Month: March 2021

Despite claims at backing off the action movies, Liam Neeson delivers another action-packed thriller in Honest Thief that is topping the charts on Netflix Canada this week. Bank heists, revenge, love and duty collide in this flick about a retired marine who turns his military training into a vehicle to even the score but all of that changes when he meets a woman reminds him that life is more than risk and death.

Liam Neeson is Tom Carter, a retired Marine whose unique method of bank robbery has left the police baffled for nearly a decade. His patient and precise method of scoping out a bank and finishing the job – without leaving a trace of how he had done it – earned him the nickname “In and Out Bandit.” Though remarkably successful, Carter gives it all up on a whim when he meets Annie (Kate Walsh) at the storage unit.

After deciding to quit the robbery racket and turn himself in so he may one day be free to love and live with Annie, Carter faces more than a few complications in his plan. Firstly, the FBI did not believe he was the “In and Out Bandit” when he called to arrange his surrender. After several days, two agents finally arrive to check out his claim. Not only did they check out his identity, they checked out with a significant amount of the cash he had stolen over the years.

When Carter realizes that he’s dealing with crooked sops he stops at nothing to clear his name of murder and to take responsibility for his 8 bank robberies. All the while, Annie, once learning the truth, pledges to wait for Tom to repay his debt to society so they may truly begin their life together.

Honest Thief has a cheesy title and a few cringe-worthy lines but in the end, it is always a fun caper when Liam Neeson is at the helm. Kate Walsh puts in a solid effort as his love interest and Anthony Ramos is a fantastic addition to the cast. If you’re looking for a genuinely enjoyable action thriller look no further than Honest Thief.

Seaspiracy is Netflix’s latest environmental documentary and it is sure to challenge your thoughts on the global seafood industry. Film maker, Ali Tabrizi, goes on a worldwide trek to expose the harms of human habits of consumerism on the vital yet fragile ocean ecosystem and what he discovers is much more alarming than he had first expected.

Tabrizi begins his journey of discovery fueled by a childhood fascination of dolphins and whales that morphed into deep concern for the longevity of these curious and magnificent ocean creatures. The documentary opens reporting on the increased number of beached whales, dead from bellies full of plastics.

Investigating the harm of plastics and the domino effect that the high numbers of large mammal deaths has on the health of the ocean in general. From there, Tabrizi investigates the many ways commercial fishing industries cause widespread devastation and human rights violations across the globe.

As Seaspiracy proceeds one horrific truth reveals ten more terrible issues that surround and effect the health of our planet’s oceans. From piracy to organic pollution to the falsity of sustainable fishing to slavery, this documentary covers an overwhelming breadth of information.

Each topic as important and terrifying as the next and Tabrizi handles each topic with heart and intense research. He immersed himself in each leg of the investigation wholly which led to more than a couple near misses with crooked authorities and corrupt industry heavy weights.

In the end, Seaspiracy is a frightening tale of vital information. Our world’s eco systems are interconnected in a much more intricate way than we could ever imagine. Though what happens at sea seems a million miles away from our land lubbers every day life, we are each deeply connected to our earth, our seas and each other. Seaspiracy reminds us of that – starkly and unequivocally.

When a man’s self-made utopia begins to crumble he is faced with the difficult decision between chasing the ideal or engaging in the new reality that is being forced upon him. The decision is made that much more difficult as the well-being of his six children hangs in the balance. This is the story of Captain Fantastic.

Ben Cash (Viggo Mortensen) is a highly educated, deeply independent man raising his family of eight off the grid in the Pacific North West. He trains his children in politics, literature, gardening and survival skills. Up until recently, Ben did all of this with his wife and soulmate, Leslie.

At the start of the story, it is revealed that Leslie had been in hospital for quite a while and the children were antsy for her return. When Ben drives in to town to get an update on his wife’s condition he is told that she died by her own hand, after years spent struggling with mental illness, a few days before. Ben returns to his woodland paradise and bluntly informs his children that there mother is gone.

