Black Swan (2010) – Darren Aronofsky

  The next recommendation from my viewing of Gold Diggers of 1933 in the Great Movies – 100 Years of Film book, is less musical, but more behind the scenes of a production, and the lead’s gradual descent into madness, in Darren Aronofsky’s Black Swan. The beauty and sensuality of the ballet, Swan Lake, is…

Toronto Fringe: People Suck

So last night I settled in for a musical presentation at the Randolph Theatre, and was charmed by the Nutmeg Creations presentation of People Suck. Written by Peter Cavell and Megan Phillips, who also is one of the show’s stars, the performance was a series of numbers, that illustrated the very worst in people. And…

Fringe Toronto: Sizzle and Spin

Playwright Sandra Cardinal put her cast, the Plan a Theatre Company, through their paces last night with a delightful romantic comedy that toyed with role reversals, second chances, family, and a completely believable love story at its heart. The stage of the Helen Gardiner Phelan Playhouse served as the window into the lives of Charlotte…

Swiss Family Robinson (1960) – Ken Annakin

  The final recommendation from the Great Movies – 100 Years of Film book for a viewing of Robin Hood, is this Disney take on the book of the same name, that set the tone and style for family adventure for some time. I had never seen this film, and was quite delighted to settle…

Berkshire County (2014) – Audrey Cummings

  Opening theatrically today in Toronto (The Carlton), Ottawa (Landmark Kanata) and Whitby (Landmark Cinemas 24 Whitby) with more to follow in the coming weeks is this horror thriller that wowed them on the festival circuit and took home Best Feature from LA’s Shriekfest. Taking its cues from the John Carpenter classic Halloween, as well as films like…

The Two Sisters of Borneo (2014) – Ian Hamilton 

  Book 6 in this highly addictive series starts fairly joyfully for our heroine Ava Lee, debt-collector and forensic accountant. She is attending the wedding of her half-brother Michael to Amanda Yee. But, as so happens in her world, moments of happiness come few and far between when there is a case heading her way. It…

Cinema Paradiso (1988) – Guiseppe Tornatore

  The final recommendation from the Great Movies – 100 Years of Film book for my screening of The Last Tango in Paris is actually more than worthy of its own entry in the book, and should have been highlighted as one of the main titles. This is one for every film lover, it’s an…