#REVIEW: “THE BEAR” SEASON TWO

By Mr. Will Wong

We’re unsure how it’s possible, but the second season of THE BEAR manages to outshine its previous season. We pick-up here with the closure of Carmy’s (Jeremy Allen White) family eatery THE BEEF, closing a chapter in his life, moving-on to open a new restaraunt a little closer to his Michelin-star past, THE BEAR. Relying on a skeptical Uncle Jimmy (Oliver Platt) for a loan, Carmy and Sydney (Ayo Edebiri) promise an incredibly-ambitious turnaround time to get this restaurant off the ground. A lot is at stake and this is all or nothing.

While we were just getting to know many of the Series’ central characters in its first season, this follow-up gives us a chance to really get to know them as their storylines are given the room to grow, and along their journeys, we meet several interesting new characters.

Carmy reunites with and old friend Claire (Molly Gordon) and their chemistry is off the charts without saying much at all. Much of the focus of their conversation is the subtext beneath their playful banter. We meet Carmy and sister Natalie‘s (Abby Elliott) mom, played by the incomparable Jamie Lee Curtis in a scene-stealing performance as the erratic Donna. Just wait till you see that Christmas episode. Adding further to the Series’ starpower is Bob Odenkirk as Uncle Lee, appearing in a flashback. Sydney is on a mission with Carmy to help perfect this new restaurant’s menu, driven for it to be a success and to prove herself. And one of the biggest surprises of all is celebrity chef Matty Matheson as Neil, hired to help construct this new restaurant, proving he is a man of many talents. Marcus (Lionel Boyce) also heads off to Copenhagen, working with his mentor, a pasty chef named Luca (Will Poulter). And this experience will prove to be an important part of this new restaurant’s story as we end the season with its launch.

Though THE BEAR is set in the world of food, at its very core is the aftermath of grief and the unspoken. We are drawn to this world and its characters who thrive off the rush and anxiety of making it happen, and we are addicted to that thrill. That and some sublime work once again by White, who has cemented his place among the very top of his generation of Actors.

All ten episodes of THE BEAR Season Two are available on Disney+ Canada.

#FIRSTLOOK: NEW TRAILER FOR “THEATER CAMP”

THEATRE CAMP hits theatres this July and here’s a new look at the Trailer for this Sundance and SXSW selection!

Synopsis:

Tony Award winner Ben Platt and Molly Gordon star in the original comedy THEATER CAMP as Amos and Rebecca-Diane – lifelong best friends and drama instructors at a rundown camp in upstate New York. When clueless tech-bro Troy (Jimmy Tatro) arrives to run the property (into the ground), Amos, Rebecca-Diane and production manager Glenn (Noah Galvin) band together with the staff and students, staging a masterpiece to keep their beloved summer camp afloat. Cast: Noah Galvin, Molly Gordon, Ben Platt, Jimmy Tatro, Patti Harrison, Nathan Lee Graham, Ayo Edebiri, Owen Thiele, Alan Kim, Alexander Bello, Bailee Bonick, Kyndra Sanchez, Donovan Colan, Vivienne Sachs, Quinn Titcomb, Caroline Aaron, Amy Sedaris

Searchlight Pictures release THEATER CAMP July 14, 2023.

(Photo/video credit: Searchlight Pictures)

#FIRSTLOOK: “THEATRE CAMP” IN THEATRES JULY 14, 2023

After its Premiere at Sundance, THEATRE CAMP gets penciled-in for a release date! Ben Platt and Molly Gordon star.

Synopsis:

THEATER CAMP follows the eccentric staff running a scrappy theater camp in upstate New York. After its indomitable and beloved founder falls into a coma, they must band together with her clueless “crypto-bro” son to keep the thespian paradise afloat.

Searchlight Pictures release THEATRE CAMP July 14, 2023.

(Photo/video credit: Searchlight Pictures)

#FIRSTLOOK: NEW TRAILER FOR “SHIVA BABY”

TIFF ’20 sensation SHIVA BABY finally is on its way to us this April! See the new Trailer and release date below.

