Il était une fois les Boys (2013)

 
Genre: Franco / Comedy
Réalisateur: Richard Goudreau
Distribution: Jassen Charron, Simon Pigeon, Derek Poissant, Samuel Gauthier 

Running time: 106 minutes

 

Dans cet antépisode à la série de films initiale et à la série télé qui a suivi, nous retrouvons les Boys dans les années 60, lorsqu’ils étaient de jeunes garçons jouant au hockey sur une patinoire extérieure de leur quartier.

J’avais très peu d’attentes par rapport à ce film, mais je voulais le voir question de compléter la série. Eh bien, quelle agréable surprise. Quand on fait appel à de jeunes acteurs, surtout ceux qui ont moins d’expérience, c’est un pari risqué. Dans ce cas-ci, de très bons choix ont été faits. Et c’était bien aussi d’avoir les visages connus qui revenaient dans la peau d’autres personnages.

Pour ce qui est du scénario, il contenait une bonne dose de clichés, mais l’histoire était somme toute très intéressante. Un petit film divertissant avec des moments drôles et d’autres plus touchants.

Rating: ««««

 

Monster's Ball (2001)

 Genre: Romance / Drama
Directed by: Marc Forster
Cast: Halle Berry, Billy Bob Thornton, Heath Ledger 

Running Time: 112 minutes

 

Hank Grotowski is a correctional officer in Georgia, stuck between an extremely racist father and a son too sensitive to be effective in the same job as his father. After losing his son to suicide, Hank leaves his job and falls for a waitress, who also lost a son, not knowing at first that he just recently accompanied her husband to the electric chair

This is a brilliant, complex film with multi-layered characters. Halle Berry had not been this good in a role before and she has not been since. Whether it was about the material, the direction or a flash of brilliance on her part, the magic operated here. As for Billy Bob Thornton, he is often very solid. He was here too. Heath Ledger and Peter Boyle did fine also in more limited roles. Even Sean Combs AKA P. Diddy, was good for what he had to do.

Overall, this is a very good movie that is well worth seeing at least once in your life.

Rating: «««««

André the Giant (2018)

 Genre: TV / Documentary
Directed by: Jason Hehir
Cast: Vince McMahon, Hulk Hogan, Tim White 

Running Time: 85 minutes

 

This HBO documentary looks at the life and career of late Frenchman André Roussimov, known around the world as pro wrestler André the Giant. In this film, we hear from many of the people who knew him best, such as Vince McMahon, Hulk Hogan, Pat Patterson, Gino Brito and Tim White.

Recently, I have been reading a massive biography written about André, so I thought it would be interesting to watch this film. It was. It is a well done documentary, with loads of information about a man that was larger than life. You cannot help feel sympathy for the man, who could never hide wherever he went. That must have been so hard at times, along with the pains and aches of his gigantism. This is well worth seeing, whether you are a fan or not. It was even a bit short to me, I could have taken more.

 

Rating: ««««

Babyteeth (2019)

Genre: Drama / Comedy
Directed by: Shannon Murphy
Cast: Eliza Scanlen, Toby Wallace, Essie Davis 

Running Time: 120 minutes

 

Milla Finlay is a 16-year-old girl who was recently diagnosed with cancer. The disease and the treatment of it is making her very sick, and her parents are overprotecting her. While waiting for the bus, Milla meets Moses, a young drug dealer. She falls for him, though her parents do not approve of the idea of a relationship.

The premise sounded interesting and showed some promise, but something got lost in the delivery for me. I held on at first, but, in the end, I lost interest in this mess of a film.

Rating: «

Les Boys: La série (2007-2012)

 Genre: TV / Franco / Comedy
Distribution: Rémy Girard, Yvan Ponton, Patrice Robitaille, Pierre Lebeau 

Nombre de saisons: 5

 

Après une série de quatre films, les aventures de l’équipe de hockey de ligue de garage Les Boys sont passées au petit écran, avec 73 épisodes sur 5 saisons. Certains membres de la première heure sont là et de nouveaux visages se greffent à eux pour remplacer ceux qui ont quitté le navire.

Les cinq saisons de cette série contiennent bel et bien des moments hilarants ici et là, mais disons que la sauce commençait joliment à être étirée. L’ajout de nouveaux personnages a aidé, ainsi que l’écriture qui offrait son lot de moments qui font rire, mais rien de vraiment extrêmement marquant. Au bout du compte, il était temps que cela se termine.

Rating: «««

Cinema Verite (2011)

Genre: Drama
Directed by: Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pucini
Cast: Diane Lane, Tim Robbins, James Gandolfini 

Running Time: 90 minutes

 

This film is a fictionalized account of the events surrounding the shooting of the An American Family TV documentary for PBS, in 1971. The Loud family are convinced by documentary-maker Craig Gilbert to embark on this innovative television adventure, a decision that will have major ramifications on all of their lives.

With a compelling story and some very talented actors to carry it, this movie offers a very interesting look at the price of fame that may be much more than what some might expect. This title had been on my list of things to see for a while. I am glad I finally got a chance to see it. I am sure it was an embellished account of true events, but it was still very interesting.

 

Rating: ««««

Green Book (2018)

Genre: Biographical / Drama / Comedy
Directed by: Peter Farrelly

Cast: Viggo Mortensen, Mahershala Ali, Linda Cardellini
Running Time: 130 minutes

 

This film is inspired by the true story of jazz and classical pianist Don Shirley’s undertaking of a musical tour of the American Deep South with his trio in 1962. As a black man, he hired bouncer Frank “Tony Lip” Vallelonga to drive him around the South and insure his protection in a time of segregation.

This is a brilliant film. Both lead actors are so believable in their respective roles. I particularly dug Viggo Mortensen’s portrayal of Tony Lip. I have personally known guys like that in my life. Deep down, they are good stand-up guys, but they sometimes are stuck with some outdated ideas ingrained in them from early on. Mahershala Ali also did a solid job bringing Shirley back to life on screen.

This was compelling story. I laughed, I was touched; all things considered, I was fully entertained. We have come a long way since the 60’s, but we still have a long way to go.

 

Rating: «««««