The HBO hit limited series Big Little Lies arrives on Blu-ray and DVD on August 1, 2017. The fine folks at HBO Home Entertainment have provided us with a DVD copy of the acclaimed series to give to one lucky reader! Directed by Jean-Marc Vallée (Dallas Buyers Club; Wild; Demolition), Big Little Lies is based […]
Author Archives: Courtney Small
July
26
Cineplex Events Celebrates Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli
posted by Courtney Small
Cineplex Events is transporting five of the best-known works from Hayao Miyazaki and iconic Japanese animation house Studio Ghibli to theatres across Canada with the ‘Studio Ghibli Anime Series’. Each feature in the Series – screening from July through November – is a cinematic gem comprised of the traditional animation and complex characters that Studio […]
July
25
New to Blu-Ray: Ghost in the Shell
posted by Courtney Small
In the works for nearly a decade, it has been a turbulent journey to the big screen for the live-action adaptation of Ghost in the Shell. Based on the popular Japanese manga book, which has spawned several animated movies, video games and a television series, Rupert Sanders’ film received major backlash when it was first […]
July
24
Dunkirk
posted by Courtney Small
During Dunkirk’s opening sequence the audience watches as a British soldier, Tommy (Fionn Whitehead), runs for his life after his troop is ambushed by German soldiers. The echoing sound of his feet on the paved streets, as bullets sail pass him, slowly begin to mimic the pulsing heartbeats growing within the viewer. It is the […]
July
22
Reflecting on George A. Romero’s Legacy
posted by Courtney Small
It has been a little quiet here over the last week as a well-earned vacation was in order. Sure, there are a slew of films that I probably should be seeing and discussing this summer, but it was important to squeeze in some family time prior to the fall film festival season kicking into gear. […]
July
15
Changing Reels Ep. 23 – The Visitor
posted by Courtney Small
The complexities of American life are on our minds today as we dive into the somber side of patriotism. Exploring the post-9/11 world of Tom McCarthy’s wonderful film The Visitor, we discuss everything ranging from the immigrant experience to the possibility of finding love in the most unexpected places. We also reflect on the Bush […]
July
13
Mermaids
posted by Courtney Small
The myth of the mermaid has been told by the ancient Greeks, Inuit communities, and most famously in children’s fairy tales. Popular culture has also played a key role in perpetuating the allure be it the romantic charm of Disney’s The Little Mermaid or the dark musical fun of Agnieszka Smoczynska’s The Lure, our love […]
July
10
Spider-man: Homecoming
posted by Courtney Small
It has been a rather turbulent journey for Spider-Man ever since he jumped onto the big screen in Sam Raimi’s 2002 film. Fans have had to endure the gambit of titles that ran from enjoyable, Spider-Man 2, to disappointing, everything after Spider-Man 2. Prior to Marvel striking a deal with Sony to bring everyone’s favourite […]
July
08
Okja
posted by Courtney Small
One of the exceptional aspects of Bong Joon-Ho’s latest film Okja is not in how it humanizes a pig, but rather how it makes one reflect on humanity. On the surface, wears the clothes of a traditional child and her pet adventure story. However, underneath there is a fast-paced, and emotionally enriching, tale that confidently […]
July
07
Tickling Giants
posted by Courtney Small
Bassem Youssef has been called the “Egyptian Jon Stewart” for his popular brand of political satire. In a country where journalists are routinely jailed, or mysteriously go missing, for exercising free speech, the surgeon turned televised comedian is truly one of a kind. As Youssef points out in Sara Taksler’s charming and poignant documentary Tickling […]
July
06
Talking Baby Driver on the LAMBcast
posted by Courtney Small
As the summer movie season is in full swing, I stopped by the LAMBcast podcast to discuss Edgar Wright’s latest hit Baby Driver. While I was not over the moon with the film like some other critics have been, that does not mean there is not plenty to enjoy and discuss. Give the show a […]
July
04
Baby Driver
posted by Courtney Small
It is somewhat mystifying that a film centered around an expert getaway driver would have so little actual driving in its climatic moments. Instead of a final car chase sequence that is worthy of the action movies Edgar Wright’s Baby Driver takes inspiration from, the audience is treated to a smorgasbord of scattered action and […]
June
30
Changing Reels Ep. 22 – Step Up 3D and Take the Lead
posted by Courtney Small
Time to put on your best footwear as we hit the floor, and the streets, with a dance filled doubled feature. Skipping the short film segment this week, don’t worry it will return in our next episode, we dive into the worlds of Step Up 3D and Take the Lead. While both films did not […]
June
25
Talking The B-Side: Elsa Dorfman’s Portrait Photography on Frameline
posted by Courtney Small
A few days ago, I had the pleasure of appearing on the radio program Frameline to talk about Errol Morris’ latest documentary The B-Side: Elsa Dorfman’s Portrait Photography. Hosted by Barbara Goslawski, Frameline airs on Regent Radio, a local station in Toronto, most Thursday evenings from 6 PM to 7 PM. The show can be […]
June
24
Revisiting the Works of Errol Morris
posted by Courtney Small
As Errol Morris’ latest film, The B-Side: Elsa Dorfman’s Portrait Photography, opens this weekend, I decided to spend some time revisiting his influential canon. If you are new to Morris’ films, and are wondering where is a good place to dive in, then I am here to help. Over at In the Seats, I looked […]
June
22
The B-Side: Elsa Dorfman’s Portrait Photography
posted by Courtney Small
It is rather fitting that Errol Morris’ most gentle film to date focuses on a photographer who has no interest in taking unhappy photos. His latest work The B-Side: Elsa Dorfman’s Portrait Photography is a loving tribute to his good friend Elsa Dorfman, a self-proclaimed nice Jewish girl from Massachusetts who found her calling in […]
June
16
Changing Reels Ep. 21 – Wonder Woman
posted by Courtney Small
Breaking records at the box office, and sparking tons of thought-provoking articles in the process, Wonder Woman has become the must-see movie of the summer. In this special episode we are joined by freelance film critic Kristen Lopez to discuss the representation of women in the film, the role of minorities, how the acceptance of […]
June
08
CSFF 2017: The Surrounding Game
posted by Courtney Small
Despite being played by over 40 million players worldwide, the board game Go has yet to reach the same level of obsession in the West as in the East where it originated. Created in ancient China, and currently the oldest board game to be played in its original form, Go is known for its meditative […]
June
08
CSFF 2017: Olympic Pride, American Prejudice
posted by Courtney Small
The 1936 Olympics in Berlin will always be remembered for Jesse Owens’ four gold medal performance which was viewed as a triumphant defiance to Hitler and his ideology on race. Though he captured much of the media’s attention, Owen was not the only African-American to make waves at the games. In her latest documentary Olympic […]
June
06
CSFF 2017: The Boy Who Learned to Fly
posted by Courtney Small
Usain Bolt’s athletic ability and undeniable charm has made him one of the most popular Olympic athletes in recent years. While he exudes confidence on the track, Limbert Fabian and Jake Wyatt’s animated short The Boy Who Learned to Fly shows that this was not always the case. Commissioned by Gatorade, working in conjunction with […]
