CANDYMAN is the story of David Klein, the eccentric inventor of Jelly Belly jellybeans. We learn of his humble beginnings, his massive effort to make the idea work, and how the product became such a wild seller. Front and centre is Klein as a man – a guy who likes to take the scenic route…
Hot Docs Reaction: COOKING UP DREAMS
Watching all manner of cooks – from peasant fishermen to top chef – preparing Peruvian food is rather fascinating. Many of the ingredients and flavours start out the same, but the manner in which they are brought together in COOKING UP DREAMS couldn’t be more varied. Seeing executive chefs work in gourmet kitchens isn’t anything…
Food Glorious Food: DISH – WOMEN, WAITRESSING & THE ART OF SERVICE Plays Hot Docs
DISH begins with the sort of tracking shot that would make Martin Scorsese proud. It follows a waitress in Paris – tray filled with entrees held aloft. She leaves the kitchens, winds through all the way through crowded dining room, serves her patrons and returns. In an ant-like manner she seems to be carrying more…
Shop Around: SMALL WONDERS Plays Hot Docs
My parents still live in the same house I grew up in, so I often find myself back in “the old neighbourhood”. During one recent trip, I noticed that a sporting goods shop had closed. This was the shop where I got my first baseball bat, half a dozen hockey sticks, and more hats and…
TIFF 2009 – Day 10 (THE WHITE STRIPES: UNDER THE GREAT WHITE NORTHEN LIGHTS)
…And all is right with the world again. Given that it was my only screening of TIFF 2009, this film had a very high “better not suck factor” for me. I’m happy to report, that it made for a great night all around. The movie itself is spotty. It won’t be mentioned amongst the best…
TIFF Reaction: SEXYKILLER
While I did have a ticket to see RADIO LOVE on Saturday night, which would have been my last screening of the festival, when I got home after SEXYKILLER, I decided to call it a day. After all, when you’ve just indulged in dessert, the meal is over right? Selected as part of TIFF’s Midnight…
TIFF Reaction: EVERY LITTLE STEP
A funny thing happened on the way to EVERY LITTLE STEP, the doc about the revival of the 1970’s Broadway hit A Chorus Line. As the filmmakers set out to show what went into creating the musical, and detailed the casting and creation of the revival, they managed to tell the story of struggling to…