DVD/Blu-ray Release: Silver Linings Playbook

Today, the wonderful and Best Picture nominated film, Silver Linings Playbook comes to Blu-ray and DVD.  The film received critical acclaim, and won the Audience People’s Choice Award last year at the Toronto International Film Festival.  After being nominated for and winning several Golden Globes, Silver Linings Playbook also took home an Academy Award for… Read More DVD/Blu-ray Release: Silver Linings Playbook

Hot Docs 2013: Five Capsule Reviews, including “Special Ed”

By John C. The first weekend of Hot Docs has come to a close, and with it brought numerous great films that premiered across Toronto.  Yesterday I published my thoughts on Terms and Conditions May Apply, When I Walk, Valentine Road, Downloaded and Maidentrip. Today I’m sharing my thoughts on five more films playing at… Read More Hot Docs 2013: Five Capsule Reviews, including “Special Ed”

Hot Docs 2013: Five Capsule Reviews, including “Trucker and the Fox”

By John C. You know the drill.  The 20th edition of Hot Docs is currently going strong in Toronto, and will be until May 5th.  Yesterday I shared my thoughts on Last Woman Standing, The Life and Crimes of Doris Payne, Chimeras, We Cause Scenes and Fight Like Soldiers Die Like Children. Below are my… Read More Hot Docs 2013: Five Capsule Reviews, including “Trucker and the Fox”

Hot Docs 2013: Five Capsule Reviews, including “We Cause Scenes”

By John C. Welcome to my second set of capsule reviews for the 20th edition of Hot Docs, which started last night with the world premiere of the incredibly entertaining documentary The Manor.  Yesterday I published my thoughts on five standouts of the festival, including the opening night selection along with Pussy Riot – A Punk… Read More Hot Docs 2013: Five Capsule Reviews, including “We Cause Scenes”

Hot Docs 2013: Five Capsule Reviews, including “The Manor”

By John C. The 20th edition of the Hot Docs film festival kicks off tonight with the world premiere of The Manor, and will run for the next eleven days, screening a total of 205 feature documentaries at eleven theatres across Toronto.  I’ve already had the chance to preview numerous films and I can safely… Read More Hot Docs 2013: Five Capsule Reviews, including “The Manor”

DVD Review: Promised Land

Promised Land – An eOne Films’ Release http://focusfeatures.com/promised_land DVD Release Date: April 23rd, 2013 Rated 14A for coarse language and mature themes Running time: 106 minutes Gus Van Sant (dir.) John Krasinski (screenplay) Matt Damon (screenplay) Dave Eggers (story) Danny Elfman (music) Matt Damon as Steve Butler Frances McDormand as Sue Thomason John Krasinski as Dustin… Read More DVD Review: Promised Land

“My Awkward Sexual Adventure” is a Different Kind of Canadian Film

By John C. Despite the attention grabbing title and several scenes that are sure to get the restrictive NC-17 rating across the border, My Awkward Sexual Adventure is a lot more charming than you might expect.  After premiering at TIFF last September, and securing a coveted spot on Canada’s Top Ten, the film opened in… Read More “My Awkward Sexual Adventure” is a Different Kind of Canadian Film

Interview: Penny Penniston, Author of ‘Talk the Talk: A Dialogue Workshop for Scriptwriters’

By Erin V. Last Sunday, I attended a panel led by author/playwright Penny Penniston who wrote ‘Talk the Talk (2010)‘, at the Toronto Screenwriting Conference, which ran April 6th and 7th in downtown Toronto. The conference has speakers from film, TV, as well as authors of well known screenwriting books, all talking about the art… Read More Interview: Penny Penniston, Author of ‘Talk the Talk: A Dialogue Workshop for Scriptwriters’

DVD Review: Hyde Park on Hudson

Hyde Park on Hudson – An eOne Films’ Release http://focusfeatures.com/hyde_park_on_hudson DVD Release Date: April 9th, 2013 Rated PG for mature theme and tobacco use Running time: 94 minutes Roger Michell (dir.) Richard Nelson (writer) Jeremy Sams (music) Bill Murray as FDR Laura Linney as Daisy Samuel West as Bertie Olivia Colman as Elizabeth Olivia Williams… Read More DVD Review: Hyde Park on Hudson

After Twenty Years, Steven Spielberg’s “Jurassic Park” is Timeless

By John C. The thing that I love about Jurassic Park is that it perfectly encompasses what I admire about Steven Spielberg’s style of filmmaking as a whole.  There is a sense of wonder that is felt in the opening and closing scenes as well as in the many moments when the characters are in… Read More After Twenty Years, Steven Spielberg’s “Jurassic Park” is Timeless

Movie Review: Hit ‘n Strum

Hit ‘n Strum – A 4Branch Productions Release http://hitnstrum.com Release Date: April 5th, 2013 @ Cineplex Yonge & Dundas Rated PG for mature themes and language Running time: 90 minutes Kirk Caouette (dir.) Kirk Caouette (writer) Kirk Caouette (music) Michelle Harrison as Stephanie Kirk Caouette as Mike Paul McGillion as Christopher Kelly Richard Fennig as… Read More Movie Review: Hit ‘n Strum