Secret Movie Club: Movie #1

I have been really excited to see which movies would be included in TIFF's Secret Movie Club and it has finally arrived!

This event is typically held in person in Toronto so I have never had a chance to participate until it went virtual this year. It seems to be a seamless transition because they already had a digital component to their offerings that expanded with their festival this year due to the pandemic.  

The first selection is I'm Your Woman. A movie about a woman named Jean who has to go on the run when her husband shows up, hands her a random baby, and promptly disappears. It turns out he has betrayed his crime partners and they are not pleased that they can't find him.

Rachel Brosnahan gives a solid performance as a woman who kind of knows about the shady business her husband gets up to without really knowing the full extent of it. As the story progresses she realizes how much she doesn't know and how unprepared for any of this she was. Her role could have easily been overacted but she manages to keep it reigned in and believable.

She is surrounded by equally solid actors for the supporting cast. Of special note are both Marsha Stephanie Blake as Teri and Arinze Kene as Cal. The relationship dynamics between Jean and both of these characters stood out to me. Cal plays the man who shows up to usher Jean out of her house and into this whirlwind she finds herself in. They have an ease and a chemistry that while not romantic is still palpable. Teri and Jean also have an interesting bond as two women who find themselves with quite a few things in common. They are never pitted against each other even though that is typically what would happen in a movie like this which I found refreshing.

If you are someone who needs every loose end tied up and every question answered this movie may not be the one for you. Many plot elements, especially when it comes to the actions of Jean's husband, are left unresolved and unknown. It feels more realistic that way to me. Of course she doesn't find out certain things because she logically couldn't based on the plot of the story. You may want to know where that random baby came from but you won't necessarily get to.

It is a familiar but engaging crime drama that introduced me to Rachel Brosnahan as an actress worthy of keeping an eye on. I had not seen her in anything before this and was pleasantly surprised by her.

You can check out I'm Your Woman for yourself on Amazon Prime Video on December 11th. 

My next secret movie releases on the December 18th weekend. I am hoping it is Promising Young Woman. 

#2020PopCultureResolution - Gaslight

Gaslight

Director: George Cukor

Length:  114 minutes

Cast: Charles Boyer, Ingrid Bergman, Angela Lansbury

Release Date:  May 11, 1944

Synopsis: After the death of her famous opera-singing aunt, Paula (Ingrid Bergman) is sent to study in Italy to become a great opera singer as well. While there, she falls in love with the charming Gregory Anton (Charles Boyer). The two return to London, and Paula begins to notice strange goings-on: missing pictures, strange footsteps in the night and gaslights that dim without being touched. As she fights to retain her sanity, her new husband's intentions come into question.

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Gaslight: to manipulate (someone) by psychological means into questioning their own sanity.

While many of us are familiar with the term gaslighting we may not be as familiar with its origins. The phrase originated thanks to the 1938 play Gas Light, of which Gaslight is an adaptation of, and its use of gas lights in tormenting its lead character. 

I picked Gaslight for October's movie because I figured it would fit the spooky season. It does in a way but is much more of a psychological thriller.

I could easily see this being a Hitchcock film. It has many of the same markers of a Hitchcock film along with a similar tone to some of his movies. It certainly has the suspense one associates with his movies.

The tone and atmosphere is owed to its pacing. Paula's confusion and doubt is gradual. It makes the situation a little more believable as a result. Her certainty in herself is chipped away a little at a time making her descent all the more heartbreaking.

Ingrid Bergman is captivating as Paula. She never overdoes her acting which would be easy to do with a role like this. She keeps it restrained but still manages to seem like someone coming unhinged. It is the perfect balance needed for this character.

Charles Boyer is chilling as Gregory. He plays it perfectly and while the plot is predictable it is made by these performances. Angela Lansbury was a welcome surprise and a delight in her role as Nancy.

The movie was infuriating at times because we are familiar with gaslighting and how it works. I wanted to scream at my television so many times while watching. I concede however that this probably would have been more revolutionary at the time the play was released. It is a mirror for those who cannot see they are being gaslit when it is happening. 

Overall a strong psychological thriller that I would recommend to any lovers of classic film that may not have seen it.  It is certainly essential viewing for those who enjoy Ingrid Bergman performances. 

Weekly Obsessions

The awesome Kelly at KellyVision started posting a weekly post highlighting whatever she happened to be obsessed with that week. I LOVE this idea, so much in fact that I will be doing it myself every weekend.

Another small post this week, but as movies slowly make their way back into theatres we should start seeing more trailers.

I am also anticipating cover reveals for books being released in winter 2021 very soon as well.

TV/MOVIES

The Devil All The Time Trailer

This trailer will certainly not appeal to everyone but I think it is worth watching for that cast alone.

Most of the cast is British or Australian so I am impressed with the level of accent work being done here. I like that Tom Holland is taking on a role that is so very different from what we have seen him in. 

This also has a lot of Marvel movie connections and that is not even taking into account that Sebastian Stan's role was originally supposed to be played by Chris Evans who had to back out due to scheduling conflicts and suggested Sebastian for the role. 

The Devil All The Time Poster

The marketing team for Netflix released the poster for The Devil All The Time at the same time as the trailer. I love how simple it is while still being very eye catching.

Seeing it broken down like this really makes you realize how stacked this cast really is. I am fairly certain it is going to have people interested just for that alone. I am keeping my fingers crossed that it also happens to be good.

 

What are you obsessed with this week? Let me know in the comments.

A Glass Of Wine At The Movies - Once Upon A Time In Hollywood

Once Upon A Time In Hollywood

Rating: R (USA)/ 14A (Canada)

Director: Quentin Tarantino

Language: English

Length:  159 minutes

Cast: Brad Pitt, Leonardo DiCaprio, Margot Robbie

Viewing Method: Regular Screening

Release Date: July 26, 2019

Synopsis: Quentin Tarantino's ninth feature film is a story that takes place in Los Angeles in 1969, at the height of hippy Hollywood. The two lead characters are Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCaprio), former star of a western TV series, and his longtime stunt double Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt). Both are struggling to make it in a Hollywood they don't recognize anymore. But Rick has a very famous next-door neighbor...Sharon Tate.

