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Last Night

Last Night

List Price: $14.98
Your Price: $13.48
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 3 stars
Summary: A beutifully judged film...
Review: ...that makes the best of its limited resources. And I never thought I'd get so emotional listening to Pete Seeger! A bit like the Cube in my mind - a good idea, extremely well executed, and not at all what you expect. However, absolutely rubbish DVD release - full-screen for one thing, the contrast is painful on the eye, and the sound is so low you have to turn the TV up as far as possible. Shame on you! I'm fed up of buying good films that deserve better treatment!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Touching!
Review: Although LAST NIGHT came out during the time that everyone and their mothers were doing movies about the end of the world, LAST NIGHT took a totally different twist. While everyone in every other movie was concerned about how to stop the world from ending, Don McKellar focuses more on the characters and how they live their lives up to that final moment, whether they spend their last night with their families, alone, or even doing the nasty! LAST NIGHT is an excellent Canadian film and McKellar is a genius!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Apocalypse, Eh?
Review: Atmospheric, profoundly moving low-budget wonder that stands tall in the crowded "End Of The World" genre. Director/star Don McKellar takes his cue from the more intelligent, character-driven apocalyptic films like "Day The Earth Caught Fire", "Miracle Mile" and "Quiet Earth". The story intimately focuses on several Toronto residents and how they choose to spend (what they know to be) the final 6 hours of thier lives. Some viewers may recognize McKellar from his work with director Atom Egoyan. He must have have been taking notes, because as a director, McKellar has inherited Egoyan's quiet, deliberate way of drawing you straight into the emotional core of his characters. Fantastic ensemble work, featuring a couple of casting coups: the timelessly beautiful and classy Genevieve Bujold and a rare acting appearance by oddball Canadian splatter director David Cronenberg. Although generally somber in tone, the well-written script delivers many laugh-out-loud moments, funny in a very real,gallows-humor way. The powerful and unforgettable final scene packs an almost indescribably emotional wallop. By the way, you know you're watching a Canadian version of the Apocalypse when the #4 song on the "Top 500 Of All Time" is by... Burton Cummings!

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: LAST but not least
Review: Directors such as Don McKellar make me proud to say, I AMCANADIAN! This film, Last Night, is wonderful little masterpiece just waiting to become a cult hit. And boy, does it deserve it! With a wonderful cast, including, Don himself, Sandra Oh and Sarah Polley, a great screen-play and almost flawless direction, I must say, I was blown away. I've always been of fan of Don's and his television show Twitch City, and I was not let down after seeing this film. Many whom are reading this article probably have just seen his new indie, waydowntown, and want to know if this is worth buying/watching, my answer is YES! And remember, the movie may be called Last Night, but you'll be watching it over and over!

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Fearfully funny
Review: Don McKellar is a hidden Canadian genius in my opinion. His roles in Exotica, a CBC series and other wonderful bits of artistic work have made me a big fan.

Last Night is what someone could call an Apocalyptic Comedy. Ever think you'd see a movie like that? Is it even possible to make something like that? Well, it is indeed and McKellar does it with great humour. The funniest scene is he seeing his family to celebrate Christmas, even though it isn't Christmas - people just want to try and have a final celebration.

Then there is the frustration with the brilliant co-star of the film as she desperately wants to get in touch with her husband and she cannot. At the same time, McKellar weaves a dark yet very funny movie. How is the world ending? How do people know this? You never find out. They just do, and somehow that is enough.

I would not say that this movie was "realistic"; people seemed so accepting that the world was ending. They just were trying to figure out things to do as they wait. I found it chilling in that, as I watched it, i was working in a job that was trying to solve the Y2k problem. I can only look back at THAT and this movie with even greater sardonic humour.

With a cameo by Cronnenburg, some great plot twists and stark imagery, this movie is a cinematic work of genius. Of course, since it is also intelligent, the general public did not see it in droves.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Great work as ever, Don!
Review: Don McKellar is definitely my favorite star in movie/theatre field. Few people have the same talent as he does--screen writer/playwrite/actor/director. I was so impressed by this movie, that afterwards every time I see him on screen, I focus all my attention on his performance. There is a new TV series called Twist City that he directed and acted as well, which won a large audience and great reviews in Canada. I hope they will start showing it in the States soon, because I've only seen one episode of it and couldn't wait to see the rest!

