Just Keep Going: June Movie Reviews

Hello my readers! I've been making some changes to my daily routines here and figuring out how to best navigate this topsy-turvy world. I am welcoming June with fresh gratitude and new insights. I'm journaling through many continued unknowns, but appreciate all the continued support.

Let's move onto the movies now!

Tick, Tick, Boom! Andrew Garfield stars as "Rent" creator Jonathan Larson in this musical directed by Lin-Manuel Miranda.  Before the world ever got a peak at the sensational musical, Rent, we’re going back to New York City, during the 90’s, where the theatre kids like to play. In the movie, we meet Jon, who has put immense pressure on himself to finish his musical “Suburbia” before his 30th birthday, which comes at a price, risking love and friendship along the way.

Andrew Garfield is outstanding. His singing chops are unreal and I don’t think I ever knew he could even sing before seeing this movie.  The songs are wonderful and reminiscent of the hustle culture that existed to just get your foot in the Broadway door. You’ll be bopping to the beat of Boho Days, an ode to friendship and connection in its purest form.  

With a pedal to the medal feel, every second of the film is a rush. It’s uplifting and highly emotional. We watch the heartbreak of Jon losing his dearest friends to the growing epidemic of HIV/AIDS, yet still pushing through all the sadness to make his dream come true.  Robin de Jesus who plays his best friend, Michael  (who is in the throws of dealing with life-changing news and uncertainty) also gives an incredible performance.

Honouring the life of Larson, Tick, Tick Boom! is the beating heart of what musical theatre lovers will cherish forever.    

                           

Swish after swish, Michael Jordan has dominated the court, leading his team to victory.  Air is directed by Ben Affleck and written by Alex Convery Air is the story of Sonny Vaccaro (Matt Damon), a basketball guru and a major promoter who spear-headed the deal to sign Michael Jordan to a multi-million dollar contract with a shoe that would eventually be on everyone’s wishlist; the infamous “Air” Jordan’s.

Although the movie starts out a bit slow, it picks up speed to highlight the intensity of signing Michael, while beating out their competition. Part of that was having to persuade Jordan’s mother in the movie, Delores (played by Viola Davis) who gives a great performance, and won’t settle for just any contract and knows what her son is worth. 

It’s an enjoyable film, and as formulaic as it is, you don’t need to jump thru hoops to get to the heart of it. 

                  

Billy Elliot The Musical was based on the hit film Billy Elliot directed by Stephen Daldry and is an absolute delight.  Ready to hang up his boxing gloves in exchange for ballet shoes, Billy (played by Jamie Bell) starts to secretly take lessons from his ballet teacher with much disdain from his father and brother. Escaping his mundane life, dancing takes all the sadness away and Billy’s really good at it, not at first of course. He does have a natural raw talent and with the mentorship and motherly love (although tough love) all the practicing is paying off and Billy could be headed for a scholarship. 

This coming of age movie is uplifting and sweet. It’s emotionally satisfying with a terrific soundtrack and beautiful choreography with every step. It challenges gender stereotypes and allows us to feel the excitement for Billy as he gets the chance to breakaway and not feel afraid anymore.

 

Directed by Jalmari Helander, Sisu is one hell of a wild ride.  We follow Aatami (Jorma Tommila)  a gold prospector and fearless ex-solider who is left to his own devices after experiencing tragic losses of his family. Finally striking gold, the inevitable happens and the Nazi’s find him and try to steal it all away. To their surprise, Aatami is not going down without a fight.

The film has a strong narrative, showcasing the power of the Finnish word - Sisu – also the titled film. It is a concept of being brave, resilient and unstoppable, all of which are characteristics that Jorma is able to showcase skillfully in his performance. Although Aatami barely speaks, as the saying goes, actions speak louder than words. 

Limbs are flying left and right and the amount of gore can be overwhelming - but if you're okay with that, then carry on  watching. Aatami is a blast to watch and some of the battle scenes are just ridiculously out of this world. It has some visual cinematic style of a John Wick film with high energy and incredible effects, yet with the unique touchings of European flare. 

Overall, it’s a bloody good time. 

May Movie Reviews

Hello my dear viewers, I hope you've been having a good start to May!  

Before I get into the movie reviews, I wanted to highlight a fun new activity that I've done recently and didn't have the chance to post about.

Copyright: Windsor Dance eXperience

💕💃🕺Bill and I took a dance class together at the Windsor Dance eXperience from Tiffany Chan. The choreography we learned was to the song from Hairspray called "You Can't Stop The Beat".  Bill rocked it, he's quite a natural. I have to applaud anyone who is able to follow any kind of dance routines because I never knew how uncoordinated I was until seeing myself in a mirror. lol It was fast-paced so after a few times, I did get parts of the routine though. 

It was a judgement-free zone and all abilities were welcomed - my kind of vibe. The new space is coming together nicely and I am excited about taking other dance classes together, maybe just a bit slower paced. Tiffany was wonderful as our teacher though, and the room was filled with great energy. We were all there to have fun.  By the end, I felt a smidge more confident but I'm not ready for Broadway anytime soon. ;)  

Now onto the films!

Renfield is a modern monstrous tale that is directed by Chris McKay.

This movie was incredibly entertaining as who doesn’t want to see Nicolas Cage portray the Prince of Darkness, Dracula?  At one point, a homage to Bela Lugosi is given, in a ghoulish yet very “Cage-like” performance, and it works. In other scenes, he is just a blood-thirsty and tyrannical vamp, out for... well, blood.  Also power, world domination, you know the usual. 

