Duplessis (1978)

Genre: Franco / TV / Biographical
Réalisateur: Mark Blandford

Distribution: Jean Lapointe, Camille Ducharme, Marcel Sabourin 

Épisodes: 7

 

Cette série télévisée en sept épisodes, écrite par Denys Arcand et diffusée sur les ondes de Radio-Canada en 1978, raconte la montée vers le pouvoir du politicien québécois Maurice Duplessis et son long règne comme premier ministre de cette province.

D’abord, notons la performance de Jean Lapointe dans le rôle-titre. Lapointe nous livre un Duplessis plus grand que nature. Il nous montre un homme d’abord attachant et ensuite profondément contrôlant et détestable. Il rend surtout le personnage humain et vrai. Les acteurs de soutien jouent eux aussi très bien leur rôle.

Le scénario de Denys Arcand est pour sa part bien détaillé et bien rythmée. C’est un regard fort intéressant sur la politique québécoise et canadienne, avec son lot de répliques savoureuses et de dialogues captivants. 

Le tout est fort bien livré à l’écran, ce qui fait qu’on a le goût de suivre jusqu’au bout. Tout compte fait, j’adore cette série.

Note: «««««

Echo in the Canyon (2018)

 Genre: Documentary
Directed by: Andrew Slater
Starring: Jakob Dylan, Tom Petty, Lou Adler, Michelle Phillips, Beck

Running time: 82 minutes

 

This documentary celebrates the music that came out of the Laurel Canyon Neighborhood of Los Angeles in the mid-60’s, when multiple artists moved in the area and started creating a massive amount of songs and records. We look at such bands as The Beach Boys, The Byrds, Buffalo Springfield and The Mamas & The Papas. In this film, Jakob Dylan, Bob’s son, interviews many of the people who were there, involved this booming period. He also performs some of those songs on stage and in the studio, with various guests.

I love musical documentaries about creative people I admire, and this is definitely one of the good ones. It is informative and very interesting, though it feels a little incomplete. I could have taken much more, including discussion about other bands of that era, such as The Doors.

Rating: ««««

Stronger (2017)

 Genre: Biographical / Drama
Directed by: David Gordon Green
Starring: Jake Gyllenhal, Tatiana Maslany, Miranda Richardson 

Running time: 119 minutes

 

This biographical film is inspired by the memoir of the same name written by Jeff Bauman and Bret Witter. Jeff Bauman is a man who had both his legs blown off in the Boston Marathon bombing, while waiting at the finish line in support of his ex-girlfriend. After losing his two legs, he had to adjust to a new life, with the help of his on-and-off girlfriend, his dysfunctional family and his friends.

This was very good inspirational film about an everyday man surmounting the odds. Unlike many other films of the genre, this movie was helped greatly by a great cast and some good direction. Gyllenhal was particularly solid in the lead role. He made the plight of Bauman feel real on screen. You could watch, feel it and forget that there was an actor at work here.

This movie was heavy on the patriotic chest pounding, but, hey, that has to be expected with an American film that deals with terrorism. Overall, I greatly enjoyed this one.

Rating: ««««

Dahmer (2002)

Genre: Biographical / Horror
Directed by: David Jacobson

Starring: Jeremy Renner, Bruce Davidson, Matt Newton 

Running time: 102 minutes

 

This film goes over part of the life and crimes of Jeffrey Dahmer, a Milwaukee serial killer who became known for picking up boys and young men in various locations, from 1978 to 1991, to torture them, rape them and kill them, not always in the same order. Dahmer was also known for cannibalism.

First things first: Jeremy Renner did a solid job as Dahmer. He managed to bring the monster back to life and make him multi-dimensional in his performance. As for the film itself, it never really grasped me. I found its focus too narrow, so that, in the end, I was left wanting much more of the story.

David Jacobson also seemed to tip-toe around the horror of Dahmer’s actions. They are gruesome and evil, but they are the main reason why a film is made about that man. In trying to be cautious, the director made most of the violence look fake and unbelievable.

So, other than for Renner’s performance, this film is very forgettable to me.

Rating: ««

Dances with Wolves (1990)

 Genre: Western
Directed by: Kevin Costner
Starring: Kevin Costner, Mary McDonnell, Graham Greene
Running time: 181 minutes 

  

After getting injured in battle and demonstrating bravery in a dire moment, Union Army lieutenant John J. Dunbar gets posted to the American Frontier. Finding himself alone at his military post, Dunbar encounters a group of Sioux people. While the soldier and the Natives are first at odds with each other, a friendship develops over time.

Based of the book of the same name by Michael Blake, this film is Kevin Costner’s directorial debut. He did a great job, handling both directing and the lead role. The cinematography is superb here. This movie is like a long poem, telling a compelling story with images that keeps your attention.