Synopsis:

A near college graduate, Danielle, gets paid by her sugar daddy and rushes to meet her neurotic parents at a family shiva. Upon arrival, she is accosted by various estranged relatives about her appearance and lack of post-grad plans, while her confident ex-girlfriend, Maya, is applauded by everyone for getting into law school. Danielle’s day takes an unexpected turn when her sugar daddy, Max, arrives at the shiva with his accomplished wife, Kim, and crying baby. As the day unfolds, Danielle struggles to keep up different versions of herself, fend off pressures from her family and confront her insecurities without completely losing it.

See the Trailer:

Pacific Northwest Pictures release SHIVA BABY On-Demand and Digital on Friday April 2nd, 2021.

(Photo/video credit: Pacific Northwest Pictures)

#TIFF20: “SHIVA BABY”

Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

Perennial undergrad student Dani (Rachel Sennot) is at a crossroads in her life. She doesn’t know what to do with her career and she’s in a money-exchange relationship with an older man Max (Danny Deferrari). When her parents haul her to a Shiva (a Jewish mourning event), her past, present and future converge in one house. Surprisingly, she encounters her ex Maya (Molly Gordon) and current flame Max. At once, she is hounded by questions from extended family and friends at the affair. As the pressure surmounts, Dani’s anxiety reaches a breaking point.

It’s hard to believe Shiva Baby is a first-time Feature. Writer-Director Emma Seligman navigates her story with the precision and confidence of a seasoned Filmmaker. She has a clear vision and executes it masterfully. Her Script includes heavy themes of inner-turmoil laced with Comedy, making can make this tightrope to walk. Seligman manages to balance herself steadily.

Another feat Seligman achieves is giving this Dramedy a very distinct feel. She borrows a bit from the Horror genre to heighten Dani’s anxiety. The disquieting Score by Ariel Marx could easily have been used in a Horror film, yet it triumphs in this heartfelt Coming-of-Age story. Not only does it parallel the trepidation of the protagonist, but instills great tension in its audience.

There are moments where Seligman’s whip-smart dialogue is delivered by multiple characters in succession, overpowering us as we immerse ourselves in Dani’s building unease. As a result, we feel both a mix of empathy and anxiousness. Cinematographer Maria Rusche adds to the escalating tension with close-up shots that induce a claustrophobic feeling. This is further aided by the stellar, concise editing by Hanna Park, who for example, makes quick jumps between dialogue, close-up shots and the ear-piercing cries of a baby.

At the heart of Shiva Baby is its endearingly-flawed characters. Seligman manages to get us invested in each character because she gives the same detailed attention to her one-line characters as she does Dani. Our protragonist is placed in a series of cringe-worthy situations which many of us relate to. Refreshingly, she’s never pigeon-holed and is perfectly brought to life by the outstanding performance from Sennot.

As the lead, Sennot commands the screen and encapsulates the essence of Dani – her anxiety, her secretiveness and her fire. However wrong Dani’s actions are, we sympathize with her because Sennot makes it hard not to. She also excels at understanding the power-dynamics within each scene in Seligman’s Script. Sennot is surrounded by an immensely-talented Ensemble. Gordon is delightful as the still-in-love ex. Polly Draper and Fred Melamed are superb as Dani’s supportive, yet overbearing parents. And Dianna Agron is just captivating as a woman slowly learning of her husband’s deceit.

Overall, Shiva Baby is a hilarious, heartfelt Film about the surmounting pressures of family expectations and growing up. At its core are its stellar performances and expert filmmaking all around.

Shiva Baby screens at TIFF:

Thu, Sep 10
Online at Bell Digital Cinema
Streaming in Canada Available from:
6:00pm

Thu, Sep 17
TIFF Bell Lightbox
12:00pm

#FIRSTLOOK: “THE BROKEN HEARTS GALLERY” OPENS IN THEATRES JULY 17, 2020

(Photo credit: Elevation Pictures)