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My interest in Once Upon A Time In Hollywood should really surprise nobody. It connects my love of Hollywood with my fascination with true crime. There were many things that led to the end of the 1960's era of peace, free love, and flower power and the Manson murders are definitely on that list. Tarantino's latest uses a Hollywood on the cusp of change as its backdrop and delivers a standard Tarntino movie in the process.

The performances of both Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio are the stand out in the film. Brad, as Cliff Booth, is all effortless cool and charm circa Brad in Thelma and Louise. He reminds you why he is a bonafide movie star. It is a fun, enjoyable to watch performance that has a Best Supporting Actor nomination written all over it.

DiCaprio's Rick Dalton is just as strong with DiCaprio giving a more vulnerable performance than I have seen from him in a while. Dalton is an actor looking at the brightest moments of their career being behind them and DiCaprio taps into the razor's edge the character is on emotion wise perfectly. We see Dalton's insecurities reflected in one of my favourite Sharon Tate moments. We see Robbie's Tate's watching one of her movies with a crowd of people in theatre. The delight that registers as people react positively to her performance is a moment that lingers. It hammers home that both of these actors are worried about their appeal to audiences and how they are perceived.

The chemistry between Cliff and Rick is a testament to how well Pitt and DiCaprio play off one another. I would easily watch these two together in another movie. It wasn't a pairing that immediately came to mind when thinking of who I would like to see together on screen but they work extremely well together as these characters.

I, like many who are interested in true crime, have experienced the Manson murders told in many different formats and from just as many perspectives. Tarantino's version is the first in which I feel that I actually got to know Sharon Tate. It is certainly the first that focuses on her life rather than her horrific death. Margot Robbie is criminally underused but the movie makes you love her Sharon. She's incandescent and filled with joy. She is a sweet, luminous presence that takes back some of her narrative. Charles Manson is a footnote in this movie, barely worth a mention. This is Tarantino saying that Manson doesn't get to be the focus. It is Sharon's turn (and Jay's, and Abigail's and etc) to be the focus. This is, perhaps, the most refreshing aspect of this story. We got to see Sharon just living her life, blissfully happy, and I cannot express how much that matters.

This movie is filled with a bunch of actors playing small parts and many of them stood out for various reasons. Dakota Fanning is terrifying as Squeaky Fromme. Margret Qualley offers a memorable performance as Pussycat. Austin Butler made me really excited to see what else he can do after his role as Tex Watson. These are just some of the few memorable 'cameos' from the movie. One of my favourite parts of a Tarantino movie is seeing all of the big names that pop up in small roles and this one definitely doesn't disappoint. It is even, dare I say, more embraced because of the nature of the story being told.

There will be much discussion about the violence in this movie, specifically the ending, and how it relates to the rest of the movie. It certainly made me think about the violence we consume and the whos and whys behind how we feel about it and when we deem it acceptable versus reprehensible. A lot of it comes down to who is committing the violence and against whom the violence is being committed and that feels really apparent here.

The next section is going to be within spoiler tags. It relates to my point about violence, but gives away the ending. Read at your own risk.

There is a scene in which Cliff is shown to have maybe (probably) killed his wife on a boat trip. The scene is left ambiguous and it is never brought up again. The answer to this question, for me, could shift the lens you view the rest of the movie and violence through in sharp ways.

This scene also reminded me of another real life Hollywood mystery - the death of Natalie Wood. The mysterious death of a woman on a boat with her husband. I am not sure if Tarantino had this in mind when he directed that scene but the comparison jumped out to me immediately.

Lastly, we have the alternative history where Cliff and Rick end up the targets of the Manson Family and kill them, in an extremely violent fashion, rather than being killed themselves. This means that there is a lot of violence mostly against women which ties into the complicated issue of violence I mentioned above. This, also however, means that Sharon (and the rest) are alive at the end. The final scene is one that was strangely therapeutic for me. The camera pans away from Rick walking up the infamous Cielo Drive driveway with Sharon and Jay to slowly reveal the rest of Hollywood. It leaves you on a wistful 'what if' moment that also hammers home the entire point of the title. This is Tarantino's Hollywood fable. It is his love letter to a time he clearly has immense affection for. This story could only be one that starts with 'once upon a time' because we all know the cruel reality of what happened.

There are, naturally, a few issues I had with the movie, some of which I have already discussed such as the treatment of its female characters. Plenty of people more eloquent than than I have discussed the Bruce Lee portrayal and the problems within it. Mike Moh, the actor who portrayed him certainly did the best with what he was given. I much preferred the second, quieter, scene where he is seen training Sharon Tate some stunt fighting for one of her roles to the problematic first.

Ultimately this is a movie that will leave you with a lot to talk about and will not be for everyone. This is a very Tarantino movie, even if I do think it is his most accessible, and that either appeals to you or it doesn't.

A Glass Of Wine At The Movies - Yesterday

Yesterday

Rating: PG-13

Director: Danny Boyle

Language: English

Length:  112 minutes

Cast: Himesh Patel, Lily James, Kate McKinnon

Viewing Method: Advance Screening

Release Date: June 28, 2019

Synopsis: Jack Malik (Himesh Patel, BBC's Eastenders) is a struggling singer-songwriter in a tiny English seaside town whose dreams of fame are rapidly fading, despite the fierce devotion and support of his childhood best friend, Ellie (Lily James, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again). Then, after a freak bus accident during a mysterious global blackout, Jack wakes up to discover that The Beatles have never existed... and he finds himself with a very complicated problem, indeed.

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What if The Beatles never existed? That is, sort of, the question Yesterday tries to grapple with. It's, however, really more of a high concept rom-com. There are, obviously, some sci-fi elements in the story but its heart is the love story we see unfold. The sci-fi elements and the romance elements don't always work together. It feels, at times, like two different movies that have been pieced together but the pieces don't quite fit.