Despite being told not to attend the funeral, Ben packs up his children and reenters the world he had left behind years ago. What ensues is a clash of ideals between Ben and his sister and a power struggle with his in-laws over the raising of the children.

Captain Fantastic was nominated for a slew of awards, and winning a hefty handful of them. This film was made for the bohemian Viggo Mortensen. There is an ease to his portrayal of this character that makes the whole story enchanting and beautiful to watch. He is genuinely wonderful as devoted father, Ben and has excellent chemistry with his young costars, all of whom had no problem holding their own on screen with Mortensen.

This flick is heart-warming, painful and funny is a magnificently quirky way. This is truly one of the hidden gems of Netflix and one you won’t want to miss!

What if your one and only wasn’t really The One for you, after all? If you could take a test to discover the person who is genetically suited for you, would you? That’s the question at the heart of Netflix’s new binge-worthy series, The One.

Created by Howard Overman and starring a brilliant ensemble cast, The One is a mystery built on the hope of a cure for loneliness and bad relationships. The story focuses on Rebecca Webb (Hannah Ware), the attractive and intelligent scientist who discovers the technology behind the DNA based “love test”. Through a series of flashbacks, the story of her meteoric rise to fame and wealth unfolds and all of her dirty little secrets are revealed – including her involvement in the murder of her former roommate.

Over eight episodes, the story of Rebecca Webb and her partners is uncovered against the backdrop of love and mystery. Detective Kate Saunders ( Zoe Tapper) begins investigating the circumstances that led a missing person to be discovered, a year after his disappearance, dead in the river. At the same time, she succumbs to the trend and takes the DNA test to find her match through Webb’s company.

Several stories intermingle throughout the series but they all are connected through The One dating analysis system. The layers to the stories, and each character’s motivation to find or keep love, is intriguing and captivating. As each episode progresses the stakes get higher and the trap tightens around Webb and her colleagues.

Loosely based on the novel of the same name by John Marr, this series is less a sloppy love story and more a murder-mystery infused with elements of a psychological thriller. It poses several interesting questions about human nature and our quest for love in a modern age of apps and manufactured social media profiles.

Despite some less than favorable reviews by critics, The One has been in the top ten list on Netflix for a few weeks. For good reason, too. The plot is interesting and the premise certainly captures the imagination. The mystery that unfolds throughout the series is well structured and engaging. The whole story weaves together in a truly satisfying way. Fingers crossed for a second season of this delicious mystery series!

Gen Xers will remember the psychological trip that was The Hand that Rocks the Cradle. It took me months to get over that thriller but that’s nothing compared to Netflix’s new Nanny drama, Deadly Illusions.

Written and directed by Anna Elizabeth James, Deadly Illusions, stars Kristen Davis as popular mystery writer, Mary Morrison, who has hit a wall in her popular book series. She desperately wants to take a break from writing but her publisher and agent are pushing her to get back at it and pump out another best-seller. She resists, alluding to the stress her writing puts on her little family, but in the end, she concedes after discovering her family’s financial stability is at risk because of a bad investment made by her husband, Tom (Dermot Mulroney).

In an effort to help, Mary’s best friend, Elain (Shanola Hampton) suggests that Mary and Tom hire a nanny to help them manage their home while Mary fulfills her newest contract. After interviewing a number of less than stellar candidates, Mary meets Grace (Greer Grammer).

Grace fits into the rhythm of the family seamlessly and even helps Mary have a break through with her writer’s block. Before long, though, Mary begins having troubling dreams about Grace. The line between dream and reality gets blurred as time goes on and soon Mary doesn’t know what is real and what is fantasy.

Mary is frazzled as she feels her grip on reality slipping so tells Elaine about the dreams and her confusion in hopes that her friend would tell her its all in her head. Elaine offers words of platitude to her friend but could not ignore her own growing suspicion that Grace isn’t exactly as she seems so she confronts Grace privately to get some answers.

