Reviews

Many years ago I liked watching a TV show in Toronto, called FT Fashion Television. It was not just about fashion, but more about creators and the creative process. The host Jeanne Beker often interviewed Alexander McQueen and I found the shows tremendous. Several years ago I also read a book about McQueen, and I found it interesting as well, although a bit voyeuristic. I found this documentary very illuminating in revealing McQueen's incredible artistic talent, creativity, vision and drive. Not to mention an uncanny business sense and leadership ability to inspire and motivate so many talented and creative collaborators. It was done in a way to explore the powerful factors that combined to shape McQueen but not in an intrusive or tabloid way. All the friends and family spoke honestly with conviction and empathy. I learned so much. Just think how a few talented people can create whole industries and revitalize nations!

This was a delightful film. I have not been to New York sine the 90s, but if I had the money then I think the Carlyle is where I would like to stay! What impressed me most was how well the staff spoke about the guests and how well the guests seemed to appreciate the staff. Our news is filled with stories of companies treating their employees poorly and also how many people dislike their jobs. Wow, somebody is doing something right here! Harvard Business Review take note, no fancy theory here, no AI, just fancy old fashioned respect for human dignity. A great selection of guests are interviewed across the whole spectrum of professions, with all saying the same thing. I felt good to be alive coming out of this movie!

This film was a fascinating look at Canadian Graphic Design during the period of Expo67 and thereafter. It tied in the politics of the period, and the major designers involved. We are shown how they came up with the logos for Canada's leading corporations/events. First hand interviews with the designers give us their perspective on how they viewed their task. This could be a Bauhaus like simplification or a nature oriented completely non geometric approach. A wonderful combination of art, education, history and documentary film.

If you love adventure and Lonely Planet guide books, don't miss this movie! It is based on a true story, so when you see the various scenes they really hook you. The ocean shots are awesome, the beauty and power of the sea! I found the acting wonderful, very natural. The present to flashbacks are a bit confusing at first, but they come together in the end for a powerful conclusion. We learn interesting backstory about Tami and Richard. They both have troubled childhoods and the sea gives them an escape. Their moments together are everything.

Beautiful film about a man with a simple message. We need to respect our planet, our tierra/earth on which our existence depends. We also need a roof/techo over our heads and meaningful work/trabajo to give us dignity. The film traces the early life of Saint Francis of Assisi and his links with our present day Pope. We follow Pope Francis around the world as he interacts with people in the most profound ways. Truly a message not to be missed.

I found this film enjoyable from several perspectives. I loved the opening sequence, it sets the tone. The scenes of the beaches in France are gorgeous, although with a grim reminder for Canadians that went ashore in 1942. For me the theme of the movie is the interconnectedness of all things on our Earth. On the one hand we have the latest biotechnology science penetrating the depths of the ocean in search of the origins of life. On the other hand far way, we have the clash of civilizations going back thousands of years, with no solutions in sight.

Danielle and James are extremely well portrayed. Danielle is a scientist that is earthy and connects well with people and also senses the presence of the smallest organism. James is a hardened paratrooper that is willing to put his life on the line for a higher purpose. They both connect on a physical as well as psychic level. If you like adventure don't miss this.

I don't watch a lot of television, but I was hooked on this show from the beginning. First of all it is Canadian, and it deals with many issues that face us all on a day to day basis. The central theme of our environment being poisoned is very important. Every day some new toxin enters our water supply. Our governments seem powerless to deal with these issues, although they are starting. The series has aspects that appeal to both young people and the older generation. The Millwood teens look forward to university careers in the big city, but tragedy intervenes. They each deal with their issues differently. Being a small town, we see all sorts of social interactions and problems brought out into the light of day. I thought the acting was really sincere and the writing excellent. The final episode is very cathartic, Joanna's dad is a type of lawyer that gives the profession a bad name, and that's putting it mildly.

The movie starts with a quick backstory and succession of events. The characters are a bit over the top and it captures your interest. Burn has a serious event, and we find ourselves far from Manila at a holiday camp. Abi the camp entrepreneur/manager/everything and Burn interact in various ways, trying to get to know each other. Slowly but surely a partnership evolves and we see the development of a real love interest. The scenery and environment of the holiday camp is beautiful, you can't help wanting to go for a swim. The plot is very clever and the end is quite unexpected but ultimately fits well. The film is about the real things of life, love of family, always striving to do your best, even if life seems to kick you in the face. I hope I run into Abi the next time I go for a coffee.

