Myrtle Beach – A Hard Rockin’ Beach With A Southern Vibe

This is an old article but Myrtle Beach is still a great getaway for Canadians. Hoping to go this winter and bring back updates and recommendations.

Social Worker Travels

Myrtle Beach from the Anderson Ocean Club Resort balcony

Sweet iced tea by the pitcher, fried green tomatoes on many a menu, and a beachfront that runs for 60 miles. This isn’t Florida, my usual escape from winter.

While the sunshine state is the unofficial 11th province of Canada, I’m ready for somewhere with a different vibe and so I head down to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, otherwise known as the Grand Strand. It seems that Myrtle loves their Canadians too. There is even a Can-Am Festival that coincides with March Break and celebrates Canucks with a variety of events where the Maple Leaf is proudly flying alongside the American red, white, and blue.

It was about 70-75 degrees on this trip—not warm enough to get in the ocean except for a few brave people
(yes those desperate souls are usually Canadians). But it was warm enough to remind this…

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Calgary International Film Festival Day 3

The Electrical LIfe of Louis Wain

First of all, is there any role that Benedict Cumberbatch can’t play?

When I read that this film is about a British artist from the 1800’s who popularized cats as house pets through his artwork–I did not have high expectations. But I thoroughly enjoyed watching this journey. Narrated by the divine Olivia Colman and staring Claire Foy as Wain’s love interest, this film is a story of beauty, loss and creativity. Cumberbatch plays Wain as an intense and passionate artist who sees the world differently than most. He does everything with all of his heart–whether it is swimming for exercise, chasing down a bull to draw him properly or walking in on his sisters’ governess, when he realizes that he feels a romantic attraction for the first time in his life.

Foy is charming as his wife–perhaps the only person who understands his demons and loves him for his true nature. During a difficult period, they find a kitten and his drawings of this beloved pet become lively and cartoonish. Wide eyed and engaged in a variety of activities, his proflific drawings are now world famous. The theory is that people did not appreciate cats and only saw them as mousers in past; they were not recognized for their variety of abilities and moods. One of my favourite lines in the movie is when his wife, Emily, tells Louis: “cats are ridiculous, silly, cuddly, lonely and brave, just like us”. I have two cats and I can see them go through all of these attributes in any given day.

Louis tells his wife–that in order to draw–all you have to do is look. He holds on to the lessons she taught him through difficult times with his family, his health, his financial up and downs and his success.

Taika Waititi ( Jojo Rabbit ) does a cameo as one of his supporters—an American editor who helps to publicize his work on the other side of the pond.

As I said, Cumberbatch is transformative. I hear he plays a nasty fellow in the upcoming film The Power of the Dog, which has Oscar buzz. I am leaving Calgary before that premiere but feel very glad that I got to see his take on the hyper-focused, tender and humerous Louis Wain. He never let his dark or confusing throughts stop him. His art has brought happiness to many cat lovers and I dare say, saved the lives of numerous cats.

Calgary Film Festival-Day 2

SEE FOR ME

Last night I picked a thriller –a unique Canadian film called See For Me from Director Randall Okita. What makes this film innovative is that the protagonist–a blind former skier named Sophie–is actually playe by a visually impaired performer: Syler Davenport. It was if the film was made for them. In the Q &A, Okita discussed how he and his team felt that finding an actor who had lived experience with sight impairment was extremely important–in fact that project was delayed several years while the search was on.

The other star of the film is the grand sprawling house, where ahome invasion takes place while Sophie is cat-sitting.

Finding just the right place also was time consuming and Okita was glad that they held out for the perfect place. The house they found was in Caledon and was once owned by the inventor of Trivial Pursuit! Another Canadian connection. Once they found the setting–unfortunately Covid happened and production was shut down. But by August 2020, they were allowed back in and completed the project using Covid protocols.