Himesh Patel is entirely charming as Jack, a struggling musician who just so happens to remember the Beatles when it appears nobody else can remember them. He is a large part of why this movie worked for me. He makes Jack really endearing and you believe him as someone who would stumble into this kind of success. Lily James is sweet as his best friend/manger, Ellie, who also happens to be in love with him. She isn't give all that much to do. It's your standard love interest role but Lily makes the most of what she is given. The romance between Jack and Ellie is pleasant enough. We get a sense of the history between the two characters, but that's really about it.

Guilt is a strong theme of the movie. The guilt Jack feels from his success having come at the hands of songs he did not write himself. This drives the later part of the movie which feels like such a contrast to its more fun first half. Each interaction Jack has as he becomes increasingly famous is an exercise in guilt. He feels unworthy and that spirals into every other aspect of his life.

One would assume that this is a love letter to the music of The Beatles. I did not feel this as strongly as other people may have. Jack has to piece together the songs because he often  can't quite remember them. He certainly isn't a die hard fan who memorized all of their lyrics. You can tell he appreciated their talent as a musician himself but I never got that they were a big influence on the character. The movie makes the case that the world is better off for having their music in it, but the world shown to us is really not that different from the world we know with The Beatles in it. It uses their music effectively, but I didn't feel the movie made its case.

The movie never really examines the ripple effect of The Beatles not existing would have on the music world. There are plenty of things that they and their music inspired and the removal of that influence would impact the music we have today. It also never attempts to explain what the cause of this world wide memory loss is. The audience can guess at a vague answer, but is would just be assumptions. There is a moment where the movie grapples with one such ripple effect and I anticipate it is going to be polarizing to audiences. It is certainly an interesting 'what if' to ponder but is never really used for anything more than progressing Jack's story arc and perhaps easing his conscience.

Yesterday, to me, was a case of an interesting premise not being executed to its full potential. It will play as a decent rainy day movie that you catch on Netflix and I anticipate many will enjoy it as exactly that kind of movie. It's fine in the way most movies like this are. You'll watch it, enjoy it enough, and just as quickly forget about it. You will, however, certainly remember the music.

A Glass Of Wine At The Movies - Rocketman

Rocketman

Rating: 14 A (Canada)/ R (USA)

Director: Dexter Fletcher

Language: English

Length:  121 minutes

Cast: Taron Egerton, Richard Madden, Jamie Bell,

Viewing Method: Advance Screening

Release Date: May 31, 2019

Synopsis: An epic musical fantasy about the uncensored human story of Sir Elton John’s breakthrough years.

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I went into Rocketman not knowing much about Elton John's life. I was vaguely familiar with some of his music in the way that listening to the radio would make you, but never would have considered myself a fan. I left the movie theater with a greater appreciation for not only Taron Egerton as a actor but Elton John as a performer. It is a story of the rise and fall (and triumphant return) of a rock star. It is the story of a young boy who wanted to be loved and the man who finally had to learn that he deserved to be. 

Dexter Fletcher stepped in to finish directing Bohemian Rhapsody when Bryan Singer was fired from the project during production. It is only natural that comparisons are going to be made between the two films. I, personally, think that Rocketman is more truthful and respectful to its subject. There is also a fantasy, dream like element to the way this is shot that firmly sets this into its own category. 

Taron Egerton gives what I consider a career changing performance. It is certainly one that I expect will get him his first Oscar nomination. It showcases a wider range that people may be used to seeing from the actor The loneliness and longing that defined the early part of Elton John's life radiates from Taron in a visceral way. He captures the excruciating lows and over the top highs with equal precision. He portrays the charm, the grandiose swagger just as effortlessly as he portrays the more introspective parts of Elton's personality. You are never quite sure how much of 'Elton John' is a defensive mechanism for Reginald Dwight and that comes through Egerton's performance with crystal clarify. He also proves himself to be quite the singer with him pulling off many of Elton's greatest hits.

The movie doesn't hold back in showing both the thrilling highs and bottle induced lows of John's stardom. It embraces the addiction, rage filled episodes, and suicide attempt as part of the story of Elton's life. Egerton conveys the switch from depressed, self loathing man to glittery showman with nothing more than a look passing over his face. There is a scene in which a haggard John is about to go on stage. We know he is at a low point and yet he has to be 'on' and put on a show. Egerton nails that split second switch as he walks on stage to where the public can see him. The movie if filled with these quieter, more subtle moments that make up the performance Egerton is giving. 

The side characters are equally well cast even if they are, at times, not given much to work with. This is John's story and that fact is evident in the broad paint strokes everyone else gets.. Richard Madden tears into his role of John Reid, Elton's manager (and lover) with deliciously sleazy charm. He is an asshole but you understand why Elton would have fallen  for him (and stayed with him way longer than he should have). Jamie Bell stand out as Bernie Taupin, Elton's supportive writing partner and long time friend. Dallas Bryce Howard plays his distant and cold mother with icy realism. 

This really is a love letter to Elton's music. The movies ensures to include plenty of musical moments and does so in a whimsical, fantastical way that matches the feelings you associate with Elton John. They work them into the narrative, with the musical numbers pushing forward the plot. It is these numbers that push against the standard biopic feel the rest of the movie has and offers a peek at a much more flamboyant spectacle that I expect was underneath. It also means that the songs are not in order. The story itself is chronological, but the music is taken and slotted where it fits the narrative best. It makes this feel more like a true musical which is entirely fitting for the story of a man who has written Broadway songs.

Rocketman is your standard biopic that mixes in the showmanship that its subject is know for. It is meant for those who love his music. If you're someone who turns the station if an Elton John song comes on the radio I anticipate that sitting through 2+ hours of them isn't going to be something you want to do. However, I do think those who are not hardcore fans will enjoy the stellar lead performance, and the colour spectacle this movie offers.

A Glass Of Wine At The Movies - First Man

First Man

Rating: PG (Canada) / PG-13 (USA)

Director: Damien Chazelle

Language: English

Length:  138 minutes

Cast: Ryan Gosling, Claire Foy, Corey Stoll

Viewing Method: Regular Screening

Release Date: October 12, 2018

Synopsis: The story of NASA's mission to land a man on the moon, focusing on Neil Armstrong and the years 1961-1969. A visceral, first-person account, based on the book by James R. Hansen, the movie explores the sacrifices and the cost -- on Armstrong and on the nation -- of one of the most dangerous missions in history.

