Sketch

I saw this at the St. Laurent Theatres here in Ottawa. Occasionally they have first run films, like this one, but mostly it’s second run stuff and a lot of Indian action movies. I didn’t want it to go past everyone without it getting the attention it deserves. It is distributed by Angel Studios, a Christian-themed entertainment company. As an atheist I have no problem watching anything put out by any religion, so long as I don’t feel like I am being judged or preached at. There is nothing preachy happening here. This is simply a great family film, a kid’s film, with a great concept. It’s about Amber (Bianca Belle), a young girl who channels her emotions into her sketchbook. Amber’s drawings are often dark, monstrously so. Her brother discovers a magical pool of toilet bowl blue water that can fix things. When Amber’s sketchbook accidentally falls in, her drawings come to life. The movie feels like something that would have been produced in the 80s. By today’s standards, it’s frightening - Pet Sematary, Jeepers Creepers, and Arachnophobia spring to mind, but not quite as visceral. It’s a family movie after all. First-time writer director Seth Worley has made a special film, touching, and delightful. Let this one draw you in and colour your day. In theatres now. Rent it from Movies’N Stuff when available. 

Together

Relationships are hard, especially for artists, and extra especially if they aren't hugely successful. Just read my review on Materialists and you will get an earful. Together is the horror movie version of Materialists. Well not quite, but close enough. Dave Franco plays Tim, a mid-thirties musician who still hasn't "made it" on the scene. His teacher girlfriend, Millie - played by Alison Brie - has accepted a job two hours away from the big city teaching in a small town. City boy Tim has agreed to move there, although he doesn't seem thrilled about it. Their ten-year relationship needs some work. They need some bonding time. Well they get it alright. This is a body horror picture and it puts together (see what I did there) different pieces of different horror movies - The Descent, The Shining, Alien, The Thing, and Invasion of the Body Snatchers to name a few. It glues aspects of these films together (wink) and gives us something that feels fresh thanks to writer/director, Michael Shanks. Together also has some outstanding and terrifying visuals. You should definitely get together for this one. In theatres now or go rent it from Movies 'N Stuff in Ottawa when it comes out.   

Materialists

I have a friend who told me when I was going to Algonquin College to get a "real" job, that women don't want a guy who isn't financially secure - long haired artist freaks are romantic, but women will eventually dump my ass because nobody wants to be poor. Was my friend right? I will admit that poverty sucks. I have managed to be an artist, a writer and have a full time job. I also got married and had kids. I know a writer who did not compromise, never got a "real" job and just wrote - he also got married and had kids. He suffered in poverty for decades and had just as much shitty writing success as me. What's my point? Most artists, writers, actors, painters, cartoonists, never reach the heights of George Clooney or Stephen King. Heck, even moderately successful writers here in Canada still have some sort of side job (teaching, etc.) to make ends meet. What has this all to do with the movie, Materialists you ask? Well this is the heart of the picture - do you marry the guy with money and have an easy life or do you marry the struggling actor, the love of your life and be poor? This is Lucy's (Dakota Johnson) dilemma. Lucy has given up her dream to become an actor and now she is a high-end Manhattan matchmaker for the wealthy. Along comes handsome, tall, and extremely rich Harry (Pedro Pascal) who doesn't want Lucy's services, he wants Lucy. Lucy likes money and eating in fancy restaurants. Will she end up with him or John (Chris Evans) who is at the top end of his 30s and still living with roommates and working a part time job to support his acting dream? Full confession, I didn't care for writer/director Celine Song's first film, Past Lives. However I certainly enjoyed this one. This is a smart film for adults and Song's writing is strong. I was impressed. All these actors I mentioned have been Marvel superheroes. I bet they all did it for the money. Catch this regular person movie at your local repertory theatre or if you are in Ottawa, rent it from Movies 'N Stuff.  

The Ballad of Wallis Island

It is very hard not to be charmed by this lovely little film which is a kind of mashup of Local Hero meets The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent. What's it all about? Lottery winner and music fan, Charles (Tim Key) has a dream to bring his favourite folk duo, McGwyer & Mortimer - (Herb McGwyer and Nell Mortimer played by Tom Basden and Carey Mulligan) back together after their break-up thirteen years prior for a private show on the remote island of Wallis. Charles and his late wife were huge fans of the duo. Charles is planning on having the concert of the fifth anniversary of her passing. There is a lot of what you might consider schmaltz, but it doesn't come off that way. And it goes in directions I didn't expect largely due to Charles himself. He has a personality like a goofy birthday card, the dialogue he spews is a rhyming sing-song of pop culture nonsense which you cannot help but enjoy. The music is great and the chemistry and tension between Herb and Nell is well done. These characters felt real. This was playing in theatres for a long time. If you missed it, it's now streaming on Prime. Or go rent it a Movies 'N Stuff here in Ottawa. 

