Toronto comedian Shawn Hitchins is funny. Really funny. And it’s not because he’s a redhead making fun of himself being “a person of primary colour.” And it’s not because he’s a “gold star gay.” But these two factors make up a large part of who he is and from them come some really fantastic, and […]
‘Alone in Berlin’ lacks tension and everything you expect out of a WWII-era film
As the name suggests, Alone in Berlin takes places in Berlin during the Nazi regime in the 1940’s and is loosely based on the real life working-class couple of Elise and Otto Hampel. In the film, the characters are named Anna and Otto Quangel (played by Emma Thompson and Brendan Gleeson, respectively) and after learning about their […]
‘I Am Heath Ledger’ Holds Back, but is Personal and Tender
I Am Heath Ledger is a touching and haunting documentary about an undeniable talent. Cutting back and forth between archival footage and interviews with some of Heath Ledger’s closest family, friends, and collaborators, directors Derik Murray and Adrian Buitenhuis make us reminisce about all the great roles that Ledger took on. What we don’t get is, and […]
‘Risk’ is a Compelling look at a Controversial Character
By: Matt Prazak Laura Poitras, Academy Award winning director of Citizenfour, returns with her most personal and intimate film to date. Filmed over six years, Risk is a complex and volatile character study that collides with a high stakes election year and its controversial aftermath. Cornered in a tiny building for half a decade, Julian Assange […]
‘Bon Cop Bad Cop 2’ is entertaining, but cliché-ridden
The long awaited sequel to Bon Cop Bad Cop, the 2007 Canadian buddy comedy hit that is particularly loved by the French Canadian population, is finally here after ten long years. Ten years is a lengthy period, but at least Bon Cop Bad Cop 2 is not half bad, and it does deliver to a certain extent. […]
‘Canada the Good?’ and CBC’s Digital Docuseries, “Brand Canada”
Are you a proud Canadian? CBC’s newest docuseries anthology aims to showcase the best parts of Canada’s brand and what the rest of the world thinks of us. A collaboration of 10 short episodes from filmmakers across the country, Brand Canada explores what it means to be Canadian from a Canadian perspective. Touching on all things […]
‘King Arthur: Legend of the Sword’ can’t even be a Guilty Pleasure
I remember in 2012 when John Carter came out and flopped hard amidst critical bashing and disappointment from most of the general movie goers. However, it did manage to develop some kind of a following throughout the years just like The 13th Warrior did from 1998. John Carter was a mess and not a very […]
Contest: Win Tickets to see ‘Hounds of Love’ in Ottawa
Courtesy of ABMO Films, we have two pairs of tickets to giveaway to the opening night screening of Hounds of Love in Ottawa at the Mayfair Theatre! Hounds of Love is the debut feature film directed by Ben Young. To win, like the contest post on Facebook and leave a comment telling us the name of your favourite […]
Contest: Win Advance Screening Passes to See ‘Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales’ in Toronto
Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Canada, we have advance screening passes to giveaway to an exclusive fan screening of Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man Tell No Tales taking place on May 15, 2017. To win, complete the form below and correctly answer our trivia question. You must also like this post on Facebook or give this […]
Contest: Win Advance Screening Passes to See ‘Alien: Covenant’ in Toronto
Courtesy of 20th Century Fox Canada, we have screening passes to giveaway to our fans in Toronto to see Ridley Scott’s Alien: Covenant. Screening Details: May 10, 2017 7:00 pm Cineplex Yonge-Dundas To win, complete the form below and tell us why you want to see the film. You must also like this post on Facebook. […]
Hot Docs 2017 Interview: Nathan Fitch and Bryan Chang Discuss the Importance of the Micronesian Voice in ‘Island Soldier’
On one of the rainiest days in Toronto this year, I had the pleasure of speaking with some of the filmmakers behind Island Soldier. I was glad to hear that director Nathan Fitch and producer Bryan Chang were able to enjoy some sunshine in Toronto before the rainy weekend, but even more excited to talk about this […]
Hot Docs 2017: Strad Style
Stefan Avalos. USA. 104 Minutes. More Info. Danny Houck, a Ohioan who has never left the USA, is obsessed with violins. But he’s not obsessed with playing them – he’s obsessed with making them. His friends tell him that he could probably make more than just violins, including “guitars and stuff”. To which Danny responds […]
‘The Handmaiden’ is a Unique, Spellbindingly Complex Work of Film Noir
By: Tom Magennis In 2003, Park Chan-Wook’s Oldboy exploded into theaters, shocking western audiences with its complex narrative, eye-wateringly brutal violence, and the kind of twist that snaps your brain in half like a fresh breadstick. Oldboy went down in the history books as a defining work of East-Asian Film, it’s untouchability only solidified by […]
Contest: Win a copy of ‘xXx: Return of Xander Cage’ on Blu-ray
To celebrate the May 16 release of xXx: Return of Xander Cage on Blu-ray, we have three copies of the film to giveaway to our fans in Canada courtesy of Paramount Pictures. Wondering what the film is about? Read our review first! To win, fill out the form below. Don’t forget to like our page on Facebook . Contest […]
Hot Docs 2017: ‘House of Z’ Showcases Zac Posen’s Fashion Comeback
Sandy Chronopoulos. USA, Canada. 87 Minutes. More Info. In her feature film debut, director Sandy Chronopolous, a television producer for Rogers Media, documents the rise and fall and rise again of fashion wunderkind Zac Posen. House of Z is an intimate look at the beginnings of the fashion house and the drama that occurred behind the […]