Kindergarten Cop (1990)

 Genre: Action / Comedy
Directed by: Ivan Reitman
Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Penelope Ann Miller, Pamela Reed
Running time: 111 minutes

 

John Kimble, a police officer prone to violent action in the workplace, is forced to go undercover as a kindergarten teacher, hoping to locate the wife and young son of Cullen Crisp, a drug dealer he has been chasing for a while.

Back in 1990, this was one of the first comedic vehicles given to action hero Arnold Schwarzenegger. He showed some comedic skills. Kindergarten is a fun, albeit silly, movie that is not totally devoid of entertainment value. Not bad.

Rating: «««

Black Swan (2010)

Genre: Horror
Directed by: Darren Aronofsky
Cast: Natalie Portman, Vincent Cassel, Mila Kunis, Barbara Hershey, Winona Ryder
Running Time: 108 minutes

 

Nina Sayers is a young ballerina working in New York City. She is competing for the dual roles of the White and Black Swan in a production of Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake. She is the perfect choice for one of the roles, but the production wants the same ballerina to hold both roles. As she is trying to find the darker side of herself, Nina slowly descends into madness.

With Aronofsky’s adept direction and Natalie Portman’s incredible performance, this film remains a must see. Wow. And the rest of the cast is also very, very good. I had seen it years ago, and revisiting it again made me realize how great this movie is.

Rating: «««««

The Accountant (2016)

 Genre: Action / Thriller
Directed by: Gavin O’Connor
Cast: Ben Affleck, Anna Kendrick, J.K. Simmons
Running Time: 128 minutes

 

A man going under the assumed named of Christian Wolff is a high functioning autistic man who does forensic accounting work for various criminal organizations. His work has him followed by various people, either looking to arrest him or to kill him. In the process, Christian, who is well trained to fight, also must protect a young fellow accountant who found the same issues he did and who is in grave danger too.

I was hooked by The Accountant from beginning to end. Great storytelling and good acting. I loved how the filmmakers established the background for the mean character. It make you care about him. This film had more of a human touch than many other action films out there. And that ending, I never saw that coming. Cannot wait to see the sequel.

Rating: «««««

Weeds (2005-2012)

Genre: TV / Comedy / Drama
Starring: Mary-Louise Parker, Elizabeth Perkins, Justin Kirk
Number of seasons: 8

 

Nancy Botwin finds herself the young, widowed mother of two boys after the death of her husband. To support her family and to make ends meet, she decides to turn to selling marijuana, with the help of her late husband’s brother, her accountant Doug and the husband of her best friend.

Over eight seasons of this show created by Jenji Kohan, things evolve at quite a pace. There is a revolving door of supporting cast members. I enjoyed this one very much. The acting was solid and the stories had a great way of hooking you. I particularly enjoyed the last episode, that tied things up pretty neatly.

Rating: ««««

The Amateur (2025)

Genre: Action
Directed by: James Hawes
Cast: Rami Malek, Lawrence Fishburne, Rachel Brosnahan
Running Time: 124 minutes

 

Charlie Heller is a CIA cryptographer whose wife gets killed by terrorists while on a business trip in London. In profound mourning and dissatisfied with his organization’s response to the murder of his wife, Charlie, who has gained knowledge on the identity of the perpetrators, asks to be trained to avenge his fallen wife himself. While he doesn’t have much to offer in terms of physical attributes for fighting, his brain might be strong enough to make up for the other deficits.

This film is based on the 1981 novel of the same name by Robert Littell. I adored this film. It’s a thrilling action film from beginning to end. The cast is strong from top to bottom. As far as the story goes, I love when a character who is an underdog because of his lack of physical strength can make up for it with smarts. I find those characters easy to root for. I was on the edge of my seat all the way through this one.

Rating: «««««

Drop (2025)

Genre: Thriller
Directed by: Christopher Landon
Cast: Meghann Fahy, Brandon Sklenar, Violett Beane
Running Time: 95 minutes

 

Widowed therapist Violet Gates is going on a first date in a long time after surviving an abusing relationship. She leaves her young son with her sister and goes to a fancy restaurant with a photographer she met on a dating app. Shortly after arriving to the restaurant, she starts receiving threatening messages on her phones that are getting darker and darker.

Drop is a fun thrill ride. Some plot twists do not make a lot of sense, but, as far as entertainment value is, it is highly pleasing.

