Previous Next June 11, 2026 The Wayans are back at the helm of their most well-known franchise and have a financially successful opening weekend to show for it. Do the laughs match up with the dollars? Join Nick, Shak, and Matt as they discuss the return and future of the Scary Movie franchise. Click HERE to subscribe to our YouTube channel for all of our latest video content including our interviews, and be sure to give us a thumbs up and comment your thoughts!

Previous Next December 13, 2023 WRITTEN BY: THE BITESIZE CREW Every year, there are hundreds, if not thousands, of movies released around the world. Even for us at Bitesize Breakdown, a collection of vociferous and voracious movie watchers, it’s impossible to keep up with every single movie released, so we can only imagine how many offerings fall through the cracks for the general movie fan. Whether it be a foreign film, an independent festival darling, or a smaller film that was unceremoniously dropped on VOD, it can be difficult parsing through all your options. Plus, we understand that everyone has busy lives, so the idea of wasting two hours on a movie you’ve never heard of is likely a non-starter for most people. We totally get it. That’s where this article comes in. Sure, you’ve likely heard of, or even seen, the big blockbusters…movies like Barbie and Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse …but what about the less flashy movies that didn’t get the same level of marketing as those tentpole behemoths? Below, each of the eight Bitesizers have highlighted two films that flew under-the-radar for whatever reason, but that are no less worthy of your time and attention. Many of these can be found on digital platforms currently, so you don’t even need to leave the comfort of your home to have a truly enjoyable movie-watching experience. If nothing else, we’re just hoping to spark some interest in something you may not have otherwise noticed. So, without further ado, check out the Bitesize Crew’s picks for their top hidden gems of 2023! ACIDMAN With a quiet release this year, this flick probably flew under your radar, but I’m here to spread the word on this touching, low-key, father-daughter drama. Despite a simple premise, Acidman is a beautifully shot, intimate two-hander with more meat on its bones than you’d expect. This allows its two leads, Dianna Agron and Thomas Haden Church, to deliver two of the most underrated performances of the year. This film is one of those rare gems that subtly unpacks its characters’ feelings onto the audience in such a gentle and reflective manner that it will resonate with many people. - Paige BIOSPHERE I first saw Biosphere as a last-minute addition to the TIFF line-up in 2022. It was added with almost zero information, outside of the fact that it starred Sterling K. Brown and Mark Duplass. Honestly, that's the best way to approach this movie, as blind as possible. Biosphere is an intimate, unique, and rather funny film surrounding two isolated men living through a supremely interesting premise. I’m more than a year removed from my first viewing, and it still hasn't left my mind. Sadly, though, it's public release in July came with little fanfare. I have no doubt people are bound to love this film if they see it, they just need to see it. - Nick THE CAINE MUTINY COURT-MARTIAL It’s a shame that The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial flew under the radar this year because it’s fantastic. This remake of the 1954 classic is helmed by the late William Friedken, who absolutely crushes it here. I know people say this a lot, but you really don’t see movies like this anymore. Caine Mutiny is patient, captivating, and unpretentious filmmaking at its finest. You can feel Friedkin’s confidence in almost every frame of the film, with the acting, blocking, and editing all being truly masterful. Sadly, this is Friedkin’s final film, but at least he went out with a bang. – Caleb CASSANDRO If nothing else, Cassandro is worth a watch for Gael García Bernal’s amazing performance. In almost any other year, he would be in talks for an Oscar nomination for his honest, vulnerable, and enthralling portrayal of the real life “exotico” wrestler. The movie itself is a slow burn that spends time to bring true emotional resonance to the title character’s journey. That same care is brought to the film’s gritty tone, exemplifying how much work and perseverance goes into people’s passions. Whether or not you’re a wrestling fan, you’re bound to appreciate how much Cassandro truly cares for its subject matter and its presentation, making it a movie you shouldn’t miss. - Amarú DEEP SEA At this point in my life, it takes a lot for me to fully buy into animated movies or movies with subtitles. With animation, I’m just too old and cynical nowadays, while with subtitles, I generally find it hard to immerse myself in the story with all the reading. However, Deep Sea is so remarkable, featuring a deeply poignant story of childhood depression and parental neglect told through some of the best animation I’ve ever seen, that I was utterly blown away. If you can believe