At the same time, Mary realizes that the Nanny agency had yet to cash their cheques. When she calls to inquire as to why the payments weren’t processed, the agency informs Mary that she had not yet chosen a nanny. Mary panics, realizing that Grace wasn’t referred to her after all and her resume is entirely a work of fiction. Mary races to Elaine’s house to ask her friend for help – only to find her friend murdered.

Mary’s life goes into a tailspin as she is accused of her best friend’s murder. Her grasp on reality is tenuous, at best, and a psychopathic stranger has infiltrated her family. When Grace begins to unravel in her home, Mary is forced to take matters into her own hands .

Deadly Illusions has all of the ingredients to make it a truly memorable film – a strained marriage, a beautiful interloper and enough psychological manipulation to leave the viewer questioning their grasp on reality. This thriller offers enough mind-bending plot twists to rival some of the most memorable films of the genre, no wonder it has recently found its way to the top of the Netflix charts!

Make no mistake, Netflix’s thriller, Deadly Illusions, will keep you on the edge of your seat until the bitter end.

It’s the weekend – finally! Time to kick back, relax, order some take-out and watch a movie or two. Here’s a the short list of trending films. From cute family flicks to docudramas to action thrillers – this list has it all. Settle in and enjoy!

Deadly Illusions (2021) is a mind-bending thriller starring Kristen Davis, Dermot Mulruney and Greer Grammer. Davis plays Mary, successful writer about to begin a new project when she decides to hire a new nanny to help her manage the family as she works. Soon, the line between fiction and reality becomes blurred as Mary has a series of dreams that turn out to have real life consequences. This flick is sure to keep you guessing until the end!

Yes Day (2021) is a family friendly flick based on Amy Krause Rosenthal’s children’s book of the same name. When strict parents, Allison (Jennifer Garner) and Carlos ( Edgar Rameriz), are challenged to give their family a day of kid-fueled adventure and fun. Reluctantly they agree and what ensues is a day of chaos that teeters on the verge of disaster. Full of laughs and heart-warming connection, Yes Day, is a wonderful pick for family movie night.

Operation Varsity Blues: The College Admissions Scandal (2021) takes a brand new approach to documentary film making that takes this story seamlessly from a succession of headlines to an intriguing feature film. Matthew Modine fills the role of Rick Singer, the college recruiter at the center of this scandal. Through reenacting wire tap phone conversation, the whole infuriating crooked deal unravels and a deeply broken system is exposed. This is a brilliantly crafted film that answers all the questions about the scandal that unfolded in 2019.

A Call to Spy (2019) is a beautiful tale honouring the sacrifice and dedication of ‘lady spies’ during World War II. Based on a true story, this film tells the story of two unlikely recruits in Winston Churchill’s new spy agency, Special Operations Executive. Virgina Hall (Sarah Megan Thomas) and Noor Inayat Khan (Radhika Apte) work to undermine the Nazi regime in occupied France. A previously untold story of bravery, friendship and strength, A Call to Spy is a intriguing and uplifting – a perfect weekend watch, to be sure.

Check out these film and more on Netflix.com

If you are expecting a run-of-the-mill, gal-pal series when you tune into watch Firefly Lane then you need to readjust your expectations. This Netflix original is nothing like I expected and everything I didn’t know I was looking for in a binge watch.

This series is based in Kristin Hannah’s book of the same name and brought to the small screen by Maggie Friedmann as is filled with absolutely divine characters. The story is more than a tale of two friends, it is a revelation of what it takes to come into your own as a young woman during a time in history when women were smashing glass ceilings and challenging gender roles. It is the story of us, us Boomers and Gen Xers – and it is wonderful.