Renfield, his devoted servant, played by Nicholas Hoult is awesome and fits his role well.  Now as brutally violent as this film is with some graphic fighting scenes, it can be triggering for many because of the obvious themes that go outside the supernatural realm.

Renfield is a self-loathing character and really a shell of himself, acknowledging his co-dependency to Dracula. Stumbling into a support group for domestic abuse, Renfield’s recollection of how it all started for him feels more exaggerated since he possesses supernatural powers, but still mirrors those in the human world, who live to tell their painful stories.  We’re rooting for Renfield though to find that courage to leave and get out of Dracula’s grasp forever. 

While the movie still has some laughs for its absurdity, you might get an eyeful from all the blood splatters. Some of the scenes are totally outrageous and gore-filled, and parts of the story seem to zig zag all over the place at high speed.

Overall, definitely one to check out, but if you have experienced abuse on any level, past or even present, please make sure to check in with your emotions after the credits roll. 

💜Renfield Trailer

Dear Evan Hansen directed by Stephen Chbosky is a musical/film adaptation of the Tony and Grammy Award-winning stage play.                                                           

When Evan (played by Ben Platt) is prompted by his therapist to write letters to himself, in order to help him cope with his crippling anxiety, a note gets into the wrong hands of a misfit student, Connor Murphy (Colton Ryan), who takes it.  There is a sudden shock of Connor’s suicide shortly after and that’s where the story gets complicated. The Murphy’s are convinced that him and Evan were great friends, as the single note was found in Connor’s pocket.   Knowing that Connor had even one friend is comforting to them and something his mom desperately is holding onto, now inviting Evan into their family, which feels like the replacement son.  Evan is then caught up in a fantasy that they were friends and shares all sorts of adventures that they went on to make the family, in particular their daughter,  Zoe, (Kaitlyn Dever), who Evan secretly pines for,  believe that this was the truth. Evan starts to write other letters to keep up the charade until it all comes crashing down.

This is a very heavy movie. It highlights the silent struggles of mental health, and the cascading toll it takes on everyone, just from different perspectives.  Evan can be seen as a victim or a villain, sometimes both maybe, depending on how you perceive things. 

Many of the songs are imperfectly sung in a heart-wretching way from Words Fail and For Forever to  Requiem. The lyrics are poignant and we feel the deepest aches through so many of the scenes.

While the stage musical got rave reviews (I never had a chance to see this one) it seems like the polar opposite holds true for what the film tried to portray through its chosen characters, surrounding mental health as well as neurodiversity. While I understand some of the criticism, regardless of your position, I think one thing is pretty evident, “The parts we can't tell, we carry them well, but that doesn't mean they're not heavy."

💜Trailer 

Guess who’s back, back again? Ghostface’s back, tell a friend.  We’re onto #6 of the Scream franchise now, directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett.                              

Although I wasn’t sure that this would be any different than the other Scream films, this slasher and whodunnit mystery took me by surprise, simply with the opening scene setting the stage for what would proceed to be a very violent viewing.                                  

Since the intensity of the movie itself never dulled with Ghostface this time just being so relentless with every stab, I think they did a good job keeping that excitement because there were so many moments where I kept second guessing myself.   I did like the dynamic sisterly bond between Tara and Sam (Jenna Ortega and Melissa Barrera) but found the other characters were more on the forgettable side.                                                                                                    

I was also momentarily happy to see Gale Weathers (Courtney Cox) make a brief return, but she was disappointing too, and didn’t really hold much of a purpose, except a sense of nostalgia maybe. Her fight with Ghostface was mediocre, definitely not the intensity that you’d find in for example, Jamie Lee Curtis who took on Michael Myers, in the most recent Halloween. 

While I don’t think this was the best Scream, I did enjoy it. A little brutal for some who are squeamish, but definitely a heart-pumping ride till the masks come off. 

If you see a ghost, you call ghostbusters. If you hold a grudge, be sure to call Ghostface and he’ll come a runnin’.

💜Scream Trailer

When The Stakes Are High: Movie Reviews

 

Here are some more movie reviews coming your way!

Biopics have become one of my favourite genres of movies. Pinball – The Man Who Saved The Game, directed and written by Austin and Meredith Bragg, is a terrific story of Roger Sharpe, a GQ journalist and pinball fanatic, who in 1976 helped overturn New York City's 35-year ban on pinball, based on the ideas that it was considered a game of chance (a form of gambling) and challenged morality, especially among the youngsters.

The movie is really engaging and the story itself is compelling.  I really liked the cinematography too, with the 70’s vibe coming alive in each scene. There is a ton of humour throughout yet this does carry a serious tone too. Forewarning, you may just get fixated on Sharpe’s distracting, yet epic moustache. 

The younger version of Sharpe (Mike Faist) and then the older version, played by Dennis Boutsikaris are both incredible actors.  There are heart-warming moments too, especially how a game like pinball can offer escapism and fuel a passion so deeply in one person, who is still figuring out his place in the world. 

Proving that pinball is not a game of chance, but of skill is not any easy feat, but unlike the saying “you can’t fight City Hall”, Sharpe’s willing to take the risk.      

💜Pinball Trailer

Honor Society, directed by Oran Zegman, is a film that is full of unexpected surprises.   

High school is almost over and determined to attend Harvard after graduation, Honor (Angourie Rice) spends much of her time, plotting strategies to axe out the other academic competition. Being an overachiever, Honor’s not afraid to stomp on anyone who gets in her way, unassumingly and with a smile. She’s quite an interesting character, narrating her devious plans that involve complex situations that challenge her own conscience and befriending Michael, played by Gaten Matarazzo (known for the tv smash hit Stranger Things) , who is more clever than we give him credit for.                                     

