Alvin & the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel
Directed by Betty Thomas
USA 2009
88 minutes
Rated G
In their first feature, Alvin, Simon and Theodore evolved from 1960s cartoon figures into a pop music singing sensation. The Squeakquel offers more high-pitched hijinks as the boys deal with competition from the new (chipmunk) girl band on the block, in this highly popular kid’s movie. March Break Matinees Only—All Seats $5.00 (Mar 19-21)

Aristide and the Endless Revolution
Directed by Nicolas Rossier
USA/Haiti 2005
83 minutes
Rated PG
An hour south of Miami lies the Western Hemisphere’s most impoverished nation.  In 2004, the democratically elected president Jean-Bertrand Aristide and his wife were taken against their will from Haiti in an American military aircraft. Having been deposed once with CIA backing in 1991, the 2004 coup d’etat was not the first American intervention into Haitian politics, nor will it likely be the last. This time, though, Canada provided direct military assistance—along with the US and France—in the overthrow of democracy. This film, particularly relevant in the wake of Haiti’s recent tragedy, features exclusive interviews with President Aristide, commentary from a wide range of critics and supporters, and searing glimpses inside strife-torn, pre-earthquake Haiti. This film is presented by Haiti Action Guelph, a group whose mandate is to assess and speak about the role that the government of Canada plays in the affairs of the Haitian state. The screening will be followed by a facilitated discussion. (Mar 6)

The Blind Side
Directed by John Lee Hancock
USA 2009
126 minutes
Rated PG (language may offend)
It is suspected that Hollywood producer and star Sandra Bullock just may squeak between Meryl Streep and Carey Mulligan to win an Oscar for her role in this inspirational film based on the life story of Michael Oher. Ms Bullock plays Leigh Anne Touhy, a wealthy, white woman who adopts a homeless young black teenager. Meant to represent an element of America’s New South, Mr Oher’s successful rise is tied to the tenacious support and unconditional love of Leigh Anne Touhy and her family. (Mar 10 Mid-Week matinee, Mar 12-14)

Cooking with Stella
Directed by Dilip Mehta
Canada 2010
103 minutes
Rated PG (language may offend)
Cooking with Stella began as a scriptwriting collaboration between director Dilip and his sister, renowned scriptwriter and director Deepa Mehta (Water). It takes the upstairs-downstairs, class-skewering comedy style to India where Maya (Lisa Ray), Canada’s newly-appointed High Commissioner, and her husband Michael (Don McKellar) have just arrived at their diplomatic residence in New Delhi. Michael, a trained chef, has chosen to stay home with their young daughter, and hopes to improve his knowledge of Indian cuisine during their posting abroad. The cross-cultural comedy steams up as head housekeeper Stella (Seema Biswas), considers the non-traditional roles of these new Westerners and grapples with having a man in her kitchen. In English and Hindi with subtitles. (Mar 26-Apr 1)

Crazy Heart
Directed by Scott Cooper
USA 2009
111 minutes
Rated 14A (coarse language, substance abuse)
Pre-Oscar buzz has pegged Jeff Bridges as the odds-on favourite to win the Best Actor award for his portrayal of Bad Blake, a once-popular country musician and singer who now staggers from roadhouse to bowling alley gigs. Yep, Bad’s in a pretty fierce freefall, and that ain’t pretty. But things lighten up when Jean (Maggie Gyllenhaal), a young music writer, persuades him to open up a bit. Screenwriter and director Scott Cooper created the role specifically for Mr Bridges, and with the help of co-star Robert Duvall, eventually persuaded the somewhat reluctant actor to accept. Fittingly, T-Bone Burnett and Ryan Bingham supply a pitch-perfect soundtrack. Like a country music classic, Crazy Heart offers up an honest and rough lead performance with strong backing in all supporting roles. Recommended. (Apr 16-25) 

