BlackBerry (2023)

1996: Waterloo, Ontario. Mike and Doug are two tech geniuses with an idea who hire the shrewd, aggressive Jim as salesman to whip their business into shape and start churning out results, in what would eventually become the prototype for the smartphone. Normally I find movies about start-ups boring, and I'm not sure how many liberties were taken, but it's a lot more interesting than it has any right to be, mostly due to the charisma of its two main leads. Innovation is the name of the game, and the BlackBerry was advanced for its time, but the world moves quickly and nothing ever stays the same for long.

3½ satisfying clicks out of 5

How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World (2019)

(Psst...the "hidden world" is sex)

Time has passed, Hiccup is now the chieftain of Berg, and Toothless is ready to spread his wings in the third and final entry in the How to Train Your Dragon trilogy (not counting 6 short films, 3 TV spin-offs and a live-action remake).

On the brink of war against those who would do away with all dragons, and on the lookout for a new homeland, Hiccup goes on a quest for the long-rumored secret dragon haven. Meanwhile, Toothless has found romance in a Light Fury playing hard to get. It's all about letting go, and this is Toothless's story just as much as it is Hiccup's. While it doesn't quite reach the dizzying heights of the series, it does offer a worthy parting glance for this colorful world of wonder.

3½ awkward mating rituals out of 5

Humane (2024)

Caitlin (daughter of David) Cronenberg's directorial debut plays out a little like The Purge meets Sophie's Choice. In the future, due to dwindling resources and overpopulation, the government has implemented a euthanasia program that offers financial perks to the kin of those willing to sacrifice themselves. When a family member volunteers, then changes their mind at the last minute, the collection agency requires a body and forces them to choose a replacement. Under penalty of death, the family turns on one another.

A home invasion thriller where the killer is coming from inside the house. This movie feels like a familiar mish-mash of other genre films, but the darkly comic elements keep it from getting too stale.

3 body bags out of 5

THE RULES OF ATTRACTION [2002]

Director Roger Avary's theatrical follow-up to Killing Zoe is an adaptation of Bret Easton Ellis' unhinged dark satirical novel The Rules Of Attraction.
It's the surreal story of three attractive Camden College students who lead jaded lives filled with sex, drugs and a multitude of selfish deeds.  Easton Ellis excels at creating despicable characters who we can't help but be intrigued by, knowing damn well he makes sure they all get their dues by the end.  Here, Avary does a fantastic job at capturing the non-linear storytelling of the novel, while giving it a gnashing bite all his own, which quite often you wish would be just a bit more subtle than it is.  The film completely lacks any sort of charm or anything even remotely pleasant to make it a comfortable viewing.  Front-to-back, it's pretty disgusting and if you realize that's exactly what it sets out to be and you're down with it, then it's pretty damned entertaining.  Who doesn't want to see Kevin Arnold shoot up heroin or Dawson Leery attack a guy with an electric carver?

3 vaginal infections out of 5

HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON 2 [2014]

Picking up five years after the original film, Dean DeBlois continues the story of a boy and his dragon in the 2nd instalment of the How To Train Your Dragon trilogy. 
Without sacrificing any of the wide-eyed adventure, Dragon 2 explores some more serious themes of coming of age, war and family without getting boringly heavy-handed or spoon-fed to a younger audience.  It's enthusiastic flight scenes, voicework, music and beautiful scenery are all just as good as the original.  It might not amaze as much I would have liked but it certainly doesn't disappoint and I eagerly anticipate the third and final film.

3½ dragon-riders out of 5

COSMOPOLIS [2012]

Like a modern day take on James Joyce's Ulysses, David Cronenberg's adaptation of Don DeLillo's novel Cosmopolis follows a day in the life of a billionaire as his whole world comes crashing down.
It's a cold and calculated dissection of the upper class lifestyle, their take on life and how one can be so knowledgeable of everything around them yet be so emotionally sealed off.  Robert Pattinson doesn't miss a beat with Cronenberg's cynical, soulless narrative rhythm that will probably baffle and confuse the average viewer but should interest someone looking for an intriguing and nourishing conversation piece.

3½ rats out of 5

THIS IS THE END [2013]

There's something to admire about a bunch of buddies sitting around indulging in debauchery, being ridiculously crude and well, just shooting the shit while the rest of the world is turning to shit.
This Is The End captures that perfectly, courtesy of writer/directors Seth Rogen & Evan Goldberg.
It features the entire Frat Pack in both leading roles and cameos playing exaggerated versions of themselves as they try to survive the apocalypse while hiding out in James Franco's house.  I loved the insanely stupid idea brought to life with a witty script, high energy, multiple in-jokes and one of the most pig-snorting, popcorn spewing funniest cinematic experiences I've had in a long time.

4 shitty weird Canadian lives out of 5

FANBOYS [2009]

It's the year 1998 and a group of Star Wars nerds decide to steal a workprint of The Phantom Menace for their terminally ill friend.  

Kyle Newman's Fanboys had potential to be stupidly funny but instead the studio interfered, hacked it up, failed and then tried to put it back together again resulting in something resembling Womp Rat crap.  Signs of life shine through the mess but never enough to produce anything wonderful.  Star Wars fans will get a few chuckles out of the in-jokes and gaggle of cameos from Star Wars alumni & celebrity fans but the rest is just simply not funny.  A real waste of a funny premise.

2 two-timing Shatners out of 5

GOON [2012]

Michael Dowse, writer/director of the hilariously disturbing Fubar films, hits the ice with the Jay Baruchel & Evan Goldberg scripted Goon.

It's pure Canadian hockey humour that will probably fly over most folks' heads and possibly shock some along the way.  It's brutally violent and filled with some overly filthy Canadian language but somehow manages to ground itself with a lot of heart.  It's a little unfocused, flat on character development and rushed at times but packs in just enough laughs to be forgiveable.  

3 Trailer Park Boys out of 5

HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON [2010]

Loosely based on the children's novels by Cressida Cowell, Dreamwork's animated How To Train Your Dragon soars far higher than their previous efforts.

With a fantastic combination of heart and humor Dragon flys high with bright colors, characters and some truly breathtaking flight scenes.  It suffers from a few minor bumps in the road but manages to stick close to the heart of the story.

Highly recommended for anyone who's ever fallen in love with a pet. 

4 "Fish heads. Fish heads. Eat them up. Yum" out of 5