Shelly-30

(This may contain spoilers.)

'Shattered City' focuses on the fictional Collins family at the time of the Halifax Explosion, mainly the celebrated son, Patrick, who has just returned from the war. Before he can return to the front, the explosion occurs; and he must help his family survive.

The acting and the effects were fantastic, along with the other minute production details, which is very characteristic of the CBC's productions. Yet, in parts, it tends to to drag a little; and we aren't given a sufficient back story for some of the characters. As well, it probably would've done better as a three-hour-long made-for-TV movie instead of a two-part miniseries. I'd also take into account the fact that this is the first movie centred around this important part of Canadian history; and, eventually, there may be more about it.

Not too bad (I give this an 8); but it could've been improved upon.

(This review may contain some spoilers.)

The film starts out innocently enough. Lounge pianist Francis goes over to a school to enroll his daughter in the first grade, and also gets to meet the teacher, Halley. They bond, and begin an affair. Nothing wrong with that. It's not until a little over halfway through the film that everything falls apart--the relationship between Halley and Francis, along with his psychological state.

Colleen's script is well-written; and the performances by all the actors were outstanding. Both Zach Bennett and Katja Riemann were nominated for Genies (Canada's answer to the Oscars) for their work in this film, and rightfully so; as I'm sure filming this was difficult for each of them, given what their characters had to see and do. I don't think some who have seen this film realize that the movie was meant to leave you with a disturbing feeling inside. That was what writer/director Colleen Murphy set out to do; and she accomplished that. And she did so very well.

From the moment Odette Sinclair sets foot in Miss Goddard's School for Girls, disaster is sure to follow. She then hooks up with members of the DAR (Daughters of the American Ravioli), a secret club of girls who discuss their futures over ravioli. Then comes the big news: Miss Goddard's may go co-ed. The group splits up over this issue, but then are reunited when they realise how awful the St. Ambrose students are (with a little help from some local townies).

It also doesn't matter that Tweety is bulimic, or that Odie hates being separated from her boyfriend; nothing matters anymore when the girls come together to fight the boys. I thoroughly enjoyed the film...and I'm in my early twenties, for pete's sake!

Up your ziggy with a wa-wa brush!

Part one of the mini-series was very strong. Anne's spirit was very dominant throughout it. Yet, part two seemed to wander off with all the mystery and intrigue, and became more film noir-ish. Anne 3 would have been better off without all the secrecy in part two. Anne becomes a character like MacGyver, and is not like the Anne we once knew and loved. Granted, time changes people, and the setting of this mini-series is World War I, but Sullivan could have included more of the Anne-ish spirit that we loved.

However, if the movie is accepted for what it is, it is sure to be more likeable than originally anticipated. It was a great effort, but it could have been better.

I found parts of this movie rather slow, especially the first part; the second part seemed to go a lot faster, but it's not totally clear to me as to why one part was faster than the other. I somehow managed to find it enjoyable. The acting was good, the writing was good (yet vulgar). There was also another good side to it: it was easier to understand than say, the Godfather movies. You knew who was on whose side, etc. All in all, the movie wasn't half-bad.