Reviews

Dialogue-heavy can be interesting if the dialogue is well written. This isn't. Before Sunrise parallels but that was a well done film. This is sadly an example of certain Canadian films; unfocused, cliched and lacking a plot. Tracy Wright and Molly Parker do their best. Fun seeing Callum Keith Rennie as always.

Lots of storylines that go nowhere. Interesting seeing Toronto places, hey that's the Etobicoke School For the Arts, there's Herb something Motors which was a former car dealership. The shot of streetcars, downtown buildings, and Don McKellar gets two lines. Sarah Polley is in this but can't recall who she was. Backstage manager?

Film improved later as the stories among the various cars unfolded. Still it was so trivial in the end. I liked the cinematography in some scenes but the faces were zoomed in too much.

Contrived dialogue, sadly a mess although I had high expectations. What Rosie ODonnell added to this movie is unknown. Even Uma Thurman, who looked great but I don't understand why her character was added. It took away from the development of the main characters. "Let's get her in!"

Interesting choreography and inclusive message until Byrne's shameless "Get out the (Democratic) vote" proselytizing. Us against them all of a sudden.

Glenn Ford is excellent here as he always was. Geraldine Page shines in her role, with many nuances to it. At first she seems like a naive out-of-towner in the big city but she turns out to be really quite wise and self aware. A terrific and sympathetic performance.

This movie seems like a bridge between the old style of filmmaking and a newer more daring way of approaching human relationships. This is a gem.

Also watch for BOTH Mrs. Kravitz's from Bewitched.

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David Essex has moved on from the first installment "That'll Be The Day". Second banana in an unheralded 60s group, he and his manager (in a superb performance from Adam Faith) manouever Essex's character into the lead role. Cameos from Keith Moon, Dave Edmunds and Edd Byrnes but David Essex is the star here.

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Lame, boring, no real insights about anything. Missed this during the 1980's and turns out I didn't miss much. Looking for something smart and interesting based on Albert Brooks' credentials, sadly absent here.

Early 70's Brit suspense, the plot seems to be one we've all seen before, but there are enough twists and turns to make it interesting. Elizabeth still delivers the goods at this later stage of her active career.

The lead character is the focal point of this film, but lame writing and wooden acting does in the rest of this. Still an interesting concept, the day in the life of a troubled yet egotistical chef. Well played lead role.

Not as bad as some say, not as great as others do. Slow moving at first, but Natalie Portman is very good in her role. Jon Hamm plays his usual smug charismatic self. Director Noah Hawley gets carried away with camera tricks and leaves aside chances to send the story to a more earthly plain. Still it was interesting enough.

Trailer park, single mom, teenage daughters, better than it sounds. Stunt casting of Donovan's kids, Ione Skye (major role) and Donovan Leitch Jr. (bit part).

Four separate plotlines interesect during the Academy Awards. Alan Alda and Jane Fonda shine as a divorced couple who've since taken different routes in life. Maggie Smith and Michael Caine are excellent as well. The other two stories are less compelling, which is a shame. By the end you may wish Neil Simon had stuck to New York.

I would have watched a series with Stephen McHattie playing a small town DJ. With his cowboy hat on. Man he's good in this.

What a vacuous load of crap. Anyone planning do a an actual credible biopic? This ain't it.

Tatiana wants to hang out with a much older musician, no wait, she is suddenly interested in the younger guy she used to babysit, making him her pet project. What's interesting is seeing her character's layers and defences peel away, little by little. No question we're watching a Canadian film here. And yes, that's a good thing.

This seemed silly and contrived at first but instead turned into one of those little Canadian movies that work. The cross-Canada scenery of wheat fields, lakes, mountains and sunsets didn't hurt either. Both acting leads were very good.

Slow start with several scenes that don't make much sense, but it all gets explained. Interesting plot of a London gangster being besieged by an unknown enemy. Bob Hoskins is very good in the lead role, but it isn't new ground. Certain UK cop shows of the era covered this type of gritty London crime very well.

Unfortunately the filmmakers fell in line with a trend of that time, the horrible synth score in the background.

Character study of older actress (a wonderful Juliette Binoche) who is playing the "older woman" role in a theatrical production. The production made her famous many years before, playing the younger woman. Her relationship with her young personal assistant (a somewhat monotone yet oddly compelling Kristin Stewart) seems to be the central part of the film, for awhile anyway. The "snake" clouds in the alpine Swiss village where they are staying provide a dramatic setting.

Stay for the dialogue, get frustrated by so many unresolved plotlines.

16 year old Molly Maxwell becomes infatuated with one of her "alternative school" teachers. Same old thing, but the backdrop of the alternative school, ultra-liberal parents trying too hard, the ferry boat trip to the Toronto Islands, and a nice performance by Lola Tash redeem this.

Couples meet up on a Niagara region wine tour, with a woman inconveniently involved with her partner's boss, who is on this tour too.

Lots of nice scenery and a story about infidelity make this an interesting film. Lots of recognizable places for southern Ontario who go on weekend jaunts to the Niagara Peninsula.

Watching a lot of independent films like this during the "free for the coronavirus Hollywood Suite channel". I liked the rugged backwoods Quebec backdrop and the interaction between characters. When things seem a little bit off to you as you watch, then they probably are. The plot twists slowly. Neatest obscure closing song of a movie (for me) since Before Sunrise. Marie Pöör, "Pretty Day".