Film Fan Fridays for Friday April 29, 2011

Hello Film Fans and Fanatics!

Welcome to Film Fan Fridays for Friday April 29, 2011! It's a quiet week as we only 5 films in release, and and that used to be a pretty normal number of releases but this year it feels like it's usually in the 10 films range. So many films to choose from. We also have Hot Docs kicking in to gear, bringing us 199 documentary films to choose from over the next week and a bit. I'll be covering the festival at Movie Moxie, be sure to stop by and check it out.

In limited release this week we have just one release with The Conspirator, a dramatization of Mary Surratt (Robin Wright), a woman charged with conspiring to assassinate Abraham Lincoln. The film also stars James McAvoy and is directed by Robert Redford.

In wide release this week we have four films to choose from, starting with one that I'm actually a little embarrassed to admit it but I'm really looking forward to it: Fast Five. Yep. The fifth in the Fast and the Furious the series that features with fast cars, small clothing, a reprisal cast of Paul Walker, Vin Diesel and Jordana Brewster plus new addition of Dwayne Johnson (Faster). We also have the Disney film Prom (was I the only one that thought it was a doc? ), which seems like it shows the chastest prom ever, although looks very cute nonetheless. We also have animated sequel Hoodwinked Too! Hood vs. Evil and Bollywood release of Chalo Dilli.

Be sure to check out my Hot Docs previews (overview, reviews of Superheroes, Family Instinct, At Night They Dance and A Simply Rhythm, Imagining Emanuel and The Future is Now!) and swing on by Movie Moxie for coverage throughout the festival.

Have a great weekend!

Shannon

Festival Watch

Hot Docs
Canadian International Documentary Film Festival
April 28 - May 8, 2011 at various locations in Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Friday April 29, 2011 Releases

Chalo Dilli
Dir: Shashant Shah (Dasvidaniya)
Cast: Lara Dutta, Yana Gupta, Akshay Kumar
India
Official Film Site & Trailer, IMDb Page

The Conspirator
Dir: Robert Redford (Lions for Lambs, The Legend of Bagger Vance, Quiz Show)
Cast: Robin Wright, James McAvoy, Tom Wilkinson, Evan Rachel Wood, Alexis Bledel, Johnny Simmons, Danny Huston
USA
Limited Release
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

Fast Five
Dir: Justin Lin (Finishing the Game)
Cast: Vin Diesel , Paul Walker, Jordana Brewster, Dwayne Johnson, Tyrese Gibson, Ludacris, Sung Kang
USA
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

Hoodwinked Too! Hood vs. Evil
Dir: Mike Disa (Dead Space: Aftermath)
Cast: Hayden Panettiere, Glenn Close, Joan Cusack, Bill Hader, Amy Poehler, David Andy Dick, Brad Garrett, Patrick Warburton
USA
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

Prom
Dir: Joe Nussbaum (Sydney White)
Cast: Aimee Teegarden, Thomas McDonell, De’Vaughn Nixon, Danielle Campbell, Yin Chang, Kylie Bunbury, Nicholas Braun, Jared Kusnitz, Jonathan Keltz
USA
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

**please note this list of releases reflects first run film released in Toronto, Ontario, Canada as of April 29, 2011**

Film Fan Fridays for Friday April 29, 2011

Hello Film Fans and Fanatics!

Welcome to Film Fan Fridays for Friday April 29, 2011! It's a quiet week as we only 5 films in release, and and that used to be a pretty normal number of releases but this year it feels like it's usually in the 10 films range. So many films to choose from. We also have Hot Docs kicking in to gear, bringing us 199 documentary films to choose from over the next week and a bit. I'll be covering the festival at Movie Moxie, be sure to stop by and check it out.

In limited release this week we have just one release with The Conspirator, a dramatization of Mary Surratt (Robin Wright), a woman charged with conspiring to assassinate Abraham Lincoln. The film also stars James McAvoy and is directed by Robert Redford.

In wide release this week we have four films to choose from, starting with one that I'm actually a little embarrassed to admit it but I'm really looking forward to it: Fast Five. Yep. The fifth in the Fast and the Furious the series that features with fast cars, small clothing, a reprisal cast of Paul Walker, Vin Diesel and Jordana Brewster plus new addition of Dwayne Johnson (Faster). We also have the Disney film Prom (was I the only one that thought it was a doc? ), which seems like it shows the chastest prom ever, although looks very cute nonetheless. We also have animated sequel Hoodwinked Too! Hood vs. Evil and Bollywood release of Chalo Dilli.

Be sure to check out my Hot Docs previews (overview, reviews of Superheroes, Family Instinct, At Night They Dance and A Simply Rhythm, Imagining Emanuel and The Future is Now!) and swing on by Movie Moxie for coverage throughout the festival.

Have a great weekend!

Shannon

Festival Watch

Hot Docs
Canadian International Documentary Film Festival
April 28 - May 8, 2011 at various locations in Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Friday April 29, 2011 Releases

Chalo Dilli
Dir: Shashant Shah (Dasvidaniya)
Cast: Lara Dutta, Yana Gupta, Akshay Kumar
India
Official Film Site & Trailer, IMDb Page

The Conspirator
Dir: Robert Redford (Lions for Lambs, The Legend of Bagger Vance, Quiz Show)
Cast: Robin Wright, James McAvoy, Tom Wilkinson, Evan Rachel Wood, Alexis Bledel, Johnny Simmons, Danny Huston
USA
Limited Release
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

Fast Five
Dir: Justin Lin (Finishing the Game)
Cast: Vin Diesel , Paul Walker, Jordana Brewster, Dwayne Johnson, Tyrese Gibson, Ludacris, Sung Kang
USA
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

Hoodwinked Too! Hood vs. Evil
Dir: Mike Disa (Dead Space: Aftermath)
Cast: Hayden Panettiere, Glenn Close, Joan Cusack, Bill Hader, Amy Poehler, David Andy Dick, Brad Garrett, Patrick Warburton
USA
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

Prom
Dir: Joe Nussbaum (Sydney White)
Cast: Aimee Teegarden, Thomas McDonell, De’Vaughn Nixon, Danielle Campbell, Yin Chang, Kylie Bunbury, Nicholas Braun, Jared Kusnitz, Jonathan Keltz
USA
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

**please note this list of releases reflects first run film released in Toronto, Ontario, Canada as of April 29, 2011**

Hot Docs 2011 Preview: A Simple Rhythm, Imagining Emanuel and The Future is Now!