The movie tells of people's different reaction when the world is about to end. Because of the limited choice (time-wise) they had left to spend the last a few hours, they deliberately attempt to expand their choices, meaning throwing away all the boundages they had for a civilized life. This reminded me of something I've been thinking for a long time, during disaster people's normal posture will disappear, they run around and scream, forgetting everything about grace or formality, strode through mud in bare feet, cry till tears wash away all the makeup. Whatever people adapts to seperate them from animals, marking their so-called "differences" in nature, will disolve easily like soap bubbles in front of disaster, be it natural or man-made. Civilization is only paper-thin, the beast within is only to be chained but not to be killed. It is powerful enough that nobody can ever achieve the height to kill the beast, who will be released when the chain is removed. We've spent milleniums after milleniums fighting our 'evil', yet what is the purpose? What really is it that human being wanted? The answer is in Last Night.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: ... And I Feel Fine!
Review: Don McKellar's "Last Night" was a wonderful find. Its interlocking stories about the last day of the world avoids the overblown hysteria and razzmatazz that other films about an impending apocalypse emphasize ("Strange Days" comes to mind). Rather, McKellar focuses on the human element--the need to be with loved ones and the overwhelming sense of resignation that eventually settles in. "Last Night" is touching and funny, blessed with strong yet understated performances from McKellar, Sandra Oh, David Cronenberg and the rest of the cast. The ending, with its moving and effective use of the song "Guantanamera", packs a wallop. This is a small film that should not be ignored.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: A quiet little masterpiece
Review: First of all, I hope you haven't read the Amazon.com review above, as it spoils one of the film's surprises. Second, I would give the film itself 5 stars, but I deduct a star for the lackluster DVD presentation. It's full-frame (not letterboxed) and as for extras, there are none - it's your basic no-frills movie-and-a-trailer. Bleh. (Hell, the trailer is letterboxed at 1.85, why isn't the film?)

Having said that, you still need to own this. Or at least rent it, be blown away, come back here, and order it. Don McKellar has fashioned one of the most subtly moving directorial debuts in recent memory. So many classic moments...Callum Keith Rennie showing his friend McKellar his special room; Sandra Oh's reaction to a message on an answering machine; David Cronenberg (yes, him; great director, kind of a one-note actor, but his presence here is amusing and perfectly Canadian) sitting alone in his apartment eating ice cream; McKellar and his sister Sarah Polley (who deserves more screen time) trying to grin and bear it as their mom throws the final Christmas party they'll never get to have; Cronenberg's employee at the gas company getting drunk and wobbling around the office; Genevieve Bujold saying "Bon voyage" in the elevator.

It's a full package. The movie honestly earns its laughs and tears (I'm not a big crier at movies, but I misted up a few times). McKellar's handling of a variety of characters, and crosscutting between same, should be an object lesson to any filmmaker attempting this type of group portrait (are you listening, P.T. Anderson? A movie doesn't have to be 3 hours long and have characters blurt out their neuroses in order to move us). This is a quiet, understated, very Canadian vision of the end of the world. In 95 minutes it speaks volumes about the variety of approaches to life and death (do you go for the gold and try to fulfill your wildest fantasies? or do you strive to maintain some dignity and integrity in the face of apocalypse?).

Look at this film and look at "Armageddon," and it will tell you everything that's wrong with Hollywood blockbusters and everything that can be terrific about indie films.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: What would you do if...
Review: From beginning to end, I never wanted to stop watching "Last Night". This is a movie that will always keep your eyes on the screen; i especially liked Geneviève Bujold...she has such an intruiging presence. The end of the world is such a common topic and is always speculated about, yet the movie is never boring or predictable, no matter how much you think you know about what you think is going to happen, you don't. And that's how life is. It also brings to question if we were able to prepare for the last night on earth, how would we spend it? Would we hurry to fullfill every sexual fantasy we ever imagined or would we prefer to wait for the end alone or would we take our own lives before the earth took us? The only thing that I somewhat disliked about "Last Night" was the lack of music, i can think of so many songs that would fit this movie fantastically!

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: i liked last night
Review: how many times has the hypothetical question been asked about "what would u do if it was the end of the world?". almost never is the answer, "well i would be a hero and save the world." this movie is not like "armagedden", or other apocalyptic films. instead it shows various popular more practical answers to the hypothetical question. whether it be spending time with family, spend time alone, fufill a fantasy (sexual or non), rioting, committing crimes, its all in here. wonderful performances by don mckellar (who also wrote and produced it), sandro oh, and my personal favourite sarah polley. i must admit i watched this movie because i am a huge fan of polleys, but it turns out i stumbled on a wonderful realistic film. highly recommended


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