I join “CTV News Toronto at Five” with guest anchor Sean Leathong to talk about the the biopic “Being Heumann,” the dark comedy “Wild Horse Nine” and the epic “Godzilla Miinus Zero.”
Watch the whole thing HERE! (Starts at 15:40)
I join CP24 Breakfast anchor Nick Dixon toi talk about the biopic “Being Heumann,” the dark comedy “Wild Horse Nine,” the historical Crave soap opera “The Gilded Age” and the Appple TV series “Knife Edge: Chasing Michelin Stars.”
Watch the whole thing HERE!
I sit in on the CFRA Ottawa morning show with host Bill Carroll to talk about the biopic “Being Heumann,” the dark comedy “Wild Horse Nine” and the epic “Godzilla Minus Zero.”
Listen to the whole thing HERE!
Fast reviews for busy people! Watch as I review three movies in less time than it takes to wind your watch. Have a look as I race against the clock to tell you about the biopic “Being Heumann,” the dark comedy “Wild Horse Nine” and the epic “Godzilla Minus Zero.”
Watch the whole thing HERE!
SYNOPSIS: “Being Heumann,” a new biopic now playing in theatres before moving to Apple TV on November 13, tells the undeniably important story of a disabled activist named Judy Heumann, and how she spearheaded the 1977 Section 504 sit-in, which resulted in the federal government of the United States giving more rights and privileges to disabled people.
CAST: Ruth Madeley, Mark Ruffalo, Dylan O’Brien, Rob Delaney, Ray Fisher. Directed by Sian Heder.
REVIEW: “Being Heumann” could have used a bit more grit and a little less made-for-television style, but the story is undeniably affecting.
Based on adaptation of Judy Heumann’s memoir “Being Heumann: An Unrepentant Memoir of a Disability Rights Activist,” the Sian Heder film tells the story of a women left paralyzed by polio at eighteen months, who devoted her life to civil rights for disabled people.
Instead of a cradle to grave look at Heumann’s (Ruth Madeley) eventful life Heder plants most of the action in 1977. Heumann initiated the nationwide Section 504 Sit-In, a cry for the government to implement disability protections which saw hundreds of people with disabilities occupied federal Department of Health, Education, and Welfare buildings across the United States. “We are not leaving this building until these regulations are signed,” she says.
It became the longest occupation of a federal building in U.S. history, ultimately resulting—after much back and forth—in the implementation of the Americans with Disabilities Act. “They’re not asking for a place on a bus,” says the United States Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare Joseph Califano (Mark Ruffalo), “they’re asking for a whole new bus!”
The portrait of Judy Heumann that emerges is one of a tenacious advocate, a blunt person who would not take no for an answer. “I’m not an asshole,” she says. “I’m just from Brooklyn.” Madeley plays her like a real person, not simply an inspirational avatar. Heumann’s work motivates those around her, but it is her take-charge attitude, tinged by both anger and humor that drives Madeley ‘s performance.
Like Madeley, who is an ambulatory wheelchair user, much of the cast are disabled actors. Their presence lends a stirring authenticity to the proceedings, emphasizing the urgency of Heumann’s push for inclusion, representation, and equality. “They see you in front of the stairs,” she said, “and they think that you’re the problem. The stairs are the problem!”
“Being Heumann” is Sian Heder’s crowd-pleasing follow-up to his movie “CODA.” Like that Oscar winner, “Being Heumann” is a story of empathy, resilience and community that engages the audience despite a formulaic presentation.
I join the CTV NewsChannel to have a look at the documentary “Melania,” the desert island drama of “Send Help” and the déjà vu of “Shelter.”
Watch the whole thing HERE!
I join the CTV NewsChanel to talk about the desert island drama of “Send Help,” the déjà vu of “Shelter” and the awesome animation of “ARCO.”
Watch the whole thing HERE!
Fast reviews for busy people! Watch as I review three movies in less time than it takes to make a smoothie! Have a look as I race against the clock to tell you about the desert island drama of “Send Help,” the déjà vu of “Shelter” and the awesome animation of “ARCO.”
Watch the whole thing HERE!
SYNOPSIS: In “Send Help,” the new survival thriller starring Rachel McAdams and Dylan O’Brien now playing in theatres, the power dynamic changes between a mousy office worker and her arrogant boss when they are stranded on a deserted island in a desperate fight for survival.
CAST: Rachel McAdams, Dylan O’Brien, Edyll Ismail, Dennis Haysbert, Xavier Samuel, Chris Pang, Thaneth Warakulnukroh, Emma Raimi. Directed by Sam Raimi.
REVIEW: “Send Help” has a jump scare or two, gallons of blood and some grisly moments but this isn’t Sam Raimi in full-on horror mode à la “Drag Me to Hell.” Instead, it’s kind of like a viciously humorous mash-up of “Survivor,” “Gilligan’s Island” and season four of “The Apprentice” with a side of “Misery.”
Rachel McAdams plays Linda Liddle, a genius with numbers, but socially awkward office worker in the Strategy & Planning department of a large company. After seven years of keeping her head down and doing the work, she is passed up for a promised promotion when the owner of the company dies, and his arrogant son Bradley (Dylan O’Brien) is put in charge. “I need someone who can charm a room, who can make a deal, somebody who golfs,” he sneers. “Does that make sense?”
When the company jet goes down during a work trip to Thailand, Linda and Bradley wash up on the shore of a deserted island, the lone survivors of the crash. As she uses lessons learned by watching the reality show “Survivor” to nurse him back to health, he takes every opportunity to remind her who’s boss. “Watch how you speak to me. You work for me. You got a problem with that?”
But when it becomes apparent the teachings of the boardroom don’t apply to life on a desert island, the power dynamic changes. “We’re not in the office anymore Bradley,” she says. “OK?”
“Send Help” is a nasty piece of work. In a good way. Director Raimi, working from a script by Damian Shannon and Mark Swift, sets up a study in control dynamics that allows for maximum meanness and brutal betrayal all covered with a lush layer of uncomfortable laughs.
Essentially a two hander, the real success of the film relies on its leads.
As the gauche Linda, McAdams leaves behind the glamour of many of her most famous roles to embrace the character’s awkwardness and rage. The island situation offers Linda a sense of control she’s never experiences before and she is willing to go to extremes to maintain it. It’s a wacky, violent and unpredictable performance that allows McAdams to use the full arsenal of her talent. Behind the million dollar smile she’s funny, feral and furious, and it’s a blast to see her do something we’ve never seen her do before.
As toxic manchild Bradley, O’Brien isn’t as flashy as McAdams but manages several memorable moments. His chewing of food alone—which ranks on par with Denis Quaid’s mastication work in “The Substance”—could have earned this movie an R-rating for its unpleasantness. Misophoniacs beware.
“Send Help” is a twisted crowd-pleaser powered by frustration, empowerment and fun lead performances.
