A Geek’s Month in Review: February 2013

Why music? It’s the food of love, in a month often dedicated to Valentines.

We’re not much for romance around here, though. It’s music that energizes us. So why not roll it in with our passion for film?

For my part, it was a month of surprises, with several disliked titles winning me over.

Less fortunately, it was also a month which featured the renowned Bruce McDonald directing most of the things I least liked, a big disappointment after Pontypool got me hoping. He’s a legend in Canada and, as with Atom Egoyan, I’m hoping to be won back again.

Without further ado, here are my picks of the month: my favourite, surprise, disappointment, least-liked, and one chosen from the offerings of our site’s co-reviewer, world traveller, and foreign correspondent…

Favourite
45 rpm (2008) on 2013/02/06

* * * * *

“Not a film for the blockbuster set, those who need immanent justice served, or demand a happy Hollywood ending. It may not lack for confusion and angst, with its have-nots, unrequited crushes, intolerance, and suffocation, but it’s also an experience which could actually change a viewer’s life for the better. It’s achingly painful at times, yet it never abandons hope.”

Surprise
The Life and Hard Times of Guy Terrifico (2005) on 2013/02/18

* * * *

“A boon for fans of Canadian content, comedy, or good music. Count me as surprised as anyone, for this video falls in the category of watched-it-years-ago-and-just-didn’t-get-it-at-the-time. Fortunately, a second chance has redeemed it in my eyes (and ears). The Life and Hard Times of Guy Terrifico is appropriately terrific.”

Honourable Mention
Whale Music (1994) on 2013/02/27

Disappointment
Rise Up: Canadian Pop Music in the 1980s (2009) on 2013/02/12

* * *

“As we watched, I couldn’t remember how often I said — to myself or out loud — ‘I love-love-love this so much!’ I felt shivers, thrilled to remember good times, mourning for fun long gone, or twisting with their bittersweet combination. Which makes my own mixed reaction to this third in the series agonizing and appropriate.”

Least-Liked
Hard Core Logo 2 (2010) on 2013/02/28

* *

“As a reluctant convert to the pleasures of the first Hard Core Logo, I approached this follow-up with a mixture of lowish expectations and careful hope. By the end it confirmed at least two disappointing conclusions: the fumes of the original’s fuel aren’t enough to drive the sequel, and mockumentaries aren’t necessarily funny.”

Dishonourable Mention
This Movie Is Broken (2010) on 2013/02/02

Show Me
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953) on 2013/02/17

* * * *

“Marilyn Monroe is a luminous, glistening platinum beauty and Russell is a dark, sultry siren in a pant suit…

“It is a thing of beauty this film.”
.