Canadian Crossing

2022 CFL Week 11 preview

The CFL starts out this week on a Friday, the only time before Labour Day where the week doesn't start on Thursday. After Labour Day, Friday is the start of the CFL week until the playoffs.

The CFL is focused in the East this weekend with Regina as the exception. The Elks travel to Ottawa to start a Friday Night Football doubleheader. These were 2 of the 3 teams to miss the playoffs in 2021.

The BC Lions travel to Regina for a true night game in the prairies with a local kickoff just after 8 pm.

Hamilton is in La Belle Province to face the Montréal Alouettes in a late Saturday afternoon contest. Each team is 3-6, a win behind Toronto.

The Toronto Argonauts will show that there something to do on a Saturday night in the country's largest city as the Calgary Stampeders. The CNE is back in business. The tradition has been that an Argonauts ticket also gets you into the CNE fair.

All the games are on TSN and ESPN+.

Winnipeg finally gets to enjoy a week off, hopefully with some Saskatoon berries. The Blue Bombers are nursing a rare 1-game losing streak.

TSN

Friday
Edmonton @ Ottawa, 7p
BC @ Saskatchewan, 10p
Saturday
Hamilton @ Montréal, 4p
Calgary @ Toronto, 7p

Bye week: Winnipeg

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers had won 12 straight home games at IG Field. You had to go back to September 27, 2019 with a 33-13 loss to Hamilton to find the last time the Blue Bombers lost at home. The streak had been longer than Edmonton's home losing streak.

The 9-0 streak to start the season came to an end. What a way to break a number of streaks.

Montréal kicker David Cote made his 43-yard field goal attempt in overtime. Winnipeg kicker Marc Liegghio’s 37-yard field goal try missed. Liegghio had missed a FG try late in regulation that would have ended the game in regulation.

This might be good news for Winnipeg in that they tasted defeat in an odd and close fashion and didn't get blown out. The team also needs to ask about bringing in a kicker for competition.

The West is now 16-4 against the East in 2022 in the CFL.

2022 CFL Week 10 preview

20-3. 30-17. The BC Lions were down to Calgary for much of the game. The Stampeders are usually very good at home. The Lions did not give up.

Nathan Rourke completed a 53-yard TD pass to Bryan Burnham. With the extra point, Calgary was up 33-31. Peyton Logan ran back a kickoff for 99 yards for a touchdown; the Stampeders went up 40-31. The Lions didn't give up.

Rourke went 39-for-52 for 488 passing yards compared to 209 passing yards for Bo Levi Mitchell. Rourke feels like a CFL quarterback from the high powered 1990s offences.

The point difference in the game came on a punt single aka rouge from BC punter Stefan Flintoft.

ESPN in the States did not have this game on its original schedule. A good pickup on their part.

2022 CFL Week 9 preview

Hamilton and Toronto shook their usual images last week. The Tiger-Cats were the comeback team while the Argonauts blew a lead.

Toronto running back Andrew Harris came out of the game in the first quarter with a injury. Harris was expected to be out 4-6 weeks with a torn pectoral muscle. The team announced yesterday that Harris will require surgery and will be out for the season.

That would be a huge loss for the Argos, 1½ games ahead of Hamilton and Montréal.

2022 CFL Week 8 preview

Saskatchewan and Edmonton dazzled at the end of the first half. The teams scored 20 points, 10 for each team, in the final 3 minutes of the first half. Edmonton's Taylor Cornelius added his second rushing touchdown. Saskatchewan's Mario Alford ran back a 97-yard TD return.

The Roughriders opened up the gap between them and the Elks.

2022 CFL Week 7 preview

Vancouver Canucks fans know the saga of Brian Burke trading to get to pick Henrik Sedin and Daniel Sedin. There were twin football players in the 2022 CFL Draft. Jalen Philpot went at #5 for Calgary while Tyson Philpot went at #9 for Montréal.

Thanks to the bizarre unbalanced CFL schedule, the brothers met in Week 1 in Calgary but not in Montréal. Jalen Philpot finally got some significant action last week. Tyson Philpot had 5 punt returns and 2 kickoff returns in the season opener.

They are sons of former CFL running back Cory Philpot.

2022 CFL Week 6 preview: Touchdown Atlantic comes to Wolfville, NS

Garrett Marino has served his suspensions and is eligible to return for the Saskatchewan Roughriders. You might recall the 4 games of suspension for Marino around the cheap hit and racial taunting of Ottawa QB Jeremiah Masoli.

We could launch in for a tirade about why Marino is back relatively soon. This 3 Down Nation headline says more than we could: Riders' DL would 'love to' personally apologize to Redblacks' Jeremiah Masoli but still has not done so.

That would seem an obvious event to have before Marino dresses for the Roughriders.

CanadianCrossing.com CFL coverage

For our American readers enjoying the CFL on ESPN cable channels, this is the time of year that we point out the few remaining telecasts. There are no telecasts this upcoming weekend.

As of press time, there are 4 telecasts left on the cable TV schedule.

August 26 Saskatchewan @ BC, 10:30p ESPN2
September 23 Hamilton @ Montréal, 7:30p ESPN2
September 30 Ottawa @ BC, 10:30p ESPN2
October 10 Ottawa @ Montréal, 1p ESPN2

No Labour Day weekend or revenge weekend games. The U.S. audience does get the Canadian Thanksgiving game.

The schedules are subject to change. Games won't be added but substitutions could happen.

ESPN+ is your option to watch the other games. The price did go up recently. Hopefully, you have had a subscription for awhile.

I’m excited to share some big career news!
Very much looking forward to working with the Jets, but it will also be bittersweet to say goodbye to TSN and,of course, the CFL. Happy that I will still get to work the sidelines for a bit with my final game being the Banjo Bowl! https://t.co/2uoNIXd6d9

— Sara Orlesky (@saraorlesky) August 16, 2022

There was another prominent woman who left Bell Media this week. Unlike the Lisa LaFlamme "departure", Sara Orlesky is leaving on her own accord, taking a job as a senior host and producer with the Winnipeg Jets content team.

