You Cannot Kill David Arquette
I may have forgotten about 2000’s buddy comedy Ready to Rumble, starring David Arquette and Scott Cann, but it turns out wrestling fans neither forgive or forget.
August 2020
Happy Happy Joy Joy: The Ren & Stimpy Story
By: Trevor Chartrand While entertaining and informative, Happy Happy Joy Joy: The Ren & Stimpy Story is a documentary with two very different and almost contradictory goals. On the one hand, the film takes a mostly light-hearted look at the making-of a beloved animated series. But on the other hand, however, the doc is also a dark character study featuring the disturbing behaviours of Ren and Stimpy’s show creator, John Kricfalusi.
Uncle Peckerhead
The first hurdle of any music-centric film is often the most difficult to clear: the music itself. It’s difficult to get the audience to root for the heroes if their band’s sound is cringe-inducing. Or, even worse, if it’s just plain boring.
Never Be Done: The Richard Glen Lett Story
Never Be Done: The Richard Glen Lett Story is a fantastic example of true documentary filmmaking.
Bill & Ted Face the Music
The much awaited and presumably final instalment in the Bill & Ted series, Bill & Ted Face the Music, pulls off the impossible feat of being a faithful and charming sequel to cult classics. For that, the production should be very proud of their efforts and patience. However, the movie itself is neither “excellent” or “bogus”. It’s just, sort of, “chill”.
Euphoria
Lisa Langseth’s Euphoria, which premiered at TIFF three years ago, quietly yet poignantly explores the estranged relationship between two sisters amidst news that one of them is dying. Beautifully written and elegantly directed, Euphoria is as emotionally devastating as it is moving.
Steve-O: Gnarly
The title of Steve-O’s new comedy special Gnarly, as expected, describes the stunt work peppered throughout the show as he raises the bar on his own shock factor with squeamish spectacles. However, the special should almost be titled Mea Culpa considering his stand-up routine, while off-the-wall, is holding his past destructive behaviour in contempt.
Wylie Writes’ One-On-One with Kris Rey
I Used to Go Here works as a coming-of-age story, a college comedy, and a self-reflective character piece. While the cast and crew deserve credit for how well the film pulls off this hat trick, writer/director Kris Rey is the glue holding this project together. With her latest film, Rey continues to prove her expertise in characterization and intentionally awkward comedy, and how magic can be made when those two elements are perfectly mixed together. I recently…
Enter the Fat Dragon
For a film titled Enter the Fat Dragon, the film doesn’t stew in heavyweight humour or reminisce on kung-fu nostalgia. When it does, it’s brief and appropriately justified for the story. A breath of fresh air when compared to other comedies that cash in on references and obvious prosthetics.