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ENTERTAIN ENT Hey John, what about the Canucks? Recently, while shopping in town, | was approached by a young woman who reads The Citizen every week, At the Flicks in particular. She asked me why | never review Canadian films, and, that perhaps in the future perhaps | could do a full article on our coun- try's best movies. In honesty finding a really good Canadian film is never easy; our film industry is still largely con trolled by the National Film Board, Telefilm Canada, and the CBC. Slowly smaller, independent studios and production companies are beginning 10 pump much nood ed new blood into the sagging Canadian movie industry, but still there is mich 10 do. However there are some very fine Canadian movies on the video market, a well as on the big screen. This article is a look at some of the very best moments in Canadian cinema. Be warned, | am not a particular champion of our movie industry, | think we are years behind the Amencans and many European countnes. It's not that we necessarily make bad films, it just seems that they are never seen in this country. How can we establish an identity in the movie industry without a following of Canadians? Seriously, how many Canadian films have you seen thas year? Until the government takes its hands out of the industry, we will never have cast populated by American actors.No matter, Richler, who nabbed an Oscar nomination for best actor, and the spooky horror film The Changeling (1980), grab- bing strong reviews. George C. "The ct mae im of 190 was Threshold listic film That same actor, Bluteau is cur- rently on view in Black Robe a about a heart a nicely acted by Donald Sutherland. Ironically, his son Keifer would Scott was superb as the owner of a make his debut that same year in home h d by the, The Bay Boy, ghost of a child, mur oming a bigger The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz (1974) was one of the very best movies of 1974, ranking nght up there with Chinatown and The Godfather Part Il. Richard Dreyfuss gave a sterling perfor mance as Duddy , the hero of Mordeca: Richler's grest novel dealing with an gnscrupuious Jewish teenager in the Montreal! ghenio. Dwecior Ted KoschefT dad a magnificent job creating the essence of Richler's novel, with a Christmas -- the perfect time for people to give blood for the first time Bobbwe Drew had no problem $iving Blood Al the last blood donor clink held in Port Perry, organiser Don Bower of the Masonic Lodge Fidelity Lodge 428, challenged ol manicipal politicians 0 give the gift of life. Mayoralty candida Clone Malcolm and acclaimed Durham Board of Education trustee Bobbie Drew there isn't any time better than now. The holiday season is 8 tame when regular donor get caught wp in the haste and bustle and forget 0 give blood, thus causing mayor blood shorages Christmas is alo 8 good ame 0 dood because of that wpecial Tecling donors get when they give the gift of bie. i's the win mate ph, and you can't help bat fool 0 enselfishly First-timers feel especially good e Shout She CAP Durham Board of Eduestion Mel) need help rence wae | paindl | felt just fine ™ "11 wustes Bobbie Drew compares This holiday | | hemeon find t =» She encour sper others 10 summon up their nd become firm timer "880 ason © be wor fied wall Everyone is m0 mice and dered years before 1983 was a banner year for owr country's films, and our actors. Finally the filmmakers began casting Canadians in roles larger than extras, with some thrilling results. Robin Phillips, the great sage director, gave us his frst film, The Wars, based on Tunothy Findiey's brilliant novel Actor Brent Carver was startling #5 3 youth fighting the Germans in the trenches on World War | Ofien 3 muted film, it has 3 subtle power thal manages to be con veyed best during the battle wenes The Terry Fox Story (1981) The Grey Fox (1983), and Threshold (1983) were bonafide hits, perhaps the first tine in many years thal ow industry was stand. ing on its own. The Terry For tar than his Since 1983, the successes have been few and far between, Anne of reen Gables 1985) was a bnil film adaptation of the Montgomery books, obvi- ously made with love and tender ness. Megan Follows, Colleen Dewhurst, and Richard Farnsworth seemed 0 walk from the pages of the books onto the screen, inhabiting their roles w perfection. Follows and Dewhurst, worked again in Termin Station (1999) a graty film about & troubled young girl trying © care for her mentally unbalanced drunken mother. Dewhurst was astonishing in the film, matched every step of the way by young Follows, wming the Anne Shirley stereotype upmde down Denys Arcand, a dirocior from Montreal enjoyed great seccess with his film The Decline of the American Empire, which | thought wis dreadful, but | loved his sex Swory wat a i ik of the Bie of one of Canada's tree heroes, featuring 8 solid perfor mance from Bec Fryer 0 the tthe role. Robert Duvall made an in the film, ng with credibility. The Grey For may be the most exquisite Canadian movie ever made, beso ufel 10 look stand lovingly acted by Richard Fameworth and Jackie Burroughs. It's the true sory of Bill Miner, the last of the gros ond acclaimed feature, Jesus of Montreal. A stunning film about a young acior portraying Christ, who soos his own life have many of the same parallels, Jesus of Montreal was the finest Canadian movie of the your, one of the best of the year period. Lothaire Bluteas gave a sizzling perfor mance as the lormented young ator consumed with the role of Christ, obsessed 10 the point of reliving the life of the Nazarene Bold filmmaking film di d by Bruce Beresford, about missionaries try- ing A iaing vaigion yo di tidish Northern Canada. Set in 6 400078, I i8 8 vigutly Sunn film, majestically acted by all pede npr Ap ue' pid the best films of the year. What is truly exciting about Black Robe are the rave reviews the film has been getting in the United States. There are rumors flying about over best picture consideration. Finally, the most exciting new Canadian director is Atom Egoyan, who made a terrific movie this year called The with Wolves was ignored for his performance in Clearcut, and pro- ducer Robert Lantos launched isto tirade on TV shout Air Canada's lack of support for the industry; all this on the Gente Awards!!! The what??? The Genie Awards, for excellence in Canadian film?7!! You know, sure... you do. It's given every year, just like the Oscars. 50 well me who won this your? You don't know??? Not ser prising, since most of the films nominated have not boen released, or were in limited release for a woek. That's why our movies are in the stale they wo in, ofien we don't know they exist By the way, Black Robe got best picture. It's now only a bril lant Canadian movie, it's among he best released in North America his your, You see, we have the potential 0 make pros films, but until ow films are piven fair play, allowed 10 build an sadience, we will never have an industry we can be proud of Dinner & AT CREYSTONS 5:00 PM Seating for Dinner Only 8:00 PM Seating for RESERVATIONS REQUIRED to DJ 3 Open Christmas Day at 3:00 PM Reservations Please Cn 3120 SHIRLEY ROAD 985-1598 3 You're the Star ... Laserfaracke" iE Every Saturday Nght - Sing song with your Favourke Music