Mike Goes To Movies

TIFF: Honey Boy (2019) Yes, yes, I know TIFF has long come and gone but I still have one more review to espouse upon the masses. Honey Boy, written by and starring Shia LaBeouf, is his very personal story of his life growing up in the limelight with his father, James Lort. The film is powerfully moving, at times disturbing and also enlightening into the early life of this troubled actor and his later life attempting to coming to terms with and moving forward into a less-destructive way of life. It is a true testament to the talent of LaBeouf, both in his acting and writing, as well as that of Noah Jupe and Lucas Hedges (who play versions of LaBeouf at different points in his life) as well as Alma Ha'rel who makes her feature directorial debut here. As most of us know, throughout the past number of years Shia LaBeouf has been at the forefront of many tabloid-esque stories, often showcasing eccentric and/or anti-social displays and run-ins with various individuals. Though none ...

The Peanut Butter Falcon (2019) I'm just going to jump ahead and say it - I was a tad underwhelmed by The Peanut Butter Falcon. No, it is not a bad movie by any sense, however, I guess I personally fell into the trap of modern review-hype and went into this one with overly high expectations. As many reviews have put it - this is the epitome of a feel good movie and that is the main takeaway I had upon leaving the theatre: I did 'feel good' but really not altogether that much else. Even the story behind the film has a 'feel good' quality to it and could possibly provide the basis for its own film. A few years back, director/writer duo, Tyler Nilson and Michael Schwartz, were at a camp for disabled actors and there they met Zack Gottsagen, a young male with Down Syndrome, who expressed interest in making a film with them. Following a proof-of-concept short, the filmmakers received funding to make The Peanut Butter Falcon. The story - a mix of the Huckleberry Fin...