Filming in a winding dark house from the viewpoint of an unsighted person seems very complicted to me and I can see why they had two cinematographers–Jackson Parrel and Jordan Oram. The thing about home invasion films is that they can be quite predictable and there were a few situations where I struggled to suspend my disbelief. But great acting, including a fun turn by Kim Coates, kept my interest throughout. They technology aspect of the app: See for Me and the fiesty actress Jessica Parker Kennedy who provides eyes for Sophie throughout the movie also add to the interest and make it different than your typical home invasion scenario.

This film is making the rounds of film festivals and should be released soon.

Calgary International Film Festival-Day 1

I attended my first film at CIFF on September 23. Festival Director Steve Schroeder and his many volunteers and photographers were in attendance. I was impressed with all of the care that went into making this in-person part of the 2021 Hybrid version of this festival as safe as possible. Accredited media were allowed to send proof of vaccination in advance and note of it was placed on the Media badge. Seats next to all attendees were blocked off. # F

I hit a winner with my first film choice: All My Puny Sorrows. Director Michael McGowan was in attendance and there was a Q & A following. He did an amazing job of adapting the novel of Canadian Author Miriam Toews and his script and nuanced direction along with a stellar cast, made for a complex and engrossing tale. The topic of suicide is a central theme to this film but amazingly due to the excellent work of the lead actresses Alison Pill and Sarah Gadon, there are still many laugh out loud moments in this film. I have long admired Pill for her previous work ( The Newsroom and recently Them) and she gave a fierce performance in a very difficult roll. Mare Winningham as the mother who has to grapple stoically with the suicidal streak that runs her family was also genuine and strong. According to director McGowan, she has dealt with suicide in her family which helped her to nail down the role. He also mentioned that Toronto born Pill and Gadon went to school together and they pressured him to relentless rehearse before filming. The results speak for themselves in the incredable chemisry on screen between the two sisters, much of which was filmed in a hospital room.

Even more amazing is the fast that this film was made during covid over a 20 day period in North Bay, Ontario.

This film, like the book grapples with the painful reality of suicide–how we don’t really know how to treat it or what to do when someone has a lifelong obsession with killing themselves. But even in the most painful life–there is joy and humour to help us along the way.

Logan Lucky: A Redneck Ocean’s Eleven

I love me a good heist movie. The pace, the plot, the underdog sticking it to some rich corporation. So I did enjoy Logan Lucky–a film that follows the template of Ocean’s Eleven but with a new locale and a motley crew of characters who look like they would have trouble finding their way out of an escape room, never mind robbing the Charlotte Speedway. Although I enjoy the pace and glitter of the Las Vegas setting in the Ocean’s series, I was entertained by the actors in this poor man’s take on the genre. Seeing James Bond, putting his spin on a southern accent as a criminal who specializes in blowing things up was great fun. I’m also a fan of Adam Driver from Girls where he played an overwrought New Yorker. In this film, he is a stone-faced vet who lost an arm in Afghanistan and he plays the straight man for laughs in several scenes.

The plot could have been better but the campy characters kept my interest.

 

Review of the Documentary “Gilbert”

I am a Gilbert Gottfried fan without really understanding why. There is something innocent about him, even when telling the worst inappropriate jokes,  that leads to humour.  Gottfried, who, is the voice of the parrot, in Aladdin and has been a fixture on the talk show circuit for years.

I was intrigued enough about seeing him in person to make the trek down to Hot Docs from Thornhill and was able to get tickets to the premiere of the Documentary Gilbert at which he, the director and his wife were present.

Gottfried pulled up in a cab and dashed by me into the theater. A diminutive man in person, he seemed to be a bit dazed by the buzz around him. He held tightly to the railing at the theater and seemed to pull himself up the steps onto the stage. The sense of fragility juxtaposed with the three filthy jokes he told on stage before the film started was shocking and led to loud laughter from the crowd. Gottfried has perfected squinting and shouting in his odd voice into an art form. He doesn’t offer preamble it is just him shrieking: “three Jews walked into a bar.”