I love adventure movies and this one really had me from beginning to end. First and foremost Alicia Vikander did more than play Lara Croft, she was Lara Croft. The chemistry between all the cast members was tremendous, everything just seemed to click from beginning to end. I loved the attention to detail, the old charts, pictures and travel details. The scenes at the beginning in London really laid out the characters well, we get a good glimpse at Lara and her character. Everyone seems to fit the part perfectly. The concept of an evil entity perverting humanity and destroying nations is nothing to be laughed at, considering some of the gangsters running things on planet earth these days. We need to be reminded that evil exists, but there is always someone somewhere that has the guts to take it on and win! If you are planning a difficult mission somewhere and looking for crew, check out this cast first!

I left Paddington with tears in my eyes. I think what makes this movie so accessible to both young and old is the simplicity of the story. Paddington may not have had a fancy background, but his aunt installed the most important values of seeing the best in people and treating them well. He is thrown into a typical situation that anyone might encounter and he navigates this difficult web by applying his principles. He endears himself to everyone (well maybe with a one or two exceptions) and we leave the film feeling that the world is a better place!

There is a passage from the Bible that says that it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into heaven. This movie is a testament to that. The acting is outstanding, you really feel like you are there. The mood of Italy and Europe of the 1970s infuses the film. Terrorism is in the air with the Munich Olympics of 1972, the Red Brigades and Baader-Meinhof gang. The depiction of Getty the oil magnate is shown to us by his various statements and actions. A truly gothic character. The gangster kidnappers are also frightening in their normal everyday lives that accept criminality as if it were like a walk in the park. Hard to believe a time of telephone booths, ringing telephones and sending letters. Ransom demands took time.

Fascinating look at the life and work of Hedy Lamarr. About five years ago, I distinctly remember reading in an electrical engineering journal about the inventions of Hedy in the field of telecommunications. I rushed to the local library and sure enough there were several books about her. It was such a pleasure to see this documentary. It tied it all together for me. We learn a good deal about her early life and upbringing and her start in the European Film business. Like many European artists, Hedy was alarmed at the rise of Fascism and decided for a better life in America. We also learn about the early studio system, both the positive aspects and also about some of the negative ones, which are front and centre with the public these days. Hedy was a multi faceted artist/inventor and we see her forming collaborative relationships with all sorts of people from avant-garde pianists to airplane designers! She was certainly a modern day Ada Lovelace.

I have watched many surfing movies from "The Endless Summer", "Crystal Voyager", to "Storm Surfers 3D". This movie has the most exciting shots I have ever seen! The ones from Tahiti are breath taking. Laird's early life is described. One can see the adventure gene being passed on from his free spirited mom, as she decides to pick up and move to Hawaii. He befriends a well known surfer and before he knows it, he has a new dad. Life at school is tough for someone from the mainland, so Laird makes his mark on the waves. He takes to the ocean as Van Gogh takes to painting, he has to do it! We see how he transforms the sport by introducing various technical innovations that have never been considered before. He also forms strong bonds with other surfers and his family, as they undergo their journey together.

Absolutely beautiful, a total sensory experience! Over the years I have seen various movies about Vincent and read about his close relationship with his brother Theo. What I found amazing about this movie was the imaginative approach that was taken to unravel his life and work. So many details were revealed that I had no idea of, and put into such interesting context. The choice of actors was brilliant and we see how close they resemble the actual people during the credit roll at the end of the film - also highly imaginative. I love the rich colours, the Cerulean blue and bright yellows. Truly a starry night! Don't miss.

I wanted to see this film at TIFF this year, but it was all sold out. I am glad it opened recently in Toronto. I was quite moved by the acting and the situations that are depicted. The children are amazing, they live in their own little world that has its own order and meaning. While the adults cope with all their problems and societal conflicts, the kids explore the world that they find themselves in, and try to make the best of it. Bobby as the motel manager, is a tough bloke, but totally fair in his dealings with his clients. Just his facial expressions are enough to give you a massive subtext to the various encounters that arise.

We have a magical world in Florida's Disney Land, where peoples fantasies come true. But just kiddy-corner to this, real life with real people is taking place, not all of it pretty. Children need someone to take care of them, but most of all to see them and love them. This can happen in all sorts of environments, not all of them clinically correct by societal standards. The film is a wonderful mirror.

