Canadian comedies, the good, the bad and the awful
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- DirectorEric TillStarsSteve SmithPatrick McKennaBob BainboroughThe residents of Possum Lodge head on a road trip to the States, hoping to win a contest and thus pay a fine.A perfect complement to the long running TV series. I like this film because it (rightly) puts the focus on Harold. Plus it has goofy performances from all the characters including Ranger Gord. Steve Smith is great as always as Red Green. Great cameos by Dave Broadfoot and the Royal Canadian Air Farce. Keep your stick on the ice...
- DirectorMike ClattenburgStarsRobb WellsJohn Paul TremblayMike SmithRicky, Julian, and Bubbles come up with a scheme to steal large amounts of untraceable coins.Our lovable losers make the jump to the big screen. Silly but a lot of fun.
- DirectorMike ClattenburgStarsRobb WellsJohn Paul TremblayMike SmithThe boys return from jail to find the park has deteriorated, with a brand new park being created beside it. They attempt a series of get rich quick schemes and robberies, while a freshly drunk Lahey threatens to derail their plans.Very, very weak sequel to the first TPB movie. They should have stopped at one film. Uggh
- DirectorPaul GrossStarsPaul GrossLeslie NielsenJames B. DouglasFour men take time from their personal problems to reunite as a curling team and compete in a bonspiel that will restore their honour.Any movie with Paul Gross and Leslie Nielsen can't be that bad. The script is very cliched but the film squeaks by. Molly Parker is easily the best part of this.
- DirectorDonald PetrieStarsGene HackmanRay RomanoMaura TierneyA US president who has retired after two terms in office returns to his hometown of Mooseport, Maine and decides to run for Mayor against another local candidate.Canadian film pretending to be American. Ray Romano is funny but this film tries too hard. Great(Canadian) supporting cast including Wayne Robson in a small role. Not bad overall.
- DirectorGary BurnsStarsFab FilippoDon McKellarMarya DelverA group of young employees bet a month's salary, winner takes all, on who can last the longest without going outside.Very, very quirky film shot in Calgary. The best scene has two co-workers trying to have sex in a very small bathroom stall.
- DirectorBruce McCullochStarsNatasha HenstridgeLuke WilsonKathleen RobertsonTwo dog lovers meet at a singles bar, recognizing each other from the dog park. Andy and Lorna are recent singles after their exes met.Light comedy with the always beautiful Natasha Henstridge and a funny performance by Luke Wilson. A couple of the Kids in The Hall appear.
- DirectorMichael MooreStarsJohn CandyAlan AldaRhea PerlmanThe U.S. President, low in the opinion polls, gets talked into raising his popularity by trying to start a cold war against Canada.Alan Alda is ok but John Candy is wasted. Nothing special.
- DirectorRick MoranisDave ThomasStarsRick MoranisDave ThomasMax von SydowCanada's most famous hosers, Bob and Doug McKenzie, get jobs at the Elsinore Brewery, only to learn that something is rotten with the state of it.Those hosers, the McKenzie Brothers make the leap to the big screen. Very, very silly film with a lot of crazy moments, but what is Max Von Sidow doing in this movie? Voice cameo by Mel Blanc as the father.
- DirectorDavid SteinbergStarsJohn CandyJoe FlahertyEugene LevyA clumsy chauffeur is hypnotized by a cult to kill the father of his fiancée, a congressman who's suing the cult for fraud, and encounters several weird characters during the days leading up to his wedding.John Candy, Eugene Levy and Joe Flaherty from SCTV, do what they can with the stupid script. Some very funny moments and some duds. Levy is great and Candy gets a chance to go crazy.
- DirectorLes RoseStarsSusan AnspachHowie MandelSterling HaydenSusan Anspach stars in this comedy as a news reporter who investigates a story about stolen milk causing milk and gas prices to rise. During the course of her investigation, other people become involved, culminating in a multiple car chase.Putrid so-called comedy. Enough said.
- DirectorLes RoseStarsPatti D'ArbanvilleMichael BiehnTony RosatoA boy (Tim Warner), expelled from military school, returns home to his fathers disappiontment. He discovers that a motorcycle gang has been terrorizing his high school, and falls in love with the girlfriend (Angie Barnes) of the gang's leader (Bull). He battles the gang, and wins both the admiration of his father and the love of the girl.Silly teen comedy with a funny performance by Tony Rosato.
- DirectorRex BromfieldStarsMary Ann McDonaldDan AykroydJane MallettA young woman named Shirley befriends a lonely blind man named Roy. Together, they find love - even though Shirley's father opposes the relationship.Early Dan Aykroyd film is ok but the lack of budget hurts it. Super quirky and Mary Ann MacDonald is quite good (as is Aykroyd). Enjoyable if you want to see something completely different.
- DirectorIvan ReitmanStarsBill MurrayHarvey AtkinKate LynchWacky hijinks of counselors and campers at a less-than-average summer camp.Bill Murray is funny, the rest is ok.
- DirectorJohn HoweStarsStuart GillardTiiu LeekKen JamesA young naive reporter romances a female reporter who is quietly organizing a journalist union and joins her cause.Funny, sweet coming-of-age film set in the 1940s with terrific performances by Stuart Gillard and Ken James.