Professor Steven H Strogatz demonstrates the synchronization of metronomes in Tess Girard's A Simple Rhythm.

A Simple Rhythm
Dir: Tess Girard
Canada

Rarely does a film capture me within the first few moments, but A Simple Rhythm did just that *and* it brought tears to my eyes in the first few minutes. Yep, a film that's about universal rhythm will do that to me. I absolutely loved it. I loved that it drew on experts from many different communities from scientific to artistic to explore rhythm and the patterns it creates, maintains, sustains and relays. I loved how it found and celebrated the beauty in something that could feel so dry, but instead we see it in many different beautiful lights, interpretations and presentations. A beautiful exploration on a fascinating topic and easily my favourite of the festival so far. An exceptional film that I highly recommend.

An image from Tess Girard's "A Simple Rhythm"; a film that combines the dialogue of philosophical and academic conversation on rhythm and synchronization with metaphoric images of the every day.

A Simple Rhythm screenings at Hot Docs:

• Fri, Apr 29, 2011 at 7pm at The Royal Cinema
• Sat, May 7, 2011 at 6:30pm at Cumberland 3
• Sun, May 8, 2011 at 3:45pm at The ROM Theatre

Image from Imagining Emanuel

Imagining Emanuel
Dir: Thomas A Østbye
Norway

Imagining Emanuel is an absolutely fascination exploration of identity, history and truth, especially from the point of view of how we actually actually view these things and when we consider them to be 'real'. What is it that make the truth, the truth? When do we definitively know who someone is? Does that change depending on who we are: someone on the street versus a government representative versus a law enforcement officer? Does it change who we are, to question these truths? I loved how this film was put together and it was brilliant it it's exploration of these interesting questions from a theoretical point of view as well as adding a human and personal perspective. Unique in many ways, and well worth checking out.

Imagining Emanuel screenings at Hot Docs:

• Wed, May 4, 2011 at 9:15pm at TIFF Bell Lightbox 4
• Fri, May 6, 2011 at 1:30pm at Cumberland 2

Image from The Future is Now!

The Future is Now!
Dirs: Gary Burns & Jim Brown (Radiant City)
Canada

An exploration of the importance of art and connection with society is seen through the journey of a skeptic with an at arms distance guide who funnels him from interesting thinker to art creator, philosophers and beyond. I love the idea of the film, but I was taking a bit aback as I could tell right away that it's not quite a straight up documentary (it was a strong familiarity with Canadian actors that gave it away), but in all fairness it also feels intentional. The Future Is Now! has a very direct and clear tone to get it's message across, but it also feels like it might be preaching to the converted. I hope not just the converted, because the message is great as well as the journey structure that hopefully can and will open people up to considering new ideas, reflecting on their own opinions and foster new ways of thinking. I think anything that can achieve these goals and has an optimistic attitude to boot, is a welcome endeavour and an great source of inspiration.

The Future is Now! screenings at Hot Docs:

• Thu, May 5, 2011 at 9pm at TIFF Bell Lightbox 1
• Sat, May 7, 2011 at 1pm at Cumberland 3

Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival runs from April 28 - May 8, 2011 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Hot Docs 2011 Preview: A Simple Rhythm, Imagining Emanuel and The Future is Now!

Professor Steven H Strogatz demonstrates the synchronization of metronomes in Tess Girard's A Simple Rhythm.

A Simple Rhythm
Dir: Tess Girard
Canada

Rarely does a film capture me within the first few moments, but A Simple Rhythm did just that *and* it brought tears to my eyes in the first few minutes. Yep, a film that's about universal rhythm will do that to me. I absolutely loved it. I loved that it drew on experts from many different communities from scientific to artistic to explore rhythm and the patterns it creates, maintains, sustains and relays. I loved how it found and celebrated the beauty in something that could feel so dry, but instead we see it in many different beautiful lights, interpretations and presentations. A beautiful exploration on a fascinating topic and easily my favourite of the festival so far. An exceptional film that I highly recommend.

An image from Tess Girard's "A Simple Rhythm"; a film that combines the dialogue of philosophical and academic conversation on rhythm and synchronization with metaphoric images of the every day.

A Simple Rhythm screenings at Hot Docs:

• Fri, Apr 29, 2011 at 7pm at The Royal Cinema
• Sat, May 7, 2011 at 6:30pm at Cumberland 3
• Sun, May 8, 2011 at 3:45pm at The ROM Theatre

Image from Imagining Emanuel

Imagining Emanuel
Dir: Thomas A Østbye
Norway

Imagining Emanuel is an absolutely fascination exploration of identity, history and truth, especially from the point of view of how we actually actually view these things and when we consider them to be 'real'. What is it that make the truth, the truth? When do we definitively know who someone is? Does that change depending on who we are: someone on the street versus a government representative versus a law enforcement officer? Does it change who we are, to question these truths? I loved how this film was put together and it was brilliant it it's exploration of these interesting questions from a theoretical point of view as well as adding a human and personal perspective. Unique in many ways, and well worth checking out.

Imagining Emanuel screenings at Hot Docs:

• Wed, May 4, 2011 at 9:15pm at TIFF Bell Lightbox 4
• Fri, May 6, 2011 at 1:30pm at Cumberland 2

Image from The Future is Now!

