That’s The Ticket: S Magazine, March 2005

Must-see movies for March break

March break. It’s the time of year school children look forward to and mothers and fathers anticipate for a completely different reason. “What should we do with the kids?” is the pressing question for most parents. Our recommendation: why not sit them in front of the television? We’re not suggesting you leave them alone with the remote control – we’re proposing you take part in a little film-appreciation as a family.

With all the current Oscar buzz, there are bound to be a few award-winning movies you want to watch. On top of that, there are new releases at your local movie-rental outlet that include such animated hits as Shark Tale and The Incredibles. But, instead of going for the obvious (or the newest), S-magazine decided to ask film critic Richard Crouse, host of Rogers Television’s Reel to Real and author of The 100 Best Movies You’ve Never Seen (ECW Press) for his recommendations of movies tailor-made for March break.

Can’t-miss films for kids

Instead of letting your children watch movies alone, Crouse advocates using film as an opportunity to create family time. Watching together not only encourages discussion between parents and children, he says, it gives you the chance “to educate your children and help them develop some decent taste [for film].” Here are five of his favourite films for family viewing.

The Story of the Weeping Camel (2004) - Two Mongolian boys go in search of a musician in the hopes that his music will charm a mother camel into reuniting with the albino calf she has rejected.

Two Brothers (2004) - The story of how twin tigers, separated at birth (one becomes a circus performer, the other a companion to a wealthy man’s son), meet again later in life.

Whale Rider (2003) - An 11-year-old girl believes she is destined to be the chief of her New Zealand tribe and sets out to prove it.

Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971) - Although a new film adaptation of the Roald Dahl book (starring Johnny Depp) is in the works, Crouse recommends this version with Gene Wilder playing the kooky candy man who takes children on a magical mystery tour of his factory.

Darby O’Gill and the Little People (1959) - This classic Disney film (with a cast that includes Sean Connery) tells the tale of an Irishman who spins so many stories that no one believes him when he says he made friends with the King of the Leprechauns.

Options for Mom’s afternoon alone

In the event you find yourself with a few hours to spare all by yourself (whether your children are down for a nap or out with friends), Crouse suggests these flicks.

The Notebook (2004) - Nick Cassavetes directs this film (starring James Garner, Gena Rowlands and Canadian actors Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams) about two young lovers separated by the Second World War.

The Portrait of a Lady (1996) - Nicole Kidman stars in the Henry James story of an American woman who decides to live independently in Europe in the late 1800s.

Must-watch movies for Mom and Dad

According to Crouse, a new trend in Hollywood is for more films that speak to mature movie tastes, instead of those that target teens. Good news for grown-ups. If you’re looking for ideas for late-night viewing, here are a few of his critically acclaimed options for adults.

The Clearing (2004) - Robert Redford, Helen Mirren and Willem Dafoe star in the story of a wealthy CEO who is held hostage by a disgruntled employee, while his wife negotiates for his release.

Stage Beauty (2004) - In this period piece (with Billy Crudup, Claire Danes and Rupert Everett), the most famous actor of his day finds he needs to rebuild his career once women are allowed on the stage.

Seabiscuit (2003) - Tobey Maguire and Jeff Bridges appear in this film based on Laura Hillenbrand’s against-the-odds story about a jockey and a horse that need a win.

Almost Famous (2000) - An autobiographical tale – written and directed by Cameron Crowe – about a 15-year-old boy who goes on the road with a rock band to write a story for Rolling Stone magazine.

Fahrenheit 9/11 explodes!
by Digger Zero

On Friday, June 18, 2004, I was fortunate enough to get a ticket for the advance screening of Michael Moore's Fahrenheit 9/11 at the Varsity in Toronto due to the generosity of Vote For A Change (www.voteforachange.ca). The theatre was packed with 600 of very electic film lovers and others. After a short delay, Mr. Moore strode into the Varsity 8 to a standing ovation.