December 5, 2021 was that milestone day for Orlesky where she covered the sidelines for the CFL West Division final and then hosted the Jets telecast with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Orlesky has been bouncing around the CFL prairies this season with Ryan Rishaug in Edmonton not being used and a lone appearance by CTV's Brit Dort in Regina. 

Orlesky does explain in her tweet that she will work the sidelines for TSN through the Banjo Bowl.

The Jets will need a new play-by-play person to replace Dennis Beyak and a new host on TSN3. Orlesky will appear on the Jets telecasts with content, a modern buzzword.

As for the CFL, Orlesky's departure leaves holes in quantity and quality. TSN and the CFL will be lesser without Orlesky.

TSN split up its teams over the weekend. Dustin Nielson and Glen Suitor with Sara Orlesky watched the Blue Bombers get their first loss. Rod Smith and Matt Dunigan with Matthew Scianitti were in Hamilton on Friday night.

Nielson then worked with Duane Forde with Orlesky in Calgary on Saturday. Smith and Suitor were on the call in Edmonton in the late game. Smith did the player interviews from the booth.

Farhan Lalji was in for Kate Beirness on Thursday. Dave Naylor was in for Dunigan on Thursday and Friday.

TSN never replaced Claire Hanna, who moved from Regina to Ottawa. Now the network has to figure out who will work in the West Division outside Vancouver.

logo credit: CFL
Twitter capture: @saraorlesky

Canadian film review: Target Number One

Target Number One — known as Most Wanted in the United States — is a Canadian film that looks Canadian and feels American. Daniel Roby wrote and directed the film based on the real-life story of Alain Olivier, a Canadian drug addict who spent 8 years in prison in Thailand in the 1980s.

The film focuses on 3 different subplots. Daniel Léger (Antoine Olivier Pilon) is a drug addict and drifter who arrives comes back in a British Columbia town. Frank Cooper (Stephen McHattie) is a federal cop in Vancouver. Victor Malarek (American actor Josh Hartnett) is a Canadian investigative journalist.

Léger gets caught up in the drug dealing of Picker (American actor Jim Gaffigan). Picker is working with Cooper to set up Léger. Malarek is investigating a Canadian arrested on drug charges in Thailand.

Léger is the unwilling pawn of the drug dealing. Since the stories are told seemingly at the same time, there is confusion when the viewer finds out that isn't true. Malarek is more of a cartoonish character as a journalist for The Globe and Mail and part-time TV personality in the late 1980s. Hollywood never really gets journalism but Malarek is the most ridiculous journalism character that your humble narrator has found in a Canadian film outside of Bram Shriver (American actor Ben Platt) in Run This Town.

For a film that is supposed to be about drugs, crime, and suspense, the first hour or so of the film is incredibly boring. Picker is the only character who seems to be having fun. If Stephen McHattie is in your film and he is bored, you have a boring film.

Canadian film review: Run This Town

CanadianCrossing.com film reviews

CanadianCrossing.com film coverage

The second half of the film delves into personal stuff for Malarek, Cooper bringing his kid in on the case, and way too much footage from a Thai prison. The flashbacks for Daniel don't serve any purpose other than to lengthen the film to 124 minutes.

The last 30 minutes or so get a lot more exciting. The film shows a rash of mistakes made by the police in setting up Léger in Thailand.

The mostly Canadian cast also includes Don McKellar, J.C. MacKenzie, and Amanda Crew. In a film that doesn't have a single female character talk to another female character, Crew has some decent screen time as Léger's girlfriend.

Roby has had some interesting Canadian films such as White Skin | La Peau blanche (2004); Funkytown (2011); Louis Cyr (2013); and Just a Breath Away | Dans la brume (2018).

Turns out Victor Malarek is a real person who did work at The Globe and Mail. Malarek later hosted The Fifth Estate on the CBC and now works for W5 on CTV. Malarek likely enjoyed Hartnett's portrayal of Malarek even if the portrayal felt over the top.

Target Number One takes an intriguing real story and tells that story at an exhausting, confusing pace.

Target Number One is available in the United States on Amazon Prime Video and in Canada on Crave.

video credit: YouTube/eOne Films Canada
photo credit: Target Number One

Lisa LaFlamme out as CTV National News anchor

I have some news... pic.twitter.com/lTe3Rs0kOA

— Lisa LaFlamme (@LisaLaFlamme_) August 15, 2022

Lisa LaFlamme, the CTV chief news anchor and senior editor since September 2011, did not have her contract renewed by the parent company Bell Media. LaFlamme, in a statement in the above video, said she was told this was a "business decision" on June 29. The time between then and yesterday was that she was asked to not talk about the decision until matters were settled.

LaFlamme cited her 35 years of news experience with Bell Media, most of that time with CTV. She started on the national level as a weekend anchor/reporter in 1997 for CTV News Network.

"At 58, I still thought I had a lot more time to tell more of the stories that impact our daily lives." LaFlamme said in the video.

We would normally not give a person's age in a story. LaFlamme mentioned she is 58. The idea of a "business decision" will likely lead to a younger and cheaper replacement at a sacrifice to the news audience at CTV. The experience in covering elections is crucial.

Bell Media was proud of LaFlamme earlier this year for winning her second straight Canadian Screen Award for Best News Anchor, National.

Omar Sachedina, CTV News national affairs correspondent who joined the network in 2009, will be the new top anchor as of September 5.

The Bell Media release language is that LaFlamme is "departing the network." Given that LaFlamme noted "I was blindsided" makes this a one-sided decision.

"Recognizing changing viewer habits, CTV recently advised LaFlamme that it had made the business decision to move its acclaimed news show, CTV National News, and the role of its Chief News Anchor in a different direction."

Who knows what that means in English.

Canadian journalism notebook: CBC News will launch a streaming channel

Canada has been rather remarkable in that the nightly news anchors have been female. Adrienne Arsenault has anchored with Andrew Chang Mondays-Thursdays on The National and will be the solo anchor in the fall. Dawna Freisen has been the Global News anchor since 2010.