The Future is Now!
Dirs: Gary Burns & Jim Brown (Radiant City)
Canada

An exploration of the importance of art and connection with society is seen through the journey of a skeptic with an at arms distance guide who funnels him from interesting thinker to art creator, philosophers and beyond. I love the idea of the film, but I was taking a bit aback as I could tell right away that it's not quite a straight up documentary (it was a strong familiarity with Canadian actors that gave it away), but in all fairness it also feels intentional. The Future Is Now! has a very direct and clear tone to get it's message across, but it also feels like it might be preaching to the converted. I hope not just the converted, because the message is great as well as the journey structure that hopefully can and will open people up to considering new ideas, reflecting on their own opinions and foster new ways of thinking. I think anything that can achieve these goals and has an optimistic attitude to boot, is a welcome endeavour and an great source of inspiration.

The Future is Now! screenings at Hot Docs:

• Thu, May 5, 2011 at 9pm at TIFF Bell Lightbox 1
• Sat, May 7, 2011 at 1pm at Cumberland 3

Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival runs from April 28 - May 8, 2011 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Dinoshark (DVD Review)

Photo - Courtesy of Anchor Bay Entertainment

Dir: Kevin O'Neill (Dinocroc)
Cast: Eric Balfour, Iva Hasperger, Aarón Díaz, Christina Nicole, Humberto Busto, Richard Miller, Roger Corman
USA, 2010 (TV)

Reason to see: I don't think I can resist a film with a title like Dinoshark.

What a boatload of fun Dinoshark is! I'm totally loving that SyFy flicks have been hitting DVD & BluRay so those of us up here in Canada have the opportunity to enjoy their awesomeness. I love monster movies that you can complete tell the tone and style by the title, and Dinoshark is just that: a dinosaur-shark that causes mayhem and craziness among waters that aren't prone to such a vicious predator!

The setting is Puerto Vallarta, a perfect water setting for any hungry prehistoric shark looking to chomp into a variety of different prey. Too bad it's eating habits cause to rain on the locals parade, which sparks a hunt to solve the mystery of the dinoshark. One of the things I liked about the film is it shifts several things that could be stock expectations to something a bit different. The main set of characters include both Trace (Eric Balfour of Skyline & "Haven") and Carol (Iva Hasperger), whom feel like long-term locals, but we don't that push-and-pull of local vs non-local feel. Instead there is a refreshing friendship between them and Luis (Aarón Díaz) and Rita (Christina Nicole), which gives the film a sense of binding together against the odds & working to save and maintain the safety of friends feels over a hunted vs hunter. We also have a helpful as opposed to evil-and-interested expert in Dr. Frank Reeves, in a pretty freaking strong performance by producer Roger Corman himself!

The film has a great sense of fun to it with lots of lurking moments, crazy kills and loves of screams and squeals throughout. I loved camaraderie between the friends characters, the adventurous spirit and the rescue mentality. The monster effects were pretty decent and the creature was pretty fun for a monster movie. Overall, I found Dinoshark one heck of a good time. CHOMP!

Warnings: Gore
DVD Extras:

• Commentary with producers Roger Corman & Julie Corman and director Kevin O'Neill, moderated by independent producer Perry Martin. Another awesome commentary which is both entertaining and informative as it discusses how the film came to be from the idea to building the team, the connection and how it's a follow up to Dinocroc, where the title, concept and story came from, how Kevin O'Neill got into the film industry and visual effects background and how it played into directing the film, the challenges of independent filmmaking, working on the water and extras casting as well as the expectations of the audience and how to meet them.
• Trailer

Dinoshark is available on DVD as of April 26, 2011. Check it out over at Amazon.ca & Amazon.com

Shannon's Overall View:
I loved it
I already look forward to watching it again
I highly recommend it to monster movie fans

Return to Film Reviews or see more DVD Reviews

© Shannon Ridler, 2011

Dinoshark (DVD Review)

Photo - Courtesy of Anchor Bay Entertainment

Dir: Kevin O'Neill (Dinocroc)
Cast: Eric Balfour, Iva Hasperger, Aarón Díaz, Christina Nicole, Humberto Busto, Richard Miller, Roger Corman
USA, 2010 (TV)

Reason to see: I don't think I can resist a film with a title like Dinoshark.

What a boatload of fun Dinoshark is! I'm totally loving that SyFy flicks have been hitting DVD & BluRay so those of us up here in Canada have the opportunity to enjoy their awesomeness. I love monster movies that you can complete tell the tone and style by the title, and Dinoshark is just that: a dinosaur-shark that causes mayhem and craziness among waters that aren't prone to such a vicious predator!

The setting is Puerto Vallarta, a perfect water setting for any hungry prehistoric shark looking to chomp into a variety of different prey. Too bad it's eating habits cause to rain on the locals parade, which sparks a hunt to solve the mystery of the dinoshark. One of the things I liked about the film is it shifts several things that could be stock expectations to something a bit different. The main set of characters include both Trace (Eric Balfour of Skyline & "Haven") and Carol (Iva Hasperger), whom feel like long-term locals, but we don't that push-and-pull of local vs non-local feel. Instead there is a refreshing friendship between them and Luis (Aarón Díaz) and Rita (Christina Nicole), which gives the film a sense of binding together against the odds & working to save and maintain the safety of friends feels over a hunted vs hunter. We also have a helpful as opposed to evil-and-interested expert in Dr. Frank Reeves, in a pretty freaking strong performance by producer Roger Corman himself!

The film has a great sense of fun to it with lots of lurking moments, crazy kills and loves of screams and squeals throughout. I loved camaraderie between the friends characters, the adventurous spirit and the rescue mentality. The monster effects were pretty decent and the creature was pretty fun for a monster movie. Overall, I found Dinoshark one heck of a good time. CHOMP!

Warnings: Gore
DVD Extras:

• Commentary with producers Roger Corman & Julie Corman and director Kevin O'Neill, moderated by independent producer Perry Martin. Another awesome commentary which is both entertaining and informative as it discusses how the film came to be from the idea to building the team, the connection and how it's a follow up to Dinocroc, where the title, concept and story came from, how Kevin O'Neill got into the film industry and visual effects background and how it played into directing the film, the challenges of independent filmmaking, working on the water and extras casting as well as the expectations of the audience and how to meet them.
• Trailer

Dinoshark is available on DVD as of April 26, 2011. Check it out over at Amazon.ca & Amazon.com

Shannon's Overall View:
I loved it
I already look forward to watching it again
I highly recommend it to monster movie fans

Return to Film Reviews or see more DVD Reviews

© Shannon Ridler, 2011

The Resident (Review - DVD/Blu-Ray Combo)

Image: Courtesy of Alliance Films
Legal Line © 2010 Resident Productions, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Distributed exclusively in Canada by Alliance Films. All Rights Reserved. © 2010 Resident Productions. Tous droits réservés. Distribué exclusivement au Canada par Alliance Vivafilm. Tous droits réservés.

