Daily Archives: October 20, 2024

Forest City Film Festival featuring more than 90 films, Victor Garber tribute begins Sunday

The Forest City Film Festival (FCFF) begins Sunday with more than 90 films over eight days.

The week will be capped off with the FCFF honouring Hollywood veteran and London native Victor Garber.

The ninth annual FCFF will have four feature films on opening day beginning at 12:15 p.m. with Adrienne and the Castle.

“It’s a heartfelt story about love, loss, and the power of creativity to bring us closer together,” says the FCFF in its movie preview.

The week will feature industry workshops, youth film festival, and more than 20 movies from festivals around the world.

“It really helps to put London on the map, and it shows other communities throughout Ontario, southwestern Ontario, in Canada, in the world really, that London is serious about filming, that we’re investing our time and our and our efforts into it and that we’re ready for our close up,” said Andrew Dodd, manager of Film London.

The week will be capped off with the main event centred around Garber.

Festivities include screening three films and honouring him for his successful career.

“It’s something that we’ve been working on for a very long time,” said Dorothy Downs, FCFF founder and executive director. “It’s the culmination of a lot of work and we are doing our inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award, and Victor Garber is coming as our honoree.”

The weekend will include holding a VIP brunch with him and Hollywood legends joining in virtually.

The FCFF will also screen Legally Blond, Titanic, and Godspell.

“We are doing the screening of Godspell, but really excited about this because we have a partial cast reunion,” said Downs. “Not only is Victor Garber going to be there, but the cast of a really famous production of this that happened in Toronto is also going to be coming by zoom.”

Details and the schedule can be found online.

Shot Caller is the Best Prison Movie You Never Saw!

Shot Caller barely got a release when it came out in 2018, but it’s gone on to become a cult film well worth checking out.

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THE STORY: After causing a deadly accident while driving drunk, a family man (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) is sent to a maximum security penitentiary. There, he’s recruited by the Aryan Brotherhood, and coerced into acts of violence that threaten to erase any trace of the man he once was.
THE PLAYERS: Starring: Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Omari Hardwick, Lake Bell, Jon Bernthal, Emory Cohen & Jeffrey Donovan. Written and directed by Ric Roman Waugh.

THE HISTORY: Shot Caller was released with very little fanfare last summer. A low-key VOD release from Saban, which nonetheless received some pretty good reviews when it played the festival circuit, it forms a loose trilogy for director Ric Roman Waugh, following his earlier FELON and SNITCH. Originally a Relativity production, that company’s bankruptcy sent the finished film into a tailspin, hence the limited release. Given how VOD numbers are rarely revealed, it’s impossible to know how the film did financially, but it seems to have been a heavily pirated title, cutting into the bottom line – although that aspect also gave the film a certain cult notoriety which seems to be growing.

I didn’t know much of Saban Films when we were looking for a new home — I just thought of Haim Saban and the “Power Rangers” franchise. I ended up meeting with the team at this new independent distributor and had suddenly found partners that were super passionate about the film and understood what the movie was and the marketing enhances it in that way. I feel like we traded up. I knew it wasn’t going to be a massive box office hit but I hope it makes enough to make everyone happy. – Ric Roman Waugh Variety interview

WHY IT’S GREAT: As I wrote when I initially reviewed this title, Shot Caller is the reason I review so many VOD films. Usually, they’re crap, but occasionally, a great little sleeper, such as this one, hits the platform, and makes the digging worthwhile. A tough-as-nails prison thriller, Game of Thrones star Nikolaj Coster-Waldau gives the performance of his life as the comfy, white-collar family man turned hard as nails killer.

I knew I had to get a guy that could straddle both lines — believable as a white collar guy, yet surprise you when they become violent. When I talked with Nik, it really was one of the greatest conversations I’ve had with an actor. All he talked about for three hours was the subtext of the character, what the movie meant and nothing about any of the cool stuff the character would do. It had nothing to do with that. It was all about what the movie was trying to present, and I knew right there I had my partner. – Ric Roman Waugh Variety interview 

Shot Caller never begs you to sympathize with Coster-Waldau’s Jacob (or – as he’s called in the slammer – “Money”). It’s made clear that it’s his own fault that he wound up in prison, having driven drunk and then refused a plea which would have saved him from his fate. It reminded me a bit of the old Tom Selleck vehicle, An Innocent Man, although Jacob’s not, in fact, innocent. Yet, you still naturally empathize with him, even when he makes horrible choices, such as affiliating with the Aryan Brotherhood. Even then, there’s an escape, with their chapter head (an unnerving Jeffrey Donovan) advising him to keep his head down and do what they tell him, but his own machismo gets the better of him. Soon, his thirty-month sentence becomes a decade, and the film crosses back and forth between his eventual release, where he’s now a high-ranking gang member, to his prison career. He’s our hero, yet you never really root for him to get back to his family, as they really are better without him – giving the film a palpable sense of tragedy.

