I'm from Victoria BC and love watching films from all corners of the world. I'm fascinated by interpreting films and connecting with other film lovers. I love sharp, clever dialogue (QT), beautifully shot films (The Thin Red Line) and a filmmaker who trusts the audience to put it all together and leave room for discussion (PTA).
The Central Park Five is a heart breaking introspective of late 1980s fear media combining forces with bloodthirsty detectives and irresponsible prosecutors from New York. Five boys were convicted of assaulting and raping a woman in Central Park on April 19, 1989. The Central Park Five consists of: Antron McCray, Kevin Richardson, Yusef Salaam, Raymond Santana Jr and Korey Wise.
Revolution is an outstanding documentary from fearless filmmaker, Rob Stewart. The film is about saving our planet. Revolution is well crafted, flows beautifully, presents strong arguments and encourages the audience to get involved. The shots are breathtaking; the narrative will keep you on the edge of your seat and will leave you with a sense of happiness and hope.
A Place at the Table is a film that calls attention to a shameful reality, hunger in America. The filmmakers examine issues surrounding hunger: poverty, food stamps, corporate welfare, and lack of acceptable assistance from the US Government. Not all hope is lost because there are incredible people in this world, fighting to end hunger in America.
March was a mixed bag! Audiences were polarized by films like Jack the Giant Slayer, Oz the Great and Powerful, GI Joe: Retaliation and festival darling Spring Breakers. There was no shortage of stinkers: 21 & Over, The Last Exorcism Part II, and The Host. On a positive note, this writer found his first movie to love, Stoker. How does April look? Let’s find out!
Adrian Charlie: Congratulations on a funny film, Jackhammer. I attended the second screening (Sunday Feb 12pm Sunday) of the film at Victoria Film Fest. I was outside the theater during the first screening (7pm Saturday) everyone leaving had a smile on their face.
Nominated for an Oscar (Best Foreign Language Film), this film is a crowd pleaser. Rene Saavedra (Gael Garcia Bernal) is tasked with delivering an ad campaign swaying citizens of Chile to vote, “No” in the 1988 referendum to defeat Augusto Pinochet. The film blends fictional characters with real events making this a fascinating watch, also the first Chilean film to be nominated for an Oscar. The film is shot in video format making the audience buy in and throw them back into 1988 with ease. The format is highly effective and the real-life commercials transition nicely delivering a ton of belly laughs. For a lighter look at a heavy subject No is one of the most satisfying films of the year.
Jon Lucas and Scott Moore make their directorial debut with 21 & Over; Lucas and Moore are riding the wave from one good movie: The Hangover. They have written a handful of lazy, humorless movies including The Hangover II, The Change-Up and—now—21 & Over. Have you wondered what The Hangover cast would look like if you took a few of the characters and observed them in their college years? Lucas and Moore wondered the same and ran with it.
February was another tough go at the movies for film lovers. Side Effects and Warm Bodies received relatively positive reviews overall and are worth seeing. The rest tanked fairly HARD, like a BULLET TO THE HEAD! Ugh, help me ESCAPE FROM PLANET EARTH where there is a SAFE HAVEN! Is there hope in March? Let’s find out!
Rob Stewart delivers an eye-opening film about the destruction of our planet, which should persuade audiences to take action to save our future. The documentary aims to educate, but accomplishes so much more cinematically. There is a sequence involving coral reef and “murk” where the coral reef ends and where the cuttlefish thrives. Murk is dark and full of nothing but waste. There are parallels in this theme. Will we continue to destroy Mother Earth causing our own “murk?” If we do, will we adapt and thrive like cuttlefish? Or will we end up at the lower end of the food chain? The film features countless breath-taking shots of countries all over the world. The message is heavy with shocking images and terrifying statistics. It’s a great watch from a fearless filmmaker. Revolution opens in Canada April 12. Please support this film so more like this can be produced.
Cast: Antron McCray, Kevin Richardson, Kharey Wise Director: Ken Burns | Sarah Burns | David…