Mel's Cite du Cinema (Canada): 12

The American fantasy comedy film, Mirror Mirror (2012), is based on the classic fairy tale Snow White by the Brothers Grimm. The story opens with narration from Clementianna, a beautiful but wicked enchantress who married the widower king. However, the king never returned after leaving to fight an invading evil, and Clementianna becomes queen in his absence. She rules the land while keeping her stepdaughter, Princess Snow White, confined to the palace. Ten years later, Snow White is now a young woman determined to explore her kingdom. She sneaks out of the palace and meets Prince Andrew Alcott of Valencia in ...

Immortals (2011) is an American fantasy action film directed by Tarsem Singh. When the Twelve Olympians confined the treacherous Titans beneath Mount Tartarus, they also lost possession of the Epirus Bow. In 1228 BC, Hyperion, an oppressive ruler, seeks out the bow in order to unleash the Titans from their prison. His plan involves abducting Phaedra, a young oracle gifted with prophetic dreams and visions. Theseus, a skilled warrior trained by the wise Old Man, has been chosen by the gods for a special purpose. Along with his mother Aethra, who is shunned due to her illegitimate son, Theseus faces the wrath of Hyperion ...

The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor (2008), an American action adventure fantasy film directed by Rob Cohen, is a story about a warlord who becomes the Dragon Emperor and unites China’s kingdoms to form an empire. The warlord then leads a civil war to establish the Qin dynasty and burns books and scrolls in the process. He also orders the construction of the Great Wall of China and buries his enemies’ remains underneath it. In addition, he discovers how to control fire, water, earth, wood, and metal using traditional Chinese elements known as Wuxing. However, fearing that his death will undo all he has ...

Get Smart (2008) is an American spy action comedy film directed by Peter Segal, with a screenplay by Tom J. Astle and Matt Ember. It was produced by Leonard B. Stern, who also produced the original television series. The story follows Maxwell ‘Max’ Smart, an analyst for CONTROL – a top secret American intelligence agency. Despite his desire to become a field agent, Max is kept behind a desk due to his Chief’s appreciation for his analytical skills. ...

300 (2006), an American epic historical war action film, is based on the 1998 comic book series of the same name by Frank Miller and Lynn Varley. Set in 480 B.C., it tells the story of Leonidas I, from his childhood to kingship, according to Spartan doctrine. The plot begins when a Persian herald arrives at Sparta, demanding ‘earth and water’ as a token of submission to King Xerxes. After being insulted by the herald, Queen Gorgo urges Leonidas to submit. However, he instead throws them both into a bottomless pit. Next, Leonidas visits the Ephors and presents ...

The film Secret Window (2004) is a psychological thriller featuring Johnny Depp and John Turturro. Written and directed by David Koepp, it is based on Stephen King’s novella Secret Window, Secret Garden. After finding his wife Amy in an affair with their friend Ted, mystery writer Mort Rainey seeks solace in his cabin at Tashmore Lake, while Amy remains in their home. Although they have been separated for six months, Mort has yet to finalize their divorce due ...

The American disaster movie, The Day After Tomorrow (2004), was co-created and directed by Roland Emmerich. Inspired by the 1999 book The Coming Global Superstorm by Art Bell and Whitley Strieber, the film follows Jack Hall, an American paleoclimatologist. Together with his colleagues Frank and Jason, they are conducting ice-core sampling in the Larsen Ice Shelf for NOAA. During their research, the ice shelf breaks off into the ocean. At a UN conference in New Delhi, Jack presents his findings on how climate change ...

The Aviator (2004), a biographical drama directed by Martin Scorsese and written by John Logan, tells the story of young Howard Hughes. In 1913, his mother teaches him to spell ‘quarantine’ while giving him a bath in Houston, warning about a cholera outbreak. Fourteen years later, he begins directing Hell’s Angels and hires Noah Dietrich to manage his business affairs. However, after seeing the success of The Jazz Singer, Hughes becomes determined to make his film as realistic as possible and converts it to a talking movie. While the film is ...

Beyond Borders (2003) is an American romantic-drama film directed by Martin Campbell, following the story of aid workers. During a fund-raising gala, Sarah Jordan, a married American socialite residing in England, witnesses an impassioned speech given by Dr. Nick Callahan – a rebel humanitarian. His plea for the impoverished children under his care has a profound impact on Sarah’s life. She becomes captivated by Nick and his cause, leading her to leave her job at an art gallery and comfortable life in England to assist him at the refugee camps. Her journey takes her to Ethiopia, where she arrives with ...

The American biographical spy film, Confessions of a Dangerous Mind (2002), follows the fictional life of Chuck Barris, who aspired to be a famous television personality. Initially rejected by the women he desires, he moves from Manhattan to become an NBC page, but is ultimately let go. He then becomes Dick Clark’s personal assistant on American Bandstand in 1961, where he writes the hit song ‘Palisades Park’ and becomes involved with Penny Pacino. Eventually, Chuck pitches his idea for The Dating Game at ABC and receives $7,500 to create a pilot. However, ABC ultimately chooses to produce Hootenanny instead. After being ousted from a bar for ...

The Sum of All Fears (2002) is a gripping American spy thriller helmed by Phil Alden Robinson. Based on Tom Clancy’s novel of the same name, the film follows a complex plot involving a lost nuclear bomb and international political tensions. It all begins with an Israeli warplane being shot down during the Yom Kippur War in 1973. Decades later, a Syrian scrap collector comes across the unexploded bomb buried in the Golan Heights. He sells it to a South African arms trafficker, who recognizes its significance and passes it on to neo-nazi group leader Richard Dressler. ...

Directed by Renny Harlin, Driven (2001) is an American action sports film that follows the story of rookie sensation Jimmy Bly during the 2000 Champ Car Season. With five wins already under his belt, Jimmy’s success has sparked jealousy from reigning champion Beau Brandenburg, who blames his fiancée Sophia for distracting him from his driving. As a result, Beau ends their engagement and regains his winning streak in Chicago. Meanwhile, Jimmy’s team owner Carl Henry worries about his performance on the track and turns to retired Champ Car champion Joe Tanto for guidance and mentorship. Joe agrees to help and ...