Movie Reviews By Robert Waldman
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Updated: October 5, 2026
By Any Means Carolina Caroline Farruquito It Ends Ladies and Gentlemen, Brian Mulroney Leviticus Pressure Relax. Open Your Eyes. Seven Snipers Smudge The Blades Spa Weekend STOP! THAT! TRAIN! The Flight The Kung Fu Kid The Devil Wears Prada Two The Odyssey The Sheep Detectives The Things You Kill This Ordinary Thing To see my reviews of some great older movies please visit and subscribe to my YouTube Channel. And maybe give a thumbs up if you like the review. Many more reviews to come soon. So stay tuned and be safe. |
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A Safe Distance(PG) * * * *
Sacred Vows!
Landlocked in love. Maybe not. See two lovers on a perilous journey in the ominous A Safe Distance. Like the title suggests take care of your loved ones. Bound to create a stir this complex yet enticing thriller comes courtesy of Vortex Media and Route 504 PR.
British Columbia isn't called beautiful for nothing. Out to get a little r & r in the rugged BC wilderness are best buds Alex and Joey. Both Bethany Brown and Chris McNally play the couple whose sincerity comes into question. Lovers quarrels happen often but in this messed up case a parting of the ways leads to intriguing consequences.
When Alex comes across another forest visitor the dynamics of the movie change completely. So a love story turns into a crime saga where director Gloria Mercer succeeds in creating tension, uncertainty and a lot of loving in the mix. Fans of the classic Bonnie and Clyde will right at home in this offbeat drama that truly does showcase the west coasts unparalleled natural beauty along with four fiery performances from young actors on the rise.
For tickets or more information phone (604) 683-3456 Or go to viff.org
Showtimes:
Monday. Oct 5. 8:45 PM. The Rio Theatre
Wednesday. Oct 7. 1:30 PM. VIFF Centre
The Flight(PG) * * * *
Bumpy Ride!
People of all stripes need to wake up. Brave local Vancouver filmmaker Soran Mardookhi gets down and personal with The Flight. Based on the ill fated Flight PS752 this NFB documentary gets its world premiere at this years Vancouver International Film Festival. It goes behind the scenes to look at the tragedy and its effect on families in the aftermath .
Never forget. Or forgive. Soran sheds light on the Iran regime that launched two missiles at the civilian airliner full of innocent Iranians, Canadians and British nationals. Feeling the pain and suffering surviving family members in Toronto. Vancouver and Montreal illustrate poignantly their efforts to remember their loved ones and their determination to hold the criminal government in Iran accountable.
Candid and honest this movie must be seen!
For more information and tickets go to VIFF.org or call (604) 683-3456
Showtimes:
Thursday Oct 8 8:15 PM. SFU Woodwards.
Sunday. Oct 11. 3:45 pm. Vancouver Fifth Avenue Cinemas
Farruquito(G) * * *
Magic Man!
You should be dancing. That's a line made famous by a hit Bee Gees song from the smash Saturday Night Fever - the film that made John Travolta a star. Now the Vancouver Film Festival sheds light on the art of Flamenco dancing with the mesmerizing Farruquito. Get your groove on while watching this unique documentary which sheds light on the best flamenco dancers in the world. In Spanish with English subtitles.
Families matter, Farruquito takes us in an incredible that traces the life of a one of a kind extend family whose prowess with performing this wondrous Spanish are form will have you in awe. Talented dance routines are passed down through generati8ns as we see how a loving grandfather "grooms" a young boy into being a master dancer that takes the world by storm. Put this kid, now a mature adult with his own boy making waves in the same category of Michael Jackson and Sammy Davis Jr,
Brilliant footage of concerts, practices and candid family interviews help make this bit of dance history a fun journey with memorable moments and performances.
For tickets to Farruquito and more information call (6O4j 683-3456 or go to VIFF.Org.
Showtimes:
Friday Oct 2. 10:30 am. International Village #10
Saturday Oct 3 8:00 pm. International Village. #9
Monday Oct 5. 10:45. am. International Village #8
Ladies and Gentlemen, Brian Mulroney(G) * * * * *
It's not too often that I give a five star rating to any movie -let alone a documentary from Canada - but here it is. See history in the making with Ladies and Gentlemen, Brian Mulroney. Whether you're a political junkee or just an ordinary Canadian (or world citizen) you will be In awe with this playful look at the Conservative prime minister.