Creation
Directed by Jon Amiel
UK 2010
108 minutes
Rated PG (mature theme)
Jon Amiel’s film focuses on a brief and emotionally intense period in the years preceding Charles Darwin’s publication of On The Origin of Species. While assembling his field notes and forming the theories that will become one of the most important scientific books ever written, Darwin’s 10-year-old daughter Annie dies. Creation places Darwin in the middle of a nasty bit of business, grieving his beloved daughter, trying to appease his wife Emma, a devout churchgoer, and facing his parish neighbours who view him as a heretic. This is a portrait of one man’s inner struggle. Starring Paul Bettany, Jennifer Connelly, Jeremy Northam and Martha West. (Mar 19-25)

An Education
Directed by Lone Scherfig
UK 2009
100 minutes
Rated PG (mature theme)
A personal favourite from TIFF ‘09, An Education combines the talents of novelist/screenwriter Nick Hornby (adapting Lynn Barber’s memoir), Danish director Lone Scherfig (Italian for Beginners), and a remarkable cast that includes Emma Thompson, Peter Sarsgaard, Rosamund Pike, Alfred Molina, Olivia Williams, Dominic Cooper and newcomer Carey Mulligan, who leads with talent to spare. Ms Mulligan stars as Jenny, a smart and gifted 16-year-old filled with curiosity and a hunger for the knowledge of life that lies outside her textbooks and the drab grey that fills her rain-soaked life in the London ‘burb of Twickenham in 1961. Cue the entrance of intriguing, older, Jaguar-driving David (Sarsgaard), who turns on the charm by opening any door of experience that a young girl could imagine. But how will Jenny cope with the morning after effect that comes with these intoxicating times? An Education is Highly Recommended. (Mar 3-5)

The Fantastic Mr Fox
Directed by Wes Anderson
USA 2009
87 minutes
Rated PG (violence)
Based on the book by British author Roald Dahl, this tale involves the wily and “fantasic” Mr Fox (George Clooney), who despite the protestations of his wife, Mrs Fox (Meryl Streep), continues in his wily ways, scheming to steal from the mean (I mean really mean) neighbouring farmers Boggis, Bean, and Bunce. As in any Wes Anderson film, characters question their existence in general, but question with ever greater scrutiny life within their families. The film also features the voice talents of Bill Murray and Jason Schwartzman. Thanks to the stop-motion animation of director Mark Gustafson and director of photography, Tristan Oliver, The Fantastic Mr. Fox is an enthralling animated wonder for adults and older kids (say, 8 yrs and older). March Break Matinees Only—All Seats $5.00 (Mar 15-18)

The Horse Boy
Directed by Michael Orion Scott and Rupert Isaacson
USA 2009
93 minutes
Rated PG
This film is an emotionally gripping companion piece to Rupert Isaacson’s bestselling book. Mr Isaacson is a journalist and former horse trainer living in Texas with his wife, Kristin Neff (a psychology prof.), and their six-year-old son, Rowan, who is autistic. Their story begins with a visit to a nearby ranch where Rowan makes an uncanny connection to his neighbour’s horse with instantly calming results. As any parent of an autistic child might, Isaacson responds to this event with research, dreaming of a cure or anything that might bridge the gap to his child. Eventually, he finds a shamanistic horse tribe in Upper Mongolia that he believes may possess the power to help his son. Together, the family embarks on the incredible journey that fuels this powerful and unique travelogue. For anyone remotely interested in the study of children with special needs, Autism or the therapeutic power of horses, The Horse Boy is Highly Recommended. (Apr 7-10)

Invictus
Directed by Clint Eastwood
USA 2009
132 minutes
Rated PG (language may offend)
Morgan Freeman has received an Oscar nomination for his portrayal of Nelson Mandela in director Clint Eastwood’s latest work. Based on John Carlin’s book, Playing the Enemy: Nelson Mandela and the Game that Made a Nation, the film focuses on the South African leader’s astute decision to utilize sports to unite his countrymen by cheering-on the (all-white, save one player) South African rugby team in the World Cup Championship match. Also starring Matt Damon, Invictus is an inspirational tale that strives to capture the courage, conviction and insight of Nelson Mandela. (Mar 15-18)

