CINELATION | Movie Reviews by Christopher Beaubien
Subscribe
Siren
HAL 9000
Now Showing
  • DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT: BRIDGE NO. 29 (2014)

    DIRECTOR'S STATEMENT:
    BRIDGE NO. 29 (2014)

    My short film stands as a cautionary tale for those unwilling to take personal responsibility for their mistakes until they are thoroughly helpless. The helping hand that Glenn is reaching for this time is Sandra, an old friend he hasn’t seen in a long time. Their reunion couldn’t be more awful. Both of them become engaged in a fierce and highly calculated battle of wills.

  • A Few Bits on A ZED AND TWO NOUGHTS (1985)

    A Few Bits on A ZED AND TWO NOUGHTS (1985)

    Peter Greenaway’s sumptuously decadent film "A Zed and Two Noughts" (1985) is one that sates both the visceral and cerebral palettes. While the viewers watch these images, they can contemplate how the subtle offsets to otherwise level and harmonious compositions are really broken illusions that reflect their chaotic reality.

  • Movie Review: BERNIE (2012)

    Movie Review: BERNIE (2012)

    Too often, people cannot believe that he – of all people! – could commit murder. That is the buzz coming from the good people of Carthage, Texas over their beloved Bernie Tiede – the real life subject of Richard Linklater’s bizarre crime story.

  • Movie Review: INCENDIES (2011)

    Movie Review: INCENDIES (2011)

    Nawal Marwan is dead. The room is still and unbearably quiet. As the notary Jean Lebel (Rémy Girard) reads Nawal's final will and testament aloud, Jeanne (Mélissa Désormeaux-Poulin) and Simon (Maxim Gaudette) are disturbed by their mother's final request.

  • Movie Posters: LIFE DURING WARTIME (2010) and Other Films by Todd Solondz

    Movie Posters: LIFE DURING WARTIME (2010) and Other Films by Todd Solondz

    Over Todd Solondz's career from "Welcome to the Dollhouse" (1996) to "Palindromes" (2004), the posters of his films have been consistently inspired. Their designs and illustrations(!) convey the sweet and sour qualities of his controversial themes, which engage and then subvert our expectations.

The First CINELATION Retrospective is Happening

Written by Christopher Beaubien • December 06, 2023 • Start the Discussion!

With the support of the Cineworks Independent Filmmakers Society, I will be screening three of my favourite short films together for the first time on the big screen next Tuesday, December 12th. These macabre works include Bridge No. 29, Socket and the award-winning Siren.

The First CINELATION Retrospective will celebrate the last ten years I have worked diligently as an independent filmmaker with a great assortment of talented and dedicated artists. I hope you will brave the cold to enjoy a rare opportunity to experience these three films.

The Black Box Studio is located at 300 – 1131 Howe Street behind the Cinematheque. Since the entrance is down a back alley, I encourage you to bring a friend.

The First CINELATION Retrospective takes place on December 12th at 6:30pm.

CinelationRetrospective_MoviePoster_Cineworks_810x1200

SIREN (2020) – The Award-Winning Horror Film Now Available For Streaming

Written by Christopher Beaubien • October 28, 2023 • Start the Discussion!

“SIREN” Electronic Press Kit (EPK)

Award-Winning Horror/Thriller Film (16 Minutes)

Driving on a highway late at night, distracted driver April (Dalit Holzman) and her combative lover Brooke (Erin Morgan) are pulled over for speeding by two sinister police officers (Eryka Alanna and Madison Isolina). During a strange and increasingly frightening interrogation, the two women find themselves under the power of a supernatural force that changes everything they ever knew about themselves… and each other.
CONTINUE READING ►

SIREN (2020) Film Festival Run

Written by Christopher Beaubien • October 02, 2022 • Start the Discussion!

SIREN_Beaubien_MICFF_Awards_Still

“SIREN” Electronic Press Kit (EPK)

My latest short movie SIREN (2020) is having a successful film festival run this year.

It has been featured in 81 film festivals around the world and garnered 16 award wins and 24 nominations:

FILM FESTIVAL AWARDS/NOMINATIONS

PEEPHOLE filmfest
Winner for Best Horror Short Film

Vancouver Independent Film Festival
Winner for Best Thriller Short Award for the Spring 2022

Snow Leopard International Film Festival
Winner for Best Horror Short Award
Nominated for Best Color Editing and Best Sound Design

The South African Independent Film Festival
Winner for the Best Experimental Film

The Strange Days Horror Fest
Winner for Best International Short Film Award for September 2023

The Rio Grind Film Festival
Winner for Best Cinematography

Montreal Requiem Fear Fest
Winner for Best Actress (Dalit Holzman)
Nominated for Best Canadian Short Film

HORROR-RAMA 2022 International Short Film Festival
Winner for Best Actress – Scream Queen (Erin Morgan)

CONTINUE READING ►

OLDBOY (2003) Introduction at the Vancity Theatre

Written by Christopher Beaubien • September 27, 2022 • Start the Discussion!

Oldboy_Cinelation

On the evening of September 17th, I volunteered to introduce the Vancity Theatre’s screening of Park Chan-wook’s cult classic “Oldboy” (2003). This is what I had to say about it.

Good evening. My name is Christopher Beaubien and I am honoured to be here.

Very soon your heart will be pounding in your chest. Your stomach will sink into its knees. And we’ll all be grinning ear-to-ear watching “Oldboy” in all of its 4K glory.

How many of you are seeing this movie for the first time?

Back in 2005, a horror movie buff loaned me a VHS copy of “Basket Case” and then he challenged me to show him a really scary movie. I hate to disappoint and I knew just the movie to show him. Once I had the movie set up to show my new friend as well as 30 other people (Don’t ask), he asked me — he was so excited:

“Chris, is this movie really scary?”

I assured him it was.

Then the air turned to chill and his face betrayed apprehension.

He asked me again, “Chris, is this movie really scary?”

I told him it was.

CONTINUE READING ►

SOCKET (2016) – The Newly Restored Version

Written by Christopher Beaubien • June 04, 2022 • Start the Discussion!

During the pandemic one of my side projects was to produce a new restoration of “Socket.” The movie now includes a more detailed and refined color correction, new visual and sound effects as well as a few more subtle improvements to the edit. The picture has also been reformatted into a 1.66:1 aspect ratio, otherwise known as the European widescreen standard.

I hope you enjoy it.