Hats off to the folks at the NFB for pulling off a humorous and highly entertaining look at Mulroney's rise to power. Full of candid moments from numerous campaigns, political conventions and insightful interviews here's a film that's timely and thoroughly entertainingly from start to finish.
Today the world is at a crossroads and with elections in both British Columbia and the and the U.S on the horizon this documentary reveals how a man from nowhere can stare down numerous electoral defeats and somehow make an incredible comeback. Call it a charm offense. Effectively directed by Matthew Rankin.
For more information and tickets to to VIFF.org or call (604) 683-3456
Showtimes:
Sunday Oct 4. 6:15 PM. The Rio Theatre
Tuesday Oct 6. 9:15 PM. Lindsay Family Stage Granville Island
Sunday Oct 11. 8:30 PM. Alliance Francaise
Relax. Open Your Eyes. (18+) * *
Frozen!
If nothing else film festivals never like to shy away from controversial subjects. Setting aside the ample racism and outright hatred plaguing many backward leaning European Festivals no real politics is on view in Relax. Open Your Eyes. Made almost entirely with Canadian taxpayers money this documentary looks at a very obscure yet interesting subject.
Who wouldn't want to live forever. No, we're not talking Ponce de Leon here. More like Austin Powers. Remember Dr. Evil who took a turn in a freezing time capsule. Well trust a pair of well-meaning Canadians to actively court preserving their lives in a frozen state through the process of cyronics.
Science fiction aside, this tale is interesting and thought provoking. It shows just how far people will go to preserve life. For better or worse.
For tickets to the film festival go to VIFF.org or call 604 683-3456.
Showtimes.
Friday Oct 2. 6:00 PM. Lindsay Stage, Granville Island
Tuesday. Oct 6. 3:15 PM. Lindsay Stage, Granville Island
Smudge The Blades(14A) * * * *
Game On!
The accent is on action and prejudice in the uplifting Smudge The Blades. Shot in Alberta this inspiring tale is all about a group of indigenous youth battling discrimination and chaos on and off the ice.
Talk about one of the ultimate underdog stories? It's David vs Goliath as the disadvantaged youth from Treaty 6 must confront all sorts of obstacles In their quest to "fit in" and win local hockey tournaments. Great on ice footage complements the complexities and personal battles team members face along with their novice coach.
Great acting from both the players and their adult families combined with sparkling realistic dialogue make Smudge the Blades winning entertainment with a lot of heart and soul.
For more information and tickets to the film festival go to www.viff.org or call (604) 683-3456
Showtimes:
Saturday Oct 3. 6:15 PM. The Rio Theatre
Monday. Oct 5. 3:00 PM. International Village #9
The Odyssey(PG) * * * *
Homeward Bound!
Master filmmaker Christopher Nolan (The Dark Knight) turns his sights on ancient mythology in the ambitious and highly entertaining The Odyssey. Based on the famed Homer novel this Hollywood spectacular is "big" in all respects. Universal Pictures goes back in time to capture all the intrigue and bravado of a soldier extraordinaire still going strong at Cineplex Cinemas and Landmark Theatres around B.C.
Despite the long length at almost three hours Nolan takes us on an unforgettable journey. Of course set in Ancient Greece our tale follows the plight of famed warrior Odysseus. Actor Matt Damon (The Bourne Identity) is in the zone as the conflicted man of war who leads his troops on a number of military campaigns. Better fasten your seatbelts as Odyssseus must tangle with giant soldiers, hideous giants, the odd cyclops or two along with a vexing witch and more ancient misfits.
At the heart of The Odyssey is palace Intrigue, a quest for power, and a desire to go home. Expect lots of spectacular battles on land and sea along with sparkling special effects. Loud and brash The Odyssey is superb dramatic filmmaking with all the actors pulling off impressive performances. Big is good!
By Any Means(PG) * * *
Odd Couple!
Movies based on true events can be downright startling. Racial tensions in the troubled United States are front and centre In By Any Means, the latest high stakes drama from VVS Films and Paramount Pictures currently confronting audiences at Cineplex Cinemas and Landmark Theatres across B.C.
