By John C. Do you know why 2012 was such a great year for film? Because I had a lot more trouble than I usually do putting together my worst list, and that is why it’s only coming over a month into 2013. That’s not to say that the eleven films I have selected for… Read More The Worst Movies of 2012
Only The Young – A KinoSmith Release https://www.facebook.com/onlytheyoungfilm Release Date: February 8th, 2013 @ Bloor Hot Docs Cinema Rated PG for mature themes and language Running time: 72 minutes Elizabeth Mims (dir.) Jason Tippet (dir.) Garrison Saenz as Himself Kevin Conway as Himself Skye Elmore as Herself Kristen Cheriegate as Herself Robin Levy as Himself… Read More Movie Review: Only The Young
At noon EST today, the International Film Music Critics Association (of which I am a member) announced its list of nominees for excellence in musical scoring in 2012. Leading the pack this year is not one but rather four composers – Mychael Danna, Alexandre Desplat, Fernando Velázquez and John Williams – with four nominations each. … Read More 9th Annual IFMCA Award Nominees Announced Today
Today, Disney Home Entertainment is continuing their ongoing Diamond Edition collection, with the release of their animated classic Peter Pan for the first time on Blu-ray. Released exactly sixty years ago on this day, the film follows the Darling children who are taken to the magical world of Never Land by their hero Peter Pan… Read More Blu-ray Release: Peter Pan
Flight – A Paramount Pictures’ Release http://www.paramount.com/flight/ DVD Release Date: February 5th, 2013 Rated 18A for coarse language, nudity and substance abuse Running time: 138 minutes Robert Zemeckis (dir.) John Gatins (writer) Alan Silvestri (music) Denzel Washington as Whip Whitaker Kelly Reilly as Nicole Don Cheadle as Hugh Lang John Goodman as Harling Mays Nadine… Read More DVD Review: Flight
Won’t Back Down – A 20th Century Fox Release https://www.facebook.com/WontBackDown DVD Release Date: January 15th, 2013 Rated G for mature themes Running time: 121 minutes Daniel Barnz (dir.) Brin Hill as (writer) Daniel Barnz (writer) Marcelo Zarvos (music) Maggie Gyllenhaal as Jamie Fitzpatrick Viola Davis as Nona Alberts Oscar Isaac as Michael Perry Holly Hunter… Read More DVD Review: Won’t Back Down
By John C. Ben Affleck won the top prize at the Directors Guild Awards on Saturday for his impeccable work behind the camera on Argo, an honour that is even more deserved after he was left off the list of nominations at the Academy Awards. The field of five nominees was rounded out by Kathryn… Read More Ben Affleck Wins at the Directors Guild, but who will Triumph at the Oscars?
By John C. Every year, I mark February 2nd by watching Groundhog Day, director Harold Ramis’ 1993 masterpiece. The intriguing and intelligent character study is now celebrating its twentieth anniversary, a milestone that deserves to be recognized with yet another viewing of the film. This is a high concept classic with shades of A Christmas… Read More Celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the 1993 Masterpiece “Groundhog Day”
By John C. Directed by Jonathan Levine, Warm Bodies is the first zombie movie that could ever be called a romantic comedy, and the new release will likely use this mix of genres to become a hit. Although we unfortunately won’t be able to publish full reviews, the film mostly works and is worth seeing… Read More For a Zombie Romance, “Warm Bodies” Mostly Works
By John C. The latest from Austrian provocateur Michael Haneke, Amour opens with firefighters breaking down the door of a luxurious apartment in France, only to find the body of Anne (Emmanuelle Riva) lying on a bed surrounded by flowers. There is a crucifix on her chest, as if she is ready to be lowered… Read More Love and Death: Thoughts on the Oscar-Nominated “Amour”
