The Conspirator - Review

This film is based on the true story of Mary Surratt (played by Robin Wright) and her son John (played by Johnny Simmons) and their involvement of the assassination of Abraham Lincoln.

Mary was the owner of a boarding house where John Wilkes Booth (Toby Kebbell) and a gang of others (including her son John) met to organize, conspire and plan attacks on the President, Vice president and Secretary of State.
As the nation turns against her, Surratt is forced to rely on her lawyer Frederick Aiken (James Mcavoy) to defend and save her life.

The settings, costumes and lighting created by Robert Redford (director) were second to none. He really captured the tone of post-Civil War. The cast were outstanding and held up the story, which was very powerful.

I really enjoyed this drama although found that one needed a bit more patience than usual as it was a bit slower than one is used to. But, in all, it worked.


Bravo Redford!

Opens in theatres 6th May 2011

Fermez le Berger Blanc

It is with a heavy heart that I decided to write this article. It was a difficult decision because I wanted this blog to be a Montreal cultural informational hub, for fun and beautiful articles, but after much thought, I needed to have a voice for those who do not. I love my blog and I still love Montreal, however, Montreal is not always fair. In fact, far from it this time. First and foremost, I am an animal lover. I believe we have a duty to treat all living beings with respect, dignity and love. Recently, Berger Blanc has been in the spotlight. Berger Blanc is supposed to be a city pound, that holds animals for a certain period of time in case their owners go looking for them there. After the grace period, the animals are to be put down by certified veterinarians by lethal injection. They have a certain criteria in which they are supposed to follow. They didn't... In fact they went so far away from the original plan that Montrealers that were just animal lovers and pet parents became outraged activists today. Perhaps a blessing in disguise, as we need to stand by those who cannot and are not given a chance to have a voice. Radio Canada aired a very disturbing under cover story about Berger Blanc this Thursday. It is in French but you will be able to understand it by the filming. Please be warned that this video is EXTREMELY graphic.http://www.tou.tv/enquete/S04E24

I watched the whole thing. It left me shocked, outraged and gasping for air. A place like this only exists (so I thought) in nightmares, not in real life and please... not in MY Montreal?!! Unfortunately, the proof is there. Staring us in the face amongst other articles.
http://www.montrealmirror.com/wp/2011/03/24/cover-pet-heaven’s-waiting-room/

http://www.cbc.ca/m/touch/canada/story/2011/04/20/montreal-animal-pound-euthanasia.html

The mayor's response was weak, cold and absolutely unacceptable.http://www.cnw.ca/fr/releases/archive/April2011/21/c6261.html

To write to the mayor, please follow this link:http://www.ville.montreal.qc.ca/portal/page?_pageid=5977,42999685&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL

How are we able to sleep at night knowing that this is going on? We protested and were the top story tonight on CTV.http://montreal.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20110423/mtl_berger_110423/20110423/?hub=MontrealHome#commentSection
It's a start, but it's not enough...

The Montreal Gazette's article:http://www.montrealgazette.com/life/Montreal+pressured+over+Berger+Blanc/4661535/story.html
After the protest, the mayor (Gerard Tremblay) still stood his ground and said:
"...we are keeping an eye on the Berger Blanc. We will have more inspectors carrying out regular inspections and spot checks."
WHAT??? Is that all you have for us? Well, not good enough! We want the abuse and suffering to be over. We want you to shut it down or step down.

What can we do?

• We can have a voice for those who don't.


• We can persist and insist until something is done.


• We can write, blog and voice our opinions.


• We can spread the word about what is going on.


• We can be animal activists.


• We can "show up" at protests, on petitions, publicly and keep on going until things change.


• We can continue until things get done!

Here is a very thorough outline of the ongoing fight with Berger Blanc. This is a really great dog site as well. http://www.montrealdogblog.com/7097/fight-berger-blanc-montreal/

What the SPCA is doing:http://www.spcamontreal.com/media1.php?lg=en&id=83

Sign the petitions to close Berger Blanc:

http://www.petitions24.net/petition_berger_blanc

https://secure.humanesociety.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=5031

Sign this petition to bring Berger Blanc to court and hold them accountable for all that they have done:http://www.petitions24.net/berger_blanc_-_devant_les_tribunaux

There is another protest in front of Montreal's City Hall

on 13th May, 2011.

Please show up to show your support... afterall, it could be your dog or your neighbour's cat that finds itself lost and at the hands of Berger Blanc.

HANNA - Review

The awaited "Hanna" opens in theatres this Friday.

This film opens with the breathtaking scenery of the alps, Bad Tolz, where the uncharted wilderness reveals Hanna (newcomer Saoirse Ronan) running through wintry woods. Hanna is a natural beauty in the forest and is armed with a bow and arrow. Not more than 16 years old, she runs like a deer, hunts like a tiger and is apparently accustomed to the winter climate and survival of the fittest. There, she kills a deer. First with her bow and arrow, then with a pistol. Soon after, she is silently approached by her father, Erik (played by Eric Bana) and there, you really see her talents shine as a fighter. And so sets the foundation of the movie... You soon learn that Hanna and Erik have been living in the wilderness since Hanna was a child. She has been intensely home schooled and preparing for the day she departs into the "real" world.