Historically speaking for many a year America was confronted with a brutal racial past. Even Canada couldn't escape this scourge but Nowhere near on the same scale. The hotbed of such racial tensions was The South. Ground zero for the plague of hatred against Blacks was Mississippi. Set during the tumultuous early sixties Our story follows the travels of a group of three well meaning outsiders who were investigating discrimination in The South but wound up go missing and presumably dead. Call it murder, call it hatred, but their plight did not go unnoticed by the administration of Great Society President Lyndon Baynes Johnson.
Out to solve a crime J Edgar Hoover and the FBI concoct a plan to get at the truth and find justice. That brand of justice involved sending a talented agent to the state and bringing along an outsider with a special set of skills.
Like it or not to get things done in any area sometimes you have to go outside the box. The old expression fight fire with fire perfectly describes the relationship between
Agent Wayne Strider and wise guy Greg Scarpa. Perfect casting sees odd couple Yahya Abdul-Mateen ll and Mark Wahlberg ( Boogie Nights) somehow put their differences aside and go about rooting out a culture of hatred targeting Afro Americans and any of their liberal supporters.
Tension abounds in this quest for justice and the methods Scarpa uses make waterboarding seem like kids play. Violent for a reason director Elegance Bratton pulls out all the stops in this whirlwind emotional escapade proving that might makes right. Soul searching aside By All Means displays how two men on the opposite sides of the law can unite for a common good. Justice served!
Great atmosphere with a good supporting cast including Josh Lucas and David Strathairn helps make By Any Means highly watchable, insightful and intense. It sheds light on a troubled time in American society. And does it well.
The Kung Fu Kid(PG) * * * *
Punch Up!
Shades of The Karate Kid. Give it up to Well Go USA Entertainment for serving up a snappy soulful adventure with The Kung Fu Kid. Now out on digital streaming services across BC. this animated saga follows the tumultuous path of a nerdy teen who must come to terms with both his physique and mindset.
Made In 2024 - yes, you heard me right - The Kung Fu Kid is your classic tale of struggle and survival with our underdog out to face the ultimate test. Somewhat of an outcast and outsider all Gyun wants to do is get a job and earn a meaningful living. Once in the big city of Shanghai it's the zero who becomes a hero thanks to a chance opportunity to participate in a local fighting contest.
Now we have all seen this story before. Basically this is an updated version of The Karate Kid. Just substitute China for L.A. and make an animated movie instead of live action and you have the genesis for a family friendly hit.
Vivid well choreographed fight scenes and an evil villain or two will keep you glued to all the exciting action inside and out of the ring. Fun throughout The Kung Fu Kid also serves up a few lessons or two and is a real crowd pleaser.
Spa Weekend(PG) * * *
Happy Endings!
Friends are important. Close friendships are to be cherished. Four life long friends who have gone their separate ways decide to meet up for one final hurrah in the hilarious Spa Weekend. Now that whole plot line reminds me of a quartet of guys who head for some fun in Vegas of all places some 15 odd years ago but here I digress. You see in this woman's version the stars are not huge box office stars or draws. But still the chemistry is on view and that makes it all work and worthwhile, See the sparks fly in this semisweet raunch out from Elevation Pictures now soothing nerves at Cineplex Cinemas and Landmark Theatres across B.C.
Cut from the same cloth as Bridesmaids and Road Trip joint writers/directors Jon Lucas and Scott Moore do their best to connect all the dots when a group of once upon a time acquaintances decide to reunite at a posh spa on a to die for oceanfront locale. Out to have a Good time are Leslie Mann, Ilsa Fisher, Michelle Buteau and Anna Farris . Together these gals make a formidable foursome as their characters are fully fleshed out and you get to go deep into all their triumphs and set backs
Once fully unpacked at this swank resort it doesn't take long for the group to "sex up" with. yoga Hottie Kai their number one target. Sure to get temperatures rising is Australian Adam Demos who plays Kai the resident requisite Yoga teacher who fits the part to a tee and manages somehow to navigate his way through seemingly an endless group of eager to please students. Hey, this guys radiant smile and laid back manner effectively steals the show.
