On Screen

Smart reviews for the visually obsessed. On Screen features film reviews and festival coverage, spotlighting cinematic craft, storytelling and standout performances.

  • Review: ‘1917’ puts audiences on the battlefield (Includes first-hand account)

    Period war dramas still tend to resonate with audiences. Films set during the First and Second World Wars are especially effective, though most of the viewers were not yet alive during the former or, in many cases, even the latter. The less technologically-sophisticated combat strategies and weaponry seem to correlate with greater personal risk to the soldiers, who were generally young men asked to fight and die for their countries. Bouts of fear are mixed in with acts of heroism as they march over the bodies of their fallen friends to finish the task they started together. 1917 follows two British soldiers on a mission to limit the bloodshed.

  • Review: ‘Underwater’ responds well to pressure (Includes first-hand account)

    “Leave no rock unturned” certainly has its pros and cons. As humans scour every inch of the Earth, they turn their sights to the deepest depths of the ocean. Once where no man could survive the pressure, it’s only a matter of time before exploration becomes excavation. But what hides in the dark or deep below the ocean floor? What may our meddling awaken and how will it react to our intrusion? For years, movies have proposed previously undisturbed, uncharted areas were home to creatures ready to exact Mother Nature’s revenge. Consequently, they’ve unleashed something in Underwater and it’s not feeling very welcoming.

  • Review: ‘Twin Peaks: From Z to A’ is the ultimate mystery collection (Includes first-hand account)

    When Twin Peaks premiered in 1990, it was one of the strangest mysteries to takeover network television. Created by Mark Frost and David Lynch, the series drew on elements of detective fiction, as well as daytime serials and the horror genre. However, as with Lynch’s other projects, it had a quirky sense of humour, countless moments of surrealism and a distinguished look. Although it only lasted two seasons, the show gained a cult following and a permanent place in the pop culture zeitgeist. Consequently, it also produced a prequel movie, Fire Walk with Me, which was accompanied by nearly 90 minutes of deleted and alternate scenes titled, “The Missing Pieces,” and a 2017 limited event series (or third season) written by Lynch and Frost, and promoted as Twin Peaks: The Return. Now fans can own all of these narratives in one attractive boxset called Twin Peaks: From Z to A.

  • Review: ‘Spies in Disguise’ has fun with the spy’s love of camouflage (Includes first-hand account)

    The secret agent is an appealing character in fiction because they’re human, but capable of accomplishing amazing feats. They’re constantly in mortal danger, but almost never really at risk of dying because they always find a way to escape. They have the best tech money can buy and imaginations can create, making difficult situations easily manageable. They’re also able to blend into any environment, using the most meagre to incredibly elaborate disguises to avoid detection. However, even when things go wrong, they still have to get the job done as demonstrated in Spies in Disguise.

  • Review: ‘Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker’ provides thrilling closure (Includes first-hand account)

    After four years, the latest Star Wars trilogy is finally coming to an end. While the death of major characters were expected, some were still shocking and others were difficult to accept. However, the real-life passing of original franchise star Carrie Fisher hit everyone hard as it meant she would never see the end of the series to which she was such an important contributor. Yet, General Leia Organa would still play a major role in the final chapter as the latest Skywalker saga comes to an end in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.

  • Review: Clint Eastwood delivers a great film in ‘Richard Jewell’ (Includes first-hand account)

    While the American justice system is supposed to be built on the idea that everyone is innocent until proven guilty, it often doesn’t work that way. For one, law enforcement can become so focused on a single suspect, they view all the evidence through a lens of bias. Second, many suspects are often tried by the media and public opinion before they even step foot in a courtroom. Finally, if it turns out the prime suspect is innocent, it’s often decided only after their reputation has suffered irreparable damage. For Richard Jewell, his 15 minutes of fame turns into a never-ending nightmare overnight in this true story.

  • Review: ‘Knives Out’ keeps the mystery alive with a classic whodunit (Includes first-hand account)

    A great murder mystery keeps audiences guessing, even as the suspect pool shrinks and all evidence points to one person — there’s always that shadow of a doubt the narrative clings to and nurtures. Whodunits are always fun to watch, or even play, because they rely on so many senses and skills, from keen observation and attention to detail to gut instincts. Moreover, the characters are generally over-the-top personalities who almost always have a motive linked to greed, revenge or both. Then there’s the shrewd detective tasked with solving the crime à la Sherlock Holmes. Knives Out delivers all these elements in an intriguing, yet funny package.

  • Review: ‘Frozen II’ sets Elsa’s origin story to music (Includes first-hand account)

    Disney likes to make a point of mentioning that while the rest of Hollywood is busy making sequels, they’ve only released a handful over nearly a century of animated feature production. That speaks not only to number of original narratives they’ve created, but also the quality and thoughtfulness that goes into the follow-ups they have delivered. This year, Disney adds to those exclusive ranks with their latest animated sequel, which also happens to be its first continuation that could be classified as a musical. Frozen II picks up a few years after the first film concluded with a new mystery to solve.

  • Review: ‘The Good Liar’ is a tricky film that doesn’t always fool viewers (Includes first-hand account)

    The elderly are often targets of scams as their potential loneliness and lesser understanding of technology or finances can make them vulnerable to people waiting in the wings to take advantage. It’s an unfortunate reality that can lend itself to interesting fiction, particularly when marriage is involved. Younger people are often characterized as gold-diggers when they become romantically attached to much older, well-off widows/widowers. However, The Good Liar proposes money can be a motivating factor at any age.

  • Review: ‘Terminator: Dark Fate’ redeems and renews the franchise (Includes first-hand account)

    Sequels and reboots are often confused because they share some characteristics. The former is usually a follow-up to its predecessor, expanding on the original story and often featuring returning cast members. The latter takes the original concept and attempts to build a new story around it with a new cast. The Terminator franchise is rare in that it includes a fair number of both types of pictures. But the general consensus is that the last good movie was the first sequel, Terminator 2: Judgement Day. Taking that into account, creators have returned to the series’ roots with Terminator: Dark Fate.

  • Review: ‘Doctor Sleep’ shines bright in a world of scary ghouls (Includes first-hand account)

    While studios continue to remake decades-old classics, there is growing popularity in producing follow-up narratives that build on rather than retell the original. It certainly helps if the source writer saw fit to revisit the characters in a new novel. With the incentive of adapting another of Stephen King‘s books for the screen and an interesting story to share with a wider audience, The Shining sequel hit theatres. Doctor Sleep is an extension of the first tale as it picks up a few decades in the future, i.e. our present.

  • Review: ‘Zombieland — Double Tap’ nuts up for the sequel (Includes first-hand account)

    It’s not always easy for actors — or audiences — to return to popular characters years after they were last seen. It means filling viewers in on anything they may have missed during the hiatus and finding a natural starting place for the story to resume. Yet, rejoining beloved personalities on their journey can be one of the greatest joys in cinema. Hopefully, rather than a rushed sequel, the follow-up is carefully planned and well thought-out. Perhaps allowing the characters to mature off-screen opens the door to different types of storylines previously incompatible with their arcs. In Zombieland: Double Tap, the foursome are still beating the odds, staying alive… and having fun.