The acting was solid by all involved. There were a few moments of silliness that seemed out of place to me, but, overall, this is an epic film that is well worth seeing at least once, if not more.

Rating: ««««

Cape Fear (1962)

 Genre: Thriller
Directed by: J. Lee Thompson
Starring: Gregory Peck, Robert Mitchum, Polly Bergen
Running time: 106 minutes

 

Adapted from a John D. MacDonald novel called The Executioners, Cape Fear tells the story of Max Cady, a man who just spent 8 years in prison for rape. Upon his release, he tracks down lawyer Sam Bowden, whom he blames for having him put behind bars. Cady’s intent is clearly to make life a living hell for Bowden, his wife and their teenage daughter.

Gregory Peck and Robert Mitchum are perfect for their respective roles here and they play well off each other. Mitchum was particularly awesome at playing creepy characters. Acting-wise, the only weaker link here was Lori Martin, who played Bowden’s daughter Nancy.

Story-wise, this was a solid psychological thriller, greatly inspired by Hitchcock’s work. It is well worth tracking down, for the fans of the genre.

Rating: ««««

Chasing Trane: The John Coltrane Documentary (2016)

Genre: Documentary
Directed by: John Scheinfeld
Starring: Denzel Washington, Reggie Workman, Ravi Coltrane, Carlos Santana 

Running time: 99 minutes

 This documentary goes over the life and career of jazz saxophonist and composer John Coltrane. The film covers his humble and difficult childhood, the arrival of music in his life, his beginnings, his battle against drug addiction, his work with Miles Davis, the creation of his own band and his family life.

Not being a big jazz connoisseur or fan, there was a lot of new information here. While the music of Coltrane is not my cup of tea, generally, I found this film well done. It was informative and very respectful of the artist and his work.

Rating: ««««

My Spy (2020)

 Genre: Action/Comedy
Directed by: Peter Segal
Starring: Dave Bautista, Chloe Coleman, Kristen Schaal 

 Running time: 101 minutes

 

JJ is a former soldier trying to make some headway as a CIA operative, but his lack of subtlety keeps getting him in trouble. For his new mission, JJ, along with tech-operator Bobbi, is sent to Chicago to watch the in-law family of an illegal arms dealer. The people they have to watch are a single mom and her overly wise 9-year-old daughter. The little girl soon finds out about the operation and blackmails her way into JJ’s life.

The big brawny cop/soldier befriending a little girl schtick has been done a thousand times, with varying results in terms of quality. Here, at least, the filmmakers seem to not take themselves too seriously. They also manage to poke a little fun at the genre, which can be charming.

The acting is decent here, and so is the story, in spite of the numerous clichés. This is a cute little film that entertains while it lasts. Some good fun.

Rating: «««

Starsky & Hutch (2004)

 

Genre: Action/Comedy
Directed by: Todd Phillips
Starring: Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson, Vince Vaughn 

Running time: 101 minutes

 

In this cinematic remake of the TV series of the same name from the 70’s, David Starsky and Kenneth “Hutch” Hutchison are two unconventional undercover detectives that are forced to work together. In spite of their differences, they team up trying to stop some drug criminals operating in the fictional Bay City, California.

This film has its moments, but I found the humor part of it very uneven. Some funny bits, but a lot of silliness too. I must admit though that I find Ben Stiller schtick redundant. As they say, it gets old fast.

As for the action part, it was fine, albeit over the top. In spite of its flaws, I was entertained by many things, including Snoop Dog’s turn as Huggy Bear and the cameos by the original stars of the TV show.

Rating: «««

Won't You Be My Neighbor? (2018)

 

Genre: Documentary
Directed by: Morgan Neville
Starring: Joanne Rogers, John Rogers, Jim Rogers
Running time: 93 minutes

 

Through archive footage and interviews with family and friends of Fred Rogers, this documentary takes a deep look at the legacy of the children TV show Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.

After watching the film about Fred Rogers, with Tom Hanks in the lead role, I was curious about this documentary. Growing up a francophone kid, I was never really exposed to the teachings of Fred Rogers. I just found out bits and pieces of it later in my life, never truly getting it. So, this film was truly informative for me. The impact of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood on the youth of a certain era in America cannot be denied. I found this movie quite touching and absolutely fascinating. It even touched a chord with my inner child, I must say. Today’s world often lacks Fred Rogers’ innate positivity.

Rating: «««««

Rob Schneider: Asian Momma, Mexican Kids (2020)

 

Genre: Comedy
Directed by: Tyler Spindel

Starring: Rob Schneider, Elle King

Running time: 44 minutes

 

Live on stage in front of a crowd, SNL alumni, actor and comedian Rob Schneider talks about such topics as the recent accusations of sexual misconduct against multiple men, his family history and his life with his wife and kids.