Despite all the obvious opportunities to have some sexy fun at the heart of Spa Weekend are the roles that family, friends and work play in all of our lives. So despite some of the over the top moments the film has a clear moral compass if you can overlook some of those pent-up loves starved libidos,. Let the fun begin!
It Ends(PG) * * *
Freak 0ut!
Ever get that feeling that you're in trouble or feeling uncomfortable? Sure you have. And how about all those times when you can't find where you left your care or are having difficulties finding a place or where you left something? Yes we all have faced these time consuming mishaps. Something like this happens to four hapless grads in the unsettling It Ends. Presented locally by Elevation Pictures this head scratcher is now freaking people out at select Cineplex theatres and Landmark Cinemas around B.C.
A country ride turns perilous for four friends who recently graduated. Led supposedly by a good old southern old boy an apparent wrong turn becomes problematic. Now out in the woods the group naturally try to find a way back to the main road and to safety. Too bad for them this is easier said than done,
Round and round we go as the travelers keep on moving in an effort to return to the point of entry - with little success. Making matters worse and more dangerous is when they decide to "disembark" and look for help - and an escape . Then they learn that the forest may be inhabited by something else. Cue the music as the chills set in.
Yes, we have seen These kind of movies before. For it to work you have to believe in the characters and in the case here the casting is commendable. Over time you sense that these youthful characters are all fully fleshed out and you get to know what makes them tick. How they each react under pressure is the key to the success of It Ends. Director Alex Ullom does a great job job in creating a tense. Chilling atmosphere riddled with danger as each actor comes to terms with the fear and paranoia that besets them all.
Seven Snipers(R) * * *
Lady Luck!
All the luck in the world is needed for a woman out to protect her daughter in the action-packed Seven Snipers. Based somewhat loosely on the famed Japanese classic Seven Samurai Well Go USA Entertainment has "modernized" Akira Kurosawa's fabled masterpiece. See the results on Blu-ray and DVD as well as on digital for those who just can't wait. Contact your local cable company or internet provider to see Seven Snipers.
Sunny dusty Australia is the perfect place for a getaway. Out to build a new life and doing a good job of it so far is macho woman Voodoo Child. Don't you just love that name! Australian actress Radha Mitchell puts on a brave face as her past is about to come calling,
Once upon a time Voodoo was a top notch sniper in the army. That past becomes a liability as an evil warlord called Dragon decides her lease on life is up. Time's up as stone faced killer Tim Roth ( Planet of the Apes) meticulously stalks this lonesome lady, now aided and defended by some crew from her past?
Survival is the order of the day in this hunt thriller that's dripping with tension - and blood. With a gritty and grimy atmosphere director Sandra Sciberras achieves here her aim in this violent surreal thriller,
Leviticus(PG) * * *
Should Mates!
Dangerous. Perhaps that best describes the problems plaguing some youth in the original and mysterious Leviticus. One could also use the word shocking to describe the goings on that confound and bewilder a group of teens. See all the muted horror unfold brilliantly in this unique and original thriller from Elevation Pictures now generating fear at select Cineplex Cinemas and Landmark Theatres across B.C.
My oh my we lead an eventful life. Boys will be boys. Or will they? Settle in for a bumpy ride as some weird evil engulfs school boys Naim and Ryan. Superb acting by Joe Bird and Stacy Clausen reveal the demons inside as some weird "thing" manages to tear their lives apart as well as those of their families and friends in a closed knit community where religion reigns supreme. Shades of The Exorcist come back to haunt one's soul.
Once upon a time taboo subject matter is raised as religion and morality are on a collision course. Director and writer Adrian Chiarella knows just how to push all the right buttons and succeeds in elevating what could have been an insane story into a first class thrill ride. You'll become totally immersed in the evil just itching to get out in this high stakes drama where you just won't know what's coming next. Scary indeed!
Dark and brooding Leviticus will make your blood curl and leave you questioning the turmoil surrounding some teens looking for a way out. No escape.
This Ordinary Thing(PG) * * * * *
Brave New World!