Tully and Kate meet in the 1970s when Tully and her addicted, troubled and erratic mother move into the house across from Kate and her family on Firefly Lane. Kate is a studious, awkward yet sassy 14-year-old and Tully, though the same age as Kate, seems infinitely cooler and worldly than her. The two bond quickly over shared secrets and schoolgirl shenanigans. Their connection only deepens as they share their real-life challenges, heartbreaks and hopes.

The series follow their deep yet complicated friendship through a series of flashbacks. The series bounces back and forth from the 1970s to the mid 1980s and the early 2000s and back again. Through college, marriage, loss, grief, success and betrayal Tully and Kate find a way to stay connected and present for each other.

The difference maker in this series is the combination of impeccable representation of each decade, expertly scripted scenes and the high caliber of acting throughout the series. Katherine Heigl and Sarah Chalke carry the series with effortless chemistry and a beautiful balance of humor and deep, authentic emotion. The three young actors who portray Tully (Ali Skovbye and London Robertson) and Kate (Roan Curtis) in earlier decades do a brilliant job of developing the lead characters into women the viewers not only identify with but genuinely like.

Heigl outdoes herself in this series. She has grown well past the inconsistent Izzy Stevens of Grey’s Anatomy and has finally found her rhythm as a well-rounded lead. She brings a rich humanity to Tully that saves this self-obsessed character from being a cliché. Instead, we find compassion and understanding for the complicated Tully.

Chalke, though, is not to be outdone. She fills the screen and steals every scene with her girl-next-door charm and her genuine devotion to her life-long pal. Kate is strong and witty and smart and a wonderfully delicious character to absorb through Chalke’s subtle yet divine portrayal of her. Ben Lawson, as Johnny, and Beau Garrett, as Cloud, also deserve recognition for their own wonderful contributions to this memorable series.

There is something truly exceptional about those Firefly Lane girls. They, like the series that hosts them, never try to be anything other than who they are. They are entirely unique, delightful and captivating. I promise you, one season is not nearly enough. Netflix, are you listening? We want more!

When Barack Obama transitioned to civilian life in 2017, following his two terms as President of the United States, no one thought for one minute that Obama and his charismatic wife, Michelle, were going to quietly sail off into the sunset. In fact, most would have said these two were just getting started.

In May 2018, The Obamas launched Higher Ground Productions with a multi-year deal with Netflix for a combination of scripted and unscripted shows. Over the past three years, Higher Ground has had several shows in development and has also enjoyed success with its first few releases, namely the documentary, Becoming, named for Michelle Obama’s chart topping, best selling book of the same name.

Becoming was launched just months after Higher Ground released the fascinating documentary American Factory about a Chinese company that takes over an abandoned General Motors plant to bring 2,000 jobs back to America. This first offering from Higher Ground created a buzz on the festival scene and paved the way for more of the same from the new production company.

Higher Ground Production company has cast a wide net. They have committed to investing in movies and television series that tell stories and elevate diverse voices. Their focus is broad yet defined and the work coming from this company has already shown a great deal of promise – including big wins at both the Academy Awards and the Emmys.

The newest work to come from Higher Ground may look like a one-eighty at first glance but when you take a second look you’ll see how the children’s educational series, Waffles + Mochi, is an extension of the original vision the Obamas had while still in office more than four years ago. This Netflix original combines live action and puppetry and adds in a hefty dose of imagination and fun to give kids a whole new perspective on nutritious foods and the wonderland that is the American Grocery Store. Not to mention, it stars former first lady Michelle Obama herself!

With the creativity and imagination this young production company has already shown, we cannot wait to see what comes next from this dynamic partnership between Netflix and Higher Ground Productions.

Starring Ralph Fiennes, Carey Mulligan and Lily James, The Dig, is a beautiful telling of the true story of an archeological dig that took place in 1939 Suffolk, England. Based on the book by the same name by John Preston, this film is as moving as it is visually captivating.

