World War Z

World War Z is an apocalyptic adventure movie that features Gerry (Brad Pitt), a United Nations investigator racing against time, and around the world, attempting to save human life from a zombie epidemic. Lane really racks up those air miles.

With a mix of strong acting, a strong visual appeal and an interesting story instead of just CGI and effects, World War Z is a treat to watch. Hardly a groundbreaking film, it is a new take on that old story of the overachieving everyday guy facing horror and desperation, doing whatever he can to survive. It is a well made action picture hinging on Pitt’s solid, charismatic performance.

A joy for the zombie fan, whether you are a lover of the runners from 28 Days Later or the slow walkers of George Romero or The Walking Dead. Unlike TWD though, this movie managed to be frightening while showing little gore. It is a smart and well crafted and a thrilling film.

World War Z is a based on the novel by Max Brooks. While adapted from the novel, the film is only loosely based on the series of interviews of which the book is made up. Brooks, son of Mel, also wrote the Zombie Survival Guide and was a staff writer on Saturday Night Live.

The only issue I have with the movie was the reliance on email by the various government and military bodies. If the zombie scare was so urgent, why didn't anyone just pick up the phone?! Cell phone out of range? No quarters for the payphone? We still have land-lines, and from the plot, satellite telephones are readily available.

This film is intense. You feel the panic and tension, especially as the film first unfolds. The director, Marc Forster, nurtures the tension for almost the entire run of the film.

World War Z was originally intended as a trilogy. Those plans were quashed when rewrites and reshooting were required. The film was set to open in December 2012 but was pushed back six months. There is talk now of at least one more sequel. What with the great opening weekend results ($66 million), WWZ's start makes it the most successful debut for an action film since Avatar. What would the sequel be called anyway? World War Y? Armistice Day of the Dead?

And it is probably one of the best big budget films year to date. I will leave you with one last suggestion before I end my review of World War Z. When flying, always sit in first class.

World War Z

Les Enfants Terribles- Restaurant Review

Les Enfants Terribles is a finely and stylishly decorated restaurant  in the Outremont district of Montreal. The name of the restaurant translates to Mischievous Children - the book of the same name was translated to The Holy Terrors.
Open since 2008, this Bernard Street eatery sports a busy and noisy atmosphere, with a brunch, lunch and dinner menu.

Mini chorizo pogo

This busy restaurant suffers from poor acoustics, creating a terribly noisy atmosphere to the point we were unable to hear conversations at our own table. The noise pollution takes away from the ambiance of an otherwise pleasant setting.

Overall, the food was very good quality, in both presentation and taste. Large portions and a lengthy wine list would satisfy most foodies. The bilingual and courteous servers provided their suggestions and provided very good prompt service.

Lamb Burger

The drink orders took a very long time to arrive. Very long time. Each and every time we ordered. This was likely due to under-staffing at the bar, only one person was on duty. The food however, arrived promptly.
I ordered the Lamb Burger. The tendency for lamb burgers is to be dry, in this case, Les Enfants Terribles served a burger of the perfect consistency, juicy and tasty, topped with goat cheese, tomatoes, onions and arugula.

The two ladies at the table shared the small Mac and Cheese dish and ordered a salad each. The Macaroni was rich and filling and the small portion with a side salad is perfect meal. My appetizer, the mini chorizo was tasty and as well presented as it could be considering it was called pogo. Calling it a pogo takes away from the otherwise classy presentation. To sum it all up, the food and service above average and if you plan to go, make a reservation to assure prompt seating.

Carnage - Film Review

Carnage, a film by Roman Polanski, is an adaptation of Yasmina Reza’s award-winning play God of Carnage. Funny and at times uncomfortably funny, at 79 minutes the film moves along quickly. The not quite real-time film shows the interaction between two couples whose sons were involved in a fight.

The movie is set entirely in the apartment of one couple, played by Jodie Foster and John C Reilly, as they host the aggressor's parents (Kate Winslet, Christoph Waltz). The wonderful cast captures the initial awkward forced politeness and later the conversation's escalation to verbal sparring.
Coffee, crumble and alcohol is used to smooth over the cracked relationship, but backfires as inhibitions drop, and builds some unexpected connections as the couples' sparring turns to politics, gender, middle class ethics and parental responsibility.