Going in, I did not expect much, as Rob Schneider’s acting and standup career is not the hottest out there. That being said, what is offered here is funny material delivered quite well. I laughed out loud many times. The biggest issue is that, like Schneider, it was quite short. All joking aside, this comedy special was a little short indeed. It ended on a very strong note though, with a musical duet with the comedian and his daughter Elle King. Their rendition of In Dreams was beautiful and touching.

Rating: ««««

No Country for Old Men (2007)

 
Genre: Western/Thriller
Directed by: Joel and Ethan Coen
Starring: Tommy Lee Jones, Javier Barden, Josh Brolin 

Running time: 122 minutes

 

This film is based on the Cormac McCarthy novel of the same name. While hunting, Llewelyn Moss comes across the remnants of a drug deal gone bad. Among the corpses and vehicles, he finds a briefcase of money and leaves with it, which now brings psychopathic hitman Anton Chirgurh on his trail, armed with a captive bolt pistol and a coin.

I saw this film when it came out and I was not in the right mood for it, I think. Watching it again now, I was better able to appreciate its artistic merit. The Coen brothers did a great job setting a tone of isolation and inevitable fate. The three main actors all did a superb job with their respective roles. Barden was particularly creepy as the hitman, weird hairdo and all. The non-ending still bothered me a bit, but this film is truly a solid work of art.

Rating: ««««

 

In the Line of Fire (1993)

 

Genre: Action/Thriller
Directed by: Wolfgang Petersen
Starring: Clint Eastwood, John Malkovich, Rene Russo 

Running time: 128 minutes

 

Aging Secret Service agent Frank Horrigan embarks on a cat-and-mouse chase with Mitch Leary, a former CIA agent now determined to kill the president of the United States. Horrigan, who is still haunted by what he perceives as his failure to protect JFK in Dallas, really wants to get his man now.

This film contains many of the Eastwood film clichés (complex intergender relationships in the workplace, a hero having to rebel against his own allies to get the job done, etc), but I am a fan and, as usual, it is well done. What we have here is a smart action-thriller movie with a compelling storyline, good actors and interesting characters.

John Malkovich was such a great choice to play the bad guy here. He brings that character to life and makes you wonder how he can ever be defeated. Eastwood did a good job playing a character more vulnerable than his Dirty Harry alter ego.

Overall, this is a very good movie.

Rating: ««««

 

 

The Grudge 2 (2006)

 

Genre: Horror
Directed by: Takashi Shimizu
Starring: Amber Tamblyn, Arielle Kebbel, Jennifer Beals 

Running time: 102 minutes

 

That haunted house in Tokyo is still standing and the evil spirits inhabiting it are still terrorizing the people who come in contact with them. In this sequel to the 2004 original remake, we get three subplots of people affected by the spirit caused by that family killed with rage.

While the acting in this second installment is not quite as bad as it was in the 2004 film, it is still not good. And the plot is a confusing mess. To top it off, the theatrics used to convey the horror are too laughable to be remotely scary.

Rating: «

Captain America: Civil War (2016)

 
Genre: Superhero
Directed by: Anthony and Joe Russo
Starring: Chris Evan, Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johannson 

 Running time: 147 minutes

 

The Avengers fracture into distinct clans, led by Captain America and Iron Man, who will fight each other over a disagreement about international oversight regarding the group.

The plot here is a lot more mature than some of the stuff in previous Marvel films. There is a lot of good here, with decent acting, fast action, some funny line, but this movie was overly long. A lot of material could have been taken out to streamline this thing a bit. Good entertainment nonetheless.

 

Rating: «««

Requiem for a Dream (2000)

 

Genre: Drama
Directed by: Darren Aronofsky
Starring: Ellen Burnstyn, Jared Leto, Jennifer Connelly 

Running time: 101 minutes

 

Based on the 1978 novel of the same name by Hubert Selby Jr,. Requiem of a Dream shows the destructive impact of drug addiction on four different characters, as they go through delusions and self-destructive behavior.

This is a powerful film that will stay with you for a long time after it is over. The acting work done by Burnstyn, Leto and Connelly is superb, and the direction is merciless. As a viewer, we get pulled into this wild ride that will shake us around for over 100 minutes, letting us go feeling quite stirred.

This is not an easy film to take in. It requires effort and attention. I almost lost myself in it a time or two, but, in the end, I enjoyed the ride.

Rating: ««««

Snow White and The Huntsman (2012)

 

Genre: Fantasy
Directed by: Rupert Sanders
Starring: Kristen Steward, Charlize Theron, Chris Hemsworth
Running time: 127 minutes

 

King Magnus is enchanted and killed by Ravenna, an evil sorceress who then becomes almighty queen. Queen Ravenna has Snow White, Magnus’ young daughter locked up in a dungeon. As Snow White gets older, the Queen wants to kill her stepdaughter and take her power to contribute to her eternal life. Snow White escapes and then comes back with a army to battle her evil stepmother.

