Toronto 2019: The Aeronauts

The Aeronauts is an adventure thriller that takes place in the skies while seeking to soar to the highest heights in history. The film reteams The Theory of Everything stars Felicity Jones and Eddie Redmayne as balloonist Amelia Wren and scientist James Glaisher, respectively.  While Glaisher existed in real life, Wren is made up solely for the film.  I can understand the reasoning behind this even as it takes Henry Coxwell out of the picture. …

"Toronto 2019: The Aeronauts"

Toronto 2019: Proxima

Proxima tells the story of a mother-daughter relationship and the troubles that ensue when said mother is also in the space program. Sarah (Eva Green) raises daughter Stella (Zélie Boulant-Lemesle) with astrophysicist ex-husband Thoma (Lars Eidinger).  It’s one thing to share parenting duties while separated or divorced.  Sharing such duties when one parent is training for the space program let alone in space?!?  It’s out of this world!  Anyway, Sarah is set to join the crew…

"Toronto 2019: Proxima"

Toronto 2019: The Personal History of David Copperfield

The Personal History of David Copperfield gives viewers the first adaptation of the Charles Dickens novel in almost 20 years. We first meet David Copperfield (Dev Patel) as an adult before taking a journey with him back to his childhood.  Sometime after being born in the Rookery to Clara (Morfydd Clark), the young Copperfield finds himself living in the least traditional of places, an upside down boat on the beach.  It’s here where he lives…

"Toronto 2019: The Personal History of David Copperfield"

Toronto 2019: A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood tells the story of a journalist who befriends Fred Rogers while writing a profile on heroes for Esquire. From the moment that the film starts and Fred Rogers opens the door to put on the cardigan, the emotions certainly began to hit.  How can they not?  We’re talking about a true American hero who represents the very best that society has to offer.  After all, he’s Mister Rogers–the man…

"Toronto 2019: A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood"

Toronto 2019: Harriet

Harriet shines a light on the Underground Railroad by depicting Harriet Tubman’s actions in helping free slaves and taking them to freedom. Harriet Tubman (Cynthia Erivo) is a true American hero.  Through her actions, this inspiring woman was able to bring so many slaves to freedom.  The film, written by Gregory Allen Howard and Kasi Lemmons, mostly focuses on the Underground Railroad after escaping slavery.  Yes, there are other aspects that they could focus on. …

"Toronto 2019: Harriet"

Toronto 2019: Uncut Gems

Saturday Night Live veteran comedian Adam Sandler delivers an Oscar-worthy performance in recently premiered crime thriller Uncut Gems. Every now and then, we get a phenomenal performance from Adam Sandler.  Punch-Drunk Love, Reign Over Me, Funny People, The Meyerowitz Stories (New and Selected), and Uncut Gems feature such performances.  We get a career-best in the film.  It helps that he’s able to get out of his comfort zone.  He’s not in a film being written…

"Toronto 2019: Uncut Gems"

Toronto 2019: Jordan River Anderson: The Messenger

Jordan River Anderson: The Messenger profiles the battle of the First Nations to have equal access to government-funded services. Born into the Norway House Cree Nation of Manitoba, Jordan River Anderson would spend all five years of his life living in a hospital.  He couldn’t even get special housing arranged because neither the Canadian federal and Manitoban provincial governments could come to an agreement.  This is honestly ridiculous.  How hard is it to come to…

"Toronto 2019: Jordan River Anderson: The Messenger"

Toronto 2019: Judy

Renée Zellweger remarkably transforms into actress/singer Judy Garland in the upcoming Judy and will surely contend during Awards Season. While the film mostly takes place in late 1968-early 1969 prior to Garland’s tragic death at 47, there are flashbacks to childhood.  If you didn’t read Garland’s autobiography or take a quick glance at MGM co-founder Louis B. Mayer’s Wikipedia page some of the film’s contents will come as a shock to you.  Mayer molested the…

"Toronto 2019: Judy"

Toronto 2019: Joker

Joker presents a new retelling of the character’s origins as a villain but the film fails so horribly on just about every single level. SPOILER ALERT: I apologize in advance for any spoilers but when it comes to reviews, please read at your own risk. There are so many problems with this film.  First of all, the Joker is a straight-out villain in the comics.  In prior movies, he has never once been presented in…

"Toronto 2019: Joker"

Toronto 2019: Ford v Ferrari

Ford v Ferrari is an exhilarating crowd-pleaser that should keep audiences on their seat in Ford’s quest to build a winning race car. Race car driver-turned-car designer Carroll Shelby (Matt Damon) and British-born racer Ken Miles (Christian Bale) are racing legends.  We owe a great respect to their efforts in racing because without them, who knows what type of advances Ford would make.  Shelby had quit racing sometime prior due to health issues.  However, their…

"Toronto 2019: Ford v Ferrari"