This film definitely has a millennial edge, but it did remind me a bit of Clueless, wrapped in Mean Girls with a dash of Legally Blonde.  While the typical high school tropes (the nerd, the brainiac, the jock, the outcast etc..) are riddled throughout this movie and can be over the top at times, stay with it, as it takes turns that you might not see coming.    

💜Honor Society Trailer

Michael B. Jordan is absolutely brilliant as not only the director but also starring as boxing champ, Adonis Creed in the highly anticipated Creed III 

After hanging up his boxing gloves to start a new life, Adonis is shaken up when his friend and former boxing prodigy Damian (Jonathan Majors) shows up after serving a long sentence in prison and wants to be trained to enter the ring again.  When the gloves comes off, Adonis is haunted by memories he had tried desperately to bury.  As they continue to surface, we know it’s just a matter of time when Adonis is going to be pushed to the edge of his limit.

It’s predictable that Adonis is going to battle against Damian, but that doesn’t matter. What makes this movie so great is how character-driven it is. As they become rivals, the performances from Jordan and Majors are elevated with so many poignant scenes together and apart. The fight scenes are brutal but captured in such a thrilling way. 

Several themes of brotherhood, sacrifice, and honour are key elements that weave together to make this such an impactful film.  While we see Damian as a villain (and a damn convincing one), he is also broken and hurt. We get to experience such vulnerability, especially with males who are in a sport like boxing, where they take every punch till they get carried out.

In the end, the clear message is that in life, you can’t run away from your demons, you gotta face them head on. 

💜Creed III Trailer

Lastly, we have Minions: The Rise of Gru.

Love ‘em or hate ‘em, the zany yellow blobs are back again with another movie.  This time, we’re going back to when villainous master mind, Gru (Steve Carell), was just a wee young boy, dreaming of what every 11 year old wanted at that age.  No, not a dirt bike, or a life-size dinosaur, but to be part of the most ruthless gang around; the Viscious 6. After they oust their leader -- the legendary fighter Wild Knuckles, Gru gets the once in a lifetime opportunity to audition for them and like we would expect, it goes terribly wrong. Chaos ensues as Gru outsmarts them and now is on the Viscious 6’s target list.  

Humour was lackluster as well, which was surprising as the others gave me some good chuckles.  Many of the scenes felt like we had taken energy drinks and just waiting for that inevitable crash – complete with a headache.

The animation was great, but I felt the Minions were haphazardly thrown about to add in quick gags.  It really missed the mark on the feel good moments too and most of the other characters were forgettable, aside from a solid performance from Wild Knuckles (voiced by Alan Arkin). 

Curiousity got the best of me, as I’ve seen all the other films (Despicable Me & 2 being favourites), but this one was definitely the most disappointing. I’ve had enough of the Minions, but considering this film was not geared towards my demographic in the first place, there’s probably another one around the corner. 

💜Minions Trailer

April Movie Reviews

Sorry for a bit of absence here. I've been exceptionally tired with many pain flares that accompanies a new path in life that I'm trying to navigate - sometimes thriving, other times, simply surviving. My thoughts have been foggy and when that happens, ability as well as inspiration to write takes a back seat and I focus on self-care.   

I have enjoyed plenty of movies recently that I am eager to write about - I just have to pace myself.  To start, here are a few movies that I would recommend checking out.

To my readers, thank you for the continued various levels of support. :)

Catherine Called Birdy, directed by Lena Dunham, is set in Medieval England, where we get to meet Lord Catherine (aka Birdy).  She's remarkably clever and more than ready to go up against her father who wishes to pawn her off to any wealthy suitor that is available.  Birdy's a little rambunctious in nature and far more rebellious than probably any parents of a teenager would prefer, but her sharp wit gets her through even the most awkward situations, and Bella Ramsey is really perfect here.  She reminded me of a mix of Lady Bird’s Saoirse Ronan and even the sass of Millie Bobbie Brown as Enola Holmes   - mainly as strong female leads. 

There are plenty of darker moments and themes to take note of and although they weren't explored in great detail, we get a good helping of what a male dominant patriarchy society looked like, sprinkled with archaic laws of marriage that you'd really have to hog-tie me down to ever follow. 

The soundtrack is also worth mentioning, as I really enjoyed Misty Miller's groovy take on the song, Alright.  It always gives me flashbacks to Supergrass' version from the 90's hit Clueless.

Birdy is proud of her defiance and as an audience, we are too. Her declaration (spoiler alert) pretty much frames the movie and is a strong message to hold onto in 2023 and beyond:  “You don’t get to decide who we are, where we go, or how much we cost, like we’re just things. We’re not things, we’re people. And we can think, and we can hear, and we can feel!” 

💜Catherine Called Birdy Trailer

With another throwback to the 80’s comes a story about the worldwide hit game Tetris, directed by Jon S. Baird. We meet Henk Rogers (played by Taron Egerton) of Bullet-Proof Software, who is showcasing his newest video game at a convention in Vegas, but then realizes he has stepped on a gold mine when he tries his hand at playing Tetris. Created by Russian programmer Alexey Pajitnov (played by Nikita Mikhailovich) who works for ELORG in the Soviet Union, Henk is ready to get on the plane to secure a deal to make sure Tetris will be in the hands of every person worldwide. Of course, everyone wants a piece of Tetris, or rather all of the legal rights to Tetris, so the battle begins.

The movie is really enjoyable and keeps you invested in the story. I really felt the bond between Alexey and Henk as their characters evolved and we could see the mutual respect and sacrifices they made for each other. The villains are pretty obvious and might be crafted a bit overly menacing at times, but it just shows the lengths people will go to get what they want.