He expressed his relief at being in Canada after facing the hostile American media. He promised to take questions after the screening and took a seat at the back of the theatre.

First off, I was impressed with the sound system and the movie at the Varsity 8. Throughout the film, the soundtrack shook the audience in a sonic embrace. The horrific sounds of war never seemed so immediate. The music was a great counterpoint and people afterwards pointed out with pride that Neil Young, "Keep On Rockin' In The Free World" closed the movie.

The film is a stunning achievement. Fahrenheit 9/11 is a huge step beyond "Bowling For Columbine" as it demonstrates superior editing and interview techiques. Mr. Moore has grown as a director with this film. He mentioned his next subject was the U.S. health care system and HMO's. I hope he nails the heartless bastards to the wall!

Beware that Fahrenheit 9/11 is extremely graphic and not just because of the nauseating close-ups of George W. Bush and members of his inner circle. The movie does not shy away from depicting the horrors of war and some scenes of Iraqi victims of the American war machine might cause some gentler souls to wince. It's absolutely necessary for one to witness the disgusting nature of war to see the true brutality of a Republican administration, however. Fortunately, Mr. Moore is sensitive enough not to dwell on such scenes and does not exploit the situations.

The film exposes the lies behind Bush's rush to war and the way in which Americans were duped into sending their sons and daughters to Iraq to be maimed or killed for a false agenda. The shamefullness of the U.S. government's campaign of justification for sending troops to Iraq should be a sobering call for Canadians NOT to vote for Stephen Harper's Conservatives or any other political party that supports an insane war. If you are considering voting for the Conservatives on June 28th, please see this movie first and consider the way Americans have been lulled into supporting an agenda that is diametrically opposed to human values.

Moore's touch is more skillful with Fahrenheit 9/11 than previous productions while still maintaining his sense of humour. For example, there is a great scene that takes place in Washington where he and a Marine attempt to get Congressmen to send their children to Iraq just like thousands of average Americans. The politicians run for cover as Moore looks dejected. After the screening, Moore assured the audience that the Marine would be able to draw upon top legal resources provided by Moore's company in case of litigation. The man has integrity; those who readily critcize Moore should do more research in stead of writing misinformed knee-jerk reactions. Yes, I like Moore as a human being because he cares about his subjects.

There so many great scenes in Fahrenheit 9/11 that it's difficult to centre on a few. The whole film holds up and I look forward to seeing the film again when it opens on June 25th.

The questions and answer session after the screening was deftly handled by Richard Crouse. Moore answered numerous questions with humour and his love for Canada was expressed several times. He literally begged Canadians not to vote for Stephen Harper's "Republicans" and received extended applause.

In a funny exchange a befuddled young women asked why Moore hadn't answer her mother's email. The quick witted Moore whipped out his cell phone and asked for her mother's phone number and called her. Unfortunately, the email question was not really that worth it but the exchange was. [Her question was about the price of movies and hard covered books being too expensive.]

Unfortunately, a guy had the bad taste to ask whether Moore felt his life was in danger for making movies. Moore hestitated and shrugged, replying no. What a tactless question!

A couple of people managed to get hugs from Moore and one nervy guy got him to sign his DVD cover. Way to take an opportunity! Moore was very accomodating to everyone.

After a hour of questions and answers, Moore said he had a drive to Flint and thanked everyone for the response to the film and their support. A quartet of no neck security led him out of the theatre to a standing ovation.

If you see one movie this year... don't see TROY! See Shrek 2 or even better Fahrenheit 9/11

Keep competition out of TIFF: filmmakers
Lack of jury seen as a plus for fest

Canadian directors David Cronenberg, Deepa Mehta and Atom Egoyan pose at TIFF recently.  

Cannes has the Palme d'Or, Berlin has the Golden Bear and Sundance has its own set of accolades.

The Toronto International Film Festival differs from these other prestigious celebrations of film in that it does not have a set of competitive awards by which it ranks top entries each year, although it does have prizes in categories such as top Canadian film and fan favourite.

