Canadian Actors, Directors and Movies

News:

Ron Mann Does Altman - News out of Cannes about the successful partnering on a project that film buffs everywhere should be delighted to hear. The short strokes: celebrated Canadian documentary filmmaker Ron Mann will produce and direct a feature length look at the life and art of the late, legendarty filmmaker Robert Altman. "Robert Altman reinvented not only what a movie might be, but how we might view ourselves. His films continue to inspire us today," said the Toronto director.

Hold Fast to Film - It's been almost 35 years since the novel Hold Fast by Newfoundland writer Kevin Major was published. The book went on to sell more than 200,000 copies in Canada and was honoured with the Governor General's Award. Today, the novel for young people is considered a classic and it is finally coming to film thanks to Rosemary House of Rock Island Productions and Judy Holm and Michael McNamara of Markham Street Films Inc. Shooting begins May 28 with no specific release date other than 2013. Hold Fast will be distributed by eOne Entertainment.

We Review Edwin Boyd

Northernstars.ca Contributing Editor Wyndham Wise has been to see Edwin Boyd and offers his take on this first feature: With Edwin Boyd: Citizen Gangster, writer/director Nathan Morlando has delivered an impressive first effort on a limited budget. The script is solid and workman-like, with only a few soft spots; the performances are strong, especially Scott Speedman as the sad sack Boyd and Kelly Reilly as his long-suffering wife and mother of his children. What the film lacks, however, is any sense authenticity. Too many compromises have been made to get the story of Toronto’s most notorious bank bandit onto the big screen. Read more.

Now Playing:

Québec wunderkind Xavier Dolan's Laurence Anyways has been selected to screen this year at the Cannes Film Festival. The titular Laurence is a young french teacher and soon-to be-published author, who enjoys an intense and mutually loving relationship with his fiancée, Fred. But on the day after his 30th birthday, Laurence confesses to Fred that he longs to become a woman, asking her to support him in this transformation. Click here to watch the trailer for Laurence Anyways.

Trailers

Recent Headlines:

Born Today:

Northernstars Raymond Burr and Booth Savage were born on May 21st.

Now Playing:

Scott Speedman plays the title character in the eOne Films release Edwin Boyd. The film is based on the exploits of the real Edwin Boyd and the infamous Boyd Gang. Twelve years in development, click here to watch the trailer for Edwin Boyd.

China Heavyweight is the latest from Up The Yangtse director Yung Chang. The film is set in southwestern China where state athletic coaches recruit rural teenagers who demonstrate a natural ability to throw a good punch. These boys and girls undergo a rigorous regimen that grooms them to be China’s next Olympic heroes but also prepares them for life outside the ring. Click here to watch a trailer for China Heavyweight.