Minola Grent

News Editor

Photo Via  Rotten Tomatoes

If you’ve spent more than 5 minutes with me, you’ve heard of this movie. The Martian is a movie I will never shut up about. Originally a book by Andy Weir published in 2011, it was brought to the big screen in 2015. It was directed by Ridley Scott, who is known for movies such as Alien and The Gladiator. The story follows astronaut and botanist Mark Watney, played by Matt Damon, as he attempts to get back home after being left on Mars by his crew during a sandstorm. It is witty, funny, and emotional all at once. Watney’s character is defined by his humour and resilience as Mars repeatedly tries to kill him. The film expertly juggles Watney’s perspective and that of NASA workers on Earth as they work together to bring the stranded astronaut back home. Watney’s ingeniosity is truly a joy to watch as he comes up with solutions the audience would’ve never even imagined. Running out of water? No problem, Watney will go make some. Iconic songs such as David Bowie’s “Starman” and Gloria Gaynor’s “I will survive” also make perfectly timed appearances across the 2h30 runtime. In sum, The Martian is a comforting watch allowing the viewer to get sucked into a story that is both improbable and totally scientifically believable. I cheered for Watney’s successes and wept when his efforts were reduced to another speck of dust on the Martian dunes. I invite everyone to give it a try and live over a year’s worth of trials and tribulations on Mars with Matt Damon.

Mikaël Bédard

Video Editor

Photo Via IMDB

Falcon Lake goes where Québec’s cinema often seems scared to go; it is deeply personal and intimate and never falls into melodrama, even when it would be easy to. Instead, it manages to feel uncannily close to the awkward interactions you might have as an adolescent and to the longing feeling of first love. It follows 13-year-old Bastien on a family vacation at a lake cabin as he forms an intimate relationship with 16-year-old Chloé, the daughter of his parents’ friend. Intertwined with that  conventional coming of age plot is an ominous undertone, one reminiscent of campfire ghost stories. Director Charlotte Le Bon showcases an incredible tonal balance, never letting one side overwhelm the other. Falcon Lake is stunning, shot in grainy 16mm so the whole film has a mystic look. At times, it feels like peering into a vivid dream. The natural landscape of the Laurentides is shown through all of its breathtaking beauty, yet the 4:3 aspect ratio keeps the viewer focused into the inner workings of the character. This film is a welcome addition to Québec’s cinema, offering a mix of fantastical and realistic storytelling not often seen in the province’s cinematic offerings. You can stream Falcon Lake on Kanopy or find it on blu-ray via Vinegar Syndrome.