I'm at a loss for words. Lisa is among the very best at what she does. I know surprisingly arbitrary decisions can be made in this business but Lisa, you deserve better than this. Way better. https://t.co/VlpseimCbk

— Ian Hanomansing (@ianhanomansing) August 15, 2022

Lloyd Robertson had been co-anchoring (1976-1984) or anchoring (1984-2011) the CTV nightly news for a very long time. He anchored The National on CBC from 1970-1976. There was a significant transition time between Robertson and LaFlamme.

Tim and Sid as well as Jay and Dan are separating

Bell Media and Rogers (owners of CityTV, which doesn't have a national newscast) have gone back and forth laying off sports personalities on TV and radio during the pandemic as "business decisions."

This decision feels worse in that news is more important than sports (sorry, sports fans) and that credibility is really important in news delivery.

Canada will join U.S. in having two nightly female anchors

CanadianCrossing.com CTV coverage

CanadianCrossing.com journalism coverage

CBC News gave Wendy Mesley a Sunday morning show before she bounced out of her journalism career. That could be a good spot for LaFlamme at CBC.

We would watch CBC over CTV in Canada yet recognising that LaFlamme was very good at her job. CBC or even Global would be smart to hire LaFlamme in some role. If CityTV wants to run a national newscast, which is doubtful, she would be a good choice.

Editor's note: Canadaland weighed on this story. Worth reading. 

Twitter captures: @LisaLaFlamme_; @ianhanomansing
photo credit: CTV News

2022 TIFF Canadian film preview

The 2022 Toronto International Film Festival does appear to be a return to normal in terms of staging and presentation.

For those in Canada outside Toronto hoping to see films online, "We will only have a small sampling of films available in Canada for at-home viewing online. The festival is happening in-person, in theaters, and that's where we want to see everyone," according to TIFF CEO Cameron Bailey.

Here is a list of full-length Canadian films, including co-productions. All descriptions of films supplied by TIFF.

Contemporary World Cinema

Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman | Saules Aveugles, Femme Endormie (Pierre Földes) In this animated adaptation of several stories by Haruki Murakami, a lost cat, a giant talking frog, and a tsunami help a bank employee, his frustrated wife, and an anxious accountant find meaning in their lives — and possibly save Tokyo from catastrophe.

Bones of Crows (Marie Clements) An epic account of the life of Cree matriarch Aline Spears that spans generations, the film is a powerful indictment of the abuse of Indigenous peoples as well as a stirring story of resilience and resistance.

Coyote (Katherine Jerkovic) Director Katherine Jerkovic’s follow-up to Roads in February is a sensitive and compelling rumination on the tricky nature of family, in which a widower’s estranged daughter suddenly reappears with a grandson he didn’t know about.

Falcon Lake (Charlotte Le Bon) Canadian actor Charlotte Le Bon's directorial debut, based on Bastien Vivès' graphic novel, is part summertime coming-of-age story and part eerie gothic.

Fixation (Mercedes Bryce Morgan) In Mercedes Bryce Morgan's stylish feature debut, Maddie Hasson (Malignant) plays a young woman committed to an unorthodox institution by a pair of enigmatic doctors (Genesis Rodriguez and Stephen McHattie).

Nightalk (Donald Shebib) In the latest feature from legendary Canadian director Donald Shebib (Goin' Down the Road), the personal and professional collide when a police officer (Ashley Bryant) goes undercover on a phone-sex app in hopes of identifying a suspect in a murder investigation.

North of Normal (Carly Stone) Toronto director Carly Stone explores the struggle to balance filial devotion with a longing for a more conventional life in her adaptation of Cea Sunrise Person's 2014 memoir, which details the author's counterculture youth in the wilds of 1970s Western Canada.

So Much Tenderness (Lina Rodríguez) A Colombian environmental lawyer flees to Canada after the death of her husband, but her attempt at a new life is challenged when she discovers that the past is not so easily left behind.

The World Premiere of Anishinaabe director @darlenenaponse’s STELLAR focuses on the dreamy romantic connection between She and He amid a natural catastrophe outside of their peaceful Northern Ontario Bar. #TIFF22 https://t.co/wtEJgJoW6r pic.twitter.com/NbZYpXI8Zz

— TIFF (@TIFF_NET) August 17, 2022

Stellar | Ananghoonska (Darlene Naponse) Anishinaabe director Darlene Naponse's singular film focuses on the dreamy romantic connection of She (Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers) and He (Braeden Clarke) amid a natural catastrophe happening outside of their peaceful Northern Ontario bar.

The End of Sex (Sean Garrity) Sean Garrity's latest comedy follows a married couple (Emily Hampshire, Jonas Chernick) making increasingly wild attempts to recapture the magic of their now-routine marriage.

The Maiden (Graham Foy) Shifting elegantly from realism to something closer to a dream, Alberta writer-director Graham Foy's atmospheric feature debut is a study in adolescent camaraderie, alienation, grief, and wonder.

The Origin of Evil | L'Origine du Mal (Sébastien Marnier) A financially precarious woman tries to reconnect with the now-wealthy father who abandoned her and his new family, in Sébastien Marnier's suspenseful and melodramatic dark parable.

The Swearing Jar (Lindsay MacKay) Director Lindsay MacKay's smartly observed follow-up to Wet Bum explores issues of love, forgiveness, and self-recrimination as a newly married woman discovers that love can happen regardless of circumstance, invariably complicating what should be straightforward.

The World Premiere of Chandler Levack’s (@clevack) debut, I LIKE MOVIES, follows a self-obsessed teenager pursuing his dreams and testing relationships in suburban Ontario, with @neetsaiah, Romina D’Ugo, and @MeKristaBridges #TIFF22 https://t.co/aE33euL2bK pic.twitter.com/i0QzWAtGlz

— TIFF (@TIFF_NET) August 4, 2022

Discovery

I Like Movies (Chandler Levack) The feature debut from the Toronto filmmaker is a funny, touching, and empathetic look at a film- and self-obsessed teenaged curmudgeon pursuing his dreams and testing personal connections in early-2000s suburban Ontario.

Pussy (Joseph Amenta) This matter-of-fact drama follows three queer Toronto kids whose friendship is tested over one pivotal summer by divided loyalties, differing social situations, and anger issues.

