TIFF 2023 Review: The Zone of Interest

 Synopsis: The commander of Auschwitz, Rudolph Hoss, and his wife Hedwig, strive to build a dream life for their family in a house and garden next to the camp. Director: Jonathan Glazer Stars: Sandra Huller, Christian Friedel In the absence of the internet, let alone IMDB, if someone asked me

TIFF 2023 Review: Backspot

 Synopsis: Riley is given the chance to cheer with the all-star squad, Thunderhawks. With a competition looming, Riley must navigate her crippling anxiety, her relationship with her girlfriend, and her desperate need for approval from her new coach. Director: D.W. Waterson Stars: Devery Jacobs, Kudakwashe Rutendo, Evan Rachel Wood, Wendy

TIFF 2023 Review: Flora and Son

 Synopsis: Single mom Flora is at war with her son Max. Trying to find a hobby for Max, she rescues a guitar from a dumpster and finds that one person’s trash can be a family’s salvation. Director: John Carney Stars: Eve Hewson, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Oren Kinlan, Jack Reynor The last

Gianni dos Santos on Atlético’s Upcoming Away Game, Rivals & Team Focus

 Last Saturday, Atlético Ottawa lost a close game to Cavalry FC. How close was it? Cavalry was winning 1-0 until the 88th minute when Luke Singh buried the ball in the net, tying the game up and sending TD Place into pandemonium. With five of the seven minutes of stoppage

CEO Cameron Bailey says TIFF is an Audience-Driven Festival

 The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) is just around the corner, and once again, Ottawa Life Magazine will be in Toronto to provide you with coverage. One of the biggest film festivals in the world, TIFF has seen incredible films like Slumdog Millionaire, Parasite, Moonlight, Green Book, Chariots of Fire,

“Passages” is The Tale of a Man who Wants it All

 Synopsis: A gay couple’s marriage is thrown into crisis when one of them impulsively begins a passionate affair with a young woman. Director: Ira Sachs Stars: Franz Rogowski, Ben Whishaw, Adele Exarchopoulos Sometimes, when you are a guest at a dinner party, you may be offered choices for dessert. Ice

In “Back on the Strip” Nostalgia Outweighs a Mediocre Script

 Synopsis: A young man moves to Las Vegas to pursue his dream of being a magician, only to join a male stripper group. Director: Chris Spencer Stars: Spencer Moore II, Wesley Snipes, Tiffany Haddish, Bill Bellamy, J.B. Smoove, Gary Owen, Faizon Love Several years ago, Eddie Murphy made his triumphant

“Blue Beetle” stands out among the swarm of comic book films

 Synopsis: An alien scarab chooses college graduate Jaime Reyes to be its symbiotic host, bestowing the teenager with a suit of armour capable of extraordinary and unpredictable powers, forever changing his destiny as he becomes the superhero known as Blue Beetle. Director: Angelo Manuel Soto Stars: Xolo Mariduena, Bruna Marquezine,

Get Back to Nature With a Hammond Hill Eco-Experience

 The first and only time I ever camped in a tent was on a trip out east. We stopped in Edmundston, New Brunswick and slept under the stars. It was a fun experience and something I crossed off my bucket list. Many appreciate getting away from the hustle and bustle

Flaws and Failings Abound in likeable new film “Shortcomings”

 Synopsis: A trio of young, Bay Area urbanites — Ben Tanaka, Miko Hayashi and Alice Kim — navigate a range of interpersonal relationships while traversing the country in search of the ideal connection. Director: Randall Park Stars: Justin H. Min, Sherry Cola, Ally Maki During summer months, the expectation is

‘Talk to Me’ Proves How Well Australian Filmmakers Can Scare Audiences

 Synopsis: When friends discover how to conjure spirits using an embalmed hand, they become hooked on the new thrill until one of them goes too far and unleashes terrifying supernatural forces. Director: Danny Philippou, Michael Philippou Stars: Sophie Wilde, Alexandra Jensen, Joe Bird, Miranda Otto What is going on with

According to Gabby Antinoro Each of Atlético’s 23 Players is Crucial to the Team

 Like his fellow Atlético Ottawa players, Gabriel Antinoro just wants to contribute. That is precisely what he did during the team’s last home game. Within two minutes of coming into the game in the second half, he scored the winning goal and set TD Place into a frenzy. I recently

