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Canadian

See For Me Review

by Courtney Small | January 9, 2022

Randall Okita's See For Me ultimately lacks the vision to truly deliver on the potential it initially shows.

Red Balloon Review

by That Shelf | November 29, 2021

Director Avi Federgreen's short film Red Balloon is a touching story of heartache, resilience, and ever-lasting love.

CUFF.Docs Documentary Film Festival Announces 2021 Lineup

by Victor Stiff | November 9, 2021

CUFF.Docs Documentary Film Festival's 2021 lineup includes 19 features and 20 shorts.

Rendezvous With Madness 2021: Everything You Need to Know

by Victor Stiff | October 28, 2021

Rendezvous With Madness 2021 runs from October 28th to November 7th and That Shelf has all the details you need to enjoy this year's festival.

Night Raiders Review: A Dystopic Sci-fi Thriller

by Victor Stiff | October 8, 2021

Danis Goulet's dystopian thriller Night Raiders, like the best sci-fi movies, use an extraordinary premise to distill simple human truths.

TIFF 2021: The Survivor Review

by Courtney Small | September 13, 2021

The Survivor features yet another sensational performance for Ben Foster.

TIFF 2021: Learn To Swim Review

by Barbara Goslawski | September 12, 2021

Director Thyrone Tommy expertly crafts an enduring experience of love and loss that elevates a simple tale of failed romance.

TIFF 2021: The Middle Man Review

by Rachel West | September 12, 2021

Bent Hamer's The Middle Man offers a uniquely absurd-yet-emotional take on the denizens of a small town.

TIFF 2021: Wildhood Review

by Barbara Goslawski | September 12, 2021

Wwriter/director Bretten Hannam brings a refreshing approach to this road movie, making it a captivating journey of self discovery.

TIFF 2021: Kicking Blood Review

by Courtney Small | September 10, 2021

Kicking Blood looks great but lacks bite.

TIFF 2021: DEFUND Review

by Courtney Small | September 10, 2021

DEFUND uses levity to reclaim the true meaning of the "Defund the Police" movement.

Fantasia 2021: The Righteous Review

by Rachel Ho | August 19, 2021

The directorial debut of Canadian Mark O'Brien, The Righteous is a slow-burn, character-driven horror exploring trauma, faith, and guilt.

Turning Red Trailer: Disney/Pixar’s Latest Is a Love Letter to Toronto and Canada

by Victor Stiff | July 13, 2021

Disney and Pixar's new animated feature Turning Red is a love letter to Toronto and Canada.

Hot Docs 2021: Grey Roads Review

by Courtney Small | May 6, 2021

Grey Roads constructs a mesmerizing portrait of the complexities of masculinity and a community going through change.

Hot Docs 2021: Bangla Surf Girls Review

by Courtney Small | May 6, 2021

Elizabeth D. Costa's documentary Bangla Surf Girls manages to offer viewers vivid slices of hope amongst the bleakness.

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La Bola Negra weaves together three timelines to explore queer love, identity, and the stories that survive across generations. From a musician navigating love and survival during the Spanish Civil War to a playwright uncovering a forgotten piece of queer history in contemporary Spain, the film connects lives shaped by stigma, loss, and the courage to be true to oneself. With soulful music, a richly interconnected narrative, and outstanding performances led by Guitarricadelafuente and Penélope Cruz, the film becomes a moving tribute to queer artists and the histories that deserve to be remembered. Directors Javier Ambrossi and Javier Calvo build on Federico García Lorca’s unfinished play to create an expansive, deeply felt celebration of LGBTQ+ lives, love, and artistic expression. 📝 Full review by Pat Mullen now up on That Shelf (and at the link in our bio).
1 day ago
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1/9

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With just 34 days before reporting to federal prison, Elizabeth Holmes invites filmmakers Nathan Fielder and Lance Oppenheim into her home for an unrestricted look at her life. What begins as an offer of complete access becomes an unsettling exploration of truth, performance, and the difficulty of knowing who someone really is. Balancing uncomfortable humour with a fascinating sense of ambiguity, the documentary refuses to offer easy answers about Holmes or her carefully constructed public image. Through intimate cinematography, intricate editing, and Fielder’s signature awkwardness, it challenges audiences to question what they’re seeing, making for an ambitious, thought-provoking film that lingers long after it ends. 📝 Full review by Lyle Kruger now up on That Shelf (and at the link in our bio).
4 days ago
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2/9

