Movember – Day 1

It’s Movember 1st, and I’m getting involved this year by growing a fine moustache throughout the month of November to raise awareness of men’s health issues, especially prostate cancer and mental health. Too many men in this world delay or avoid seeking medical help for these issues, some of them feeling that it’s weakness to go to a doctor for “nothing”.

Who’s with me? Want to form a team, or do you have a team already that needs an extra member? Let me know!

Or, you can support my moustache growing efforts by making a donation. In doing so you’ll be helping the 1 in 7 men that will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime and the 1 in 5 who experience a mental illness this year. Thank you. http://mobro.co/davidraitt

More updates to come throughout Movember!

Great Hallowe’en Movies for the Whole Family

Whether at the multiplex or on cable, it’s always easy to find scary movies this time of year. But what if you want to share a little Hallowe’en fun with the kids? Here are some film treats the family can enjoy together. Read the rest of this article at Oakville.com:

http://www.oakville.com/articles/great-halloween-movies-for-the-whole-family/

Film Review – Here Comes the Boom

Mixed Martial Arts has a surprisingly long tradition of films behind it, ranging as far back as 1988′s Bloodsport, but even its more action-y treatments have always had a level of earnestness to them. (That’s not a criticism – Warrior, a fantastic drama about two brothers battling in the same MMA tournament, was one of last year’s best movies.) It was inevitable that we should get a comedy about the sport, but given that it arrives from Adam Sandler’s Happy Madison Productions and stars Kevin James, fans may be hesitant to line up for tickets. Here Comes the Boom, however, is more than the sum of its parts, and should be moderately entertaining even for people who don’t know UFC from KFC.

Read the rest of my review at Oakville.com:

http://www.oakville.com/articles/here-comes-the-boom-movie-review/

Film Review – Frankenweenie

Children are amazing. Not yet jaded by the world, they accept ideas more readily than adults, including the possibility that science can reanimate the corpse of a beloved family pet. Director Tim Burton’s Frankenweenie celebrates and plays on that acceptance in a humorous family-friendly tale about mad science gone wrong. Jaded parents might feel the subject matter is a little odd, but shouldn’t steer kids clear on that basis. They’ll enjoy it, and chances are you will too.

Read the rest of my review at Oakville.com:

http://www.oakville.com/articles/frankenweenie-movie-review/

Film Review – Looper

Time travel stories are hard. You have to have enough cause-and-effect philosophy and convolution to play to the sci-fi crowd, but not so much that it ruins the story for people who get headaches easily. Inevitably, this balance opens up questionable holes in the plot. But while Looper requires a hefty suspension of disbelief to get through, it tells a solid story with unexpected twists that draw you in.

Read the rest of my review at Oakville.com:

http://www.oakville.com/articles/looper-movie-review/

Film Review – End of Watch

The general public has a complex relationship with the police. We give them training and weapons to defend the innocent and protect their own safety, and then get upset when they use them. We rely on them to uphold law and order, and then get angry when they pull us over for speeding. We need them to be warriors, but want them to be part social worker, part referee.

Read the rest of my review at Oakville.com:

http://www.oakville.com/articles/end-of-watch-movie-review/

Film Review – Finding Nemo 3D

In revenue terms, The Walt Disney Company is the biggest media conglomerate in the world. Most people will tell you that’s because it consistently develops quality entertainment products of wide appeal to children and families. The cynical among us will say it’s because The Mouse never stops looking for ways to stick his hand in your pockets. Indeed, the theatrical re-release of Pixar’s Finding Nemo, a wonderful film that nevertheless premiered less than 10 years ago, gives both groups ammunition.

Read the rest of my review at Oakville.com:

http://www.oakville.com/articles/finding-nemo-3d-movie-review/

Film Review – The Words

The tortured artist, plying his craft, is a cliché in our culture. In reality, artists struggle with their work no less than athletes struggle with their game, or businessmen struggle with the bottom line, or parents struggle with raising kids. Yet somehow, the creation of art is viewed as a uniquely mystical process, unfathomable to outsiders, and sometimes even to other artists. The Words plays heavily into this notion, and might have risen above the cliché thanks to some great performances, but ironically, it’s undone by poor writing.

Read the rest of my review at Oakville.com:

http://www.oakville.com/articles/the-words-movie-review/

Film Review – Premium Rush

Nobody needs a movie to tell them that bicycle couriers are crazy, but they’re certainly interesting enough characters to build one around. Premium Rush is the result, a smaller-scale chase film that definitely has a lot of rush, though it isn’t quite a premium experience.

Read the rest of my review at Oakville.com:

http://www.oakville.com/articles/premium-rush-movie-review/