Paramount Pictures is celebrating the 45th anniversary with a re-release of the 1972 classic The Godfather, and its two sequels. I have a bit of a sordid history with these films. I’ve never been a fan of crime family stories, I can’t relate to them, and have never understood the hypocrisy that seems inherent in…
Tag: performance
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…
Allied (2016) – Robert Zemeckis
Available today from Paramount Pictures is director Robert Zemeckis’ wartime romantic thriller, Allied. Opening in French Morocco, the film is a deliberate throwback to the romantic war films of yesteryear. In the first half of the film there are intentional callbacks to films like Casablanca and Notorious, calling to mind our memories and emotions…
We Go On (2016) -Jesse Holland and Andy Mitton
Premiering on Shudder TV today is this tightly paced, solidly acted supernatural drama that pursues the life long question of what happens after we die. Written and directed by Jesse Holland and Andy Mitton, the story revisits oft-explored ideas and themes, but does it in a solid way. At the film’s centre is Miles Grissom…
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…
Uncovered – Queen & Bowie
Last night I had the good fortune of attending the closing night performance of Acting Up Stage’s annual Uncovered show. This year, an impressive assembly of Canadian talent performed selections from the musical libraries of David Bowie and Queen, and included a pair of actors who basically channelled the ghosts of Bowie and Freddie Mercury…
Star Trek: The Original Series (1966) – Dagger of the Mind and The Corbomite Maneuver
Captain’s Log: Stardate 2712.4 I didn’t understand what the penal colony on Tantalus was exactly when I was child. I understood that it was a prison, but the why and wherefores of the inhabitants escaped me. I do know that Dr. Simon van Gelder (Morgan Woodward) freaked me out – there was a scariness about…
The Harrowing of Brimstone McReedy
Currently playing at the Red Sandcastle Theatre, until November 13th, here in Toronto is a wonderfully spooky and entertaining tale featuring a virtuoso solo performance by Eric Woolfe. Cribbed from Canadian history and a moderate dose of Lovecraft, Woolfe presents his show with a use of puppets, card tricks, and close-up prestidigitation, all to great…
Doctor Who (Colin Baker) – Timelash
Two planets become involved in the plans of the villainous Borad (Robert Ashby) in the Doctor’s (Baker) latest adventure. Penned by Glen McCoy this two parter aired from 9 to 16 March, 1985, and saw the Doctor and Peri (Nicola Bryant) working with a famous author, a fun little reveal that doesn’t happen until the…
Fringe Toronto: Hanger
I was lucky enough to catch the second-last staging of Hilary McCormack’s Hanger on Saturday July 11th as this year’s Fringe Festival came to a close on Sunday. Directed by Joshua Stodart, this little play about two sisters and the mental illness which appears to run in their family took over the St. Vladimir Theatre…
The Mind Reels 