Category Archives: film

“My Little Greek Godfather” A Sarcastic Political Farce

My experience with Greek Comedic films is that there is a farcical element to them. In “My Little Greek Godfather” politics are mercilessly lampooned along with several Greek traditions. The President of Greece for the “Democracy Party” is facing a crucial election and the race is tight on the Greek Island of Crete. In GreeceContinue reading ““My Little Greek Godfather” A Sarcastic Political Farce”

“The Face of Anonymous”: A Robin Hood at Hot Docs

We have seen it on film, stories and unfortunately have experienced it. You remember Robin Hood who in your childhood was a thief and a highwayman. Rob from the rich to feed the poor! You have been rooting for Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr. in “Oceans Eleven”. According to the law these people were allContinue reading ““The Face of Anonymous”: A Robin Hood at Hot Docs”

Toronto Hot Docs 2021: “Fanny: The Right to Rock”

Being honest with you as I must I watch several past prime female rockers in their late sixties recording what you might want to call a “comeback album”. I think in many cases The Beatles had it right and that is bow out in your prime. Those of you who have recently see the RollingContinue reading “Toronto Hot Docs 2021: “Fanny: The Right to Rock””

“His Name is Ray”: Desperation an Understatement

Michael Del Monte followed Toronto based panhandler Ray originally from PEI but now a panhandler on Lakeshore Boulevard in Toronto. He goes from car to car hoping for handouts to fund his heroin addiction. Del Monte noticed him on his drive home and he was invited by Ray to follow him for 8 months single-handedly.Continue reading ““His Name is Ray”: Desperation an Understatement”

The Slaughterhouse Killer”: Horror Genre and Revenge Film Genre

This Australian film was sent to me as a movie in the “horror” genre. If horror means you are horrified by what you watched well “The Slaughterhouse Killer” is a horror film. But if there is such a genre as a “revenge film” this would partially fit into that category. It also pulls some moralContinue reading “The Slaughterhouse Killer”: Horror Genre and Revenge Film Genre”

“300”: 15 years and still fresh

It is not often I review a movie 15 years after it has been released and one that I saw when it was released! And many of you have already seen it so my comments will be brief. Innovative cinematography at times almost cartoon like. This film took some of its inspiration from a graphicContinue reading ““300”: 15 years and still fresh”

“The Road to Sparta”: Get’s you thinking who are the modern-day Persians?

This is a documentary on the Spartathlon which is a 246-kilometre marathon from Athens to Sparta. You probably know the story about how the word marathon found its way into the English language. The Athenians refused to submit to Darius the King of Persia and Darius sent a fleet of Persian warships with soldiers thatContinue reading ““The Road to Sparta”: Get’s you thinking who are the modern-day Persians?”

“God Loves Caviar”: Ioannis Varvakis: Pirate, Merchant and Greek Revolutionary

Ioannis Varvakis (1745-1825) was born on the Greek island of Psara then under the control of the Ottoman Empire. His real name was Ioannis Leontides but Varvakis was a nickname that he received in childhood due to his imposing eyes which were like those of a bird of prey which lives on the island ofContinue reading ““God Loves Caviar”: Ioannis Varvakis: Pirate, Merchant and Greek Revolutionary”

“Searching for Andreas: Political Leadership in Times of Crisis”: The complicated nature of Greek politics

Greek politics have never been easy to understand. How complex they can be are detailed in the 2018 Greek documentary “Searching for Andreas: Political Leadership in Times of Crisis” available until March 29th through the Hellenic Film Society USA https://hellenicfilmusa.org/ I have taken 5 pages of notes on this film and I don’t want toContinue reading ““Searching for Andreas: Political Leadership in Times of Crisis”: The complicated nature of Greek politics”