On Screen

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

  • Review: ‘Pan’ fails to find balance between story and theatrics (Includes first-hand account)

    As timeless as Peter Pan’s age are the endless possibilities the story presents for new interpretations and extrapolations. A number of feature-length films have been made — live action and animated — that relate the original tale or create new adventures that put the spotlight on other characters, such as Tinker Bell and Captain Hook. In addition, certain personalities have been extracted to appear in other fantasies, including Once Upon a Time. The latest rendition, Pan, delivers an origin story that sets Peter and Hook on the same side to battle a mutual enemy: Blackbeard.

  • Review: ‘Drunk Stoned Brilliant Dead’ is true to National Lampoon (Includes first-hand account)

    While political and social commentary still exists, the style of no-holds-barred satire that was popular in the ‘60s and ‘70s is more difficult to find — though that doesn’t mean some issues and pundits couldn’t benefit from the treatment. Ranging from R- to X-rated material, nothing and no one was safe from the wit of the artists’ pitiless pen or writers’ remorseless words. The early years of The National Lampoon set a precedent and generated a new genre of raunchy, antagonistic comedy — and Drunk Stoned Brilliant Dead: The Story of The National Lampoon sets out to prove it.

  • Review: ‘The Martian’ is not just realistic from NASA’s perspective (Includes first-hand account)

    Space has truly become the next frontier of movies. However it’s no longer the comedic fantasy dramas that dominated the genre previously. Now filmmakers are utilizing technology to create credible narratives with a basis in real science. It seems every year now film-going audiences are treated to a larger-than-life portrayal of the universe that boasts unparalleled visuals and excellent writing. Director Ridley Scott returns to the depths of space and science fiction for his latest tale, The Martian.

  • Review: ‘The Walk’ is no average stroll down memory lane (Includes first-hand account)

    It’s not often a personal accomplishment doubles as a global inspiration. Human history is filled with memorable affairs, but this one left its mark on the world without changing it in any way. Moreover, in an amusing turn of events, the impossible act would be achieved by a Frenchman on American soil. In 1974, Philippe Petit successfully walked across a line he fastened between the roofs of the Twin Towers in New York. The Walk is the attractive retelling of his journey into history.

  • Review: ‘Mississippi Grind’ follows friends to the bottom of the barrel (Includes first-hand account)

    There’s something about addiction in film that is both concerning and fascinating. On the one hand, it’s troubling to see someone basically powerless to resist an activity they know to be harmful to them and the people around them. On the other hand, similar to the morbid appeal of a car accident, one simply becomes absorbed by their poor decision-making and the dramatic aura that accompanies it; plus there’s always the possibility that this time they’re really going to turn things around and you don’t want to miss that moment. Of course, until they do, everyone they know is physically and emotionally at risk. That is a brief overview of Mississippi Grind.

  • Review: ‘The Stanford Prison Experiment’ is as accurate as it is alarming (Includes first-hand account)

    Particularly following the complicity of normal citizens during World War II, psychologists have been fascinated by the effects of power and authority on people’s behaviour. In many cases, those who have it become sadistic even though they’ve never exhibited comparable qualities previously. On the other hand, those without it become submissive in even the worst circumstances. Numerous experiments have been conducted, but the results of some are better known than others. The Stanford Prison Experiment is one such study that got out of hand rather quickly.

  • Review: ‘Everest’ is an edge-of-your-seat thriller that’s true to life (Includes first-hand account)

    The prestige that comes with reaching the top of Mt. Everest makes it one of the most coveted accomplishments amongst adventurers — though not necessarily skilled climbers, who set their sights on less commercialized summits. Consequently, Everest is also one of the most expensive treks someone can aspire to complete, so not making it to the top is more than just a disappointment. The ascent is treacherous due to weather, thin air and unstable ground, and there are substantial costs associated with the equipment and manpower required to complete the journey. Yet every year hundreds of people arrive at base camp to give it a try. Everest chronicles one of the worst disasters to occur on the mountain almost 20 years ago.

  • Review: M. Night Shyamalan finally finds redemption with ‘The Visit’ (Includes first-hand account)

    After so many disappointments, it’s easy to write-off any film with M. Night Shyamalan‘s name attached. But after demonstrating so much promise early in his career, one has to think that talent will resurface one day. Thus every couple of years an alluring trailer promoting his latest project draws audiences into theatres, cultivating hope that maybe this one is his return to greatness… and in most cases those same audience members emerge from the darkness dissatisfied. Nonetheless, producers and studios continue to fund the filmmaker’s work so someone out there is keeping the faith. And it appears writer/director Shyamalan’s latest picture, The Visit, may be the film for which viewers have been waiting.

  • Review: ‘Dragon Blade’ is unnecessarily dull at times (Includes first-hand account)

    In history, many leaders earn their distinctions of success through cruelty and fear. However at least an equal number of chiefs may be recognized for their compassion and intellect, though they are more often forgotten. In wars throughout the ages, both methods have been practiced with fervour and effect. In Dragon Blade there are many heads to look to for leadership, each with their own means of creating loyal soldiers and victorious operations.

  • Review: ‘A Walk in the Woods’ is about lively reflection (Includes first-hand account)

    Since the movie of the same name’s release, many people have begun making bucket lists of things they’d like to complete in their lifetime. Conversely, more spontaneous and/or adventurous individuals simply create lists of the things they’ve already done. And then there are those who wake up one morning and decide they’re going to take on the most challenging task of their lives — age be damned. The latter is the case in A Walk in the Woods, which chronicles a senior’s attempt to complete the U.S.’s longest trail.

  • Review: ‘The End of the Tour’ is a compelling journey (Includes first-hand account)

    Television series and movies often chronicle the lives of geniuses, either humorously or empathetically portraying the difficulties they have connecting to “normal” people. From misreading social cues to being frustrated by the inability of others to simply understand, they demonstrate that knowing more than the people around you can be devastatingly isolating. And yet their contributions to their fields make them eminent celebrities that everyone wants to meet. The End of the Tour recounts a fleeting connection made between an interviewer and a revolutionary author.

  • Review: ‘No Escape’ ensnares audiences with a gripping tale of fear (Includes first-hand account)

    While moving to another country for work has the potential to be an exciting adventure, it’s also a frightening endeavour. Leaving behind everything that’s familiar for a foreign culture, language and surrounding can be stressful. It’s especially demanding to request your loved ones make this giant, unpredictable leap with you. But in No Escape, an American family moves halfway around the world at what happens to be the worst possible moment.