The "real world" includes the diabolical and ruthless intelligence operative Marissa Weigler played by Academy Award winner Cate Blanchett who has been looking for Erik and Hanna for years. The movie "Hanna" takes you on a thriller of a ride through the mountains of Finland, Germany, then through the desserts of Morocco and the bustling marketplaces. The scenery sequences are a feast for the eyes, the music is more than outstanding (The Chemical Brothers) and really adds to the suspense of the movie. The film starts off with such thrilling promise that somehow doesn't hold through. It just wasn't as engaging throughout as I hoped it would be and lost momentum in the middle. This movie is still worth a "look see" for the scenery and the music.

Opens in theatres this Friday.

Limitless - Review

If you're looking for something exciting to do this weekend. You can stop looking. Limitless is a fast actioned thriller that will have you glued to the big screen. Bradley Cooper and Robert De Niro star in this paranoia infused race to the top.

The movie starts off with some (already) amazing film work. We race through the streets, stores and subways of New York City at a dizzing speed to catch up with Eddie Mora (Cooper). At first glance you're not sure of his character. Is he homeless? A musician? No, Eddie is a starving artist suffering from serious writer's block.

Eddie runs into an old drug dealing friend of his. Seeing Eddie in this state, his friend offers to help and introduces him to a new pharmaceutical drug called NZT. Curiousity gets the best of Eddie and he ingests this pill.

His life changes instantly. Eddie sees, thinks, hears, recalls everything clearer and in technicolour. His motivation skyrockets and the fun begins.

This pill has enabled him to tap into his full potential. Eddie cleans up his act, writes a top selling book in a matter of days, learns 5 new languages in minutes. The skies the limit with this new found energy.

He then goes on to become a wall street genius where he catches the attention of business tycoon, Carl Van Loon (De Niro).

You won't be able to take your eyes off the screen and will be so engaged with the story that you won't even see the end coming.

Get ready for an action filled ride of your life. This suspensful thriller has everything in it. Limitless definitely delivers!

The story will draw you in. The acting is fanastic and the cast is perfect.

I LOVED this movie and have a distinct feeling that it will be up for awards this year.

Go see it!

In theatres this Friday.

Click on this link for the preview.

http://www.alliancefilms.com/en/34/trailers/play_trailer/12578/default_high/L/0/

Mars Needs Moms - Review

Well, Disney did it again. The special effects in this movie are absolutely second to none. "Motion Capture" techniques in 3D. Wow! They were outstanding and you'd swear the animation is real.

Too bad the screenplay was not enough to support the fantastic computer generated imagery.

This movie is very loosely (one should hope) based on a book by Pultzer Prizing winning Berkley Breathed who has also been know to submit politically flavoured cartoons to the Washington Post.

I'm not sure what message Director Simon Wells (the great grandson of pioneering sci-fi author H.G. Wells) was trying to depict to the young children but I think it fell very flat.

The story starts out with mothers and children and shows how everyone is interacting. More specifically, how the mom's are disciplining the children. Then it pans over to Mars. It appears that an old female man hating martian is in search of a certain type of mother to bring to Mars. They end up kidnapping a mom who is a firm yet caring discplinary figure. Her son unexpectedly hitches a ride with the space ship while trying to save her. They arrive on Mars where they will soon find out that the entire planet is controlled by an army of women. That's because the men martians are thrown into the bowels of Mars (the garbage dump) because they are silly and want to dance all time. This happens at martian childhood so the men and women are seperated at birth.

The mom from earth has been transported to Mars so that the man hating head martian (the supervisor) can suck all the information out of her brain with this contraption. They will then insert the information into robot nannies to raise the girl martians so that the women martians can keep being the hardcore army martians they were raised to be. Once they get the information out of the human mom, they will leave her to die.

There was none of the usual "oooooh-ing or aaaaaaaah-ing" from the children. No chuckles. No cheering. In fact, there was not a peep from the children. Not a one.

As we left the theatre, the parents looked bewildered and the children looked as if someone had taken their candy.

I Am Number Four - Review

If you want to see a movie jam packed with action

and special effects,

"I Am Number Four" will not disappoint. What the movie lacked in originality it made up for in all of the above.

The story is about John Smith (Pettyfer) who is on the run from enemies sent to earth to destroy him and his alien siblings in numerical order. The story opens on a beach scene and you soon get the feeling that Pettyfer knows that something is amiss. Soon after, we discover that number three has been destroyed and know that he will be next. He is number four.

Glee star Dianna Argon's acting is sweet and quaint

while Alex Pettyfer and Teresa Palmer will be the ones bringing in the teens looking for some serious eye candy.

This sci-fi thriller had such potential but unfortunately fell flat for me. I found the acting mediocre and the storyline, predictable and at times, corny. Hopefully the sequel will be better.

Not a box office hit but the special effects were pretty cool... especially in IMAX.

Go for the action and special effects.

Now playing in an IMAX theatre near you!

Click here for more information and to get a taste of the special effects.

http://www.findnumberfour.com/

Montreal's cold winter brings some pretty hot events!

Even in the middle of winter Montreal is still HOT. She boasts everything from outdoor concerts to FREE indoor films. Montreal proves to be no slacker in all kinds of weather. Check out the Festivals and fun stuff to do on the right hand side of this blog and click on their links for more information.

Montreal is certainly not a fair weather friend. Gotta love her!

Have fun and stay HOT!

Local Jo