SYNOPSIS: In “Shook,” a new coming-of-age dramedy starring Saamer Usmani, and now playing in theatres, fledgling writer Ashish is almost crushed by the emotional weight of career rejection, a complicated romance and caring for an ill father.
CAST: Saamer Usmani, Bernard White, Amy Forsyth, Pamela Mala Sinha. Directed by Amar Wala.
REVIEW: “Shook” is a charming and often funny low-key look at mid-20s life, complete with romance, aging parents, career concerns and the anxiety of missing the last train home to the suburbs.
At its core “Shook” is an intimate story of everyday life for twenty-something Indian-Canadian writer Ashish (Saamer Usmani).
Struggling to find his voice as a writer post graduate school, he commutes from suburban Scarborough to a hip coffee shop in downtown Toronto where other writers sip lattes and bang away at their laptops.
As romance blossoms with the café’s barista Claire (Amy Forsyth), Ashish learns that his estranged father (Bernard White) has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.
Plagued by trust issues born from his father’s infidelity to his mother and his uncertainty of Claire’s motivations, Ash allows his cynical side to blossom, placing him at odds with his family and friends. “Everything in my life is uncertain now,” he tells Claire.
“Shook’s” story is firmly rooted in Scarborough and Ashish’s experience, but his dilemmas— work angst, caring for an ill parent and navigating romance—are universal. Despite some script inadequacies, director Amar Wala, who also wrote the movie, creates a relatable, sympathetic portrait of a guy who walks uneasily through the world.
Wala’s background as a documentary filmmaker manifests itself in the film’s palette of everyday life. The movie feels lived in, as if we’re stepping into Ashish’s life midstream.
Saamer Usmani deftly navigates Ashish’s complexities, and is ably supported by Sammy Azero, Faizan Khan, and Izad Etemadi as his ride or die pals. They bring a sense of humor and comradery to the story that makes Ashish’s rougher edges more palatable.
Stealing scenes, even if his story is underdeveloped, is Bernard White as Vijay, Ashish’s stubborn father. “Going to get drugs with my son,” he says as the pair go off to buy some medical marijuana, “every immigrant’s dream.”
“Shook” has some rough edges, but Wala’s ability to empathetically capture real life earns the film a recommend.
SYNOPSIS: In “The Pickup,” a new action comedy now streaming on Prime Video, Eddie Murphy and Pete Davidson play odd couple armored truck drivers drawn into a scheme by cunning thief Zoe (Keke Palmer). “You two are going to help me steal 60 million dollars from the casino,” she says.
CAST: Eddie Murphy, Keke Palmer, Pete Davidson, Eva Longoria, Ismael Cruz Cordova, Jack Kesy, Andrew Dice Clay, Marshawn Lynch. Directed by Tim Story.
REVIEW: Given the talent involved, the most surprising thing about “The Pickup” is how excruciatingly unsurprising it is. Not even its three, very appealing above-the-title stars can rescue this 1980s inspired tepid action comedy.
To be precise, it’s more action than comedy, although there is a golden “Neutron Bomb” needle drop.
Murphy, who can usually wring laughs out of even the most banal of material (I’m looking at you “Candy Cane Lane”) but here it’s as if he’s sleepwalking. He’s playing the older, seasoned armored truck driver to Davidson’s inexperienced wildcard—Murphy’s Russell has twenty-five years on the job whereas Davidson’s Travis only took a fifteen-hour on-line course—but while Murphy’s serious, deadpan delivery supplies the odd laugh, his usual charm is hidden under a bushel.
Davidson riffs on his public persona. Vulnerable but scrappy, he plays Travis as an underdog whose reach exceeds his grasp. He’s a gullible dreamer, a screw-up, and (conveniently) a math whiz who can do complex equations in his head. Davidson’s awkward charm goes a long way, but the character is more goofy than funny.
Palmer fares better, creating a baddie you actually root for.
By the time the end credits roll, “The Pickup” reveals itself to be less than the sum of its parts. All three leads are charismatic, and promise fireworks, but deliver a dud.
Fast reviews for busy people! Watch as I review three movies in less time than it takes to make the bed! Have a look as I race against the clock to tell you about the absurd gravitas of “The Naked Gun,” the body horror rom com “Together” and the stylish kid’s flick “The Bad Guys 2.”
On the Saturday August 2, 2025 edition of The Richard Crouse Show we’ll meet Jeff Stinco, lead guitar player for Montreal’s own Simple Plan. Known for their pop-punk sound, Simple Plan have enjoyed international success with hits like “I’m Just a Kid”, “Welcome to My Life”, and “Perfect”. They have six studio albums, two live albums, and have sold over 5.1 million albums in the United States alone. Today Jeff and I will talk about the band’s history and their new documentary “Simple Plan: The Kids In The Crowd” which offers an unprecedented look into the band’s journey from basement shows in Montreal to global stardom. There’s lots of never-before-seen archival footage, plus new interviews with band members and lots of music. You can watch “Simple Plan: The Kids In The Crowd” on Prime Video.
Then, we’ll meet Canadian television writer, producer, and showrunner David Shore. He’s known for creating the hit medical dramas “House M.D.” and “The Good Doctor,” which have won him a Humanitas Prize and a Peabody Award.
We’ll discuss his Canadian roots and how he ended up in Hollywood.
In October he’ll receive the lifetime achievement award at the Forest City Film Festival in his hometown of London ON.
Each week on the nationally syndicated Richard Crouse Show, Canada’s most recognized movie critic brings together some of the most interesting and opinionated people from the movies, television and music to put a fresh spin on news from the world of lifestyle and pop-culture. Tune into this show to hear in-depth interviews with actors and directors, to find out what’s going on behind the scenes of your favourite shows and movies and get a new take on current trends. Recent guests include Chris Pratt, Elvis Costello, Baz Luhrmann, Martin Freeman, David Cronenberg, Mayim Bialik, The Kids in the Hall and many more!
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I join CTV Atlantic anchor Todd Battis to talk about the absurd gravitas of “The Naked Gun,” the body horror rom com “Together” and the stylish kid’s flick “The Bad Guys 2.”
Deb Hutton is off, so I sit in with host Jim Richards on NewsTalk 1010 to go over some of the week’s biggest entertainment stories and let you know what’s happening in theatres. We talk about King Charles’ soldiers honoured Ozzy Osbourne with a musical tribute, “South Park’s” huge ratings, the new MuchMusic YouTube channel and the eye popping ticket price for the Grateful Dead’s 60th aniversary concert. Plus, I’ll do a quick review of “The Naked Gun.”
I joined CTV NewsChannel anchor Roger Peterson to have a look at new movies coming to theatres, including the stylish cartoon action of “The Bad Guys,” the absurd gravitas of “The Naked Gun”
I sit in on the CFRA Ottawa morning show with guest host Andrew Pinsent to talk about the new movies coming to theatres including the stylish cartoon action of “The Bad Guys,” the absurd gravitas of “The Naked Gun” and the body horror rom com “Together.”
SYNOPSIS: In “Shook,” a new coming-of-age dramedy starring Saamer Usmani, and now playing in theatres, fledgling writer Ashish is almost crushed by the emotional weight of career rejection, a complicated romance and caring for an ill father.