Rosie (Gail Maurice) The feature-film debut of Métis writer-director-actor Gail Maurice brings us to the fringes of 1980s Montréal as seen through the eyes of a sweet and suddenly orphaned Indigenous girl.

The fringes of 1980s Montreal is seen through the eyes of a sweet and suddenly orphaned Indigenous girl in the World Premiere of Métis writer-director-actor Gail Maurice’s (@pisim) ROSIE. Starring Mélanie Bray, Keris Hope Hill, and @constantbcoco. #TIFF22 https://t.co/holZQQnXBf pic.twitter.com/ne8jdRQRep

— TIFF (@TIFF_NET) August 4, 2022

Something You Said Last Night (Luis De Filippis) An aspiring twentysomething writer hesitantly accompanies her equally reluctant younger sister on vacation with their deliriously happy parents, in Luis De Filippis' resonant, cliché-free debut feature.

The Young Arsonists (Sheila Pye) Set in 1980s rural Canada, director and visual artist Sheila Pye's haunting feature debut follows a group of teenage girls — each suffering some form of family trauma — whose relationships with one another are both strengthened and tested over the course of a summer.

This Place (V.T. Nayani) Canadian director V.T. Nayani's feature debut, starring Devery Jacobs and Priya Guns, is a queer love story about two young women — one Iranian and Kanienʼkehá꞉ka, the other Tamil — living in Toronto and dealing with difficult family legacies.

Until Branches Bend (Sophie Jarvis) In writer-director Sophie Jarvis' compelling debut, set in the seemingly peaceful Okanagan, a distraught cannery worker discovers an invasive insect that could threaten the livelihood of her entire town.

When Morning Comes (Kelly Fyffe-Marshall) In the emotionally resonant feature debut from Kelly Fyffe-Marshall (winner of TIFF's inaugural Shawn Mendes Changemaker Award in 2020), a young Jamaican boy grapples with his widowed mother's decision to relocate to Canada.

Canadian film review: Black Bodies

Gala Presentations

Alice, Darling (Mary Nighy) Anna Kendrick captures the anxious psychology of a woman in an abusive relationship as her friends try to reconnect with her while on a cottage getaway.

Black Ice (Hubert Davis) This incisive, urgent documentary examines the history of anti-Black racism in hockey, from the segregated leagues of the 19th century to professional leagues today, where Black athletes continue to struggle against bigotry.

Platform

Riceboy Sleeps (Anthony Shim) A South Korean mother and son struggle with their new life in 1990s Canada and the growing rift between them, in Anthony Shim's assured second feature.

Viking (Stéphane Lafleur) The latest from Stéphane Lafleur (Tu dors Nicole) balances absurdist humour with poignant reflection on the human condition as it follows the subjects of behavioural research — and the astronauts they mirror — in advance of the first manned mission to Mars.

Excited to announce the world premiere of High School (based on our memoir) will be #TIFF22 Started the pitch process with @cleaduvall in 2019. Can't believe it's finally coming out. So surreal. It stars newcomers Railey + Seazynn Gilliland as T&S. #TIFF22 https://t.co/lpaATNp8ad pic.twitter.com/RhLWIJOx3K

— Tegan and Sara (@teganandsara) August 10, 2022

Primetime

High School (Clea DuVall, Laura Kittrell) Based on the bestselling memoir of the same name by Canadian pop duo Tegan and Sara, Clea DuVall’s adaptation is a tender exploration of adolescent self-discovery.

Lido TV (Lido Pimienta) Created and hosted by music superstar Lido Pimienta, LIDO TV is a fantastically funny and insightful variety show that dexterously explores themes of colonialism, beauty, and feminism.

Special Presentations

Brother (Clement Virgo) Clement Virgo's staggering adaptation of David Chariandy's novel, the story of two Jamaican Canadian brothers whose dreams are dashed by violent reality in 1990s Scarborough, is sure to be received as one of the most powerful films of the year.

Canadian filmmaker Ashley McKenzie’s (@hivisfilm) QUEENS OF THE QING DYNASTY is an affair of the heart, highlighting a once-in-a-lifetime encounter that changes everything. The North American Premiere stars Sarah Walker and Ziyin Zheng. #TIFF22 https://t.co/1B3g51TEyN pic.twitter.com/p2qkhyI3z4

— TIFF (@TIFF_NET) August 4, 2022

TIFF Docs

752 Is Not A Number (Babak Payami) Veteran director Babak Payami chronicles Canadian dentist Hamed Esmaeilion's quest for justice in the aftermath of Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752, shot down in 2020 by the Iranian military.

Buffy Sainte-Marie: Carry It On (Madison Thomas) The life, music, and activism of legendary Indigenous singer-songwriter Buffy Sainte-Marie are explored in this documentary that is as captivating as its subject, who smashed through barriers to become an inspiration to fans and fellow musicians alike.

Ever Deadly (Tanya Tagaq, Chelsea McMullan) A thrilling glimpse into the life and sounds of Polaris Music Prize and Juno Award–winning artist Tanya Tagaq, who co-directs the documentary with filmmaker Chelsea McMullan.

The Colour of Ink (Brian D. Johnson) A Toronto-based artist and ink-maker traces the history of ink and its impact on the world, in Brian D. Johnson’s lush and visually striking film shot by celebrated cinematographer Nicholas de Pencier.

To Kill A Tiger (Nisha Pahuja) The latest from Canadian documentary filmmaker Nisha Pahuja (The World Before Her) is a harrowing, courageous, and universally resonant look at an Indian family's arduous quest for justice after a teenage girl is brutally assaulted.

Wavelengths

Concrete Valley (Antoine Bourges) This sensitive and Bressonian sophomore feature from Antoine Bourges (Fail to Appear) is a complex portrait of care set in an immigrant community in Toronto's Thorncliffe Park.

Queens of the Qing Dynasty (Ashley McKenzie) Canadian filmmaker Ashley McKenzie's much-anticipated sophomore effort is an enthralling affair of the heart about one of those once-in-a-lifetime encounters that can change everything.

