#Listography: Top 10 Films of 2011
We’re a few days deep into 2012 and we can now look back into the cinematic events of 2011. This list combines truly profound cinematic works and must-see works for the sake of conversation. While we’re at it, I’d love to hear your own best of lists for the year we just walked away from....
The Third Man Theme
If you find yourself in a temporary 9 to 5 on your journey to stardom, you know how Mondays can make for a difficult day. What better way to give your attitude the mental Red Bull it needs than with the proper music. I’ve found solace in The Third Man theme’s whimsy on regular bad...
Desire – II
Perhaps you’ve been to the theatre in the past few weeks and seen Drive. It’s a fantastic film -- I’ve seen it twice. And I’ll probably see it again when it comes to the indie theatre up the street from me. If you have seen the flick, you’re aware of its fantastic soundtrack and how...
Today’s Beautiful Rant: Confessions of a Maple Leaf Fan
My name is Dan Dziuba and I am a Toronto Maple Leaf fan. I know, I know. I grew up in a family where if there was a game being played, it was always on the television. The team felt like family, even if I’d never met any of them and our family could never...
Debrief XVIII: Fassbinder’s ‘World on a Wire’
I’m interested in the genesis of ideas. How can we definitively say where our ideas originate from? Perhaps this question is more applicable now more than ever, because our senses are so utterly bombarded. As each day passes and you intake the world into your knowledge base, you start to recognize the web that exists....
Grandma’s Poppies
I’ve grown up in a family that takes pride in their gardens. I have fond memories of the puzzled looks of the lawn care salesmen canvassing the neighbourhood – Does it *look* like we have a lawn to spray? My grandparents have won awards for best residential garden in Toronto and been featured on HGTV....
Debrief XVII: Clouzot’s ‘Diabolique’
In previous Debriefs, I have expressed my love for the Criterion Collection. In February, when Criterion announced they would be releasing a blu-ray edition of Henri-Georges Clouzot’s classic 1955 film, Diabolique, I knew I would have to pre-order it so I could add it to my library. Even if you haven’t seen an Alfred Hitchcock...
On the Shoulders of Giants
Photo Credit to Mischa Richter One of the best way of expanding your musical tastes is to explore the discographies of the masters who have recently left this world. If you’re a fan of the history of rap or R&B, I’d be shocked if you haven’t heard of Gil Scott-Heron. Gil passed away last week...
Debrief XVI: Burton’s ‘Batman’ & Nolan’s ‘The Dark Knight’
When I called for Debrief recommendations at the beginning of the month, I got such a tremendous group of films that I’ve had to bank the suggestions because I fully intend to return to a good deal of them. For more than a few weeks, I have been considering how I could tackle a two...
Debrief XV: Jones’ ‘Moon’
As a child in elementary school, I was obsessed with most things science fiction. In grades four through six, I was a dedicated Trekkie (for shame, I know) and I was hassled for my passion by the school yard bullies. My grade seven homeroom teacher introduced me to a plethora of important novels in the...
Debrief XIV: Fincher’s ‘The Curious Case of Benjamin Button’
As per my goal to write every second Debrief on a film from someone else’s recommendation, I asked for input on Twitter just as I did last month. I got quite a few suggestions and was stuck with the problem of which one to choose. I ultimately went with @gbellddsc’s recommendation of David Fincher’s The...