I liked the use of some nostalgic 8-bit theming throughout the film and what a great soundtrack, especially with a fitting song by Pet Shop Boys; Opportunities (Let’s Make Lots of Money.)

While rumours circulate of inaccuracies to the real life dealings of the Tetris saga, one can still appreciate the journey of this movie from the filmmaker’s perspective, and how revolutionary the game is still to this day. 

💜Tetris Trailer

A Decent Home is a feature length documentary film by Sara Terry that shows what the "American Dream" has become, rather what I would consider more of an "American Nightmare" for many mobile home park residents at Denver Meadows.  It has uncovered some ugly truths, heightened by the pandemic that seems to be a battle that many feel are worth fighting for. It is incredibly disheartening to see a community that is unnecessarily struggling to keep a roof over their heads.  Our hearts ache, hearing their stories, but there is hope in many of the voices who are advocating together to take a stand and keep their homes. 

Developers, investors and other rich moguls have continued to make overwhelming profits and getting rid of the "trash" (which unfairly further stigmatizes individuals living in a mobile home) is a gold mine for opportunity and passing on the wealth to those that already have overflowing bank accounts.  

It's no surprise that caring for the vulnerable is always someone else's problem, and so that IS a problem in itself.  Affordable housing shouldn't be a luxury, it should be a basic human right.  As shown in the documentary, people make sanctuaries of the spaces they have and create cozy and loving environments for themselves their families. They aren't opposed to helping a neighbour in need, or donating time or what little money they can spare to charitable causes. They appreciate all that they have, yet that is still being taken away from them.

All in all, there is always hope especially when we rally together and not apart. Awareness, action and accountability are just the stepping stones, but it's a good place to start.

💜Check out A Decent Home to learn more.

One Step At A Time: March Movie Reviews

Hi everyone! I'm back with some more movie reviews for you to enjoy. 

A Man Called Otto directed by Marc Forster is an uplifting story of hope and renewal of life.  Tom Hanks plays Otto, a rather grouchy man, who is ready to leave everything behind after losing his wife.  With many failed attempts at taking his own life, there feels like a reason he is still here.  

The movie is touching and we see over the course of the movie how his connection with other neighbours change his life as well as theirs in subtle yet profound ways. Otto is not a man to sugar coat anything,  he’ll tell you straight up like it is, whether you want to listen to his ramblings or not. His blunt honesty is not always welcome, but in every situation, when Otto is confronted with doing the right thing, he does.  

Another highlight is the blooming friendship with new neighbour, Marisol, played by Mariana Treviño, who sees the genuine heart underneath all the grumpiness. She’s a wonderful character in the movie and brings out all the joy that Otto has buried down deep inside and shows him there is still so much beauty in life that his wife would not want him to miss out on. 

💜A Man Called Otto Trailer

I am hoping to see the Swedish film release, A Man Called Ove.

                                            

The Whale directed by Darren Aronofsky is a heartbreaking story to watch because we have all known someone in our lives that no matter what we do, we cannot reach them. Maybe they are struggling with addiction, mental health, or something that they still cannot even come to terms with.  Feeling an obligation to help the broken, can also sometimes break us.  It’s hard to tread these waters and stay afloat.

As the saying goes, don’t judge a book by its cover, however, we mostly do, especially in extreme circumstances. Visually, we see Charlie (played by Brendan Fraser), a 600 lbs+ man, stuffing his face with fried chicken and we immediately think, hell, why can’t he just stop eating? He’s disgusting and made a choice, why have an ounce sympathy for him? Before critical judgement, let's pause. Touching on themes of grief, severe depression, hidden identity, isolation, estranged family, a broken healthcare system, and other crucial pieces of Charlie’s crumbling life, we can see that it’s far more than just about putting down the greasy drumsticks.  

His best friend, Liz, played by Hong Chau, gives an incredible performance as well. We get to see the heartache she is battling from her own losses and her fierce loyalty to try and keep others from messing with Charlie’s psyche, specifically a missionary who wants to “save him.” Taking on the caregiver role of keeping Charlie alive (she is a nurse) despite his clear wishes of not getting any outside medical help, as all the money he has needs to be given to his daughter, sadly enables his behaviours.  She is such a strong character though and it is true that in order to build resiliency, it comes with a lot of breakdowns.  

As we watch Charlie further deteriorate, his desperation to reconnect with his daughter shows his vulnerability and in some ways selflessness of giving up everything to make sure she is happy in life. There are a lot of complex emotions to deal with. The final scene has a poetic closure and offers symbolic interpretations.

It’s never too late to say you’re sorry.

💜While receiving standing ovations at the premiere of The Whale, this movie has had its share of backlash too, which you may agree or disagree with.  However, in my opinion, after being out of the spotlight for so long, Brendan Fraser's performance here still definitely deserved to be taking home Best Actor at the 2023 Oscars.

💜The Whale Trailer

Missing is written and directed by Nicholas D. Johnson and Will Merrick.

The motherly frustrations of dealing with teenage woes is not uncommon. Unanswered phone calls and text messages coupled with rebellious shenanigans with friends are par for the course, but to certain degrees. 

So what happens when it is the parental figure who doesn’t answer their phone, and just disappears? We are taken on a wild technological ride when daughter, June (Storm Reid) takes it upon herself to go into virtual sleuth mode to find  her mom Grace Allen, (Nia Long) who vanishes during a vacation in Colombia with her boyfriend, Kevin (Ken Leung).                              

The movie is full of excitement and offers a lot of thrilling moments, similar to the movie that I reviewed; Searching.  However, what is termed as a "spiritual sequel", there is more complexity to the parental/teenage relationship, and the intensity really grows with more plot twists that shifts audience sympathies back and forth like a pendulum.