Long before there were guide books and people trekked through the Middle East, Gertrude Bell travelled on a camel through desert areas only inhabited by roving bandit chieftains. She kept meticulous notes of the various tribes, their relationships, and even carried an expensive transit/theodolite. She developed a very strong attachment to the area and its peoples. This was an age of great exploration, witness Col. Fawcett exploring the Amazon. What all these explorers developed was an intense and passionate interest in the places they visited. They learned the languages and studied the habits of the people.

The directors tell the story of Gertrude Bell's time in Mesopotamia or modern day Iraq through her many letters. They are absolutely fascinating in that not only is her interior life and feelings revealed, but a good deal of information about the political and social conditions in the empire at that time. I believe the directors were smart to stick to the letters and make them the focus of the story. The documentary is brilliant in what it doesn't say. The viewer can make up their own minds, the information is pretty overwhelming. What I found most fascinating were the monuments and historical objects that were uncovered. They indicate far earlier and complex civilizations that had a grasp of our place in nature and in the cosmos. Bell went to great lengths to establish a museum to preserve these artifacts to man's origin. Curiously both T. E. Lawrence and Gertrude Bell both had rather violent ends. One by an untimely motorcycle accident and the other by an overdose.

I think back to Montreal in 1967, I was 16 and had a so called "Youth/Jeunesse Passport" to visit the exposition. It was really a magical time. The Metro opened and I rode on a brand new train to the Expo site. The pavilions were out of this world. Not to mention all the incredible restaurants, beer gardens and entertainment for young people.

At my age I had no idea of all the effort it took to bring the exposition together. The director has done incredible research to pull together the photos, films and news clippings from the era. We are introduced to the team that made it all possible. Apparently Moscow was supposed to host the fair, but had to cancel 2 years into the project. So Montreal started 2 years late. Despite all the setbacks, the team got rolling. The symbol of the exposition was chosen from a contest, and was simple yet had wide international appeal. There were several moments when the whole project was called in question, but the team never stopped believing that it was possible. There are first hand interviews with several team members, most importantly M. de Gaspé Beaubien and M. Jasmin. There was a huge political dimension to the exposition which is also investigated and makes the ultimate success of the largest world's fair ever of 54 million visitors so satisfying.

I came out of this movie in tears. At 65, I could easily imagine what it would be like to be in Daniel's shoes. The acting was absolutely marvellous, the nuances very subtle. As the Western World privatizes, this could be the fate that awaits any of us. One day all the boxes are checked and your life moves along smoothly. Then suddenly one thing happens, and there is a cascade of consequences. I remember the old days when you phoned an organization and there was an actual human being at the end of the line, now you are lucky if there is even an Avatar. The little kids were adorable, thank God children seem to be born with computer skills buried in their DNA. Simple people like Katie come along and make life worthwhile. Coconuts are definitely more dangerous than sharks!

This film just opened in Toronto and I was anxious to see it. I found the historical references fascinating. During the early 1900s, spiritualism was all the rage in various circles, especially among scientists. As an electrical engineer, I was surprised to learn that the inventor of PCM pulse code modulation, the basis of all the digital world, was Alec Harley Reeves. He was trying to discover a method to communicate with this dead mother. What I most enjoyed about the film was the immediacy. It was almost like I was not watching the movie but I was part of it. Sort of like that scene in the park in "Blow-Up" where the whole world stops. The shots of Kristen Stewart are amazing, almost portrait like. She certainly builds the tension throughout the film, tremendous acting.

I really enjoyed this movie, I thought it touched on many themes. I guess the first one would be reflection on your life, especially when you get over 60 and people around you get sick, disabled or pass away. When we first see Ove bossing people around in his living complex, we know none of the backstory. But this is slowly revealed and we see someone who has a decent set of personal values that have been passed down by his father. He lives by these and expects others in the community to do the same. At first we think he is just a stickler for little things, but with the arrival of the new family next door, we soon find it is not little things that set him off, but only little things that represent major issues. I can see Ove as a great union steward, looking after his men and at the same time being loyal and hard working for his employer. Communities are built this way. The children next door immediately pick up on his inner nature, they are truly adorable. You can see that they immediately absorb is orderly and empathetic view of the world.

Every year in March, the world's biggest mining show meets in Toronto for the annual PDAC Prospectors & Developers conference. Johnnie Walker flows like water. If you want to see and feel the business, this is the place. You can pick out the prospectors and geologists at any booth. They have that far away look, probably would be happier smoking a Ritmeester cigar in some remote location.

