Films That Matter
Phantom Threads
Though definitely not the most iconic version of Gaston Leroux’s much loved horror romance novel, 1943's Phantom of the Opera is opulence personified. Directed by Arthur Lubin (the man behind so many classic comedies with Abbott and Costello. . . though he had already proven that he could do darker work with Lugosi and Karloff in 1940's Black Friday), the movie is actually filmed on the set constructed for the legendary Lon Chaney Sr. 1925 version. . . built to be completely identical to the actual Paris Opera House (a true masterpiece of set design). This version is shot in stunning Technicolor, every single hue popping to create an eye-catching pastiche. Paired with creative cinematography that at times reaches German Expressionism like chiaroscuro lighting (especially when filming the Phantom), this really is a treat to look at. It is then all pieced together with creative crane shots, intriguing static angles and so much more, a technical masterpiece that cannot be denied.
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La La Land – Where the Music Speaks
La La LandFebruary 6, 2017Upon first watching the visually arresting musical drama La La Land, I perhaps unusually thought about the excessive amount of traffic on the road. I surmised, macabrely, that the main characters of the film, who spend several scenes dancing on the streets of Los Angeles, would have likely been killed early on by a speeding car, making the whole motion picture a sort of life flashing before your dying eyes moment. My bizarre sense of humour aside, Damien Chazelle’s follow up to his 2014 drumming drama Whiplash is a mesmerizing story about following your dreams, reaching for the stars and fighting against the major hurtles along the way. Though, just because we chase said dreams, it does not mean that they are always attainable. At one point, our male lead, Sebastian (Ryan Gosling), frustratingly complains of the Hollywood mindset: "they worship everything and value nothing".
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Star Pick with Kevin Downey Jr.
Lions, and Tigers, and Bears – Oh My!The Wizard of OzNovember 8, 2016What is there to say about a movie like The Wizard of Oz? If I had to compile a list of films that have been seen by the most people worldwide, the Victor Fleming directed musical adventure fantasy would likely land somewhere near the top of my list. I recently chatted with acclaimed comedian Kevin Downey Jr., who has carved out an ever growing niche in the difficult world of stand-up. The funny man, who caught his big break on season eight of the hit television show America’s Got Talent (making it all the way to the quarterfinals and being championed by all of the judges, but especially Howard Stern and Howie Mandel), has never looked back, launching himself to the "A" circuit, playing large clubs across North America, while being a frequenter on the highly entertaining morning radio program "The Bob and Tom Show", as well as also making appearances on Comedy Central, What Not to Wear and Queer Eye for the Straight Guy.
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Star Pick with John 'Moose' Wensink
Paint Your Wagon; An Oddly Entertaining MusicalPaint Your WagonAugust 23, 2016Back in September 2013, former heavyweight tough guy for the Boston Bruins, John ‘Moose’ Wensink, was roasted in Cornwall to raise money for the Children's Treatment Centre. Following the event, I interviewed the former NHLer. When asked what his favourite film of all-time was, he quickly proclaimed Paint Your Wagon. When asked why, he simply replied, "Why not?" This article, with a few changes added, is the same that was published back on December 17th, 2014. I recently golfed with Wensink at Upper Canada Golf Course in Morrisburg, Ontario (on July 22nd, 2016), and he was gracious enough to expand on the interview we did back in 2013. You can see the video interview down below, where the man takes us through his storied career and expands on his love of Paint Your Wagon.
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Star Pick with BarBara Luna
This Film ‘Rains’ SupremeSingin' in the RainAugust 10, 2016Set in the late 1920s, Singin’ In the Rain captures the drastic and very abrupt change that occurred as the ‘talkie’ craze took off after the legendary film The Jazz Singer was released in 1927 – lampooning the transition with a melange of sharp satire, simple gags as well as show-stopping song and dance numbers (and some straight-forward audible dialogue, too). At CAPE Cornwall 2016, I had the pleasure of speaking with actress BarBara Luna, who has been working in the industry for sixty five years. Over the course of her intriguing career, she has worked with countless icons, including Spencer Tracy/Frank Sinatra (The Devil at 4 O’Clock), Peter Lorre (Five Weeks in a Balloon), Jimmy Stewart/Henry Fonda (Firecreek), to name but a few.
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Suck Draws Us In
SuckApril 1, 2016Sometimes going into a movie with low expectations can be a good thing. As I was perusing a discount store one day, I came across a film titled Suck – a rather ominous moniker I must say. Yet the premise, which pays homage to rock and roll while also spoofing vampiric horror in a comedic way, sounded like it could be fun. Plus, the back cover explained that it boasted a rocking soundtrack while featuring cameos from legends like Alice Cooper and Iggy Pop, so I picked up the Blu-Ray for a whopping three dollars.