it, I was even emotionally moved. It’s not unlike Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away , if you need something else to sell you on it, but Deep Sea more than stands on its own as one of the best animated films I’ve seen in recent years. - Quentin ENYS MEN Enys Men is a unique display of auteurship, with Mark Jenkin as the writer, director, cinematographer, editor, and composer of the soundtrack. Best described as a Cornish folk horror, it follows a woman known only as The Volunteer, played by Mary Woodvine, who is tasked with observing wildflowers on a remote island. The Volunteer repeats the same tasks daily, and eventually, everything slips between dreams and reality, where all of history and time seem to co-exist simultaneously. Shot on 16mm film, it has a palpable 1970s style, making it feel like a lost artifact that was discovered on that isolated island. I’m surprised Enys Men didn’t have more of an impact, especially considering the recent success of the similarly experimental Skinamarink, but it is a must-see for avant-garde horror fans. - Katie THE FIRST SLAM DUNK I will admit that I’m not the biggest anime fan, but a good friend recommended this to me because I am a huge basketball fan, and I was very happy that he did. The First Slam Dunk is a visual feast, with exciting in-game action and powerful stories to connect you with the players outside the game. It takes every aspect of itself seriously, complete with the typical over-the-top drama and comedy that makes anime such a revered genre, and it all works to make this film a very entertaining watch. Do yourself a favor… take a chance on one of the best animated films in this stacked animated year. - Amarú FLORA AND SON Not quite a family drama, not quite a love story, Flora and Son was such a pleasant surprise when I saw it at TIFF this year. Although the film is called Flora and Son , the highlight really is Flora (Eve Hewson) and Jeff (Joseph Gordon-Levitt). Hewson leans on her Irish roots as the brash and edgy Flora, which wonderfully contrasts against Gordon-Levitt’s clean-cut Jeff. The chemistry these two share without being in the same room is palpable, and director John Carney finds work arounds to ensure that we aren’t just watching an extended Zoom call. Meanwhile, the music is both catchy and quite good. In fact, I’d go so far as to suggest that “Meet in the Middle” deserves some Original Song recognition at this year’s Oscars. - Nick HOW TO BLOW UP A PIPELINE When it comes to social justice, the climate crisis, and civil disobedience, you'd be hard-pressed to find a film as effective at displaying those themes as How to Blow Up a Pipeline . The film is so successful in its messaging that it was later revealed that even the FBI had some concerns about the film. Yet, when it came out in April of this year, it didn't quite make the noise that a film like this probably should have made despite its critical acclaim. It’s a shame, really, considering a film of this magnitude and importance, despite its potentially radical approach, can inspire some necessary change as we continue to fight against a worsening environmental crisis. - Adriano LANDSCAPE WITH INVISIBLE HAND Landscape with Invisible Hand shocked me more than any other film this year. It was a film I thought I would hate, but I ended up really enjoying it. Director Cory Finley stands apart from his contemporaries by providing a substantive narrative with social commentary over a wide-range of social issues, and he does so with beautiful subtlety while avoiding the tempting Hollywood finger-wagging trend. Instead, what we get is a unique, satirical story that is eccentric but somehow avoids being weird. Asante Black and Kylie Rogers have fantastic chemistry, and Tiffany Haddish inspires with her own dramatic performance. This quirky hidden gem may not be on the monthly watch list, but movies with this level of intelligence rarely are; you will be glad you branched out. - Preston LINOLEUM “You know that comedian that talks in kind of an annoyingly high-pitched voice and does the skit on Hot Pockets?” - That question has been an easy reduction to quickly identify the comedian Jim Gaffigan, but NO MORE as he turns in a beautifully nuanced performance in Linoleum. This film is a breath of fresh air away from the usual Hollywood fodder as writer/director Colin West brings us a refreshingly warm and original story that is mercifully creative. Its cleverness lies in its ability to touch on so many beautiful themes while telling its surreal tale from the perspective of one “simple” man. In the end, what is captured is the complicated essence of what we experience through the vicissitudes of life and its strange wonder. - Preston PERFECT DAYS Sadly, Perfect Days didn't leave the mark it should have this year, even though it is one of the most emotionally rewarding movies of the year. The movie requires patience, that's undeniable; a majority of the movie is essentially just a man cleaning toilets and going about his day-to-day. So, sure, it's not the most exciting film in the world. However, those patient enough to