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Warner Brothers Canada Presents: Contagion (win 1 of 4 double passes)

jessica — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 14:30:47 +0000

This Friday, September 9th marked the opening night in Canada of Warner Brother‘s new epidemic film Contagion. Interested in a medical thriller revolving around an air-born virus? A story of world-wide chaos and panic? Jude Law, wink-wink, nudge-nude? Hummingbird604.com has 4 double passes to giveaway!

To enter: leave a comment with your favourite pandemic drama film. I (Jessica) might have to cheat and say that mine is TV series’ Heroes circa season 2, with the Shanti Virus. Contest closes September 13th at 1PM.. You may have read Raul’s review (Jessica and Ana and Raul went all to see the movie).

Warner Brother’s official Contagion Trailer

The film brings together a stellar international ensemble cast, including Academy Award® winner Marion Cotillard (“La Vie en Rose,” “Inception”); Academy Award® winner Matt Damon (“Good Will Hunting,” the “Bourne” films); Oscar® nominee Laurence Fishburne (“What’s Love Got to Do With It,” “The Matrix”); Oscar® nominee Jude Law (“Cold Mountain,” “Sherlock Holmes”); Academy Award® winner Gwyneth Paltrow (“Shakespeare in Love,” “Iron Man”); and Academy Award® winner Kate Winslet (“The Reader,” “Titanic”).

Movie – Lightning: Bolts of Destruction (aka Heaven’s Fury)

Raul — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 03:34:06 +0000

I am always delighted when I watch movies that depict university politics, and even more when said motion picture is filmed at the actual university where I’ve taught and where I did my Masters and PhD (The University of British Columbia, UBC). Had I known about this movie the last time I taught Environmental Policy and Politics at UBC, I would have assigned it as required for viewing

The movie is, as you can imagine, showcases an outstanding climate researcher who is studying lightnings. The main character is a woman (actress Joanna Pacula), which is actually pretty awesome. She predicts that a lightning storm is going to take place in a pacific northwest town (most of the movie is set in the fictitious Pacific Northwest University, but in reality, it’s UBC, mainly the Chemistry building and then Main Library, now the Irving K. Barber Centre).

I really liked the movie however cheesy, simply because it’s such a great display of locations in Vancouver, and particularly, my alma mater (UBC). If you have a chance to rent it, it’s on DVD (there are two releases, 2003 and 2005, not sure why).

Movie review – Milk

Raul — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 14:16:27 +0000

I’ve always admired the work of Sean Penn. Admittedly, people can pigeonhole him as “Madonna’s ex-husband” or “the guy who never cared much about winning an Oscar and finally was recognized for his work“. However, I would like to praise Penn for taking on a rather challenging role as the lead actor in “Milk” and depicting Harvey Milk in such a human, vibrant way. Harvey Milk wasn’t perfect nor super-human. He was a gay man who succeeded in making a difference. And Penn does a wonderful job of incarnating Harvey Milk. In this movie, Penn IS Harvey Milk.

Milk is recognized for being the first openly gay man ever elected to public office in the United States, and for his efforts to defeat Proposition 6 which denied gay rights. Milk was assassinated along with then-Mayor of San Francisco, George Moscone. The movie is both heart-wrenching and heart-warming, mixing footage from the era (circa 1978) with the actual movie.

Some of my friends have indicated that maybe if “Milk” had opened just a few weeks earlier, then maybe the outcome on Proposition 8 might have changed. I am not sure, since there is no counter-factual to assess this outcome against.

Still, I just can’t understand how so many people have given themselves the supreme/divine right to “eliminate the rights of gay people“. Um, hello? Weren’t we all created all the same? While watching the movie, every time I heard Anita Bryant’s (or any other bigoted, hatred-inducing creep shown in the movie) I cringed.

I can’t believe some people actually think of homosexuals as deviant and worthy of being attacked. I have always praised Vancouver and its society for their openness, but, seriously, it is times like this (with the passing of Proposition 8 in the US and recent hate-mongering against The Laramie Project) that I am SO glad I live in Vancouver.

I wouldn’t be surprised if Sean Penn was nominated again for an Oscar, and even though I think Josh Brolin did a wonderful job, I would probably nominate James Franco for Best Actor in a Supporting Role if I had my way. Franco is phenomenal in this role.