The documentary in which he reluctantly participates offers the viewer some insight into how this unusual comedian came to be. We first see him wandering around his apartment in a white bathrobe and slippers (possibly stolen from a hotel) and he confesses that he sometimes feels like a stranger in his own life. The 3 million dollar apartment came after marriage to longtime girlfriend Dara Kravitz in 2007 followed by the birth of his two adorable kids. The whole family appears in the film.

But the real clues into his deepest feelings come from the scenes about his family of origin. Part of poor Jewish family from Brooklyn, his first home was on Coney Island in a tiny apartment that was above the hardware store that his father ran.  Although his father died at age 42, quite some time ago, his sisters mention how hard he was on Gottfried as a young boy. He constantly chastised him by saying he wasn’t good enough and would never amount to anything. Did this lead to his push to be on stage at age 15 at local comedy clubs? The audience can only speculate.  Several comedians weigh in during the film and they attribute Gilbert’s quirky mannerisms to having to speak over drunk crowds at a young age.

One of the repetitive themes of the film is how difficult it is for Gottfried to express love directly. His wife reads old cards given on their anniversary where he writes “ Happy Anniversary, go F…yourself.”  Luckily she finds this funny.  He seems uncomfortable with saying I love you or initiating physical affection. There are many scenes where he is being hugged by his wife and kids and reluctantly hugs back.  Dara tells me after the film that saying I love to Gilbert either gets no response or comedic swear words.

But his love of family does shine through. The scenes in the film where he is in his sister’s cluttered apartment are poignant. He admits to visiting daily and in another emotional scene, we see him accompany her to chemotherapy, where she discloses to the camera that she has stage four breast cancer. He makes her laugh with goofy faces and comments. This is how he expresses love. With his unique brand of humour.

This film is making the festival circuit and should be released in New York and LA this Fall. The director, Neil Berkeley, is also working on an exclusive streaming deal with Hulu. I highly recommend giving it a view. Watch for interviews throughout the film, with a variety of comedians including Bill Burr, Joy Behar, Lewis Black and Whoopi Goldberg–who all regard Gilbert Gottfried as “the comedian’s comedian”.  He will go wherever he has to go for the laugh.

 

Top 10 Canadian Films List: In honour of Canada Day 150!

Happy Canada 150!

Neilia's Notes: Film and Play Reviews

Canada Day is approaching and I thought that this would be a great time to come up with my 10 favourite Canadian films of all time. We are a young country and have already contributed so much to the entertainment world. And even though Grammarly is telling me to lose the ‘u’s as American spelling is more consistent–No way! I’m a proud Canadian and my spelling will alway convey that.

1.The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz-1973

Here begins my crush on Richard Dreyfuss. Fresh off his role in American Graffiti, He lands the tile role in this film and does he ever crush it. Those of us who have been watching him for years have seen various versions of this character but make sure to see him here in this Canadian classic by Mordecai Richler ( both book and film) set in post war Montreal. Duddy is determined to make it even…

View original post 1,087 more words

Top 10 Canadian Films List: In honour of Canada Day 150!

Canada Day is approaching and I thought that this would be a great time to come up with my 10 favourite Canadian films of all time. We are a young country and have already contributed so much to the entertainment world. And even though Grammarly is telling me to lose the ‘u’s as American spelling is more consistent–No way! I’m a proud Canadian and my spelling will alway convey that.

1.The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz-1973

Here begins my crush on Richard Dreyfuss. Fresh off his role in American Graffiti, He lands the tile role in this film and does he ever crush it. Those of us who have been watching him for years have seen various versions of this character but make sure to see him here in this Canadian classic by Mordecai Richler ( both book and film) set in post war Montreal. Duddy is determined to make it even if he has to make morally bankrupt decisions. But you can’t help rooting for him–his chutzpah alone is dazzling.