stay will find something beautiful in the mundane. Kōji Yakusho's endearing performance is enough to make the experience worthwhile, but ultimately, you have a special film that exemplifies the beauties of life and that which keeps us going despite the hardships. I hope it finds an audience someday. - Adriano POLITE SOCIETY Polite Society is a one-two punch that deserves to have more people see it. Director Nida Manzoor manages to masterfully blend all sorts of genres, most notably comedy and martial arts, into a fresh and sharp coming-of-age story about two sisters, played by Priya Kansara and Ritu Arya. Their gleaming chemistry makes this spunky and charismatic film genuinely kick ass. If you’re looking for a playfully charming movie that is light-hearted, then Polite Society is the hidden gem for you to watch. - Paige RYE LANE Raine Allen Miller’s feature debut, Rye Lane , is the best rom-com I have seen in years, but I feel that it’s criminally underappreciated. The film follows Dom (David Jonsson) and Yas (Vivian Oparah), who meet after having each recently endured a rough break-up. Set against the backdrop of sunny South London, they get to know each other over the course of the day. It's an energetic and refreshingly modern take on a well-worn genre that is brimming with life and vibrant colour. The leads have genuine banter and authentic chemistry, and I was cheering for them all the way through. I feel this one was missed during an exciting year of blockbusters, but rest assured, Miller's charming film will make you fall back in love with rom-coms. - Katie SISU Admittedly, having first seen Sisu at TIFF 2022’s Midnight Madness has done a lot of heavy lifting towards making Sisu one of my Top Ten movies of 2023. That said, this is a heavily stylized war movie written and directed by a Finnish filmmaker you’ve probably never heard of, starring a collection of non-American actors you’ve probably never heard of. So, I get why most people likely avoided it. However, Sisu wears its American action influences on its sleeve, recalling everything from Quentin Tarantino, Captain America, Rambo, John Wick , and Saving Private Ryan . Plus, to ease your minds on the thing that probably scared off most people: it’s in English. - Quentin THEATER CAMP It’s surprising that more of my friends haven’t seen Theater Camp because it seems to be right up my demographic’s alley. It’s got a cast chock-full of some of my generation’s favorite actors, including Molly Gordon, Jimmy Tatro, and Ayo Edebiri. On top of that, it’s got a fun summer-camp, mockumentary style á la Wet Hot American Summer (2001), and most importantly, it’s funny as hell. It’s baffling to me that similar comedies like Barbie and Bottoms were such wild successes this year while this fell into relative obscurity. It’s hilarious and heart-warming at the same time, and if you’re in the mood for some more zany Gen-Z comedy, look no further than Theater Camp . - Caleb

HALO: SEASON TWO Starring: Pablo Schreiber, Bokeem Woodbine, Shabana Azmi, Natascha McElhone, Yerin Ha, Kate Kennedy, and Natasha Culzac Creators: Steve Kane and Kyle Killen AMARÚ Just when I thought I was going to regret being one of the few who liked Halo ’s first season, Season Two’s third episode brought me back from the depths with great action and just enough intrigue. From there, it’s still plenty generic, but moving away from the flood of unremarkable information in the first two episodes to focus on great character work and (yes, it’s worth repeating) well-shot action made this an improvement from last season. If you’re not a fan of the let’s-not-be-the-game-but-use-things-from-it approach, I really don’t blame you, but Pablo Schreiber and an improved supporting cast keeps Halo treading enough water.

Previous Next December 18, 2025 WRITTEN BY: NICK AND QUENTIN It's that time of year again, when Nick and Quentin get the chance to showcase some of their personal favourite posters of 2025. Some notable tropes have persisted (the still shot, the dreaded floating heads), but it feels like there were fewer this year. As with years past, there were certainly highlights in 2025 (you can see our 2024 selections HERE ), but nothing felt destined to become another iconic piece. Instead, you got a lot of promotional material that was well made but lacking in personality. With the theatrical experience under attack, posters as we know them could be in jeopardy as well. We need a big resurgence in 2026 to show that this is less a trend and more of just a down year. In spite of that, we were still able to find some highlights worthy of showcasing. Did any of these posters stick with you? Were they the driving force to make you see the films they represented? What is destined to hang on someone’s wall or act as their phone background? As a reminder, we are only talking about the quality of the poster, not the quality of the movie it represents. We don't need to bore you with a write up about why we love and appreciate each poster. Just appreciate the art as we let the posters speak for themselves, just like the artists who created them intended.