Rating: ««««

Bungalow (2022)

Genre: Franco / Comedy / Drama
Réalisation: Lawrence Côté-Collins
Distribution: Sonia Cordeau, Guillaume Cyr, Geneviève Schmidt
Durée: 101 minutes

 

Sarah et Jonathan sont un couple de jeunes adultes qui prennent la décision d’acheter une vieille maison en très mauvaise condition, tout ce qu’ils peuvent se permettre compte tenu de leur situation financière, avec l’intention de la rénover eux-mêmes. Ce projet amènera son lot de stress et de tensions dans leur couple, à mesure que la situation va dégénérer.

Visuellement très intéressant, ce film contient des moments savoureux de dialogues qui m’ont fait sourire. L’ensemble de l’œuvre est un peu bizarre et champ gauche. C’est un bon divertissement.

Rating: «««

Precious (2009)

 Genre: Drama
Directed by: Lee Daniels
Cast: Gabourey Sidibe, Mo’Nique, Paula Patton, Mariah Carey, Lenny Kravitz
Running Time: 110 minutes

 

Claireece Precious Jones is a 16 years-old girl with a troubled life at home. Victim of physical, sexual and verbal abuse, she finds herself pregnant for the second time. Kicked out of her junior high school, she is referred to an alternative school called Each One Teach One, where goes despite her mother’s lack of appreciation for the importance of education.

This film is based on the 1996 novel Push, by Sapphire. It tells a grim story, but a powerful one. The cast does a strong job here. Sidibe and Mo’Nique are particularly solid. Precious is a movie that packs quite a punch, one that will keep you reeling well after its done. Well worth seeing.

Rating: «««««

Bert Kreischer: Lucky (2025)

Genre: Comedy
Directed by: Jeff Tomsic
Cast: Bert Kreischer
Time: 67 minutes

 

Bert Kreischer’s comedy is not everyone’s cup of tea. Sure, he tends to be a little over-the-top, but I usually dig his stuff. This latest comedy special is no different. Sure, he falls a little in the TMÌ zone discussing sex with his wife that much, but the material is funny. The last bit about his late dog made the show for me. It is so good. Funny and touching at the same time. I was entertained and moved. Those pants, though, damn!

Rating: ««««

The Alto Knights (2025)

Genre: Biographical / Drama
Directed by: Barry Levinson
Cast: Robert De Niro, Debra Messing, Cosmo Jarvis
Running Time: 123 minutes

 

This film is inspired by the true story of the power struggle between Frank Costello and Vito Genovese, two childhood friends who became top bosses within the Mafia. After Genovese called a hit on his rival, and Costello barely survived, things took a turn that would alter things forever.

It was an interesting choice to have De Niro pull double duty here and play both main roles, but, if anyone could pull it off, it was the 81-year-old actor known for so many great roles. De Niro pulls it off superbly here. The supporting cast is also very good.

Sure, The Alto Knights doesn’t have the same panache as some of the other classics of the Mafia genre of cinema, but it is still a very good movie.

Rating: ««««

Canadian Bacon (1995)

Genre: Comedy
Directed by: Michael Moore
Cast: Alan Alda, John Candy, Bill Nunn
Running Time: 90 minutes

 

A US president who is struggling in the polls is convinced by his advisors to stage a cold war with neighboring Canada to make the population forget their dislike for their leader. In the meantime, a sheriff on the New York side of Niagara Falls decides to get involved in the war with his friends, causing much chaos in the process.

This comedy had flown under the radar as far as I was concerned. Never even knew Michael Moore was not only a documentary director. This was his only fiction film, but you can clearly see his viewpoint here.

 Canadian Bacon goes for the silly and low-brow side of things, but it is really entertaining in the process. And I must say it feels not so far-fetched anymore, given the actual state of relations between Canada and the US. It was cool to see such a star-studded cast in action delivering laughs.

Rating: ««««

Bill Burr: Drop Dead Years (2025)

Genre: Comedy
Directed by: Ben Tishler
Cast: Bill Burr

 

In his latest comedy special, available on Hulu and Disney +, Bill Burr offers a version of himself that is at his most personal and introspective. Now in his 50’s, he discusses such topics as depression, the feelings men can have, relationships, family and the possibility for a man to drop dead just like that after a certain age.

I relate so greatly to Bill Burr’s comedy. The man is amazing in the way he tackles difficult topics and manages to make you laugh about them. This show is no exception. The man has truly become a master of his art.

