“My wife and producer Hanan and I both come from families who’ve experienced being immigrants. My family escaped apartheid, and of course Palestinians have often had to escape conflict. Right now we’re seeing a new hard line rhetoric about immigration all over the world. Therefore I wanted to explore what it might take for two […]
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CSFF 2017: ‘Keepers of the Game’ Review
For years lacrosse has been the main sport for the men of the Akwesasne Mohawk Territory. But that changes when the local High School forms an all girls lacrosse team. They must face an uphill battle to be respected by their classmates but also their community. When they reach the Championship, it’s much more than […]
CSFF 2017: ‘Salluit Run Club’ Review
Salluit Run Club is a short documentary about seven Inuit youth who travel to Hawaii to run a half-marathon. It’s not really about the half-marathon; it’s about their personal journeys and why they decided to take up running. Each one of these kids has their own struggles and it’s touching to see them open up to […]
CSFF 2017: ‘Hillsborough’ Review
On April 15, 1989, one of the worst days in football (soccer) history occurred. 96 men and women went to watch a game and never returned. Growing up as a Liverpool fan my Grandpa always told me about the Hillsborough disaster and how important it was that we honour the memory of those 96 who […]
‘Manifesto’ Review: 13 Reasons Why Cate Blanchett is an Icon
Premiering at Sundance this year, Julian Rosefeldt’s Manifesto saw Cate Blanchett, one of the greatest actresses of all time, delivering a career best performance in 13 distinct, must-see vignettes. Blanchett seamlessly transitions from character to character, whether she’s portraying a school teacher, a homeless man, or a puppeteer and yes, her puppet. The natural charisma from Blanchett radiates […]
‘Berlin Syndrome’ is a Tourist’s Worst Nightmare
While holidaying in Berlin, Australian photographer, Clare, meets Andi, a charismatic local man and there is an instant attraction between them. A night of passion ensues. But what initially appears to be the start of a romance, takes an unexpected and sinister turn when Clare wakes the following morning to discover Andi has left for […]
‘War Machine’ is a Misfired Satire
Writer-director David Michôd (Animal Kingdom) recreates a U.S. General’s roller-coaster rise and fall as part reality, part savage parody – raising the specter of just where the line between them lies today. His is an exploration of a born leader’s ultra-confident march right into the dark heart of folly. At the story’s core is Brad […]
‘The Circle’: TECHnically a Letdown
By: Matt Prazak The Circle is a gripping modern thriller starring Emma Watson, Tom Hanks and John Boyega. When Mae (Emma Watson) is hired to work for the world’s largest and most powerful tech & social media company, she sees it as an opportunity of a lifetime. As she rises through the ranks, she is […]
‘Their Finest’ is a Light, Charming British Drama
By: Ali Habous The British are talented filmmakers and even better actors. Even if they give us a predictable drama with some clichés, they still come through and ably deliver a decent show. That is simply because they have a lot of talent in front and behind the camera. This time the director’s chair is […]
‘Ghost in the Shell’ Where Style is the Substance
By: Ali Habous It is finally here….one of the most anticipated sci-fi films of the year. Based on one of the most famous and beloved Manga Anime of all time, Ghost in the Shell comes with some seriously high expectations from anime, sci-fi, and action film lovers. As a fan of the original 1989 anime, […]
Even Cute Babies and Puppies Can’t Save ‘The Boss Baby’
By: Debbie Wang According to the age old adage, love makes the world go ’round. Except, in the DreamWork’s animation world, there is only a very limited amount of love that can go ’round. Well, whatever will we do if there is only a certain amount of love to give?! Good thing babies are made […]
‘Life’ is More than Just a Lifeless Remake
By: Matt Prazak A well executed attempt at a tired genre, Life provides the viewers with enough thrills to make it a satisfying watch. Life tells the story of the six-member crew of the International Space Station that is on the cutting edge of one of the most important discoveries in human history: the first […]
‘Weirdos’ is Amazingly Weird
By: Daniel Chadwick-Shubat What makes a Canadian film? Is it the awesome portrayal of Canada’s great outdoors exhibited in Sleeping Giant? The wonderful comedy on display in The Grand Seduction? Or is it the honest look at humanity in Away From Her? In my eyes each of those things make Canadian films. Luckily, Weirdos is a film that possesses all […]
‘Kong: Skull Island’ and The Return of the King
By: Ali Habous Some monsters never die. Along with Godzilla, this building sized ape is going to outlive us all. It is a wondrous image seeing this giant creature beating on his chest, screaming, and annihilating everything in his path. After Director Peter Jackson’s (The Lord of the Ring Trilogy) take on the giant ape […]
Interview: George Mendeluk & ‘Bitter Harvest’
I had the chance to see Bitter Harvest at the Kingston Canadian Film Festival and after the festival Mr. Mendeluk was kind enough to grant an interview over the phone. We talked a lot about the history behind this movie and also dived into the making of the film with some interesting tidbits coming up. […]