THE DIPLOMAT: SEASON TWO Starring: Keri Russell, Rufus Sewell, David Gyasi, Ali Ahn, Rory Kinnear, Ato Essandoh, and Allison Janney Creator: Debora Cahn QUENTIN Although some of the twists, turns, and plot points are a little absurd in a “that would never happen” way, The Diplomat remains a thoroughly engaging and ridiculously entertaining political drama in its second season. With only six episodes this go ‘round, the story moves at a breakneck pace without ever losing sight of the geopolitical stakes or the surprisingly complex characters that truly are the backbone of the series. Sure, it can get a little soapy at times, but the sharp writing, witty dialogue, and ability to subvert expectations erase any perceived flaws to make The Diplomat Netflix’s best ongoing original series.

Previous Next Summer is here so we're bringing you a two-part series of the greatest Summer Blockbusters of all time. First up, we look at the best the 20th Century has to offer as the Bitesize crew has put their brains together to compile Bitesize Breakdown's consensus Top Five Summer Blockbusters of the 20th Century. Due to the scope of this list, we narrowed it down to films that were released within the summer window and were a top five box office draw in their year of release. Each writer ranks their top 15 films in the category. Those lists are then weighted on a reverse point system. After all the points are tallied up, the entries with the most total points make up the Bitesize Top Five. 5. THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK If you know me, you know where my top vote went here (I wanted to give someone else a chance to talk about it). Second on my list, however, was The Empire Strikes Back . Not only is this film a timeless classic, but it's also the best film in one of the most successful franchises of all time. The influence of Empire is still seen across genres in the present day, while the twist of Luke Skywalker's (Mark Hamill) parentage continues to be one of the greatest in cinematic history. Not to mention, this is also where we were first introduced to Frank Oz's Yoda. In a franchise coming up on 50 years of content, this still remains the gold standard of Star Wars. - Nick 4. JURASSIC PARK Considering I just walked out of the latest installment of this franchise and how far it has flown from the original, it has not been lost on me recently how absolutely massive Jurassic Park was when it was released, and how amazingly well it still holds up today. First and foremost, the special effects look better than half of the movies that are released now. Secondly, nobody generates entertainment, propulsion, tension, and wonder quite like the king of blockbusters Steven Spielberg. Lastly (though honestly this list could be 10 points long), there might not be a more lovable trio of protagonists than that of Alan Grant (Sam Neill), Ellie Sadler (Laura Dern), and Ian Malcolm (the ever-lovable Jeff Goldblum). I don’t care what place we may officially have this on our list; it’s hard to argue that Jurassic Park isn’t the greatest summer blockbuster of all time. - Amarú 3. RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK The fact that there are three Steven Spielberg-directed films on this list is a testament to how he not only created the summer blockbuster, but defined it over the course of decades. Before the aforementioned Jurassic Park , 1981’s Raiders of the Lost Ark was another stone-cold classic in his filmography, as he teamed up with old friend George Lucas (a summer blockbuster pioneer himself with Star Wars ). Raiders features all the action, romance, humour, mythology, practical effects, breakneck pacing, and exotic landscapes that came with the 1930s and 1940s pulp adventure serials that made up their childhoods. It’s a fantastic showcase for all involved, and it’s no wonder that it became the highest-grossing film of that year, further catapulting the careers of Spielberg, Lucas, and Harrison Ford, whose iconic turn as Indiana Jones would solidify him as a movie star in the process. - Bode 2. JAWS Of course Jaws is on the top of my list. Whilst there were successful event films before its release, the unprecedented success of Jaws redefined the cinematic landscape and realised the potential of blockbuster cinema. The studio initially viewed it as a B-movie with a turbulent production, but after it proved a success with audiences, they marketed and promoted it like nothing else before, resulting in extraordinary audience