This is a very funny and smart film! Young People F**king is a fast-paced comedy that intertwines the stories of four couples and one threesome over the course of one night. As the couples attempt to have some seemingly straightforward sex, they run into all sorts of problems. Although the narrative strands do not cross, they are linked by their fear or ignorance of their own desires, their terror of expressing those feelings, and their crippling insecurities. Young People F**king is a hilarious gem with plenty of heart, offering a sly look at contemporary romance.
You can also read a great article about an event First Weekend Club organized for the opening weekend discussing the film and the issues surrounding Bill C-10.
Up The Yangtze, a commentary on contemporary China from Canadian Director/Creator Yung Chang is a well conceived, beautifully shot “must see” documentary, toasted at Sundance and already currying what promises to be only the beginning in a long line of honours.
Originally titled Up Your Yangtze, the film really puts a face, several faces on the emerging New China. And what faces they are..a lovely young girl, Shui Yu, raised with Mother, Father and siblings at water’s edge, in a lean-to of sorts, barely at the time we meet them, with food to eat. We follow her to her first job on the cruise ship, and how the family agonizes about sending her out to work, where she becomes Cindy (Americanized to suit the Tourists) and where we meet among others, Jerry, a male Counterpart.
Only a film maker who is living his story with an open mind and heart like Yung Chang, can bond with his subjects, and have them share for us, extraordinary moments of intimacy and personal truths.
Actors are very attune to being ‘private in public’ as Yung must also know from the Meisner classes he took in New York at The Neighbourhood PlayHouse. It is no surprise that this talented graduate of Film Production from Montreal’s Concordia University, calls his movie “the Cassavettes version of what’s going on”…in which he wanted “to capture the raw emotions” and he sure does.
Moving, illuminating, a real window and open door into a World that most North Americans can almost not fathom and must learn about. Even Chang, who grew up in Whitby, Ontario expected the China of his Grand Father, who’s moving song at the beginning of the film guides us into the Four Gorges Dam scenario of the not only shifting sands of time but the floodgates that will immerse the homes of the riverside inhabitants and cause mass migration.
One expects next a Dramatic Feature from Chang as if Up The Yangtze is not dramatic enough. Chang: “The Cruise Ship became this kind of microcosm – above decks were the Western tourists and below decks were the crew workers looking above and trying to climb that ladder to join the tourists eventually”.
We follow the upward mobility of the young Chinese kids and their sometimes hilarious teachers who clue them in on their cruising customers, along for a last ride up the Yangtze: “ Don’t say Canadians and Americans are the same” which brought a great cheer from the sold-out opening night screening at the Cumberland. “Never call them fat”…”say plump”.
Cindy buys her first new clothing, puts on make up, entertains a visit from her parents.. Cindy’s Father like Lear’s Wise Fool tears your heart out. Her Mother, intelligent and suffering because of what she comprehends about the changes. And watching Gerry scam the tourists has me thinking of what Yung Chang’s feature could be: ‘Jerry and Cindy get —-’!
“How She Move” is a new Canadian film that opens on January 25th across Canada.
The Director is Ian Iqbal Rashid and stars Tre Armstrong, Cle Bennett, David Carmon, Keyshia Cole, and DeRay Davis.
About the film: Following her sister’s death from drug addiction, Raya, an aspiring medical student is forced to leave her private school and return to her old, crime-filled neighborhood after her parents are no longer able to afford the tuition. In hopes to secure the funds needed to continue her education, Raya reluctantly decides to join a step dance group and rekindles her passion for the competitive world where you need all the right moves not only to win the top prize, but also to survive.
After seeing the film write your thoughts, coments or reviews.
I’ve been M.I.A. since the beginning of the year but most of you have probably noticed all the work that’s been going on with First Weekend Club - it’s keeping me crazy busy. So I’m logging on to say hello, to let you know there will be some changes to my website next year, and to give you a bit of an update!
