Well, hello there, kind folks. If you’re visiting this blog of mine, I presume that you have a certain interest in the cinema. As for me, even since my early childhood, I have had a deep love of everything related to movies and television. As far as I can remember, I have been more at ease in front of a screen than in the yard, outside, playing. It is a great way to travel, though other people’s stories, without having to foot any kind of steep bill. Over the years, I feel that movie-watching has even fuelled my own creativity.

All that being said, I welcome you in my Cinephile’s Nest. I hope you enjoy it here, feel free to come back at any time. Here you will find reviews of current movies and older ones. TV shows also. Some classics that have remained some of my favourites, some that have disappointed me. I will use a very basic star (*) system to grade them from 1 to 5 (5 being sliced bread level). Remember, these are just my tastes. I will try to explain in each review what I liked about these particular movies, without giving spoilers.

Il y aura aussi des critiques en français pour les films francophones, car j'aime également le cinéma dans ma langue maternelle. Avant d'apprendre l'anglais, plus jeune, je louais des tonnes de films traduits en français, surtout ceux de Bud Spencer et Terrence Hill. Ma mère a eu le choc de sa vie lorsqu'un jour, dans la boîte d'un de ces films, Deep Throat avait malencontreusement inséré. Une expérience formatrice pour le jeune cinéphile que je suis.

Bienvenue à tous, amusez-vous bien.

I welcome you all here, enjoy yourself.

Tuesday, March 4, 2025

Dave Chappelle: The Dreamer (2023)

 Genre: Comedy
Directed by: Stan Lathan
Cast: Dave Chappelle
Running Time: 56 minutes

 


In this comedy special, Dave Chappelle discusses the importance of dreams, going back to his time doing the Chappelle Show and then discussing his ever-growing standup career. He also talks about Jim Carrey, the trans community, handicapped people, the Will Smith slap received by Chris Rock and much more. It was a very good special, it just felt a little short to me. I would have taken more.

Rating: ««««

Lac Mystère (2013)

Genre: Franco / Drama
Réalisateur: Érik Canuel
Distribution: Maxim Gaudette, Laurent Lucas, Laurence Leboeuf
Durée: 118 minutes

 


Après avoir été trahi par ses proches, Eric L’Heureux décide de se sauver avec son chien et l’argent de la compagnie familiale. Il s’installe dans un chalet situé tout près du lac Kaionwahere. Malgré son désir d’isolement, il se retrouve dans une histoire impliquant un voisin français envahissant, une danseuse et son copain policier extrêmement jaloux et possessif.

Ce film n’est pas sans intérêt. Il offre une certaine dose de divertissement, mais l’histoire contient un peu trop d’éléments. Et le faux accent anglophone de Laurence Leboeuf est quelque peu irritant. Somme toute, un film correct qui ne passe pas à l’histoire.

 Note: «««

Monday, March 3, 2025

The Monkey (2025)

Genre: Horror Comedy
Directed by: Osgood Perkins
Cast: Theo James, Christian Convery, Colin O’Brien
Time: 98 minutes

 


Twin brothers Hal and Bill Shelburn are twin brothers that had their lives turned upside down by an evil drum-playing monkey toy that caused multiple deaths in their entourage. They had etched a plan to get rid of it, but, years later, it is back causing more damage.

This film is based on a short story written by Stephen King. I absolutely loved the tone of this movie. It was a cool mix of horror and comedy that kept me wildly entertained all the way through. It was over-the-top, it was gory, it was fun.

Rating: ««««

Shameless (2011-2021)

 Genre: TV / Comedy / Drama
Starring: William H. Macy, Emmy Rossum, Ethan Cutkosky, Emma Kenney, Jeremy Allen White
Number of seasons: 11

 


In this American adaptation of the British series of the same name, we see the Gallagher clan go through life in the South side of Chicago. The father, Frank, is a raging alcoholic and drug addict who is rarely there for his six kids. The mother has left the home a while back, so the older kids are left to fend for themselves and their younger siblings.

After watching the British original, I decided to give this version a chance. I am glad I did. There were less of a turnover of character is the US version and a better constant focus on the Gallaghers throughout the 11 seasons. It was cool to see the characters evolve and age through the years.

There was a lull halfway through where things were dragging and I almost lost interest, but the series ended strong, with lots of dark humor and some touching elements. A good ensemble cast delivering compelling material.

Rating: ««««

Wednesday, January 15, 2025

The Unbreakable Boy (2025)

Genre: Biographical / Drama
Directed by: Jon Gunn
Cast: Zachary Levi, Jacob Laval, Meghann Fahy
Time: 109 minutes

 


Scott and Teresa LeRette are a young couple with two children, the oldest of which is called Austin. Austin is autistic and he also suffers from a rare condition that makes his bones brittle. As his eldest son grows, Scott finds it harder to relate to him and to make him happy, which causes a lot of strain on the marriage and on the whole family.

This film is based on a book that relates the true story of a very special boy. It is a movie with lots of charm. It is touching. It is well delivered on screen. It is not without clichés, but it offers some good entertainment.

Rating: «««

Tuesday, January 14, 2025

Escape from Alcatraz (1979)

Genre: Thriller
Directed by: Don Siegel
Cast: Clint Eastwood, Patrick McGoohan, Fred Ward, Jack Thibeau
Time: 112 minutes

 


Based on the non-fiction book of the same name by J. Campbell Bruce, this film recounts the 1962 prisoner escape from the maximum-security prison of Alcatraz. After years of planning, Frank Morris, John Anglin and Clarence Anglin, who had all been sent to Alcatraz after escaping other prisons, made their way out and disappeared. Nobody knows for sure if they survived, but their bodies were never found.

I was curious about this film since I will be visiting the site of Alcatraz soon. This film is really well done. It pulls you into the story and you stick by it all the way through. Clint Eastwood really shined here in the role of Frank Morris. He did a good job making the intelligent criminal that inspired the film look real.

Rating: ««««

Monday, January 13, 2025

Tous toqués! (2024)

Genre: Franco / Comedy
Réalisateur: Manon Briand
Distribution: Julie Le Breton, Édouard Baer, Élodie Fontaine
Durée: 90 minutes

 


Sonia travaille comme douanière aux frontières entre le Québec et les États-Unis. Elle s’est aliéné une bonne partie de la population de son village en étant trop intransigeante dans son travail. Lorsque sa fille Lili-Beth s’inscrit à un concours de jeunes chefs, malgré peu de talent naturel en cuisine, Sonia fait appel à Victor, un chef français à qui elle a récemment donné du temps dur aux douanes, espérant éviter à son enfant une autre humiliation.

C’est un petit film sympathique, quoique légèrement prévisible. On y va fort dans le cliché parfois, mais, tout de même, c’est une bon divertissement.

Note: «««