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Those expecting First Man to be a thrilling look at the race to be the first to get a man on the moon will most likely end up disappointed. First Man, instead, offers up a more quiet, contemplative character study of the man who would be the one to take those historic first steps.

Ryan Gosling's Neil Armstrong is a stoic man whose type of masculinity meant being unable to show emotion. His Neil is not, however, uncaring or unfeeling. He in fact feels a great deal. He is just more comfortable internalizing it and only allow displays in more private situation. This characterization suits Gosling's talents and feels like a natural fit. It makes the viewer lean in a little to decipher who exactly this man was. It's exactly the type of performance you would expect from Gosling and that should indicate if it'll be something you enjoy or not.

This movie is at its best when it is focusing on Neil Armstrong and who he was as a person. It shines when it lets itself be a character study. There are moments when the movie veers off this path and attempts to explore the larger question of whether this space exploration program was worth the cost, both in financial terms and in lives lost during the process. The movie never really manages to answer this question. It feels like a deliberate choice done to allow the viewer to make their own decision but it never really goes deep enough for that to be possible.

The final shots of the movie where Neil finally takes those first steps onto the moon are stunning to look at. Every from the cinematography to the directing choices and colour palates work to create a truly breathtaking spectacle. It also offers the most stunning example of sound and its use in movies that I can recall in a long time. Getting to space is noisy. This movie is filled with loud, noisy moments that all lead up to the eventual silence that is felt during these final moments. The lack of sound is so pronounced that it is just as jarring as the more violent symphonies that came before it. It's a remarkably done moment and one that I am excited to experience again.

This movie also does an incredible job with making space exploration feel difficult and dangerous. It feels like something earned, and at times like something we are not supposed to experience. The unknowable vastness of it is shown to be both breathtaking and fear inducing. The reality of traveling into space is not something this movie takes lightly and therefore neither does the audience.

The movies most emotionally resonate moments come from the family bonds that are effectively woven into the story. Neil and his relationship with his children provide the two strongest emotional beats in the movie. The strain on Neil's family, and himself, is clearly evident at numerous times during the movie. Claire Foy does an excellent job at playing someone trying to keep their home life together while worrying that her husband may not come back from his job. Her performance lets you see the toll that takes on not just her, but the kids. The cost of this mission isn't just a financial one and it is one more piece to weigh in the decision of worthiness.

The second man to walk on the moon, because this is such a singular character study, is delegated to a background character. Buzz Aldrin was a much more boisterous, outgoing man when compared to Neil and that fact is showcased here. Their character traits are so expertly woven in that even the way they walk on the moon is indicative of who they are as men. It is this attention to details about both the setting and character that manage to set this movie apart.

I would be remiss to not mention the style used to film this movie. It has a grainy sort of old time feel that matches the period this is set in perfectly. It's a clear image that manages to capture that classic feel at the same time. It fits the story perfectly and makes the incredible moon sequence feel all the more vibrant.

First Man is a solid movie that offers up breathtaking shots, an insightful character study, and a history lesson all in one. It's focus on the man, and not solely on the mission, make this a more grounded look at space exploration and the humble man who is now such a large part of American history.

A Glass Of Wine At The Movies - A Star Is Born

A Star Is Born

Rating: 14A (Canada) / R (USA)

Director: Bradley Cooper

Language: English

Length:  137 minutes

Cast: Bradley Cooper, Lady Gaga, Sam Elliott

Viewing Method: Regular Screening

Release Date: October 5, 2018

Synopsis: Seasoned musician Jackson Maine (Bradley Cooper) discovers -- and falls in love with -- struggling artist Ally (Lady Gaga). She has just about given up on her dream to make it big as a singer until Jackson coaxes her into the spotlight. But even as Ally's career takes off, the personal side of their relationship is breaking down, as Jackson fights an ongoing battle with his own internal demons.

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The 2018 version of A Star Is Born is the fourth time this story is being told. It's familiar ground to many. There was even some question as to whether there could be anything unique to offer in such a well trodden story. This adaptation of the rise and fall of stardom not only offered up a unique perspective but proved the timelessness of the story.

The directing of this movie announces Cooper as a real talent. It is hard to believe that its his debut because the movie showcases a director with a good eye and the ability to pull out the emotional vulnerability that is needed from the actors. You can, at times, sense the youthfulness and excitement of a first time director, but one who has been attentive to his craft.

Bradley Cooper has directed himself to a career best performance. His Jackson Maine is an Eddie Vedder-esque musician who is an alcoholic with a gravely voice, swagger to spare, and an immense amount of charm. It's not just an emotional but physical transformation that happens here. His quiet drawl and speech that comes out as little more than a mumble are character choices that work to display Cooper's range. It's Cooper's movie in many ways. The character of Jackson has the focus that is not typical of the male role in the previous adaptations. The added elements to Jackson's character, complete with a more sympathetic approach, ensure Cooper's acting talent is on full display. His portrayal of someone struggling with addiction not only feels deeply authentic but entrenched in who the character is. Cooper nails each stumble Jackson takes. He makes your heart break with every choice he makes. He's so mesmerizing in this that, for me, he easily outshines everyone else. The Academy can go ahead and just give him the Oscar already in my opinion.

Lady Gaga's singing voice was never going to be in question. Her musical chops have been proven many times over. Her acting talent was a little more of a mystery. Her turn as the Countess in American Horror Story was impressive, but still very on brand for the singer. Ally is an entirely different type of character for her to embody and she does so incredibly well. The beginning of the movie starts a little rocky but she quickly grows comfortable and offers a performance that will put her on the map as a legitimate actress. Gaga's Ally works because Gaga was able to tap into something inside herself that allowed the more unsure, timid side of the character to come out. She allowed herself to be vulnerable and there is something commendable in that.