Dir: Antti Jokinen (Bioterror)
Cast: Hilary Swank, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Christopher Lee, Lee Pace
USA/UK, 2011

Reason to see: Hammer Horror + Jeffrey Dean Morgan = yes and more please!

The Resident stars Hilary Swank as Juliet, a doctor who is newly separated from her husband (played by Lee Pace) and looking for a new place to stay. Although the choices seem limited, she comes across an imperfect-yet-charming place newly renovated by the owner, Max (Jeffrey Dean Morgan), and situated in a large building which appears to be only occupied by Max and his grandfather August (Christopher Lee).

I really enjoyed the characters The Resident, they are understated and very accessible with the quiet Juliet who is rebuilding her life and the kind and brooding owner Max (played charismatically by Jeffrey Dean Morgan). Two people who seemingly have nothing in common beyond rebuildling their living spaces and of course the luck of living in the same building. But in true horror nature, things start to go awry and things start to get pretty freaking creepy. I love how it's a slow burn in terms of the horror side of the story, and gets the feeling of something just being 'off' very well. And when I say creepy, I mean really creepy in a voyeuristic sense with a dash of home invasion tension as well which if a sure fire way to really freak people out. That being said, it's not my particularly my favourite kind of horror although I did think the unnerving tone was very well captured.

I thought the story and acting were both solid, and the creep factor is was way high. It was also a complete treat to see Lee Pace (The Fall), he's a great actor and I am always on the look out for his name to pop up in film (and we will see him later this year in The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn: Part I). It's not quite what I imagined a new Hammer Horror film to be, but I've seen almost exclusively vampire/werewolf films of theirs from the (distant) past, but it was a nice nod to those films to see Christopher Lee here. If you are looking for a slow burn creep out film, check out The Resident.

DVD Extras:

• Trailer

The Resident is available on DVD as of April 26, 2011. Check it out over at Amazon.ca & Amazon.com

Shannon's Overall View:
I enjoyed it
I'll watch it again
I'd recommend it to horror fans, especially in the creepy/voyeuristic vein

Return to Film Reviews or see more DVD Reviews

© Shannon Ridler, 2011

The Resident (Review - DVD/Blu-Ray Combo)

Image: Courtesy of Alliance Films
Legal Line © 2010 Resident Productions, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Distributed exclusively in Canada by Alliance Films. All Rights Reserved. © 2010 Resident Productions. Tous droits réservés. Distribué exclusivement au Canada par Alliance Vivafilm. Tous droits réservés.

Dir: Antti Jokinen (Bioterror)
Cast: Hilary Swank, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Christopher Lee, Lee Pace
USA/UK, 2011

Reason to see: Hammer Horror + Jeffrey Dean Morgan = yes and more please!

The Resident stars Hilary Swank as Juliet, a doctor who is newly separated from her husband (played by Lee Pace) and looking for a new place to stay. Although the choices seem limited, she comes across an imperfect-yet-charming place newly renovated by the owner, Max (Jeffrey Dean Morgan), and situated in a large building which appears to be only occupied by Max and his grandfather August (Christopher Lee).

I really enjoyed the characters The Resident, they are understated and very accessible with the quiet Juliet who is rebuilding her life and the kind and brooding owner Max (played charismatically by Jeffrey Dean Morgan). Two people who seemingly have nothing in common beyond rebuildling their living spaces and of course the luck of living in the same building. But in true horror nature, things start to go awry and things start to get pretty freaking creepy. I love how it's a slow burn in terms of the horror side of the story, and gets the feeling of something just being 'off' very well. And when I say creepy, I mean really creepy in a voyeuristic sense with a dash of home invasion tension as well which if a sure fire way to really freak people out. That being said, it's not my particularly my favourite kind of horror although I did think the unnerving tone was very well captured.

I thought the story and acting were both solid, and the creep factor is was way high. It was also a complete treat to see Lee Pace (The Fall), he's a great actor and I am always on the look out for his name to pop up in film (and we will see him later this year in The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn: Part I). It's not quite what I imagined a new Hammer Horror film to be, but I've seen almost exclusively vampire/werewolf films of theirs from the (distant) past, but it was a nice nod to those films to see Christopher Lee here. If you are looking for a slow burn creep out film, check out The Resident.

DVD Extras:

• Trailer

The Resident is available on DVD as of April 26, 2011. Check it out over at Amazon.ca & Amazon.com

Shannon's Overall View:
I enjoyed it
I'll watch it again
I'd recommend it to horror fans, especially in the creepy/voyeuristic vein

Return to Film Reviews or see more DVD Reviews

© Shannon Ridler, 2011

Hot Docs 2011 Preview: Superheroes, Family Instinct & At Night, They Dance

Superheroes
Dir: Michael Barnett
USA

Every wonder what it would be like to be real life superhero? I think most of us have had at least one time pondered what it would be like but the focus of this film is people who took that beyond thinking and into action and have become real life superheroes. Patrolling the streets, fighting crime, scaring off baddies and occasionally... stopping for a beer? Superheroes makes it clear that although there may not be tons of real life superheroes out there, and most come from the place of wanting to help the helpless, they have varying ways of doing so and even more so varying levels of competency doing so. Some are high trained in martial arts & parkour, where as others you wonder how their suit is even kept together, but all feel very strongly about stepping up and fighting injustice, and I loved how the film focused on that sensibility when it at times could have easily gone for humour. It's respectful and intelligent, talking to numerous superheroes as well as experts in the field from psychologists to likely the biggest expert in the field: Stan Lee. The superheroes themselves are the real stars of the screen, and they both suprize and inspire the viewer. Well worth checking out.

