Sr. (2022)

Genre: Documentary
Directed by: Chris Smith
Starring: Robert Downey Sr., Robert Downey Jr., Alan Arkin
Running time: 89 minutes

 

In this last years of his life, Robert Downey Sr., a film director seen by many as an icon of counterculture for his low budget comedies, looks back on his own life, with his son, actor Robert Downey Jr. by his side.

This film is filled with humanity, and, as such, it feels very poetic in its delivery. I was touched. I smiled, I laughed, I was touched to my core. I absolutely love this documentary.

Rating: «««««

Citizen Kane (1941)

Genre: Drama
Directed by: Orson Welles
Starring: Orson Welles, Joseph Cotton, Dorothy Comingore
Running time: 119 minutes

 

In his Florida mansion called Xanadu, media mogul Charles Foster Kane dies at a very advanced age. On his deathbed, he pronounces a last word: Rosebud. A reporter is sent out to interview Kane’s friends, associates, and family to figure out the meaning of this last word the very wealthy man spoke on his deathbed.

Orson Welles, who co-wrote, directed, and played the lead role in the film, based his composite character on media barons William Randolph Hearst and Joseph Pulitzer. The film was met with much controversy at the time of its release, but it is now regarded by many as the best movie of all-time.

While I would not go that far, it is indeed a great film. I saw it once years ago and did not care for it. I figured I was not in the right mood for it. Seeing it again, I got it this time. Some of the acting is overdramatic, as was often the case in that era. But, overall, a compelling story told by a great director and a talented cast. And a powerful message to boot. Highly recommended to those who have yet to see it and those who wish to revisit.

Rating: «««««

Dark Skies (2013)

Genre: Science-fiction / Horror
Directed by: Scott Stewart
Starring: Keri Russell, Justin Hamilton, Dakota Goyo
Running time: 97 minutes

 

Daniel and Lacy Barrett are living a quiet life in an American suburb with their two sons, Jesse and Sammy. After noticing multiple strange occurrences in the house, they start wondering if some strange and malevolent presence has taken over their family.

 The actors do a good job, the premise showed a lot of promise and the directing was quite efficient, but something got lost in the storytelling along the way. It all gets confused and muddled. By the end, I was disappointed, though some moments here and there made me react quite strongly, like a good horror movie should.

Rating: «««

My Best Friend's Girl (2008)

Genre: Romantic Comedy
Directed by: Howard Deutch
Starring: Dane Cook, Kate Hudson, Jason Biggs, Alec Baldwin
Running time: 101 minutes

 

Tank Turner is a help line operator with an interesting side gig. As a charming womanizer, he gets hired by guys looking to get a former girlfriend back in their arms. Tank takes them on the most horrible date possible, so that they go running back to their ex. When Tank tries his craft on a woman his best friend and step-cousin Dustin is trying to seduce, things do not go quite as planned.

While this film has moments that made me smile or laugh a bit, they are too few and far between. I did not expect much from Dane Cook, but Kate Hudson was disappointing here. I have seen her give more inspired performances. The material she was given was not great, I must admit. Overall, a very forgettable movie.

Rating: ««

Hail! Hail! Rock N' Roll (1987)

Genre: Documentary
Directed by: Taylor Hackford
Starring: Chuck Berry, Keith Richards, Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis 

Running time: 120 minutes

 

This is a documentary about the life and career of Chuck Berry, who is considered by many to be a key figure in the birth of rock n’ roll music. We hear from Chuck Berry himself, from his entourage, from his contemporaries in the music business and from people who grew up as fans of him. We also see footage from a concert held at the Ford Theatre to celebrate his 60^th birthday, with Keith Richards as guitar player and musical director of a talented band of musicians put together for the occasion.

This is a fascinating documentary about a complicated, but talented man. Even more interesting is the special edition DVD, with special features detailing just how difficult the whole process was, especially dealing with Chuck Berry himself. Well worth seeing. Seeing Chuck Berry and Keith Richards butting heads is classic.

Rating: «««««

The Wedding Date (2005)

 Genre: Romantic Comedy
Directed by: Clare Kilner
Starring: Debra Messing, Dermot Mulroney, Amy Adams
Running time: 90 minutes

 

As she is set to serve as maid-of-honor in her sister’s wedding, Kat Ellis is desperate not to go to the event alone, especially since her ex-fiancé, who recently broke her heart, will also be there, as best man to the groom. She decides to hire a male escort, Nick Mercer, to pretend to be her boyfriend, with the hope of making her ex jealous.

This is your run-of-the-mill rom com with oversweetness and predictable ending. That being said, the acting was decent and it was still fun to watch on a slow night. The kind of film that was fine for what it was but that I would not really care to revisit.

Rating: «««

Notre Dame de Moncton (2022)

Genre: Franco / Drama
Réalisateur: Denise Bouchard
Distribution: Laurie Gagné, Louise Turcot, Thomas Lapointe
Durée : 92 minutes

 

Alors qu’elle s’apprête à renouer avec le fils qu’elle a dû laisser en adoption il y a 20 ans, Anna, une femme au passé difficile, doit prendre secrètement refuge dans le sous-sol de la maison d’un couple âgé pour ne pas se retrouver à la rue. Un événement tragique vient chambouler ses plans.

C’est vraiment cool de voir un film tourné dans une ville où j’ai habité. C’est aussi un drôle de hasard que ma ville natale soit mentionnée dans le film. C’est une histoire fort intéressante, racontée avec beaucoup de talent par une directrice à ses débuts dans ce secteur. Dans la plupart des cas, le jeu des acteurs est solide. Il y a quelques rôles secondaires où le jeu n’était pas très bon, mais, bon, c’est sûrement une question de budget. Somme toute, un très bon film à voir.

Note: ««««

Thelma & Louise (1991)

Genre: Comedy / Drama
Directed by: Ridley Scott
Starring: Susan Sarandon, Geena Davis, Harvey Keitel
Running time: 129 minutes

 

Thelma Dickinson, a lonely housewife, and Louise Sawyer, a strong-minded waitress, are best friends. They decide to take a weekend vacation at a fishing lodge to escape from their boring lives. On the way there, they stop at a roadside bar for a bite to eat and a drink. Thelma ends up dancing with a charming stranger, who then proceeds to take her to the parking lot, where he tries to rape her. Louise intervenes, and, in the argument that follows, she shoots and kills the man who was assaulting her friend. Following the killing, the two women get in their car and try to escape together to Mexico.

This film is considered a classic road crime movie. Looking at it more than 30 years later, it feels a little dated. Some of the acting is a little over-the-top, especially on Geena Davis’ part. Sure, the portrayal of men in this film is a little biased. Nonetheless, the story is compelling and that ending is iconic.  

Rating: ««««

The Swimmers (2022)

Genre: Biographical / Drama
Directed by: Sally El Hosaini
Starring: Nathalie Issa, Manal Issa, Ahmed Malek
Running time: 134 minutes

 

This film is inspired by the true story of Yusra Mardini, a teenage swimmer who left Damascus with her sister Sara and her older cousin, as refugees, hoping to reach Germany and make it to the Olympics.

Maybe it was the mood I was in, but I found it hard to get into this one. I was tired, so, between the music, the loudness and the sub-titles, the start felt aggressive. But, once I was hooked, I was fully engrossed in this inspiring story. Good acting and compelling story. It is amazing to think of what all these people go through to make a better life for themselves.

Rating: ««««