TIFF ’26: Smudge the Blades dir. Cody Lightning

I love underdog sports movies, and I know I’m not the only one, because they keep cycling around, but Cody Lightning has taken the trope in his new feature and done something wonderful with it. The team we are introduced to, Treaty 6 Blades, is an indigenous team playing in the country league in Northern…

Star Trek: Voyager (2000) – Critical Care, and Inside Man

Captain’s log: stardate unknown James Khan pens this Doctor (Robert Picardo) episode from a story by Kenneth Biller and Robert Doherty. It debuted on 1 November, 2000, and has a story with a very familiar theme to it. The concept of privatisation of health care and better service for those who can afford it (or…

Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein (1994) – Kenneth Branagh

  The final version of Frankenstein to be suggested for viewing by the Sci-Fi Chronicles book is this 1994 adaptation by actor/writer/director Kenneth Branagh. He takes on this version of the tale by creating a lush and beautiful looking period film. Despite the films he would later make, this one feels restrained, not quite stuffy but…

TIFF – The Dick Knost Show (2013) – Bruce Sweeney

  Bruce Sweeney`s latest character piece, you`ll recall I highly enjoyed The Crimes of Mike Recket, is a look at the world of sports radio, specifically the acid-tongued, quick-witted, numbers-driven Dick Knost (a hilarious turn by Thomas Scholte). He is controversial, and after he sends a number of inflammatory tweets, his network higher-ups finally have the…

Sue’s Top 12 Films of 2012 (NOT in Order)

Crimes of Mike Recket (Bruce Sweeney) – I was able to catch this little gem of a film during TIFF, and Mind Reels were even able to catch up with the director, Bruce Sweeney, for a quick chat, as well, so I’ll count myself doubly lucky on this one!  The film stars Nicholas Lea in…