By: Anthony King GOING IN: I think it’s fair to say that any big Movie Buff – or whatever they refer to themselves as – likes all genres of film. They’ll dance during a musical, cry for a rom-com, and even read subtitles for a foreign film. I, for one, consider myself in this category but if I had to pick one genre as my least favourite or the one I tend to avoid, it…
By: Addison Wylie Delivery isn’t funny ha-ha, which you would think would be problematic in a documentary showcasing four levelheaded guys challenging themselves to take a one-night stab at stand-up comedy. However, the film itself is more amusing in an endearing way. Sean Menard, Shane Cunningham, Bert van Lierop, and Mark Myers (who also serves as the film’s writer/director, and may be familiarized by his former Much Music title ‘Mark the Temp’) make a pact…
The Toronto Youth Shorts Film Festival is a terrific way for young filmmakers to enter the scene. It’s a festival run by responsible believers who maintain faith in future generations of storytellers. The film festival has also given hard-working individuals a deserving premiere in an appreciated Toronto-bound theatrical venue. The awards ceremony is an added bonus to those seeking genuine recognition, as well as constructive criticism by a panel of educated peers. This year, movie…
By: Addison Wylie In the first Back to the Future film, Marty McFly straps on a guitar, turns to a baffled band, and says, “watch for the changes, and try to keep up, okay?” With Coherence, filmmaker James Ward Byrkit is the rascally McFly, and I’m standing on the stage looking absolutely perplexed. It’s because no matter how hard you try to keep up, Byrkit constantly has us on our toes. Great Scott! Ironically enough,…
By: Addison Wylie Gamers are a smart brand of people and consumers. As much as Video Games: The Movie believes in that notion, filmmaker Jeremy Snead’s patronizing presentation suggests otherwise. Many can pitch the argument that gazing into a monitor and playing video games wastes you away, but the hypervigilance that is developing amongst nimble younger generations has older fans impressed. Those veterans are also admiring how the industry has brought players together, and how…
By: Addison Wylie Bea and Paul are that cute couple you wish to never go out to dinner with. They’re not terrible people or arrogant, they’re just overwhelmingly in love. They’re those newlyweds who have cute nicknames for each other and always have an enamoured smile plastered on. On the car ride home, you’re significant other would turn to you and say, “They were nice. We should be more like them.” Maybe that’s why I…
By: Addison Wylie Metro Manila took me on quite the emotional rollercoaster. At first, I was skeptical. By the end, I was clutching the edge of my seat and anticipating filmmaker Sean Ellis’ next move. Let’s start at the beginning. Those initial weary sensations were drawn from how Ellis envisioned impoverished areas of the Philippines. Without a moment’s notice, the filmmaker hurls us into the damp streets alongside the Ramirez family. Times are tougher than…
By: Addison Wylie Heaven Is for Real is – so far – my favourite recent faith-based flick in a year full of religion centric movies. It’s mild-mannered and shoots for attainable goals, which makes Randall Wallace’s movie all the more amiable. Another major plus is how there’s no preachy hidden agenda detailing the motivations of the movie. Religion serves as a prominent theme in Heaven Is for Real, but its only to add depth to…
By: Addison Wylie Every moviegoing year has a movie like The One I Love. That one movie where everyone who sees it unanimously and silently agrees to keep quiet about it. It’s a neat decision to witness. It shows that the average audience still loves a challenge and still loves to keep a secret, hoping that their friends can one day see the movie and join the club. Just as many who have seen and…
By: Addison Wylie For a while, Atlantic. was the most relaxed I had felt at this year’s festival. Incredibly shot sequences of Fettah windsurfing across the infinite drink eased me into a trance. Its angelic score cradling the audience is the final nuance Atlantic. has that completely sends us into adoration with these moments of Jan-Willem van Ewijk’s tranquil tale. Alas, Atlantic. follows a bothersome and oddly common theme at this year’s TIFF. Atlantic. eventually drifts…