Words can not describe the meaning conveyed through This Ordinary Thing. To be fair there is nothing remotely "ordinary" from the righteous deeds done by the brave souls depicted in this heart-wrenching documentary. Extraordinary were the actions taken by the interviewees who put their own lives ( and those of their families) on the line when they helped save the defenseless. Hear just how these people saved hundreds of men, women, and children from certain death. A must see movie for children, adults and dare I say educators and so-called politicians This Ordinary Thing can now be found on streaming services across Canada. Contact your cable company or internet provider to watch this historic story unfold thanks to EGPR.
They say history has a way of repeating itself. And how. Timing is everything. As Canada and the world is now seeing the scourge of anti-semitism explode largely due to misguided left leaning lunatics and crazed terrorist supporters how enlightening it is to see just what a real genocide looks like and not a fictionalized trumped up version. All the horrors of what a real Holocaust looks like comes through loud and clear in this historically accurate depiction faithfully and truthfully recounted in This Ordinarry Thing.
Holocaust movies are not new. What makes This Ordinary Thing so extraordinary is that it tells the stories of many gentiles who went out of their way to save innocent Jews from Hitler's killing machine in Germany and throughout Europe. Voiced by actors we get to see and hear the words of the brave men and women still alive who reveal how they saved Jewish families while most in their cities and countries simply followed the orders of the Nazis as they too control.
Chilling and emotional yet must see viewing acclaimed director Nick Davis lets those who were there tell their own story. Fortified by vintage footage from the war and the pain and struggle of those who lived during the Nazi /SS occupations you can feel the horror. You can sense the hurt in the miraculous survivors' voices whose haunting memories should be a stark reminder and warning about what can happen if people allow a minority whose penchant for hate obscures the truth from becoming gospel and mainstream. Never Again!
Pressure(PG) * * * * *
Total Impact!
Now and then filmmakers get the name for a movie right. Just like the title suggests Pressure is a movie that simply put is about pressure - the worst kind. When decisions about life and death are on The line the best judgment matters - and counts. When the going gets tough the tough get going and Focus Films delivers a wonderful film now showing at Cineplex Cinemas and Landmark Theatres around B.C.
Take a look outside your front door or window. Snags the first thing you notice? The weather. Odd as it may be sound the entire focus of Pressure relates to , not surprisingly, the weather. When planning a battle there's no such thing as a sure thing and when lives are on the line nothing can be taken for granted - especially the weather. So it's up to the highest echelons of the U.S. army to decide should they should stay or should they go in this nail biter of a thriller.
Based on the hit London play our story focuses on the decision being contemplated by U.S. General Dwight Eisenhower as to when to launch the Invasion of Normandy and Europe in what was to become known as D-Day. Former comedian Brendan Fraser (The Mummy) delivers a compelling performance full of emotion and rage as he must weigh rather heavily the date of the attack.
To help him decide when to launch the attack Ike must rely on the advice of two weathermen with totally distinct personalities and viewpoints. As if Eisenhower doesn't have enough on his plate he has to "referee" the competing views expressed by fellow countryman Irving Knick and Scottish transplant Dr. James Stagg. Together Chris Messina and Andrew Scott (SPECTRE) look like prizefighters out to win over Ike to their way of thinking. You just have to be in the room to see the split and tension between these two scientists who give compelling evidence to bolster their choice of day to start the invasion.
In an Oscar bound performance Scott is sensational as the Academic who tries to win Ike over and in The process he will win you over too with his reasoned approach to make his case
Both history buffs, armchair generals and people wanting to watch tremendous acting will find Pressure to be immensely appealing,
STOP! THAT! TRAIN!(PG) * * *
Rough Ride!
Ready for a good laugh. Better fasten your seatbelts as a couple of ladies wreck havoc on a cross country trek in the laugh-filled STOP! THAT! TRAIN! Now showing at Cineplex Cinemas and Landmark Theatres across BC this cloud pleaser from Mongrel Media is a blast.
Made in the spirit of Road Trip and It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World this mixed up mess up follows a pair of women on a zany trip from the East Coast to California. You can sense the comedy when two dingbat losers who work for a low budget rail line get the opportunity of a lifetime when they land work on an ultra luxury line - The Glamazonian Express.
Hairspray director Adam Shankman has a field day directing a group of women who delightfully play off one another flawlessly in this madcap tale of a couple of misfits who mange to wreck havoc on the rich elite. Fast quips and raunchy gags elevate the story as this bullet train escapade has the laughs coming fast and furious.