2. Lies my Father Told Me-1975

This film came out in 1975 and starred Jeff Lynas who was actually the little brother of one of my classmates in high school.   The film takes place in Quebec and is about a Jewish family and the relationship between a young boy and his grandfather in the 1920’s. I was 15 when it came out and what a tear jerker. Lynas and Yossi Yadin as the grandfather had great chemistry.  I can still remember crying during the film’s pivotal scene. I have a younger brother  who was the same age as Lynas way during the film and he even looked like him which got to me even more. An evocative period piece about Jewish life in Montreal and the powerful ties of family. It won best foreign film at the Golden Globes that year as well as best breakout male star for Lynas.

 3. Meatballs-1979   

Who doesn’t love a good camp movie!  This comedic film launched the career of Canadian director Ivan Reitman.  Meatballs takes place at an overnight camp like many of us attended in our youth.  It stars a young Bill Murray in his first major film role and I actually know someone who acted in it–shout out to Allan Levson as the angry kid at the bus. Yes it is from 1979 and I was a teenager when I first saw it, which is part of the nostalgia that comes over me when I see this movie on late night tv. It is funny, romantic and irreverent.  It was actually filmed at Camp White Pine  in Halliburton and many of the real campers ended up in the movie. Check it out Millennials!

4. Atlantic City–1980

I well remember the 1980 Academy Awards because a Canadian film was actually nominated. Not only that but this film, directed by Louis Malle and starring Susan Sarandon and Burt Lancaster is among the 41 films to be nominated for all  of the “Big Five” Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress and Best Screenplay, and one of only eight among this group to not take home a single award. How frustrating. It starts with Sarandon applying lemons to her lovely breasts for which she is still famous.  Seriously, it is a film about the struggles of dreamers who are lured to Atlantic City, where they turn to crime while looking for love.

5. The Fly–1986

It is pretty horrific but you can’t take your eyes off this film starring Jeff Goldblum as a scientist who develops fly like characteristics after a terrible mistake that occurs during one of his experiments.  Geena Davis stars as his love interest and the film is a parallel exploration of a doomed love triangle. David Cronenberg leads the way for his ability to combine horror and modern day life is such a complex manner.  He never shies away from his unique vision and his take on  themes such as life, love, sex, disease and death  has lead to a subgenre of film–the biological horror film.  An vivid and detailed take on how science and progress can go wildly wrong.

6. Dead Ringers–1988

Prolific director David Cronenberg has made a lot of good films in his trademark horror genre but I have to say this is my favourite. It involves twins, gynaecology and love obsession. Jeremy Irons does a great job playing both twins and I still remember being riveted when I first saw it.  I’m really getting in the mood to hunt these movies down and see them again.

7. Double Happiness–1994

Way before Gray’s Anatomy the dynamic Sandra Oh starred in this film about a young Chinese-Canadian woman at odds with her family’s cultural ways. This is a very common Canadian story : a child of immigrants trying to please her parents but also to pursue her own dreams–thus looking for double happiness.  Oh won the Genie for best performance by a leading actress and went on to star in many high-profile projects. This low-budget film is worth a watch.

8. Juno-2007

Though technically an American film, the fact that it has a Canadian Director ( Jason Reitman who has gloriously followed in his father’s footsteps), two break-out young Canadian stars and was filled in Vancouver makes this film Canadian enough for my list. This engaging film is about an outspoken quirky young woman who gets pregnant the first time she has sex.  She has to figure out what is best for her and the baby.  Wonderfully acted by Ellen Page and Michael Cena as the teenaged couple and a great supporting cast, this movie is a must watch. Entertaining, original and just plain fun to  take in,  Juno resulted in an Academy Award win for its screenplay written by   Diablo Cody.

9. A History of Violence-2005

Viggo Mortensen is astounding  as the lead in this film.  A History of Violence was so different from the typical Cronenberg film–I didn’t realize that he was the director until years later. It  was a departure from the out-and-out horror as it is more of crime thriller. I was mesmerized from the first scene. Without giving too much away, it is one of those double life films–where a character literally becomes someone else before your eyes.  Most of the film was shot in Millbrook Ontario, with the climatic scene taking place at the historic Eaton Hall in King City.  The film explores the idea that there is  good and evil in all of us and leaves you wondering whether or not someone can really change.

