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 young children will appreciate, this Canadian short is a fable about…
North American Films
Reviews of films made in Canada and United States including all films made by Hollywood.
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 of Bradley Manning, the US soldier arrested in May 2010 f0r…
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 same dialogue and even reconstructions of the original sets, this film…
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 spy thriller genre elements with an agenda to educate the public about…
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 whose mind collapses under the strain of the life he leads…
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 Harlin and financed by the Georgian government, this drama is a…
Characters and plot are as flat and blank as snowscapes in “Fargo”
Joel Coen, “Fargo” (1996) A kidnap plot cooked up to save a car salesman’s hide going awry through sheer bad luck, incompetence and stupidity is the…
Klute: crime thriller / psychological character study about personal control, paranoia and saving face
Alan J Pakula, “Klute” (1971) Ostensibly a crime thriller about a prostitute who assists a small-town private investigator in a missing-person case, this film is better…
Midnight Cowboy: satirical character study of two men pursuing their particular American Dreams
John Schlesinger, “Midnight Cowboy” (1969) Over forty years ago when this movie was released, it was seen as gritty and ground-breaking but these days “Midnight Cowboy”…
Marnie: rehash of many Hitchcock themes, ideas and methods showing the master in decline
Alfred Hitchcock, “Marnie” (1964) Not a bad psychological thriller / character study of a compulsive kleptomaniac with deep-seated fears and flashback memories, this film is very…