Over the top fun is the order of the day in this wild and wacky farce that makes travel time sure look like a fun time good time.
Carolina Caroline(14A) * * * *
Crime Pays!
Crime Pays! How many times have you heard that slogan? Well, maybe not so fast. Sparkling performances turn what could have been just a so so ho hum movie Into a bonafide winner . Check out this sexy thriller thanks to Route 504 PR at Cineplex Cinemas and Landmark Theatres across B.C.
Smart and sexy. Three words that fully describe the goings on in Carolina Caroline. Chance encounters can be oh so sexy - and deadly. With a nod to the themes present in The late 1960s classic Bonnie and Clyde comes this small film with heart.
Small town people usually yearn for escape. Such is the case for daddy's girl Caroline Daniels. Sultry Australian actress Samara Weaving ( Babylon) perfectly portrays Southern Belle Caroline who just yearns for excitement - and oozes sensuality. Now that's quite the combination just ready to be unleashed.
When travelling man Oliver Anderson comes a calling he kind of "connects" with Caroline. Able to rise to the occasion as a caring, charismatic con artist Kyle Galler (Red Eye) turns up the heat and puts all that charm to good use - refining your low life petty crimes to an even higher art form - robbing banks.
Together these two star-crossed lovers turn up the heat and "bond" between the sheets leaving a not so clear path of destruction in their wake. Now on the FBI's most wanted list it's fun to watch just how these two manage to elude the law In this delightful Robin Hood like yarn.
Check out this fun crime spree full of hot romance delightfully presented by director Adam Rehmeier.
The Sheep Detectives(G) * * * *
Rural Bliss!
Good family comedies are few and far between. In a sign of good things to come à la Bond Amazon Studios delivers an absolute charmer with The Sheep Detectives. James Bond studio MGM reigns supreme In this whimsical adult farce that the whole family can ( and will) enjoy. Share In the fun throughout British Columbia at Cineplex Cinemas and Landmark Theatres.
It's always told to arrive at a theatre with low expectations and be pleasantly surprised when the film reel gets going. Director Kyle Banda has more than his hands full directing a cast of wily sheep and Hugh Jackman. Yes Hugh Jackman. The versatile man who was born to play Bond is charming as ever as farmer George Hardy. Living a pleasant rural life In the British countryside George treats his flock of sheep with the utmost respect.
When something bad happens and the sheep are left on their own somehow they must come together and solve just a diabolical crime. And just who might want to harm all around nice guy good guy George. Well, in a unique blend of teamwork and problem solving ability that would warm Lieutenant Columbo's heart a dedicated group of sheep go about solving what appears to be an unsolvable murder - yes murder! Most foul.
Utterly charming The Sheep Detectives will steal your hearts away. It's an underrated film with gorgeous scenery and terrific acting from the entire cast. Witty and whimsical with just a wonderful free wheeling this film reminds one of Babe. Check it out! It will definitely put a smile on your face - and warm your heart.
The Devil Wears Prada Two(PG) * * *
Vogue!
Let's dance! Well, maybe not so fast. Get caught up and swept away by the delicious eye candy that's fun and centre in The Devil Wears Prada 2. Let's all go back to the familiar territory made famous by the first juggernaut only now with an updated story. Made by 20th Century Fox and now showing at all Cineplex Cinemas and Landmark Theatres across BC this well grounded fantasy hits all the marks.
Let's just assume that most of us know the characters from the original version Prada No. 2 is updated and just not as fresh as the original as could be expected. But still it's a lot of fun and a visual delight. Oscar winner Meryl Streep (Out of Africa) is catty as ever though someone muted in her performance here as Miranda Priestly. Faced with turmoil at her fashion house former assistant Andy Sachs returns to the fray. Again Anne Hathaway is sweet as punch and a great counterpoint to Streep.
Together these two must contend with a takeover of the firm. So there is a strong dose of reality that runs through the entire storyline. Lush locations in Europe add to the whole aura of luxury that permeates the whole film. You'll be swept away!
Clearly made for the large female audience both sexes will enjoy this real time romp which has at its heart that theme of the importance of having a job, retaining it and fighting for it. People will appreciate this not so subtle message during these trying times which we all are living through these days.