turnouts in the summer of its release and, subsequently, massive profits. Jaws launched Steven Spielberg’s career, and even 50 years later, its impact is inescapable. From the instantly recognisable theme composed by John Williams (da dum.. da dum..) to its famous lines of dialogue (“you’re gonna need a bigger boat!”), everything about Jaws is iconic in some way. - Katie 1. BACK TO THE FUTURE When we look at Top Five lists, Back to the Future , when eligible, is usually featured prominently, especially for me. The reason for that is pretty self-explanatory: it is the perfect movie. Even if you find the premise strange, it tells a tight story with awesome characters, an iconic score, and stunning special effects. It has spawned two sequels, an animated series, video games, a theme park ride, and a hit Broadway musical. Fans come out in droves to conventions when BTTF actors are set to appear. It is a film that has resonated with audiences for forty years, and it will likely continue for at least eighty-eight more. - Robert HONORABLE MENTIONS INDIANA JONES AND THE LAST CRUSADE THE LION KING TERMINATOR 2: JUDGMENT DAY ALIEN WHO FRAMED ROGER RABBIT

STICK: SEASON ONE Starring: Owen Wilson, Peter Dager, Marc Maron, Mariana Treviño, Lilli Kay, and Judy Greer Creator: Jason Keller QUENTIN If you mixed The Farrelly Brothers’ Kingpin with Happy Gilmore , then wrapped it all up in the saccharine heartfelt vibe of Shrinking , you’d end up with Stick . If the sweetness of the latter is your thing …and assuming you can get past the initially grating characters on screen (they even out as the show progresses) …and assuming you enjoy Owen Wilson’s and Marc Maron’s schtick …this show is worth a shot. Personally, I don’t particularly like Shrinking and I think Wilson is a better supporting player than a lead, but I like Maron, Timothy Olyphant, and golf, so it balanced out to be a decent binge.

PERCY JACKSON AND THE OLYMPIANS: SEASON TWO Starring: Walker Scobell, Leah Sava’ Jeffries, Aryan Simhadri, Charlie Bushnell, Dior Goodjohn, Daniel Diemer, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Jason Mantzoukas, and Adam Copeland Creators: Rick Riordan and Jonathan E. Steinberg AMARÚ Looking at my ratings, you would think Season Two is a step down. But this season’s three-point-five reels for a more cohesive story, more weight given to the core cast, and a finale that starts to get into the darkness that children can resiliently handle is better than last season’s four-reel adventure of the week, capsule episode children's show. The young actors’ growing pains in early episodes are paid off with more-than-solid full season character arcs, while expanded lore introduces interesting new characters and an exciting story that’s clearly leading to more mature themes in Season Three. My smile continues to grow with every new episode. Check out our reviews for Season One HERE .

Previous Next February 28, 2025 Welcome to A Bigger Bite, the podcast series where we take a deeper dive into some of our favourite films of the year (spoilers included). With the Oscars coming up, we've decided to launch with an episode for each film the Academy Awards have nominated for Best Picture, releasing an episode each day leading up to the big ceremony. We promise this episode won't be over three hours. Here's The Brutalist ! P.S. Stay tuned for a peek behind the scenes with our version of an MCU post credit moment. Click HERE to subscribe to our YouTube channel for all of our latest video content including our interviews, and be sure to give us a thumbs up and comment your thoughts!

FROM: SEASON ONE Starring: Harold Perrineau, Catalina Sandino Moreno, Eion Bailey, David Alpay, Elizabeth Saunders, Shaun Majumder, Scott McCord, Ricky He, Chloe Van Landschoot, Pegah Ghafoori, Corteon Moore, Hannah Cheramy, Simon Webster, Avery Konrad, Paul Zinno, and Elizabeth Moy Creator: John Griffin QUENTIN If you’re one of those people constantly on the lookout for the next Lost , this might be the show for you. It boasts the same type of supernatural, “where are we?” mystery as that groundbreaking series, but does it with a creepy horror slant (imagine if Stephen King wrote Lost ). While the acting can be so-so at parts and the characters are sometimes less than compelling simply due to how many there are, the world building is fantastic. And with a finale that promises to push the mysteries and expand the world even further next season, this very well could become the internet’s next obsession.

