TIFF24: A Missing Part dir. Guillaume Senez

Senez delivers a moving drama that examines familial connections against the backdrop of Tokyo and Japan’s clean break policy when it comes to family separation. Jay (Romain Duris in a role that allows him to deliver a stellar performance) drives a cab at night, while he spends his days trying to find the daughter he…

TIFF ’22: Good Night Oppy

I love documentaries about space exploration, the sense of discovery, wonder and hope that permeates them, and humanity when we set our sights on a goal. Director Ryan White understands those feelings and shares them, and guides us on a fantastic journey to the planet Mars. In 2003, two rovers, Spirit and Opportunity, were launched…

Coherence (2013) – James Ward Byrkit

Coherence is a fascinating and engaging science fiction mystery, exploring a number of theories of quantum physics. It’s even more incredible when you learn it was shot chronologically over five nights, and was mostly improvised, with the actors receiving notes to guide them through each scene. Mainly set in one location, the story follows eight…

A Star is Born (2018) – Blu-Ray Review

The Oscar nominated A Star is Born comes home today on blu-ray from Warner Brothers, and it makes a great addition to the collection, and a fantastic new iteration of the classic story. Starring Bradley Cooper (who also served as the film’s director) and a bravura performance by Lady Gaga (both of them were nominated…

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1995) – Facets, and The Adversary

Station log: stardate unknown Rene Echevarria pens the penultimate episode of season three, which aired on 12 June, 1995, that gives us a Dax (Terry Farrell) story. The science officer approaches each of her friends amongst the crew and asks them to join her in the Zhian’tara ritual, which will allow her former hosts to…

La Strada (1954) – Federico Fellini

Anthony Quinn and Giulletta Masina star in this Fellini classic that is a recommendation from the Great Movies – 100 Years of Film book following my screening of Thelma & Louise. A road movie, the film follows Masina as a young, innocent and naive woman, Gelsomina, who can’t think for herself, while Quinn is the…

The Sound of Music (1965) – Robert Wise

My return to the Musical chapter of the Great Movies – 100 Years of Film book sees me settling into Robert Wise’s multi-Oscar winning (Best Picture, Best Director, Best Sound, Best Editing and Best Music) adaptation of the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical, The Sound of Music. Starring Julie Andrews (in an Oscar nominated performance) and…