INVINCIBLE (Canada 2022) *****
Directed by Vincent Rene-Lortie
“You know why nothing is going to happen to me?” asks the boy to his little sister. “Because I am INVINCIBLE. I will be back to annoy you, “ he continues as he gives her a big hug. At this point, one wonders what is going on as it is after the scene where he had just driven a stolen car into the river and just emerged from the water in a completely different setting, not with his family by a lake. Inspired by the true story of Marc-Antoine Bernier, a 14-year-old boy on a desperate quest for freedom. According to the director, who was Marc’s good friend of the same age, for a year, Marc went from being a bright, curious, loving boy to an angry and troubled young man. Marc’s death raised many complicated questions the powerful film dives into that dark, tragic abyss in order to better understand teenage mental health and behavioural issues. Montreal Director Rene-Lorte uses dreamlike and surrealism to create a poetic tale that is both a mesmerizing and innovative look at a boy’s life.
Trailer:
RED, WHITE AND BLUE (USA 2023) ****
Directed by Nazrin Choudury
Rachel (Brittany Snow) is a single mother living paycheck to paycheck with her young daughter of around 12 years and her son. When an unexpected pregnancy threatens to unravel her already precarious position, she's forced to cross state lines to Missouri in search of an abortion. She takes Rachel to celebrate her birthday in a girl's out and contemplates the series of events that necessitated this journey and the obstacles placed in her path. The short seems to go along smoothly with no hitches but a major shock is in store for the audience at the abortion clinic, not to reveal the twist in the story, The film is extremely moving, emotional and tender which marks it as special enough to warrant an Oscar nomination.
Trailer:
THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF HENRY SUGAR (USA 2023) ****
Directed by Wes Anderson
Currently on Netflix. What is more wonderful than a short by both Wes Anderson and Roald Dahl? The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar and Six More is a 1977 short story collection by British author Roald Dahl, aimed at a slightly older audience than many of Dahl's other children's novels. The stories were written at varying times throughout his life. Henry Sugar, an independently wealthy man who enjoys gambling, finds and reads a doctor's report on a strange patient who called himself "The Man Who Sees Without Using His Eyes". Henry learns how to read playing cards, and wins a large sum of money that he throws out his window only to cause a riot in the street below. A police officer (Ralph Fiennes) scolds Henry (“You are an idiot!)” and suggests that he find a more legal form of charity, and Henry vows to establish the most well-equipped and supportive orphanages on the planet. Director Anderson makes sure his audience is always aware that they are watching a film with the props and sets moving around as in a studio set. The same tactic is also used with actor Benedict Cumberbatch who plays Henry Sugar. Ralph Fiennes plays the writer, who one assumes is the writer Roald Dahl himself.
Trailer:
