From “Beetlejuice” to “Corpse Bride,” it Wouldn’t be Halloween Without Tim Burton

By John C. Every year for Halloween, entertainment writers always talk about their favourite scary movies.  This year I decided to do things a little differently and use the opportunity to discuss a selection of the work from a specific director.  The director in question is Tim Burton.  Not his entire filmography, just a handful… Read More From “Beetlejuice” to “Corpse Bride,” it Wouldn’t be Halloween Without Tim Burton

If Marketing Misleads, Should You Sue the Distributor?

By John C. Since it premiered at Cannes last May, Drive is a film that has many people talking.  The majority of critics, myself included, found much to admire about the stylized arthouse thriller.  But many audiences have been reacting in a completely different way, blaming false advertising and unrealistic expectations for their bad experiences… Read More If Marketing Misleads, Should You Sue the Distributor?

George Clooney Wants Your Vote for “The Ides of March”

By John C. Serving as the director, producer, co-writer and supporting actor, George Clooney does quadruple duty on The Ides of March.  Based on the stage play Farragut North by Beau Willimon, the highly political film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival last month and opened in theatres this past Friday. Taking place over the final week… Read More George Clooney Wants Your Vote for “The Ides of March”

Brad Pitt Hits a Home Run with “Moneyball”

By John C. After a successful run at the Toronto International Film Festival, director Bennet Miller’s ‘based on a true story’ drama Moneyball opened over the weekend.  As this is a movie about numbers it only seems appropriate to note that the film came in second at the box office, with estimated totals of $20.6 million.… Read More Brad Pitt Hits a Home Run with “Moneyball”

TIFF 2011: Concluding Thoughts on the Festival and People’s Choice Winner

By John C. From the many great films screened and numerous celebrity sightings, right through to small pleasures like the promotional bottle openers and free pizza handed out at the 50/50 world premiere, the 36th annual Toronto International Film Festival was a success on pretty much all accounts.  After eleven days, it has come to a… Read More TIFF 2011: Concluding Thoughts on the Festival and People’s Choice Winner

Summer is Remembered for Superheros, Sequels and Several Great Movies

By John C. The summer of 2011 has come to a close.  In many ways, the movies seen over the past few months represented a series of mixed emotions.  Both in terms of box office and critical reactions, there were a number of failures, many of which critics will inevitably dwell upon to entirely dismiss… Read More Summer is Remembered for Superheros, Sequels and Several Great Movies

Paul Rudd is a Comedic Actor who has Audiences Saying “I Love You, Man”

By John C. Over the past several years, Paul Rudd has made a name for himself as a memorable addition to the cast of numerous ensemble comedies.  You’ve likely seen one of his films and he’s becoming more well-known all the time, quickly emerging as one of my favourite modern comedic actors.  But so far… Read More Paul Rudd is a Comedic Actor who has Audiences Saying “I Love You, Man”

Remembering John Hughes and “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off”

By John C. When people ask me which directors have provided the most inspiration to me over the years as a writer and film critic, some very diverse people are sure to be the topic of discussion.  The names of classic directors as well as several more current and even independent artists would surely pop up throughout… Read More Remembering John Hughes and “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off”

“Cowboys & Aliens” Delivers Fun Summer Entertainment

By John C. The saying “what you see is what you get” has never been more true in reference to a recent film than it is when talking about Jon Favreau’s Cowboys & Aliens.  I personally found it to provide a fun mid-summer diversion, but previous appreciation of either genre certainly won’t hurt when it comes… Read More “Cowboys & Aliens” Delivers Fun Summer Entertainment

“Rotten” Reviews don’t make “Cars 2” a Pixar Failure

By John C. No matter what you think of the film, history was made for Pixar with Cars 2.  Last week, it became the first of their stellar films to receive a “Rotten” rating on the popular review-aggregating website, Rotten Tomatoes.  Coming in at a depressing 33%, critics put the film in the same low league… Read More “Rotten” Reviews don’t make “Cars 2” a Pixar Failure