It’s Complicated
Directed by Nancy Meyers
USA 2009
118 minutes
Rated 14A (sexual content, nudity)
Midlife crisis hilarity ensues when fifty-something divorcee Jane (Meryl Streep) takes time away from her bakery/restaurant to attend her son’s graduation. While away, she has an affair with a married man—her ex! Alec Baldwin plays Jane’s ex, a lawyer named Jake, who has been happily remarried to a much younger woman for years. Steve Martin plays opposite as Adam, the architect hired to help remodel Jane’s home, and the third point in the ensuing love triangle. Let’s just say ... it’s complicated. It’s also a fun and entertaining night out. Join us. (Feb 26-Mar 3)

The Last Station
Directed by Michael Hoffman
UK/Russia 2010
112 minutes
Rated 14A (nudity, sexual content)
The performances of Christopher Plummer and Helen Mirren alone are worth the price of admission to this film about the final days of the highly-revered Russian author Leo Tolstoy. In his latter years, the author eschews all material and sensual influences for a simple, more esthetic life. Surrounded by a coterie of sycophants praising his every breath, the iconic author plans to sign over all future book sale royalties to the Russian people. Well, not over the living (or dead!) body of Countess Sofya, Tolstoy’s long-suffering wife and muse. For 21st Century audiences willing to relax into a 100-year-old story, paced accordingly, and capturing two great performers with a gorgeous countryside backdrop, The Last Station is Recommended. (Mar 5-11 & Apr 10-15)

The Last Train Home
Directed by Lixin Fan
Canada/China/UK 2010
90 minutes
Rated PG (mature theme)
Up the Yangtze director Yung Chang and editor Lixin Fan have exchanged roles in their new collaborative work, exploring the life of migrant workers in contemporary China. The Last Train Home follows Changhua Zhan and Suqin Chen, two of over 140 million (that’s not a typo) workers who (mandated by the national holiday) make the long, arduous trek from their work back to their homes. Zhan and Chen left their children (to be raised by their grandparents) years ago, believing that their factory jobs would provide for the family’s needs. Instead, they return home to indifferent children who look at them as strangers and a rebellious teenage daughter determined to leave the family for the “freedom” she’ll find in her own factory job. This is excellent documentary filmmaking about important social issues that affect us all. Recommended. In English and Mandarin with subtitles.
(Apr 16-22)

The Lovely Bones
Directed by Peter Jackson
USA/UK/New Zealand 2009
135 minutes
Rated PG (mature theme, disturbing content)
Alice Sebold’s bestselling (and Oprah picked) novel is the story of Susie Salmon, an innocent 14-year-old, who narrates the story after she has been murdered. Much of the book’s success was due to Ms Sebold giving voice to the young victim, caught between the loved ones of her past and the sweet hereafter ahead. Mr Jackson (Lord of the Rings) taps into the style of his early work, like Heavenly Creatures, to blend Susie’s everyday life (circa 1973) with her fantastical visions of being caught between Heaven and Earth. Young Saoirse Ronan (Atonement) stars as Susie, with strong support from Mark Wahlberg, Rachel Weisz, Stanley Tucci and Susan Sarandon.
(Mar 26-29)

The Messenger
Directed by Oren Moverman
USA 2010
113 minutes
Rated 14A (coarse language, sexual content)
As Canada’s military involvement increases in Afghanistan and elsewhere, films like The Messenger lose their specific American context. Sgt Will Montgomery (Ben Foster) and Capt Tony Scott (Woody Harrelson) are assigned the unenviable task of casualty notification. They inform families when their loved ones have been lost in the service of their country. Montgomery carries physical and emotional scars from a recent tour of duty, while Scott’s ongoing battle is bottle-shaped. Together, they face the daily challenge of delivering bad news, but things get truly complicated when, against all protocols, Montgomery is attracted to a young widow (Samantha Morton). This is a small film with a big heart, and great performances that touch on tough and tender moments. (Apr 9-15)

