rayne_koest

I just arrived home from seeing this film and I am very glad I went. If you get a chance go see it, or rent it when it comes out on DVD, I highly recommend it. I feel that One Week manages to be a thoughtful yet crowd-pleasing examination of a somewhat cliché expression without being overbearing or preachy... there are also some very very funny moments. The film uses celebrations of Canada, ranging from quirky to touching, to help weave around and through the big question/quest. Is it uniquely Canadian? Well I think in many ways "Canadian" is a moving target, and the elements of Canadiana used in One Week are strongly tied into the traditional ideas of Canadiana - the defining role that the natural environment has played in the personal and collective development of the nation. The vastness, beauty and wildness, and the beckoning of the unknown. Scenery aside, no matter who you are the story is one of an emotional journey one that some may recognize more than others and that all can understand and appreciate. Having said that I think the internal reflections and questions the film poses will make it resonates especially well with those who have experienced solo travel.

Being of the generation that was too young to have watched the Bionic Woman, I was just getting into SF when Mann & Machine came around.. *Wow* what a great show. Until Mann & Machine, the only android character on TV that I was accustomed to was Data from Star Trek and even then as young teen, I was absolutely fascinated by his journey to and among humanity. Mann and Machine neatly addressed my android fascination by following Eve in her learning of humanity, and to me this was by far the most interesting part of the series. Today's equivalent (albeit in a different setting) might be Kyle XY. I think that the cop show genre worked well, as did added that addicting little "will they or won't they" that seems to be present in so many cop series that have male and female partners.

Since Mann & Machine, technology has made huge advances (check out the Actroid Robot on YouTube), and Sci Fi is becoming more mainstream. I think that this concept still has a lot of potential and hope that someone out there decides to give this idea another go, it could do really well.

Another one of the Canadian productions that just don't seem to get enough press or recognition.

Featuring gorgeous coastal scenery and a character-driven story, this set-in BC film has a investigative storyline that develops around skeletons in the closet of a small coastal community. The actors (some of whom will be familiar to TV viewers) really bring the characters of the community to life in a realistic, not-over-the-top way. The storyline is not quite linear in time, but viewers will find it very easy to follow. The non-linear presentation also enables a conclusion that is not as predictable as it may first seem.

Fans of North of 60, and Beachcombers are shoe-in viewers for this film, and all other are highly encouraged to give it a go.