The Gift is definitely an underrated entry in Sam Raimi’s filmography. It lacks the frenetic energy in a number of his films but is completely engrossing in the way it unfolds. With a ceaselessly moving camera, Raimi tells a captivating ghost story that was written in part by Billy Bob Thornton, which was based in…
Tag: camera
TIFF: Musicals! The Movies That Moved Us – Singin’ In The Rain (1952)
When the musical made the leap from stage to screen, it opened everything up, not just in terms of accessibility for the viewing audience, but the scope of the storytelling canvas – things were no longer confined to a stage, the settings, the choreography, the characters could live in a whole new way. Cameras could…
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004) – Alfonso Cuaron
Despite the box office success of the previous two Harry Potter films, the franchise really comes into its own with a change of directors, the masteful Alfonso Cuaron settles into the chair taking over from Chris Columbus who moved into a producer’s role for this entry. Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint return for…
The Bourne Identity (2002) – Doug Liman
Matt Damon takes on the role of Robert Ludlum’s most famous creation in the 2002 adaptation of his novel. While it could be argued that Paul Greengrass perfected the Bourne storytelling style with Supremacy and Ultimatum, Liman introduced all the visual language of that style in the first film. When compared to its sequels, even…
Strange Weather (2017) – Joe Hill
Joe Hill delivers another great read with this collection of four short novels, all of whom, in some form or another tie in with strange weather. Each of the stories are about one hundred pages each, and completely captivate with Hill’s addictive narratives, and engaging characters, details, and horrifying moments. Snapshot delves into a bit…
Moonlighting (1989) – Perfetc, and When Girls Collide
This week brings us the penultimate instalment of my Moonlighting exploration. It all wraps up, somehow, next week. But first let’s get through these two episodes. Up first is Perfetc. Written by James Kramer, Chris Ruppenthal and Jerry Stahl from a story by Jeff Reno and Ron Osborn it debuted on 9 April, 1989. David…
Jules et Jim (1962) – Francois Truffaut
The Directory, the final part of DK Canada’s The Movie Book continues to bring me exemplary films to expand my cinematic education, and today it brings me a classic Truffaut film. Adapting the novel of the same name by Henri-Pierre Rochem, Truffaut serves not only as director but writer and producer as well. The film…
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1998) – Far Beyond the Stars, and One Little Ship
Station log: stardate unknown Avery Brooks directs this exemplary episode from a script by Ira Steven Behr and Hans Beimler from a story by Marc Scott Zircee. It first aired on 11 February, 1998. The episode sees Benjamin Sisko (Brooks) being given a full sensory vision by The Prophets that allows him to become Benny…
Das Boot (1981) – Wolfgang Petersen
The next big title in DK Canada’s highly enjoyable The Movie Book is the Oscar winning German film Das Boot from prolific director Wolfgang Petersen. This has always been a great film, and I love that I got to settle in and watch this film play out on my screen (again). Set during World War…
Apocalypto (2006) – Mel Gibson
DK Canada’s The Movie Book brings me a fantastic adventure film as the next title on the What Else to Watch list following its recommendation of Aguirre, The Wrath of God. And let’s be clear, no matter what one thinks of Mel Gibson, personally, one has to recognize he does have a talent for acting…
The Mind Reels 