10. Barney’s Version-2010

Boy do I love Paul Giamatti. It is fitting to end this list with a film based on another Mordecai Richler book. This one stars the dynamic Giamatti in the lead role. This film is based on one of Richler’s most popular books and looks at the life of a man who is unlucky in love but keeps trying anyway.  With an all-star cast including Dustin Hoffman, Minnie Driver and Rosemund Pike, Barney’s Version was filmed in Montreal, New York and Rome.  Look for cameos from Canadian directors– Denys Arcand, Atom Egoyon and Paul Gross.

Honourable Mentions

Eastern Promises–“Oh those Russians”–another star turn by Viggo Mortenson

Room–High grossing and filled with Canadian connections

Exotica— Slow paced and interesting by the prolific Atom Agoyan.

 

Please add a comment about your favourite Canadian film.

Top 10 Canadian Films List: In honour of Canada Day 150!

Canada Day is approaching and I thought that this would be a great time to come up with my 10 favourite Canadian films of all time. We are a young country and have already contributed so much to the entertainment world. And even though Grammarly is telling me to lose the ‘u’s as American spelling is more consistent–No way! I’m a proud Canadian and my spelling will alway convey that.

1.The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz–1973

Here begins my crush on Richard Dreyfuss. Fresh off his role in American Graffiti, He lands the title role in this film and does he ever crush it. Those of us who have been watching him for years have seen various versions of this character but make sure to see him here in this Canadian classic by Mordecai Richler ( both book and film) set in post-war Montreal. Duddy is determined to make it even if he has to make morally bankrupt decisions. But you can’t help rooting for him–his chutzpah alone is dazzling.

2. Lies my Father Told Me–1975

This film came out in 1975 and starred Jeff Lynas who was actually the little brother of one of my classmates in high school.   The film takes place in Quebec and is about a Jewish family and the relationship between a young boy and his grandfather in the 1920’s. I was 15 when it came out and what a tear jerker. Lynas and Yossi Yadin as the grandfather had great chemistry.  I can still remember crying during the film’s pivotal scene. I have a younger brother who was the same age as Lynas way during the film and he even looked like him which got to me even more. An evocative period piece about Jewish life in Montreal and the powerful ties of family. It won best foreign film at the Golden Globes that year as well as best breakout male star for Lynas.

 3. Meatballs–1979   

Who doesn’t love a good camp movie!  This comedic film launched the career of Canadian director Ivan Reitman.  Meatballs takes place at an overnight camp like many of us attended in our youth.  It stars a young Bill Murray in his first major film role and I actually know someone who acted in it–shout out to Allan Levson as the angry kid at the bus. Yes, it is from 1979 and I was a teenager when I first saw it, which is part of the nostalgia that comes over me when I see this movie on late night tv. It is funny, romantic and irreverent.  It was actually filmed at Camp White Pine in Haliburton and many of the real campers ended up in the movie. Check it out Millennials!

4. Atlantic City–1980

I well remember the 1980 Academy Awards because a Canadian film was actually nominated. Not only that but this film, directed by Louis Malle and starring Susan Sarandon and Burt Lancaster is among the 41 films to be nominated for all  of the “Big Five” Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress and Best Screenplay, and one of only eight among this group to not take home a single award. How frustrating. It starts with Sarandon applying lemons to her lovely breasts for which she is still famous.  Seriously, it is a film about the struggles of dreamers who are lured to Atlantic City, where they turn to crime while looking for love.

5. The Fly–1986

It is pretty horrific but you can’t take your eyes off this film starring Jeff Goldblum as a scientist who develops fly like characteristics after a terrible mistake that occurs during one of his experiments.  Geena Davis stars as his love interest and the film is a parallel exploration of a doomed love triangle. David Cronenberg leads the way for his ability to combine horror and modern day life is such a complex manner.  He never shies away from his unique vision and his take on the intersection of life, love, sex, disease, and death has lead to a subgenre of film–the biological horror film.  A vivid and detailed tale on how science and progress can go wildly wrong.