- DirectorPatricia RozemaStarsSheila McCarthyPaule BaillargeonAnn-Marie MacDonaldScatterbrained Polly gets a job as a secretary in Gabrielle's art gallery. Polly aspires to be a professional photographer, and idolizes Gabrielle for her artistic ability. When Gabrielle rekindles an old romantic relationship with the younger painter Mary, Polly becomes jealous, and discovers Gabrielle is not who she claims to be.Sheila MacCarthy is great but this film is too artsy-fartsy for my liking.
- DirectorWilliam PhillipsStarsPaul GrossSienna GuilloryDustin MilliganA hardened American gunslinger is repeatedly thwarted in his attempts to mount a showdown in a friendly town in Canada where no one seems to understand or appreciate the brutal code of the American Wild West.Silly, silly comedy western. Paul Gross hits just the right tone and avoids caricature. Perfect film to watch on a rainy day.
- DirectorRicky BlittStarsAlexis MaitlandRichard Roy SuttonJon CryerDisappointed that all his friends are married and happy, Ricky goes on the dating site and soon starts dating Danita, who seems to be way out of his league. However, everything comes at a price, he soon realizes.Will Sasso steals the show here and Stephanie Szostak is charming throughout. Jon Cryer does his usual nerdy character. The story does not go where you expect it to so overall this is a nice change of pace.
- DirectorDavid StoreyStarsBrent ButtGabrielle MillerFred EwanuickAs the town of Dog River goes bankrupt the residents of the town must pack up and move out. However our favourite citizens make one last-ditch effort to save Dog River.If you love the TV show, you will love the movie. It drags a bit 3/4 of the way through but that is to be expected. It is very hard to stretch out a half-hour show into a feature film. A few cameos sprinkled throughout makes this fun to watch.
- DirectorMike ClattenburgStarsJohn Paul TremblayRobb WellsMike SmithAfter his latest money-making plan fails, Julian concocts his greatest scheme ever -- which involves doing business with his archenemy, Cyrus.While this is a definite improvement over the second film, it is still pretty poor as a film. The cast have aged badly and it is strange to see Trinity all grown up. Julian has put on a ton of weight and the subplot with Randy and Lahey is simply unwatchable. It is time to put this series out to pasture.
- DirectorDane ClarkLinsey StewartStarsAaron AshmoreSara CanningDanny SmithA brokenhearted woman teams up with her ex-boyfriend to try and stop the hitman she accidentally hired to kill him.Very, very quirky little film with a crazy premise. The two leads are amazing in this with special praise for Sara Canning's nuanced performance. Definitely a film to seek out.
- DirectorDaniel PerlmutterStarsKristin BoothAaron AshmoreEnnis EsmerSmall-town journalist Leonard Crane starts making up stories to save his job, but gets in trouble when one of his fabricated news pieces turns out to be true.Very cute, gentle little film with some funny performances. If this was an American comedy, you would see a ton of action and violence. Instead, we get a fun little story that takes it time and unfurls quietly but surely. Meredith MacNeill deserves to be singled out for her humorous performance. A lot of fun.
- DirectorMark GriffithsStarsChristopher JacotJoanne KellyShawn RobertsIn order to prevent a recent high school graduate from getting engaged, two friends intervene by taking him on a cross-country road trip.Really stupid film with only Ryan Belleville's performance worth noting. This is what happens when Muchmusic produces a film. Ugh!
- DirectorMichael DowseStarsDaniel RadcliffeZoe KazanMegan ParkWallace, who is burned out from a string of failed relationships, forms an instant bond with Chantry, who lives with her longtime boyfriend. Together, they puzzle out what it means if your best friend is also the love of your life.Very predictable romantic comedy. Cute but nothing special.
- DirectorMartin GeroStarsAaron AbramsCarly PopeKristin BoothOn a Tuesday night, five couples have separate sexual adventures.Very cliched comedy with very little to recommend. Of the 5 stories presented here, only 2 are actually interesting (the exes story is so boring; the first date one is pointless). The best part of the film for me is the song When I'm With You by Sheriff appearing as an audio joke. Skip this one
- DirectorGiles WalkerStarsStefan WodoslawskyChristine PakSam Grana90 Days is a tongue-in-cheek look at the misadventures of two modern men in search of romantic bliss: macho Alex, who receives the offer of a lifetime from a mysterious woman, and sincere Blue, who goes to extravagant lengths to find the perfect bride. A classic example of the philandering husband, Alex is caught in a bind. Wife and girlfriend abandon him simultaneously. One suitcase and his golf clubs bear silent witness. But, as if by magic, a new woman appears in Alex's life. Lacking the bravado of Alex, Blue has discovered a new approach to happiness - the written word. In his relentless search for the perfect woman, he has resorted to the Cherry Blossoms catologue for a mail-order bride from Korea. He has 90 days to make up his mind before her visa expires.Funny, quirky, 1980s comedy about the (mis)adventures of two men. One a fussy and difficult bachelor who orders a bride form Korea, the other a married man who receives an offer of a lifetime. Low budget film that has some very truthful moments and does not get bogged down in shmaltz. The second film in a trilogy that includes The Maculine Mystique and the Last Straw.
