Richard joins canada’s number one mid-morning show “The Marilyn Denis Show” to talk about movies and television show to make your Yuletide bright. We talk a pair of tinsel town Christmas movies on Crave, “Four Christmases” with Reese Witherspoon and Vince Vaughn and “Elf,” starring Will Ferrell. On the streamers we talk Disney+’s “Home Sweet Home Alone,” the holiday themed “Hawkeye” mini-series and the delightful Netflix holiday movies “Klaus” and “Father Christmas is Back.”
Richard speaks to “CTV News at Six” anchor Andria Case about the best movies and television to watch this weekend. This week we have a look at the Vince Vaughn horror comedy “Freaky” on Crave, the Apple TV+ musical docuseries “Watch the Sound with Mark Ronson” and the Australian mini-series “The End” on Showtime.
Richard sits in on the CFRA Ottawa morning show with guest host Andrew Pinsent to talk the new movies coming to theatres, VOD and streaming services including the M. Night Shyamalan thriller “Old” (in theatres), the action flick “Jolt” (Amazon Prime), the rock ‘n roll biopic “Creation Stories” (VOD), the dramatic coming of age story of “Beans” (in theatres), and the throwback skateboarding movie “North Hollywood” (VOD) with Vince Vaughn.
Richard joins NewsTalk 1010’s Jim Richards on the coast-to-coast-to-coast late night “Showgram” to play the game “Did Richard Crouse like these movies?” This week we talk about the rock ‘n roll biopic “Creation Stories,” the dramatic coming of age story of “Beans” and the throwback skateboarding movie “North Hollywood” with Vince Vaughn.
Imagine a mix-and-match of the teen comedy of “Superbad” and the slice-of-life vibe of “Dazed and Confused,” and you’ll have an idea of what “North Hollywood,” the new skateboarding dramedy now on VOD.
Michael (Ryder McLaughlin) is on the cusp of one of the great rites of passage, high school graduation. It’s time to figure out how he will begin the next phase of his life. His father Oliver (Vince Vaughn), who has worked construction all his life, wants him to go to college, move up in the world and put their North Hollywood neighborhood in the rearview mirror. “Every day I told myself my son wasn’t going to be some random nobody, just another guy who didn’t make it. That is not the life I want for you.”
Trouble is, Michael doesn’t share his father’s dream.
The gangly altar boy just doesn’t see his future in the inside of a text book. He wants to be a pro skateboarder. “I’m going to go to college and I’m also going to skate. Pops, I’m telling you,” he says, “I’m nice on the board.”
“Your focus needs to be going to college,” dad replies, but like so many teens Michael thinks he knows best and tries to build relationships with professional skaters to kickstart his career. Along the way he also falls into his first love with the goal-oriented Rachel (Miranda Cosgrove).
“North Hollywood” is a coming-of-age story that examines the choices young people make. Should he follow his dream? Or give it away for the life Rachel and his father have in mind.
“North Hollywood” doesn’t break a lot of new ground narratively, but its focus on the characters and male friendship elevates a typical coming-of-age story. A showdown between Michael and his lifelong friend Adolf (Aramis Hudson) is simple, but raw. It cuts to the essence of what happens when one person in the equation grows faster than the other. It’s a theme “North Hollywood” builds on throughout, as Michael morphs from confused teen to someone who will chart his own course in life.
It’s effective but understated. Likeable performances that get under the skins of their characters ensures that this is more than a skateboarding film. Like all good sports inspired stories, the sport is secondary to the universal lessons contained within. Michael learns a lesson in balance, both on a skateboard and in life.
Richard speaks to “CTV News at 11:30” anchor Andria Case about movies on VOD and in theatres to watch this weekend including the childhood fantasy “Come Away,” the romance of “Ammonite” and “Freaky,” a body switch slasher flick starring Vince Vaughn.
Richard and CP24 anchor Courtney Heels have a look at “Ammonite” (in theaters 11/13, premium on demand 12/4), the horror comedy mash-up of “Freaky” (in theatres), the kid’s movie for adults “Come Away” (EST) and the serious slacker comedy “Saint Frances.”
Richard sits in on the CTV NewsChannel with host Lois Lee to have a look at the new movies coming to VOD, streaming services and theatres including “Ammonite” (in theaters 11/13, premium on demand 12/4), the horror comedy mash-up of “Freaky” (in theatres), the kid’s movie for adults “Come Away” (EST) and the farce “Dinner with Friends” (VOD).
Richard sits in on the CFRA Ottawa morning show with host Bill Carroll to talk the new movies coming to theatres, VOD and streaming services including the Oscar contender “Ammonite” (in theaters 11/13, premium on demand 12/4), the horror comedy mash-up of “Freaky” (in theatres), the kid’s movie for adults “Come Away” (EST), the farce “Dinner with Friends” (VOD) and the dramedy “Saint Frances” (iTunes Canada and on-demand).
Richard joins canada’s number one mid-morning show “The Marilyn Denis Show” to talk about movies and television show to make your Yuletide bright. We talk a pair of tinsel town Christmas movies on Crave, “Four Christmases” with Reese Witherspoon and Vince Vaughn and “Elf,” starring Will Ferrell. On the streamers we talk Disney+’s “Home Sweet Home Alone,” the holiday themed “Hawkeye” mini-series and the delightful Netflix holiday movies “Klaus” and “Father Christmas is Back.”