Superheroes screenings at Hot Docs:

• Mon, May 2, 2011 at 9pm at the Bloor Cinema
• Wed, May 4, 2011 at 4pm at TIFF Bell Lightbox 2
• Sun, May 8, 2011 at 7pm at The Royal Cinema

Zanda, in Family Instinct

Family Instinct
Dir: Andris Gauja
Latvia

One of the things I always look for at film festivals is to see if there is any Latvian film, as it's a rare to find and being of Latvian heritage myself it's a treat to see. This wasn't quite what I'd imagine to be regular everyday Latvian life, but it's a very intimate look at one particular family. Family Instinct follows a family of quite an unusual make up, we see it centred on Zanda whom we see during a time of absence from Valdis - the father of her children (and also her brother). That's only one of the many strange and almost unbelievable things in the film, which we see from a fly on the wall perspective as the strange, but apparently everyday, life as it rolls out day by day. From crazy binge drinking to uninvited guests, many of which strongly seem to favour Zanda's company while Valdis is away. The film is an eye opener on many levels, and I absolutely couldn't tear myself away from it.

Family Instinct screenings at Hot Docs:

• Fri, Apr 29, 2011 at 9:45pm at Cumberland 3
• Sat, Apr 30, 2011 at 4:30pm at Cumberland 3
• Tue, May 3, 2011 at 11am at Isabel Bader Theatre

Hind, dancing against all the odds in At Night, They Dance

At Night, They Dance
Dir: Isabelle Lavigne & Stéphane Thibault
Canada

I'm always up for a dance film, but was a little hesitant although still very curious about At Night, They Dance which follows belly dancers in Cairo. I have to say that the dancing elements are low, and even dancing seems to be most of the times a generous way to put is as the young women are mostly on stage with a live band and at times dancing or moving for an all male crowd. The gender dynamics and tension in this film are rough, the male dominated industry is bridged by Reda, who is a former dancer herself and the mother of several daughters who dance are likely more who will dance in the future. It's interesting to see it from the perspective of almost a participant, as we are brought full force into the world without context and live through the lives of the dancers and their handlers through the long nights and various celebrations and events. It wasn't what I expected but it was wild to see this portrait on a lifestyle from such an intimate point of view.

At Night, They Dance screenings at Hot Docs:

• Tue, May 3, 2011 at 9pm at TIFF Bell Lightbox 4
• Fri, May 6, 2011 at 1:15pm at The ROM Theatre

Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival runs from April 28 - May 8, 2011 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Hot Docs 2011 Preview: Superheroes, Family Instinct & At Night, They Dance

Superheroes
Dir: Michael Barnett
USA

Every wonder what it would be like to be real life superhero? I think most of us have had at least one time pondered what it would be like but the focus of this film is people who took that beyond thinking and into action and have become real life superheroes. Patrolling the streets, fighting crime, scaring off baddies and occasionally... stopping for a beer? Superheroes makes it clear that although there may not be tons of real life superheroes out there, and most come from the place of wanting to help the helpless, they have varying ways of doing so and even more so varying levels of competency doing so. Some are high trained in martial arts & parkour, where as others you wonder how their suit is even kept together, but all feel very strongly about stepping up and fighting injustice, and I loved how the film focused on that sensibility when it at times could have easily gone for humour. It's respectful and intelligent, talking to numerous superheroes as well as experts in the field from psychologists to likely the biggest expert in the field: Stan Lee. The superheroes themselves are the real stars of the screen, and they both suprize and inspire the viewer. Well worth checking out.

Superheroes screenings at Hot Docs:

• Mon, May 2, 2011 at 9pm at the Bloor Cinema
• Wed, May 4, 2011 at 4pm at TIFF Bell Lightbox 2
• Sun, May 8, 2011 at 7pm at The Royal Cinema

Zanda, in Family Instinct

Family Instinct
Dir: Andris Gauja
Latvia

One of the things I always look for at film festivals is to see if there is any Latvian film, as it's a rare to find and being of Latvian heritage myself it's a treat to see. This wasn't quite what I'd imagine to be regular everyday Latvian life, but it's a very intimate look at one particular family. Family Instinct follows a family of quite an unusual make up, we see it centred on Zanda whom we see during a time of absence from Valdis - the father of her children (and also her brother). That's only one of the many strange and almost unbelievable things in the film, which we see from a fly on the wall perspective as the strange, but apparently everyday, life as it rolls out day by day. From crazy binge drinking to uninvited guests, many of which strongly seem to favour Zanda's company while Valdis is away. The film is an eye opener on many levels, and I absolutely couldn't tear myself away from it.

Family Instinct screenings at Hot Docs:

• Fri, Apr 29, 2011 at 9:45pm at Cumberland 3
• Sat, Apr 30, 2011 at 4:30pm at Cumberland 3
• Tue, May 3, 2011 at 11am at Isabel Bader Theatre

Hind, dancing against all the odds in At Night, They Dance

At Night, They Dance
Dir: Isabelle Lavigne & Stéphane Thibault
Canada

I'm always up for a dance film, but was a little hesitant although still very curious about At Night, They Dance which follows belly dancers in Cairo. I have to say that the dancing elements are low, and even dancing seems to be most of the times a generous way to put is as the young women are mostly on stage with a live band and at times dancing or moving for an all male crowd. The gender dynamics and tension in this film are rough, the male dominated industry is bridged by Reda, who is a former dancer herself and the mother of several daughters who dance are likely more who will dance in the future. It's interesting to see it from the perspective of almost a participant, as we are brought full force into the world without context and live through the lives of the dancers and their handlers through the long nights and various celebrations and events. It wasn't what I expected but it was wild to see this portrait on a lifestyle from such an intimate point of view.