And judging by the reaction of at least two of Canada's top filmmakers, TIFF shouldn't alter its non-competitive strategy any time soon.

"It doesn't need it," director Atom Egoyan (Where The Truth Lies) replies when asked if TIFF should be competitive. "Festivals are a post-war phenomenon and the jury system was part of a way of giving them status."

His colleague David Cronenberg (A History Of Violence) concurs. "I think it would be a big mistake," he says. "When there's a competition, all kinds of craziness coagulates around the competition. The focus becomes the prizes, the outrage of your favourite film not winning a prize. There's an instant hostility that's engendered by competition."

At least one filmmaker disagrees with their non-competitive point of view. Actor-director Forest Whitaker, who won the FIPRESCI International Critics' Award at TIFF in 1993 for his film Strapped, feels that prizes give younger filmmakers a much-needed boost.

"I think those kinds of awards, getting away from the ego issues of it, I think they do help filmmakers' careers move forward," Whitaker says. "I think there's something to be said for that. When a film is given an award at Sundance, that filmmaker has a new beginning for his career."

TIFF co-director Noah Cowan confirms that organizers have toyed with the idea of making this festival competitive in the past, but ultimately concluded that Toronto's unique, congenial atmosphere was worth preserving.

"To be honest," Cowan explains, "the European competitive model is kind of old fashioned now with cinema coming from so many different sources in so many different formats, a democratization of the medium has occurred.

"I think that we've made the right decision to do something unique and different, in the same way that when Cannes was invented, that was something unique and different."

According to Toronto-based author and film critic Richard Crouse, the distinctiveness which Cowan highlights has possibly elevated TIFF above the competition in terms of importance and prestige.

"Toronto has already become one of the biggest, if not the biggest film festival in the world," he says. "Roger Ebert says that it has surpassed Cannes and judging from my experience in Cannes this year versus my experience in Toronto, I would have to agree. Would it benefit from (being competitive)? I don't really see how."

CHRIS ATCHISON/Metro Toronto/ September 2005

Book offers plenty of trivia tidbits
By: FP Bookman
Brandon Sun, October 2005
Reel Winners: Movie Award Trivia

Richard Crouse

Dundurn
Softcover, 277 pages

Richard Crouse, co-host of Reel to Real, Canada’s longest-running television show about movies has published a number of books on pop culture. As a regular film critic for Canada AM and CBC Radio One’s Go!, Crouse had sufficient interest and the expertise to compile enough trivia for his latest book — Reel Winners, a book of movie award trivia.

Instead of a normal review, I offer instead a selection of some of the tidbits of movie information Crouse has included in his book:

Janet Gaynor won the first best actress Oscar for her roles in three silent films from 1927 and 1928.

When Adrien Brody won his best actor Oscar in 2003, his competition consisted of four previous Oscar winners — Nicholas Cage, Michael Caine, Daniel Day-Lewis and Jack Nicholson.

1935’s Mutiny on the Bounty is the only film in Oscar history to receive three nominations for best actor.

Chewbacca (Peter Mayhew) was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 1997 MTV Movie Awards for his roles in the original Star Wars trilogy.

Striptease, starring Demi Moore, was awarded the Golden Raspberry Award as the worst film of the decade for the 1990s.

The Silence of the Lambs was the first film to be released on video before winning a best picture Oscar.

The Golden Reel Award is presented by the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television to the Canadian film that earns the highest domestic box-office revenue of the year. Such notable movies as Meatballs, Porky’s, Strange Brew and The Care Bears Movie can claim to have won this award.

The 31st annual Academy Awards show (1959) was the first and last time in Oscar history that the show ended early.

Taurus Awards are given to individuals in the movie stunt industry. Categories include best fight, best fire stunt, best high work and best work with a vehicle.

With 10 different chapters, Crouse covers the entire range of movie award trivia and is sure to be of interest to all movie buffs.

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