By John C. It’s been a great decade for film. Plain and simple, the 2000’s have seen many great movies, and the dawning of new technologies that have advanced the film making and film going experiences. It would be near-impossible for me to create an official decade’s best-list, so I am assembling a different kind… Read More Perspectives on the Decade (2000-2009) in Film
Earlier this year, Alliance Films released the feature film 9. Based on Shane Acker’s Oscar nominated short film from 2004 by the same name, this full-length version builds on the storyline in a visually inventive way. The film was appropriately released on 9.9.09, where it was met with somewhat mixed reviews, with many preferring the… Read More DVD/Blu-ray Release: 9
One Movie, Five Views would like to wish all our readers a very Merry Christmas, and a happy holidays!
The Polar Express is a stunning modern classic from visionary director Robert Zemeckis. The first feature length film to be created using Motion Capture technology, it should also be remembered as a ground breaker that paved the way to the recent Avatar. From the outstanding Hot Chocolate sequence, to the bittersweet duet between Hero… Read More 1 Day to Christmas: The Polar Express
Before A Charlie Brown Christmas aired, it’s creators feared it would be a flop for various reasons, including that it was “too religious.” This just goes to show that sometimes you truly don’t know how great something is until other people have seen it. A Charlie Brown Christmas went on to win awards, and is… Read More 2 Days to Christmas: A Charlie Brown Christmas
In Elf, Will Ferrell plays Buddy – a human raised by elves – with the perfect amounts of likability, silliness and charm. He is just the first of many actors who get a chance to shine in this charming Christmas comedy. Since it’s release in 2003, Elf remains a heartwarming, whimsical and very entertaining… Read More 3 Days to Christmas: Elf
This summer’s excellent romantic-comedy hit arrives on DVD today just in time for Christmas. Distributed by Fox Searchlight, it’s one of the most original rom-com’s in recent memories, and one of the years best films. (500) Days of Summer features a great soundtrack, and is hugely quotable and highly enjoyable. It’s an honest, believable look… Read More Christmas Gift Idea: (500) Days of Summer
After the release of Miracle on 34th Street in 1947, Edmund Gwenn deservingly won an Oscar for his role as Kris Kringle. The film remains a quintessential Christmas classic. There are few who don’t love this magical and brilliantly written film. With wonderful performances and a timeless story about belief, this is a classic… Read More 4 Days to Christmas: Miracle on 34th Street
Brittany Murphy, who made her big screen debut in Clueless and starred in numerous films and TV shows, has sadly passed away at the age of 32. She died on December 20th due to cardiac arrest. With roles in such films as Sin City, Uptown Girls and a voice in Happy Feet, she will be missed. May she rest… Read More Brittany Murphy (1977-2009)
While some people are critical of Frank Capra’s 1946 film, you can’t doubt that this is a classic. It’s also a film that’s become a staple of the Christmas season. Although released 63 years ago, the story of George Bailey’s realization of the importance of life is just as resonant today. It’s a Wonderful Life… Read More 5 Days to Christmas: It’s a Wonderful Life
I know few people who don’t love Rowan Atkinson’s character of Mr. Bean. Merry Christmas Mr. Bean is not only perhaps his best loved outing as the character, but also one of the all-time classic holiday specials. There are so many memorable moments packed into this hilarious half-hour that it never gets old from year to… Read More 6 Days to Christmas: Merry Christmas Mr. Bean
One of the most under appreciated Christmas films of recent years, Christmas with the Kranks is a heartwarming and enjoyable holiday comedy. While most people hated it, we all liked it. Although it’s not going to rank as one of the quintessential classics, the film works well for what it is. This is nothing more… Read More 7 Days to Christmas: Christmas with the Kranks
One of the most anticipated movies of the year, James Cameron’s Avatar, finally hits theatres everywhere today. We have not forgotten about the film’s release, we were unable to attend the screening, and that’s why our reviews were not published last week. After attending Avatar Day in Toronto, after hours of trying to get tickets, and witnessing… Read More Avatar Opens Today
The Muppet Christmas Carol is a musical version of the classic story, starring Michael Caine as Scrooge and Jim Henson’s beloved Muppets in the roles of the other characters. The film manages to take creative control in telling the story, yet is still, at times, a pretty much word-for-word adaptation of Charles Dicken’s masterpiece. … Read More 8 Days to Christmas: The Muppet Christmas Carol
In the second new trailer to come out today, Apple now has the exclusive trailer for Shrek Forever After. As it is the fourth and final film in the Shrek series, it’s sure to be immensely popular. As someone whose enjoyed all three Shrek films, I think it looks like a worthy follower. I also love Puss in Boots’… Read More Trailer Watch: Shrek Forever After
Apple now has the exclusive trailer for next summer’s Iron Man 2. The trailer looks amazing. Hopefully it lives up to the 4-star standard set by the 2008 film. Both directed by Jon Favreau, this looks promising for what will likely be at least an Iron Man trilogy. Robert Downey Jr. appears to give another great performance… Read More Trailer Watch: Iron Man 2
No matter how you celebrate the season, I hope you’ll find the time amidst all the holiday movies to watch Dr. Seuss’ TV classic, How The Grinch Stole Christmas. This animated short film from 1966 was created with a first-rate production and still holds up just as well today. In my opinion, you can ignore… Read More 9 Days for Christmas: Dr. Suess’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas
Apple Trailers has now made available a second trailer for Disney and Tim Burton’s upcoming adaptation of Alice in Wonderland. This looks to be a bizarre, visually stunning ride. Let’s hope it’s good. It opens March 5th in 3D and IMAX, watch the trailer here. -John C.
Today, the TFCA (Toronto Film Critics Association), has announced their picks for the best movies of the year. The 2009 TFCA Awards will be presented at a gala dinner on January 12, 2010, hosted by Cameron Bailey, co-director of the Toronto International Film Festival. Below are the 2009 winners in the TFCA’s annual awards:
With ten days left until Christmas and the film still in theatres, it’s certainly not to late to go see director Robert Zemeckis’ excellent adaptation of Charles Dickens classic masterpiece, A Christmas Carol. Here’s a link to our reviews from November 6th. Our consensus was: “A stunning new achievement from Robert Zemeckis and ImageMoversDigital. This… Read More 10 Days to Christmas: Disney’s A Christmas Carol
The Joy of Movies 