2021 TIFF wrapup

2021 TIFF Rising Stars

2021 TIFF Canadian film preview

Co-productions

Canada-U.S.: Alice, Darling, High School, The Maiden
Canada-Switzerland: Something You Said Last Night
Canada-Colombia: Lido TV
France, Luxembourg, Canada, Netherlands: Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman
France-Canada: The Origin of Evil
Canada, United States of America, Germany: Fixation

Canadian director Mary Harron is directing the closing night film Dalíland with Ben Kingsley and Barbara Sukowa. This is not a a Canadian film.

Buffy Sainte-Marie: Carry It On will have a theatrical release in the fall. The film will air in Canada via Bell Media and APTN in Canada, and in November on American Masters on PBS.

Canadian film review: All My Puny Sorrows

Sarah Polley has a new book of personal essays

Women Talking from Sarah Polley — where she adapted the Miriam Toews novel — is apparently an American film. A bit of a shock. Frances McDormand, Claire Foy, Rooney Mara, and Jessie Buckley star in the film about a cloistered world where women struggle with an epidemic of abuse.

This is the second straight year where TIFF has had a film based from a Miriam Toews novel. Michael McGowan adapted the novel All My Puny Sorrows that played at TIFF 2021.

When TIFF concentrated on Canadian films for the opening night film

Canadian film review: The Twentieth Century

CanadianCrossing.com film coverage

TIFF did not award the Best Canadian First Feature Film in 2020 or 2021. The Twentieth Century from Matthew Rankin is the last film to win that award all the way back in 2019.

The 47th edition of the Toronto International Film Festival — TIFF 2022 — runs September 8-18.

photo credit: TIFF; The Twentieth Century
Twitter captures: @TIFF_NET; @TIFF_NET; @TIFF_NET; @teganandsara; @TIFF_NET

2022 CFL Week 10 preview

Editor's note: The U.S. TV for Saturday's game switched from ESPN2 to ESPNews.

Montréal travels to Winnipeg to complete the home-and-home series, the revenge game. The Alouettes were close for 3 quarters at home but playing in Winnipeg is a different matter. The teams play on Thursday night once again.

The southern Ontario battle gets a revenge game with the Toronto Argonauts in Hamilton for Friday Night Football.

The BC Lions play in the late afternoon in Calgary on Saturday. This game was not originally on the ESPN schedule but replaced an earlier cancellation. ESPNews will carry the TSN feed.

Saskatchewan is at Edmonton to conclude the Saturday night doubleheader. This game was originally scheduled for Sunday. There will be a lot of green at Commonwealth Stadium.

The Elks have an 11-game home losing streak, stretching back to 2019.

Ottawa gets to heal for a week.

ESPNews

Saturday
BC @ Calgary, 7p

TSN

Thursday
Montréal @ Winnipeg, 8:30p
Friday
Toronto @ Hamilton, 7:30p
Saturday
BC @ Calgary, 7p
Saskatchewan @ Edmonton, 10p

Bye week: Ottawa

Here’s my call. We’re about to go 4 wins in a row (vs BC,SK,OTTx2). That takes us to 6-5 with 7 games left. #GoElks @corn_maze pic.twitter.com/DaeZVWOO2f

— Victor Cui (@victorcui) August 5, 2022

Victor Cui is setting a new tone in Edmonton. A bit of hubris is a bit of a surprise given the Elks current 11-game losing streak. Edmonton could win 3 of those 4 games, just not in Vancouver. The BC Lions had a 44-point win margin in the first meeting in Vancouver and a 32-point win last week in Vancouver. 76 point difference in 2 games. The teams will play in Edmonton in the next to last week of the season.

The Lions took their foot off the gas in the second half. Nathan Rourke went 23-for-26 for 386 yards and 5 TDs in the first half. Rourke went 11-for-11 for 91 yards in the second half for 477 overall; Matt Dunigan's 713 passing yards record for a game is safe. Michael O'Connor, fellow Canadian QB, finished the game for the Lions under 4 minutes left in the 4th quarter.

The CFL on TSN panel, which almost never mocks anything or anybody, took off on Chris Jones heavily rotating players in and out of the roster. No chemistry or communication at times. Edmonton will likely finish last in the West Division but should build something toward 2023. Cui might want to look into that for the Elks.

2022 CFL Week 9 preview

The Montréal Alouettes had several opportunities early and did not take advantage against a more talented Winnipeg Blue Bombers squad. Montréal managed to start the 4th quarter in a 14-14 tie. That is when the hare took over and ran away, leaving the tortoise wondering what happened.

The teams meet again this week, this time in Winnipeg. We will see if the Alouettes can be this scrappy on the road.

2022 CFL Week 8 preview

Calgary coach Dave Dickenson gave over the reins of the Stampeders to special teams coordinator Mark Kilam to serve as the acting head coach due to COVID-19 protocols. The Stampeders had a low-key game in the Calgary win. The Stampeders scored on a defence touchdown as Titus Wall returned an interception for a 46-yard touchdown.

Ottawa didn't score until the last half of the fourth quarter. Caleb Evans gave way to former Calgary QB Nick Arbuckle.

Calgary snapped a 2-game losing skid while Ottawa saw its 1-game winning streak come to an end.

2022 CFL Week 7 preview

Hamilton knows how to start; Toronto knows how to finish. The Tiger-Cats had a 13-0 lead to start the game. The Argos finally took the lead on a special teams touchdown. Toronto's Trevor Hoyte came clean through and blocked the punt; Benoit Marion recovered the ball and returned it 24 yards for the touchdown.

The Tiger-Cats suffered a number of key injuries with receiver Bralon Addison the most significant injury. Matthew Shiltz will likely start at QB for Hamilton.

The southern Ontario rivalry only has 3 games to go. Hamilton needs to energize the home field advantage this week. The Argonauts aren't as good on the road.

Touchdown Atlantic 2022 showcased Nova Scotia and its love for the CFL

2022 CFL Week 6 preview: Touchdown Atlantic comes to Wolfville, NS

The 2005 BC Lions are the only CFL team in the 21st century to post a remarkable start (11-0). That may not be the best example for Winnipeg. Despite the 11-0 start, the Lions lost 6 of the last 7 games and the West final.

