Richard and CTV NewsChannel anchor Andrea Bain discuss “James Vs His Future Self,” the Disneynature docs “Dolphin Reef” and “Elephant” and the drama “Never Rarely Sometimes Always.”
Watch the whole thing HERE!
Richard sits in on the CFRA Ottawa morning show with host Bill Carroll to talk the new movies coming to VOD and streaming services including “James Vs His Future Self,” the Disneynature docs “Dolphin Reef” and “Elephant” and the drama “Never Rarely Sometimes Always.”
Listen to thew whole thing HERE!
Richard sits in on the CJAD Montreal morning show with host Andrew Carter to talk about the weekend’s VOD and streaming releases including the time travel romance “James Vs His Future Self,” the Disneynature docs “Dolphin Reef” and “Elephant” and the drama “Never Rarely Sometimes Always.”
Listen to thew whole thing HERE!
In the early moments of “James Vs His Future Self, a metaphysical rom com starring Jonas Chernick, a character named Dr. Rowley (Frances Conroy) encapsulates the film’s premise. “A tiny change today brings a dramatic difference tomorrow.”
The story of changing your worst nature before it’s too late begins with physicist James Dolensky (Chernick) obsessed with his work. The only thing he gives a second thought to, other than his work, is his wannabe love-interest, scientist Courtney (Cleopatra Coleman). “Science is what I’m meant to do,” James says. Trouble is, Courtney is considering taking a job at CERN in Switzerland and if James doesn’t do or say something soon he may never see her again.
That’s when things get trippy. Enter a taller, larger version of James—“Time ravel does things to you.”—played by Daniel Stern. “I am also James Dolensky because I am you,” he says, “from the future. Not me, you. WE are from the future.” Current James is all in working toward presenting his ideas at a conference while Future James sees the whole picture from the perspective of a life lived. “You do not want this life,” he says. “You don’t have a clue. There is a reason I came back now. I’m still sort of a good guy when I’m you. You take that position and that is doomsday. Your ego, your self-righteousness is going to smother all the other parts of your life. Life. Love. Joy. Family. I came back to stop you from making that mistake, one way or the other.”
Despite the time travel angle the film’s message is pretty clear. Wherever—or maybe in this case, whenever—you are, be all there. Chernick and co-writer Jeremy LaLonde (who also directed) mix it up with scientific jargon about the uncertainty principle and Schrödinger’s cat, but at its heart “James Vs His Future Self” is a story about chemistry, not in a lab but between people.
“James Vs His Future Self” doesn’t get messed up in the details of time travel. Wisely choosing to concentrate on the characters and the love story it allows the fully formed and interesting characters to do what they do without getting bogged down by the scientific wonkery. Chernick brings brains and nerdy vulnerability to Current James. Coleman transcends being simply a love interest to create the character who really drives the action but it is Stern who makes the biggest impact.
In his biggest role in years Stern brings it. Future James is a piece of work, a man who knows how high the stakes are and who will do almost anything to put Current James on the right track. It’s a wonderfully unhinged performance that gives the movie some real spark.
“James Vs His Future Self” takes a rom com premise and infuses it with just enough invention and charm to create a timeless romance.
I have a few people to thank today! Firstly, Sunday night I hosted the Facebook Fishbowl Lounge at the Canadian Screen Awards red carpet. Really fun. Thanks to Marc Dinsdale for shooting and posting everything we did and thanks to everyone who stopped bvy the booth to answer questions from my Facebook Random Question Generator. It was a fun way to get things started last night.
Then I moved on to host the Press Room. We had great guests down there and I’d like to offer thanks to everyone who asked questions.
My biggest thanks of the night goes to Touchwood PR–Alma P, Andrea Grau Clunie,Juli Strader, Laila Jennifer Rashwan, Susan Smythe-Bishop, Julia Caslin and the entire gang over there. It was a long night but with organization, good humour and efficiency they made the night run without a hitch.
One night, two events. Richard hosted two events on Thursday April 9: the POV 3rd Street Gala and “King John” Q&A.