At Night, They Dance screenings at Hot Docs:

• Tue, May 3, 2011 at 9pm at TIFF Bell Lightbox 4
• Fri, May 6, 2011 at 1:15pm at The ROM Theatre

Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival runs from April 28 - May 8, 2011 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada

DVD Releases for April 26, 2011

Happy Tuesday! Weekly fun day and time to look at a selection of the DVD and Blu Ray releases for Tuesday April 26, 2011. This week is pretty action centric so bring on the flying kicks!

• IP Man 2 Put Donnie Yen & Sammo Hung in a Wilson Yip film, and I'll always be set to see it. But add to the fact that it's a historical film centred on Wing Chun martial arts master Ip Man who was Bruce Lee's mentor, that makes this a must-see for all martial arts fans. And it's awesome to boot.
• Dinoshark on DVD and BluRay (DVD Review) Another SyFy film fun-ness following crazy (dino) shark shenanigans, this film is a fantastic popcorn flick. And it stars Eric Balfour (Skyline, "Haven"). Woohoo!
• The Resident DVD/BluRay Combo (DVD Review) Hammer Horror home inner invasion-style flick starring Hillary Swank, Jeffery Dean Morgan, Lee Pace & Christopher Lee.
• Shaw Brothers Triple Threat Sweet looking selections including Invincible Shaolin, The Gamble & Shaolin Prince.
• Norwegian Ninja Yep. That's a film I'm willing to see based on the title alone (US DVD release date June 28, 2011).
• El Topo (Blu Ray) Alejandro Jodorowsky's 1969 cult classic, and the BluRay has lots of extras including On-Camera interview and a Feature Commentary by Alejandro Jodorowsky.
• Casino Jack Kevin Spacey stars in this crime/comedy biopic on scheming, corruption and politics.
• Jolene based on the story by E.L. Doctorow and starring Jessica Chastain, Dermot Mulroney, Chazz Palminteri and directed by Dan Ireland.
• Come Undone sizzling hot-looking Italian drama from director Silvio Soldini.
• Blow Out (Criterion) starring John Travolta & Nancy Allen, directed by Brian De Palma.

Titles on Amazon.ca(Canada):


Titles on Amazon.com (US):

DVD Releases for April 26, 2011

Happy Tuesday! Weekly fun day and time to look at a selection of the DVD and Blu Ray releases for Tuesday April 26, 2011. This week is pretty action centric so bring on the flying kicks!

• IP Man 2 Put Donnie Yen & Sammo Hung in a Wilson Yip film, and I'll always be set to see it. But add to the fact that it's a historical film centred on Wing Chun martial arts master Ip Man who was Bruce Lee's mentor, that makes this a must-see for all martial arts fans. And it's awesome to boot.
• Dinoshark on DVD and BluRay (DVD Review) Another SyFy film fun-ness following crazy (dino) shark shenanigans, this film is a fantastic popcorn flick. And it stars Eric Balfour (Skyline, "Haven"). Woohoo!
• The Resident DVD/BluRay Combo (DVD Review) Hammer Horror home inner invasion-style flick starring Hillary Swank, Jeffery Dean Morgan, Lee Pace & Christopher Lee.
• Shaw Brothers Triple Threat Sweet looking selections including Invincible Shaolin, The Gamble & Shaolin Prince.
• Norwegian Ninja Yep. That's a film I'm willing to see based on the title alone (US DVD release date June 28, 2011).
• El Topo (Blu Ray) Alejandro Jodorowsky's 1969 cult classic, and the BluRay has lots of extras including On-Camera interview and a Feature Commentary by Alejandro Jodorowsky.
• Casino Jack Kevin Spacey stars in this crime/comedy biopic on scheming, corruption and politics.
• Jolene based on the story by E.L. Doctorow and starring Jessica Chastain, Dermot Mulroney, Chazz Palminteri and directed by Dan Ireland.
• Come Undone sizzling hot-looking Italian drama from director Silvio Soldini.
• Blow Out (Criterion) starring John Travolta & Nancy Allen, directed by Brian De Palma.

Titles on Amazon.ca(Canada):


Titles on Amazon.com (US):

Hot Docs 2011 Preview

Spring Film Festival Season is in Toronto in full force with Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival opening this week and it's your sure fire way to satisfy all your documentaries needs. The festival kicks off with an film made entirely through advertising with the Opening Night Screening of POM Wonderful Presents: the Greatest Movie Ever Sold at the Winter Garden Theatre on Thursday April 28, 2011 at 6:30 pm with an introduction from filmmaker Morgan Spurlock (Super Size Me). That is some heavy hitting documentary goodness!

One of the things I love about Hot Docs is the wide variety of films to choose from and two of the ones I'm most curious about couldn't be more different: Fightville, centred on MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) and Being Elmo: A Puppeteer's Journey. I mean, any festival that has high profile film on puppets and martial arts is a winner in my book.

More films on my radar include the club culture film Limelight, inspirational Dolphin Boy, Project Nim from James Marsh director Oscar winning film Man on Wire from Hot Docs 2008, and self-explanatory titled Boy Cheerleaders and Jig. So many films to look forward to over the festival 11 day run here in Toronto and I'm really looking forward to diving in.

Be sure to check back here at Movie Moxie for more Hot Docs previews and festival coverage.

The festivals has so much to offer, and you can check out more information on the individual programs, browse by subject (Sports & Competition, Performance & Performers and Animals & Wildlife are all categories I have my eye on) or see the festival schedule online at the Hot Docs website.

Festival Passes & Tickets are available for purchase and with many popular titles it's always wise to check the Rush Only Screenings if you are planning on heading down to the festival and taking your chances at the door. Need to know where you are heading? Check out the festival venue information. For more information on ticketing and box office check here on the Hot Docs website.

Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival runs from April 28 - May 8, 2011 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Hot Docs 2011 Preview

Spring Film Festival Season is in Toronto in full force with Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival opening this week and it's your sure fire way to satisfy all your documentaries needs. The festival kicks off with an film made entirely through advertising with the Opening Night Screening of POM Wonderful Presents: the Greatest Movie Ever Sold at the Winter Garden Theatre on Thursday April 28, 2011 at 6:30 pm with an introduction from filmmaker Morgan Spurlock (Super Size Me). That is some heavy hitting documentary goodness!