An interesting part of the movie is June hiring a local Columbian, Javi, played by Joaquim de Almeida to help her find evidence and locate her mom. His technology skills are not quite on par with June’s, . However, after getting the run-around from authorities, June is running out of options and as much as she strives to be independent, she needs a shoulder to lean on. In this case, it’s a virtual one that the director is able to translate into a lot of warmth on screen.  We love Javi for being the ideal father-like figure that June wishes she still had in her life and the fact that Javi might not be disappearing from June’s life any time soon. 

While technology has a way of sometimes pulling us apart, it is also a way to bring us back together. It brings me back to the days of Mr. Rogers when he said “always look for the helpers.”

💜Missing Trailer

We Have A Ghost, directed by Christopher Landon is a film that really was surprising to watch as there were so many things wrong with the movie, yet somehow it ended up being a favourite here to write about.

During the first half, we're seeing the Presley family move into a creepy, dilapidated home that probably no one would really realistically buy. Alas, they purchase the home, hoping to have a new start. 

Jahi Di'Allo Winston as Kevin, plays the detached misunderstood teenager who we immediately expect will befriend the ghost - Ernest (played by David Harbour) found living up in the attic.  Soon Ernest is captured on video, uploaded to Youtube by Kevin's father, and of course, it goes viral. The film spirals a bit out of control here adding in a wacky Jennifer Coolidge who plays a psychic, known as The West Bay Medium. 

After a lot of comedic moments that honestly felt awkward and misplaced with another attempt of be relevant of current trends (cue needless Kardashian references) the story takes a very unexpected turn where we become so involved in Kevin and Ernest's friendship.  

David is at his absolute best, giving us such an endearing physical performance without speaking throughout the film, (technically, he did in fact speak 1 word, but I will not spoil that). I became quite invested in the mystery as to why Ernest was stuck in the attic, as did my husband. I loved the interaction between Kevin and Ernest almost immediately. There ends up being so many deeper layers to the story, which I wish the tone of the movie went into sooner, instead of the comedic flops of chaos trailing on for so long.  

I never thought that I'd shed tears for a ghost, but if there is any reason to give this movie a chance, it's for David Harbour's performance.

💜We Have A Ghost Trailer

Finding Who You Are: Film Inspirations

Welcome to another blog! I really wanted to share with my viewers my thoughts on some wonderful documentaries that we've watched over the last while. 

Wildcat is an incredibly moving documentary by Melissa Lesh and Trevor Beck Frost that brings us on  an exploration into the harsh Peruvian jungle, where coined as “lost souls” can find salvation and connections can be made in the most unexpected ways.

Raising orphaned ocelots is a big feat and for Harry Turner, it’s nature’s prescription to help him cope as he returns home from Afghanistan with the shadows of severe depression and PTSD following him.  Meeting ecologist and PhD student, Samantha Zwicker, who is the co-director of Hoja Nueva, an NGO in the Peruvian Amazon. she is drawn to helping the broken, clearly not without its consequences. Both their passion to raise orphaned wildlife gives them purpose, and for Harry, a reason to live. 

The sacrifices and solitude that comes with choosing to live in the Amazon though is very intense and we get to experience Harry and Samantha’s vulnerabilities and strengths, as a couple and as individuals.   

This film is very character-driven, which packs quite a punch, without losing focus on many important messages throughout, including mental health. We get to witness all the emotional highs and lows  which explain a lot about why Harry and Samantha felt drawn to dedicate so much of their lives to rehabilitating wild animals,  as well as working through their inner demons towards a path of healing.

The documentary is depicted in a very intimate way that also explores interspecies bonds in profound ways, the impacts of deforestation and the complex pet trade that can dramatically change the course of our lives.  

Wildcat shows us the fragility of life. The ability to overcome struggles that may seem insurmountable at times, only proves that we are always stronger than we think.  

💜Learn more about the Hoja Nueva's rewilding center & Emerald Arch

When I heard about the movie, Running with Speed, the little girl inside me wanted to know more about this secret (well not so secret anymore) society of gamers that defy the limits of what can be accomplished in a virtual world.

Narrated by the internet legend and video game historian Summoning Salt, this documentary directed by Patrick Lope and Nicholas Mross follows a niche community of gamers from all walks of life called Speed Runners.  They are dedicated to breaking the fastest records in video game play and determined to find the most intricate glitches in video games that most of us would probably never accomplish in our lifetime. Clearly a lot of energy drinks are consumed.

I wouldn’t consider myself a gamer, although many years ago, I did find joy investing time in the Mortal Kombat after long shifts at work and Sonic the Hedgehog games. My brother was ridiculously talented at video gaming and could solve levels like a pro. I also dabbled in Mario Bros, although I wasn’t quite skilled enough to ever save the lovely Princess Peach, but I did come close.

Now for nostalgia. Playing Bubble Bobble and Impossible Mission on the Comm64 was bliss, as well as Choplifter. Let's not forget Zork for a little role-playing action either.

Like anything, there is a dark side to gaming, in particular when one gets into speedrunning that can become an unhealthy addiction and obsession that is explored briefly from the perspectives of some of the top gamers that were part of the documentary. There are struggles of where to draw the line at a career vs a hobby. Sometimes those lines are blurred and real vs user generated identities get so enmeshed that it causes confusion and serious consequences. 

However, this doc really highlights a lot of the positive aspects of gaming culture, which include a community of passionate gamers who to this day, still cheer each other on during the most fierce competitions.  There are also some incredible ways that gaming marathons exploded into a life-giving movement to raise money and support charitable organizations. 

