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bksutherland
Reviews
Hateship Loveship (2013)
What a great film!
Kristen Wiig reveals incredible depth and range in this Oscar-worthy performance about an unfulfilled care-giver aiding a widowed father with a drug problem, a troubled teen coming of age and a grandfather trying to deal with failing health while keeping the family together. Set aside your comedic expectations based on Wiig's earlier work -- this is a drama with a full range of nuanced feeling - humour, wit, longing and fulfilment in the classic style of Canada's Nobel prize-winning author Alice Munro, whose short story was masterfully adapted to this screenplay. There are no lightweights in the cast either: veteran character actors Guy Pearce, Nick Nolte and Jennifer Jason Leigh deliver rock solid performances. This felt like a Sarah Polleyproduction: no overtly grand shots or scenes but every character cast perfectly, every performance and shot building a deep, rich reverb and feeling. A fantastic film.
Take Shelter (2011)
Great drama, directing and story. Outstanding film.
Take Shelter is about a dark, irrational fear of impending weather/environmental disaster. Curtis (the father) must safeguard his family from his fear that they are about to be wiped out. Is this fear and anxiety in Curtis's head or is it real? Is he experiencing delusions or premonitions? Curtis doesn't know, but he must make hard choices: preparing for the disaster means risking losing everything he's built - pets, home, family, job, community etc. Stunning visual effects, great story, wonderfully acted. This is a really suspenseful and outstanding film, sustained by first rate but relatively unknown performers. Directing is first rate. A great lesson on emergency preparedness to boot (plus a surprise ending).
No Ordinary Family (2010)
Comments on series
It's difficult to watch this show...it's compelling in some ways because there are superheroes and I'm a fan of the concept but there is such a serious lack of chemistry between the characters, the family values are stilted and they behave so inconsistently!
Just caught the episode "No Ordinary Anniversary". If Julie Benz's character has super speed, why would she ask her lab assistant to check in on their children while they are celebrating their anniversary? Aside from it being completely inappropriate in their relationship, she could have zipped home and back in a few seconds and checked on them herself!
Julie Benz's character also never seems to talk about science or do science--it's like her lab assistant does everything (and is generally a doormat). I also don't understand how she could be such an accomplished scientist yet she constantly defers to the male members of the household. She is a medical doctor, yet her son feels comfortable demanding her actions during a surgery? Totally inappropriate, again.
Also completely tired of every episode ending in a "typical" family scene--playing football, playing baseball, repairing a classic mustang (yawn). DVR is a great invention.
I think the only way to fix this series is either to delete the Dad character or else add some less ordinary writers.
I also agree with a previous review that suggests minorities are depicted badly or as caricatures in the series. The Asian research colleague, as well as the son's teacher.
Griff the Invisible (2010)
DIY superhero meets girl - what to do?
Griff is a meek customer service client by day, lion-hearted, troubled superhero by night. What are the right words to reassure victims but put fear in the hearts of criminals. What is the right look for a super suit? What are the right weapons for fighting crime. What is the line between stalking and neighbourhood watch. Are super powers something that you can invent by believing in yourself or by others believing in you. Griff's DIY approach to the modern superhero is challenged by meeting a woman of equal imagination, vision and determination. A funny and smart film with great chemistry, top secret package delivery, and real imaginary special effects. Because the problems of invisibility require special solutions.
The X Files: Clyde Bruckman's Final Repose (1995)
What a GREAT episode!
This is a tremendous story and absolutely one of if not the BEST X-Files episode ever made. Witty wordplay, macabre plot twists, complex threads in a non-linear time sequence that challenges the idea of cause and effect, yet somehow rendered in a simple story which is easy to follow. There are many, many humorous and ironic moments, more than in a 'normal' X-Files episode. Particularly: Mulder stepping in the banana creme pie while pursuing the killer through a kitchen. In my opinion, this is also the best role/performance of Peter Boyle's career: he plays the principal character Clyde Bruckman. Don't miss it! X-Files Season Three, Disk One, fourth item.