed this Oscar-nominated film (seven of them, including best picture, actress, actor, supporting actor and didn’t take home one) that lets a love triangle…

Some Kind of Wonderful (1987) – Howard Deutch

While arguably a riff on his own Pretty In Pink, John Hughes delivers another fantastic teen dramedy, overseen by director Howard Deutch that plays role reversal with its Molly Ringwald alter-ego film. This time the main character is Keith Nelson (Eric Stoltz), a high schooler who wants to be an artist, but his family’s blue…

Big Trouble in Little China (1986) – John Carpenter

I love rolling out with Jack Burton (Kurt Russell) and the Pork Chop Express. From the moment I saw this Carpenter film on the big screen, I knew I would love this movie for the rest of my life. And I’ve yet to be proven wrong on that count. There was a time when I…

Pretty in Pink (1986) – Blu-Ray Review

The 80s classic, Pretty in Pink, written by the voice of a generation, John Hughes, finally comes to blu-ray this week from Paramount Pictures. Molly Ringwald, Andrew McCarthy, Jon Cryer, Harry Dean Stanton, Annie Potts, and James Spader star in this iconic film that resonated with everyone who saw it. Andie (Ringwald) is from the…

Chuck (2010) – Versus the Fake Name, and Versus the Beard

Chuck (Zachary Levi) just can’t get a break. In Chuck Versus the Fake Name, written by Ali Adler, and having an original airdate of 1 March, 2010, Chuck has plans to make dinner (chicken pepperoni) for Hannah (Kristin Kreuk), Ellie (Sarah Lancaster) and Awesome (Ryan McPartlin) but things get sidelined when he has to pose…