At the same time, Shot Caller works as a thriller, with brutal action scenes, and an amazing supporting cast, including Lake Bell as Jacob’s wife, Donovan, and Jon Bernthal as another gang member – plus Omari Hardwick of Power as the probation officer on Jacob’s trail. Waugh gives it a gritty, stripped-down feel, and earns the two-hour plus running time. In a better marketplace, this would have been an A-level studio release.vi
SEE IT: Shot Caller is available on most streaming sites, and on Blu-ray.
PARTING SHOT: Given the low-key release, this is likely one of the few movies in this column I wager a lot of people genuinely have never seen, but it’s an under-the-radar gem and a must see. Check it out!

10 famous movies and TV series filmed in Croatia

Dubrovnik

Croatia has become a popular filming destination, with its stunning coastline, historic cities, and diverse landscapes attracting major film and television productions from around the world.

From medieval fortresses to crystal-clear seas, Croatia’s picturesque settings have been the backdrop for numerous iconic scenes. Here are ten famous movies and TV series filmed in Croatia:
1. Game of Thrones (2011–2019)
One of the most globally renowned TV series, Game of Thrones, heavily featured Croatia, especially the city of Dubrovnik. The medieval architecture of Dubrovnik’s Old Town became the fictional King’s Landing, capital of the Seven Kingdoms.
Many iconic scenes were shot here, including Cersei Lannister’s infamous “Walk of Shame” down the steps of the Jesuit Staircase.
Other Croatian locations like Split, Lokrum island, Krka, and the Fortress of Klis were also used throughout the series, showcasing the country’s rich historical heritage.
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2. Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017)
The epic Star Wars franchise also found its way to Croatia. In The Last Jedi, the city of Dubrovnik was transformed into the casino city of Canto Bight.
The film captured the city’s narrow, cobbled streets and elegant buildings, merging them with special effects to create a futuristic yet ancient look. Dubrovnik’s stunning architecture and dramatic coastal setting made it a fitting location for the beloved sci-fi saga.

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3. Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again (2018)
The sequel to the hit musical Mamma Mia! was partly filmed on the island of Vis, Croatia, which doubled as the fictional Greek island of Kalokairi. With its turquoise waters, charming villages, and serene beaches, Vis provided the perfect setting for the film’s idyllic, sun-soaked scenes.
The island’s laid-back atmosphere and beautiful scenery brought an authentic Mediterranean feel to the film, making it as captivating as the music itself.
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4. Robin Hood (2018)
The medieval city of Dubrovnik once again took centre stage in Robin Hood, starring Taron Egerton and Jamie Foxx. The city’s well-preserved fortifications and old-world charm served as a stand-in for Nottingham and other English locations during the Crusades.
The production made full use of Dubrovnik’s imposing walls and cobblestone streets, giving the film an authentic and gritty medieval feel.
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5. The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard (2021)
The action-comedy The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard, starring Ryan Reynolds, Samuel L. Jackson, and Salma Hayek, used several Croatian locations for its high-octane scenes. The film showcases Rovinj, a picturesque coastal town on the Istrian peninsula, with its colourful buildings and scenic harbour.
Other locations include Zagreb, the capital city, and the island of Hvar, known for its lively nightlife and stunning coastline. Croatia’s varied landscapes helped create the film’s dynamic and fast-paced backdrop.
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6. The Borgias (2011–2013)
This historical drama series, focusing on the infamous Borgia family in Renaissance Italy, was partly filmed in Croatia. Dubrovnik and other Croatian locations were used to replicate the grandeur of 15th-century Rome and the Italian countryside.
The city’s ancient palaces and stone streets perfectly captured the show’s opulent aesthetic, helping viewers immerse themselves in the power struggles and intrigue of the Borgia family.
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7. Doctor Who (2015)
The beloved British sci-fi series Doctor Who also ventured to Croatia for several episodes. Trogir was the location for filming for “Vincent and the Doctor“, the tenth episode of the series.
Trogir
8. Captain America (1990)
The film is inspired by the iconic Marvel Comics series featuring the superhero Captain America. The character, originally created by writer Joe Simon and artist Jack Kirby, made his debut in Timely Comics during the 1940s.
Some of the movie’s scenes were shot in Dubrovnik in Croatia.
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9. The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent (2022)
Starring Nicolas Cage, this action-comedy was filmed in Dubrovnik at Villa Sheherezade, as well as in Konavle, Cavtat, Popovica, Trsteno and Čilipi Airport.
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10. Succession (2019)
The Emmy-winning drama series Succession filmed part of its second season in Croatia. The luxurious yacht scenes were shot along the stunning Dalmatian coast, including locations such as Korčula and the Šibenik archipelago.
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‘Edge of Space’ director Jean de Meuron on his X-15 film and having ‘the right stuff’ (exclusive)