- DirectorGiles WalkerStarsSam GranaBeverly MurrayStefan WodoslawskyAlex and Laura now run their sperm donation business. Blue and Hyang-Sook want to start a family but Blue is infertile. Alex meanwhile becomes embroiled in international espionage with foreign countries over his highly prized sperm.Awful, dreadful sequel to 90 Days(and Masculine Mystique) is as putrid as you can expect. All the charm of the previous film is lost. What a waste of time.
- DirectorJohn N. SmithGiles WalkerStarsStefan WodoslawskyChar DaviesMackluskyFour men discuss their troubled relationships with women.Documentary and fiction mixed together showing what it was like being a man in 1984 in the midst of the feminist revolution. The film is just a little too rough around the edges, includes too many stories and does not mix fiction and documentary that well. The first of 3 films: The immediate sequel 90 Days was great. The 3rd film The Last Straw is simply terrible.
- DirectorKate MelvilleStarsTatiana MaslanySpencer Van WyckSteven McCarthyA rebellious teenager forced to repeat her last year of high school is caught between adolescence and adulthood - and between two very different male admirers.Another odd little Canadian comedy with a terrific performance by Tatiana Maslany. This will not blow you away but will put a smile on your face.
- DirectorSook-Yin LeeStarsCristin MiliotiMark RendallAli LiebertA romantic comedy about a girl with an unrequited crush on a boy who thinks she's bad in bed, so she goes out to get more "experience".Very quirky little film with an equally quirk performance by Cristin Milioti. I did not know what to expect with this film but let myself go with the flow. There are some hilarious moments in it including a, how shall I say, very unusual three-way between the main character and a married couple. The cast is quite good and Will Sasso has an interesting few minutes on screen. Very off beat but very ggod.
- DirectorDaniel MacIvorStarsJames AllodiCallum Keith RennieElliot PageA day-in-the-life dark comedy concerning a group of islanders, their respective secrets, and one man's plan to kill himself quietly.Lovely, understated dark comedy has some fine, nuanced performances from Paul Gross and others. A real treat if you are looking for something offbeat.
- DirectorPhilippe FalardeauStarsIrdens ExantusCaroline TrudelPatrick HuardAn idealistic young Haitian travels to rural Quebec to intern for an independent Member of Parliament when a national debate erupts that finds the MP holding the tie-breaking vote.This had its moments but a little too close to home to make it funny. Ok, but nothing to write home about.
- DirectorCarl BessaiStarsBrent ButtAmy SmartDavid KoechnerIn a case of mistaken identity, a salesman is hired as a private detective by a woman to find her missing brother, and complications ensue.Very silly murder-mystery is watchable only because of Brent Butt who has written himself some very funny lines. The rest is ok but this is very, very lightweight stuff.
- DirectorBruce McDonaldStarsValerie BuhagiarGerry QuigleyLarry HudsonA music promoter sends a young woman on a road trip in search of a band who hasn't been showing up for their gigs.Intensely dark comedy with a winning performance by Valerie Buhagiar. This film is so out there it is a little hard to sit through and the ending is just too weird for me but it is still worth seeing.
- DirectorBruce McDonaldStarsDon McKellarValerie BuhagiarEarl PastkoA small-town barber goes on a road trip from Thunder Bay to New Orleans with an unpredictable woman and a coffin.Another odd Bruce McDonald dark comedy. Don McKellar is good in this as is Valerie Buhagiar. This is less "out there" than Roadkill but still pretty odd.
- DirectorBen ImmanuelStarsElizabeth BerkleyBen ImmanuelJohn NevilleOver a year after bit actress Liz Woodward leaves him at the altar, comedy writer Gene Maxwell is still having trouble dealing with the situation and his life. Writing "Fear Knot", a novel about letting go of one's fears to be able to tie the knot, which he obviously wrote for Liz but which she has yet to read, probably didn't help. Unexpectedly, Liz, who he has not seen since that day, returns with an unusual request: help her father, Malcolm Woodward, move from his dingy basement suite into an apartment, as she has a movie assignment in Prague during when he has to move. After initially feeling the request unreasonable considering the circumstances, Gene agrees on what he considers compassionate grounds for Malcolm. Through it all, Gene has to deal with: what he thinks Liz's return means, which he, deep in his heart, hopes is a reconciliation; the advice of his overbearing parents, George and Gisha, and of his best friend, dance instructor Herbert; and cantankerous ex-pat Brit Malcolm himself, who initially does not want Gene around, but who ends up relying and confiding in the one person who is there for him during his own time of need, especially as he deals with a secret he does not want Liz of all people to know.Cute film.
- DirectorSean GarrityStarsJonas ChernickEmily HampshireSarah ManninenTo win back his ex-girlfriend, a conservative accountant enlists the help of an exotic dancer to guide him on a quest for sexual experience, leading him into a world of strip clubs, sensual massage parlors, cross-dressing and S & M.Cliched film that is as predictable as they come. Nothing to see here.