Once Upon a Time in the West (1968) – Sergio Leone

The Great Movies – The 100 Years of Film book returns me to the western genre with this Sergio Leone epic that stars Jason Robards, Chalres Bronson, Henry Fonda and Claudia Cardinale. Playing against type, Fonda is the villain, Frank, who is working for the railroad, and trying to drive a woman, Jill McBain (Cardinale),…

Mamma Mia! (2008) – Phylida Lloyd

The final recommendation for my screening of Jailhouse Rock for the Great Movies – 100 Years of Film is the beloved stage musical, Mamma Mia! Using the catchy tunes penned by cherished pop group, ABBA, the tale is a but of a post-modern Philadelphia Story as a young woman, Sophie (Amanda Seyfried) is on the…

Home Alone (1990 ) – Chris Columbus

I return to the Great Movies – 100 Years of Film book and venture back into the family genre. And despite the fact that it’s May, it’s apparently time for a Christmas movie. I’m a little bit divided on this one. It has so much working for it. It’s written and produced by John Hughes,…

Hugo (2011) – Martin Scorsese

I know I raved about Martin Scorsese’s passion project Silence when I watched it a few weeks ago, but every time I watch this magnificent adaptation of Brian Selznick’s novel; a tale of youth, discovery and the love of cinema, I end up citing it as my favourite of his films. Set in Paris, this…

Quantum Leap (1992) – Deliver Us From Evil and Trilogy: Part 1

What starts out as a happy leap for Sam (Scott Bakula) turns into a fight against the forces of darkness when he discovers that he isn’t the only time traveller changing history. Deliver Us From Evil was penned by Robin Bernheim, Tommy Thompson and Deborah Pratt, with an airdate of 10 November, 1992. Sam leaps…

Fences (2016) – Denzel Washington

Paramount Pictures proudly ushers in the release of Denzel Washington’s Fences today on blu-ray. The Academy Award winner directs, working from August Wilson’s adaptation of his own Pulitzer Prize winning play. Set in 1950s Pittsburgh, Washington pulls double duty, serving not only as director, but in the lead role of Troy Maxson a former ball…

Star Trek: Voyager – The Complete Series

Getting a re-release from Paramount Pictures today, in a fantastic new slipcase package, Star Trek: Voyager – The Complete Series comes home. Premiering in January of 1995, half way through the third season of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, and half a year following the conclusion of The Next Generation, the series got away from…

Liv Stein

Combining near cinematic imagery that verges on the iconic and powerhouse performances from its actors, Liv Stein, presented by Canadian Stage at the Bluma Appel Theatre in Toronto is sure to wow and elicit discussion. Director Matthew Jocelyn’s sure hand brings Nino Haratischwili’s original German play to the Canadian stage via a translation by Birgit…

The Lego Batman Movie: The Essential Guide (2017) -Julia March

The Lego Movie when it came out, took the world by surprise with just how fun it was, and it’s breakout character, which should not be a surprise, was Batman. It should come then as no surprise that Lego decided the Caped Crusader should have his own film, which opens next month. DK Canada gave…