This is a love story and therefore chemistry is incredibly important. Cooper and Gaga have it in spades. You believe in Ally and Jack's love story because it seems impossible that they wouldn't fall in love. There are moments, like when Ally is creating 'Shallow' and she sings the lyrics 'I'm falling' and you can read on her face that she is. That emotional connection makes the inevitable ending sting all the more and makes their romance all the sweeter.

The soundtrack is, as expected, stellar. I had goosebumps multiple times during the movie. The first time Jack and Ally perform 'Shallow' together is electric. You feel the elation and energy Ally must be feeling. You feel the joy Jackson has at performing with Ally. You quite literally feel Ally take those first steps to becoming a star. You feel them fall in love. It's easily one of my favourite movie musical moments. I was also caught off guard by 'Always Remember Us This Way'. It's an emotional, beautiful ballad that Lady Gaga soars on. The final closing song is the tearjerker moment that it needs to be and another big ballad that I predict will resonate with a lot of people.

Another thing this movie does incredibly well is contrast the highs and lows of stardom. The rush of performing in front of thousands is present along with the darker moments when the performer is off the stage. The character of Jackson is the embodiment of this. The character's need to fill that void is palpable. It also makes his fall all the more brutal.

This movie justifies it being the fourth remake of this story because the people making it found a new and interesting way to tell a well worn story. There is something both nostalgic and fresh about Jack and Ally's love story. It's an emotional ride that offers more than just a heartbreaking love story. I find it hard to imagine anything will top this in terms of being my favourite movie of the year.

Weekly Obsessions

The awesome Kelly at KellyVision started posting a weekly post highlighting whatever she happened to be obsessed with that week. I LOVE this idea, so much in fact that I will be doing it myself every Saturday.

TV/MOVIES

To All The Boys I Loved Before Movie Release Date

Jenny Han announced on her Twitter account that the Netflix movie for To All The Boys I've Loved Before has a release date. We'll be able to watch the adorableness while eating cookies on August 17th. It's a perfect movie for the summer and also seems a great fit for the streaming platform. I am so excited to watch it!

OTHER 

My Favorite Murder Fan Cult

I am, as most of you know, a huge fan of the My Favorite Murder podcast. They recently announced a 'fan cult' that you can sign up for. It includes all of the goodies mentioned below:

You can sign up by visiting their website. I have already joined the cult (and I am not calling my dad) and cannot wait to get my t-shirt and pin! I am currently looking into maybe going to the New York stop on their fall tour.

What are you obsessed with this week? Let me know in the comments.

A Glass Of Wine At The Movies - I, Tonya

I, Tonya

Rating: 14A

Director: Craig Gillespie

Language: English

Length:  121 minutes

Cast: Margot Robbie, Sebastian Stan, Allison Janney

Viewing Method: Regular Theatre Screening

Synopsis: Based on the unbelievable but true events, I, TONYA is a darkly comedic tale of American figure skater, Tonya Harding, and one of the most sensational scandals in sports history. Though Harding was the first American woman to complete a triple axel in competition, her legacy was forever defined by her association with an infamous, ill-conceived, and even more poorly executed attack on fellow Olympic competitor Nancy Kerrigan. Featuring an iconic turn by Margot Robbie as the fiery Harding, a mustachioed Sebastian Stan as her impetuous ex-husband Jeff Gillooly, a tour-de-force performance from Allison Janney as her acid-tongued mother, LaVona Golden, and an original screenplay by Steven Rogers, Craig Gillespie’s I, TONYA is an absurd, irreverent, and piercing portrayal of Harding’s life and career in all of its unchecked––and checkered––glory.

**purchased ticket to review on my own**

Anyone who remembers the assault on Nancy Kerrigan may feel that there is nothing new that could be said about it, and they would be right. I, Tonya is a darkly humourous movie that loses a little bit of steam by asking you to feel sorry for someone who, depending on whose version of events you believe, I am not certain we should feel sorry for.

The movie never attempts to clarify what Harding knew, or didn't know, about the attack. It doesn't present any version of events as the truth. The movie is mostly based off interviews with Harding, and Gillooly with each giving contradictory versions of what happened. It, therefore, ends up being a 'he said/she said' narrative where everyone points fingers at the other. Everyone has their version of the truth, but everyone knows that the real truth is usually somewhere in between.

Harding is shown in a sympathetic light. Abused by both her mother and husband (both of whom deny the abuse allegations), it is easy to feel sympathy for her. The abuse she is shown to have suffered is horrible, especially the childhood verbal abuse by her mother. The movie also, however, includes the fact that Kerrigan's practice location and times were found written on a piece of paper in Harding's hand writing. It reminds you at every turn that all of these characters are unreliable narrators of their own stories.

Margot Robbie gives a transformative performance that, along with Allison Janney's biting performance, stood out during this movie. I could tell that she put in the time, and effort to get this performance right. She physically transformed and ensured that she got the mannerisms pitch perfect. Her performance is big and showy in a way that matches the loud and showy tone of the movie. It's a performance that fits into this setting effortlessly.

Sebastian Stan has the thankless role of Jeff Gillooly, Tonya's ex-husband. He does great work in the role of someone you are supposed to dislike immensely. He was equally capable as the more mild mannered guy telling his version of events, and the violent, triggered temper nightmare of Harding's version. The movie also makes the unforgivable sin of putting Sebastian Stan in that awful mustache.

I love movies that break the 'fourth wall' and have the characters talk directly to the audience. When this is done effectively it is a brilliant narration choice, and I, Tonya uses it to perfection. The 'audience as interviewer' feel that the movie has certainly lends itself to using this narration convention. It also provides much of the humourous moments of the movie. I had mixed feelings on some of the humour, especially the moments that occur during rather graphic spousal violence, but if you like your humour with bite than this hits all those notes.

I, Tonya is, ultimately, a movie made better by the performances found within it. The movie itself may not have anything new or different to say about Tonya Harding, but the performances, along with the extremely dark humour, make it worth the watch.

