On Screen

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

  • Review: The real villain in ‘Money Monster’ is capitalism (Includes first-hand account)

    Whether you have it or not, money is always a concern; there never seems to be enough of it, regardless of how much you actually possess. Capitalism revolves around the need to make more and spend more, trapping consumers in an endless cycle of wanting. But no one can just suddenly raise their worth — except in the stock market (and, I guess, the lottery). No matter what anyone says, there are no guarantees; it’s as much of a gamble as any Vegas bet and the losses can be equally devastating. Money Monster as an extreme illustration of the latter.

  • Review: ‘Captain America: Civil War’ delivers on the big things (Includes first-hand account)

    Even though the team found a way to put their differences aside, cracks in The Avengers‘ armour began to show in the last ensemble film. Superheroes no longer exist in a world in which there are no consequences for their actions — Batman v Superman recently dealt with similar themes. But who gets to decide when and where they’re deployed? And if they disagree, whose decision has greater authority? There’s a fine line between regulation and control; and while one may appear essential to co-existence, the other is a significant and probable risk. Captain America: Civil War addresses these questions, dividing The Avengers into opposing factions.

  • Review: ‘Green Room’ is the antithesis of calm (Includes first-hand account)

    Many young, unsigned musicians demonstrate their passion for their art by loading their equipment into the back of a van, going on tour and performing in divvy venues with the hopes audiences will appreciate what they have to offer… and they do it all on their own dime. It’s not about profit – because there likely won’t be much if any – but the experience. Unfortunately such circumstances are also fertile ground for things to go wrong. In Green Room, a punk band finds out just how wrong things can get.

  • Review: ‘One-Man Star Wars Trilogy’ is for fans by a fan (Includes first-hand account)

    Fandom can take any number of forms. The more common expressions of admiration include cosplay, fiction writing and conventions; however, they are by no means limited to that list. For 15 years, Charles Ross has been performing his tribute to a beloved franchise via the One-Man Star Wars Trilogy show, which is playing in Toronto from April 27 – May 1, 2016.

  • Review: ‘The Huntsman: Winter’s War’ leaves audiences out in the cold (Includes first-hand account)

    Origin stories are a simple way of capitalizing on the success of an already existing narrative. With previously established characters on which to draw and a ready-made audience familiar with the premise, going back to a tale’s ultimate beginning seems like a no-brainer. However these advantages don’t automatically translate into a good movie as filmmakers are still required to combine these ingredients with a fresh, engaging story that incorporates old and new elements. The latest to try to use this formula is The Huntsman: Winter’s War, which is a follow-up to 2012’s Snow White and the Huntsman.

  • Review: ‘The Jungle Book’ is a remake with stunning purpose (Includes first-hand account)

    The act of longstanding studios poaching their own catalogues and cannibalizing their own work has become a matter of course over the years. Remakes have become the norm rather than the exception, which demands new questions around the validity of such work. Does this new version serve a purpose or is it simply the result of a lack of ideas? Disney is the latest to adopt this cycle, adapting their animated classics into live-action features. However, it’s also been an interesting exercise of how to translate fantastic narratives from one medium into another as the hand-drawn world has far fewer restrictions than the tangible one. The Jungle Book presents a significant challenge in this area that also offers significant payoff.

  • Review: ‘Midnight Special’ is a unique tale of knowing and not knowing (Includes first-hand account)

    In spite of humans’ desire to be all-knowing, we must admit that which we don’t know far exceeds that which we understand. Who knows what the rest of the infinite universe holds or what other intelligent life may live beyond our reach, and whether or not they’re aware of our existence; or, as many films have proposed, how long these beings have observed us and/or lived undetected in our midst. On top of scientific unknowns are the various possibilities provided in religion regarding omnipotent deities, the afterlife and Earth-bound saviours. Writer/director Jeff Nichols’ latest picture, Midnight Special, is a captivating mystery steeped in faith and devotion.

  • Review: Documentary explores Rubik’s Cube in ’20 Moves’ (Includes first-hand account)

    It’s interesting how trends from decades earlier became cemented in pop culture and are still considered “cool,” although now they’re also “retro.” From fashion to art to games, that which comprises fond memories for some becomes a statement of style for others. But where did these status symbols originate? Some, like Daisy Dukes, are more apparent; but what about the less obvious ones? 20 Moves reveals the varied history of the often frustrating yet totally addictive Rubik’s Cube.

  • Review: ‘Batman v Superman’ is flawed in the most predictable ways (Includes first-hand account)

    Over the years there have been endless matches hypothesized between comic book characters, many of which have been played out in the panels. Where would the fight take place? What advantages would they have? And finally, who would win? Although Batman and Superman are on the same side of the fight against evil, they are fundamentally different types of heroes and have had many disagreements over the years. These conflicts have been worked out between the pages, but they’ve never been portrayed on the big screen — until now. With the proliferation of CGI effects and the popularity of superhero films, perhaps it’s the right time for Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.

  • Review: ‘The Divergent Series’ sacrifices ‘Allegiant’ for the big picture (Includes first-hand account)

    Movie franchises based on a collection of books are often akin to a big-budget television miniseries in that all of the parts come together to comprise the whole. The ending of one film informs the beginning of the next and removing an episode throws the whole narrative into disarray (in the good series anyway). The key difference is successive parts are released annually rather than weekly, extending the wait between significant plot developments. The downside of this structure in movies is the penultimate chapter is often positioned as little more than a setup for the epic conclusion. The Divergent Series: Allegiant is the third picture in a four-part series.

  • Review: ‘10 Cloverfield Lane’ harbours many secrets under the surface (Includes first-hand account)

    With the rise of movie franchises, filmgoers have become accustomed to the sequel. In the simplest terms, it’s a new story involving the original characters. More often than not, it’s a continuation or extrapolation of the initial narrative. But that doesn’t mean it has to prescribe to this traditional model. It’s the link between pictures that causes one to be the sequel of another; however, how that link is illustrated or employed is — or should be — flexible. 10 Cloverfield Lane is not a conventional sequel, but it is undoubtedly connected to its predecessor by more than just its name.

  • Review: ‘Born to be Blue’ wants you to know there’s more to Chet Baker (Includes first-hand account)

    Great power may come with great responsibility; but great talent — that comes with heartache and temptation. Sex, drugs and, in this case, jazz are a way of life not easily avoided by artists. Whether you call it a weakness or a crutch, neither fully encapsulates the power these vices can have on a person. Chet Baker was one of the best trumpet players the scene had ever seen — and he knew it. But he was also convinced he was even better on the brass when he was high. As a result, Baker spent most of his career feeding a heroin addiction. Yet in contrast, Born to be Blue portrays a brief period in the musician’s life when he wasn’t always on the nod.