Flaws and Failings Abound in likeable new film “Shortcomings”

 Synopsis: A trio of young, Bay Area urbanites — Ben Tanaka, Miko Hayashi and Alice Kim — navigate a range of interpersonal relationships while traversing the country in search of the ideal connection. Director: Randall Park Stars: Justin H. Min, Sherry Cola, Ally Maki During summer months, the expectation is

Review: A Teacher

 Watch Keith Whittier's review of the series A Teacher to find out why he gives it a good grade! Synopsis: A Teacher explores the complexities and consequences of a predatory relationship between Claire Wilson, a young teacher at a suburban Texas high schooland her student, Eric Walker. Stars: Kate Mara, Nick

Film review: Fatale

 Despite the great trailer, find out why film reviewer Keith Whittier gives the latest movie from director Deon Taylor a ‘C’. Synopsis: After a one-night stand, a successful married man finds himself entangled in a cunning police detective's latest investigation. Director: Deon Taylor Stars: Hilary Swank, Michael Ealy

Film review: Promising Young Woman

 Carey Mulligan blows film reviewer Keith Whittier away with her performance as Cassandra, a med school drop out, in director Emerald Fennell's newly released film — a fantastic movie from Sundance 2020. Synopsis: A young woman, traumatized by a tragic event in her past, seeks out vengeance against those who crossed her path.

Find out if Netflix’s Love Wedding Repeat is worth a watch

 Love Wedding Repeat   Synopsis: While trying to make his sister's wedding day go smoothly, Jack finds himself juggling an angry ex-girlfriend, an uninvited guest with a secret, a misplaced sleep sedative, and the girl that got away in alternate versions of the same day. Stars: Sam Claflin, Olivia Munn Freida

Ottawa Life goes to Sundance

 A person's bucket list is a working document, when you cross a bunch of things off it is only natural that you are going to want to add new things. In the last few years, I have done many things on my list: I tried my hand at stand-up comedy,

Firlm Reviews: Cats & Little Women

 Cats Synopsis: A tribe of cats called the Jellicles must decide yearly which one will ascend to the Heaviside Layer and come back to a new Jellicle life. Stars: Francesca Hayward, Taylor Swift, Jennifer Hudson, Idris Elba Director: Tom Hooper Little Women Synopsis: Jo March reflects back and forth on

Film Review: Parasite

 Synopsis:  All unemployed, Ki-taek and his family take peculiar interest in the wealthy and glamorous Parks, as they ingratiate themselves into their lives and get entangled in an unexpected incident.   Stars: Kang-ho Song, Sun-kyun Lee Director: Bong Joon Ho

Film Review: We

 Synopsis: In the pursuit of love and happiness, Mani Nasry known as Ethan in the film meets obstacles that threaten to halt his quest. Dating within different cultures and being open to all religions, Ethan must deal with constant roadblocks. From First Nations to South American, Ethan’s journey to find

Q+A with Mani Nasry, Director and Star of “We”

 I am always amazed and impressed with the level of film talent we have here in Canada. There seems to be an abundance of people with stories to tell here and we can add Mani Nasry to that list. His film ‘We’ is being released this weekend. This film has

Film Review: Bohemian Rhapsody

 Synopsis: A chronicle of the years leading up to Queen's legendary appearance at the Live Aid (1985) concert. Stars: Rami Malek, Lucy Boynton, Ben Hardy, Joseph Mazzello, Gwilym Lee Director: Bryan Singer

Film Review: First Man

 Synopsis: A look at the life of the astronaut, Neil Armstrong, and the legendary space mission that led him to become the first man to walk on the Moon on July 20, 1969. Stars: Ryan Gosling, Claire Foy, Jason Clarke, Kyle Chandler Director: Damien Chazelle

Film Review: A Star is Born

 Synopsis: A musician helps a young singer and actress find fame, even as age and alcoholism send his own career into a downward spiral. Stars: Bradley Cooper, Lady Gaga, Sam Elliott Director: Bradley Cooper

Film Review: Night School

 Synopsis: A group of troublemakers are forced to attend night school in hope that they'll pass the GED exam to finish high school. Stars: Kevin Hart, Tiffany Haddish Director: Malcolm D. Lee

Film Review: Mission: Impossible – Fallout

 Synopsis: Ethan Hunt and his IMF team, along with some familiar allies, race against time after a mission gone wrong. Stars: Tom Cruise, Henry Cavill, Angela Bassett, Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, Rebecca Ferguson Director: Christopher McQuarrie

Film Review: Skyscraper

 Synopsis: A father goes to great lengths to save his family from a burning skyscraper. Stars: Dwayne Johnson, Neve Campbell Director: Rawson Marshall Thurber

Film Review: Hereditary

 Synopsis: When the matriarch of the Graham family passes away, her daughter's family begins to unravel cryptic and increasingly terrifying secrets about their ancestry. Stars: Toni Collette, Gabriel Byrne, Milly Shapiro Director: Ari Aster

Film Review: Wilson

 Synopsis: A lonely, neurotic and hilariously honest middle-aged man reunites with his estranged wife and meets his teenage daughter for the first time. Stars: Woody Harrelson, Laura Dern, Judy Greer Director: Craig Johnson

Film Review: Logan

 Synopsis: In the near future, a weary Logan cares for an ailing Professor X in a hide out on the Mexican border. But Logan's attempts to hide from the world and his legacy are up-ended when a young girl arrives, being pursued by dark forces. Stars: Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, Dafne

Film Review: A Dog’s Purpose

 Synopsis: A dog looks to discover his purpose in life over the course of several lifetimes and owners. Stars: Josh Gad, Dennis Quaid, Britt Robertson Director: Lasse Hallstrom

Film Review: Gold

   Synopsis: Kenny Wells, a prospector desperate for a lucky break, teams up with a similarly eager geologist and sets off on a journey to find gold in the uncharted jungle of Indonesia. Stars: Matthew McConaughey, Edgar Ramirez, Bryce Dallas Howard Director: Stephen Gaghan

Film Review: “Ip Man 3” is a Hard-Hitting Conclusion to a Classic Kung Fu Trilogy

 Directed by Wilson Yip Written by Lai-yin Leung, Chan Tai-Li, and Edmond Wong Produced by Dreams Salon Entertainment Culture et al.     Early on in Ip Man 3, a young Bruce Lee approaches the Kung Fu master and asks to become his student. Ip Man pelts him with cigarettes

“The Force Awakens” Fulfills Old Promises, Makes New Ones

 Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens Directed by J.J. Abrams Written by Lawrence Kasdan, J.J. Abrams, and Michael Arndt Produced by Lucasfilm, Bad Robot, and Truenorth Productions I have to be careful, here. The Force Awakens has been on screens for a few days now, and spoilers abound on

A terrific Saoirse Ronan calls a routine “Brooklyn” home

 Brooklyn Directed by John Crowley Written by Nick Hornby (based on the novel by Colm Tóibín) Produced by Wildgaze Films et al.     There are two scenes in Brooklyn that get at a fundamental truth of travelling long distances. In the first, recent Irish transplant Eilis (Saoirse Ronan) is

Film Review: A Fiery Fassbender Walks the Talk in “Steve Jobs”

 Steve Jobs Directed by Danny Boyle Written by Aaron Sorkin (based on the book by Walter Isaacson) Produced by Universal Pictures et al. Steve Jobs could be a real jerk. This is the overriding thrust of Danny Boyle’s new film about the Apple co-founder, and it’s hammered home in scene