A Glass Of Wine At The Movies - Call Me By Your Name

Call Me By Your Name

Rating: 14A

Director: Luca Guadagnino

Language: English

Length: 132 minutes

Cast: Timothée Chalamet, Armie Hammer, Michael Stuhlbarg

Viewing Method: Regular Theatre Screening

Synopsis: In the summer of 1983, in the north of Italy, Elio Perlman, (Timothée Chalamet) a 17-year-old American spends his days in his family's 17th century villa lazily transcribing music and flirting with his friend Marzia (Esther Garrel). One day Oliver (Armie Hammer), a 24-year-old graduate student working on his doctorate arrives as the annual summer intern tasked with helping Elio's father (Michael Stuhlbarg), an eminent professor specializing in Greco-Roman culture. Soon, Elio and Oliver discover a summer that will alter their lives forever. CALL ME BY YOUR NAME, directed by Luca Guadagnino and written by James Ivory, is based on the novel by André Aciman.

**purchased ticket to review on my own**

Call Me By Your Name is a lot of things. It's a summer romance. It's a coming of age story. It's a story of the whirlwind of firsts that you experience. It's a story that is richly crafted and brought to life by director Luca Guadagnino.

The movie itself is stunning to look at. The setting so lovingly shot that you feel as if you're spending the summer in Italy with Elio and Oliver. The colours used are so vibrant and lush. The attention to detail makes even the littlest element hold significance. It's a truly beautiful film to watch and one you could easily lose yourself in over and over again.

The most incredible part of this movie is, perhaps, the complete lack of the punishment trope that is often found in art and media that feature LGBTQ+ characters. The 'bury your gays' trope that is always so prevalent. The message that LGBTQ+ desire, once acted upon, is something that demands a swift punishment. This 'punishment' can take many forms with the most often one being the death of one of the characters. This 'consequence' is nowhere to be found within this movie. It is simply a love story. It was a refreshing change and hopefully a step forward in the types of stories that are told for the LGBTQ+ community.

This is a quieter movie. The dialogue that is being spoken really tells only part of the story. Much of this movie is expressed through facial expressions and silent communication. Timothée Chalamet, in particular, is capable of expressing complex emotions using only his eyes and facial expressions, many of which are subtle. There is also a physicality to the role that Chalamet captures perfectly. The excitement and exuberance of his youth is in every leap and bound his character makes. It is in the awkward, but breathless, way Elio climbs all over Oliver. All of these elements together make for an incredibly compelling performance that showcases just what a talent Chalamet is.

Armie Hammer has, in my opinion, one of the harder acting roles to pull off. He plays this cool, self assured 'golden boy' and makes it look effortless. His effortlessly delivered "Later" as he leaves the room. The ease in which he carries himself. There isn't a false note in his portrayal of Oliver. The fleshing out of the character as the movie goes on adds layers, but that initial Elio tainted view is something that stayed with me, even as I saw the character's vulnerability.

If I had to pick a theme for this movie I would immediately say longing. The longing to communicate and the desperation that is felt when that connection doesn't seem to be happening. A longing for a person so fiercely that you ache. This is a movie that makes you ache with these characters. You can feel their longing. You want them to be together as much as they want to be together.

The closing moments of Call Me By Your Name are perfection. They are some of the best cinematic moments I can recall experiencing. Chalamet shines the brightest in these moments (I urge you to stay seated as the credits run). He and Armie Hammer both unravel you with nothing more than an utterance of a name, and Chalamet makes you feel every emotional beat using nothing more than the expressions that pass over his face. It's dizzying, breathtaking and demands to be rewatched for it's simplistic beauty.

This review, of course, would not be complete without a mention of the age difference between Elio and Oliver. Elio is seventeen. Oliver is twetny four. The movie (and the book from what I understand) takes great care to show that Elio is mature for his age. He is Oliver's intellectual equal. His agency is never in question. Elio is making choices on his own. The fact that Elio is still a minor is not directly dealt with in the narrative of the story but it is felt throughout. It's one of the (many) reasons Oliver is hesitant to get involved with Elio. It is part of what makes their relationship messy. The feelings you may have about this element of the story are part of what makes this story what it is. It's a deliberate choice and one that I think works in this particular case.

Call Me By Your Name is a story of longing, lust, loss and the bittersweet ache of experiencing them for the first time. It's a powerful love story filled with some stunningly brilliant performances from its highly talented cast. It deserve all of the praise it has been getting and I cannot wait to watch it again and fall in love with not only Italy but, Elio and Oliver's love story all over again.

A Glass Of Wine At The Movies - My Friend Dahmer

I have something a little different to share on the blog today. It's something that may become a regular thing on here if there is an interest. I was lucky enough to be given the chance to watch a screener of My Friend Dahmer. You may recall I read (and loved) the book just a little while back and was thrilled to be able to review the movie as well.

My Friend Dahmer

Rating: 14A

Director: Marc Meyers

Language: English

Length: 107 minutes

Cast: Ross Lynch, Alex Wolff, Anne Heche, Vincent Kartheiser

Viewing Method: Review Screener

Synopsis: Before Jeffrey Dahmer became a notorious serial killer, he was a shy, alcoholic teen who never quite fit in. Based on the acclaimed graphic novel by Derf Backderf, this is the true, haunting story of Jeffrey Dahmer in high school.

**received review copy from Mayfair Theatre in exchange for an honest review**

My Friend Dahmer is not your typical true crime inspired film. It has no interest in showcasing the horrific crimes that Jeffrey Dahmer committed. That is just simply not what this story is. It instead offers a dark coming of age story that focuses on who Jeffrey Dahmer was as teenager in an attempt to understand who he became.

This movie is, in a lot of ways, a love letter for fans of the graphic novel that inspired it. Plenty of the scenes are direct recreations of panels within the novel, and they both share a similar tone. The movie being filmed on location (including the Dahmer house) adds something extra to the movie that I feel would have been missing if it had been filmed elsewhere. The setting is almost a character itself and one that makes it all to easy to believe that the warning signs Jeffrey displayed went mostly ignored. The setting also nails the 1970s perfectly. The attention to detail is rather impressive.

