[bassboy]

I'm not going to say anything about this yet... I will later.

Just wondering if anyone has seen this (it's probably at least 10 years old now).  What did you think?

[bassboy]

Probably no one has seen this, so I won't spoil it, but...

It's hard to say anything about this movie without giving away the storyline, which isn't really a secret anyway, since you know 5 minutes into the show what is going to happen.  But even though you know it's going to happen, when it happens you will (or at least I did) experience one of the most jaw dropping OH... MY... !#@!... !@# heart wrenching moments ever.  Of course ymmv (greatly) on matters such as this.  (Very loosely based on a true incident)

I hesitate to even recommend it though, because as good as it is, it's not a really good movie.  It's a large percentage Canadian content, which I can smell a mile away after having it force fed (by law) my whole life.  Canadian content doesn't look the same (or sound or even feel the same) as bigger budget productions.  You can't really expect it to, but at the same time I resent the typical (heavily government funded) crap they mandate for air.  I just think we could do so much better.  Rant over.

So anyway, in traditional canadian content style, the story is not as strong as it could be (especially Sarah Polley's almost laughably badly written side story and the parallels to "classic literature" - even naming the poem is a spoiler, and as such is a bit heavy handed IMO).  The acting is not great, in fact most of the actors are unrecognizable with the exception of a couple of famous faces (who didn't bother to rise much above the anonymous crowd).  The camera work and sound have a distinctly canadian feel (ie low budget) and all that that implies, as opposed to the veil of fairy tale magic suspension of belief that hollywood does so well.

On the flipside, in some cases this "distinctly canadian feel" actually worked to it's advantage.  The bus driver lady is just so REAL she easily be my (or anybody's) neighbour.  Whoever that lady is she did a fantastic job.  And IIRC (it's been a few years since I saw this movie) there's no big dramatic camera work or loud background music when the !#$ hits the fan, which may have contributed to the intensity of the moment.

And then there's Sarah Polley (and Micheal Danna's) cover of the tragically hip's "courage" which all by itself is worth the price of admission.  ymmv on this one definitely, since most of the people I know don't even like the original much less the cover version.

I'd like to see what Atom Egoyan could do with a real budget.  This could have been so much better, but as it is it's still pretty memorable.

[ted_b]

I saw it years ago when it first came out and thought it was a wonderful and poignant movie.  Yes, it deals with very very tough issues, but so does life.  It was a favorite of the indie film genre back when it was released; it wasn't a forgotten film.  Siskel and Ebert had it on their Top ten list (Siskel ranked it 7th; Ebert ranked it No. 2).  Both of them LOVED it.

[SatoriGFX]

it's not a really good movie. 

You're kidding right?  It's a great movie, Canadian or not.  And you don't have to take my word for it.  It's got a 7.8 out of 10 on imdb.com and a 100% rating on www.rottentomatoes.com.

[bassboy]

Not kidding at all, but maybe I picked the wrong words.  It's obviously good or I wouldn't remember it after all these years. BUT...

It's not ALL good.  I give it outstanding high marks in some areas, and VERY low marks in others.  Like I said I am VERY sensitive to what I've been calling "canadian content", which really just means "low budget".  Watch it again (I would if I had it available), and see just how bad the story and (most of) the acting is.  And DESPITE that, the film is still good.  But it's certainly not REALLY good.

The whole thing would have been utterly forgettable except for the whole "concept" idea.  I am genuinely surprised it rates so well.  For me, some parts of it just drag it down into familiar "low budget" territory.  Powerful? Yes.  Almost beyond belief.  Cinematic masterpiece?  Not really.  It falls way to short in way too many areas.

[Wind Chaser]

And then there's Sarah Polley (and Micheal Danna's) cover of the tragically hip's "courage" which all by itself is worth the price of admission.  ymmv on this one definitely, since most of the people I know don't even like the original much less the cover version.

COURAGE is a GREAT song from a GREAT album by a GREAT band.  Polley's version isn't worth the time it takes to hear it.

OTOH, I'm in complete agreement with you on the movie.  As a drama, it was weak and too slow.  Not at all a memorable film unless you got sick from eating BAD POPCORN.

[bassboy]

COURAGE is a GREAT song from a GREAT album by a GREAT band.

OK, Mr Chaser, no arguements from me.  That is some canadian content I can really get into.

Polley's version isn't worth the time it takes to hear it.

That's why I say ymmv.  I keep hearing about Diana Krall this and Diana Krall that around these forums (probably more than any other single artist) and she makes me want to kill myself.  ymmv

Nobody can do a hip song as good as the hip and you certainly can't ever hope to do better than the original.  That's probably why nobody ever tries.  Props to a teenage kid (Polley) for trying and not making a complete ass of herself (like fiona apple did when she collaborated with Danna).  IMO she did a very good job and it's a very good tribute, but certainly it does not outclass the original.

The problem with hip covers is for the most part, no one is going to like it.  The hip is one of those bands that you really love or you really hate (or you really don't know who they are).  If you love them, any cover is sacriledge.  If you hate them, any cover is crap, regardless of who does it.  Which is probably why you don't see too many (recorded) hip covers.  OTOH, I'm the minority that loves the hip AND I appreciate this tribute.  (Probably doesn't hurt that she was kinda cute back then too - if Diana Krall was cute I might give her the benefit of the doubt too - but then maybe not, she sucks way too bad.)

ymmv

[nathanm]

(Probably doesn't hurt that she was kinda cute back then too - if Diana Krall was cute I might give her the benefit of the doubt too - but then maybe not, she sucks way too bad.)

Bassboy NOOOOOOOOOO!!!

[Wind Chaser]

BB,

Again, I agree with you... Diana Krall, makes my stomach turn.  However she found an audience and continues to sing.  Sarah Polley has nice eyes and kind of reminds me of Uma Thurman, but she doesn't and can't make a living by singing.

[bassboy]

nathanm, your pic is not showing up for me, please give me a link I can follow.  I'm guessing it's a really good pic of Diana, or a very bad pic of Sarah.

EDIT - never mind, I found it.  http://gaygamer.net/images/kraken.jpg  BTW, that is one of the best pics of Diana I have seen yet.

[nathanm]

I just meant that by dissing Krall on an audiophile board you would make the membership 'release the Kraken'.    Although now Wind Chaser will also have to be chained to the rock.  It was nice knowing you guys…

By the way, this has got to be my favorite image caption from the AC gallery so far:

[ted_b]

Finally someone gets my humor!  Now now, be nice.       

Tom Waits' Temptation, from Girl in the Other Room, never sounded so alive.  I'm not a fan either, but it had body and soul. 

In what frickin way is this about the Sweet Hereafter anyway???

[bassboy]

In what frickin way is this about the Sweet Hereafter anyway???

What, the discussion of how Diana Krall looks like a kraken and makes my skin crawl?  Point taken, not a word from me.

[jimdgoulding]

Good movie.  Good performances.  There is another lil Canadian movie currently in release called The Frozen River- I believe that's the name- getting high praise that I hope to see. 

[Tyson]

bassboy,
To show you exactly how WRONG you are (and you are wrong), I am ambivalent about the Tragically hip, and I loved the Sweet Hereafter.  So, this begs the question - how does one deal (psychologically) with the fact that someone smarter than you disagrees with you 100%?  I am betting you will go on the attack

[bassboy]

Why would I attack?  I'm always wrong.  There's nothing wrong with being 100% wrong.  I swing for the fences.

[Tyson]

Haha, man you rock