Ricky Gervais: SuperNature (2022)

Genre: Comedy
Directed by: John L. Spencer
Starring: Ricky Gervais
Running Time: 64 minutes

 

In his latest comedy special, Ricky Gervais talks about atheism, his cat, the evolution of society, comedy and trans people, among other topics. He does it quite well, without holding any punches. Yet again, he has offended certain people. As for me, I dug this show. There were some weaker jokes towards the end, but, overall, I was quite entertained and not offended one bit. I even laughed out loud many times. A very good comedy special.

Rating: ««««

Capote (2005)

Genre: Biographical / Drama
Directed by: Bennett Miller
Starring: Philip Seymour Hoffman, Catherine Keener, Clifton Collins Jr.
Running Time: 114 minutes

 

In 1959, author Truman Capote becomes interested in the case of the murder of the Clutter family, on a Kansas farm. He travels over to Kansas to talk to the local people, and he ends up interviewing the two men accused of the murder, for what would become his non-fiction novel titled In Cold Blood. Capote becomes overly emotionally involved in the case of these two criminals.

Philip Seymour Hoffman was absolutely brilliant here. He brought Truman Capote back to life on screen, transforming himself quite magically. He carried that film on his back, though the supporting cast also did a good job. The film itself is well done. It is a great piece of art.

Rating: «««««

Death to Smoochy (2002)

Genre: Comedy
Directed by: Danny DeVito
Starring: Robin Williams, Edward Norton, Danny DeVito, Catherine Keener
Running Time: 109 minutes

 

“Rainbow” Randolph Smiley is the host of a famous children’s television show. Though he appears like a great guy on screen, he is a corrupt drunk. When the FBI finally catches him, he loses his show and his lifestyle, and he gets replaced by Sheldon Mopes, who plays a wholesome character called Smoochy the Rhino. Left penniless and without a place to stay, Randolph goes on a rampage trying to sabotage his replacement’s career.

Considering the cast and director involved, I expected more from this title. Though the premise had promise, something got lost along the way. There was a clear lack of focus in the story told on screen, and it all went nowhere fast. There were a few, very few, glimmers of hope, but they all suffered the fate that was wished on Smoochy.

Rating: ««

Nacho Libre (2006)

Genre: Comedy
Directed by: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Ana de la Reguera, Héctor Jiménez
Running Time: 92 minutes

 

Ignacio is a monk working as a cook in an orphanage. Passionate about lucha libre wrestling, he starts moonlighting as a luchadore in the evenings to satisfy his passion and to raise funds for the orphanage.

This film is quite silly. It has its moments, comedy-wise, but there are also some weaker moments. Some people called it offensive, but I guess I just don’t offend that easily. Jack Black really got invested in this role, and kudos to him for the effort.

Rating: «««

This Is Us (2016-2022)

Genre: TV / Drama
Starring: Milo Ventimiglia, Mandy Moore, Sterling K. Brown, Chrissy Metz, Justin Hartley
Number of seasons: 6

 

Jack and Rebecca Pearson are a tight-knit couple. Rebecca was pregnant with triplets, but one died at birth. Before going home from the hospital, they adopted a black kid that was abandoned that day. Their three kids, Kevin, Kate and Randall, form the “Big Three”. In spite of their differences, they always have each other’s backs. They grow up to have kids of their own. Through six seasons, we go back and forth through various moments in time for this large family.

While COVID-19 created a shortage of toilet paper in stores in 2020, I am sure this show created a shortage of tissues over six years. So many emotions, so many tears. This show is truly well done. The characters are so well developed, they feel real. And the casting was solid. Everyone carried their load brilliantly. The flashbacks and flashforwards were interesting. It kept you on your toes, always wondering, but the answers would come like these great revelations.

Some twists and turns, I was not sure of at some points, but it all felt right in the end. And I know who I want to have with me in that last wagon, in the end.

Rating: «««««

George Carlin's American Dream (2022)

Genre: Documentary / Author’s Favorites
Directed by: Judd Apatow and Michael Bonfiglio
Starring: Kelly Carlin, Bill Burr, Kevin Smith
Number of episodes: 2

 

This 2-episode documentary covers the life and career of comedian George Carlin, taking a look in the process at the man’s vision of life in America. Through archive footage and interviews with people who knew him or admired him, we get such a global vision of the brilliant comedian that he was. And, in spite of his flaws, we end up loving him more. At least I did.

I was amazed at the amount of archive footage they had. They even had some very interesting interviews with his late wife Brenda. This is such a good documentary. I will probably have to watch it again soon to grasp the full measure of it all. Loved it!

