The Substance

The Substance

This is an expanded rewrite of the review originally published as part of our coverage of TIFF 2024 A has-been actress uses an experimental drug to become a better version of herself in The Substance. Elisabeth Sparkle (Demi Moore) is a once-popular actress who has now been reduced to hosting the aerobics program Sparkle Your…

The Substance TIFF 2024

The Substance – TIFF 2024

A has-been actress uses an experimental drug to become a better version of herself in The Substance. Elisabeth Sparkle (Demi Moore) is a once-popular actress now reduced to hosting the aerobics program Sparkle Your Life. However, Elisabeth ends up being fired, on her birthday, by her chauvinistic boss Harvey (Dennis Quaid), who begins looking for…

Legion

Legion

This film plays the classic religion-themed apocalyptic scenario by having angels rather than demons be the villains.  However the effect is pretty much the same. I thought that the film was entertaining for the most part, even though there was some cheesy acting and campy villains (and I’m sure not all of it was intentional)….

Smart People

Smart People

Smart People features Dennis Quaid as a college professor, who is trying to get over the recent death of his wife, while trying to manage a new relationship with a doctor (played by Sarah Jessica Parker). He also has to learn to get along with his family including his adopted brother (Thomas Haden Church) and…

Vantage Point

Vantage Point

Vantage Point is a sad example of a film that I personally enjoyed, while many of the other people in the theatre obviously didn’t. Based on what I overheard from my fellow movie patrons, the reason for this dislike is how the film is structured. The film centres around one incident, which is repeated in…