Bon Cop Bad Cop

Bon Cop Bad Cop not Bad Cop Bon Cop as I'm sure some might confuse the title, I myself probably did at some point. Probably the best offering (that was available) that I've seen from Quebec since Seducing Doctor Lewis a year or two ago. It's witty, humourous, likeable characters, good story - what more can we ask for? This police thriller comes about as a body is dumped right on the Ontario-Quebec border and two cops from two different cultural backgrounds must cooperate and ice the killer. Ice, as all his targets are prestigious names in hockey that contributed to, not a brain drain to the US, but rather a meltdown of hockey players to the US. In French and English, the film is a tango throughout but with fewer pauses as the action takes place. Car chases and explosions, previously unseen too much before in Canadian cinema takes after the Hollywood style which will be a surprising delight to even the most mainstream movie goer. While they're no Pierce Brosnan, Colm Feore and Patrick Huard give Canadian action films a boost. Shoot first, translate later - this police thriller comedy is a must see for every Canadian, hockey lover, action lover and others.

The Illusionist

Starring Edward Norton, Paul Giamatti and Jessical Biel. Having heard people say this was a good movie, I'm temped to say film because of the illusions that are well crafted, I walked into the theatre with some expectation, and to that degree was not disappointed. The two hours went by unknowingly, although I do question the pace and length of the intro of young Eisenheim and young Sophie. The illusions themselves are definitely the highlight of the film, and I still puzzle at how some of the illusions was done such as the trick in the mirror. Of course, it's all science, light tricks, mechanical creations and sleight of hands that complement the ideas created as the film (alright I'll give in and refer to this one as a film) moves through the story and the conclusion is presented, we are all surprised as Paul Giamatti's inspector character when everything dawns upon us. My favorite "trick", not that it is one, is the locket that Eisenheim created for Sophie, the mechanism of it that turns an ordinary looking rectangular pendant into a heart. There is no supernatural power as Eisenheim tells the crowd, it's all an illusion, a trick, it's not real - but indeed it's the charm and power to enchant and mystify that captures audiences within the film and those outside of the film. If you like magic, mystery and perhaps a love story that is not too cheesy or emotional, this could be for you. On a side note, I was looking at the Georgia Straight for where this film and another one was opening and was surprised that this was only opening at Tinseltown and Fifth Avenue in Vancouver. On the opposite hand, the next film (which I'd actually seen prior to this), Bon Cop Bad Cop, a French Canadian film is opening in more theatres and in the more commercial theatres, not that this isn't a good thing because the film does have some Hollywood feel to it, albeit not too Canadian.

Welcome

Why at the cinemas and not at the movies? I've always felt that there is a distinguishable difference between a film and a movie. The difference, to me at least, is that a film has more to it than entertainment, it has a value of art and accomplishment. The Lord of the Rings is both film and movie, it's technical accomplishments give the feeling it's a film, yet it's also entertaining as a movie. Pirates of the Caribbean is a movie, sure the visual aspects are great, but it has more of a movie feel. That isn't to say, I like it any less, movies and films are both great, and just thought that it's something I can write a little about in the intro to this blog, as most thereafter would be reviews of things I've seen. For the last 3 years, I worked at a cinema, and had the pleasure of watching many films (for free) as one of the perks of the job, and it was a great experience because I got to see films that I otherwise may not have initially wanted to see or saw things for free that I'm glad I didn't have to pay for. With the Vancouver International Film Festival rolling into town at the end of September, I'm once again looking forward to volunteering and getting my volunteer pass, watching as many films as possible =)