Releasing to blu-ray and DVD today from Warner Brothers, is the latest comedic effort from Will Ferrell and Amy Poehler. Somewhere in this film, there is the potential for something really funny, but far too often the dialogue is pushed past the point of hilarity to absurdity, and the story itself could have played as…
Tag: writer
Shaun of the Dead (2004) – Edgar Wright
A return to the Horror/Sci-Fi chapter of the Great Movies – 100 Years of Film book brings me to Night of the Living Dead. Having previously written about it, I moved onto the recommendations. The only film I hadn’t written about before is now up, and any chance to rewatch this movie, I take. Because…
The Devout (2015) – Connor Gaston
Opening at the Carlton Cinema here in Toronto is this lovingly crafted, intimate drama that is bound to move viewers even as it raises questions of belief, faith and hope. The debut effort of writer/director Connor Gaston was shot in Victoria, British Columbia. It is a beautiful film that features perfectly on point, and gently…
The Twilight Zone (1960) – The After Hours, The Mighty Casey and A World of His Own
It’s back to the Twilight Zone with Paramount’s Complete Series on blu-ray. The first season of this iconic and seminal show ends this week with this trio of episodes. First up is The After Hours, penned by Rod Serling, this story originally aired on 10 June, 1960. Anne Francis stars as Marsha White, who is…
Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind (1984) -Hayao Miyazaki
The next stop in the Sci-Fi Chronicles book is a long overdue check-in with Miyazaki, the famed writer/director who has envisioned so many incredible tales. This time around, it’s Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind. I didn’t have access to a subtitled version, so I went with the English dubbed (subtitle is ALWAYS the…
Donnie Darko (2001) – Richard Kelly
The final recommendation from this visit to the Family genre in the Great Movies – 100 Years of Film book is Kelly’s cult film Donnie Darko. While not necessarily suitable for younger viewers, it does involve family and a young troubled boy. This one was one of those films that while I was in the…
Toronto After Dark 2016: War On Everyone – John Micheal McDonagh
My time with the 2016 Toronto After Dark film festival got underway last night with the exceptional, brash, bold, politically incorrect, devastatingly hilarious War On Everyone. I think the only thing I would have changed about it is the name, everything else, totally worked for me. Now, as a caveat, part of the enjoyment of…
TIFF Bell Lightbox – Trek Talks Go Boldly!
TIFF Bell Lightbox continues to pull out all the stops in their celebration of Star Trek’s 50th anniversary. In support of the iconic show, the Lightbox will continue to screen episodes and all 13 films of the series, as well as a fundraiser party, and the absolutely engaging, thought-provoking and stunning lecture series called Trek…
Quantum Leap (1989) – Catch a Falling Star and A Portrait for Troian
Sam (Scott Bakula) leaps into the body of Ray Hutton, the understudy in a musical production of Man of La Mancha in Catch a Falling Star. This episode was written by Paul Brown, aired on 6 December, 1989 and was directed by Bellisario, himself. This one introduced me to the musical of La Mancha, as…
Crash (2004) – Paul Haggis
Walking away with the Academy Awards for Best Picture (controversially – as Brokeback Mountain was the presumptive winner), Best Original Screenplay and Best Editing, writer/director Paul Haggis’ tale of a cross-section of denizens of Los Angeles, tied together by race, loss and redemption come together in Crash, my next recommendation from the Great Movies…
The Mind Reels 