Sometimes claustrophobic, Carnage exposes the flaws of our communication first contemporary society where our message is often mislaid in an attempt to deliver the way we expect the receiver wishes to receive it. The film is well acted, if not a little over the top on Foster's part. The conflicts are ferocious as they expose the unpleasant truths buried not so far below the surface. Carnage is a dramatic film that is laugh out loud funny.

Carnage, stars Jodie Foster, John C. Reilly, Kate Winslet, Christoph Waltz

Real Steel Review

Evangeline Lilly

Real Steel is a near gritty action film that brags a script which is fun, corny and exciting all at once. The movie is a mix between Big Daddy and Rocky - from the father and son reunion to the underdog fighter rising through the ranks. Futuristic robots or not, Real Steel features some of the most realistic fight scenes in any boxing movie to date. (Let's exclude The Fighter, and Million Dollar Baby). The motion captured fighting scenes are impressive and so immersing to the point where I was ready to get back into the ring myself.
Jackman plays a former and washed up boxer who makes a living pitting his robot against other robots in a sport that has replaced boxing and MMA.

Product placement galore, the movie will have an appeal to any video game junkie or fan of  boxing. Based on the short story Steel, by Rchard Matheson (I Am Legend) Real Steel is not just a great boxing movie, this is a truly enjoyable film. The story was first put to film in 1963 as a Twilight Zone episode, starring none other than Lee Marvin. A side love story between Hugh Jackman and the beautiful Evangeline Lilly, and the growing bond between father and son adds enough drama to make this film enjoyable to all audiences.  Scroll down for the trailer.

Real Steel

The Works Restaurant

Tower of Rings

I cheated. I think the relationship is over. I guess you can call me a two-timer. After spending the day away from home, the big juicy burgers of The Works were calling to me. Yes, I cheated on Cheeburger Cheeburger. But being away from Montreal what was I to do? I was in Ottawa for the day and the tempting juicy burgers at The Works broke my resolve.

The Works

At The Works you have your choice of burgers. Made with beef or turkey, chicken breast, veggie or mushroom and even elk, all come in an assortment of pre-packaged combinations such as the Beverly Hills Lawsuit - fried egg, leaf spinach, havarti cheese, or the Field of Dreams - grilled wild mushrooms and gouda cheese. Or maybe you like a burger topped with macaroni and cheese? So try the San Francisco Treat. I had the Stephane's Ticket which is topped with mayo, swiss cheese, roasted red peppers and bacon. Standard burgers are available - if you just want to try a great burger with the basics- ketchup and mustard try the Ho Hum or Plain Jane.

Throw in a shake, The Works serves 36 kinds from Vanilla to Oreo Cookie, and pina colada. The shakes are thick and delicious. All drinks are served in measuring cups, 16 ounce or 32 ounce sizes. And don't forget your choice of the Tower of Onion Rings, Factory Fries, Sweet Potato, lumpy mashed potatoes or spicy cole slaw.
The Works just might be Ontario's best kept secret. Started in Ottawa in 2001, The Works now boasts seven locations in the greater Ottawa area, as well as locations in Kingston, London, Oakville and Guelph. My visit to The Works was at their Kanata location. The Works also features a kids' menu. A good review for The Works restaurant and their big juicy burgers.

Kids' Menu?

Vanilla Shake

Cheeburger Cheeburger Now in Montreal!!

That's right, Cheeburger Cheeburger is now in Montreal!! Opening at the beginning of August 2011 at 1444 Metcalfe in downtown Montreal, Cheeburger Cheeburger features an full menu of awesome build your own burgers, mix your own Shakes, amazing french fries and crazy good onion rings. Oh, and a really cute waitress. I really cannot do the restaurant proper justice, so go to We Work For Cheese for the review. 


Cheeburger Cheeburger's Famous Pounder is 20 ounces of juicy burger. If you have a smaller appetite, they feature burgers of every size, all the way down to the Classic 5.5 ouncer. Once your set on size, choose your cheese, be it Blue, American, Cheddar or five other choices. This place is all about selections. Choose from an additional 32 toppings that are included in the price of your burger. Or add some Specialty toppings of onion, mushrooms, or bacon.


Aside from beef, you can also get a veggie, chicken or portobello burger with all the fixins. And if that isn't enough, 60 ingredients are there to build your very own milkshake. My mouth is watering. And if that isn't enough to convince you, go read the review.

