I greatly enjoy Ridley Scott films, he’s an incredible technical director, even when his films aren’t as emotionally captivating as I would like, there’s always something masterful about his creations. Gladiator II is no different. The first film resonated and struck a chord with filmgoers everywhere. It’s no surprise that the idea of a sequel…
Tag: masterful
The Raven’s Revenge (2023) – Kevin Sands
This is it, the final adventure in The Blackthorn Key series by Canadian author Kevin Sands. Six books in, Sands has kept up a relentless pace, as Christopher, Tom and Sally confront dangers, mysteries and puzzles that place them in grave danger. And it’s more of this page-turning excitement in The Raven’s Revenge. Sands has…
TIFF’23: Knox Goes Away
I’ve said it before, and I know I’ll say it again. I love a good noir, and Knox Goes Away directed by and starring, Micheal Keaton may be one of my new favourites. making fantastic use of his framing, lighting, score and production, Knox Goes Away, despite its modern trappings, feels like a throwback to…
The Last of the Mohicans (1992) – Michael Mann
People will rave about Heat, or Collateral Damage, cult fans will cite The Keep, but Mann’s adaptation of James Fenimore Cooper’s classic novel, The Last of the Mohicans, is my favorite of his films. Taking home the Oscar for Best Sound, Mann’s film is lush, detailed, and an epic retelling of a beloved novel. Daniel…
TIFF 2021: The Power of the Dog dir. Jane Campion
Combining intimate drama with dramatic landscapes has been a signature of Jane Campion’s work, and in her latest film, The Power of the Dog, which she also wrote, that mixture still holds true, giving us a different kind of western. Set in Montana, 1925, the film centres around two ranching brothers, the hard-edged, Phil (Benedict…
The Hunger (2018) – Alma Katsu
There is a sense of dread and menace that seems to ooze off the pages of Alma Katsu’s retelling of the haunting, and infamous Donner Party expedition. Everyone knows, or thinks they know the story, and Katsu uses that troubling knowledge and lets it hang over every page – you know each of the characters…
Coraline (2002) – Neil Gaiman
It’s always a delight to dig into a Neil Gaiman story, and I have come to this one after seeing the movie a number of times. I knew going in it would be slightly different, so I was eager to see what the original text would bring me. And what it brought me was a…
State of Women (November 11, 2015)
Back in July I was fortunate enough to see the showcase presentation of State of Women, a fantastic play by Andy Lyberopoulos, and directed by Tatum Lee. Since then, there have been some changes made, and you can sense the shift. It has definitely gotten to be a stronger show with this iteration, and while…
The Mind Reels 