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February 2016

Reviews

Gone by Dawn

Sexploitation cinema’s latest entry Gone by Dawn boasts bare bodies as if its already waving down Mr. Skin for a year-end top prize in nudity.  However, don’t be fooled by this skin flick.  Even though the film prides itself on sex appeal, there’s something more meaningful underneath it all.

Reviews

The Last Man on the Moon

Based on an autobiography of the same name, Mark Craig’s The Last Man on the Moon documents the experiences and recollections of retired US naval pilot and NASA astronaut Eugene Cernan who, in addition to a couple of other trips to space, was commander of the 1972 Apollo 17 lunar landing.  As the last one of his mission to re-enter the vessel, Cernan remains – to this day – the last human being to have set foot…

Reviews

Gods of Egypt

Australian filmmaker Alex Proyas had a terrific output in the 1990’s: the gothic comic book adaptation, The Crow, and the superlative neo-noir/sci-fi film Dark City.  Since then, however, Proyas has made few noteworthy cinematic contributions, and his latest, the 3D fantasy/adventure film Gods of Egypt, is abundant in imagination but lacking in novelty.

Reviews

Sicilian Vampire

Just like staring at an inkblot, “random” and “strange” are the first words that spring to mind if I had to describe Frank D’Angelo’s Sicilian Vampire to movie goers.  However, the oddities give D’Angelo’s film a fever dream allure – it’s entertaining one way or another.

Reviews

The Reflecting Skin

British filmmaker Philip Ridley’s The Reflecting Skin hasn’t screened in Toronto since its Canadian premiere at TIFF in 1990.  Given its vibrant formalism and unconventional approach to genre, Ridley’s first feature simply may have been unable to find a broader audience.  However, the film works well for cult film audiences.

Reviews

Deadpool

Are you burnt out on superheroes?  I certainly am.  It feels as if not a month goes by without hearing buzz about the latest Marvel team-up or sneak peaks at upcoming comic book blockbusters.  If you’re like me, Deadpool is the antidote you’ve been craving.

Reviews

Risen

I’ve urged people to give faith-based films a chance despite whatever their beliefs are.  Based on recent flicks I’ve seen, the sub-genre is opening up much more.  Risen, the best work released by Sony’s subsidiary label Affirm Films, furthers my point.

Reviews

End of Days, Inc.

Dear Jennifer Liao, Thank you for taking the time to make a movie.  It’s a gruelling process filled with compromises and long hours, but by the end of the day, it’s hopefully all worth it.  However, due to insufficient content in Christina Ray’s screenplay and a cast of mugging comedic performers, I regret to inform you that I personally thought End of Days, Inc. was a swing and a miss.

Reviews

Crazy About Tiffany’s

Audiences who caught Dior and I – Frédéric Tcheng’s doc highlighting Christian Dior’s Haute Couture collection – were left feeling good even though the doc had a standard structure.  Matthew Miele’s Crazy About Tiffany’s  – a documentary that captures Tiffany & Co. – will give those movie goers that extra boost they were looking for.