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TJFF 2025: ‘Charles Grodin: Rebel with a Cause’

June 17, 2025Addison Wylie0 Comments

Charles Grodin was a fascinating performer and public figure. While occasionally disarming his stoic presence for his audience, the actor always appeared to have more personality and tricks underneath his tough exterior. In Charles Grodin: Rebel with a Cause, documentarian James L. Freedman (Glickman) attempts to pinpoint the core of Grodin’s strengths, and his persistence to always be fair. The doc also follows his career as an actor, producer, director, talk show host, and activist….

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Canadian Film Fest 2025: ‘Gold Bars: Who the F*ck Is Uncle Ludwig?’

April 8, 2025Addison Wylie0 Comments

Surly lawyer Glenn “Joseph” Feldman is certain that a former business partner was profiting from a hidden stash of stolen Nazi gold.  In fact, Joseph’s infamous conviction becomes detrimental to his career and personal life, and has brought on a defamation lawsuit against him by his old friend.  His skeptical and inquisitive daughter, Alex, wants to help bring closure to this chapter with some tough love and some outsider expertise. Billie Mintz’s documentary looks slick…

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Reviews
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Thank You Very Much

April 3, 2025Addison Wylie0 Comments

Thank You Very Much is, most likely, the closest audiences will get to understanding comedian/performance artist Andy Kaufman. With his first documentary since 2002’s Making Marines, and having a prominent background in directing for television since then (including Netflix’s children’s show Waffles + Mochi), Alex Braverman shows competence as a returning documentarian. He also exudes confidence when trying to unpack the uncomfortable genius of Kaufman’s routines and many personalities. Though the film itself occasionally takes on…

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Reviews

Sorry/Not Sorry

July 20, 2024Addison Wylie0 Comments

When he was at the top of his comedic and creative form, the New York Times ran an article accusing comedian Louis CK of indecent sexual behaviour involving a number of women who were coerced into his lewd activities. The comic was seemingly paying the consequences for his actions, and his victims finally had a collective voice. However, there wasn’t much longevity for justice. Louis CK reacquainted himself with success through independent endeavours, supported by…

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Reviews

Occupied City

April 26, 2024Addison Wylie0 Comments

An unofficial cut of Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining titled The Shining Forwards and Backwards supposedly features hidden meanings and themes when a reversed version of the movie is superimposed on the original. Filmmaker Steve McQueen (director of the Oscar-winning 12 Years a Slave) applies a similar narrative with his very ambitious (and very long) documentary Occupied City. But instead of mirrored images, McQueen presents several locations around Amsterdam and has narrator Melanie Hyams recite the…

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Reviews

Your Fat Friend

February 22, 2024Addison Wylie0 Comments

Anonymous blogging activist-turn-New York Times best selling author Aubrey Gordon is a joy to listen to.  Her opinions regarding her size, as well as the personal experiences that have tangentially spawned because of her weight, have led to outlets allowing Gordon to discuss being fat.  Her career path has also opened opportunities to educate others about various biases and complexities that come from inconsiderate assumptions and soured good intentions.

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Reviews

One Road to Quartzsite

February 16, 2024Wylie Writes Staff0 Comments

By: Trevor Chartrand The town of Quartzsite, Arizona hosts an eclectic mix of wanderers each winter, from senior snowbirds in RVs to homeless nomads, from drug addicts to nudist bookstore owners. You’d think the locale, with its bizarre amalgamation of citizens and a variety of worldviews, would be a melting pot for an inevitable conflict.  However, as filmmaker Ryan Maxey demonstrates in his doc One Road to Quartzsite, the town is surprisingly tranquil – peaceful…

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Reviews

Smoke Sauna Sisterhood

December 18, 2023Shannon Page0 Comments

The smoke sauna tradition of Vőromaa, in southern Estonia, is nearly a thousand years old.  On UNESCO’s list of intangible cultural heritage of the world, smoke sauna practices include the building and maintenance of saunas, smoking meat, making bath whisks, and bathing and cleaning rituals.

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Reviews

Immediate Family

December 18, 2023Addison Wylie0 Comments

Denny Tedesco’s Immediate Family is the ideal spiritual sequel to his doc debut The Wrecking Crew, and a great example of a comfort film.  I’ve seen this documentary twice now: once to review it, the second just to revisit the groovy atmosphere.

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