6. Dead Ringers–1988

Prolific director David Cronenberg has made a lot of good films in his trademark horror genre but I have to say this is my favourite. It involves twins, gynecology and love obsession. Jeremy Irons does a great job playing both twins and I still remember being riveted when I first saw it.  I’m really getting in the mood to hunt these movies down and see them again.

7. Double Happiness–1994

Way before Gray’s Anatomy the dynamic Sandra Oh starred in this film about a young Chinese-Canadian woman at odds with her family’s cultural ways. This is a very common Canadian story: a child of immigrants trying to please her parents but also to pursue her own dreams–thus looking for double happiness.  Oh won the Genie for best performance by a leading actress and went on to star in many high-profile projects. This low-budget film is worth a watch.

8. Juno–2007

Though technically an American film, the fact that it has a Canadian Director ( Jason Reitman who has gloriously followed in his father’s footsteps), two break-out young Canadian stars and was filled in Vancouver makes this film Canadian enough for my list. This engaging film is about an outspoken quirky young woman who gets pregnant the first time she has sex.  She has to figure out what is best for her and the baby.  Wonderfully acted by Ellen Page and Michael Cena as the teenaged couple and a great supporting cast, this movie is a must see. Entertaining, original and just plain fun to take in,  Juno resulted in an Academy Award win for its screenplay written by  Diablo Cody.

9. A History of Violence–2005

Viggo Mortensen is astounding  as the lead in this film.  A History of Violence was so different from the typical Cronenberg film–I didn’t realize that he was the director until years later. It  was a departure from the out-and-out horror as it is more of crime thriller. I was mesmerized from the first scene. Without giving too much away, it is one of those double life films–where a character literally becomes someone else before your eyes.  Most of the film was shot in Millbrook Ontario, with the climatic scene taking place at the historic Eaton Hall in King City.  The film explores the idea that there is  good and evil in all of us and leaves you wondering whether or not someone can really change.

10. Barney’s Version–2010

Boy do I love watching Paul Giamatti. It is fitting to end this list with a film based on another Mordecai Richler book. This one stars the dynamic Giamatti in the lead role. This film is based on one of Richler’s most popular books and looks at the life of a man who is unlucky in love but keeps trying anyway.  With an all-star cast including Dustin Hoffman, Minnie Driver and Rosemund Pike, Barney’s Version was filmed in Montreal, New York and Rome.  Look for cameos from Canadian directors– Denys Arcand, Atom Egoyon and Paul Gross.

 

Honourable Mentions

Eastern Promises–“Oh those Russians”–another star turn by Viggo Mortenson

Room–High grossing and filled with Canadian connections

Exotica— Slow paced and interesting by the prolific Atom Agoyan.

Wonder Woman–See it if you like the Superhero genre with a major feminist twist.

I’m not a big fan of superhero movies because there are just too many reboots and bad ones. So I didn’t go looking to see this movie but I did enjoy it and here is why.

Gal Gadot–is a beautiful Israeli actress who kicks some serious butt–but with humour and grace. Before turning to acting she was Ms. Israel and a model. She was also in the Israeli Defense Force for two years. Combine her beauty, her strength, her adorable accent-which is supposed to be Amazonian but is obviously Israeli–and you have a winner. She is also funny, her fish out of water scenes with Chris Pine had me laughing.

It is directed by a woman Patti Jenkins and, as my 16-year-old son reported to me, it is a feminist film. But he liked it and I’m sure most guys will. I heard there was backlash because Gadot is not as buxom as the Wonder Woman of old but once you see her on-screen all  fit and intense, you forget about the need to have her boobs hanging out ( What did that accomplish exactly…?) Watching her protect all the men who had guns with her bare hands did my heart good. When you see a strong woman who can defend herself well–you realize that it is not a typical image in film, even in 2017.

The underlying themes of the film such as good vs. evil, human vs supernatural and man vs woman are thought-provoking. What will it take to make us treasure the world and each other? That is what I was left wondering by Wonder Woman.