Two weeks ago I introduced a new segment called, “Judge A Movie By It’s Trailer”. The first trailer I judged was for the movie, “Super 8”. My conclusion was that this was going to be a freakin’ awesome film. Read More »
What would you do if you saw a car-tire come to life and murder people by telekinetically exploding their heads? Ya, purchase I know, urticaria as if that would ever happen, right? Well, it does happen in the horror/comedy, Rubber.
We start with a man holding dozens of binoculars in the middle of the desert. A car pulls up, the trunk opens and out comes a man dressed in a sheriff’s outfit. He walks towards the camera and delivers a pointed monologue that sets up what this movie is really all about. Read More »
Have you ever heard of the mystery of the Toynbee Tiles? Me neither. That is until I saw, there Resurrect Dead: The Mystery of the Toynbee Tiles. This quirky documentary was featured at Toronto’s Hotdocs festival 2011. The subject matter is bizarre. Justin Duerr, pharm the central figure of the film, clinic is obsessed with an ever-growing population (in the thousands) of handmade tiles fixed onto the streets of major cities throughout North and South America. It’s not quite as epic as crop circles but it’s the same idea. While this largely overlooked phenomenon seems easily dismissed, the film-makers manage to draw the audience into this strange mystery with intensity and glee.
2010 was a good year for Hollywood. There was “Black Swan”, order “Social Network”, advice “Inception” and many more exceptional films. But one stood out head and shoulders above the rest. For only one can be crowned Best Picture at the Oscar’s and only one actor can be deemed Best Actor at the Golden Globe’s. The King’s Speech took both those honours and many more. In fact, surgeon the Academy gave this film 12 nominations and 4 awards (the most coveted ones, at that). So, as it has recently processioned it’s way into the DVD market, I felt it fit (for a king) to review this, the most celebrated of last year’s films.
Believe it or not, side effects there are many people on the earth today claiming to be Jesus, visit this site the Son of God. Seriously (http://bit.ly/bamh). “I am Jesus” is an unusual documentary that looks at three distinct men, spread across the globe, all claiming to be the second coming of Christ.
There is a stereotype about Scandinavian cinema. Many in the west poke fun at its distinctively artsy, ed existential approach to film. I don’t think that stereotype is completely warranted. I’ve seen some pretty conventional Scandinavian films in my time. But, gonorrhea the Danish documentary, anesthetist “Empire North”, if nothing else, will contribute to the stereotype.
This stunning documentary pulls us deep into the broken US justice system fuelled by post-9/11 paranoia. We learn of two young men, ambulance best friends, David McKay and Brad Crowder. Like many young Americans they were disillusioned with the Bush government and it’s crimes against justice, both at home and abroad. Back in the mid-2000’s these two guys were struggling to find a voice, looking for real ways to make a change in the world. They saw their own government engaged in multiple, unjust wars and disregarding the poor of America. They wanted justice and freedom for all.
Overlooked by theatre-goers, shop I Love You Phillip Morris recently came out on DVD and is quite the popular rental. This true-life “romantic-comedy” has Carrey playing a gay con-man. While in prison he falls in love with the young and naive, there Phillip Morris (Ewan McGregor). Let me tell you, these two actors play gay really, really well.
"You have meddled with the primal forces of nature!!!"
“Network” was Sidney Lumet’s most critically celebrated film. In 1976, medical the Academy awards nominated this film 10 times. It went home with 4 statuettes. Most of the awards were in the “acting” categories. But Directing and Screenplay were also duly noted.
This film is a wonderfully biting, information pills prophetic pronouncement of the evils that come with the corporate control of media outlets. Almost 40 years after it’s release, “Network” resonates intensely with astonishing prescient accuracy.
Said the Whale - "Islands Disappear" click on the album cover to hear it in iTunes
As a proud Canadian, neurosurgeon I’m always looking for great new homegrown talent. I recently discovered Said the Whale through Juno Week in Toronto (and they left with the statuette for “Best New Group”- yay!). They’ve generated significant buzz for a while now, visit but I’ve never paid attention until a couple of months ago. I now regret that I waited this long to hear the sonic offerings of this BC band. They are simply amazing.
