This quirky new film has former SCTV cast members behind it. Anne Brodie spoke to them about death, pets and Tim Burton.
“I think kids can handle a lot” says Catherine O’Hara. “They’re more accepting and open than we think. A story about a dog dying, they’re with it. It’s not like “A dog died. Oh my God, this is too much. It’s beyond my years!”
O’Hara has faith in kids and in Frankenweenie writer director Tim Burton. She and long-time pal Martin Short play six roles in Burton’s signature dark but amiable horror comedy, including the parents of a boy who brings his beloved dead dog back to life through electric shock. O’Hara, Martin Short and I met in Toronto this week to mull over this strange subject matter.
Short remembers his first brush with death. “The first loss is invariably the loss of a hamster or a mouse or a … (sob) … goldfish. I loved my goldfish. He could say his own name. It was [glub glub]. But one day my father had had a gin and ginger. Or two. And he was cleaning it over the sink and he said “The little sucker just slipped right out of my hands.” Gin and ginger, no ice. My father used to hate that we would go into the fridge and take one of his cold ginger ales and put ice in it. “There’s warm ginger ale in that room! You can open it up but if you’re going to put ice in it doesn’t matter! Take the cold one!”
You can also find Anne on Twitter @annebrodie and at her own blog.
Anne Brodie gives Frank Langella thumbs up.
Opens August 24
Directed by Jake Schreier
Starring Frank Langella, Susan Sarandon, James Marsden
Genre Sci fi, Comedy, Drama
Rating: 4/5
Frank Langella is spot on as a retired cat-burglar falling into dementia, rattling between his big lonely house and the local library, feeling useless. His only friend the librarian (Sarandon) faces her library’s transformation into a book free, wired “modern” reading experience as books are also useless in this near future. Frank’s stubborn disregard for his well-being alarms his children but their ham-handed efforts to help upset his already precarious state of mind.
One life-changing day his son (Marsden) presents him with a robot health care assistant. Frank resists but soon finds an ally and partner- in-crime in this unassuming new plastic buddy. Together they plot a final burglary which stimulates Frank’s dormant memory and jolts him awake.
It’s a beautifully crafted, superbly acted film that approaches aging with sensitivity, recognizes wisdom and celebrates the indefatigable human spirit and all its kick-ass dreams.
You can also find Anne on Twitter @annebrodie and at her own blog.
Not pretty, but hopeful.
Hope Springs
In theatres now
Directed by David Frankel
Stars Meryl Streep, Tommy Lee Jones and Steve Carell
Rating: 3/5
Kay (Meryl Streep) and Arnold (Tommy Lee Jones) have sunk into a sterile, uncaring routine 30 years into marriage. He recoils from her touch so she stops touching him. Sex is a distant memory. Arnold says their marriage is fine but Kay is ready to walk out.
With heroic effort, Kay convinces him to fly across the country for a week of intensive couple’s therapy with a famous Dr. Feld (Steve Carell in a compelling, compassionate and serious performance), but he fights tooth and claw. There’s wisdom to be gained watching these emotionally crippled characters try to love again.
It’s not pretty — indeed things get pretty ugly as they try to overcome their limitations and years of distance. One step forward, two painful steps back. Hope Springs is tough going but it’s rewarding as a story of courage, backbone … and hope.
You can also find Anne on Twitter @annebrodie and at her own blog.
Is the latest addition to the comic-book takeover of film worth the watch? Anne Brodie says yes. Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments! – Jenn
The Dark Knight Rises
Directed by: Christopher Nolan
Starring: Christian Bale, Tom Hardy, Michael Caine, Anne Hathaway
Rating: 4/5
Nolan ends his Batman trilogy in a sensational style, with this sophisticated and adult drama of operatic proportions.
It’s eight years on and Batman/Bruce Wayne is holed up in his estate, disgraced and depressed, when he hears Gotham’s cries for help. He must overcome physical and psychological damage to confront the mightiest villain he’s met so far, Bane (Tom Hardy) whose towering evil psychopathy earns him a place in cinematic history.
Nolan turns his back on the kids, opting for serious commentary on politics, terrorism, elitism and legacy, and imbues it with meaning and psychological detail. There are no laughs aside from Catwoman’s (Hathaway) sarcasm and get this: She may be gay. Kudos to the deserving Joseph Gordon-Levitt who will likely carry the flame forward.
You can also find Anne on Twitter @annebrodie and at her own blog.
I’m happy to introduce Anne Brodie as a More Daily blog contributor. She’ll be bringing you the scoop on movies to see – or skip. – Jenn
To Rome with Love
Opens: July 6
Written and directed by Woody Allen
Starring Woody Allen, Penélope Cruz, Judy Davis, Alec Baldwin, Alison Pill
Rating: 3 / 5
This isn’t Woody Allen’s greatest comedy but it is saturated with an increasingly warm view of life and people, and marks his first film appearance in 6 years.
It’s classic Allen: Sophisticated, witty and elegant and imbued with absurdist glee. The film follows Americans and Italians stumbling through love, sex, sudden fame, the onset of middle age and reality TV while taking us on a romantic tour of a sex mad City of Light. How about Baldwin as a younger man’s sexual conscience and guardian angel? Or an opera singer who can only perform in the shower? At 77, Allen’s sarcastic verve is sharp as ever, now tempered with what feels like happiness.
You can also find Anne on Twitter @annebrodie and at her own blog.