YOU: THE COMPLETE FOURTH SEASON Starring: Penn Badgley, Tati Gabrielle, Lukas Gage, Charlotte Ritchie, Tilly Keeper, Amy-Leigh Hickman, Ed Speleers, Brad Alexander, Niccy Lin, Aidan Cheng, Stephen Hagan, Ben Wiggins, Eve Austin, Ozioma Whenu, Dario Coates, Sean Pertwee, Alison Pargeter, and Adam James Creators: Sera Gamble and Greg Berlanti QUENTIN PART ONE After a relatively subpar Season Three, You has returned to flip the script, making stalker Joe (Penn Badgley) the stalkee in a binge-worthy whodunnit. In making that switch, You plays with genre tropes while also delivering a commentary on today’s trendiest topic: toxic wealth. Admittedly, satirizing the rich is becoming played out, but it works here because it isn’t the story’s primary focus. Mostly, this is a story about Joe and whether he can be redeemed, but when those two angles are joined together, they create a terrific Part One that is Knives Out meets Dexter . I can’t wait for Part Two to drop next month. PART TWO After the strong and refreshing redirect that was Part One, Part Two fumbles away the season before it can reach the goal line. There is a late twist that is admittedly unexpected, but it’s so clumsily and confusingly executed that it ruins the momentum of the final three episodes. All the interest, intrigue, and tension dissipate because of this shark-jumping moment. That said, the season ends on a note that makes for an interesting direction in Season Five, but only time will tell if they can capitalize on it or if the show has run its course. PAIGE PART ONE Oh, how the tables have turned on Joe (Penn Badgley), who is now getting a taste of his own medicine in the first part of Season Four, which is an Agatha Christie-style whodunnit with a dash of social satire. It’s a different approach than what we’re traditionally used to with this series, but it’s actually quite clever and bloody fun. So far, it’s got me contemplating if creepy Joe can actually be redeemed, but we’ll have to wait for Part Two to find out. Either way, in the end, it’s always been about you , Penn Badgley, and you deliver a killer performance once again. PART TWO This season of You feels tonally different from the others. The first half of the series is structured like a whodunnit, and it was a promising bloody start that I quite enjoyed. However, the second half takes a totally different approach, prattling on to add more nuance but ultimately fumbling the ball. The last few episodes just feel rushed because they are tying up loose ends in a lazily sloppy way, and while the end of the season positions Season Five to go to an intriguing place, I wonder if it's the overall right decision to take the story in that direction.

Previous Next April 16, 2025 WRITTEN BY: NICK Canadian films tell us Canadians about ourselves and our neighbours. They tell us about the world we live in and the world we want to live in. They showcase our incredible achievements and our stories. In celebration of that ideal, today is National Canadian Film Day, a day that gives us the opportunity to share those stories while celebrating with people from across the country. With over 1800 free screenings from coast to coast, there is a Canadian film for everyone. If you need help finding one right for you, a list of some of the best films this country has to offer is available HERE . With 38 pages of films, I tried to narrow down to a mixture of my personal favourites, under-appreciated features, and films I think best showcase Canada. Still, there are plenty of great recent indies, like Humanist Vampire Seeking Consenting Suicidal Person and I Like Movies , that I don't even mention. There have also been notable documentaries, like Wrestling with Shadows and The Carter Effect . Hell, I don't even get into the early works of directors like Denis Villeneuve, David Cronenberg, and Sarah Polley. Canadian cinema is just that good. So, while there is a wealth of films I implore you to seek out, let's talk about just a few of the films I think best encapsulate the spirit of the day. STRANGE BREW (1983) If you have a very stereotypical view of Canadians, you're probably picturing Bob and Doug McKenzie (Rick Moranis and Dave Thomas), a duo that got their start on SCTV before blowing up with their big screen feature, Strange Brew . This is our Dumb and Dumber , featuring two dimwitted friends who supply lowbrow humour and charm in an outrageous and ridiculous story about commandeering free beer — a truly Canadian prize if I've ever heard one. Oh, and did I mention it's a loose re-telling of Hamlet ? Yup. You should definitely check out the pair from The Great White North ; otherwise, take off, ya hoser. THE WRONG GUY (1991) In the world of intentionally dumb comedies, The Wrong Guy is one of the most overlooked. Let's start with the premise: after discovering his boss murdered, Nelson Hibbert (Dave Foley) attempts to flee to Mexico as he believes he is the prime suspect, except, unbeknownst to him, the authorities are aware he is not at fault. It's such a simple and silly idea that brings forth plenty of laughs thanks to Foley's over-the-top antics and some repeat gags (Lynn’s (Jennifer Tilly) narcolepsy gets me every time). I'm not one to call for remakes, but you could easily revamp this thing to great effect, too. Until then, the original Canadian comedy gem is there