Canadian Film: Top 10 List

6. Le Déclin de l'empire américain (1986) - Denys Arcand
Denys Arcand is probably Canada's greatest francophone director and this is his best film. A 101 minute frank discussion on sex could become an exercise in pulling teeth for any film watcher unless the script writer (Arcand) can reveal embedded truths on the subject manner and the actors are comfortable with the frank manner of the discussions. This film accomplishes both without batting an eye.

7. Cold Comfort (1989) - Vic Sarin
Probably better known for his cinematography than his direction Vic Sarin proves he can do both with great aplomb in this psychological thriller/drama on the subject of incest. Maury Chaykin is chilling in his role as Floyd Lucas and like the whole of the movie itself, his performance haunts you for days after you put the film back in its case.

8. Last Night (1998) - Don McKellar
I can't help getting a tingle in my underwear regions whenever I see Sandra Oh, Sara Polley or Sook-Yin Lee on screen. Oh blesses this film by actor turned film director Don Mckellar in a subtle yet brilliant performance (alongside Mckellar himself) Thought provoking without becoming over dramatic and never falling into a Hollywood style blood bath/panic-fest, Last Night travels around the city of Toronto on the humanity's last night of existence. The six hour time frame of the film's plot is perfect for compacting the emotions of the main characters involved on such an occasion.

9. Treed Murray (2001) - William Phillips
For a film that spends all of its time around a large tree in Stanley Park in Toronto, it sure is entertaining. David Hewlett is at his sarcastic best in a film where a crime is committed without a) a gun being used and b) no one dies. The film blurs the stereotypical lines between criminal and victim with memorable dialogue. It also shines light under the masks people use to face the world with the outing of the wanna-be wigger being the most obvious.

10. C.R.A.Z.Y. (2005) - Jean-Marc Vallée
How can you not love this Jean-Marc Vallée film about a Quebecois family and their trials and tribulations over a 20 year period starting in the 70s. The Beaulieu family are so true to life it is remarkably hard to convince yourself you not in some time warp back to a childhood growing up in la belle province.

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The Rest: Goin' Down the Road, Shortbus, Entre la Mer et l'Eau Douce, Bon Cop Bad Cop, Water, Margaret's Museum, Kissed, Tales from the Gimli Hospital, Black Christmas, I've Heard the Mermaids Singing, Maelstrom, The Red Violin, My Life Without Me, Les Bons Debarras, Strange Brew, Mon Oncle Antoine, Léolo, Why Shoot the Teacher, The Grey Fox, Eve and the Firehorse, Jesus de Montreal, New Waterford Girl, Paperback Hero, Such a Long Journey, Congorama, Blood and Donuts, Ski School, Cube, The Corporation, Roadkill, Fubar, Rub and Tuck, La Vie Revee, Project Grizzly, The Rocket, The Rowdyman, Waydowntown, Flower & Garnet, The Changeling, Ginger Snaps, Black Robe, Atanarjuat, Habitat.

Article by:
Full Spectrum Staff

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