We're All A Little Sissy Around Here

Oh those Canadians!!! Making such fantastic and contemporary movies that we ought to be making. In Breakfast With Scot, Tom Cavanaugh (remember NBC's delightful Ed) plays Eric, an ex-hockey player turned sportscaster who's scared to death "his public" will find out he's gay. His partner Sam (Ben Shenkman) has a cad of a brother, Billy who had a girlfriend who died and left him the responsibility of rearing her son. Problem is, Billy's left town and fled to Rio. Enter Sam and Eric as reluctant guardians to inspired and precocious 11-year old Scot. Perfectly, Scot is most likely gay as well and a whole world of possibility suddenly opens up for child and adults.
Though the story is predictable, I can hardly say more without giving away some terrific moments. All the characters are so lively and well created (and lovingly altered from the original novel of the same name by Michael Downing), and most have a lesson to learn. Truly a great family movie!

Activism 101

The directorial debut by Stuart Townsend (aka Mr. Charlize Theron), Battle in Seattle feels like a very personal film - to Stuart Townsend. It is one of those films with an all star cast (except for Connie Nielsen....I still can't make myself enjoy her) made on a shoestring budget over many, many years, and snubbed by the biggie Hollywood distributors. Three cheers for the true independent film! Yet I feel that because the principles of activism are so goshdarn fuzzy for me, I was barely moved by this dramatic retelling of the WTO riots of 1999. Rationally, I applaud Townsend for wanting to put our city's story up on the screen, for wanting to create a visual love letter for those who hold such fierce passion for "a cause." I also understand the need to present the very real truth that human nature is sometimes brutal, and we have the capacity to treat each other with naked cruelty if threatened. But I simply don't find this story compelling enough to be told as an inspired-by-real-events production on the big screen - even though I was right here for it. A documentary maybe. Or a semi-fictional focus piece of a particular character with the riots as back story. See for yourself, and if you're so moved, please let me know what I'm missing. As Andre 3000's character states in the final act: "people still don't know what the WTO does, but at least they know it's bad." And maybe that's enough of a timely message for this film to deliver. That as members of a democracy we should do what we can to inform ourselves about all that happens within it; only then can we feel proud of the choices we make for the people we place in positions of power.

Another Kind of Family

A single mother whose baby-daddy died on purpose. A young boy who sees no purpose in life other than bullying adults and impressing the local crack cocaine dealer. A man who sees no life without his twin brother. Not only does Ballast introduce these characters so completely and empathetically, but in 96 minutes manages to move their lives and hearts together to a cautious yet hopeful ending.