Change Your Image
pacmand-53062
Reviews
Action: The October Crisis of 1970 (1974)
A period of Canada's history they don't broadcast widely
Okay so this was a very informative movie/documentary. It had a very old feeling to it, but it is a little older so that's to be expected. I'm in this history of Canada course and going with stereotypical Canadian beliefs; I assumed Canadians were always just calm and collected but this proved me 100% wrong! Quebec was not only like the major role player but it (depending on how you look at it) was also the only problem. Those in Quebec wanted to just save their tradition of having French apart of their daily lives but the English was slowly taking over and with my mindset I thought those who were opposed would be peaceful. Ummm no, those separatists were blowing stuff up, angry because of change and when the queen shows up, game over. The thing that caught me off guard was how a politician can just up and say, "Canada is going through a major crisis!" How can you just know that? I mean sure there's a REALLY big issue going on and he was right, but to call it that early? I'm a bit suspicious. Regardless of that, if Trudeau was being labeled as a traitor for wanting new and bringing in English ways why not take a more..political approach and not a toddler approach? Kidnapping people? Starting riots? Killing police officers? I was appalled at how the police were beating the opposers like it's the 50's in America. This was a very opinion-changing event for me, seeing the ACTUAL footage of this happening. I understand the Queboicois wanting to withstand by their views but going to the extremes that they did was uncalled for. With that said I would recommend this for anyone wanting to get some deep insight into the rather history of Canada we don't really see, nor does Canada really broadcast. I now know that Canada is just as American as I assumed, they were, things don't go your way? Push forward and ask questions later.
In Bed with an Elephant (1987)
Very informative and worth a look into! (coming from a college student)
Alrighty! Where do we begin I have a few favorite parts because well maybe I'm still a toddler. I will give this documentary/movie/fly-on-the-wall production a 8.3/10. It's definitely a Canadian produced video because about 12 minutes in the narrator (Kent Martin) says, "eh?" so be proud! (I'm not Canadian FTR). It was a VERY informative video; not only did it hit the history before the presidents came into relationships with the Prime ministers, it dove deep into each and every relationship up until Maloney and Reagan. I will do my best to not give any spoilers but the important information. Martin pointed out that the star-spangled banner isn't only about them gaining their independence, the bombs bursting was about canada! Mackenzie and Roosevelt had a great relationship. Roosevelt admired Mackenzie and upon meeting each other they had a great time and made this very apparent with the press and public eye. To make sure ties were set in stone and both countries would be 'best friends' they signed a permanent defense agreement; in which this would be an issue much later but bare with me we'll get there. Canadians made it apparent that Howe was the reason the economy was booming. America and Canada were major trading partners and this is what helped bring them together until Diefenbaker and Kennedy ran into issues. (toddler inbound) Diefenbaker wanted Canada to be Canada, and took trade away from the US and wanted to stop the Americans from owning so many businesses in Canada. Diefenbaker wanted to not rely on Americans due to his petty relationship with Kennedy; and took trading to the US's enemies (china). When the Cuban missle crisis happened Canadians were not per say 'against' Diefenbaker but if something happened Canadians would back Kennedy with no hesitation. To further help himself, Kennedy held private meetings with Canadian officials and press to help his image. During this secrecy Diefenbaker's term was coming near and with Kennedy being a sly fox helped kick him out and started a great relationship with the next Prime Minister. Kennedy had some not so nice remarks about Diefenbaker in which you'll have to watch to find out what he said! Kennedy wasn't able to further the relationship unfortunately but Johnson and Pearson were great together thanks to Kennedy. It's questionable as to whether Johnson took Canada for granted and had a VERY informal meeting with Pearson. It was more of a best friend party that finally got down to business with a random situation. Martin further digs into the economy of Canada and automobile industry and how this was a good and bad thing for Canada. Johnson and Pearson eventually came to an issue but Pearson being Canadain stuck with the old good ways and made everything all better. Later Nixon comes into play and wasn't a true fan of Trudeau and later called him a donkey. Also Nixon comes back and even though there's no wall #trump between Canada and the US their differences can be met through a good talk and each should tie their own shoes before helping the other put their shoes on.Martin has great footage of each relationship which really kept one engaged and it was easy to follow and piece together. I'd recommend it if you'd like to know a little more about the history between the two closest friends in the world.
The Vinland Mystery (1984)
A great movie that's quick and insightful
This was a very good goose chase that only ended up finding the egg of the goose and a few feathers. Having no knowledge of this prior, it was a solid description from start to finish and I actually learned a lot.
The vinland mystery is a story that was told down through many generations and this "land" was the wonderful grape growing land that was "found". I thought it gave a good background and really went to give as much information as they had found, so the whole line of events could easily be traced. It was funny how this land in which everyone knew about through word of mouth, never had been documented except in only two sagas: 'Eric the Red' and 'Greenlanders'. Eric's story was the same in 'eric the red' and 'greenlanders'. Eric had to be exiled which I find fascinating because of his choices but why did he commit murder in the first place? It's a total side mission but I would have liked to know why. This is why he lived a hard life like his dad but then the next question is why was his father living a hard life? There's just some backstory on Eric that I would like to know but I guess that's up to me to dream about. It makes sense that Dr. Ingstead would follow the exact route described by leif Erickson but if he already knew what was there, why go along the path? Well it was a good thing he did because he found what he needed, but not what he wanted. There was a beach that was a day long as in the story so Dr. Ingstead found said beach and followed it for another day and found 'L'anse Aux Meadows'. It was a big surprise that he found this beach, but the Norse went even further north. It was perfectly written as so that I thought they found vinland but they dug around and found where the Norse people were living for a short period of time. I was happy to know where they settled but why couldn't there have been clues for the actual 'vinland'? I enjoyed the ending in how they recognized this land of "L'anse Aux meadows" as a national treasure but we still don't know where vinland is. The only reason we're sure the Norse were here because of a nice clue, luckily left behind by those wonderful people. I'm just as happy as I am shocked, we found where they stopped but where did they go after that??? What's north? Ice? Did they turn around? I enjoyed this movie, just take the tiny wins during the movie and run with it! The Dr. and his wife didn't find vinland but they found the next best thing, proof.
I thought it was a good addition that the Dr. included some actual footage of his journey, it gave some life and allowed the viewer to see how gorgeous the land actually was. Having no prior knowledge of this or anything about the people, I had a clear description of who they were and their situations. It is a documentary, but I would recommend this for anyone who likes mystery and likes to have questions afterwards!