Roger Ebert said that there weren't films from different countries, but rather there are Hollywood movies and then everybody elses. Ebert is actually a critic I admire even if I sometimes disagree with his opinion. He has always been able to review a movie without giving away a plot, and by using how he felt during the movie as a guide and yardstick. Ebert has health challenges and Kevin Smith has been filling in for him, I wish him well and lots of strength. His web site is one of the first sites I linked to my blog.
In many ways I think Ebert is correct about Hollywood movies versus everybody elses movies...but I also think there are some movies that are born of the Canadian experience, even if it means disecting American life. Could these movies be made any where else? Yes, in fact, some of them have been made in America. According to Canadian Content laws, three elements define a Canadian movie, the writer, director and producer must be Canadian. Most of my list fullfills that criteria...but it is not my criteria and a couple movies will not at all be produced by Canadianss. The following thirteen are a 24's worth of Canadian, eh.
1)Going Down The Road
2)Strange Brew
3)Videodrome
4)Fubar
5)The Shipping News
6)The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz
7)Men With Brooms
8)Road Kill
9)North of Superior (IMAX)
10)Making Grease (documentary)
11)A History of Violence
12)The Handmaids Tale
13)The Last Waltz
The Cat Came Back
Wayne's World
Networth
The Sweet Hereafter
Water
Mambo Italiano
Highway 61
Hardcore Logo
The Rowdy Man
Ginger Snaps
Cold Comfort
Whale Music
Johnny Neumonic
Porky's
The Bay Boy (with Keifer Sutherland and Shirley Douglas)
Water
Scanners
Love and Human Remains
My Bloody Valentine
I know there are some more that deserve to be on here, but I'm trying to keep this short for Thursday Thirteen visitors.
20 comments:
Does Bon Cop, Bad Cop count? I'm dying to see that one!
If I may, I'd like to add one movie to your list .. my favorite distinctly Canadian movie was one by Atom Egoyan, I believe called "The Sweet Hereafter" .. if you haven't seen it, I recommend it highly
A History of Violence is Canadian? Cool. I didn't know that. Thought it was a great movie after I'd let it digest a bit. Anything with Viggo in it is pretty good, though.
ooh, bit fancy this link thing!
confusing, but fancy!
I dunno, man. You and I have discussed this briefly in the past, Candy, and I think Ebert's wrong. For two reasons:
1. Even Hollywood is capable, thankfully, of making films that aren't "Hollywood";
2. Every nation's films are so different in vibe, that just classing them as non-Hollywood does them a huge disservice. Indeed, some non-Hollywood films are more "Hollywood" than some US films.
I have no real opinion on Ebert. He seems okay when I see him on Conan and the like, but this comment of his makes me concerned about his critical faculties.
I can't judge whether or not A History of Violence feels Canadian, obviously, but I trust you on that. That said, I can't imagine anything being made in the States having a British feel, even if directed by a Brit and starring Brits.
May I add another wonderful Canadian film to your comprehensive list? Map of the Human Heart is truly breathtaking (and officially Canadian too, according to IMDb!).
Great list! Who knew there were so many Canadian films? Another good one would be Candadian filmakers ... they may be making the film in Hollywood but still have their Canadian heritage.
And I've heard of none of them. :)
Strange Brew !! Ah , uh, I mean Coo Coo Coo Coo Coo Coo Coo Coo!
I had such a crush on Bob
Hmm, not too familiar with them...
But thanks for visiting my T13 at Bloggin' Outloud http://blogginoutloud.blogspot.com
lgp
Hollywood hasn't a clue how to make a great Brit Flick.
Quadrophenia
Johnny English
The Long Good Friday
..are just 3 classics I've revisited lately.
I don't think I've seen a single one of those! Something to look for on Netflix. ;)
Thanks for visiting my TT! :)
I've only seen the handmaids tale. loooove margaret atwood. apparently there was an interview with her in theglobandmail.com earlier this month.
??? southern girl! go out and see quadrophenia! thats an order, from it's biggest fans.
I don't think I've even watched one of those films... But I'm a film ignoramus.....
Great TT
My TT is up
Have a wonderful day!
Asterisk: I have similar feelings about Eberts statement...I think he was being more about Hollywood than independant films. The thing is very few countries have a movie machine like Hollywood. India, and England (think Hitchcock as part of their machine back in the day). The rest of movie making is really difficult. I'm not saying it's EASY to get funding within Hollywood...but they have the term "green light project" No one else really has those options. I was taking a chance with The History of Violence. I think it's an "outsider" talking about american violence? But then...violence is a universal choice isn't it?
Red, I will check out that movie...and you might enjoy Mambo Italiano...a very typical immigrant story...of parents with first generation kids in a new country. I think it is somewhat universal...the liberalness of a new generation.
All: many Canadian movies are notoriously SLOW...again I would liken that to an issue with independant films in general. I think Going Down the Road is an excellent movie...a fish out of water story...basically but with naive guys from the east coast moving to Torotno. could be like Midnight Cowboy but different external problems.
Canadian movies aren't flashy. Fubar and Hardcore Logo are the dark side of Wayne's World...slower, sadder.
I didnt know Wayne's World was Canadian!
Thanks for visiting my TT!
Loved Strange Brew with Bob and Doug McKenzie!
Thanks for visiting me TT!
...and so what exactly is a Canadian movie....like for instance, is The Last Waltz on the list because most of the guys in the band were born in Canada and have only lived in the USA for 40 years?....or is Scorcese a closet Canadian?
North of Superior! wow, I haven't thought about that one in years. Didn't that have Stompin Tom singing about the old ACR - Algoma Central 69
She's on a bar hoppin spree back in Sault Ste. Marie,
Because of me she's now fallen star.
She could have been true, but I left her in the Soo,
& I travelled north upon the ACR
Chorus:
But if it's go home or be a roamer I've made up my mind
So take me home tonight Algoma Central 69
I was workin one day when I heard this fella say
he met my girl while drinkin at the bar
Though we fought between us two, still he swore that it was true-
Now I curse that day I rode the ACR
Chorus: But if it's go home or be a roamer, I've made up my mind..
Solo
Though it might be in vain, here I wait for the train,
I hope it's not too late to right the wrong
When she rolls around the bend, we'll be southbound again,
C'mon old ACR wheels move along.
First Verse:
She's on a bar hoppin spree, back in S. S. Marie,
Because of me she's now a fallen star
She could have been true, but I left her in the Soo,
& I travelled north upon the A.C.R.-
Chorus:
Repeat second line.
end
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