Cheeburger Cheeburger for Cheeseburgers

Last Night - Film Review

It's not the end of the world... there's still six hours left. So goes the tag line for the film Last Night.

Last Night, released in 1998, is a drama laced with dark humour. Intersecting plots follow a number of characters' final hours before the end of the world. The movie stars a who's who of Canadian film, Sandra Oh, Sarah Polley, Callum Keth Rennie and director, and sometimes actor David Cronenberg. Don Mckellar wrote, directed and stars in the film. What would you do if the world were coming to an end?

Before going off to meet his wife (Oh) for their final meal together, Cronenberg's character Duncan spends much of his last few hours calling his customers, assuring them that service will be maintained to the very end. Jennifer (Polly) plans to attend a world ending party while Craig (Rennie), tries to have sex with as many women as possible. A few roaming gangs is not enough to change the strange calmness that makes up the tone of the film.

Never having been a fan of Mckellar the actor, as writer and first time director, his cynical fresh approach to a subject that is usually expressed via the action film, rises above the trendiness that was the Y2K fear. Mckellar's film initially unfolds as a philosophical approach to the world's end and evolves into a romantic fantasy. Last Night was awarded prizes at the Cannes Film Festival, Toronto International Film Festival as well as three Genie Awards.

Last Night

A Kingdom Besieged - Feist Novel Released

Raymond E. Feist's long awaited follow-up novel A Kingdom Besieged has finally hit the bookshelves in the U.K. and will hit the stores in North America April 12th. Feist's 29th novel follows At the Gates of Darkness, a book considered a major disappointment by many readers. A Kingdom Besieged launches the final story arc, the Chaoswar Saga, and is the first of the final three novels in the Midkemian universe. This release comes almost 30 years after the publication of the first novel Magician: Apprentice. Stay tuned to this very space for a personal review. I will have my hands on the novel tomorrow morning.

A Kingdom Besieged

The Hangover Part 2 Trailer

You know that they have to top the craziness from the first movie. Watch the trailer for your preview of The Hangover Part 2. The Wofpack is back. Scheduled for a late May release in Canada, the U.S. and the U.K. Look! A Monkey!

The Hangover Part 2

Most Anticipated Movies of 2011

See my 2013 list here: http://www.stubbornfool.com/2013/01/new-movies-2013.html
See my new 2012 list here:  www.stubbornfool.com/2012/01/new-movies-2012.html

Ever since Tron hit the theatres, and with the ongoing delays to Red Dawn's release, I had to focus on the other films coming up in 2011. After a little bit of thought, very little thought come to think of it, I compiled a list of movies that I think will be big important film releases in 2011. Important for me. Important in that I want to see them. How did I come up with these titles? What were my criteria? Glad you asked. For each one I asked myself, out loud, do I want to see it in the theatre or do I wait until it's on one of my movie channels. The list of films below are those I am willing to pay at least $8 (but probably $10) to see in the theatre. as the way things go in Hollywood these days, most of the films below are not original scripts but sequels and remakes. 

The Hangover Part II - I watched the original this week. The first time I saw it, I didn't enjoy it as much as I should have. I listened the hype. With the second and third viewings of the film it just got funnier. In the sequel the boys travel to Bangkok for Stu's wedding. I noticed that Heather Graham is not reprising her role. As much as I like Graham, it would have been too easy a plot. Best line from the original? "I didn't know they gave out rings at the Holocaust." (May 2011).


Paul - I wrote about this a few days back. The third film starring Nick Frost and Simon Pegg and it's not a sequel. They first worked together on the brilliant Shaun of the Dead and again on Hot Fuzz. More funny comedy. (March 2011)

Scream 4 - The Scream franchise launched a sub genre of spoof horror films. The third was to be the last but I have no issues with another sequel. I like Courtenay Cox. Too bad Dirt went off the air. Also reprising their roles are David Arquette and Neve Campbell. (April 2011).


Cowboys & Aliens - The only three things you need to know about this movie, 1 - extra-terrestrials arrive in a spaceship in the old west of Arizona 1873 to take over the Earth, b - it stars Harrison Ford, 7 - it stars Daniel Craig. Just in case you need more, it's directed by John Favreau and it's based on a comic book. (July 2011).


