Jazz Fest: A New Orleans Story
Jazz Fest: A New Orleans Story comes hot on trail of Questlove’s Oscar-winning Summer of Soul and, though the timing could be entirely coincidental, it’s hard not to compare both documentaries.
Musical
Dear Evan Hansen
The film adaptation of Dear Evan Hansen is a solid gateway towards introducing movie goers, like me, to the award-winning stage production its adapted from. The movie creates curiosity and builds interest for those who have been wanting to see it and missed out on the opportunity to do so.
The Prom
The Prom is a musical about a group of famous performers who use their clout and flashy personalities to make a stand against the discrimination of the LGBT community. However, despite how inspiring this story is supposed to be, the movie is also supposed to be satirizing celebrities who are more concerned about their image than the cause they’re fighting for. It’s a piece of irony that’s lost on The Prom, a film that wants…
The High Note
The High Note is an enjoyable romantic dramedy with charming performances and some great tunes.
Military Wives
Military Wives has been tailor-made to be a crowd-pleaser. The ingredients are there: the leading characters have an entertaining dynamic that plays on their opposite personalities, they lead a team of underdogs, nostalgic pop tunes are worshipped amongst the film’s kind-hearted humour, a strong patriotic backbone holds up a story that’s been loosely based on real events. As much as it bugs me that the filmmakers believe they’ve cracked the code to pleasing general audiences…
Fiddler: A Miracle of Miracles
Max Lewkowicz’s documentary Fiddler: A Miracle of Miracles teaches viewers about the history of the iconic musical Fiddler on the Roof, as well as the play’s cultural impact which still maintains its relevance to this day since first opening in 1964.
Foxy
Alopecia, an autoimmune condition that causes hair loss of different degrees, is an issue that forces those living with it to be in a constant state of awareness; having to find their own individual way to address it. This self-conscious struggle of those personally effected is the topic at bay in Foxy, a concern that was also hindering co-director/co-writer/star Trista Suke before making this thesis project with co-director/co-writer Ellis Poleyko.
Hearts Beat Loud
There seems to be a new trend where every Summer, audiences receive a musically-savvy indie. Two years ago, movie goers relished in Sing Street, followed by Patti Cake$ the year after. This season, move goers will be put under a spell by Hearts Beat Loud, an effortlessly charming and heartwarming dramedy from writer/director Brett Haley (The Hero).