Much to the chagrin of his father (Martin Short), young Victor Frankenstein (Charlie Tahan) is not a sporty kid. He's a bookish ten year-old who rides around the town of New Holland on his bike. He prefers to spend his time making stop action movies which he screens for his family. His best friend … [Read more...]
Film Review – Hotel Transylvania
Count Dracula (voiced by Adam Sandler) is a successful businessman with a problem. He's a popular owner of a high-end hotel for monsters. His Hotel Transylvania offers a reprieve for monsters of all kinds from us pesky humans. The Count's daughter Mavis (voiced by Selena Gomez) is about to turn the … [Read more...]
TIFF Film Review: Silver Linings Playbook
I saw this movie with hundreds of others, packed into the Winter Garden Theatre during TIFF. When the film's director David O. Russell (The Fighter) came to the podium, he delivered what was probably the shortest intro I've heard at TIFF: "I'd rather not set expectations or talk too much about the … [Read more...]
TIFF Film Review: The Perks of Being a Wallflower
I'll start with two confessions. One: I have a serious soft spot for teenage angst films. Two: I have not read The Perks of Being a Wallflower, the 1999 book written by screenwriter and director Stephen Chbosky - but heard great things. So I when I attended a press screening of the film adaptation … [Read more...]
Wes Anderson rules “Moonrise Kingdom”
Remember the time you first fell in love? When you thought adults were dumb, you may have had trouble fitting in and the only person who "got you" was your first love? It was you against the world and all you wanted to do was be with the object of your love, all the time. Wes Anderson's Moonrise … [Read more...]
Will she or won’t she “Take this Waltz”?
"I'm afraid of being afraid. I don't like in-between things." says Margot (Michelle Williams) at the beginning of Take This Waltz, a movie written and directed by Sarah Polley. Unfortunately for the married Margot, she finds herself right in between things as she meets Daniel (Luke Kirby) on a … [Read more...]
World Premiere of What’s Wrong With Virginia? at the TIFF10
What's Wrong with Virginia? on the surface at least, is a black comedy from writer/director Dustin Lance Black. It's the story of mental illness. It's the story of the little dark secrets that no one talks about. It's the story of forbidden love. It's the story of, well, the Mormon underwear. But, … [Read more...]
Food, Inc.
It's January again (wait, let me check...yep it's still January), & my movie mind starts to wander toward documentaries. It happens every year. Whether it is the exposure documentaries get this time of year with the lead up to all of the big awards shows or it is a form of movie new … [Read more...]
The Book/Movie Conundrum: The Time Traveler’s Wife
You know what I mean. Book or movie? Which comes first? Everyone has their own idea. I tend to think that I actually enjoy a movie better if I haven't read the book first. Probably something to do with the idea that nothing on the big screen can live up to what we … [Read more...]
Angels & Demons
A movie! In the Theatre! That alone is worth two enthusiastic thumbs up. At this point it really doesn't even matter what is up on the screen, it is just such a feat that I'm actually out at the theatre. But you guys didn't come here for just that. You want to know what … [Read more...]