Happy Friday everybody!! Well I’m psyched for my Montréal trip. Bags are packed, airport shuttle booked, etc. and looking at the forecast, it’s going to be in mid 70s F & mostly sunny for most of the days we’ll be in Montréal AND Québec City! We can’t believe our luck, as Canada & Minnesota pretty much share a similar climate in that it tends to still be cold even in May.
Well, I’ve been needing a break for some time so for sure I won’t be blogging whilst I’m on vacation, so if you don’t see a comment from moi in the next week or so, you’ll know why. But before time, there’s always time for community links, so here we go…
Cindy just did a wonderful tribute to one of my fave actors Edward Norton
Jordan reviewed a French film The Blue Room by Mathieu Amalric
Speaking of French cinema, Vinnie reviewed the classic 90s crime thriller Léon, which is my fave Luc Besson movie
Now THIS post of dapper guys in suits is a total feast for the eyes… thank you Zoë for not forgetting my dahling Sam Riley!
To commemorate this year’s Cannes, Steven‘s been doing Cannes review marathon. I really need to see this Russian film Leviathan (2014)
Dell‘s post on terrible movie summaries made me laugh, esp. the one for Batman V Superman
I’ve been curious to check out Yorgos Lanthimos’ previous films after seeing The Lobster, but after reading Vern‘s review of Dogtooth, I’m not sure it’s my cup of tea.
The Flick Chicks ladies Jenna & Allie have a differing views about Testament of Youth, but I’m still curious to rent it, alas it’s not available to stream anywhere 
Mark & Tom’s Decades’ Blogathon is going on right now, check out Michael‘s review of The Outlaw Josey Wales starring Clint Eastwood.
Last but not least, always nice to see Andrew still blogging from time to time. Check out his 2015 Fisti Awards, yay on Phoenix!
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As I have done previously on my blog when I take a trip, I like to commemorate it with a film-related post. Well, it so happens that I’ve been watching quite a few Canadian films during MSPIFF, in fact three of them I like quite a bit: Bollywood/Hollywood (set in Toronto), Beeba Boys (set in Vancouver) and My Internship in Canada (set in rural Quebec). The year before I also LOVE The Grand Seduction, which is set in Newfoundland, the most easterly province of Canada.
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Now, I’m going to make the distinction of Canadian films and films set in Canada, as there are certainly a ton of American films set in our northern neighbor, such as the X-Men movies in British Columbia as well as many others that take a Canadian city like Toronto to sub for American ones like NYC. Wikipedia has a pretty comprehensive list of Canadian films, and apparently according to this site, April 29 is declared National Canadian Film Day!
A few notable Canadian films (made by Canadian filmmakers) I’ve seen over the years are Water (by Deepa Mehta), The Fly (by David Cronenberg) Enemy (by Denis Villeneuve), The Red Violin (by François Girard), just to name a few. I also have to mentioned Remember, which was a compelling WWII-themed drama by Atom Egoyan (an Egyptian-decent who was raised in British Columbia).
When I was making this post though, I realize there are so many essential Canadian films I still need to see… Away from Her (as well as Sarah Polley’s acclaimed documentary Stories We Tell), Incendies, Monsieur Lazhar,, and the one that’s been on my Netflix queue for ages Cairo Time, etc. I also remember reading Ryan’s review of Jesus of Montreal, which I should check out soon.
So I thought I’d take the time to broaden my Canadian cinema horizon.
FLIXCHATTER FILM BLOG 
Thanks for the sound-out, Ruthie. You have a wonderful time in Montreal. Always wanted to visit there–can’t wait to see and hear all about it!