Today, 20th Century Fox is releasing the TV special Madly Madagascar on DVD, on behalf of DreamWorks Animation. Alex the Lion (Ben Stiller) is trying to have a nice Valentine’s Day in Africa, but his friends seem to be ignoring him as Marty (Chris Rock) becomes lovestruck and Melman (David Schwimmer) tries to impress Gloria (Jada… Read More DVD Release: Madly Madagascar
Last week on January 22nd, the Oscar-nominated documentary Pina was released on Blu-ray & DVD, as part of the Criterion Collection. Directed by Wim Wenders and presented in 3D, the 2011 film is a tribute to the late German choreographer Pina Bausch, following a troupe of her dancers as they perform some of her most… Read More Criterion Release: Pina
The Imposter – An Entertainment One Release http://imposterfilm.com/ DVD Release Date: January 22nd, 2013 Rated 14A for coarse language and disturbing themes Running time: 98 minutes Bart Layton (dir.) Anne Nikitin (music) Carey Gibson as Herself Beverly Dollarhide as Herself Nancy Fisher as Herself Charlie Parker as Himself Our reviews below: _________________________________________________ The Imposter DVD… Read More DVD Review: The Imposter
By John C. The 19th Screen Actors Guild awards were handed out last night, a ceremony that left me happy with the winners and questioning what it could mean for the Oscars on February 24th. There might not be much more commentary to add at this point, but I’m going to be comparing the winners… Read More What the Screen Actors Guild Awards Could Mean for the Oscars
Italy: Love It or Leave It – A KinoSmith Release http://www.italyloveitorleave.it/ Release Date: January 25th, 2013 @ Bloor Hot Docs Cinema Rated PG for language Running time: 75 minutes Gustav Hofer (dir.) Luca Ragazzi (dir.) Gustav Hofer (writer) Luca Ragazzi (writer) Santi Pulvirenti (music) Frank Dabell as Narrator (English Version) Gustav Hofer as Himself Luca… Read More Movie Review: Italy: Love It or Leave It
By John C. I’ve been meaning to write about Beasts of the Southern Wild since the film first opened in theatres last July. But it kept flying under my radar for various reasons throughout the summer, and I never got a chance to share my full thoughts on the film. But now that Beasts of… Read More Thoughts on the Oscar-Nominated “Beasts of the Southern Wild”
Searching for Sugar Man – A Sony Pictures Classic’ Release http://www.sonyclassics.com/searchingforsugarman/ DVD Release Date: January 22nd, 2013 Rated PG for language Running time: 87 minutes Malik Bendjelloul (dir.) Malik Bendjelloul (writer) Rodriguez (music) Stephen “Sugar” Segerman as Himself Craig Bartholomew-Strydrom as Himself Sixto Rodriguez as Himself Our reviews below: ____________________________________________ Searching for Sugar Man DVD… Read More DVD Review: Searching for Sugar Man
Today, VVS Films is releasing the found footage thriller End of Watch on Blu-ray & DVD. The film follows Brian Taylor (Jake Gyllenhaal) and Mike Zavala (Michael Peña), two tough South Central Los Angeles cops who end up in the middle of a dangerous drug ring, all under the watchful gaze of their personal cameras.… Read More DVD/Blu-ray Release: End of Watch
By John C. After racking up critical acclaim over the past few years, it can now be said that Jessica Chastain rules the box office. The horror movie Mama opened strong in first place over the weekend, and the excellent Zero Dark Thirty was the runner up, as the Oscar-nominated film continues to do well… Read More Jessica Chastain Rules the Box Office
Quartet – An Alliance Films’ Release http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcfilms/film/quartet Release Date: January 18th, 2013 Rated PG for language and tobacco use Running time: 98 minutes Dustin Hoffman (dir.) Ronald Harwood (screenplay) Based on the stage play by Ronald Harwood Dario Marianelli (music) Maggie Smith as Jean Horton Tom Courtenay as Reginald Paget Billy Connolly as Wilf Bond… Read More Movie Review: Quartet
The Joy of Movies 