When a wealthy widow desires to have the burial mounds on her estate examined, she turns to a local man who, though self-taught, has a solid reputation as an excavator. After some back and forth, Basil Brown (Ralph Fiennes) agrees to take on the project. In doing so, he sets himself against the local museum who wished to engage his services for a dig they deemed more important.

As the project proceeds, the bristly Brown develops an unlikely friendship with his employer’s son, Robert (Archie Barnes), which only deepens his connection to his employer, Edith Pretty (Carey Mulligan). Brown soon discovers that not only is Edith a widow, but she is also terminally ill. His dedication to the project only intensifies as he comes to know and care for the family. Ignoring letters from his wife, Brown loses himself in his dig and the curious life of the widow and her son.

As war approaches, it is confirmed that this dig has far more historical value than first thought and with that discovery comes an influx of archaeologists from Cambridge University, including the vibrant yet neglect young wife of one of the archeologists. Young Mrs. Peggy Piggott (Lily James) soon proves her worth as an excavator while she grows a strong attachment to the project and the project’s photographer. The Cambridge experts attempt to exert control over the project and its findings but with the help and confidence of Brown, Edith retains control and completes the project as she desires.

In the end, Edith donates the findings to the British Museum on the condition that Basil Brown is recognized for his contributions. This doesn’t happen immediately as the treasure was hidden in London’s Underground for nearly a decade following Edith’s death. When it was finally displayed, the collection did not bear any mention of Basil Brown, an oversight that was recently rectified.

There is a quiet beauty about this film. Fiennes and Mulligan both give understated yet poignant performances. Their connection, on screen, is woven with shared sadness and determination and they effortlessly exhale a captivating tale. Lily James also gives a brilliant performance, full of depth and soul, and, as always, exudes charm every minute of her performance.

Screenwriter Moira Buffini masterfully translated John Preston’s story for the screen and the team of director, Simon Stone, and editor, Jon Harris, crafted a visually and emotionally engaging cinema experience. The Dig is a film that you will want to watch and watch again. It is truly one of the most beautiful pieces I have seen in a while.

In 1985, Salt Lake City, Utah was rocked by back-to-back violent explosions that left two people dead. And when a third explosion left an unassuming member of the Latter-Day Saints fighting for his life, the police discovered the evidence they needed to piece together the mystery that brought the LDS community into the national spotlight in a way it had never been before – or since.

Netflix offers up a new series that is sure to satisfy viewers insatiable appetite for true crime mysteries. Murder Among The Mormons is a three-part docuseries that tracks circumstances leading up to the murder of two people and the investigation that eventually led to the arrest of the criminal mind behind the plot.

Producers, Tyler Measom and Jared Hess, spent years interviewing the extensive and interesting cast of characters that were key players in this unlikely mystery involving the extensive world of rare documents and the leadership of the Church of the Latter-Day Saints. In the end, they present us with an intriguing and nearly unbelievable tale of a forger that was skilled enough to dupe the world’s leading investigators.

Mark Hofman developed an interest in treasure hunting and rare books and documents at a young age. One lucky find led to another and he soon became a reputable dealer in historic documents. His knack for locating authentic ‘missing’ documents and rare journals, specifically ones that pertain to the history of the Mormon church, the religious tradition in which he was raised, helped him rise in wealth and influence. But his pride is what eventually led to a tangled web of business deals that threatened to bring down his whole house of cards.

The series presents interviews with more than a dozen people connected to The Church, Hofman’s business dealing and investigators. They spin a vivid tale of a religious tradition threatened by hidden truths and a community of dedicated followers ready to go to great lengths to protect their beloved faith and one manipulative yet gifted man who crafted the faith’s demise to perfection.

This series is fascinating, both because of the crime and because of the revealed world of rare documents and in depth look at a religious sect that generally keeps their inner workings very private. The research for this docu-series is thorough and well done. The interviews with Shannon Flynn, in particular, are interesting and compelling.

Tune in to Murder Among The Mormons to dive deep into an unusual true crime tale that you aren’t soon to forget.