For lack of celebrities, films are the real stars of EIFF
At the Edmonton International Film Festival (EIFF) we can focus on the films instead of being distracted by all the Hollywood celebrities who aren’t coming. Neither Johnny Depp nor Wynona Rider will be here. Gwyneth Paltrow won’t be making it. TMZ crews will not be stalking the lobby of the Empire City Centre 9 Cinemas, […]
Alberta film and TV producers tremble as budget axe falls
Alberta’s film and television producers are waiting for the bombs to drop as details emerge on the impact that federal budget cuts will have on the National Film Board, Telefilm Canada and the CBC. The most damage will likely come from the announcement by the CBC that it will reduce spending on independent productions, according […]
EIFF rides into sunset with winning films
As the Edmonton International Film Festival rides into the sunset – as riding into sunsets is one of the greatest film clichés of all time – let us celebrate the winners of our annual cinematic celebration. Yes, there was a contest, too. Fittingly, “Wild Horse, Wild Ride,” a documentary dealing with wild horses, was named […]
EIFF TONIGHT: The grown-ups are looney in Moon Point
“Never trust anyone over 30” is the hidden message in Moon Point, a melodramatic comedy about three whiny little turds on a road trip to nowhere. It screens Friday at 9:45 p.m. at the Empire City Centre. The cast and director will be in attendance. Every single grownup in this amusing yet affecting little film […]
EIFF REVIEW: A Bag of Hammers pounds metaphor to breaking point
While life is like a box of chocolates in that you never know what you’re going to get – though there’s probably chocolate in there somewhere – life can also be a Bag of Hammers. A little bell goes off in heaven every time an actor utters the name of the movie they’re in – […]
Edmonton Arts Council creates $10,000 film prize
More good news for local filmmakers: The Edmonton Arts Council is kicking in $10,000 a year to support the local film industry, it was announced Wednesday, on the heels of the $5 million City of Edmonton Filmed Entertainment Fund that City Council approved weeks ago. The 10 large isn’t a grant of funds to be […]
EIFF REVIEW ROUND-UP: From Fightville to Bob and the Monster
Did anyone actually sit in a movie theatre on such a beautiful weekend? Don’t worry, film buffs – the Edmonton International Film Festival continues through Saturday, Oct. 1 at the Garneau Theatre, Empire City Centre and other venues around town. From heavy documentaries to road trip movies to romantic comedies to stuff we still can’t […]
EIFF: A Generation of Whine
Entries are being now taken to come up with a name for the new generation that recently came of age and hates Generation X as much as Generation X hates the Baby Boomers. They’re here … and even that reference is out of date (Poltergeist, 1982). Any ideas? Generation Y is lame, Next Generation is […]
EIFF REVIEW: Fightville captures humanity behind mixed martial arts
There’s a moment early on in the documentary Fightville that elegantly summarises a key theme: that success demands discipline, while life demands honesty. Young Albert Stainback is explaining his motivation for wanting to be a pro fighter. It’s about his difficult life, his father’s murder, the abuse his mother suffered. He’s a smart, perceptive young […]
EIFF REVIEW: The Swell Season and the not-so-swell season after that
The Swell Season is a story about the frailty of relationships, of trying to balance the expectations of others against one’s own needs. It’s set against the backdrop and influence of fame, with an Oscar-winning songwriting duo at its heart, but it could well be about just about any couple you might know. Ultimately, that’s […]