Rating: «««««

It Ends With Us (2024)

Genre: Romance / Drama
Directed by: Justin Baldoni
Cast: Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni, Jenny Slate
Running Time: 130 minutes

 

Lily Bloom, a young woman who had a difficult childhood growing up in Maine, realizes her dream of opening her own flower shop in Boston. She meets neurosurgeon Kyle Kincaid and starts this passionate relationship with him. Their situation becomes tense and difficult once Lily’s childhood boyfriend, Atlas Corrigan, comes back in the picture.

This film, based on the Colleen Hover novel of the same name, seems to have been marred by controversy among the cast and the filmmakers. That being said, the product on screen is still very good. Sure, things seem to fall into place a little too easily in the story, but It Ends With Us is still a compelling look at the matter of domestic violence. A few of the lines have really stuck with me.

Rating: ««««

Novocaine (2025)

Genre: Action / Comedy
Directed by: Dan Berk and Robert Olsen
Cast: Jack Quaid, Amber Midthunder, Ray Nicholson
Running Time: 110 minutes

 

Nathan Caine is an assistant bank manager who has always lived a sheltered life because of a condition that makes him unable to feel pain. His outlook on life starts changing when he meets Sherry, another employee at the bank who goes out with him and then spends the night with him. The following day, there is bank robbery and Sherry is taken hostage by the three criminals dressed as Santa Claus. Dissatisfied with the cops’ reaction, Nathan Caine decides to take matters into his own invulnerable hands.

This film is a fun thrilling ride. Sure, some of the violence is over-the-top and there is major suspension of disbelief is needed, but it is all so entertaining. The chemistry between Quaid and Midthunder is undeniable, and Ray Nicholson (yes, Jack’s son) has great potential as a villain. Really good.

Rating: ««««

Un homme heureux (2023)

 Genre: Franco / Comedy
Réalisation: Tristan Séguéla
Distribution: Fabrice Luchini, Catherine Frot
Running time: 89 minutes

 

Jean Leroy est le maire ultraconservateur d’une petite ville du Nord de la France. Alors qu’il s’apprête à vivre une autre campagne électorale en vue de sa réélection, voilà que sa femme, Edith, lui annonce qu’elle s’est toujours senti comme un homme et qu’elle veut entreprendre le processus de transition.

Voilà une comédie française qui traite d’un sujet fort actuel et très sensible, avec beaucoup d’humour, sans toutefois tomber dans la moquerie ou la caricature. La complicité à l’écran entre les deux acteurs principaux est palpable. Un film court et punché que j’ai trouvé très divertissant.

Rating: ««««

Hesher (2010)

 Genre: Comedy / Drama
Directed by: Spencer Susser
Cast: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Rainn Wilson, Natalie Portman, Devin Brochu
Running Time: 105 minutes

 

TJ Forney lives with his father Paul and his grandmother Madeleine. Paul is in a deep depression after losing his wife in a car crash. TJ is also having a hard time dealing with the loss of his mom, while getting bullied at school. Hesher, a heavy metal listening lush, suddenly decides to invite himself in the Forney household. In his own unique way, Hesher manages to help bring the Forney family members out of their funk.

I appreciate the off-beat nature of this film. Joseph Gordon-Levitt offered a very credible performance as the lead character. The story was interesting. It felt a little flatter than I hoped for in the end, but I am still happy to have watched it. It was fun.

Rating: «««

Lee (2023)

Genre: Biographical / Drama
Directed by: Ellen Kuras
Cast: Kate Winslet, Andy Samberg, Alexander Skarsgard
Running Time: 116 minutes

 

This film tells the story of Lee Miller, a former fitness model turned photographer. Working for Vogue Magazine, she would go overseas during World War II to capture images from the war zones.

This film is so compelling, and the dedication of Kate Winslet to the role of Lee Miller is easy to see in her performance on screen. She comes off the screen and make you believe that character so deeply, with all its flaws, its strength and its vulnerabilities. Kudos to her. The supporting cast was also solid.

This is a powerful film. The end did pack quite a punch for me. I intend on watching that one again somewhere down the line.

Rating: «««««

Anyone But You (2023)

Genre: Romantic Comedy
Directed by: Will Gluck
Cast: Sydney Sweeney, Glen Powell, Alexandra Shipp
Running Time: 103 minutes

 

After a chance encounter in a café, Ben and Bea spend an evening and night together that starts so well but falls apart. Six months later, they encounter each other again as they find themselves in the same wedding party. They have to travel to Australia with the group to take part in the destination wedding, blaming each other for the first date not having a successful end.

This is a really fun rom-com. The end is predictable, of course, but the road there is so entertaining. The dialogues are fun and the acting is very good. Watched this on Friday evening with the wife and we both enjoyed very much.

Rating: ««««

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: «««