Undertone is a smart and engaging horror film. With its slow and ominous camera movements, there’s a constant sense of tension created by the knowledge that there may be something lurking just off camera that you are about to catch a glimpse of. It’s also confined to one location, a home (right here in Toronto)….
Tag: smart
The Sure Thing (1985) – Rob Reiner
Somehow, this Rob Reiner film got by me for decades. I was lucky enough to nab a copy on blu-ray and was more than ready to dig into. As I watched it, it put me in mind of It Happened One Night. It’s a road movie rom-com. We get John Cusack, Daphne Zuniga, Anthony Edwards,…
Stargate: Atlantis (2008) – Outcast, and Trio
Sheppard (Joe Flanigan) journeys home to Earth for his father’s funeral in Outcast. Written by Alan McCullough from a story created by Flanigan, the episode debuted on 1 February, 2008. On Earth, Sheppard is joined by Ronon (Jason Momoa) and they are approached by Ava Dixon (Emma Lahana), who knows all about the Stargate, the…
Weapons (2025) – Zach Cregger
Much like Cregger’s previous film, Barbarian, it’s best to go into this film for the first time with no real knowledge beyond what is provided by the poster… one night, almost all the kids from a single classroom disappeared. What happened? That’s the initial launching point for a story that shifts narratives and fractures fairy…
Stargate SG-1 (2007) – The Road Not Taken, and The Shroud
Carter (Amanda Tapping) finds herself in a parallel universe in The Road Not Taken. Written by Alan McCullough, this episode first debuted on 27 April, 2007. While testing an experimental device based on Merlin’s work, Carter’s arrival in a different universe allows her the opportunity to help hide the planet from the Ori. In effect…
Good Boy (2025) – Ben Leonberg
Mr. Loenberg, you had me at a horror movie told from a dog’s perspective. What I didn’t epect was a proto-Spielbergian ghost story that hits all the feels with its unique storytelling. There is a lot to dissect and discuss for this wonderful film that is getting great word of mouth. In fact, talking about…
TIFF 25: You Had to Be There – How the Toronto Godspell Ignited the Comedy Revolution… dir. Nick Davis
In 1972 and 1973 at the Royal Alexandra Theatre here in Toronto, almost everything we know about modern comedy was born. The cast included Martin Short, Eugene Levy, Gilda Radner, Andrea Martin, Victor Garber and Dave Thomas. From the seeds planted by this special group being brought together sprang SCTV and SNL, not to mention…
SilverFin (2005) – Charlie Higson
The Young Bond series gets underway with SilverFin written by Charlie Higson, with the blessing of the Ian Fleming Foundation. It’s a curious idea. By giving us a young James Bond, you’d think the stories are meant to appeal to young adult readers. But the stories themselves are in keeping with the literary James Bond…
Northern Exposure (1994) – Zarya, and Full Upright Position
Through the magic of Ed’s (Darren E. Burrows) film making, and Marilyn’s (Elaine Miles) storytelling we get a look at a legend of Cicely. Set in the 1900s, the regular cast take on other but familiar roles as Marilyn relates a tale of how the Romanovs came to Alaska. Written by Diane Frolov and Andrew…
Stargate SG-1 (2005) – Citizen Joe, and Reckoning: Part 1
Dan Castellaneta, the voice of Homer Simpson, guest stars in Citizen Joe. Written by Damian Kindler from a story by Robert C. Cooper this episode debuted on 18 February, 2025. It’s a unique kind of clip show, with excerpts featuring the writing of Cooper, James Crocker, Peter DeLuise, Jonathan Glassner, Victoria James, Kindler, Joseph Mallozzi,…
The Mind Reels 