CanadianCrossing.com Balance of Food coverage

Purolator sponsors food drives with the CFL to tackle hunger. The drive will be in each CFL city over a 9-week period starting last week in Vancouver. Here is the upcoming schedule. Food insecurity is a reality in Canada. Every little bit helps. Do what you can. Please.

Date	City
August 6	Vancouver
August 13	Calgary
August 19	Regina
August 25	Winnipeg
September 5	Hamilton
September 23	Montréal
October 1	Edmonton
October 8	Toronto
October 14	Ottawa

 

We get the irony of mentioning the $90 poutine while food insecurity is a major issue in Canada. Such are the pitfalls of society where some have more than enough to eat while others struggle.

CanadianCrossing.com CFL coverage

Rod Smith and Duane Forde were filmed with the l'Alouette poutine but did not touch it. Smith and Forde with John Lu were in Montréal on a humid Thursday night.

Marshall Ferguson and Matt Dunigan with Claire Hanna made an appearance in Ottawa on Friday night.

Smith and Forde were with Matthew Scianitti on Saturday in Toronto. Dustin Nielson and Glen Suitor were with Farhan Lalji in Vancouver in the late game on Saturday.

Dave Naylor filled in on the panel on Thursday and Friday.

logo credit: CFL
Twitter capture: @victorcui

Canadian film review: Sorry for Your Loss

Sorry for Your Loss presents a lot on the plate of Ken Wall (American actor Justin Bartha). His wife just gave birth recently. Ken wants to open a restaurant. His job isn't going too well. His estranged dad has just passed away.

Ken isn't too eager to go to Winnipeg but his wife Lori (Israeli actor Inbar Lavi) encourages him to make the trip.

Ken encounters Jeff Steadman (Bruce Greenwood) and Vince Kendall (Kevin McDonald). They tell Ken there is an inheritance with one catch. He has to throw the ashes onto the astroturf at Investors Group Field. This is the stadium for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and the University of Manitoba. Jeff and Vince can't say how much the inheritance is, but Ken has 48 hours to accomplish the task.

Writer/director Collin Friesen offers a mediocre script and an odd motivation for his protagonist. Bartha, as Ken, comes across as boring and cold in his performance. He doesn't seem excited about the inheritance, which would help him open his restaurant. He doesn't seem happy or excited or angry or even sad about any of these things. Jeff and Vince aren't given a consistent tone in setting up the odd requirements.

Jeff is rather racist and there is a wheelchair used under false pretenses. The themes seemed unnecessary in the otherwise quiet 2018 film.

Greenwood and McDonald know they are in a film stuck with not-so-great dialogue and are valiant in their efforts to keep the film moving along. Lavi also works harder than the film does as well.

Sandrine Holt plays a temptress for Ken. Holt is an amazing actress who is definitely acting to be that interested in the rather boring Ken.

American actor Lolita Davidovich plays Ken's mother Eve. She doesn't have much chemistry with her son, which feels like a choice made by Friesen.

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Investors Group Field, now IG Field, looks really great in the film. The stadium looks beautiful and feels like the star of the film. We don't see much of Winnipeg otherwise in the film. Given the context of Ken's dad, those memories would have been at Canad Inns Stadium, which closed down after the 2012 CFL season.

Sorry for Your Loss has a lot of acting talent and the basic structure of a decent film. The writing and direction need a lot of work.

The film is available on Showtime in the United States and Crave in Canada.

video credit: YouTube/Farpoint Distribution
photos credit: Sorry for Your Loss

CBC Saturday night Canadian film schedule for early August 2022

Welcome to the dog days of summer. The Canadian films CBC is showing on Saturday night are not dogs.

The first 2 films selected for August 6 go together quite well for those who remember the idea of a double feature. The 3 films on August 13 are as random as sometimes you might see at a drive-in movie night.

This shows out the variety you can find in Canadian films, even ones on the CBC on a Saturday night.

Some of these Canadian films may have been featured recently on CBC. The films should also be available on CBC Gem. All times are local, adding 30 minutes in Newfoundland.

Here is the schedule for early August 2022.

August 6

9p Giant Little Ones (2018)
11p Closet Monster (2015)
1a Octavio Is Dead (2018)

August 13

9p Monkey Beach (2020)
11p Man Running (2018)
1a Beeba Boys (2015)

Giant Little Ones and Closet Monster are both intriguing coming-of-age films for very different reasons. We have sung the praises of the former film. While the latter film is quieter, the film is worth watching if you don't feel like you fit in somewhere.

Octavio Is Dead is a pretty good film. Sarah Gadon is mostly the reason to watch the film; still worth staying up to watch or running the PVR to watch on Sunday.

Celebrating Pride with Canadian films and television

Canadian film review: Giant Little Ones

Monkey Beach is a film we discovered through the CBC Saturday night Canadian films lineup. A good film to watch with your teenagers.

The final 2 films on August 13 are unknown to your humble narrator. Man Running comes from Gary Burns (Waydowntown) featuring Gord Rand as a "doctor wrestles with a personal and moral dilemma while running a grueling 24-hour marathon over rugged mountain terrain." We have come to know Gord Rand from his appearances on Transplant and Pretty Hard Cases.

We have heard of Beeba Boys but have not seen the film. The description goes like this: "With the help of his recent recruit, a gang leader takes on an established crime lord in a battle for control over Vancouver's arms and drug trade." The Deepa Mehta film, actually set in Canada, stars Ali Kazmi, Ali Momen, and Randeep Hooda.

Canadian film review: Monkey Beach

CBC Saturday night Canadian film schedule for late July 2022

A recap of CBC Saturday night Canadian films in late spring and early summer 2022

The Canadian films run through October 8, the Saturday before the start of the NHL season.

CanadianCrossing.com CBC coverage

CanadianCrossing.com film reviews

CanadianCrossing.com film coverage

Enjoy the Canadian films!!

logo credit: CBC
photo credit: Giant Little Ones

2022 CFL Week 9 preview

Winnipeg works its way east to Montréal to start the CFL week Thursday night. This is only the 3rd home game for the Alouettes with 5 road games.

Calgary gets a break in not playing Winnipeg. The Stampeders are in Ottawa for Friday Night Football. The RedBlacks are on a 1-game winning streak.