One of the things I love about Hot Docs is the wide variety of films to choose from and two of the ones I'm most curious about couldn't be more different: Fightville, centred on MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) and Being Elmo: A Puppeteer's Journey. I mean, any festival that has high profile film on puppets and martial arts is a winner in my book.

More films on my radar include the club culture film Limelight, inspirational Dolphin Boy, Project Nim from James Marsh director Oscar winning film Man on Wire from Hot Docs 2008, and self-explanatory titled Boy Cheerleaders and Jig. So many films to look forward to over the festival 11 day run here in Toronto and I'm really looking forward to diving in.

Be sure to check back here at Movie Moxie for more Hot Docs previews and festival coverage.

The festivals has so much to offer, and you can check out more information on the individual programs, browse by subject (Sports & Competition, Performance & Performers and Animals & Wildlife are all categories I have my eye on) or see the festival schedule online at the Hot Docs website.

Festival Passes & Tickets are available for purchase and with many popular titles it's always wise to check the Rush Only Screenings if you are planning on heading down to the festival and taking your chances at the door. Need to know where you are heading? Check out the festival venue information. For more information on ticketing and box office check here on the Hot Docs website.

Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival runs from April 28 - May 8, 2011 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada

I Love You Phillip Morris (DVD Review)

Image: Courtesy of Alliance Films
Legal Line ©2009 Europacorp. All Rights Reserved. Distributed Exclusively in Canada by Alliance Films. All Rights Reserved.

Dir: Glenn Ficarra & John Requa - feature film directorial debut
Cast: Jim Carrey, Ewan MacGregor, Leslie Mann, Rodrigo Santoro
USA/France, 2011

Reason to see: The trailer got me curious on this on, which was played tons last year but and I missed the very limited theatrical run earlier this year.

Every once in a while a film comes around and the premise seems so crazy you are surprized to even hear it, like what we have with I Love You Phillip Morris where con man Steven Russell (played by Jim Carrey) creates all kinds of craziness from fraud to staging personal injury accidents to keep cash flow coming in to keep happy times flowing with his kept boyfriend Phillip Morris (played by Ewan MacGregor). And then the words "Based on a True Story" come up and you have to do a bit of a double take.

Based on the book I Love You Phillip Morris: A True Story of Life, Love, and Prison Breaks by Steve McVicker, this is actually a biopic that's in the vein of a it's so-crazy-it-can-only-be-true point of view. In the film we follow con man Steven Russell (Jim Carrey) who falls in love with a fellow inmate Phillip Morris (Ewan MacGregor) in prison. What I love about the film is that embraces the craziness of Steven and the bizarre lengths he will go to to make money. But even more amazing, is that in the calm centre of this vortex of lunacy there is a beautifully, touching romance between the two amazing men. The film is carefully crafted in that it draws you with it's outlandish premise and flamboyant behaviour, and before you know it you care deeply about the people involved and cheering for them to make it through, come clean or both. Jim Carrey and Ewan MacGregor have fantastic chemistry in the film and together bring this compelling story alive.

I really enjoyed how the film could flip between tones from comic to serious, and the music really highlights this as it's got a wondrous, quirky and whimsical spirit to it that really brings the whole film together. I loved listening to the audio commentary which pinpointed some of the most bizarre moments were some of the most truthful ones. A engaging, beautifully-spirited romcom that literally is like no other. I highly recommend I Love You Phillip Morris, a tale of love, lies and lengths people will go to for both.

DVD Extras:

• Audio Commentary with writers/directors Glenn Ficarra & John Requa, producers Andrew Lazar & Far Shariat, chief lighting technician Max Pomerleau and director of photography Xavier Pérez Grobet Very entertaining commentary that covers many different aspects of the film from which things that are true to their real lives of the people involved from actual lines and ideas and also things that were really real but wouldn't or didn't quite work in the film, the challenge of creating a film that's shot in two tones, structure of the film, repeating visual montages plus technical infomration on specific shots & techniques, what they are called, how they achieved and the choice to use them.
• The Making of I Love You Phillip Morris (11 minutes) included behind the scenes footage, film clips and interviews with writers/directors Glenn Ficarra & John Requa, actors Jim Carrey, Rodrigo Santoro, Leslie Mann, Ewan McGregor on how the film is based on amazing true story, reactions to the story and script, the character of Steven Russell, research for the film and creating their individual characters and on working together.
• Deleted Scenes (7 scenes, 16 minutes) combination of extending and deleted scenes, mostly focused on the Steven Russell (played by Jim Carrey), that give interesting insight and depth, especially emotionally, to that particular character
• Red Band Internet Trailer
• Green Band Theatrical Trailer
• Red Band Theatrical Trailer

I Love You Phillip Morris is available on DVD as of April 19, 2011. Check it out over at Amazon.ca & Amazon.com

Shannon's Overall View:
I really enjoyed it
I'll easily watch it again
I highly recommend it to fans of relationship dramas with a healthy dose of comedy included

Return to Film Reviews or see more DVD Reviews

© Shannon Ridler, 2011

I Love You Phillip Morris (DVD Review)

Image: Courtesy of Alliance Films
Legal Line ©2009 Europacorp. All Rights Reserved. Distributed Exclusively in Canada by Alliance Films. All Rights Reserved.

Dir: Glenn Ficarra & John Requa - feature film directorial debut
Cast: Jim Carrey, Ewan MacGregor, Leslie Mann, Rodrigo Santoro
USA/France, 2011

Reason to see: The trailer got me curious on this on, which was played tons last year but and I missed the very limited theatrical run earlier this year.

Every once in a while a film comes around and the premise seems so crazy you are surprized to even hear it, like what we have with I Love You Phillip Morris where con man Steven Russell (played by Jim Carrey) creates all kinds of craziness from fraud to staging personal injury accidents to keep cash flow coming in to keep happy times flowing with his kept boyfriend Phillip Morris (played by Ewan MacGregor). And then the words "Based on a True Story" come up and you have to do a bit of a double take.

