Millennium (1997) – Maranatha, and Paper Dove

With the penultimate episode of the first season, Maranatha, Millennium continues its move towards tying in end of the world mythology (heavily influenced by Christian texts) with the rise in crime, and specifically murder. Frank Black (Lance Henriksen) finds himself brushing up against possible events from the book of Revelations in this story written by…

Mean Streets (1973) – Martin Scorsese

Some people, when you say New York, think Woody Allen. Me, I think, Scorcese, gritty 70s images, and tough guys like Pacino, DeNiro, Keitel and Walken. The next film on the What Else to Watch list from DK Canada’s The Movie Book following its recommendation of Taxi Driver has four of those things, Scorsese, 70s,…

Vampire in Brooklyn (1995) – Wes Craven

There was just no way this one was going to work. But, it’s the next one in DK Canada’s Monsters in the Movies book, so I was happy to at least take a look at it. Hearing about those involved in the film’s production behind and in front of the camera, you had to wonder…

Sophie’s Choice (1982) – Alan J. Pakula

The recommendations from the Great Movies – 100 Years of Film for my screening of Schindler’s List are all powerful and exceptional films, and the first one featured some truly stunning performances. Adapted from the novel by William Styron, Pakula adapted and directed this moving and stunning film that sees Meryl Streep, in an Oscar…

Saturday Night Fever: The Director’s Cut (1977) – John Badham

Paramount Pictures takes you back to the dance floor with the blu-ray and DVD release of the Director’s Cut of the now iconic Saturday Night Fever, which helped to catapult John Travolta, a Sweathog from Welcome Back, Kotter, to super-stardom. It’s easy now to think of the film as a time capsule of the 70s…

Anchors Aweigh (1945) – George Sidney

  Frank Sinatra joins Gene Kelly in this recommendation from the Great Movies – 100 Years of Film book following my screening of Singin’ in the Rain. The two crooners star as naval officers Clarence Doolittle (Sinatra) and Joseph Brady (Kelly). They arrive in Los Angeles, having been decorated for their service on a four…

Do the Right Thing (1989) – Spike Lee

  Writer/director Spike Lee’s powerful drama is the next recommendation from the Great Movies – 100 Years of Film book following my screening of American Beauty. A powerhouse cast brings a multi-cultural street in Brooklyn to life on the hottest day of the year, as the heat builds so does the tension as hate, racism…

TIFF 2015: P.S. Jerusalem (2015) – Danae Elon

  Having its World Premiere today at Scotiabank, and screening again on the 16th and the 19th is this poignant and powerful documentary from filmmaker Danae Elon. Elon invites us into the life of her and her family, as she documents a journey of the heart, and the search and discovery of home. Born in Jerusalem,…

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…