Category Archives: Articles

Blockbuster Blues: Summer 2017 the End of The Oxford

September 3, 2017 flawintheiris

Like you, I am frustrated and dismayed at the announcement that The Oxford Theatre in Halifax is closing September 13. Frustrated at the way this city undervalues its cultural spaces. Frustrated by the way the sale of this beloved cinema happened behind closed doors, before the community had any opportunity to have a say in…Read More

Stop Making Sense and the Concert Film/Music Documentary

July 4, 2016 flawintheiris

This week Cineplex is screening Jonathan Demme's Stop Making Sense, the legendary concert film of a Talking Heads performance, shot when the band was touring in support of their 1983 recording Speaking In Tongues. The film is amongst my small collection of concert documents, and I'd suggest it's pretty much essential for anyone interested in popular…Read More

“Halifax’s 10 Best Close-Ups” in The Coast

September 22, 2015 flawintheiris

In the past few weeks I watched a lot of movies shot in and around Halifax, looking for the ones that used our locations to their full potential. I put together an arbitrary list for The Coast of the ones, a mix of homegrown and visiting productions, I thought did the best job. For some…Read More

Q and A with Kung Fu Elliot writer/directors Matthew Bauckman and Jaret Belliveau

November 25, 2014 flawintheiris

Screening at the Outlier Film Festival on Saturday is Kung Fu Elliot, an amazing new film—and Best Documentary Feature-winner at Slamdance—about a guy named Elliot "White Lightning" Scott. He's a Halifax-based filmmaker and actor who aspires to be Canada's answer to Chuck Norris, a genuine cinematic action hero. He says he's won martial arts competitions. He says he…Read More

The F Word: Q and A with director Michael Dowse and screenwriter Elan Mastai

August 21, 2014 flawintheiris

The F Word (opening Friday, August 22, in Halifax), is a bit of a rare breed in the summer of 2014. It's an unmistakable romantic comedy and wears its genre tropes on its big, puffy sleeves. There's the main young, attractive couple who spark, the obstacle to keep them apart, the quirky, appealing supporting cast (a part…Read More

Interview with Eugene Levy

May 24, 2012 flawintheiris

Remember when I said I was no longer an editor at The Coast? This is still true, but the good people there still allow me to write for them and hooked me up with Eugene Levy, who was in Halifax a few days ago to receive an honorary doctorate from Dalhousie University. He was friendly…Read More

Goon review and Jay Baruchel interview

February 23, 2012 flawintheiris

In this week's Coast I spoke with writer/producer/actor Jay Baruchel and director Michael Dowse about Goon, their new Canadian hockey movie. I really enjoyed it, almost despite myself. Never a big fan of Seann William Scott, I'm coming around. Click here to read the story. I also reviewed the movie here.Read More

The Woman in Black review, Daniel Radcliffe interview

February 4, 2012 flawintheiris

I've got a ton of stuff for you if you're a fan of the former Harry Potter or interested in Daniel Radcliffe's first post-Potter picture. My interview with Radcliffe and story on The Woman in Black, is here. An audio clip featuring excerpts from the interview, with Radcliffe talking about Hammer Films, is here. And…Read More

Shame review, Abi Morgan interview

January 27, 2012 flawintheiris

I did a capsule review of British director Steve McQueen's Shame at The Coast, which you can read here. I also talked to the screenwriter, Abi Morgan. You can see my story here.Read More

Picnicface and Mark McKinney story at the Globe and Mail

October 17, 2011 flawintheiris

A story I wrote about the Halifax comedy troupe Picnicface and their TV show's executive producer, veteran Kids in the Hall comedian Mark McKinney, is now available to be seen at The Globe and Mail website. Click here.Read More