Canada has a wealth of cinematic talent, and always has. From our comedic genius to our often cerebral approach to filmmaking, this country has a lot to be proud of.
Of late, and especially this year, Canada has really dominated the movies landscape. Our homegrown actors (Sarah Gadon, for example) and directors (Xavier Dolan, "Mommy") have been everywhere, earning accolades around the world. Movies shot within our borders have won rave reviews and received praise from the highest-ranked critics and film festivals.
Perhaps most outstanding is our growth. No longer are we satisfied with melancholic snow landscapes (though sometimes those still appear); we've branched out, and we're trying new things. Here, in no particular order, are my favourite Canadian movies and moments of 2014.
"Mommy" Knocked Our Socks Off
Young Canadian director Xavier Dolan has been getting accolades from critics, pundits and moviegoers from a very young age, so it's no surprise the Cannes Film Festival bestowed the 25-year-old with the Jury Prize for "Mommy." Both unsettling and strangely spellbinding, "Mommy" breaks convention with its unusual framing approach, and brings to life Dolan's borderline obsession with the mother-son relationship. This young talent is just starting out -- imagine, as he grows older, what sorts of boundaries he's going to stretch, and possibly even obliterate?
"John Wick" Made Us Appreciate Keanu Reeves Even More
OK, so I concede that Reeves isn't a Canadian (in that he wasn't born here), but hey, we all consider him one, don't we? And while this movie wasn't made in Canada, leading man Reeves is as charismatic as he ever was at the helm. A 50-year-old man kicking ass and taking names, convincingly, all because his dog was killed by a Russian gang, is A+ in my book.
"The F Word" Warmed Our Hearts
It's fair to say that most of us have a soft spot for Daniel Radcliffe, as we do when actors grow up in front of our eyes. But that's only one factor; this movie is Canadian in almost every way. Shot entirely in Toronto, it's directed by Canadian Michael Dowse ("Goon"), and adds a unique Canadian flavour only seen previously in fellow Canuck Sarah Polley's "Take This Waltz." Following the story of two young adults (Radcliffe and Zoe Kazan), "The F Word" looks at love as many of us have seen it: sometimes the perfect match for you is right under your nose.
"Dr. Cabbie" Gave Us the Giggles, and Also Some Sads
Anyone who's ridden in a taxi knows that often, the guy/girl behind the wheel is overqualified for the job. In "Dr. Cabbie," the lead character (Canadian Vinay Virmani) is an immigrant to Canada. A newly minted doctor in his home country, he can't get a job, so is forced to become a cab driver. Of course, along the way, there's some romance a-brewin' and a wisecracking buddy (this time in the form of "Big Bang Theory"s Kunal Nayyar, at his hilarious best). Produced by Indian legend Salman Khan, this show was a gigantic hit in the Indian community, and cabs in Toronto still boast posters for this film. Even more interesting? It's being made into a TV show by eOne and First Take Entertainment, set to begin production in 2015.
"Enemy" Brought Us Face to Face With TWO Jakes
In an almost David Cronenberg-type theme, a pair of Jake Gyllenhaal doppelgangers randomly encounters one another in this Denis Villeneuve movie. Dark, moody, and resonant with jarring music, the film doesn't shy away from its Canadian locale. Taking place entirely in Toronto, the CN Tower, the streetcars, and other notable Toronto landmarks are centre stage, not blurred out or made to look like New York City. We love when Canadian directors don't shy away, and Villeneuve's twisted movie definitely does not.
"Wild" Made Us Love Our Mothers (and Music)
This Reese Witherspoon vehicle, directed by Canadian Jean-Marc Vallée ("Dallas Buyers Club") depicts a woman leaving her entire life behind and heading out into the harsh California wilderness. Known for his musical selection, Vallée does not disappoint here, with some fantastic '90s bands like Portishead and DJ Shadow featured prominently. Another pointer: you'll want to call your mother after viewing the film. Introspection is impossible to avoid.
"The Raid 2" Blew Our Minds
If you thought the original "The Raid" was amazing, saddle up for this sequel (also titled "The Raid 2: Berendal"). Directed by Gareth Evans and starring series star Iko Uwais, "The Raid 2" boasts the same qualities that made its predecessor such a hit: fantastic, well-shot martial arts sequences, non-stop action, and a broadened scope that includes more characters and locales. Rejoice, there is a Canadian connection: producer Todd Brown has solidly stood behind both projects and helped bring the film within our borders. Thank you, sir. Thank you.
The Boys Returned in "Trailer Park Boys: Don't Legalize It" and "SwearNet"
Admit it: you'd be sad if you never saw The Trailer Park Boys again. So while they keep coming back with the same ol' schtick, we challenge you not to chuckle when they cram an inhuman amount of swearing into a five-minute span. Even if the guys aren't your cup of tea, you can appreciate the sheer Canadian-ness of it all, and the fact that, in real life, Mike Wells (who plays Bubbles) permanently damaged his vision to play his character. That's dedication, and we're hard-pressed to think of any other Canadian trio more committed to their product than these Boys.
"The Grand Seduction" Took Us Out East
Shot in beautiful Newfoundland (specifically St. John's, Red Cliff, Trinity Bight and The Bonavista Peninsula), "The Grand Seduction" stars some top-notch Canadian talent, including Taylor Kitsch ("Friday Night Lights"), Gordon Pinsent ("Away From Her") and Liane Balaban ("New Waterford Girl"). Kitsch stars as a doctor getting wooed by the people of a small fishing village, who desperately need him to take up residency if their town is going to survive. Featuring some major Canadian eye candy in the long shots and cinematography (thank you, director Don McKellar), this'll make you want to buy a ticket to the Maritimes, STAT.
"Maps to the Stars" Was a Messed Up, F**ked Up Trip
Leave it to director David Cronenberg to have us shaking our heads, asking what the hell just happened. "Maps to the Stars," Cronenberg's latest venture, does just that; midway through the film, it switches gears and goes to places we didn't anticipate. But it's not a bad thing. With stellar performances from the cast (Julianne Moore won Best Actress at Cannes), it's best described as a "fever dream" -- coined by John Cusack, who stars in the film as a yoga instructor/spiritual guru. Canuck up-and-comer Sarah Gadon is also in the movie, working with Cronenberg for a third time.
"WolfCop" Gave Us a New Cult Hit
Because. Do we really need to explain?
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