I know Ivan will have a field day taking photos! So yeah, maybe I’ll post a few in the blog but for sure when I get back. We’ve been craving Paris and Montreal is apparently Paris of the North 🙂
Hmm…my favorites would be two I can think of at the moment: David Cronenberg’s DEAD RINGERS and the beautifully sedate western, THE GREY FOX, with the great Richard Farnsworth. The former stunt man who just so happened silently cameo’d in THE OUTLAW JOSEY WALES, and thank you so much for the shout-out, Ruth. 🙂
Oh yes Dead Ringers!! Been wanting to watch that for ages, I mean double Jeremy Irons, what’s not to love 😉
My pleasure for the shout out, one day I should watch at least one Clint Eastwood’s western!
Good one Michael… I forgot about DEAD RINGERS…it’s creepy as all get out
Oooh, another vouch for Dead Ringers, I really should watch that soon!
It surely is. Thanks, Paula.
Thanks for the shout out Ruth.
My pleasure Vinnie!
It’s an honor to get a shout out from such a wonderful blogger as you.
A few of my favorites from my home and native land…
JESUS OF MONTREAL (Arcand)
LAST NIGHT (McKellar)
A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE (Cronenberg)
PONTYPOOL (McDonald)
CAFE DE FLORE (Valee)
INCENDIES (Villeneuve)
TAKE THIS WALTZ (Polley)
GOON (Dowse)
MOMMY (Dolan)
I’m intrigued by Cafe De Flore! I didn’t know Sarah Polley did Take This Waltz, now I’m more inclined to see that.
Thank you very much for the nice shot out and for sharing my review of Dogtooth. I hope you have a nice time in Canada. My favorite Canadian Film is Ginger Snaps. It’s a story of female adolescence disguised as a werewolf tale
My pleasure Vern! I don’t think I can handle movies like Dogtooth or Green Room, I just don’t have the stomach for it. Ginger Snaps sounds intriguing, I’m gonna have to check out the trailer!
Eastern Promises, Take This Waltz, and Goon are some of my favorites. Away From Her is so heartbreaking.
Eastern Promises looks pretty darn scary, though I love Viggo and I heard he’s phenomenal in it. I really need to see something by Sarah Polley soon, perhaps starting w/ Away From Her.
Hey Ruth, Hubby and I are so close to Montreal and yet we have yet to do there…shhhh 😉 But I have seen some French-Canadian films. Haha. If you like dark depressing neo-noirs, VIC AND FLO SAW A BEAR fits the bill. TU DORS NICOLE and C.R.A.Z.Y. is a pretty interesting coming-of-age tales. LE NEG is an exposé of the toll of racism. I second or third JESUS OF MONTREAL, plus DECLINE OF THE AMERICAN EMPIRE and THE BARBARIAN INVASIONS, also by Arcand. Also anything by Xavier Dolan is pretty interesting, although I haven’t seen the latest one yet.
I didn’t realize you’re only 10 hr drive from Montreal! Thanks for the recommendations doll, seems that Jean-Marc Vallée is quite a staple in Canadian cinema before Hollywood *discovered* him. I’m curious about Cafe De Flore too that he directed.
I know, we could totally drive there…you’re so welcome. I need to see CAFE DE FLORE myself. Another one I forgot by Sarah Polley, that I haven’t seen, but need to, is STORIES WE TELL.
There are probably hundreds of movies I love, but don’t know that they’re Canadian. Some I do…
Videodrome
Take This Waltz
Mommy
American Mary
Hope you enjoy your trip, and break , and thanks for the link!
Yeah, I think there are perhaps more Canadian films than we think there are. Ah yes I know you and Andrew (Fisti) loves Dolan stuff, I have yet to see any.
Everybody knows the greatest Canadian film is Asses of Fire:
😀
In all seriousness, I would probably say something by David Cronenberg, like The Fly or Videodrome. No one does body horror better than Cronenberg.
Check out the French/Canadian film C.R.A.Z.Y, Ruth. It’s a great early film by Jean Marc Valee before he became more famous with Dallas Buyers Club. It’s a great little film that too many seem to have passed by. 🙂
Someone’s mentioned CRAZY too, now I’m curious. Yes it seems he’s done some great work before he made films in Hollywood.