First off I’m now the Eastern Regional Director of FWC which has me very busy. My hiatus from acting and producing has been great as I’ve also gone back to University to pursue a Doctorate in Psychology…not that I’m leaving acting or producing for good, but I definitely needed to focus on other passions of mine and I’ve gotten amazing support and encouragement from my loved ones.
This entire year has been one of the best years of my life, and I’m very proud of all the work that I’m doing with First Weekend Club. I’m also going to be working with a new web designer to update my site in the new year, make it more current and user friendly, and incorporate more of what’s going on with me on a regular basis.
For the holidays I’m recommending you give the gift of cinema. Everyone’s tastes are different but here are a few examples of great Canadian films that someone in your family will enjoy:
SCARED SACRED: Award winning documentary filmmaker Velcrow Ripper (yep, that’s his fabulous name) visits the “Ground Zeros” of the world in search of hope that overshadows the darkest moments of human history. This powerful doc captures his five-year odyssey to Camboida, Afganistan, post 9-11, Hiroshima, and more. Velcrow uncovers amazing stories of survival, resillience and recovery.
CRAZY: The story of two love affairs. A father’s love for his five sons - and one son’s love of his father. Zac is on a surprising and unexpected journey that ultimately leads him to accept his true nature and, even more importantly, leads his father to love him for who he really is. This film exudes the beauty, the poetry and the madness of the human spirit in all its contradictions.
BON COP, BAD COP: This is a film where the cultural differences of Canada come together. When a crime is committed on the border of Quebec and Ontario, everyone is forced to deal with each other whether they want to or not. David Boucher and Martin Ward are investigators of their respective provinces, and could not be more different. As they work together to solve the crime their differences shine through in the style of Lethal Weapon.
MAURICE RICHARD (THE ROCKET): The only thing that matters to 17 year-old Maurice Richard is playing hockey. This film chronicles the rise of Maurice Richard from a young man into one of the greatest hockey players in National Hockey League history. A player fueled more by passion than by talent and agility alone - he create scoring records on the ice and contravercy off it.
I`m a big fan of this captivating show. Obviously some of the episodes are better then others but the show in it`s entirety is a lot of fun and I look forward to watching it every week. Follow my reviews after each week.
SUMMARY:
Allison DuBois may seem to most like a normal wife and mother of three, and she would be if it weren’t for her visions and dreams of dead people that she’s been having ever since she was a child. Allison is a medium - while awake she can read other people’s minds and see dead people walking around, and while asleep she has visions from the past or future, usually involving the victim of a murder or a murderer. Allison must then interpret these often cryptic visions and encounters and use them to solve murders and crimes that usually only she can solve, due to her abilities.
Allison doesn’t go at her crime-solving alone. She receives a lot of support from her husband Joe, who was at first skeptical of her abilities, in part because he’s an aerospace engineer, but who now supports her and helps her out whenever he can. Joe and Allison must also raise their three daughters, while keeping them safe from possible dangers brought on by Allison’s abilities. Joe and Allison have discovered that Ariel, the eldest daughter, and Bridgette, the middle daughter. Marie, the youngest daughter, is still an infant and no signs of special abilities have been found in her yet.
Allison works at D.A. Manuel Devalos’ office, helping to solve crime and murder cases using her abilities. She often also works with Detective Lee Scanlon. Both D.A. Devalos and Det. Scanlon were at first very wary of Allison’s abilities, but they have come to trust her through the many crimes and murders she has helped them solve. The only catch is that Allison must keep her abilities secret because if they were revealed, the courts and authorities most likely wouldn’t take them as legitimate. As Allison gains the trust of D.A. Devalos and Det. Scanlon, she must continue to balance her supernatural life with her life at home, which she at times finds difficult, but manages to do with her husband Joe’s help and support.
Sarah Polley to attend NSI FilmExchange with her feature directorial debut, Away From Her
Winnipeg — The National Screen Institute – Canada (NSI) announces Sarah Polley’s feature directorial debut Away From Her will close the 9th annual NSI FilmExchange Canadian Film Festival February 28 to March 3 in Winnipeg. The festival is produced in partnership with Telefilm Canada.
