Film + TV

Roll BounceDirected by: Malcolm D. Lee(Fox)Watching the deleted scenes on this disc, it’s easy to see how Roll Bounce could have been re-edited into a Boogie Nights-style epic. I prefer the leaner finished cut, an unfortunate theatrical bomb that turns the world of roller disco into good time adolescent funk. Malcolm D. Lee’s panoramic ’70s […]

IdiocracyDirected by: Mike Judge (Twentieth Century Fox)In Idiocracy’s dystopian future, a movie called Ass becomes a blockbuster. The appropriately titled film features a naked posterior farting for 90 minutes—the logical offspring of Rob Schneider’s entire oeuvre. The year is 2505, and when slacker Joe Bowers (Luke Wilson) awakens after the military leaves him cryogenically frozen […]

Deliver Us from EvilDirected by: Amy Berg(Lionsgate)Father Oliver O’Grady talks with a pleasing Irish lilt, but it’s an uncomfortable experience to hear him speak. “I don’t always do the right things, obviously not,” he says. O’Grady is referring to his past as a pedophile. The priest spent over two decades preying on children in various […]

Hot FuzzDirected by: Edgar Wright(Universal Studios)The final half-hour of action-comedy Hot Fuzz is, essentially, one big action sequence. If someone started watching Hot Fuzz here, they’d initially be unable to differentiate the film from any other machismo-dripping action flick. Then, a goose wanders into the middle of the road. The movie’s a neat blend of […]

Casino Royale: Two-Disc Widescreen Edition Directed by: Martin CampbellMGMThe savvy James Bond producers do it again, reimagining the world’s most successful franchise for a new generation. Daniel Craig’s 007 is just starting his career, more the cocky thug than smooth spy, but the hallmark international locations, femme fatales and explosive action are all in place. […]

Jesus CampDirected by: Heidi Ewing and Rachel GradyMongrelThis doc, about pastor Becky Fischer’s eerie evangelical summer camp—featuring scenes of kids shaking from religious fervour, and worshipping Bush cardboard cut-outs—doesn’t lend itself particularly well to lazy afternoon re-watching. But Jesus Camp and its well-crafted thesis—indoctrinated kids eventually become powerful, indoctrinated voters—stick with you months after the […]

Perfume: The Story of a MurdererDirected by: Tom TykwerDreamworksThe Patrick Süskind novel was called “unfilmable,” but German director Tom Tykwer (Run Lola Run) has done wonders using stylish cinematic techniques to evoke the olfactory sense. And it’s his storytelling mastery that allows us to see innocence and artistry in the passion of a serial killer.Carsten […]

R. Kelly Trapped in the Closet Chapters 1-12 (Jive)Ten years from now when MuchMusic does a 2005 retrospective, R. Kelly’s hip-hopera Trapped in the Closet will make the clip show. Michael Jackson could learn a lesson from Kelly about diversion tactics: Trapped is so over-the-top, so questionable in intent, you almost forget the dude’s been […]

Drive Well, Sleep CarefullyDirected by: Justin Mitchell (Plexifilm)The popularity of rock docs has brought with it an expectation of excess — We Sold Our Souls for Rock ‘n’ Roll, Dig!, Some Kind of Monster and Festival Express all featured rock stars indulging in the typical booze, drugs, sex and hijinks. You can forget about all […]