While I may never actually create an account over on Twitch, which is a live-streaming gamers haven, I do have a new-found appreciation and high level of respect for the art of gaming.  Game on!

💜Check out Games Done Quick which has raised over 43 million dollars for charity. It is currently the largest individual fundraising event globally for both Prevent Cancer Foundation and Doctors Without Borders USA.

Gear up to get those wind in your sails, as True Spirit is an Australian gem that you shouldn’t pass by. Directed by Sarah Spillane, this film is based on the real-life story of teenager Jessica Watson (played by Teagan Croft), who at 16 became the youngest person ever to sail around the world alone. 

The movie is gripping and if miracles do actually exist, Jessica is living proof of surviving some of the roughest waters and storms that mother nature had in mind for her during her 210 day journey. 

Jessica’s bravery and stamina allows for us to really see her maturity even at such a young age, as well as the wonderful unwavering support of her family.  Also what is so special about the film is Jessica’s connection with her sailing coach, Ben.  It turns out that Ben actually represented a team of people in real life, but the depiction is really heart-warming in the film. 

Along with the emotional depth of the film, the accompanying soundtrack is pretty awesome too, especially with “I Made It” performed by the Australian singer, Tones And I.

💜Check out Jessica's website here to read more about her adventures

The Lost King, directed by Stephen Frears is a story that needs to be heard and who better to star in this than one of my favourite actresses, Sally Hawkins.  She plays the role of Philippa Langley (known for her real life discovery and exhumation of Richard III), a woman who deals with an invisible illness (ME/CFS) that makes her feel just that, invisible. In work, she is overlooked and often ridiculed, and home life is chaotic, trying to juggle life’s expectations. 

After seeing a live production of Shakespeare's Richard III, Philippa finds herself quite defensive of what many believe to be a historical villain (or was he also an unsung hero?). As an amateur historian, she heads down an uncertain path to find Richard III’s remains, where she believes he is located under a car park in Leicester.   

The film is really thought-provoking on its own, having a sleuth-like British feel, and the rooting for the underdog scenario. Another great role is Steve Coogan, who plays the ex-husband who is more on the skeptic yet supportive side. Although divorced, we still see the love that can remain between two people.  The pace of the movie is a bit rocky at times, but it's not boring in the least. Despite controversy over many inaccuracies and a potential lawsuit brewing from many in academia over the film, the heartfelt message of one woman’s quest to succeed on her own terms is evident. 

Now, despite knowing very little on the subject of Richard III, it was quite a surprise, but a pleasant one, that a very complex yet misunderstood condition called ME/CFS (a condition that is quite varied from person-to-person, and I have silently dealt with for many years) was mentioned in this film. It deserves more attention so funding and research can be spent to help patients lead higher quality lives and maybe even someday find a cure. It made me feel inspired to continue my pursuit to live a fulfilling life despite my limitations and ill-informed assumptions that others believe about me.

💜Support ME/CFS Research

Straight From The Heart: February Films

Welcome to February! While the recipe for love might be on the table for Valentine's Day, perhaps I could help you pair it with some unusual films to enjoy.  

The Menu is a psychological mind f*ck with a heaping dose of satire from director Mark Mylod and and writers, Seth Reiss and Will Tracy.

There is something very bourgeois simmering at Hawthorne, an exclusive restaurant located on a private island and run by Chef Julian Slowik (Ralph Fiennes). Being an invite-only event, 12 guests are ready for a dining experience they’ll never forget.

The movie is intentionally pretentious to the max, with Fiennes giving such a hilarious yet utterly maniacal performance. While this “eat the rich” message is gaining momentum in a lot of movies, execution is key and at times, I just felt a bit of boredom with some of the character roles, waiting for the next scene to hopefully draw me back in.

Giving a big middle finger to the thumb-nosed elites, everyone in the room serves a purpose and holds some juicy secrets that get their psyches messed with. The majority of the movie is confined to the restaurant setting, so there are many little yet important details to watch out for.

By now, we know what’s going on, or at least have an inkling, but there are some twists you might not see coming. The pace in the movie adds a lot of suspense and although as mentioned above that I didn’t take interest in some of the characters, there were some good moments with Margot (Anya Taylor-Joy) and surprisingly, Elsa, the restaurant manager played by Hong Chau. So, I still wanted to get through till dessert. 

Before Chef serves each course, he presents a full commentary, and so every dish, even the Breadless Bread Plate, which sounds as ridiculous as it looks, was created purposefully.  

Despite some criticisms, The Menu does deliver, but I do recommend the cheeseburger.

💜 The Menu Trailer

The Man Who Killed Hitler and Then the Big Foot is directed by Robert D. Krzykowski, and this movie is a mouthful to say and states the obvious premise, but holds a lot more for the audience to digest.

 Sam Elliott plays Calvin Barr, an American hero who assassinated Adolf Hitler in an undercover operation. Now, living a very solitary life with his furry companion, while dealing with the after effects of PTSD from war, he is approached by the government to kill the Big Foot. This creature carries a virus that will wipe out the world and so since Calvin is the only person who is immune and is now the chosen one. 

I think the idea of Big Foot could have been explored much differently to reflect the tone of the film, as the second half really just felt tossed in for simply a weird turn of events. This kind of took me out of the movie at times, as it was just silly.  However, the redemption is just watching Sam Elliott’s riveting performance. It kept me engaged in his character and wanting to watch till the very end.

There are so many emotional punches throughout that were hijacked by the whole Big Foot tale, but if you’re going to watch this, go for Sam Elliott’s performance, and forget the Sasquatch.