Rating: «««««

Sleepless in Seattle (1993)

Genre: Romantic Comedy / Drama
Directed by: Nora Ephron
Starring: Tom Hanks, Meg Ryan, Bill Pullman
Running time:105 minutes

 

After losing his wife to cancer, architect Sam Baldwin decides to move from Chicago to Seattle to turn a new page in his life with his 7-year-old son Jonah. With his father still heavily mourning his lost life partner, Jonah decides to call a radio talk show to say he wishes his dad had a new wife. Sam eventually gets on the air, and Annie Reed, a Baltimore Sun reporter, hears the exchange on the radio. In spite of the fact that she has recently gotten engaged to a man she loves very much, she becomes enamored with Sam and his story.

Sleepless in Seattle is greatly inspired by the film An Affair to Remember. That is a nice touch, and it makes me want to watch that film again. Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan are both very solid in their respective roles. It is weird to have your two main characters barely interact over the course of a movie, but, here, it works. Their chemistry together, once they reach each other, is undeniable. The movie is a little over-the-top in the sappiness department and some of the aspects of it make you roll your eyes a bit, but it is still a very entertaining romantic film. It is a lot of fun to watch.

Rating: ««««

A Father's Son (1999)

Genre: Biographical / Drama
Directed by: Michael Landon Jr.
Starring: John Schneider, Cheryl Ladd, Joel Berti
Running time: 89 minutes

 

In this biographical drama, Michael Landon Jr. tells the story of how his parents’ divorce and the philandering of his father, TV star Michael Landon, affected his personal life growing up in a privileged, yet troubled, home.

While the subject matter of the famous father not being like his perceived image was interesting, this film has many flaws. First off, some made for TV movies manage to be quite good, avoiding the made for TV stink that cover many of them. This one did not. The acting is not good and the story is over-the-top and without subtlety. It just comes off as whiny: Oh, poor pitiful me and my difficult life. It felt like banking on a dead parent’s flaws. It’s Mommie Dearest, without the weird makeup and the wire hangers. There is redemption in the end, but it all feels forced. I wish I could go back and avoid this one.

Rating: «

Scream 4 (2011)

Genre: Horror
Directed by: Wes Craven
Cast: David Arquette, Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, Emma Roberts
Time: 111 minutes

 

Om the fifteenth anniversary of the original Woodsboro murders, Ghostface is on the prowl again, killing teenagers. Sydney Prescott, who is in town to promote her new book, gets involved again, as her teenage cousin seem to be one of the targets.

After a lackluster third installment, this closer to the franchise was a little more satisfying. The story was interesting, some of those plot twists were cool and the commentary on social media and Internet fame was a nice touch.

It still felt like the filmmakers were working a little hard on being too cool for school, but I was still entertained by this one.

Rating: «««

Éloge du chiac - Partie 2 (2009)

Genre: Franco / Documentary
Réalisation: Marie Cadieux
Durée: 77 minutes

 

Quarante ans après la sortie du documentaire Éloge du chiac, l’enseignante et les élèves de l’époque se réunissent de nouveau pour discuter ensemble de l’évolution de leur vision de l’Acadie et du chiac. Nous entendons aussi le point de vue de jeunes de 2009 et de diverses personnes rencontrées sur la rue dans la région de Bouctouche. Les artistes Dano LeBlanc et France Daigle se rendent également en France pour voir la place du chiac dans la Francophonie.

J’ai beaucoup plus aimé cette deuxième partie. Quoique intéressant compte tenu de son époque, Éloge du chiac était un film fort minimaliste. Quarante ans plus tard, il y avait plus à dire, donc plus de matériel. C’était peut-être un petit peu all over the place par boutte, mais, tout de même, le tout contient un débat fort intéressant et encore actuel plus d’une décennie plus tard.

Rating: ««««

Grace and Frankie (2015-2022)

Genre: TV / Comedy
Starring: Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, Martin Sheen, Sam Waterston
Number of seasons: 7

 

Grace and Frankie are two aging women whose personalities are polar opposites. After their respective husbands, two divorce lawyers and business partners, announce that they have fallen in love with each other, leaving them in the process, the two women form an unexpected friendship and start living together.

This show relies heavily on the on-screen chemistry between Tomlin and Fonda. And what a chemistry it is. I must admit that these two actresses do an awesome job. Some of the support characters feel one dimensional at times, but the writers managed to give them some depth over time, giving the cast more to work with. Even the Sal character, which I could not stand at one point, grew on me.

Grace and Frankie started and ended strong. In the middle, there was some weaker parts, where I almost gave up. But I am glad I stuck around for a show that is both funny and touching.

 

Rating: ««««

Up in Smoke (1978)

Genre: Comedy
Directed by: Lou Adler
Starring: Cheech Marin, Tommy Chong, Strother Martin
Running time: 86 minutes

 

Two stoners who met while one of them was hitchhiking end up going for a trek together to find drugs. They end up in Mexico. Coming back to LA, they unwittingly smuggle a green van made out of marijuana, while a group of bumbling cops are on their tail.

