Inauguration of the Pleasure Dome: celebration of a religious ritual that imprisons as much as it liberates
Kenneth Anger, “Inauguration of the Pleasure Dome” (1954) A lush creation by famous underground avant-garde
Category: North American Films
Reviews of films made in Canada and United States including all films made by Hollywood.
The Meth Epidemic: confrontational documentary doesn’t quite go far enough in investigating a major social problem
Carl Byker, “The Meth Epidemic” (2011) Having seen and reviewed “Winter’s Bone” last year, I
Quasi at the Quackadero: time travel and psychological self-study in a fun fair
Sally Cruikshank, “Quasi at the Quackadero” (1975) Here’s a great little cartoon about a mismatched
The Matrix: film trapped in formula Hollywood action-thriller matrix of convoluted plot, trite message and flat characters
Larry and Andy Wachowski, “The Matrix” (1999) Strip “The Matrix” of its sci-fi trimmings, its
A Chairy Tale: fable about importance of communication, respect and equality
Norman McLaren and Claude Jutra, “A Chairy Tale” (1957) A delightful little number that even
WikiSecrets: questionable motives and agenda in documentary that smears whistle-blower
Marcela Gaviria, “WikiSecrets” (2011) Took in this documentary on SBS1 last night on the case
Psycho (dir. Gus van Sant): a decent remake with a different message from the original film
Gus van Sant, “Psycho” (1998) A shot-for-shot remake of the Hitchcock original with much the
Melodrama, spy thriller hi-jinks and conservation activism a strong mix in “The Cove”
Louie Psihoyos, “The Cove” (2009) This documentary by American photographer and film-maker Louie Psihoyos combines
Taxi Driver: good study of an alienated and traumatised individual groping for purpose in a lost society
Martin Scorsese, “Taxi Driver” (1976) As a character study of a lonely and alienated man
5 Days of War: as the movie admits, truth is the first casualty
Renny Harlin, “5 Days of War” aka “5 Days of August” (2011) Directed by Renny