💜The Man Who Killed Hitler And Then The BigFoot Trailer

The Fabelmans is told through the eyes of one of the greatest film directors, Steven Spielberg and co-written with Tony Kushner.  This movie very much felt like Spielberg’s personal diary, told through the eyes of a young boy who becomes obsessed with film-making in order to escape the world around him.  It is after all, semi-autobiographical, so that does hold some truth.

Sammy Fabelman (played by Gabriel LaBelle) gets his first taste of film, being brought to the theatre by his parents, only to be frightened yet amazed at a rather traumatic scene, and we get to witness the making of a born director. Spielberg has a great way of telling this coming-of-age story and the often rocky road to pursuing your dreams.

There’s no shying away here from a lot of confusion and pains of adolescence either. There are some weirdly yet a little off-putting comedic scenes tossed in with Sammy’s first real crush, Monica, (Chloe East) who is a young religious fanatic with an appetite for sin. 

Michelle Williams is incredible to watch, as Sammy’s mother Mitzie. She dreams just as big, and we can see her come alive when in the presence of her husband's best friend, Bennie (Seth Rogan). However, something is missing from her life, as husband and workaholic Burt (Paul Dano) keeps uprooting them to provide what he thinks will be a better life, yet their strained marriage continues to crumble.   

Judd Hirsch has a very small part, as Sammy’s eccentric Uncle Boris, who presents an omen that art and family are always going to be opposing forces. He echoes the words “family, art, it will tear you in two!” and we witness a devastating family secret that makes his warning, a true reality.

💜The Fabelmans Trailer

In a world where at times it feels like we're being surrounded by selfishness, hatred and greed,  The Volcano: Rescue From Whakaari, directed by Rory Kennedy is a compelling documentary that gives hope for humankind.  Off the coast of New Zealand, on the island of Whakaari (also called White Island) we get to see the beauty and terror of mother nature in action.  

The December 9th, 2019 volcanic eruption came with profound loss, as 22 lives were taken. However, as we grieve for the ones left behind, the incredible sacrifice, resilience and survival under the most terrifying conditions remain at the heart of this documentary. 

We get to hear from the survivors and how such an event reshaped their lives, as well as the brave responders who could have turned their boats and helicopters around, but chose to risk it all to save the lives of faces they never even knew.  

Once considered the perfect Instagram selfie for tourists, this still active volcano could erupt at any point in time. The island remains closed to visitors.

💜The Volcano: Rescue from Whakaari

💜Special Mention: Bank of Dave (currently streaming on Netflix)

Bank of Dave is a wonderfully uplifting film that shows us the true meaning of wealth. Directed by Chris Foggin, and written by Piers Ashworth, this movie has a number of fictional elements (sorry Def Leopard fans!) but was still inspired by the story of Dave Fishwick (played by Rory Kinnear), a wealthy businessman, who decided to start a community bank in his town of Burnley, in order to help support the local businesses and residents who were being pummeled by the big banks. 

Joel Fry is also a darling addition, playing Hugh, Dave's lawyer. Audiences will just fall in love with him on screen for his awkwardness and sweet performance. 

Despite all odds against him, in the film and even in real life, Dave's tenacity and love for his town really shows us what we can do when we all work together for the common good. 

💜Get to know more about the real life of Dave

A Deeper Dive Into The Mythos: Pinocchio Movie Review

While I was left with quite an underwhelming feeling with the previous Pinocchio film in 2022, directed by Robert Zemeckis, bring forth Guillermo del Toro and co-director Mark Gustafson to shed light on a story in such a prolific way that restored my faith of what can be possible in film-making.  Here are some of my personal insights of Pinocchio.

First off, visually the movie is beautiful to watch, from the scenery to the use of hand-crafted puppets and stop-motion animation. The endless hours taken to achieve the level of artistry here is amazing. 

Guillermo touches on topics that has divided us for centuries, like war and religion. Certain scenes bring forth uncomfortable truths which may contradict belief systems, but they are questions that are worth exploring. He also delves deep into areas that can bring forth a lot of pain, like the inevitable realization of the concept of finality in all of our lives, sometimes coming sooner than ever anticipated.  Pinocchio is given eternal life, while the ones he grows to love are not granted the same fate.

We get to witness many stages of grief from Geppetto (David Bradley) as he tries to navigate a world without the pure happiness that his son Carlo brought to his face every day. There is a slow progression of him and Pinocchio’s relationship as it starts off a little rough around the edges but leads into many soft and tender moments.  It’s assuring that Geppetto comes to terms on some levels of the loss of his son, but is still able to bond with Pinocchio, filled with the purest of love that can be mustered.

Tilda Swinton gave me some shivers as the voice of a majestic wing-horned wood sprite. There is a perfect balance of her essence of light as she brings Pinnochio to life,  yet a darker feel of her powers, as the movie progresses.

“The one thing that makes human life precious and meaningful, you see, is how brief it is.”  The lump in your throat should be there as these words echoed by the wood sprite holds more emotional depth.  In reality, we are not entitled to eternal life. It’s hard to digest, but it is a beautiful quote and holds much truth in what we hold dear in our lives, like chosen family, friendships, our passions. On the opposite side, we get the nudge of what we can ultimately let go that dampen our spirit inside, such as hatred, abuse, lies, etc...  

The long-withstanding notion that everything happens for a reason is challenged, while ultimately, there is comfort that we can only control so much, more so only our actions, not those of others.  We can take a deep breathe in because... In the end, what happens, happens. And then, we are gone.