Nature versus nurture. It is a question is one that prompts much discussion. This dive into who Jeffrey Dahmer was during the most formative years of his life leads one to wonder if anything could have been changed, or if the crimes could have been prevented. The movie doesn't profess to have the answers. It takes the stance that many things, including something that existed within Jeffrey, made him who he was. It was nature and nurture. The movie, like the novel, doesn't intend for you to sympathize with Dahmer, but it also doesn't portray him as someone that couldn't have been helped either.

Ross Lynch is the, obvious, stand out in the movie. He gives what is sure to be a career changing performance. There is a physical transformation that happens, both in physical appearance and in how Lynch holds his body, that adds another layer to his performance. It is the way he carries himself, with rounded, slouched shoulders and a distinct walk, that are the most evident but there are a bunch of quieter, more subtle choices that are just as effective. He can unsettle with nothing but a vacant stare. It's a chilling, but mesmerizing showcase of Lynch's talent.

The remainder of the cast offer up mostly decent performances. I found Vincent Kartheisers role, even though quite small, to be memorable. It's an important, but not flashy, role. In a movie where everyone will be looking at Ross Lynch's stunning transformation, it is worth noting that the other performances, at times, feel muted in comparison. This works in some cases, but in others it just left me wanting more.

The fact that this teen becomes a man who will go on to kill seventeen people is never far from your mind while you are watching. It is this knowledge that creates the tension that fuels the final minutes of this movie. Fans of the graphic novel will notice some differences to the ending, but the feeling invoked remains the same. It is a turning point that stays with the audience long after the closing credits.

My Friend Dahmer paints a picture of a teen who is lonely, ignored, and uncomfortable in his own skin. It's is all too relatable, and recognizable. It offers an all too human portrait of a monster and that realization may be the most terrifying. It is a movie I'll be thinking about, and discussing, for a long time. It's one I highly recommend if you're a fan of true crime.

My Friend Dahmer's Ottawa premiere is tomorrow night, and is playing exclusively at the Mayfair Theatre for a very limited run. Check out their website for showtimes.

Weekly Obsessions

The awesome Kelly at KellyVision started posting a weekly post highlighting whatever she happened to be obsessed with that week. I LOVE this idea, so much in fact that I will be doing it myself every Saturday.

BOOK

Cover of King's Cage by Victoria Aveyard (goodreads)

This covers are stunning and I love the darkening of each as the series progresses. The crown made of bones, and that fierce tagline have me very excited to get my hands on this!

The title better be referring to Maven and a cage for him rather than a cage he has. He is honestly the worst. #TeamCal

When It's Real by Erin Watt (goodreads)

I just finished Paper Princess by Erin Watt and it has made me even more excited about this upcoming release. I was sold with the inclusion of  a bad boy pop star, and the potential for a cute (and sexy) romance. It is high on my 2017 wishlist and I cannot wait to hear more about it in the coming months.

TV/MOVIE

Nerve trailer

I stumbled across this trailer accidentally thanks to my Twitter feed. I immediately thought it sounded familiar and ran to Goodreads to verify that there is a book called Nerve that has a similar premise as this movie that is coming out this month.

Turns out is based on the book by Jeanne Ryan and the trailer has made me curious to pick up the book. I love that the trailer starts out kind of light and funny but grows quite dark towards the end. I am not even sure what it is about the trailer, but it has piqued my interest enough to go grab a copy of the book and check out the movie when it releases. If you've read Nerve, let me know what you thought in the comments.

What are you obsessed with this week?

Weekly Obsessions

The awesome Kelly at KellyVision started posting a weekly post highlighting whatever she happened to be obsessed with that week. I LOVE this idea, so much in fact that I will be doing it myself every Saturday.

TV/MOVIE

Me Before You Movie Poster

I've been obsessed with the Me Before You novel since I read it, and have been even more obsessed with the movie adaptation. This week we were finally gifted with a movie poster and trailer.

This movie poster is perfect and I need it for my apartment.

Just from this movie poster I am able to tell that I am going to be a crying mess at the theatre when this releases. The red dress!!

Me Before You Movie Trailer

The day after we were given the movie poster, the first trailer was released and it is just as perfect as I anticipated it would be. It's beautiful, and so similar to the book.

The bumble bee tights, the red dress, the chemistry, the lines that are directly lifted from the book. This is as if they've taken the mental picture I had in my head and made it real. I ugly cried through this entire trailer and part of that was simply seeing these characters I love so much come to life through Sam Claflin and Emilia Clarke. They are a perfect Will and Lou and this trailer has only increased my need to see this movie as soon as possible.

Excuse me while I go watch this a million times from now until the June release date.

What are you obsessed with this week?

Weekly Obsessions

The awesome Kelly at KellyVision started posting a weekly post highlighting whatever she happened to be obsessed with that week. I LOVE this idea, so much in fact that I will be doing it myself every Saturday.

BOOK

Cover for Sing by Vivi Greene (goodreads) 

The cover for this amazing sound novel was just revealed and I LOVE it. The synopsis offers up a Taylor Swift inspired vibe and the cover only increases that comparison.

Fun, right? I definitely want to get my hands on this as it sounds like a book I am going to really enjoy.

Heartless by Sarah Henning (goodreads)

As someone who loves fairytales and fairytale retellings this book immediately caught my attention. I've seen lots of Little Mermaid inspired stories but this one sounds like a delightful twist on the classic tale as it is told from a unique perspective.

Pitched as the never-before-told origin story of the sea witch from Hans Christian Andersen's "The Little Mermaid" told in the vein of Wicked – from the villainess's point of view

Amazing right? And the fact that it is based off Hans Christian Andersen's version lends itself to a darker, much unhappier ending (as least for the mermaid). I am excited to see a cover, and eventually read this amazing sounding premise.

TV/MOVIE

Me Before You Release Date Moved

JoJo Moyes recently announced that the release date for the Me Before You movie has been moved up to March! Very exciting news as this means a trailer will be right around the corner along with other promotion material (like movie posters and stills). This novel is one of my favourites and the cast has me anticipating a spectacular movie.

What are you obsessed with this week?