I know that Ianiv and Arieanna and Airdrie saw this movie the night before I did, so I’ll have to chat with them and get their impressions.

Movie review – Get Smart

Raul — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 06:43:44 +0000

You’d have to have watched the 60′s TV show to understand the movie, but even if you hadn’t watched any of the episodes, you’ll still love Get Smart, in my humble opinion. I recommend NOT to read the Wikipedia entry until you’ve seen the movie.

I was quite surprised with the chemistry between Steve Carell and Anne Hathaway. Their chemistry was as good as the original Agent 86 and Agent 99. I was also pleasantly surprised with Hathaway playing an action heroine. Given that most of the karate-chop-wielding actresses I like are already well known for their athletic prowess (Uma Thurman, Lucy Liu, Jennifer Garner, Angelina Jolie, Cameron Diaz and even Drew Barrymore), I was very shocked to see Anne Hathaway kicking the heck out of the bad guys.

Even more pleasantly surprised with Dwayne Johnson (formerly known as “The Rock”). He was most definitely engaging in the movie, and made me forget all of his awful previous roles. Overall, I really loved this movie. There were parts where I could simply not stop laughing, I cried a couple of times because I was laughing so hard.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0dUhhYyKlnY&hl=en]

Young People F**king and Pillow Talk – Sat Jun 14th

Raul — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 00:12:37 +0000

You may have read it on Rebecca’s blog as well, but I figured I’d contribute my grain of sand (that’s how we say it in Spanish). I received today an email from the organizers of Saturday’s June 14th screening & Pillow Talk of the movie “Young People F**king” (a Canadian movie that I will most likely go and see – although I’m fully booked on Saturday, so I can’t attend this particular event). The organizers are part of a non-profit organization called the First Weekend Club:

First Weekend Club is a non-profit organization that strives to build audiences for great Canadian films through grassroots initiatives such as special screenings, Q&As with talent, premiere parties, movie alerts and much more! First Weekend Club is a free cross Canada film club that encourages members to attend opening weekend screenings. Hence the name, First Weekend Club. [FWC website]

As it so happens, one of First Weekend Club’s Advisory Board members is one of my very favorite Canadian actors, Paul Gross. I want to see the movie not only because of Adam Abrams, Callum Blue and one of my favorite Vancouver actresses, Carly Pope (whom I have liked since Popular).

At first, I was somewhat taken aback by the fact that FWC wasn’t offering me free tickets to the premiere (something that every other Film Festival and/or movie premiere have offered me in the past), but I kind of understand what they’re trying to do – they are trying to make the opening night/weekend a financially-viable and successful event. Worthy cause, indeed.

Unfortunately, I can’t make it for Saturday, but I would encourage you all to go and then come tell me what you thought. I am an ardent supporter of Canadian film AND Canadian actors (especially Vancouver or BC actors – Callum Keith Rennie, Kristin Kreuk, Allison Mack, Carly Pope, the Ashmore twins, Aaron and Shawn) – thus, you can rest assured that there will be indeed a review of YPF. I know for a fact that Beth has already seen it, so you can ask her what she thought…

Movie review – Cutting Edge 3: Chasing The Dream

Raul — Wed, 28 May 2008 02:40:42 +0000

I am into sappy movies, anybody who reads my blog knows that. However, this one is definitely one that I could predict three seconds into the movie. There were some plots and twists to Cutting Edge 3: Chasing the Dream, but overall, it was really predictable. Admittedly, I watched it for the eye candy, and because it is a movie about figure skating, a sport that I absolutely love (even though I am sure that, at my age, I will never be able to do a triple salchow – or a double, for that matter).

Long story made short – Handsome, rich, sweet, nice guy Zach is a great figure pairs skater who loses his skating partner to an injury. He needs to find a new partner and thus launches a search. Outsider, hockey-player Alejandra wants to figure skate and Zach is the key to a new world. Sparks fly, trouble ensues and in the end, the world is alright because they… well, of course, I am not going to tell you how it ends. It’s a rental, and I did exactly that (rented it). Good movie for a Sunday evening at home and sushi take-out.

Somebody had the good idea of putting videos of the movie together with the song that really stuck in my head (Apologize by One Republic feat. Timbaland) and create a YouTube video. Said video is shown below. That way, I can hit two birds with one stone – music AND movie review

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UA0U3mxP6dA&hl=en]