Note: While there are arguments that this film is not appropriate for children, it *can* be if navigated correctly. Some kids are more mature than just their age. It's up to the parent/caregiver though what they deem is best under their circumstances. However, I strongly believe that communication is the key. Open and honest discussions can’t harm children, but silencing them could.  Use certain scenes as a teaching tool to enrich and encourage questioning. It can also be a healing arc for many who are in flux with their feelings.

💜Pinocchio Trailer

Ready for a Holiday Zom-Com

Anna and the Apocalypse directed by John McPhail, and written by Alan McDonald and Ryan McHenry, takes a group of soon-to-be graduating high schoolers and opens up their inner-diaries to share the woes of teenage life in the small town of Little Haven. 

This zombie-comedy, affectionately coined as a “zom-com”  is full of surprises and if being a teenager wasn’t hard enough, we add in a zombie infestation to shake things up a bit and get to know the characters a little more as they have to fight together to survive.  

With nods to Buffy The Vampire Slayer, The Breakfast Club, Shaun of the Dead and many others, it was really creatively done.

You can’t have a good musical with sub-par choreography, and so Steph (Sarah Swire) who also stars in the movie, did an amazing job juggling both roles. 

Anna, played by Ella Hunt, was perfect for her role. She was able to break away from the stereotypical female needing to be saved,  while showing bravery and kicking some zombie brains.  

Socially awkward best friend, John (Malcolm Cumming) is another good character. We feel his pain through song, as he deals with unrequited love for Anna but we also see him grow separate from the anguish, just like any best friend would.

Another stand out performance was the eccentric Headmaster,  Arthur Savage (Paul Kaye). He took that creepiness level and cranked it all the way up in the best way possible.

There are so many wonderful songs too, written by Roddy Hart in collaboration with Tommy Reilly.

🎶Break Away had my eyes wide open because I wasn’t expecting something so emotional right off the bat. With its poignant lyrics, I was just awe-struck. 

🎶Hollywood Ending. Believe me when I tell you that you will be singing this song in the shower, in the car and in your sleep! It is so ridiculously catchy. The song tells us what we already know, but are sometimes too afraid to face. While we deal with the harsh realities of life, we will still be okay without perfection. 

🎶Turning My Life Around is another great song with upbeat music and some fun dance sequences. It also holds a special nod in a way to a certain Shaun of the Dead scene where we are oblivious to the chaos that is going on around us. It has a comedic yet disturbing undertone.

Overall, I think this movie is really fun to watch and holds a lot of meaning beyond what is on the surface. Sure, it’s a little gross at times (okay... a lot) but this is definitely an infectious one to add to your holiday list!

💜Anna and the Apocalypse Trailer 

Seasons Of Change: 2022 Halloween Flicks

Hello my Ghoulish fiends! Halloween is just around the corner and whether you are excited for trick-or-treaters, plan to get dressed up in your favourite costumes, or intend to spend quiet time honouring  our spirited souls, it's always good to include a movie or two in the mix!  

I'm excited to share a few new ones that have popped up this year, as well as some old favourites. You can always transport back to my other blog posting that has even more movies and nostalgic series that bring me joy especially during the Halloween season.

With only a run time of 53 minutes, Werewolf By Night was a lovely little homage to many Universal Classic monster flicks, combined with some Twilight Zone eeriness. The monster hunter characters were great, in particular Jack (played by Gael García Bernal) who has an interesting role as a lycanthrope superhero of sorts. This short tale had such fantastic cinematography and black and white effects. It is definitely worth a watch.  I hope Marvel comes out with more of these, in particular something extra vampy.

Halloween Ends...or has it?  If you're not familiar with this horror-ific franchise, I would suggest to watch the other films to just delve more into the saga of Michael Myers. Although in this one, they do a rewind of some pivotal kill scenes, plus a rehashing of the tragedies in the town of Haddonfield,  so you are not going in totally blind. 

There was plenty of suspense throughout the film, a few irritants tossed in, but definitely a lot of brutal scenes that might have you squirm in your seat if you're more of the squeamish type, so stay alert, my friends. 

Was it the best out of all the others? Not in the least, but I think we're all here for Jamie Lee Curtis. She was amazing, reprising her role as Laurie and letting us know that when it comes to her masked-murderous foe, Michael Myers, if you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen!

Teen Wolf is an 80's comedy and coming-of-age werewolf tale, starring the beloved Michael J. Fox, as Scott Howard, just your ordinary geeky guy who is trying to figure out who he is, with and without the all extra fur. Who doesn't love a werewolf who can play basketball? 

The wonderfully grotesque and pun-worthy Crypt Keeper is back to tell a tale in Bordello of Blood. Although rated poorly by many, I fondly recall this film with its heavy metal and glam soundtrack. It's a terribly corny flick, with raunchy humour, groan-worthy acting, but it's a great one to just sit back and have fun watching. 

Finally, we have The Hunger tv series, created by Jeff Fazio and presented b Tony and Ridley Scott. No one gave me chills down my spine like Terence Stamp, and in this horror anthology; The Hunger, he hosted each short story in a way that would surely tingle all your senses, like The Secret Shih-Than. 

This provocative British/Canadian series opened up quite a new world for me that I never knew existed before, but was incredibly liberating, even though subject matter was rather taboo at the time, and still might be today for certain types of people.   

If anyone remembers, it was aired here in Canada on a tv channel called Showtime - with its tagline Television Without Borders.  Every late Friday evening, they would have "Friday's Without Borders" which had content that pushed the limits for a more mature and rather open-minded audience. Taking over the series was the late, David Bowie, who in my opinion did a good job, but I'm still partial to the British charm of Mr. Stamp.  

💜Let me know what you'll be watching this Halloween or what plans you may have! I love hearing  from you, so drop a comment below, or feel free to privately e-mail me using my web form!