February 2, 2018

Welcome to TFCA Friday, a weekly round-up of film reviews and articles by TFCA critics.

Opening this Week

Altered Carbon (Netflix)

“I mean, I know people love cyberpunk thrillers, and this is very much that. Me, I’d have been happier with six hours of it rather than 10” — Norm Wilner, NOW

Crawford (CBC)

“A show about eccentric characters played by unquestionably committed comic performers. I suppose it is also similar in that I did not find it funny – like, at all” — Norm Wilner, NOW

The Group of Seven Guitars (dirs. Jason Charters, Liam Romalis)

“So much talent, so little entertainment” — Glenn Sumi, NOW

“The project doesn’t transfer seamlessly into yet a third medium, but the 80-minute film does have the benefit of allowing us to hear each instrument played by a variety of Canadian musicians” — Chris Knight, National Post

On Body and Soul (dir. Ildiko Enyedi)

“A glorious story of two minds striving to connect, and of the difficulty in finding someone with whom to share your dreams, even if you’re literally doing just that” — Chris Knight, National Post

Sebastian (dir. James Fanizza, DVD)

“Goes through all the motions of a romantic comedy. Do not expect any new revelations or insight” — Gilbert Seah, Festival Reviews

To The Mountain (dir. Eric Pauls)

“Short and sweet, this feature debut from Alberta filmmaker Eric Pauls makes the most of both its mildly quirky characters and the stunning scenery of the eastern Rockies” — Chris Knight, National Post

TIFF Presents: KinoVortex!

Rivers of blood, bifurcated bodies, vengeance-seeking vampires, crazed yakuzas, grizzled bounty hunters — all of this and more, writes Barry Hertz in the Globe and Mail

Screen Movies Like It’s 1999

Was 1999 the last great year for movies? In the Globe and Mail, Barry Hertz says it might be so

Hollywood Takes A Pass This Super Bowl Weekend

Winchester, which wasn’t screened for critics, kicks off Hollywood’s sole release this week. Unheard of, Peter Howell analyzes in the Toronto Star

Sundance 2018

In POV, Jason Gorber sums up the 2018 Sundance Film Festival