Disturbia

My kids were just starting out as inhabitants on this planet so I missed Disturbia when it came out in 2007. Plus nobody told me about it! Which is why I'm telling you. I love Alfred Hitchcock. He is my favourite director of all time (I'm not sure he was an excellent human but for sure he was an excellent director). My favourite of his films is Rear Window (1954), starring the late, great Jimmy Stewart and Grace Kelly. If for some reason you haven't seen this movie, Rear Window, stop what you are doing and go watch this. Don't read on, go watch it. Then, come back here and finish my blog post. So, now you have seen Rear Window (great, right?) you will know that there have been copies. Brian De Palma made Body Double, which is his homage to Rear Window and Vertigo. I also love this movie. And this brings us to Disturbia starring Shia LaBeouf as Kale. No spoilers here, so with that, I will say that high-school Kale becomes in some way housebound, unable to leave his property. His mom, Canadian actress, Carrie-Anne Moss (from Matrix fame) has cut off his access to video games on top of it all. So Kale has nothing to do but look out the window. New hot girl has moved in next door (Sarah Roemer) and there is a creepy guy across the street (David Morse). Let the Rear Window fun play out. I loved it. It's fantastic. Shia LaBeouf - what a talent. I'm a big fan. It was Andrea Arnold's American Honey that turned me into a fan. If you haven't seen American Honey, then you have film homework. Then, Honey Boy where Shia plays his own father - amazing. Then The Peanut Butter Falcon - it's a delight. So for me to go back and see Shia before all this was a treat. Go get some binoculars and go watch Disturbia now. 

Sorry, Baby

Writer, director, and star, Eva Victor needs to be nominated for all the awards this season. I'm truly impressed. I would say she is extraordinary, except after watching Sorry, Baby the word "extraordinary" might be triggering. This is a portrait of a woman, Agnes, an academic college professor of literature, who undergoes a traumatic event and its aftermath. It's personal. It's also funny despite the heavy subject matter. The characters are fully formed and the dialogue is very well written - natural, witty, and smart. Naomi Ackie plays Lydie, Agnes's best friend and trauma confidant. Lucas Hedges plays Gavin, the next-door neighbor and potential love interest. And then there is the small role of character actor, John Carroll Lynch as Pete, the sandwich maker. I love Lynch in everything he does. He always fills the frame with warmth (or terror, depending on the role). Sorry, Baby is a story about surviving trauma. It's also about healing and friendship. It's intelligent, funny, honest, and empathetic. It is another clear example of why I go to the movies. It will no doubt make my list of best films of the year. In Ottawa it was playing at the Bytwone (maybe it will come back). No doubt it is likely to show up at the Mayfair. And I know it's on order for rent at Movies 'N Stuff on Kilborn. Catch this one for sure. 

Eddington

Savage. This word not only perfectly describes Ari Aster’s latest film but it's also a word frequently used by the late great writer Hunter S. Thompson. Thompson used it to describe the work of his often-collaborator, artist Ralph Steadman. As I watched Eddington I thought about the work of Steadman, especially from Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. Steadman’s portraits of Americans are often grotesque, unflattering, and as Thompson would say, savage. So too, is Ari Aster’s Eddington, a film that takes place in the early days of the pandemic, more specifically, May 2020, in the small New Mexican town of Eddington. Sheriff Joe Cross (Joaquin Phoenix) doesn't enjoy wearing a mask and doesn't think anyone should who is uncomfortable doing so. The town's mayor, Ted Garcia (Pedro Pascal) is running for reelection and is unhappy with his town's law enforcement. Cross decides to run for mayor himself - it's buffoonery. The whole film has a Coen brothers feel to it, Burn After Reading crossed with No Country for Old Men. It's darkly funny. At times as ridiculous as South Park, and I mean this as a compliment. Ari Aster was already one of my new favourtie directors. Beau is Afraid was my top pick for 2023. Eddington solidifies Aster is one of the best writers and directors working today, up there with Christopher Nolan, David Fincher, and the Coen brothers. Eddington is a scathing, savage, and tremendously funny portrait of modern America. Catch it in theatres now. In Ottawa, it's currently playing at the Bytowne.