Dig Into Your Tickle Trunk for the Best Blonde Wig and go See Barbie

 Synopsis: Barbie suffers a crisis that leads her to question her world and her existence. Director: Greta Gerwig Stars: Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, Will Ferrell, Emma Mackey, Helen Mirren Teamwork makes the dream work is a fun saying, but it’s accurate; collaboration is such a beautiful thing, and it’s no

Atlético Ottawa has Found its Stride

 In case you forgot, the Canadian Premier League (CPL) season is 28 games, and early on, Ottawa was in last place — emphasis on early. Atlético has taken nine points from nine available points lately and, just like Stella, has regained its groove. The most recent evidence is their dominant

REDBLACKS Channel Some old Hufnagel Magic and Come out on Top

 The year was 2008, and then Head Coach John Hufnagel addressed his team, the Calgary Stampeders, in a pre-game speech that would become quite famous: “Team, we are playing Montreal in Montreal. We are playing on the road. We are playing in front of 65,000 screaming fans. Men, we got

Catch Team Canada in the Pacific Four Series Before it’s Too Late

 TD Place is no stranger to fantastic sporting events. The former home of the Ottawa Senators has hosted the Brier, the Grey Cup, and the UFC. It is a one-stop shop for spectator sports, so it came as no surprise it was chosen as a venue for the Pacific Four

Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning Part One is an incredible movie that deserves all the hype

 Synopsis: Ethan Hunt and his IMF team must track down a dangerous weapon before it falls into the wrong hands. Director: Christopher McQuarrie Stars: Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, Rebecca Ferguson, Vanessa Kirby, Pom Klementieff, Esai Morales If Tom Cruise isn’t the best action star on the

The Door Closes on the Insidious Series

 Synopsis:  The Lamberts must go deeper into The Further than ever before to put their demons to rest once and for all. Director: Patrick Wilson Stars: Ty Simpkins, Patrick Wilson, Rose Byrne Several years ago, Leigh Whannell, after the success of the film Saw which he wrote, proved it wasn’t

“Past Lives” is a Dialogue-Driven Film That Delivers

 Synopsis: Nora and Hae Sung, two deeply connected childhood friends, part when Nora’s family emigrates from South Korea. Twenty years later, they are reunited for one fateful week as they confront notions of love and destiny. Director: Celine Song Stars: Greta Lee, Teo Yoo, John Magaro For the last few

Adele Lim jumps into the director chair for a “Joy Ride”

 Synopsis: Follows four Asian-American friends as they bond and discover the truth of what it means to know and love who you are while they travel through Asia searching for one of their birth mothers. Director: Adele Lim Stars: Ashley Park, Sherry Cola, Stephanie Hsu, Sabrina Wu Years ago, Adele

Jennifer Lawrence’s “No Hard Feelings” is a Fun Film

 Synopsis: On the brink of losing her home, Maddie finds an intriguing job listing: helicopter parents looking for someone to bring their introverted 19-year-old son out of his shell before college. She has one summer to make him a man or die trying. Director: Gene Stupnitsky Stars: Jennifer Lawrence, Andrew

WWE is Coming Back to Ottawa!

 They say, “if you build it they will come.” Well, the WWE appears to have the philosophy “If you come see us, we will come back!” Back in February, the Canadian Tire Centre (CTC) hosted Monday Night Raw. It stands to reason that the event’s success is the impetus for

The chase resumes for Harrison Ford in the final installment of “Indiana Jones”

 Synopsis: Archaeologist Indiana Jones races against time to retrieve a legendary artifact that can change the course of history. Director: James Manigold Stars: Harrison Ford, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Antoni Banderas Over the last few months, there has been discussion about a lot of leading ladies of a certain age being successful

The Ottawa REDBLACKS Kick Off Their Season Tonight at TD Place

 The 2023 CFL season is underway with the Ottawa REDBLACKS’ home opener at TD Place tonight. Last year, the REDBLACKS were never able to celebrate a home win, disappointing to fans, not to mention the team. Some may question whether or not to return to support the team. I attended

Coach Carlos Gonzalez Says Atlético Can Bounce Back This Weekend

 After three consecutive away games, Atlético Ottawa returns to TD Place this weekend with a rematch of last year’s championship when they take on Forge FC. Forge FC is currently in first place and is one of two teams in the Canadian Premier League that hasn’t experienced defeat yet this