Solo (2023)

Genre: Franco / Drama / Romance
Réalisation: Sophie Dupuis
Distribution: Théodore Pellerin, Félix Maritaud, Anne-Marie-Cadieux
Running time: 102 minutes

 

Simon est un jeune adulte qui travaille à faire des spectacles comme drag queen. Alors que sa mère, une célèbre chanteuse d’opéra, revient brièvement en ville après avoir quitté sa famille il y a plusieurs années pour vivre pleinement sa carrière, Simon s’engage dans une relation fort toxique avec un nouveau collègue, Olivier. Cette relation affectera grandement ses repères et ses liens familiaux.

Avec une distribution fort talentueuse et une histoire fort captivante, sur un milieu qui est très actuel mais que je connais peu, j’ai facilement embarqué dans l’histoire. J’ai beaucoup aimé ce film fort touchant.

Rating: ««««

The Conjuring 2 (2016)

Genre: Horror
Directed by: James Wan
Cast: Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson, Frances O’Connor 

Time: 134 minutes

 

After completing their investigation into the Amityville murders, paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren are called upon for another case in Enfield, England. The couple travel to the London suburb to investigate the matter of a potential poltergeist affecting the lives of the Hodgson family in their council house.

While not as fresh of a film as its predecessor, this sequel is still an effective paranormal activity story told on screen. The acting is solid enough and the story pulls you in. While I do not believe in that sort of thing, I can still find stories like this interesting when told by talented folks.

Rating: ««««

Fifty Shades of Grey (2015)

Genre: Romance / Drama
Directed by: Sam Taylor-Johnson
Cast: Dakota Johnson, James Dornan, Jennifer Ehle
Time: 125 minutes

 

Anastasia Steele is a 21-year-old English literature student who fills in for her roommate who is sick with the flu in an assignment to interview business mogul Christian Grey for the college newspaper. After this first encounter, Grey and Steele start falling for each other and start engaging deeper and deeper into a sadomasochistic relationship that will bring them quite far off the path they both expected for themselves.

This film is inspired by a series of books that became quite the phenomenon among my family members. Personally, I did not read them beyond excerpts found here and there. These passages almost made me quit reading altogether. I can be as kinky as the next guy in the right circumstances, but I’d rather be whipped than read bad literature.

As far as the film goes, the first installment is an improvement upon the book, but that is not saying much. The acting is not very good and the story is silly. The characters come off as so fake and unbelievable. The books were all made to make old ladies feel all tingly in their naughty parts without the guilt of actual porn. The film has a bit of sexiness to it, but it not enough to make it good cinema.

Rating: ««

Papy fait de la résistance (1983)

Genre: Franco / Comedy
Réalisation: Jean-Marie Poiré
Distribution: Christian Clavier, Michel Galabru, Roland Giraud, Gérard Jugnot
Durée: 102 minutes

 

Durant la Deuxième Guerre mondiale, la majestueuse demeure parisienne de la famille Bourdelle est investie par les forces allemandes. Dans ces circonstances difficiles, la famille tente du mieux qu’elle le peut de résister sournoisement à l’ennemi.

Ce film est adapté d’une pièce de théâtre. Il a été dédié à Louis de Funès, qui devait y jouer un rôle au moment de sa mort. Cette œuvre burlesque contient son lot de moments rigolos, même si le scénario est assez léger et si le jeu y est assez gros. Un divertissement bien correct. Tout de même plaisant d’y voir tous ces gros noms du cinéma français.

Rating: «««

The Beatles Anthology (1995)

Genre: TV / Musical / Documentary
Directed by: Geoff Wonfor and Bob Smeaton
Cast: John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Ringo Starr
Number of episodes: 8

 

This TV series examines the lives and career of The Beatles and it’s four members, from their humble beginnings to superstardom. Over the course of eight, hour long episodes, we go through their history with considerable details. I love how, in this documentary, a big piece of the attention was given to the actual music. We also get to hear from the three surviving members (at that time, since this was done before Harrison’s passing) and their entourage, and Lennon’s presence is felt through archive footage. This is absolutely great stuff.

Rating: «««««

Blanche (1993)

Genre: TV / Franco / Drama
Distribution: Pascal Bussières, Robert Brouillette, Patrice L’Écuyer
Nombre d’épisodes: 11

 

Ce téléroman historique, qui est en fait la suite de Les Filles de Caleb, raconte l’histoire de Blanche Pronovost, fille d’Émilie Bordeleau et d’Ovila Pronovost. À l’âge adulte, Blanche désirait pratiquer la médecine, mais cette formation lui est difficilement accessible à l’époque en tant que femme. Forte de caractère et indépendante, elle devient infirmière et part éventuellement pratiquer la médecine dans le Grand Nord québécois. 

Comme Les Filles de Caleb, ce téléroman est basé sur l’œuvre d’Arlète Cousture. L’histoire est toujours intéressante, mais le jeu des comédiens est plus inégal. Dans certains cas, c’est un peu gros. Somme toute, série qui a moins bien vieilli que son prédécesseur.

Rating: «««

Between Us (2016)

Genre: Drama
Directed by: Rafael Palacio Illingworth
Cast: Olivia Thirlby, Ben Feldman, Lio Tipton
Time: 94 minutes

 

After six years together, Dianne and Henry are hitting a plateau in their relationship as they wonder what is next for them. They feel the expectations of marriage and children and moving into something more permanent together. Soon, the pressure has them straying further and further from the nest.

The story feels very real and it is not without charm and interest that I ventured into this film. Unfortunately, the characters themselves felt a little bland to me. In the end, while not bad, this movie was not great either. Just mid.

Rating: «««