TIFF ’23: Flora and Son

John Carney, who has delivered great musically-themed films like Once, Begin Again and Sing Street has the International Premiere of his latest film, Flora and Son at TIFF this year. Apple Films has its distribution and will be carrying it on Apple+ as of 29 September. So if you miss it at the Festival, be…

Batman (1966) – The Devil’s Fingers, and The Dead Ringers

Liberace?! Yup, Liberace. The renowned pianist and entertainer shows up as this story’s villain, Harry, as well as the villain’s entertainer twin brother, Chandell, who is being blackmailed by Harry. A series of musical crimes are striking Gotham City in this two-part story which was written by Lorenzo Semple Jr. The first part, The Devil’s…

Flash Point (2007) – Wilson Yip

Donnie Yen continued to prove how awesome he is in the police thriller, Flash Point. Ma (Yen) is a no-holds-barred cop, he’s more than willing to beat a criminal to a pulp to prove his point and make an arrest, and he’s been after three criminal brothers, Tiger (Xing Yu), Tony (Collin Chou) and Archer…

Wonderfalls (2004) – Barrel Bear, and Lovesick Ass

Jaye (Caroline Dhavernas) and Mahandra (Tracie Thoms) find themselves on opposite sides of an argument over Niagara legend and history in Barrel Bear. Written by Tim Minear and Bryan Fuller this episode was never aired which is too bad, because it’s damned funny, and features two fantastic guest stars, Louise Fletcher and Rue McClanahan. Jaye…

Hill Street Blues (1984) – Fowl Play, and Bangladesh Slowly

Fowl Play opens with the reveal that Swan (Tim Robbins) took his own life after what happened at the rookie party in the previous episode, and all eyes are on Buttman (Micheal Biehn). Lucy (Betty Thomas) is determined to bust him, and Washington (Taurean Blacque) and Coffey (Ed Marinaro) are right there with him. The…

Mexican Gothic (2020) – Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Mexican Gothic is a wonderfully lush, and haunting novel, embracing all the familiar tropes of the Gothic genre, romance, the old dark house, family secrets, and the hints of something preter- or supernatural all juxtaposed into Mexico of the 1950s. We’re introduced to Noemi, a vivacious, smart, stubborn, flirtatious young woman who is still looking…

About Time (2013) – Richard Curtis

Writer/director Richard Curtis brings together an all-star cast to deliver a time-travel tale that is frequently funny, emotionally poignant and a reminder that life is pretty beautiful and amazing if we remember to take the time to appreciate it, and all the little things it shows us. Domhnall Gleeson, Rachel McAdams and Bill Nighy star…

The Equalizer (1988) – Last Call, and Regrets Only

Mickey (Keith Szarabajka) finds himself in the wrong place at the wrong time when he’s in a bar for last call and trouble walks in the door in the form of Lewis (Joe Maruzzo) and his brother Frank (Michael Ceveris). Written by Robert Crais this episode first debuted on 23 March, 1988. Frank and Lewis…

The Equalizer (1987) – Solo, and A Place to Stay

McCall (Edward Woodward) squares off against a dirty cop, Cole (Kevin Spacey), who is pursuing a woman, Sarah (Lindsay Crouse) for the murder of his partner in Solo, things become increasingly complicated when McCall becomes romantically involved with her. Written by Carleton Eastlake, Solo first debuted on 18 February, 1987. Sarah approaches McCall after he…