Soaring in with the unbridled spirit of classics like director Philip Kaufman’s “The Right Stuff,” a new short film making the festival rounds and being submitted for Oscar contention is indie filmmaker Jean de Meuron’s “Edge of Space.” This 18-minute cinematic flight starring Chad Michael Collins is a thrilling leap into the wild blue yonder. It offers an absorbing glimpse into NASA’s X-15 rocket plane, which flew from 1959 to 1968, and we’ve got an exclusive high-altitude clip to share.That legendary hypersonic rocket-propelled aircraft was an experimental marvel drop-launched in mid-air from a B-52 Stratofortress. The X-15 set speed and altitude records — 4,520 mph (7,274 kph) and 354,200 feet (108.0 kilometers) — that stand to this day for craft of its type. A collaboration between NASA, North American Aviation, the U.S. Air Force, and the Navy, the X-15 research program included 12 fearless test pilots, including Apollo 11’s Neil Armstrong.”I’ve always been fascinated with space exploration and NASA,” de Meuron told Space.com. “I had the privilege and pleasure of working on Roland Emmerich’s ‘Moonfall’ in collaboration with NASA. That was also the time where now space exploration has had a renaissance with SpaceX and Blue Origin and the Artemis program, where the goal is to land the next woman or person of color on the moon.”The official poster for “Edge of Space.” (Image credit: Atticus Films)De Meuron is a rising star with instinctive talent behind the camera, and his latest project captures the essence of America’s ambitious space goals with a rousing drama set in the early ’60s during the space race between the United States and the Soviet Union. Related: What was the space race?We follow a gallant USAF test pilot recruited by NASA for a daring suborbital mission aboard an X-15 rocket-powered machine. “Edge of Space” showcases stylized production values, compelling performances, stirring flight sequences and visual effects that catapult this short film into the stratosphere. Breaking space news, the latest updates on rocket launches, skywatching events and more!”So how did we end up here? Because there’s no future without the past,” de Meuron said. “The inspiration for ‘Edge of Space’ came to me when thinking about the men and women who ignited that global interest in space and risked their life in pursuit of seemingly impossible dreams. We have the Wright Brothers in the early 20th century, then in the span of six decades we went into space. I wanted to explore that early pioneer era when we as a species united in one common goal and shared purpose. I love history, and for JFK to have the vision of ushering in the Space Race was amazing. A few years ago, when Chuck Yeager passed away, I read this incredible article about his life and I remembered Tom Wolfe’s ‘The Right Stuff’ and Philip Kaufman’s movie. I wanted to make a film about that bravery, that patriotism.”Director Jean de Meuron (left) on the set of “Edge of Space.” (Image credit: Atticus Films)Trying to conjure up as much realism as possible, de Meuron called Universal Studios, which had produced Damien Chazelle’s “First Man” starring Ryan Gosling, and asked them if they still had their X-15, but they had already disassembled it. “There are a lot of visual effects elements in the movie, but that was actually a real mock-up of the X-15 on the ground,” he explained. “We scouted the X-15 that’s still there at the historic hanger at Edwards Air Force Base. To make sure that the attention to detail was correct, we took pictures and then we scanned it for our effects company. The inside was hollow and the outside was actual metal, so it had that shiny surface. We scanned it so we had a digital 3D print so we can photograph it during different times of the day to give us different reflections of the surface to use when he’s in space. The mission in the film was very much inspired by Neil Armstrong’s mission when he flew in the X-15 and bounced off the atmosphere, which was depicted in ‘First Man.'”Chad is the lead in the ‘Sniper’ film franchise, and I molded him off the Mercury 7 astronauts, from Alan Shepard to John Glenn, so I was looking for a handsome, clean-cut, All-American pilot look, and Chad just personifies that and he has such charisma. We gave him the Kennedy cut for a haircut, and Chad was wonderful to collaborate with because he brings ideas. When you say ‘action,’ he just performs.”We shot with anamorphic lenses to get that 2:39-to-1 aspect ratio to really have that epic cinematic look. We added a 70mm grain so it looks like film since it’s shot on digital. It was very much inspired by the approach of director Terrence Malick, so we shot mostly during magic hour, golden hour, and blue hour and mainly with available light and a little bounce. That was the right tone for that movie, something very nostalgic and beautiful. The opening of the movie is the sun and the closing of the movie is the moon. So I was playing a lot with light and the feeling of the colors.”Related: The best space movies of all timeThe X-15 prepares for a record-breaking flight in “Edge of Space.”  (Image credit: Atticus Films)In establishing overall tone, de Meuron wanted “Edge of Space” to be uplifting and non-political and invoking a nostalgic era, so he began at the end of World War II.”It’s where there’s hope again, and the father inspiring his son to follow in his footsteps. To me it was also about the imprint and impact the people you admire have on you while you pursue your own legacy. And that’s really the central struggle.””Edge of Space” continues to compete on the festival circuit, and it could possibly be honored with an Oscar nomination for Best Live-Action Short Film in January!