“We are thrilled Sarah Polley will be in attendance for the screening of her film Away From Her, our closing night film,” said Liz Janzen, Director of Programming, National Screen Institute. “As an actor, writer and director Sarah embodies the Canadian film industry and we know the audience will enjoy meeting her and seeing her remarkable debut feature at NSI FilmExchange.”
Based on Alice Munro’s short story “The Bear Came Over the Mountain,” Away From Her stars Julie Christie (Doctor Zhivago, Don’t Look Now), Gordon Pinsent (Saint Ralph, The Rowdyman), Olympia Dukakis (Moonstruck, 3 Needles) and Michael Murphy (X-Men: The Last Stand, MASH).
In this bittersweet love story, Fiona and Grant (Christie and Pinsent), married nearly 50 years, now face a devastating reality as Fiona decides to enter a care facility for her progressing Alzheimer’s. The new residence requires no communication between the couple for 30 days but Grant perseveres to stay connected even as their relationship changes when Fiona’s memories of their life together fade.
Away From Her was listed as one of Canada’s Top Ten films by the Toronto International Film Festival Group and will celebrate its U.S. premiere on Friday, January 19 as the Opening Night Gala for the 2007 Sundance Film Festival in Salt Lake City.
Tickets and delegate passes will be on sale February 5. More details and festival lineup information coming soon to www.nsi-canada.ca.
NSI National Exposure Amateur Movie Contest
Less than a week remains until the January 22 deadline for submissions of up-to five minute films for the NSI National Exposure Amateur Movie Contest*. Twelve finalists’ films will be selected and shown at NSI FilmExchange on March 3.
The National Screen Institute — Canada, with headquarters in Winnipeg, is Canada’s oldest nationally-recognized film and television training school. NSI FilmExchange Canadian Film Festival takes place each March. It is the largest established film festival showcasing 100% Canadian short and feature films, and professional development for writers, directors and producers working in film, television and interactive media. The 2007 festival marks the conclusion of the National Screen Institute’s 20th anniversary year. Visit www.nsi-canada.ca for more information about the National Screen Institute.
Pop star Billy Joel’s life story is being turned into a TV series titled “Big Shot,” Variety reports.
Joel will help produce the one-hour drama that is likely to detail The Piano Man’s early years and rise to fame in the music industry. The first season is expected to chronicle Joel’s first marriage in the mid-70s to his then-business manager Elizabeth Weber.
Joel will share producing duties with “Will & Grace” star Sean Hayes and Todd Milliner’s Hazy Mills Prods.
The show will air on Showtime in the U.S. There is no word on a Canadian airing.
The Cast: Alan Rickman, Sigourney Weaver, Carrie-Anne Moss, Emily Hampshire, Mark McKinney, Callum Keith Rennie
Alex is a quiet, brooding man struggling to come to terms with a fatal car crash in which he played a part. In the aftermath of this harrowing ordeal, he comes to stay in a small Canadian town with Linda, a highly functioning autistic woman whose life has also been touched by tragedy. As they each attempt to deal with their losses in their own distinct ways, Alan strikes up a relationship with Maggie and finds himself experiencing long-buried depths of emotion.
Showtimes:
Interchange 30 (AMC)
Fri Jan 05 : 11:30 AM 4:30 PM 9:20 PM
Sat Jan 06 : 11:30 AM 4:30 PM 9:20 PM
Sun Jan 07 : 11:30 AM 4:30 PM 9:20 PM
Carlton Cinemas (CO)
Fri Jan 05 : 1:40 PM 4:10 PM 7:20 PM 10:00 PM
Sat Jan 06 : 1:40 PM 4:10 PM 7:20 PM 10:00 PM
Sun Jan 07 : 1:40 PM 4:10 PM 7:20 PM 10:00 PM
(Brando)
Happy Holdiays everyone!!