Weekly Obsessions

The awesome Kelly at KellyVision started posting a weekly post highlighting whatever she happened to be obsessed with that week. I LOVE this idea, so much in fact that I will be doing it myself every Saturday.

BOOK

Cover of Tell The Wind and Fire by Sarah Rees Brennan (goodreads)

This novel has been on my radar since I first heard it described as A Tale Of Two Cities with magic. Immediately sold. This stunning cover only makes me all the more eager to read it.

Pretty, right? I cannot wait to read this one as I expect it's going to be really good.

TV/Movie

Trailer for Room

I read Room by Emma Donoghue and remember it leaving a lasting impression. It's one of those books that you just don't let go of easily as it leaves you examining it for days after you've finished it.

The movie based on the novel is going to be released this October 16th and it looks fantastic.

This trailer is pretty much perfect. It seems to capture everything from the book. I am hoping it's just as memorable as the book it's inspired by. The casting seems to be perfect, and so much of it hinges on them getting Jack right, and they seemed to have gotten a fantastic little boy to play this role.

If you're able to attend this year's Toronto International Film Festival, be sure to check out Room there as it's one of the movies scheduled for viewing.

OTHER

Real Life Disney Princes

Who hasn't imagined what those charming Disney Princes would look like in real life. Artist  Jirka Väätäinen has created stunning illustrations that show what they might look like as part of our world. The results are, of course, insanely good looking.

Buzzfeed has all of the portraits posted so rush over there and take a peek. I'll wait....

Helllooo, Prince Eric! Oh, and hi, Beast. Yeah, they're certainly YA inspiration worthy. Someone needs to write them into a fairytale retelling immediately. Let me know in the comments which guy is your favourite.

Side note- doesn't John Smith look at a lot like Jason Lewis?

What are you obsessed with this week?

New To My Book Closet

It's that time of the week again. Time to show you what bookish goodies made their way into my home and book closet (to be saved from the evil book eating cat monster named Aria). This is inspired by the various "mailbox" posts out there (eg. In My Mailbox by The Story Siren, and Stacking the Shelves by Tynga's Reviews).

This week brought a few goodies into my mailbox! Very excited to read/watch them!

Fairest by Marissa Meyer (goodreads)
Gone Girl movie with Amazing Amy book (goodreads)

Fairest happened to be out in my bookstore early so I snagged a copy. Won't be reading it quite yet, but VERY soon.

I also picked up a copy of Gone Girl on DVD and it included a fun extra - an Amazing Amy novel. Those who have read the book/seen the movie will know why this is a big deal.

Happy Weekend and Happy Reading!

New To My Book Closet

It's that time of the week again. Time to show you what bookish goodies made their way into my home and book closet (to be saved from the evil book eating cat monster named Aria). This is inspired by the various "mailbox" posts out there (eg. In My Mailbox by The Story Siren, and Stacking the Shelves by Tynga's Reviews).

I've had an insane book week this week, and I am so excited about everything.

First up, I went to an advance screening of If I Stay and they had a trivia giveaway. One of the bags was some If I Stay swag, and it's all really cute!

It's a tank top, a luggage tag and little notebook. Very cute. I loved the movie. It was exactly what I wanted it to be. Mirelle Enos was my favourite part of the movie, but Jamie Blackley as Adam was pretty prefect!

I had to wait to get my copy of Isla and the Happily Ever After because I pre-ordered one of those signed copies that came with special goodies. The closest place to me was Toronto, and I happened to be going there anyways, so I picked it up at the same time.

Isla and the Happily Ever After (goodreads)

The book, an awesome tote bag, three cute buttons, and some stickers! I am happily reading this right now and wanting to hug the book it's so cute.

I also got a few amazing sounding books from Harper Collins Canada

The Fall by Bethany Griffin (goodreads)
The Death Of Us by Alice Kuipers (goodreads)
Us by David Nicholls (goodreads)

I love Bethany's other books, so I am excited to read The Fall. The Death Of Us is one that Harper Canada has been talking about quite a bit. I read One Day by David Nicholls, and have been eager to see what he would release next.

Lastly, I also got one of the most awesome buttons EVER!

That cover, right? So stunning. A big thank you to Harper Collins for the books, and the amazing
button!

What books made their way into your mailbox this week?

Happy weekend, and happy reading!

Weekly Obsessions

The awesome Kelly at KellyVision started posting a weekly post highlighting whatever she happened to be obsessed with that week. I LOVE this idea, so much in fact that I will be doing it myself every Saturday.

Here are my obsessions this week.

BOOK

Famous In Love by Rebecca Serle

Famous In Love was one of my must gets at BEA (my MUST GET if I am being honest). I love everything about the premise of this book. What girl didn't have this day dream at some point? Honestly, I am pretty sure it's a given. It should not surprise anyone that I couldn't wait to read it. I've already devoured it and fell in love. I am excited to be celebrating it's release with a blog event that will be revealed later! Mark this one on your calendars if you love Hollywood gossip, CW shows, and love triangles! It's a must read.

Exquisite Captive by Heather Demetrios

This is another case of not being able to wait until close to release to read it. Heather's world building is insane, and the sexiness of this book is off the charts. It's an understated sexy that caught me off guard. I talked to the lovely Margot from Epic Reads while in New York about this one, and she made me even more excited. Now that I am done though, all I want is book two. Luckily, as I am part of the Blogger Caravan, there is plenty of exciting things coming up between now and the release date.

MOVIE

The Night Before Our Stars

The Fault In Our Stars opens this weekend but I was able to go see it last night as part of a special event. The Night Before Our Stars was held in theatres throughout North America. It was a screening of the movie followed by a live simulcast Q and A with John Green, the cast, director and producer of the movie. The movie itself is a faithful, thoughtful adaptation of the source material. It mostly comes down to the wonderful casting choices (Ansel Elgort in particular stood out as Augustus Waters) and the scripts decision to capture the essence of the novel. So many of the iconic lines from the book made their way into the movie. It's a surreal experience to be ugly crying in a room full of other people who are also ugly crying, but it was amazing.

They also gave us a poster and cute charm bracelet as we arrived. I love both of them.

What are you obsessed with this week?