Sometimes, a film comes out at a time that makes it a little uncomfortable to review. For example, through no fault of its own, Elemental: Reimagine Wildfire comes in the midst of the massive fires in Quebec that have affected air quality in areas from Toronto to New York. Obviously, this sort of timing is unpredictable and…
Scarlet (L’envol) is something of an international mash-up. Italian director Pietro Marcello has very loosely adapted a novel (Scarlet Sails) by Soviet writer Alexander Grin into a story of French village life in the interbellum years. As the film opens, Raphaël is returning home at the end of World War 1 when he discovers that…
Directed by Sean Claffey, the new documentary Americonned highlights the struggles created by the American economy. With the death of the ‘middle class’, the gap between the top 1% continues to grow at an alarming rate, destabilizing the economy as compensation for the average American remains stagnant. One of these deeply affected workers is Chris Smalls, a…
Past Lives is the directorial debut of Korean-Canadian writer Celine Song that follows an autobiographical story of love, fate and how our life choices can take us away from what we perceive as a more dramatic destiny. The film follows Nora Moon and Hae Sung, two young people who grow up together in South Korea…
Sometimes, the future feels like it hangs in the balance of a single moment. Directed by Egidio Coccimilgio, Cascade follows four friends as they venture out into the wilderness, searching for adventure. To them, the outdoors is a refuge for the chaos of their lives and they are fueled by youthful innocence. However, after they stumble across…
Less Than Kosher follows Viv (Shaina Silver-Baird), a 30-year old singer who’s music career remains at a standstill. Without finding the fame she craves, Viv moves back into her mother’s basement, unsure of what is to come next. However, despite her self-proclamation that she’s a ‘bad Jew’, Viv finds herself taking a job as Cantor within…
Everyone wants hope and forgiveness but are we willing to fight for it? Set during the final days of World War I, Padre Pio transports the viewer to the Italian world of San Giovanni Rotondo. As the soldiers return from the travesty of war, they come home to a place of poverty and violence. Ruled by the…
Beginning in the 1940s, Sweetwater introduces the world to Nat ‘Sweetwater’ Clifton, the star attraction of the Harlem Globetrotters and one of the most talented basketball players on the planet at the time. After beating the NBA Champion LA Lakers in an exhibition match, the Trotters resume their tour of local arenas. But their shocking win draws…
Dramatic films come and go. Some deal with social issues while others call us to maturity. But some films leave a mark on your soul. Directed by Marie Clements, Bones of Crows tells the story of Aline Spears (Grace Dove) and the trauma endured by her family over a century. After Aline is separated from her family,…
Crafting a sequel is a daunting process, especially for a beloved property. For example, after Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse found success with critics and fans alike, the conversations around a follow-up were inevitable. However, given the original’s unique flair and style, it seemed impossible for Sony to create a film that matched its predecessor. Amazingly though, with…