 This is a dark reimagining of the German fairytale by the Brothers Grimm. It is entertaining as such, in spite of a loaded plot and uneven acting. Not bad, per se, but nothing special either.

 Rating: «««

 

The Odd Life of Timothy Green (2012)

 
Genre: Comedy / Drama
Directed by: Peter Hedges
Starring: Jennifer Garner, Joel Edgerton, CJ Adams
Running time: 104 minutes

 

Cindy and Jim Green are trying to conceive a child and become parents, but it is not working for them. One night, as they are on the verge of giving up hope, a mysterious boy named Timothy appears into their home, acting like their son. As they work at creating a bond with Timothy and finding themselves as parents, they decide to look at adoption.

This is a cute, albeit weird, Disney film. The acting is bad, which is unfortunate considering the names involved. The story, although cute, is cheesy and predictable. All things considered, this is not a movie worth making much of an effort to see.

Rating: ««

Ant-Man (2015)

 

Genre: Superhero
Directed by: Peyton Reed
Starring: Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, Michael Douglas 

Running time: 117 minutes

 

Scott Lang comes out of prison after serving some time for petty crimes. He is trying to get his life back on track and rebuild a relationship with his young daughter, who lives with his ex-wife and her new man. Lang is recruited by Hank Pym to don the Ant-Man suit and get Pym’s technology out of the hands of a Corey Stoll, a former protégé of Pyr that is putting the knowledge to evil use.

I really enjoyed this film. The acting was good, with a good dose of humor, and the story was interesting. Often, I find that superhero movies are too heavy on what I call nerd gibberish. If you are not a fan of it, you are drowned in it. Ant-Man is a little more rooted in human emotions, with a sprinkle of the sci-fi stuff on top of it.

Ant-Man is a well done as the other Marvel films, visually-speaking, and there is more character development to sink your teeth into. I was entertained. There was some cheesiness, but I can forgive that.

 

Rating: ««««

Knives Out (2019)

 

Genre: Thriller
Directed by: Rian Johnson
Starring: Daniel Craig, Chris Evans, Jamie Lee Curtis, Ana de Armas 

Running time: 130 minutes

 

After wealthy mystery novelist Harlan Thrombey is found dead with his throat slashed, the deceased’s extended family gets together. The police considers the death a suicide, but private detective Benoit Blanc is not so sure. And, as Blanc investigates the whole matter, the relationship between Thrombey’s family members unravels before our eyes.

There is so much to love about this movie. The story is absolutely riveting. It is a murder-mystery whodunit kind of film, with a load of little details that you learn as you go along, waiting for the next twist. This magnificently directed movie kept me on the edge of my seat.

It should be noted here that the movie is well served on screen by an ensemble cast of talented actors and actresses. I want to particularly mention Jamie Lee Curtis and Daniel Craig, who were both quite surprising in very different roles for them.

This is a film that I will be sure to watch again in a short while, and I am sure I will still get more out of it.

 

Rating: «««««

Behind Enemy Lines (2001)

 

Genre: Action
Directed by: John Moore
Starring: Owen Wilson, Gene Hackman 

Running time: 106 minutes

 

American naval flight officer Lieutenant Chris Burnett ventures over enemy lines, along with his pilot, during the Bosnian War. After their plane gets shot down and the pilot gets killed, Burnett has to run and fight for his life while his commanding officer waits for approval to retrieve him from enemy territory.

This is your run-of-the-mill action/war movie. The acting is decent and the story is entertaining, albeit predictable. The special effects add an air of cheesiness to the whole thing. Overall, I was entertained while the movie lasted, but there is nothing much here to write home about.

 

Rating: «««

Half Nelson (2006)

 
Genre: Drama
Directed by: Ryan Fleck
Starring: Ryan Gosling, Shareeka Epps, Anthony Mackie
Running time: 106 minutes

 

Dan Dunne is an aspiring writer who teaches history in a Brooklyn middle school. He leads a troubled life of drugs and failed relationships, while being at odds with the curriculum he is supposed to teach. He forms a special friendship with Drey, a 13-year-old daughter of a single mother with a brother in jail and some friends involved in some bad dealings.

This is a nice character study about two people of very different age both being at crossroads in their lives. For a while, I kept waiting for the tragedy that would happen to one of the main characters, but it is not about that here. It is about people struggling and overcoming step by step.

This is a beautiful film, done in a very simple yet griping way. The acting was very good and the story was so compelling. I enjoyed it very much.

 Rating: ««««