Jordan Adler

Jordan Adler is a film buff who consumes so much popcorn, he expects that a coroner's report will one day confirm that butter runs through his veins. A recent graduate of Carleton's School of Journalism, where he also majored in film studies, Jordan's writing has been featured in Tribute Magazine, the Canadian Jewish News, Marketing Magazine, Toronto Film Scene, ANDPOP and SamaritanMag.com. He is also working on a feature-length screenplay.

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99 Homes Review

For more than a century, great artists, novelists and filmmakers have examined the question, What is the American Dream? Their stories of men and women rising from rags to riches, in means dignified and corrupt, have electrified audiences. The latest masterwork to explore that dream state (or the lack thereof) is Ramin Bahrani’s 99 Homes, a masterfully acted and searing look at a fractious time of modern American history: the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis, which left both rich and poor out of their homes.

Pawn Sacrifice Review

Pawn Sacrifice is a stunningly acted and quite accurate drama about a real-life person, improved by screenwriter Stephen Knight’s decision to focus on one central event in Fischer’s life, rather than do an all-encompassing, Gandhi-like biopic.

Escobar: Paradise Lost Review

The debut from Italian actor Andrea Di Stefano is an exciting cat-and-mouse thriller between a monstrous villain and his niece’s aloof, Canadian husband, who gets caught up in the whirlwind of Colombian corruption.

Big Game Review

Big Game may be the most unlikely film to earn a premiere berth at the Toronto International Film Festival. Fortunately, its inclusion – as part of the Midnight Madness programme – is not a total waste. The sophomore feature from Rare Exports director Jalmari Helander is just not your typical film festival fare.

Infinitely Polar Bear Review

Maya Forbes’ big-screen memoir, Infinitely Polar Bear, is a movie about family that is also sweet enough to be a family film. Dedicated to the writer/director’s parents, it is one of the more accessible titles available that deals with manic depression and mental illness. However, that should not be a slight against it.

Eden improves as it approaches its melancholy final third, as the story of a musical scene refines its focus into one of personal reflection. What begins as a scenic and sometimes dull biography transforms into an ultimately poignant trip.

“No one wants to be where they are,” Brian tells Allison, referring to the oasis where Aloha is set. “They all want to live in a fantasy.” Well, it seems that many of the characters are all quite content on Crowe’s sunny island, a place where people can change depending on the mystical Hawaiian spirits tampering with the atmosphere and where love can cause people to do some foolishly impulsive actions. It was inevitable that a filmmaker of such positive energy would find his way to such a sunny locale. Nevertheless, it’s a shame the outcome is such a pale shadow of the wise, witty stories the director is used to telling.

The Secret Life Of Marilyn Monroe Review

The Secret Life of Marilyn Monroe is more successful as a biography of its subject than an exploration of that painful interior life. Garner does what she can to unpeel the layers behind one of popular culture’s most fascinating women. It’s a shame the mini-series is more infatuated with the legend of Marilyn than the life of Norma Jeane.

Survivor Review

Survivor closes with disingenuous pre-credits text, explaining that law enforcement and other agencies have foiled 53 attacks on New York City since 9/11. The solemn statement clashes against the crazy, cliché-ridden action flick that precedes it. Meanwhile, the text is even more egregious considering how the only reason the protagonist from the film can continue on her journey to stop terrorists is due to the ineptitude of these same authorities.

Box Office Report: Tomorrowland Tops Mild Memorial Day Weekend

Despite no strong opener over the holiday weekend, making this the lowest-grossing holiday weekend since 2001, moviegoers still came out to see a variety of thrilling films, five of which still earned more than $20 million over the three days.