2022
The Munsters
I’m getting a kick out of the people who are trying to provide Rob Zombie professional criticism regarding The Munsters, and likewise for the writers and vloggers who want to take digs at it and make fun of it – it’s all very cute. I don’t hold myself in higher regard to my peers, but I know a lark when I see one. And, Rob Zombie’s family-friendly seasonal comedy The Munsters is a big, fat,…
Blank
Natalie Kennedy’s Blank is the latest addition to the “tech gone wrong” sci-fi sub-genre. This time: an A.I. controlled retreat goes awry after a malware infection traps a creatively-stunted writer, Claire (Rachel Shelley), until they can finish their book. However, the malfunction triggers a loop causing Claire’s “ideal” assistant, Rita (Heida Reed), to frequently reset and welcome in unpredictable and dangerous mechanical quirks.
House of Darkness
A night of flirting and drinking leads up to House of Darkness’ initial scene, featuring a coy couple exchanging smiles as Hap (Justin Long) anticipates more canoodling with Mina (Kate Bosworth) at her place. She invites him in and, immediately, he can’t believe her house which resembles a castle-style mansion. For some reason, he shrugs off the peculiar detail that it’s lit by several candlesticks and that Mina is dressed for a long-ago period, but…
True Things
While far from perfect, director Harry Wootliff’s (Only You) drama True Things is an excellent showcase for actor Ruth Wilson, as well as a challenging portrait of a woman caught between societal expectations and her own desire.
Eternal Spring
Representing Canada in the competition to be selected for the Best International Feature Film category is Jason Loftus’ semi-animated doc Eternal Spring, and I’m honoured to have such a strong movie in our corner. But while we wait for confirmation that the movie made the cut, audiences can check out this Hot Docs award-winning masterpiece during its current, exclusive theatrical run – I urge you to seek it out and see it on the biggest…
Blonde
Based on Joyce Carol Oates’ fictional novel of the same name, written and directed by Andrew Dominik (The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford) and earning a rare adults-only NC-17 rating, Blonde is a disturbing examination of Marilyn Monroe (aka. Norma Jeane Mortenson) and the cruel behaviour she experienced on her search for a companion.
Clerks III
Clerks III features writer/director Kevin Smith “returning to the well” to follow up with everyone’s favourite perturbed convenience store employees, Dante and Randal.