The southern Ontario battle gets a jump start with Hamilton at BMO Field in Toronto. Should have plenty of Tiger-Cats fans on hand in Toronto. The teams play each other 4 times in the next 5 weeks.

The Edmonton-BC game has a lot of potential. The Elks play better on the road and the Lions are much better at home.

ESPN2 carries both Saturday night games like a Hockey Night in Canada doubleheader.

After losing 3 games in a row, Saskatchewan really needs to take it easy this week.

ESPN2

Saturday
Hamilton @ Toronto, 7p
Edmonton @ BC, 10p

TSN

Thursday
Winnipeg @ Montréal, 7:30p
Friday
Calgary @ Ottawa, 7:30p
Saturday
Hamilton @ Toronto, 7p
Edmonton @ BC, 10p

Bye week: Saskatchewan

Calgary had a week to prepare for the revenge game while Winnipeg didn't play its best game in Edmonton. The Blue Bombers had touchdowns while the Stampeders had field goals. 

Nic Demski returned to the Winnipeg lineup with 7 receptions for 69 yards and 2 touchdowns. Brady Oliveira ran with purpose with 15 carries and a season-high 110 yards. This is the first time Winnipeg has started 8-0 as well as winning 5 consecutive road games since 1960.

Imagine if the Blue Bombers had Nic Demski and Greg Ellingson, out with an injury, in the lineup at the same time.

Winnipeg now has the tiebreaker if there is a tie with Calgary.

2022 CFL Week 8 preview

Montréal scored the final 11 points of the game in Hamilton, knocking a 18-point deficit down to 7. The Tiger-Cats scored 14 points in the 3rd quarter to 0 for the Alouettes. Games in Hamilton can have that variance based on the wind in Tim Hortons Field.

Trevor Harris got pulled for a possible concussion before the final play of the game. Vernon Adams Jr. was on the injured list so Dominique Davis came in and threw a game-ending interception.

Hamilton seems committed to Dane Evans with Matthew Shiltz in certain spots. Hamilton has won 2 of the last 3 games. Montréal and Hamilton are both 2-5 and tied for second place in the East Division.

2022 CFL Week 7 preview

Saskatchewan looked good with a 17-4 lead at home against the BC Lions. Cody Fajardo was off to a good start, smiling on the bench.

The Lions got a rare safety in which a running back was tackled in the end zone. Just 2 points. Turns out that was the start of 28 straight points in the BC win.

The Saskatchewan Roughriders looked very tired. Fortunately, the team finally gets a break with a bye week, The defence doesn't look tired; just the offence. The Lions had lost the previous 8 games to the Roughriders.

Sean Whyte became the last CFL kicker to miss a field goal. In fact, Whyte missed 2 field goals, though the first miss led to the safety.

Game started on ESPNU in the States.

Touchdown Atlantic 2022 showcased Nova Scotia and its love for the CFL

2022 CFL Week 6 preview: Touchdown Atlantic comes to Wolfville, NS

While the undefeated team remained undefeated, the winless team got a win. The Ottawa RedBlacks scored the only points (10) in the second half in Toronto on Sunday.

Ottawa receiver Jaelon Acklin had 144 receiving yards and a touchdown. Quarterback Caleb Evans went 24 for 29 for 286 yards with 2 touchdowns.

CanadianCrossing.com CFL coverage

The new ALOUETTE poutine that will be served in a football helmet will be waiting for you on Thursday night at the stadium 🤤 Split it with your friends, your family, or try eating it all yourself 💪 More info → https://t.co/TY7aG2HUn4 pic.twitter.com/fPyV7clN8K

— Alouettes de Montréal (@MTLAlouettes) August 1, 2022

Plenty of great places in Montréal to get a wonderful poutine. The newest version at Molson Stadium as of tonight is l’Alouette.

The l’Alouette is served in a football helmet that you can take home and wash it out. There are 4 servings to this dish: 1.2 kg (2.64 lb.).

The list of ingredients exceeds a classic poutine: "red peel potatoes, cheese curds, pork lard and pulled pork from Quebec, caramel popcorn, fried onions, and Avril's signature maple and Amaretto sauce." No, we've never seen caramel popcorn on a poutine.

The cost for poutine l’Alouette? $90 (taxes included).

Our suggestion: walk about 2 km (1.2 miles) east after the game to La Banquise at 994 Rue Rachel East. Order the poutine of your choice (lots of choices) and save about $70.

Don’t look for me on the @CFLonTSN sidelines this week: I tested positive for Covid again. Very mild symptoms. FaceTime interviews 📱 Be back soon 🙏 Mask-up indoors 😷 Get boosted 💉 pic.twitter.com/nL6TLWKgpl

— Matthew Scianitti (@TSNScianitti) July 27, 2022

Rod Smith and Duane Forde with Jermain Franklin (in for Matthew Scianitti) were in Hamilton on Thursday and Toronto on Sunday.

Dustin Nielson and Glen Suitor with Sara Orlesky in Regina on Friday and Calgary on Saturday.

logo credit: CFL
Twitter captures: @MTLAlouettes; @TSNScianitti

The 1946 Montreal Royals should be a significant part of the Jackie Robinson Museum

We know there will be a Jackie Robinson Museum in Manhattan. We know the public opening will be soon. "Check back in September 2022 for updates on our public opening."

There is a lot that goes into the life and legacy when you explore the museum's Web site.

"The museum celebrates the enduring legacy of one of the most important Americans of the 20th century, chronicling his trailblazing achievements against the backdrop of United States history. Invoking Robinson's role as a champion for racial, social, and economic equality, the Museum's programming places an emphasis on dialogue around critical issues that continue to challenge our society."

The life of Jackie Robinson has been covered in The Jackie Robinson Story (1950) and 42 (2013). You would think you would have a really good idea about the story of Jackie Robinson. Yet both films have a missing chapter.

Jackie Robinson's path to the Brooklyn Dodgers is guided in great part for the time Robinson spent with the 1946 Montréal Royals.

By all accounts, Robinson and his young wife Rachel were treated rather well in Montréal, not as much during road games.

