This weekend is the quietest in new releases in months, which is fine as there are still plenty of films I’ve yet to see—though most of them are stuck out at Bayers Lake—such as Rules Don’t Apply, Moana, Bad Santa 2, Bleed For This, and Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk. I gotta say, the reviews for these films, with the exception of the Disney animated picture, have been a long way from glowing. But Warren Beatty and Ang Lee, these are filmmakers with great work in their filmography. Might be worth a trip out there.
What would have been great to open this week, or next, or even December 16, when it was originally scheduled. is La La Land. The Damien “Whiplash“ Chazelle musical, starring Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling, is the single most anticipated film of the the prestige Hollywood season, but this week Cineplex confirmed the film will now open “in select cinemas” on December 25, meaning we’re not likely to see it here in Halifax until January.
Damn frustrating.
So, what can I talk about? How about Animation With Love, running Friday through Sunday at Carbon Arc? Friday night features two feature animations for adults, Miss Hokusai
…and Psychonauts: The Forgotten Children.
https://youtu.be/4HeRwcDxCbI
Saturday is industry day, with panels and screenings of Canadian shorts, and Sunday offers more family animation, including a screening of My Entire High School Is Sinking Into The Sea and international animated shorts. For more information on all that’s going on at Carbon Arc this weekend, go here.
Also running this weekend through Sunday is the Bluenose Ability Film Festival, the region’s only film festival focused on disabilities. BAFF shows a collection of shorts and holds workshops and panels at the Halifax Central Library and the Bus Stop Theatre, For more information check the fest’s website.
Quand on a 17 ans aka Being 17 is a French coming-of-age drama, which I understand shares some thematic qualities with Moonlight. (Not to be confused with Edge of Seventeen, one of the best films in cinemas right now.)
Speaking of Moonlight, I’m really glad to see it’s moved into Park Lane. Having been at The Oxford and Bayers Lake, this is what Cineplex should do with its films more often, rotate films to various screens around the city.
Here’s the trailer for Being 17.
And the John Hughes Fest continues with Uncle Buck. Also playing is Doctor Who: The Power of the Daleks, which reconstructs via animation a number of missing episodes of Doctor Who from the 1960s into a two-and-a-half hour adventure.
And Martin Scorcese fans, consider stopping by the Halifax Central Library on Tuesday at 5:30pm for a screening of Raging Bull, introduced by Carbon Arc programmer Kendra Barnes. Those of you who came out to see The Color of Money this week, which I introduced, thanks again for coming!