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Rest in peace, Tom Skerritt (1933–2026). A familiar and commanding presence on screen for more than six decades, Skerritt built a remarkable career across film and television, bringing a quiet authority and understated humanity to every role. From Captain Dallas in Alien and Viper in Top Gun to his performances in MASH*, The Turning Point, Steel Magnolias, and A River Runs Through It, he became part of some of cinema’s most enduring stories. On television, he earned an Emmy Award for his portrayal of Sheriff Jimmy Brock in Picket Fences, a role that showcased his ability to balance strength, warmth, and humour. Whether playing a military commander, a father, or a small-town sheriff, Skerritt had a way of making his characters feel grounded and real. With a career spanning generations and more than 170 film and television credits, he leaves behind a body of work that will continue to find new audiences. Thank you for the performances and the lasting mark you left on cinema.
5 days ago
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3/9

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Street Fighter brings the iconic video game franchise back to the big screen, following estranged brothers Ryu and Ken as they reunite for the World Warrior Tournament. But with M. Bison plotting to harness the fighters’ power for his own sinister purposes, the competition soon becomes a battle for the fate of the world. Packed with spectacular fight sequences, nostalgic references, and a soundtrack that takes audiences straight back to the ’90s, the film delivers a major upgrade over its predecessor. With a perfectly matched cast, genuinely funny dialogue, and faithful recreations of the game’s signature moves, it balances fan service with entertaining action that newcomers can enjoy, too. 📝 Full review by Sarah Gopaul now up on That Shelf (and at the link in our bio).
1 week ago
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4/9

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Whalefall follows Jay Gardiner, a young scuba diver who finds himself trapped inside a sperm whale and facing an increasingly desperate fight for survival. But as he struggles to escape before his oxygen runs out, the experience also forces him to confront unresolved grief and his complicated relationship with his late father. Led by Austin Abrams, the film delivers an intense underwater survival thriller with impressive technical work and a convincing sense of claustrophobia. However, its exploration of grief and family trauma struggles to match the tension of its central premise, relying on familiar character arcs and heavy-handed emotional beats that leave its themes feeling muddled. 📝 Full review by Mel Valentin now up on That Shelf (and at the link in our bio).
1 week ago
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5/9

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What does it mean to see and hear yourself represented on screen? In his feature directorial debut, California Schemin’, James McAvoy tells the true story of Scottish rappers Silibil N’ Brains, who found success by pretending to be American. In this interview with That Shelf, McAvoy discusses the importance of staying true to the Scottish identity at the heart of the film, bringing the duo’s story to life, and why everyone deserves to see their own experiences reflected in cinema. 📝 Full interview by Pat Mullen now up on That Shelf (and at the link in our bio).
2 weeks ago
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6/9

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The Social Reckoning revisits the world of Facebook, following data scientist Frances Haugen and Wall Street Journal journalist Jeff Horwitz as they investigate the company’s role in spreading harmful content and radicalizing users. Set between 2019 and 2021, the film examines the consequences of prioritizing profit over people in the social media industry. Despite tackling an urgent and relevant subject, Aaron Sorkin’s follow-up struggles to offer fresh insights into the damage caused by social media. While the story raises important questions about corporate responsibility and the power of technology, underdeveloped characters, an awkward central relationship, and uninspired direction prevent the film from reaching its full potential. 📝 Full review by Mel Valentin now up on That Shelf (and at the link in our bio).
2 weeks ago
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7/9

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Six seasons into Slow Horses, Gary Oldman continues to find new layers in Jackson Lamb, the sharp-tongued, dishevelled spy at the centre of the series. In conversation with That Shelf at TIFF, Oldman reflects on playing Lamb over multiple seasons, the character’s history and hidden vulnerabilities, and the parallels between Lamb and another of his iconic spies, George Smiley. He also shares how adapting Mick Herron’s novels allows him to keep discovering new details about a character who carries years of history and baggage. 📝 Full interview by Pat Mullen now up on That Shelf (and at the link in our bio).
2 weeks ago
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8/9

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Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother follows Latif, a devout Muslim and hitman whose life takes a turn after his wife’s death leaves him caring for their three children. With his infant refusing formula and their supply of breast milk running out, Latif must navigate a dangerous world of crime and violence while trying to provide for his family. Mahershala Ali delivers an extraordinary performance in this striking blend of crime thriller, dark comedy, and religious parable. Bassam Tariq explores faith, fatherhood, hypocrisy, and forgiveness without losing sight of the tenderness at the film’s heart. Despite some uneven pacing near the end, it’s a bold, moving, and unforgettable film that stands apart from anything else this year. 📝 Full review by Lyle Kruger now up on That Shelf (and at the link in our bio).
3 weeks ago
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9/9