TAD 2022: Evil Eye dir. by Isaac Ezban

Spookiness abounds at Scotiabank Theatre tonight as Toronto After Dark continues. Having its Canadian premiere this evening Is the Mexican film, Evil Eye, a creepy entry that blends childhood terror with fairy tales and family. The fear of being in a big house that has memories that aren’t yours but is connected to your family,…

How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000) – Ron Howard

I’m very particular about my holiday specials when it comes to television and movies. My treasured titles are very select, and I get very put out when a new one is thrust upon me. I love A Charlie Brown Christmas, Emmett Otter, John Denver & The Muppets, The Muppet Family Christmas (I like my Muppets),…

Beowulf (2007) – Robert Zemeckis

I’m enjoying exploring DK Canada’s Monsters in the Movies book, and the current chapter on Myths, Legends and Fairy Tales is bringing me all manner of film to partake in. Today, it brings me Robert Zemeckis’ take on the epic poem Beowulf. Always a technically inovative director, Zemeckis decided to make the film with computer…

Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End (2007) – Gore Verbinski

The third volume of Disney’s theme park attraction turned tentpole franchise is the next selection in DK Canada’s Monsters in the Movies book as I explore the chapter on Myths, Legends and Fairy Tales. I’ll admit this instalment in the series is a little top heavy with a convoluted plot, but as showcased in the…

The Minotaur, the Wild Beast of Crete (1960) – Silvio Amadio

DK Canada’s Monsters in the Movies brings me one of the great Greek Myths, as I explore the chapter on Myths, Legends and Fairy Tales. This time, it’s the story of the minotaur in this Italian film that has a number of titles associated with it, including Theseus and the Minotaur and The Minotaur. A…

Erik the Viking (1989) – Terry Jones

Monty Python alum Terry Jones writes and directs (as well as making an appearance) in the next film in DK Canada’s highly enjoyable Monsters in the Movies book as I continue to explore the chapter on Myths, Legends and Fairy Tales. Tim Robbins is the titular Erik, a Viking who isn’t sure about the looting…

Ulysses (1954) – Mario Camerini

Kirk Douglas stars in this Italian sword and sandals (and sorcery) epic that also features Anthony Quinn, and is the next film in DK Canada’s Monsters in the Movies book as I explore the chapter on Myths, Legends and Fairy Tales. Using Homer’s epic poem as its basis, the film follows Ulysses (Douglas) on his…

Clash of the Titans (2010) – Louis Leterrier

The next title that I dove into for the Myths, Legends and Fairy Tales chapter of DK Canada’s highly enjoyable Monsters in the Movies book was doomed for me from the moment of it’s inception. The remake of 1981’s Harryhausen effects driven classic was never going to wow me. Why? Gone are the practical effects…

Hook (1991) – Steven Spielberg

“Oh there you are Peter.” That line makes me mist up every time I hear it, but it’s also from a film that I treasure for a number of reasons, and I got to revisit it for the first time in a number of years courtesy of DK Canada’s Monsters in the Movies book and…