Enter Kenny Wells. Kenny operates his Junior mining business from a bar. But we notice one thing right away. People like and trust Kenny and he likes and trusts them back. He also has the right pedigree, coming from a long line of miners with dirt under their finger nails. One thing about Juniors, is that they can never get down, one failed prospect usually follows another. Kenny gets a break, however, when he meets Michael Acosta. The chemistry is right, they speak the same language. Let's give it our all and make the dream come true.

They head off to Kalimantan, sort of like Lord Jim heading up country. The land is wild, and the native Dayaks are former head hunters. The camp scenes are superb. We learn of the complicated situation of trying to keep all the parties happy. The central government in Jakarta, the locals and the backers back home. Kenny gets malaria, but fortunately for him, rest and a warm blanket get it under control.

We see the empire beginning to build and the vulture capitalists descend. Kenny's girlfriend Kay senses what's happening before anyone. Slowly it all unravels as the truth emerges.

The characters are well portrayed, Mathhew McConaughey really gives it his all. Egdar Ramirez is the perfect geologist and his Bahasa is spot on! Kay played by Bryce Howard is the moral center and gives us a perspective of what's involved in this business that our modern society could not live without.

This is an inside look at the challenges of putting together a ballet. Benjamin Millepied takes on quite a challenge as he works as Artistic Director at the Paris Opera Ballet, the world's oldest national ballet. Previous directors were Serge Lifar and Rudolf Nureyev, tough shoes to follow in! Benjamin has some really strong ideas working for him, however. First of all he wants all his dancers to get the most pleasure and enjoyment from their work with him. Historically, entering a Ballet company is almost equivalent to joining an elite special forces company. Continual selection and judgment. This does not leave room for reflection or getting enjoyment from your day to day work. The film shows us scenes of typical scenes of the selection of young dancers, precise and calculated. Many dancers hide injuries for fear of rejection. These can later become career ending without early treatment.

We follow a time line of the all the events that must come together for a successful finish. Dance rehearsals, selection of the musical score, props, integration with the lighting and the actual stage. Benjamin's assistant is tireless in her attention to detail to get everything integrated and obstacles overcome without any undue friction.

Benjamin believes in working with his dancers, showing them exactly how certain moves should work. Positive reinforcement works wonders to bring out the best and not being afraid to make mistakes. He wants his dancers to reflect their audience not what was expected from previous centuries gone by. Various scenes take us into the actual creative process of thinking, dancing, sketching upside down on a studio floor.

The most powerful scenes for me were from the final rehearsal where it all comes together with such magic. Despite threats of strikes and other external events, the opening night arrives. Benjamin ensures that everyone takes the stage that worked on the Ballet.

If you want to know what racism feels like, then the director of this movie really let's you have it front and centre. Not in a violent way, but in the way that most people experience it in the little acts of day to day life. The frown, the social exclusion or lack of acknowledgement.

The juxtaposition of a mega scientific journey to space with the serious problems on the surface of the planet is perfect. I remember the 60's, the speeches of Dr. Martin Luther King. There are many powerful scenes in this movie. I think back to Dion's song Abraham, Martin and John.

Nice to see a movie with a Canadian, even more so one from Québec where I come from. "Britain's Wonderful Fighting Forces", Odhams Press, London W.C.2, Chapter IV, Army Co-Operation has a whole section on the Westland Lysander. This was the aircraft the SOE used to supply resistance fighters in France. It was fascinating seeing this aircraft up close. The movie starts off slowly with a rather strained relationship between Max & Marianne. It slowly builds, but you are not really aware of it. Eyes never lie and in time you can see in the way they look at each other that something powerful is at work. Fast forward to the UK and the story rapidly unfolds. The underground bunker scene is particularly disturbing, the unspoken horror of it all. I would have liked Max to utter a few choice Québecois words at the V Branch Rupert. As long as our love for each other outweighs our darker side there is hope for us all. Great movie, inspiring and wonderful acting!

Based on a true story, Vinny Pazienza overcomes a terrible car accident to return to the sport he truly loves, Boxing. I was a bit hesitant to see this movie because of all the previous movies about fighters. However the director quickly immerses you into Vinny's world and you are immediately hooked. What I liked most about the movie was how all the characters were so believable. The close family relationship, the mother's ritual when all the relatives are glued to the tube, the family dinners, ornaments etc. Everyone has a lot of soul and individuality. Vinny's determination is all important, but he has the affection and love from friends and family. Most of all he has his coach, portrayed by Aaron Eckhart. A man who is fighting is own demons of being a has been, wanting a winner, but also knowing that a coach must do what is best for those under his charge, regardless of what is best for him or others.