Nine
Directed by Rob Marshall
USA/Italy 2009
118 minutes
Rated PG (mature theme)
Oscar-winning (for Chicago) director, Rob Marshall updates the 1982 Broadway musical focused on the life and loves of an Italian film director as captured in Fredrico Fellini’s film 8 1/2. If that sounds slightly confusing, think of it another way: This is one sexy musical, with eye-popping visuals and an amazing cast that features Daniel Day-Lewis, Judi Dench, Penelope Cruz, Marion Cotillard, Fergie, Nicole Kidman, Kate Hudson and Sophia Loren. (Mar 30-Apr 2)

Precious
Directed by Lee Daniels
USA 2009
109 minutes
Rated 14A (disturbing content, coarse language)
From its discovery at the Sundance Film Festival in January ‘09, the bell-ringing endorsement of Oprah, a further media push at TIFF, and onwards to its late autumn release, 2009 was a Precious year indeed. Claireece “Precious” Jones is an illiterate, obese, 15-year-old, pregnant girl (for the second time!), who is failing Grade 9 at her school in Harlem. She has created a lush fantasy world in her mind where she frequently escapes the torments and abuses of her daily life. With the help of a caring teacher, Ms Rain (Pauls Patton), Precious begins to catch glimpses of redemption. In an audacious debut as Precious, Gabourey Sidibe is truly magnetic, assisted by with strong supporting perfs by Mo’nique, Mariah Carey and Lenny Kravitz.
(Mar 6, 7 & 9-11)

The Princess and the Frog
Directed by Ron Clements, John Musker
USA 2009
97 minutes
Rated G
With their latest animated feature, Walt Disney Studios have added some colour to their usually Snow White storytelling. Pre-pixel pencil is the preferred style in this gloriously colourful tale set in 1920s New Orleans that features a no-nonsense, hard-working princess ready to rescue the frog (Prince), if necessary. Romance meets the Brothers Grimm in this wonderful film for kids. March Break Matinees Only—All Seats $5.00. (Mar 12-14)

A Prophet
(Un Prophete)
Directed by Jacques Audiard
France/Italy 2010
148 minutes
Rated 18A (coarse language, violence, substance abuse)
Like a rooster’s crow on a Sunday morning, A Prophet is a noisy wake-up signal of change occurring in France and throughout Europe. It’s a gritty and complex portrait of a young French-Arab man entering the French penal system. Sentenced to six years, Malik (Tahar Rahim) quickly learns the boundaries of his life in prison. He is tested by Cesar Luciani (Niels Arestrup), head of the ruling Corsican gang, and receives minimal protection for his deeds, which leaves him stranded between his Coriscan backers and his fellow Arabs. Observing, learning, adapting, Malik sees the path that leads from victim to victor and takes charge. A bit Gomorrah and a bit The Godfather, A Prophet represents a new perspective on European cinema, and a portrait of the shifting face of France’s underclass. A Prophet won a 2009 Cannes Jury Top Prize, and an Oscar nomination for Best Foreign Film. In French, Arabic and Corsican with subtitles. (Apr 23-29)

A Single Man
Directed by Tom Ford
USA 2009
99 minutes
Rated PG (nudity)
Fashion designer Tom Ford’s first film is a revelation. Co-written with Vancouverite David Scearce, A Single Man is adapted from Christopher Isherwood’s novel about a closeted gay professor, George Falconer (Colin Firth), whose life is tragically changed with the sudden death of his lover, Jim (Matthew Goode). Prevented from attending the funeral (by Jim’s family) and unable to publicly mourn his loss, the grief-stricken George is trapped under a weight of loneliness and despair. His bosom buddy, Charley (Julianne Moore), offers gin and sympathy, but can’t help with George’s immense sense of loss. Regardless of the Oscar outcome (which may favour Americans Bridges and Clooney), Colin Firth gives the best performance of his already much-rewarded career—he is magnificent in his subtle intensity. For that and Mr Ford’s commandingly cinematic vision, A Single Man is Recommended. (Feb 26-Mar 4)

Slingshot Hip Hop
Directed by
Palestine/USA 2008
83 minutes
Slingshot Hip Hop braids together the stories of young Palestinians living in Gaza, the West Bank and inside Israel as they discover Hip Hop and employ it as a tool to surmount divisions imposed by occupation and poverty. From internal checkpoints and Separation Walls to gender norms and generational differences, this is the story of young people crossing the borders that separate them.
In Arabic, English and Hebrew with subtitles. Screening is presented with OPIRG in recognition of Apartheid Week wwww.slingshothiphop.com Admittance is by $5.00 Suggested donation. (Mar 7) 2:00 pm.

