Duplessis (1978)

Genre: Franco / TV / Biographical
Réalisateur: Mark Blandford

Distribution: Jean Lapointe, Camille Ducharme, Marcel Sabourin 

Épisodes: 7

 

Cette série télévisée en sept épisodes, écrite par Denys Arcand et diffusée sur les ondes de Radio-Canada en 1978, raconte la montée vers le pouvoir du politicien québécois Maurice Duplessis et son long règne comme premier ministre de cette province.

D’abord, notons la performance de Jean Lapointe dans le rôle-titre. Lapointe nous livre un Duplessis plus grand que nature. Il nous montre un homme d’abord attachant et ensuite profondément contrôlant et détestable. Il rend surtout le personnage humain et vrai. Les acteurs de soutien jouent eux aussi très bien leur rôle.

Le scénario de Denys Arcand est pour sa part bien détaillé et bien rythmée. C’est un regard fort intéressant sur la politique québécoise et canadienne, avec son lot de répliques savoureuses et de dialogues captivants. 

Le tout est fort bien livré à l’écran, ce qui fait qu’on a le goût de suivre jusqu’au bout. Tout compte fait, j’adore cette série.

Note: «««««

Echo in the Canyon (2018)

 Genre: Documentary
Directed by: Andrew Slater
Starring: Jakob Dylan, Tom Petty, Lou Adler, Michelle Phillips, Beck

Running time: 82 minutes

 

This documentary celebrates the music that came out of the Laurel Canyon Neighborhood of Los Angeles in the mid-60’s, when multiple artists moved in the area and started creating a massive amount of songs and records. We look at such bands as The Beach Boys, The Byrds, Buffalo Springfield and The Mamas & The Papas. In this film, Jakob Dylan, Bob’s son, interviews many of the people who were there, involved this booming period. He also performs some of those songs on stage and in the studio, with various guests.

I love musical documentaries about creative people I admire, and this is definitely one of the good ones. It is informative and very interesting, though it feels a little incomplete. I could have taken much more, including discussion about other bands of that era, such as The Doors.

Rating: ««««

Stronger (2017)

 Genre: Biographical / Drama
Directed by: David Gordon Green
Starring: Jake Gyllenhal, Tatiana Maslany, Miranda Richardson 

Running time: 119 minutes

 

This biographical film is inspired by the memoir of the same name written by Jeff Bauman and Bret Witter. Jeff Bauman is a man who had both his legs blown off in the Boston Marathon bombing, while waiting at the finish line in support of his ex-girlfriend. After losing his two legs, he had to adjust to a new life, with the help of his on-and-off girlfriend, his dysfunctional family and his friends.

This was very good inspirational film about an everyday man surmounting the odds. Unlike many other films of the genre, this movie was helped greatly by a great cast and some good direction. Gyllenhal was particularly solid in the lead role. He made the plight of Bauman feel real on screen. You could watch, feel it and forget that there was an actor at work here.

This movie was heavy on the patriotic chest pounding, but, hey, that has to be expected with an American film that deals with terrorism. Overall, I greatly enjoyed this one.

Rating: ««««

Dahmer (2002)

Genre: Biographical / Horror
Directed by: David Jacobson

Starring: Jeremy Renner, Bruce Davidson, Matt Newton 

Running time: 102 minutes

 

This film goes over part of the life and crimes of Jeffrey Dahmer, a Milwaukee serial killer who became known for picking up boys and young men in various locations, from 1978 to 1991, to torture them, rape them and kill them, not always in the same order. Dahmer was also known for cannibalism.

First things first: Jeremy Renner did a solid job as Dahmer. He managed to bring the monster back to life and make him multi-dimensional in his performance. As for the film itself, it never really grasped me. I found its focus too narrow, so that, in the end, I was left wanting much more of the story.

David Jacobson also seemed to tip-toe around the horror of Dahmer’s actions. They are gruesome and evil, but they are the main reason why a film is made about that man. In trying to be cautious, the director made most of the violence look fake and unbelievable.

So, other than for Renner’s performance, this film is very forgettable to me.

Rating: ««

Dances with Wolves (1990)

 Genre: Western
Directed by: Kevin Costner
Starring: Kevin Costner, Mary McDonnell, Graham Greene
Running time: 181 minutes 

  

After getting injured in battle and demonstrating bravery in a dire moment, Union Army lieutenant John J. Dunbar gets posted to the American Frontier. Finding himself alone at his military post, Dunbar encounters a group of Sioux people. While the soldier and the Natives are first at odds with each other, a friendship develops over time.

Based of the book of the same name by Michael Blake, this film is Kevin Costner’s directorial debut. He did a great job, handling both directing and the lead role. The cinematography is superb here. This movie is like a long poem, telling a compelling story with images that keeps your attention.

The acting was solid by all involved. There were a few moments of silliness that seemed out of place to me, but, overall, this is an epic film that is well worth seeing at least once, if not more.

Rating: ««««

Cape Fear (1962)

 Genre: Thriller
Directed by: J. Lee Thompson
Starring: Gregory Peck, Robert Mitchum, Polly Bergen
Running time: 106 minutes

 

Adapted from a John D. MacDonald novel called The Executioners, Cape Fear tells the story of Max Cady, a man who just spent 8 years in prison for rape. Upon his release, he tracks down lawyer Sam Bowden, whom he blames for having him put behind bars. Cady’s intent is clearly to make life a living hell for Bowden, his wife and their teenage daughter.

Gregory Peck and Robert Mitchum are perfect for their respective roles here and they play well off each other. Mitchum was particularly awesome at playing creepy characters. Acting-wise, the only weaker link here was Lori Martin, who played Bowden’s daughter Nancy.

Story-wise, this was a solid psychological thriller, greatly inspired by Hitchcock’s work. It is well worth tracking down, for the fans of the genre.

Rating: ««««

Chasing Trane: The John Coltrane Documentary (2016)

Genre: Documentary
Directed by: John Scheinfeld
Starring: Denzel Washington, Reggie Workman, Ravi Coltrane, Carlos Santana 

Running time: 99 minutes

 This documentary goes over the life and career of jazz saxophonist and composer John Coltrane. The film covers his humble and difficult childhood, the arrival of music in his life, his beginnings, his battle against drug addiction, his work with Miles Davis, the creation of his own band and his family life.

Not being a big jazz connoisseur or fan, there was a lot of new information here. While the music of Coltrane is not my cup of tea, generally, I found this film well done. It was informative and very respectful of the artist and his work.

Rating: ««««