for your viewing pleasure. SHARKWATER (2006) One of the most affecting documentaries I've ever seen is 2006's Sharkwater . Director Rob Thomas (no Matchbox Twenty affiliation) travels the world to explore the plight sharks are facing, as well as the people who continue to disobey the laws meant to protect the endangered giant sea wonders. Thomas is front and center as he showcases his humanity and the beauty of these animals. It will change the way you look at sharks, as it did for many others as Sharkwater led to the banning of shark finning in 90 countries across the globe. Unfortunately, Thomas passed away in a diving accident while shooting the follow-up Sharkwater: Extinction , but his team finished the film, which acts as a wonderful tribute. ROOM (2015) I admit, some of these films aren’t well-known outside of my home country, but that is not the case with Room . The harrowing story of a mother and her child raised in captivity led to multiple Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture and Best Actress for star Brie Larson (which she won). Larson, along with the feature debut of young Canadian Jacob Tremblay, are sensational in the film as they tell one of the most poignant stories of survival in the face of domestic abuse. Room is the kind of film that makes you think, sticking with you long after the credits finish rolling. If you somehow haven't seen this one, make sure you change that. LONG TIME RUNNING (2017) I don't expect non-Canadians to understand the way The Tragically Hip are tethered to the DNA of this country. Hell, I didn't understand until I was older. However, when Gord Downie, the lead singer of the band was diagnosed with brain cancer, leading him to embark on a final tour, it was a national event. Long Time Running captures the ups and downs of this tour, all leading up to the final performance in the band's hometown of Kingston, Ontario. With Downie passing a year later, you're literally watching a man dying in front of you, yet still doing what he loved all his life. He goes all out, performing at the top of his game and closing his career with an unbelievable final performance. The inclusion of a "concert" film here may seem strange, but if you're from here, you get it. BROTHER (2022) Brother was my introduction to rising star Aaron Pierre, and it put him on my radar well before Rebel Ridge and Lanterns . The film, which I originally saw at TIFF, didn’t initially hit me at the levels it has grown to since. I was always high on Clement Virgo’s direction and the stunning cinematography, but it is the dynamic between the two brothers that made the lasting impact. Watching Francis and Michael (Pierre and Lamar Johnson) as they navigate the city of Toronto while battling others’ expectations of who they should be is something to behold. Virgo keeps the story feeling intimate and homegrown, adding to the authenticity, and even though I initially pushed back on the portrayal of Scarborough, Ontario, it still feels like Toronto in many ways. BLACKBERRY (2023) “I’m from Waterloo, where the vampires hang out!” is just one of the many great lines from Glenn Howerton’s Jim Balsillie in BlackBerry . Playing somewhat against type while still harnessing his It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia rage, Howerton is terrific as the bombastic BlackBerry investor Balsillie. It’s a performance that could have easily gone too far over-the-top to be believable, but he finds ways to ground it. It also helps that he’s juxtaposed well to Jay Baruchel’s quiet and reserved Mike Lazaridis, the CEO of Research in Motion (and creator of the BlackBerry). You get the full story of the company’s rise from practically nothing to its legendary downfall. There are comedic moments, yes, but the drama outweighs them in what ended up being one of the biggest surprises of 2023. HEY, VIKTOR! (2023) A large part of this country is its indigenous people, and we're starting to see a lot more of their stories being told. One example, which flew under the radar last year, is Hey, Viktor! This comedy about the journey to make a sequel to the 1998 cult classic Smoke Signals is hilarious. Cody Lightning is a big reason why it’s so funny because he plays into the absurdity of it all while never shying away from poking fun at himself. Even the mockumentary format, which I'm more than tired of, is used sparingly enough that it actually enhances the film. This is probably the most hidden of the gems on this list, but I promise it's worth your time. MR. DRESSUP: THE MAGIC OF MAKE-BELIEVE (2023) I've always been big on nostalgia, and nothing is more nostalgic to my childhood than Mr. Dressup . For those born between 1967 and 1996, Ernie Coombs helped raise us. He was our Mr. Rogers, which is only solidified by the fact that the pair maintained a close professional and personal relationship. This documentary explores the cultural impact the series had, featuring interviews with numerous Canadian stars who speak of their connection to the show and share some never-before-heard stories about Coombs himself. Whether it's his emotional performance on Fred Penner's Place following his wife's passing, or the tear-jerker of a story his son tells about Coombs' stroke, this film does for Coombs what Won't You Be My Neighbor? did for Fred Rogers. That is to say, it does him justice.