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Canadian Front 2006

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The Good

Memory for Max,Claire, Ida and Company - A very warm and moving documentary taking place in a Jewish retirement home. Simple, sweet and even funny times. It will make you feel glad to be alive and cherish every moment--and memory.If you liked the similar documentary Sunset Story, you will love this one as well.

Whole New Thing- Well-directed by Amnon Buchbinder. Pale-faced Aaron Webber gives a great performance as a 13 year-old boy who comes of age all-too quickly. Shocking and predictable at times, but thoroughly engaging to watch. Entertainment Value: High. Spiritual Value: Moderate. Released by Picture This! Entertainment. Opens April 6th, 2007 at the Quad Cinema.





The So/So

C.R.A.Z.Y.-A terrific soundtrack and stylish cinematography is not enough to save this film from drowning with awkward scenes and with a meandering plot--especially during the last thirty minutes. When it tries to be funny, it mostly fails and when it tries to be dramatic, it feels too contrived.

Drifting States-Unlike Old Joy which also had a minimal plot, director Denis Côté wisely blends documentary and fiction to create an oddly fascinating film. On top of that, at least the plot has some tension/mystery regarding who the main character really is and why he ran away--or from what.

3 Needles-Out of the three different stories regarding AIDs, the first one is the most well-written and well-acted by Lucy Liu and Stockard Channing. It's interesting how the screenplay gently refers to AIDS without any of the characters actually mentioning it. The second story feels a bit bland with a porn star (Shawn Ashmore) who tries to hide his AIDS from everyone else. Finally, in the third and weakest story, Olympia Dukakis, Chloë Sevigny and Sandra Oh are just wasted on a terrible script about missionaries. Picturesque locations and a beautiful musical score don't help to keep you engaged through this particular story. Released by Koch/Lorber Films. Opens December 1st, 2006 at Village East Cinema.




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Canadian Front 2006


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