Based on the book I Love You Phillip Morris: A True Story of Life, Love, and Prison Breaks by Steve McVicker, this is actually a biopic that's in the vein of a it's so-crazy-it-can-only-be-true point of view. In the film we follow con man Steven Russell (Jim Carrey) who falls in love with a fellow inmate Phillip Morris (Ewan MacGregor) in prison. What I love about the film is that embraces the craziness of Steven and the bizarre lengths he will go to to make money. But even more amazing, is that in the calm centre of this vortex of lunacy there is a beautifully, touching romance between the two amazing men. The film is carefully crafted in that it draws you with it's outlandish premise and flamboyant behaviour, and before you know it you care deeply about the people involved and cheering for them to make it through, come clean or both. Jim Carrey and Ewan MacGregor have fantastic chemistry in the film and together bring this compelling story alive.

I really enjoyed how the film could flip between tones from comic to serious, and the music really highlights this as it's got a wondrous, quirky and whimsical spirit to it that really brings the whole film together. I loved listening to the audio commentary which pinpointed some of the most bizarre moments were some of the most truthful ones. A engaging, beautifully-spirited romcom that literally is like no other. I highly recommend I Love You Phillip Morris, a tale of love, lies and lengths people will go to for both.

DVD Extras:

• Audio Commentary with writers/directors Glenn Ficarra & John Requa, producers Andrew Lazar & Far Shariat, chief lighting technician Max Pomerleau and director of photography Xavier Pérez Grobet Very entertaining commentary that covers many different aspects of the film from which things that are true to their real lives of the people involved from actual lines and ideas and also things that were really real but wouldn't or didn't quite work in the film, the challenge of creating a film that's shot in two tones, structure of the film, repeating visual montages plus technical infomration on specific shots & techniques, what they are called, how they achieved and the choice to use them.
• The Making of I Love You Phillip Morris (11 minutes) included behind the scenes footage, film clips and interviews with writers/directors Glenn Ficarra & John Requa, actors Jim Carrey, Rodrigo Santoro, Leslie Mann, Ewan McGregor on how the film is based on amazing true story, reactions to the story and script, the character of Steven Russell, research for the film and creating their individual characters and on working together.
• Deleted Scenes (7 scenes, 16 minutes) combination of extending and deleted scenes, mostly focused on the Steven Russell (played by Jim Carrey), that give interesting insight and depth, especially emotionally, to that particular character
• Red Band Internet Trailer
• Green Band Theatrical Trailer
• Red Band Theatrical Trailer

I Love You Phillip Morris is available on DVD as of April 19, 2011. Check it out over at Amazon.ca & Amazon.com

Shannon's Overall View:
I really enjoyed it
I'll easily watch it again
I highly recommend it to fans of relationship dramas with a healthy dose of comedy included

Return to Film Reviews or see more DVD Reviews

© Shannon Ridler, 2011

Somewhere (DVD Review)

Image: Courtesy of Alliance Films
Legal Line © 2010 Somewhere LLC. All Rights Reserved. Distributed exclusively in Canada by Alliance Films. All Rights Reserved.

Dir: Sofia Coppola (Marie Antoinette, Lost in Translation, The Virgin Suicides)
Cast: Stephen Dorff, Elle Fanning, Chris Pontius, Michelle Monaghan
USA, 2011

Reason to see: I want to love Sofia Coppala's work

I was rather hesitant going into Somewhere. I've been on-again/off-again with connecting to Sofia Coppola's work and I didn't think a male-protagonist, actor-centric, Hollywood set film would be the one to reel me back in. But it was. It really, really was.

Somewhere is a film that just like it's title, you think you may need to think really hard about it, but you don't. Just settle into it and let it run it's course in it's relaxed pace and experiential tone. Let it wash over you and as you steal the moments of time with it's characters actor/celeb Johnny Marco (Stephen Dorff) who unexpectedly has a sudden influx of time with his preteen daughter Cleo (Elle Fanning). I loved how Somewhere defied my jaded expectations going into the film. I expected to hate Johnny and be annoyed at his living the fast lane lifestyle, but instead I found it easy not to judge him but rather empathize with the craziness of his world that had both intimate connections and bizarre close-but-distant and then fleeting meetings. I thought I would be all up and arms about the imbalance of the father/daughter relationship, but instead I found it quite touching to see an unusual but somehow balanced relationship which was certainly imperfect but still full of caring and kindness.

It's a film that brings a wild surrealness to light, especially of the fleeting and fast moments that get swept under carpets or left out for someone else to clean in a rote, regular way. It's a film that you just have to roll with as it's a journey film where the next destination is somewhere just over the next hill or round the next corner. Even when it's not going somewhere, you still feel it moving which is quite an amazing way to capture the passage of time and way that life can just trickle by. I was very impressed by where it went, and how it got there.

DVD Extras:

• Making Somewhere (17 minutes), it's amazing that this behind this making of very much carries the minimalist tone of film in the inclusion of a lot of behind the scenes footage, as well as brief interviews with writer/director Sophia Coppola on idea and inspiration on the film, and several interviews including with producers Roman Coppala & G. Mac Brown, cinematographer Harris Savides, costume designer Stacey Battat, sound designer Richard Beggs, production designer Anne Ross and actors Stephen Dorff, Elle Fanning & Chris Pontius on working with Sophia Coppola, the tone of the film, the locations, costumes and preparation for the film.

Somewhere is available on DVD as of April 19, 2011. Check it out over at Amazon.ca & Amazon.com

Shannon's Overall View:
I enjoyed it
I'll watch it again
I'd recommend it as an art house/experiential film

Return to Film Reviews or see more DVD Reviews

© Shannon Ridler, 2011


Stephen Dorff (left) and Elle Fanning (right) star in Sofia Coppola's SOMEWHERE, an Alliance Films' release. Photo Credit: Merrick Morton - Image: Courtesy of Alliance Films


Stephen Dorff (left) and Elle Fanning (right) star in Sofia Coppola's SOMEWHERE, an Alliance Films' release. - Image: Courtesy of Alliance Films