Claude Prefontaine Movies
- 1997
Aimed for both children and adults, this slapstick crime comedy chronicles the further adventures of Augustin Marleau, the protagonist from the 1991 film The Killer Played Trombone. As in the first film, aspiring actor Marleau (Germain Houde) is still a luckless loser. While performing in a television commercial, the psychotic and wheel-chair bound Elkin (Marc Labreche) shows up and tries to shoot him. Soon afterward Marleau's old nemesis Inspector Grasselli (Raymond Bouchard) shows up to arrest Marleau for the kidnapping of some wealthy captains of industry. Grasselli doesn't have a shred of evidence linking Marleau to the crimes, but that doesn't stop him from his obsession with incarcerating Marleau. Then there is Elkin's gang, several black-clad women who stalk and torment Marleau at every turn. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
Adapted by Brian Moore from his own novel, The Black Robe is a sprawling recreation of a turbelent period in Canadian history. In 1634, Jesuit missionary Father Laforgue (Lothair Bluteau) arrives in the New World, hoping to convert the Huron Indian tribe to Catholicism-and, incidentally, to expedite the French colonization of Quebec. Laforgue is regarded with a combination of warmth and wariness by the natives, who refer to Laforgue and his fellow priests as "black robes". Offering his services as both guide and friend is Algonquin chief Chomina (August Schellenberg). The by-the-book Laforgue does little to endear himself to the Indians-one of whom, a holy man, labels the priest as a demon who will bring nothing but death and destruction. The one who suffers most is Chomina, the man who most desires peaceful coexistence. In an ironic coda, we learn that the "black robes" have set into motion the fall of the Hurons, simply by imposing their Christian values upon them. Black Robe has been compared to Dances with Wolves, but the films do not share the same philosophy: while the idealistic hero of Wolves strives to understand and appreciate his new Indian comrades, the pious protagonist of Black Robe has only conversion in mind. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lothaire Bluteau, Aden Young, (more)
Michael (Patrick Dempsey) is a college student invited to spend Christmas vacation in Quebec City with his sweetheart Gabby (Jennifer Connelly) and her family. The wide-eyed Michael sees the city as a fairytale land with the splendid architecture gently dusted by the falling snow. When Michael arrives, Gabby tells him she is breaking up with him, and separate sleeping arrangements are made, and Gabby's mother (Florinda Bolkan) makes sure the visitor adheres to Gabby's wishes. Gabby's eccentric father (Andre Gregory) is an idealistic scholar who likes to work in the nude. Michael isn't lonely for long, as Gabby's two younger sisters show amorous interest in him. Lila Kedrova gives an excellent performance as the slightly daffy grandmother who believes Michael is her late husband. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Patrick Dempsey, Florinda Bolkan, (more)
- 1985
Shot in war-ravaged Beirut and Lebanon, this slightly uneven, but still very engaging and visually evocative, film is about a hardened young teen Samar (Hala Bassam) and her adjustments to life and love in a blighted city. Samar has toughened her response to death and bullets and missiles because that is all she has ever known, unlike her older friends who constantly long for life as they once knew it -- peaceful, and with promise for the future. In her constant wanderings among the rubble of the city, Samar's coolness toward war is an obvious defense against despair. In contrast to her reaction, is the reaction of the artist Karim (Jacques Weber) whose own anguish is expressed on his canvases. Samar starts to fall for the handsome Karim -- and he appreciates her inner strength -- but given their situation and viewpoints, a relationship seems just about impossible.
~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jacques Weber, Juliet Berto, (more)
- 1968
Valerie (Danielle Ouimet) leaves behind her life at a convent for the wild side of life. Getting a job as a topless dancer, Valerie quickly graduates to becoming a high-class hooker. After amassing a small fortune, she falls in love with an artist, a man who is more-than-willing to overlook Valerie's sordid past. Valerie appeared out of competition at the Cannes Film Festival in 1969. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Daniele Ouimet, Guy Godin, (more)
