[Reellife] Weirdos, Forests, Hockey and Skyjackers

[dave olsen]

The Cinematheque <thecinematheque.ca> in downtown Vancouver has a stellar 
weekend line up...and it all starts tomorrow.

Bruce McDonald has created another prize winner in /Weirdos/ 
<http://thecinematheque.ca/weirdos>.

It all starts out innocently enough; at first glance you may even be less than 
impressed.  But don't underestimate even the first few frames; Bruce and Daniel 
McIvor have scripted a seamless tale that keeps getting deeper the longer you watch.

I won't divulge all the -isms this gem brings to light, but to say it confronts 
them wouldn't be fair.  You may not even see some of the most subtle, but even 
though it is set in 1976 (around July 4th, no less), the same issues torment us 
today despite the efforts of artists like Bruce McDonald.

Don't get me wrong.  This is a beautiful film, shot in gorgeous B&W, with acting 
that just couldn't be better.

/Weirdos/ <http://thecinematheque.ca/weirdos> is a road movie, a coming-of-age 
film, and a teen-aged rebel flick, all mixed into one.

Dylan Authors as Kit, is spot on, but even so, Julia Sarah Stone (as Alice) 
simply steals almost every scene.  Alice is a complex character that runs 
through virtually every emotion we have, and Julia plays it as if she has lived 
every moment herself.  A stunning performance.

I can't say enough about the scripting and direction.  The initial setting of 
family sets the stage; the final scene is far from Hollywood but nonetheless 
provides hope and promise and will leave you with a lasting smile, if you're not 
moved to joyful tears instead.

/Weirdos/ <http://thecinematheque.ca/weirdos> plays:
Friday, March 17 @ 6:30pm
Saturday, March 18 @ 6:30pm
Sunday, March 19 @ 4:30pm
Sunday, March 19 @ 8:00pm
Wednesday, March 22 @ 8:00pm

Another classic Canadian film screens on Sunday as part of the monthly Cinema 
Sunday series <http://thecinematheque.ca/cinema-sunday> for families at the 
Cinematheque: /Hockey Night/ 
<http://thecinematheque.ca/cinema-sunday/made-in-canada-hockey-night>.

This one slipped past me when it debuted, but I'm glad I caught up with it now.  
I can hardly wait for my daughter to see it!

Released in 1984, /Hockey Night/ 
<http://thecinematheque.ca/cinema-sunday/made-in-canada-hockey-night> follows in 
Bobby Orr's footsteps by bringing a fatherless family to Parry Sound.  Megan 
Follows shines as Cathy Yarrow, a teenager missing her dad and finding herself 
mostly alone after moving from the big city.

Despite the sexism of the times, Cathy tries out for the local team.  The rest, 
as they say, is history.

Rick Moranis plays Cathy's coach, a somber role just as his career as a comedian 
was taking off.

There's no need to add "in Canada" to the film's title; it's gushing with 
Canadianisms (as much as they exist) and if you've ever watched the sport, 
you'll enjoy what's portrayed on this big screen.

/Hockey Night/ 
<http://thecinematheque.ca/cinema-sunday/made-in-canada-hockey-night> plays 
Sunday, March 19 @ 1:00pm.

/Call of the Forest: The Forgotten Wisdom of Trees 
<http://thecinematheque.ca/call-of-the-forest-the-forgotten-wisdom-of-trees>/ is 
a slightly different documentary that took me a while to adjust to. I'm glad I did.

Diana Beresford-Kroeger is an unabashed advocate for forests around the planet, 
and with good reason.  She not only will inform you of their worth and 
necessity, she can impart her deep well of feelings for all things tree, even 
using only 2 dimensions!  I won't be surprised if she adds another dimension or 
two when she appears in person on Saturday!

This film resonates on many levels, but as someone who lives in a forest myself, 
I can vouch for all that she scientifically states when it comes to the personal 
wellness that forests provide humans.

Sadly, I can also vouch for the desertification in our neighbourhood through the 
clearcutting of trees.  Her research leaves little room for doubt; thousands of 
years of practice provides overwhelming evidence.

Unlike many documentaries of civilized destruction, this one provides the tools 
for remedying the situation and Diana seems to be the first in line around the 
world in applying them.

/Call of the Forest: The Forgotten Wisdom of Trees 
<http://thecinematheque.ca/call-of-the-forest-the-forgotten-wisdom-of-trees> /plays:
Thursday, March 16 @ 6:30pm
Friday, March 17 @ 8:15pm
Saturday, March 18 @ 4:30pm with Special Guest Diana Beresford-Kroeger

/The Skyjacker's Tale/ <http://thecinematheque.ca/the-skyjackers-tale> is the 
final film of this four, and it intrigues from the start.

Another doc, this time about Ishmael Muslim Ali (formerly Ronny LaBeet), a US 
soldier turned Black Panther who highjacked an American Airlines flight from the 
US Virgin Islands to Cuba to escape a life behind bars for a crime he claims he 
did not commit.

Candidly, Ishmael admits to many other crimes on screen.  His first lead to 
Vietnam horror: the Judge dropped the charges if he agreed to sign up for the US 
military.  Despite his mother's wishes, he became a soldier until he witnessed 
the death of a villager that reminded him of his mother.  That brought him 
dishonourably to New York, where he quickly found a home in the Black Panther Party.

Anyone interested in American politics, economic disparity, colonization, and 
racism will be fascinated by this story.  A rarity for any Black Panther of any 
rank to escape death or life imprisonment, to hear Ishmael's story first hand is 
a treat.  I'll leave the rest of it for you to hear yourself.

/The Skyjacker's Tale/ <http://thecinematheque.ca/the-skyjackers-tale> plays:
Thursday, March 16 @ 8:15pm
Saturday, March 18 @ 8:15pm
Sunday, March 19 @ 6:30pm
Wednesday, March 22 @ 6:30pm

It's a tough call which film to prioritize, so come in from the rain and take in 
all 4!  Enjoy!
-- 

Warmly,
dave/
//
Parenting with an Open Heart: a seminar series for all Parents, Caregivers, and 
Parents-to-be: for info and session dates, please visit/ 
/http://humanpowered.wordpress.com <http://humanpowered.wordpress.com/>

Movie and Theatre lovers who know a saner world is possible may enjoying reading 
and sharing their thoughts on Reel Life, Real Ideas: Movies and more... 
<http://reellife.wordpress.com/>

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