My intention when I compiled this list was to pay some attention to great films that have been overlooked, misunderstood or forgotten altogether. The films on this list received critical praise and some even earned Oscar nominations, but there are no blockbusters in the bunch. At the video store they wait to be rented, dusty… Continue reading It’s dark and lonely in video land
Results for "Stephanie Foster"
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Good riddance to a horrible movie season
The chill of autumn means it’s time to bid the summer movie season farewell, and this movie lover is delighted to do so. The last months have been a gusher of star power and explosions, but when it came to artistry, it was a fairly dry well. Many critics lamented the acting inability of The… Continue reading Good riddance to a horrible movie season
Lambs much tastier than sequel
Hannibal must be judged on its own merits, not compared to The Silence of the Lambs. However, Hannibal isn’t very good; certainly not as good as it predecessor. It seems–in honour of the title character–this reviewer has already eaten her words. In Hannibal, the whole is less than the sum of its parts. Anthony Hopkins… Continue reading Lambs much tastier than sequel
Requiem a nightmare for anyone not stoned
A huge proponent of experimental, bold filmmaking, even I found myself gagging during Requiem for a Dream, Darren Aronofsky’s technique-laden, indulgent new film about the horror of drug addiction. Aronofsky, who also directed the 1998 independent hit Pi, may be attempting to move the medium forward, but does so at the expense of the story… Continue reading Requiem a nightmare for anyone not stoned
Get slapped by a Dancer in the Dark
Bjork as a blind martyr? Machines doubling as musical instruments? Catherine Deneuve as a factory worker? All of these things seem impossible until Dancer in the Dark comes on the screen, giving you the cinematic equivalent of a slap in the face. Lars Von Trier’s new film, which won the Palme D’Or (Best Film award)… Continue reading Get slapped by a Dancer in the Dark
Pick the brains of Hollywood North
Clement Martini is a happy man. As one of the organizers of the Markin-Flanagan Distinguished Writer Screenwriter series, the University of Calgary drama professor is brimming with anticipation about the event. "I am totally excited and totally pleased," says Martini. Well, who wouldn’t be? With such acclaimed filmmakers as Gary Burns, Deepa Mehta, Anne Wheeler… Continue reading Pick the brains of Hollywood North
Almost Famous is almost perfect
Like all good movies, Almost Famous seems to nudge your dreams and your fears. The film knows most of us have felt like outsiders at least once in our lives and would have done anything just to belong. Although the details of this film belong to a specific time and place, the heart of the… Continue reading Almost Famous is almost perfect
Take a gamble on Croupier
You can watch Croupier in one of two ways: you can see it as a dark commentary on the nature of man or as a mere caper with many bizarre twists. I like to pretend I am someone of great depth, so I choose the former. Through the prism of gambling, Croupier offers insights about… Continue reading Take a gamble on Croupier
Uptown, downtown
"My tarot card reader told me this was the move," says Pete Harris about his most recent career change. Over the past five years Harris managed The Globe Cinema, The Plaza Theatre and now manages The Uptown Stage and Screen. After two years of renovations, the Uptown is finally re-opening on Aug. 18. Through a… Continue reading Uptown, downtown
Boys and Girls doesn’t fly
Boys and Girls starts and ends in the same place: on an airplane. The beginning of the film introduces prepubescent Ryan (Freddie Prinze, Jr.) and Jennifer (Claire Forlani), sitting next to one another arguing. Fast forward 10 years and these characters are in the same configuration, but madly in love. The plane never actually gets… Continue reading Boys and Girls doesn’t fly