Up in the Air
Directed by Jason Reitman
USA 2009
109 minutes
Rated 14A (coarse language)
Best Actor Oscar nominee George Clooney is the face of this film. But more than just a pretty face, he smoothly delivers one fine dramatic performance with fellow Oscar nominees (both for Best Supporting Actress) Vera Farmiga and Anna Kendrick. Also nominated for Best Picture, Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay, Up in the Air is a wryly observant drama, with dry, humourous moments about characters trying to find balances between work and life, family and strangers, and longing or belonging. There are also subplots about the pain of corporate downsizing and pursuit of travel reward points. Great stuff. Recommended.
(Mar 19-25) 

Voyage to Betterment
Directed by Andrew Facca
Canada 2009
108 minutes
Rated G
Voyage to Betterment is a thoroughly researched and insightful look the power of the mind-body connection and the work of medical intuitives. In a journey that took over three years and 5000 hours of footage to capture, author Andrew Facca follows the story of patients who access the alternative, holistic medical community for their healing. Voyage to Betterment features interviews with physicians, renowned healers and numerous people whose lives have changed for the better. Watch for an appearance by Guelph-based Holistic Energy Therapist Atherton Drenth. (Apr 11) Director Andrew Facca will present at the 1:30pm screening.

The White Ribbon
Directed by Michael Haneke
Germany/Austria/France/Italy 2009
144 minutes
Rated 14A (disturbing content, sexual content)
Michael Haneke’s White Ribbon does not wrap into a pretty bow, but rather tightens around a small German village in 1914, whose children will grow into the adults of Nazi Germany. Shot in black and white, like the films of the era, The White Ribbon gradually exposes a bewildering array of tragic and often unexplained events. Odd deaths, bizarre accidents and unusual behaviours occur under an ever-increasing cloud of dread. Mr Haneke is not one to offer easy narratives or neat answers. The White Ribbon has received universal critical acclaim, three European Film Awards (Best Picture, Director and Screenplay) a Golden Globe and Oscar nomination for Best Foreign Film. Mr Haneke’s dense, harsh, (beautifully) stark and protracted portrait is essential viewing for serious cinephiles. Recommended. German with subtitles. (Apr 2-8)

The World’s Best Commercials 2009
90 minutes
Rated TBA
The “Best Ads” of 2009 return! Yes, the advertising world is just like the movies (hmmm, funny that?) in judging and awarding winners in the various categories of the genre. And while advertising seems to be everywhere from billboards, magazines, pop-ups and television, this collection offers-up the best international collection available. And unlike those movie award programs, the World’s Best Commercials comes totally free of the red carpets, designer gowns and cheesy acceptance speeches. Smart. Funny. New and Improved! (Apr 27, 28)

The Young Victoria
Directed by Jean-Marc Vallee
UK/Canada 2009
105 minutes
Rated PG (mature theme)
Jean-Marc Vallee’s (C.R.A.Z.Y.) latest film is an unapologetically romantic portrait of the young monarch in the years leading up to her coronation. She is surrounded by schemers and self-interested parties, including her mother, the Duchess of Kent (Miranda Richardson), and Lord Melbourne (Paul Bettany). But as the young Victoria’s romance for Prince Albert grows, she gains the self-confidence to take charge and step into the role of ruler. The film belongs to Emily Blunt, who deftly strides into the leading lady role as the young Queen-to-be. The Young Victoria is Highly Recommended. (Mar 12-18 & Apr 3-7)