This is the first feature film with comedy duo Cheech and Chong. While silly and all over the place, it contains quite a few funny lines and moments, and the soundtrack is very cool. This is a fun trip to revisit, man!

Rating: «««

Sound of Metal (2019)

Genre: Drama
Directed by: Darius Marder
Starring: Riz Ahmed, Olivia Cooke, Paul Raci
Running time: 120 minutes

 

Ruben Stone is the drummer in a heavy metal duo with his girlfriend and lead singer, Lou. They travel together in an RV performing gigs as Blackgammon. Ruben’s life is turned upside down as he all-of-a-sudden starts to lose his hearing.

This is a great film. The story is so compelling, and the acting was very believable. You believe in those characters. The film does a good job, with sound effect and all, to put you in the shoes of that man for whom music is everything until his hearing goes. I love this movie.

Rating: «««««

Like a Rolling Stone: The Life & Times of Ben Fong-Torres (2021)

Genre: Documentary
Directed by: Suzanne Kai
Starring: Ben Fong-Torres, Cameron Crowe, Jan Wenner
Running time: 102 minutes

 

This documentary tells the life story of Ben Fong-Torres, an American man born to Chinese immigrants. Growing up in Chinatown, he became one of the best known music writer in the history of Rolling Stone Magazine.

It is an amazing life that man lived, in the background, talking to all these talented artists, talking about them so brilliantly on paper. I enjoyed this film so much, I could have taken more.

Rating: ««««

I Saw the Light (2015)

Genre: Biographical / Drama
Directed by: Marc Abraham
Starring: Tom Hiddleston, Elizabeth Olsen, Cherry Jones
Running time: 123 minutes

 

This film is based on the life and career of blues and country singer Hank Williams Sr, from his initial rise to fame, to his rocky marriage to Audrey Sheppard, to his bouts with alcoholism and various health issues and to his untimely death at the young age of 29.

Tom Hiddleston was a weird choice for the lead role. An English actor playing a man from the South of the US. That sort of thing can work, and it is clear Hiddleston put a lot of effort into it, but I never really believed in his performance. It looked more like an attempt at impersonation or imitation.

As for the film itself, there definitely was a lack of cohesion. It felt like a bunch of small episodes put together without any sort of elements to pull them together and make an ensemble piece.

There were a few bright spots here and there, considering the subject matter was interesting and led an interesting life, but this movie does not do him justice.

Rating: ««

Into the Wild (2007)

Genre: Biographical / Drama
Directed by: Sean Penn
Starring: Emile Hirsch, Marcia Gay Harden, William Hurt
Running time: 148 minutes

 

Based on the Jon Krakauer non fiction book of the same name, Into the Wild tells the true story of Christopher McCandless (Alexander Supertramp). After graduating from college, in 1990, Christopher decides to separate himself from friends and family and hike across North America, in the hope of reaching the wilderness of Alaska.

I have seen this film a few times since it came out and I love it. Emile Hirsch is so good in his performance. You forget that there is an actor at work here and, as a viewer, you embark on the trek with the character. The supporting cast was also solid. Sean Penn did an excellent job as a director here. The approach to the material is really well done. We go back and forth through time in the story, and it is all seamless. And the soundtrack, made by Eddie Vedder, is another aspect about this film that I adored. Overall, a great character study that is well worth watching again and again.

Rating: «««««

Hope Springs (2012)

Genre: Romantic Comedy / Drama
Directed by: David Frankel
Starring: Meryl Streep, Tommy Lee Jones, Steve Carell
Running time: 100 minutes

 

Kay and Arnold Soames are a couple of empty nesters whose marriage has grown stale after more than 30 years together. In a last ditch effort to find the spark that will reignite the flame in their couple, Kay forces her husband’s hand a bit to have him travel with her to a coastal town in Maine for marriage counselling with a psychiatrist named Dr. Feld.

This is a cute romantic comedy with a very mature story, which is actually refreshing. The performances offered by the three leads raise this movie to another level. Meryl Streep is truly believable as this uptight housewife trying to save her marriage. Tommy Lee Jones plays a version of his usual character, and he does it well. Carell showed much restraint in a role that did not demand being overly funny. All things considered, this was a fun evening of movie-watching with the wife.

Rating: ««««

Éloge du chiac (1969)

Genre: Franco / Documentary
Réalisation: Michel Brault
Durée: 27 minutes

 

Une enseignante et un groupe d’élèves d’une école francophone de la ville de Moncton, au Nouveau-Brunswick, discutent de la difficulté de garder sa langue en milieu minoritaire et de l’importance de parler un bon français.

Quoique les choses n’aient pas énormément changé à certains égards, ce petit documentaire offre un aperçu de la situation en Acadie à une autre époque. C’est fort intéressant, quoique beaucoup trop court à mon humble avis. Le tout reste beaucoup trop en surface.

Rating: «««