Films That Matter
Ohm My God
Finding an intriguing milieu somewhere between the recent popularity in witch related films over the past decade (think The VVitch, Hereditary, The Autopsy of Jane Doe, and Weapons) and a spooky atmosphere somewhat reminiscent of the Stephen King room related 1408, Hokum (2026), written and directed by Damian McCarthy, is another worthy entry in the horror genre. In many ways about battling your own demons, Ohm Bauman (Adam Scott) is a successful writer with a very troubled past – making him a bitter, cantankerous, and bluntly rude human being, he is currently writing the trilogy-ender to his successful Conquistador series (which serves as a bookend for this film). Suddenly haunted by his parents’ ashes sitting upon his mantle (as well as being hit with a form of writer’s block), he decides to fly to Ireland to spread them at one of the places he knows they loved – a kitschy inn called The Bilberry Woods where long ago they honeymooned.
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Star Pick with Brian O'Halloran
In the Heat of the Day… and NightDo the Right ThingMay 25, 2016Often considered the best film of 1989, Spike Lee’s Do the Right Thing sets the tone early with Rosie Perez (who plays Tina) dancing to Public Enemy’s song "Fight the Power". It was rather interesting to learn that Lee was actually influenced by Ann Margret’s opening in Bye Bye Birdie (which has a very different vibe). In any case, what follows is a powerful, character driven dramedy that widely encompasses life, death, race, poverty and everything in between – all found within the neighbourhood of Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn.
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Rollin’ on the River
MudMay 22, 2016Some stories feel as though they have been with us since the dawning of time. They deal with universal themes of love, coming of age, revenge and friendship. A film that feels like a modern retelling of a long since forgotten tale is the 2012 drama Mud. Clearly based upon Mark Twain’s yarns that feature Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn, the plot follows modern day youths Ellis (Tye Sheridan) and Neckbone (Jacob Lofland) as they come of age on the Arkansas River (a tributary of the Mississippi).
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Deadpool: It’s Alive
DeadpoolMay 19, 2016Lately, a lot of people have been suggesting that I watch Deadpool, so I checked it out and can now see why so many have enjoyed it. It has a high-octane frenetic pacing, entertaining dialogue, is a piece of cool filmmaking, and though it is a comic book movie, feels like the antithesis of most other Marvel and DC options. Fast talking Ryan Reynolds stars as Wade Wilson (aka Deadpool), the most unethical superhero you are likely to meet. He has a foul mouth, shoots searing insults, says it like it is, and enjoys killing baddies at a rather alarming rate. As I said, this is not your typical Marvel comic book movie.
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Annie Get Your Gun
Gun CrazyMay 16, 2016I am sure most of you have heard of the classic 1967 crime flick Bonnie and Clyde. Perhaps a film that is lesser known and is also based off of Great Depression bandits Clyde Barrow and Bonnie Parker (though the two characters have different names) is the legendary 1950 film noir Gun Crazy – which, when viewed, will clearly be seen as a precursor to the Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway offering.
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Star Pick with Marilyn Ghigliotti
Love After DeathGhostMay 12, 2016There was always something highly entertaining about the late Patrick Swayze, whether he was having a comedic dance off against Chris Farley on Saturday Night Live, or he was the criminal mastermind of a surfer gang in the action flick Point Break. He always brought a charming, entertaining and realistic human side to the characters that he portrayed. One role that epitomises his varied career is the romantic dramedy Ghost.
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The Cat Came Back
The Cat Came BackMay 9, 2016As a child, I was enamoured with a kooky Canadian animated short film called The Cat Came Back. Available on VHS (for those of you too young to remember what this is, ask your parents) at my local library, I would take it out every time I entered the historic building. It is likely that I played a huge part in wearing down that cassette tape. Thanks to the National Film Board of Canada, who produced the flick, it is available for free on their website.