Hall Pass - The one thing you need to know about this film is that it's by the Farrelly Brothers. Christina Applegate, Jenna Fischer, Owen Wilson, Alyssa Milano. (February 2011).


Unknown - I haven't hear much about this one except that it stars Liam Neeson, one of my favourite actors. It's a thriller where a man awakens from a coma, only to discover that someone has taken on his identity and that no one, not even his wife, believes him. (February 2011).

Tintin & Snowy (Milou)

The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn - This was supposed to be live action but in the end to stay true to Hergé's vision it is animated. Simon Pegg, Daniel Craig and Jamie Bell as Tintin. There is no indication of who stars as the unicorn. (December 2011).


The Adjustment Bureau - an adaptation of the Philip K Dick short story. Maybe you haven't read his stories but you have seen the films (Blade Runner, Total Recall, Minority Report). (March 2011).


Conan the Barbarian - Having been a fan of the Robert E Howard stories I have been looking forward to this one. And not since the 1982 Arnie and James Earl Jones film have we seen a proper adaptation. Not that the '82 film stuck to the original story but it was fun. (August 2011).

The most sensational, inspirational

The Muppets - An all-star cast and written by Jason Segal. It's the Muppets!!! (November 2011).


Red Dawn - I been blogging for a year and I have been writing about this movie for a year. Nuff said. (? 2011).


A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas - If I have to tell you anything about this movie, it ain't for you. (November 2011).

Zombieland 2 - The number one rule is good cardio. No official word if the entire cast will be back. Or if any of the cast will be back. Only freaking rumours. (postponed until 2013).


Super Troopers 2 - The first ST movie is one of the funniest movies ever. The guys from Broken Lizard are back. I am hoping Brian Cox reprises his role. Original plot ideas had this set up as a prequel, but it in fact picks up months after the last film left off. (Postponed to 2012).

One reason I liked Zombieland

300: Battle of Artemisia - Prequel to Frank Miller's 300. The first one was great so the second has to be great also. Right? Right? Anyone? (postponed to 2013).


The Raven - Having read everything ever written by Edgar Allan Poe, and a few stories about him, I was intrigued by this fictionalized account of Poe's life. Poe the person was not a happy man and was hardly the hero. In this film the poet is in pursuit of a killer whose murders mirror those of the characters in the stories. John Cusack stars. (postponed to 2012).


Battlestar Galactica - A remake of the 2004 movie? NO. It's a remake of the 70s TV show. This makes no sense whatsoever. The prequel TV series Caprica is already out there. The re-imagined TV movies and series were hugely popular and so well done. A remake of a remake that just got off the air? It turns out the re-imagining of the show wasn't enough. This is a remake of the original TV series. Make sense now? No? Didn't think so. (? 2011).


Speaking of remakes, Warriors is the retelling of the amazing 1979 film. The Baseball Furies may be back and maybe some fan fury if this movie sucks. (? 2011).


Pride and Prejudice and Zombies - The film adaptation of the Jane Austen parody novel written by Seth Grahame-Smith. More zombie fun. (postponed, now 2013).


There is very little out there about Auschwitz. Never forget. The film is set for a German screening in February but no word on a North American release. This is a must see. (2011).


Thor, Captain America: The First Avenger, X-Men: First Class, Green Lantern. Too many super hero movies. Although the 2012 Avengers looks pretty good.

Thor - Holy Crap! Another Film from the Marvel Stable

Coming to a theater near you in March 2011, from Marvel Comics comes Thor, the tale of the warrior god cast out from Asgard to serve time on Earth. It stars Nathalie Portman, Anthony Hopkins, and Chris Hemsworth as Thor. Hemsworth, you will be interested to know, stars in the (hopefully) soon to be released Red Dawn remake.

The A-Team does not disappoint

The A-Team 2010

This remake of the 80s TV series The A-Team may be an improvement over the original. After the cheesy 80s what else could you expect?

The A-Team 80s

Save for Rampage Jackson, the cast of Liam Neeson, Bradley Cooper and Sharlto Copley is a step up from the TV series. And of course there is Jessica Biel who is as beautiful as ever.

Rather then the Vietnam War set up; Iraq is where this team is framed for a crime they did not commit. The film is just short of two hours and you won’t be bored. Click here for the Trailer from the official site. 

The A-Team: The Complete Series (Limited Edition Box Set)