Jackie Robinson was honoured at the 2022 MLB All-Star Game in Los Angeles. Oscar winner Denzel Washington paid tribute to Robinson. 2022 marks 75 years since Robinson made his MLB debut and 50 years since Robinson passed away. As Los Angeles Dodgers all star Mookie Betts pointed out, "It's Miss Rachel Robinson's 100th birthday. So on the count of three, I want everybody in here to say, 'Happy birthday, Rachel.'" The crowd obliged.

Rachel Robinson is the connection back to those days in Montréal.

Having opened its doors last Friday, the Jackie Robinson Museum seeks to bring people from all walks together to commune and appreciate each other’s humanity and diverse experiences. Enjoy a glimpse of the ribbon cutting ceremony led by Emmy Award winner @RobinRoberts pic.twitter.com/QyNcQVhWpZ

— Jackie Robinson Foundation (@JRFoundation) August 2, 2022

"Learn details of Robinson’s five months in the Negro Leagues and his signing with the Brooklyn Dodgers’ AAA farm team in 1946 and with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947. Meet his teammates, see game-worn uniforms, and imagine Robinson’s daring and captivating style of play."

This doesn't say "Montréal Royals" and likely is literally about actual signings of contracts.

This chapter has been mysteriously missing for a number of reasons:

• Actual good treatments of the Robinsons in Montréal confuses the straight-ahead story of what Robinson experienced outside Canada.
• Minor leagues are not major leagues.
• Canadian history is not something Americans want to know.
• Canada is not the United States.

Museums are set up to give more detail for elements that aren't easily explained. Robinson's story with the 1946 Montréal Royals is worthy of a small wing in a Jackie Robinson Museum. We don't get the impression that this will be a part of the museum but would love to be proven wrong.

Kamala Harris, Jackie Robinson, and their association with Montreal

Montreal has more than a supporting role in 42

Jackie Robinson's Montréal apartment honored by Canada and United States

The Jackie Robinson Museum is at One Hudson Square Building, 75 Varick Street in New York City, near the Canal Street subway stop. The phone number is (866) 454-3772. The museum is only open Thursdays-Sundays 11 am to 6 pm. The Web site points out that there are "Timed-entry tickets only. Advance ticket reservations recommended."

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Toronto Blue Jays had a semi-adventurous MLB trade deadline yesterday. Whit Merrifield, an All-Star in 2019 and 2021 with Kansas City, is headed to Canada for RHP Max Castillo, who has pitched for the big league squad, and minor-league second baseman Samad Taylor.

We could see Merrifield helping out George Springer in centre field (Merrifield can also play 2B). The major issue is that Merrifield didn't come to Canada a few weeks back because he isn't vaccinated. That's a big problem unless he is only playing road games for awhile.

The Blue Jays reacquired reliever Anthony Bass, adding reliever Zach Pop (Canadian), and a player to be named later to the Miami Marlins for shortstop prospect Jordan Groshans, who has great potential in the long term.

The team also got RHP spot starter Mitch White from the Los Angeles Dodgers with infielder Alex De Jesus for minor league pitchers Moises Brito and Nick Frasso.

Toronto traded RHP Jeremy Beasley to the Pittsburgh Pirates for cash considerations.

photo credit: me
video credit: MLB
Twitter capture: @JRFoundation

Canadian film case study: The Nest

We know 2020 wasn't a year with a huge number of Canadian films. On the surface, the idea of The Nest making the TIFF Top Ten Canadian films list, well, maybe there should have been 9 films instead of 10 films.

That isn't a fair assessment without seeing the actual film.

Rory (English actor Jude Law) is a commodities trader with a bit of ADD. His master plan is to go from New York back to London. Rory buys a farm in Surrey for his wife Allison (American actor Carrie Coon), who trains horses and gives lessons.

The film addresses the contrast between the United States and the United Kingdom, both countries that are co-producers along with Canada. Rory wants to bring the American Dream to London.

Sean Durkin, writer and director, thinks the film is building chemistry with the pitfalls of what happens to the family once they are in Surrey and London. Durkin is definitely mistaken about this.

There is one argument scene that comes to chemistry between Law and Coon. Good try.

Their children Samantha (American actor Oona Roche), who was Allison's daughter from a previous marriage, and Ben (American actor Charlie Shotwell) have decent chemistry in an early scene in the film. This despite the 12-year difference between the actors. If the married couple had as much chemistry as the children, this film would have been a lot better.

Law gets to look psychotic while Coon gets to watch her life fall apart. The issue is there is no connection to anything within the film to make people want to watch.

Random things happen without any fluid direction. That is not a coherent film worth watching.

Rory pretends to be rich with childhood issues over being poor. This isn't really explored other than a scene with his mother. Again, no connection with a potentially decent subplot.

The dim lighting doesn't build tension but you get confused who is talking. The one sex scene, dimly lit, is so over the top that laughter is more likely than any other emotion.

Perhaps Durkin thought the mansion in Surrey was a parallel to the hotel in The Shining, which would have been more interesting than this film.

There is not a millisecond of "visibly Canadian" content. Canadian actors such as Wendy Crewson, Tattiawna Jones, and Tanya Allen are technically in the film. Crewson had one scene early in the film. Jones is visible and is talking but we don't get to hear what she says. Your humble narrator searched for Allen on screen several times and couldn't find her. We joke that Canadian films in name only don't highlight Canadian actors but The Nest sets a new low.

TIFF selects Top 10 Canadian films of 2020

CanadianCrossing.com film reviews

CanadianCrossing.com film coverage

Maybe you are a huge Jude Law fan and you have to see everything he's done. Maybe you are related to Carrie Coon. Maybe you enjoy horses. That would be the potential audience for this film.

The film does have some good songs that you would have heard in the 1980s in London, which feels a bit odd in a 2020 film.

The Nest surprisingly got 5 Canadian Screen Awards nominations but didn't win any awards: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, Best Actress (Carrie Coon), and Best Sound Editing.

The Nest has had theatre runs in the United States and Canada. The film is available on Showtime in the United States and Crave in Canada.

video credit: YouTube/IFC Films
photo credit: The Nest