Film Screenings (Feb 1-4, 2009)
Below is a listing of all non-mainstream film screenings in Montreal offered from February 1st to February 4th. The Jacques Demy series at the Cinematheque Quebecoise continues with A Slightly Pregnant Man and The Pied Piper, two lesser known but intriguing Demy titles. There is also an evening of anti-establishment films by well-known Quebecois directors Falardeau … Continue reading
DVD Releases for the Week of Jan. 20, 2009
If you feel brave this week, look no further than Repo! The Genetic Opera, winner of multiple awards at last summer’s Fantasia Film Festival. It is a strange amalgam of classic, cult and mainstream that may be off-putting to fans of a single genre. Its cast billing alone exemplifies its diversity: Sarah Brightman (classic & … Continue reading
No More Films at Ex-Centris
Earlier this week, owner of the Ex-Centris complex on St-Laurent Daniel Langlois, announced his decision to stop screening films as of this Spring. Erected in 1999, the prestige locale was known for showing both award-winning international and local films, as well as for hosting film festivals such as the Festival du Nouveau Cinema. Now that … Continue reading
Palestinian Perspectives
Following last night’s screening of The Iron Wall at Cinema du Parc, the Cinematheque Quebecoise is having its own run on Palestinian-themed film; including contemporary issues compounded by the current conflict in Gaza. This time films go beyond the restrictions of the wall and instead encompass the perspective of Palestinian filmmakers on a variety of subjects. … Continue reading
DVD Releases for the Week of Jan. 13, 2009
When an actor gets to directing the results are often mixed. Ed Harris’ first foray behind and in front of the lens was with Pollock, which won an Academy Award for acting. His second feature is less award-ready and instead plays more like a traditional western meets buddy film. Appaloosa is about two friends who must … Continue reading
The Comeback Film of the Decade
Review: The Wrestler (2008) Wrestling has always been a form of entertainment I have abhorred. I dislike the exhibitionist nature of the players involved: the tight colourful spandex suits that cover steroid-busting muscular bodies covered in sweat, the inane trash talk, and the glory of the violence. For these very reasons, The Wrestler did not … Continue reading
Understanding the Gaza Conflict
On Thursday, January 15th, Cinema du Parc will be screening The Iron Wall, a documentary directed by Mohammed Alatar. For one night only at 7pm (French subtitles) and 9pm (English subtitles), the 52-minute doc from 2006 is more topical than ever considering the latest conflicts in Gaza. For all those looking for some background information … Continue reading
Two Months of Choice German Film
Starting January 15th and running through to March 13th, Montreal’s Goethe-Institute, the center for German culture, will be showcasing a variety of films handpicked by Marie Brassard. The two month long event is known as “Carte blance to Marie Brassard” and includes an eclectic selection of films from relatively unknown artists to more well-known filmmakers … Continue reading
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