ABOUT POV 3rd STREET: Established in 2007 by members of the film, TV, and commercial production industries who were interested in increasing access to employment in their community and broadening its diversity. We are dedicated to assisting at risk young adults (18-25) gain the skills and experience needed to secure jobs and have long-term careers in the media industry. We run four programs: The Media Training Program, The 3rd Street (Critical Thinking) Program), The Job Placement Program, and the Alumni Support Program. Learn more HERE! Telling their stories at the POV 3Rd Street Gala were directors Sudz Sutherland, Jennifer Holness, Warren P. Sonoda and actors Zoie Palmer, Ennis Esmer, Tara Spencer Nairn, Katie Boland and Natalie Brown.
ABOUT KING JOHN: When the rule of a hedonistic and mercurial king is questioned, rebellion, assassination and excommunication ensue, culminating in a chilling attempt to commit an atrocity against a child, whose mother’s anguished grief cannot atone for her blinkered ambitions for her son.
Don’t miss this rare opportunity to see Shakespeare’s King John, in a magnificent production by the renowned Stratford Festival, North America’s leading classical theatre company, whose HD production of King Lear, directed by Artistic Director Antoni Cimolino and starring Colm Feore, opened to rave reviews last month.
With commanding performances by Tom McCamus, Seana McKenna, Graham Abbey and Patricia Collins, King John was directed by Tim Carroll, whose recent Shakespeare productions of Richard III and Twelfth Night were the toast of Broadway.
Filmed in spectacular HD under the direction of Barry Avrich, King John will be in cinemas across Canada on Thursday, April 9, and throughout the U.S.on Wednesday, April 8. The Canadian encore screening is on April 12. U.S. encore dates vary. For more information click HERE! Richard hosted a Q&A with director and Tony nominee Tim Carroll, Stratford Festival artistic director Antoni Cimolino, actor Tom McCamus and film director Barry Avrich.
CP24 film critic Richard Crouse sits down with Nathan Downer to look at some of the new movies out this week, including “Wild,” “Serena” and “Corner Gas: the Movie.”
Watch the whole thing HERE!
“Canada AM” film critic Richard Crouse reviews “Wild,” “Serena” and “Corner Gas: the Movie.”
Watch the whole thing HERE!
“How long has it been since anything exciting happened around her?” asks Hank Yarbo (Fred Ewanuick) at the beginning of the big screen reboot of the one of the most successful Canada sitcom ever.
Seconds later some exciting, and unexpected stuff happens but not to worry, it doesn’t take long before “Corner Gas: The Movie” is back to doing what the television show so reliably delivered for the six seasons it was on the small screen—dishing up homespun, gentle small town humour. Not exactly exciting, but reliable.
Life is pretty much the same in Dog River, Saskatchewan as it has always been, but there is change around the corner. The town is almost bankrupt, with no money to pay the municipal power bill or fix the community water system. After a town meeting where the mayor Fitzy Fitzgerald (Cavan Cunningham) suggests scratching lottery tickets to raise the money to save the town, people leap into action. Hank looks for get rich schemes, Wanda (Nancy Robertson) opens a casino in Sergeant Davis Quinton’s (Lorne Cardinal) man cave while Brent (Brent Butt) invests in the town and buys the local bar. Others contemplate leaving until local café owner Lacey (Gabrielle Miller) comes up with an idea to “quaintify” the town and enter the National Star’s Quaintest Town in Canada contest. The large cash prize could get the town out of hock and maybe life can get back to normal. Or at least as normal as it ever gets in Dog River.
“Corner Gas: The Movie” feels like an old comfortable shoe. The jokes are well worn in and there’s no fear of rubbing or chafing of any sort. There’s loads of slapstick and sarcasm delivered by an ensemble cast who spent six years honing their chemistry.
Cutting edge it’s not, but there is something to be said for a comedy that focuses on Canadianisms like charging 5¢ for a plastic shopping bag. It’s a warm hug from the Prairies and a thank you to the fans that stood by the show.