Yassssss C.R.A.Z.Y ❤
Have a fun trip Ruth!
Since Canada is close to the States, I’ve never really pay attention to films that were from there, I think many of them usually were co-produced by American companies. As far as my favorites, I’ll go with most of David Cronenberg’s films, again I don’t know which one were produced by a Canadian company and which ones were produced here.
Ahah very true Ted. I think they work with European companies a lot as well. Cronenberg is certainly one of Canada’s most famous filmmakers.
I love love LOVE Away from Her!!!
I have to check that out soon, thanks Matt!
Lucky you! I haven’t left Australia once…. kinda sad really
As always, thanks a ton for the link love and also the other links to check out. There always seems to be a post that I miss here and there.
As for my favourite Canadian film, it’d have to be Sicario. I haven’t seen many Canuck films at all now that I think about it
Oh I forgot Cronenberg! I love all his stuff, top to bottom 😀
Hey, so long as you have breath, it’s never too late to travel. I’ve never been to Australia and there are sooo many great places there to visit. My auntie lives in Sydney suburbs so one day we’ll have to do a meet up Jordan!
Sicario is a terrific film! Lots of French-Canadian filmmakers making their way to Hollywood it seems.
I like all of Dennis’ work, ans Sicario was his best so far, which is pretty good seeing as Enemy and Prisoners were also pretty damned good.
If you come to Australia I’d love to meet up, that be so cool! I don’t have any movie-buff friends, so it’d be cool to talk movies for hours on end ;D
If I travel soon it’ll be a cheap trip to Bali or somewhere close in that region, apparently the cost of living there is insanely cheap. And with a weak as hell Aussie dollar, that helps! I really want to go to New Zealand though, but that’d cost a ton more
Ahah yeah, a trip to Bali would be much cheaper from where you are Jordan. I LOVE Bali, I mean obviously because it’s in my homeland but it’s also paradise in every sense of the word. I can’t wait to go back there, but it’s very expensive (not to mention the super long flight). I’d love to visit NZ too but that’s even more expensive from here 😦
Hmmm sounds like Bali is the best way to go. I’ll wait for some cheap return tickets. My only worry is being alone in as totally unfamiliar place. I don’t know if that will cause me to have panic attacks. I’d ask a friend to go but most of my friends are poorer than I am
Thanks for the link love, here is my list of favorite Canadian films by each great Canadian director:
Videodrome by David Cronenberg
Laurence Anyways by Xavier Dolan
My Winnipeg by Guy Maddin
Away from Her by Sarah Polley
Exotica by Atom Egoyan
Mon Oncle Antoine by Claude Jutra
& Incendies by Denis Villeneuve
Oh, and Asses of Fire by Terrence & Phillip…. *farts* LMAO!!!
Thanks for the recommendations Steven!
You’re welcome.
Good question Ruth. Off the top my head I can easily think of movies filmed in Canada, Canadian actors and directors but I have to think a bit about actual Canadian films. 32 short films on Glenn Gould comes to mind about a Canadian pianist. Cube and ExistenZ are cool movies too.
Have a great trip!
I’ll take a look at the two movies you mentioned, that one about the pianist sounds intriguing. Thanks Eddie!
Have a super wonderful time
Thanks! I did 🙂
Yay 🙂
I think Mon oncle Antoine may very well be my favorite Canadian film. I caught up with it a few years ago and it really left an impression.
I hadn’t heard of that one Keith, that sounds interesting! I remember you reviewing Monsieur Lazhar or was that someone else? I’m intrigued by that as well.
I haven’t seen Lazhar. Antoine is really good. Such a wonderful sense of place and setting. Some really quirky cultural moments as well. Check it out if you get the opportunity.
Thanks for giving the Blogathon a shout. Your review was among the highlights!
My pleasure Mark! Finally got a chance to respond to all the comments on the post today 🙂
National Canadian Film day was just last month:
Very cool!