King Richard (2021)

Genre: Biographical / Drama
Directed by: Reinaldo Marcus Green
Cast: Will Smith, Aunjanue Ellis, Saniyya Sidney, Demi Singleton
Time: 145 minutes

 

This biographical drama looks at the life of Richard Williams, father and first coach of star tennis players, sisters Venus and Serena Williams. The film shows how the father stubbornly stuck to his guns to bring his daughters to the success he planned for them.

This was a magnificent film. Will Smith’s dedication the role really comes off here. It is amazing. You forget the actor at work and you believe in the character. The supporting cast was also very strong.

Overall, this is a compelling story delivered brilliantly on screen. This movie comes at you and hits you in the face without apology, and you do not even need to disrespect its wife.

Rating: «««««

The Last Dance (2020)

Genre: TV / Documentary
Starring: Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman, Phil Jackson
Number of episodes: 10

 

This 10 episodes documentary tells the story of the Chicago Bulls sports dynasty that reigned over the basketball of the NBA for most of the 1990’s, with a particular focus on Michael Jordan’s last season with the team, in 1997-1998.

With archived footage and new interviews with the likes of Jordan, Pippen, Rodman, Kerr and Jackson, this documentary is a compelling tale of sports excellence. We also hear from journalists and former opponents of the Bulls. To be honest, I have never cared much about basketball, but this series still captivated me. Jordan especially comes off as a complex personality. He could be brash and arrogant, but, damn, what an athlete. I have become a big fan.

This is well worth watching.

 Rating: «««««

Crocodile Dundee II (1988)

Genre: Comedy / Action
Directed by: John Cornell
Cast: Paul Hogan, Linda Kozlowski, John Meillon
Time: 112 minutes

 

Mick Dundee and Sue Charlton are now a couple living in New York City, where the crocodile-hunting wild man is still somewhat a fish out of water. After Sue becomes the target of a Columbian drug cartel because of her ex-husband Bob, who works for the DEA, Mick brings her back to Australia, on his territory, where he can await the attack and protect his girlfriend and himself.

This sequel does not feel as fresh as the first film. While it is still a fun piece of cinematic entertainment, it is a little heavier on the clichés and the silliness. Nonetheless, it was quite amusing.

Rating: «««

On Golden Pond (1981)

Genre: Drama
Directed by: Mark Rydell
Cast: Katherine Hepburn, Henry Fonda, Jane Fonda
Time: 109 minutes

 

Ethel and Norman Thayer are an aging couple who spend every summer at their cottage, in a cozy area called Golden Pond. After a visit from their daughter Chelsea, they agree to care temporarily for Billy, the teenage son of Chelsea’s new boyfriend, while the new lovebirds go on vacation together. An unlikely friendship blooms between Norman, a curmudgeon, and the boy.

This would be Henry Fonda’s last film, A touching one it was. It is a tale about aging, about family relationships and about friendship. And the scenery is beautiful too. A young Jane Fonda in a bikini is nothing to sneeze at either. All things considered, I love this movie.

Rating: «««««

Robot & Frank (2012)

Genre: Science-fiction / Comedy / Drama
Directed by: Jake Schreier
Cast: Frank Langella, Susan Sarandon, Peter Sarsgaard
Time: 89 minutes

 

In this story set in the near future, Frank is an aging former jewel thief with memory issues that is living alone. Worried about him, his son Hunter buys him a robot servant programmed to help him stay healthy. Resistant at first, Frank warms up to his robotic friend when he realized that it can help him get back to his days of burglary.

This movie is a very sweet and touching reflection on the issue of aging. There are little touches of comedy and science-fiction, but it is all woven together so successfully. There is no confusion in genre here. The acting was solid, and the story kept me hooked all the way through. There was even a few little surprises at the end I did not see coming. I loved this one.

Rating: «««««

L'Acadie, l'Acadie?!? (1971)

Genre: Franco / Documentary
Réalisation: Michel Brault et Pierre Perrault
Distribution: Michel Blanchard, Irène Doiron, Bernard Gauvin
Durée: 117 minutes

 

Ce documentaire en trois parties traite des manifestations pour le bilinguisme et pour le gel des frais de scolarité à l’Université de Moncton en 1968 et 1969. Il aborde aussi la vision que la jeunesse étudiante de l’époque avait de l’Acadie et de ses combats identitaires.

J’avais vu ce film dans une classe quelconque, il y a quelques décennies. C’était vraiment plaisant de le revoir aujourd’hui, avec un regard plus mature. Ce documentaire en noir et blanc est très intéressant pour un Canadien français et un Néo-Brunswickois tel que moi. Les choses ont beaucoup évolué depuis le temps, mais certains vous diront avec raison qu’il y a encore des luttes à faire.

J’ai beaucoup aimé ce film. Il montre son âge, comme un bon film à petit budget de son époque. Il aurait été bien de mieux identifier, pour la postérité, certaines des personnes que nous y voyons. Cela étant dit, ce film offre somme toute un regard très intense sur une époque de grands changements.

Rating: ««««

UHF (1989)

Genre: Comedy
Directed by: Jay Levey
Cast: “Weird Al” Yankovic, Michael Richards, David Bowe, Fran Drescher
Time: 97 minutes

 

George Newman lives life constantly dreaming, going from job to job. When his uncle Harvey wins a UHF television station in a poker game, he hires George to manage it. Surprisingly, in large part thanks to a janitor turned television host, George finds success in this new venture, but he must contend with a rival television station owner trying to put him out of business.

I had seen this one many years ago and I decided to revisit it. It is a fun little movie filled with “Weird Al” Yankovic’s usual antics. I am a fan. In this case, it is a bit much sometimes, and a little silly at some point, but it is quite entertaining, nonetheless.

Rating: «««