film
Despite always threatening to go off the rails, the custody drama Black or White stays on assured footing.
Slamdance 2015 Interview: the RATTER team
Our interview with Ratter writer/ director Branden Kramer and producers Tom Kropp, Stefan Haverkamp and Jan Jaworski will have you covering up the cameras on all of your devices. See our review of the film here.
Fast Five: The Films of Hou Hsiao-hsien
In honour of an upcoming TIFF Cinematheque retrospective, we choose five of the best works of Taiwanese master Hou Hsiao-hsien
Slamdance 2015: Body Review
The gruesome thriller Body manages to put a slightly different spin on home invasion films. The story revolves around twenty-somethings Holly (Helen Rogers), Cali (Alexandra Turshen) and Melissa (Lauren Molina) who are bored one Friday night and decide to sneak into mansion belonging to a family Cali knows to be on vacation. It’s mostly harmless fun until a groundskeeper checks in on the […]
Slamdance 2015: Sweet Micky For President Review
It is the humble opinion of this reviewer that first time director Ben Patterson has a big hit on his hands with his documentary Sweet Micky for President. Here’s the story: following the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, the government was ineffective in its rebuilding of the country, largely due to corruption. With an election approaching, […]
Ossie and Ruby: A Duo for the Ages
The TIFF Bell Lightbox takes a look at one of the greatest couples to ever grace the stage and screen: Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis.
Slamdance 2015: Diamond Tongues Review
A major step up for Toronto filmmakers Pavan Moondi and Brian Robertson, Diamond Tongues is the rare example of a film set in the entertainment industry that doesn’t use its main character’s profession and location as a crutch. It’s bracing, bold, and far from precious, boasting an outstanding leading performance and razor sharp writing. Edith […]
Slamdance 2015 Interview: Patrick Ryan and Emma Eliza Regan
We caught up with Darkness on the Edge of Town writer/ director Patrick Ryan and star Emma Eliza Regan right before their North American premiere at the Slamdance film festival. Here is a synopsis of the film: A troubled teenage sharpshooter (played by Emma Eliza Regan) decides to avenge the death of her estranged sister after she […]
Slamdance 2015: Darkness on the Edge of Town Review
Darkness on the Edge of Town is an ugly tale set in the picturesque Irish countryside. The film begins with a brutal knifing in a public bathroom. Though the actual killing is offscreen, we see the murderer clear as day, and soon learn that she is best friends with her victim’s sister, Cleo. While Robin, the killer, […]
Slamdance 2015: I Am Thor Review
I Am Thor documents the life of self-proclaimed rock god Jon Mikl “Thor”, a Canadian body builder/ musician who feels as though he never received his due recognition. His theatrical rock act which included feats of strength did achieve a moderate level of success in the 70s and 80s, but following a nervous breakdown in 1987, […]
Slamdance 2015: Clinger Review
When Robert Klingher (Vincent Martella) charms Fern (Jennifer Laporte) into being his first girlfriend, he couldn’t be happier. In typical teenager fashion, he showers her with praise and gifts to a point of disgust. Just when she is about to break up with him, he accidentally beheads himself with an elaborate rig he built to profess his love […]
Slamdance 2015: Ratter Review
An effective thriller that turns the audience into the main character's cyber stalker.
Slamdance 2015: Wendell and the Lemon Review
Wendell and the Lemon is like no film you’ve ever seen before. It is about a man obsessed with a lemon he finds. If you were to ascribe a genre to it it would definitely be a comedy, as most of it is hilarious. There are however long stretches in the second half with few laughs. […]
Slamdance 2015 Interview: Britni West
As part of our continuing coverage of the 2015 Slamdance Film Festival, we sat down with filmmaker Britni West to talk about her lyrical look at life in rural Montana, Tired Moonlight. Dork Shelf: This movie has very free flowing feel to it. Can you walk me through the process a little, from writing, to shooting […]
The Dork Shelf Guide to Slamdance 2015
Our coverage of the 2015 Slamdance film festival begins today! Bookmark this page as we'll be adding reviews and interviews throughout the week.