Best Donald Sutherland Roles

After his villainy masterclass in The Hunger Games trilogy, this week we salute a real Canadian treasure. The 80 year old native of St Johns, New Brunswick has brought a lot more to cinema than his son Kiefer. Possessive an ability to steal a film away with only the most deft of touches, Sutherland is one of cinema's true underrated greats. Here are a collection of his greatest on screen appearances

(**Apologies for not being able to provide all videos directly!)


John Baxter: Don't Look Now

Sutherland's performance here is magnificent two part one- on the one hand he expertly gives a devastating real impression of a bereaved father. On the next hand he is a man whose curiosity is leading him down a very dangerous road. Haunted by a small figure in red mack around the lurking streets of Venice, director Nicholas Roeg encaptures the true horror involved. But its the opening scene that sets the tone as every parents nightmare comes to life The abject fear and crushing bewilderment in his eyes makes his character come alive.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8yqq6uBrKc



Colonel X: JFK 

Swiftly stealing Oliver Stone's movie from under star Kevin Costner, Sutherland provides what is the most accomplished cameo is this 1991 ensemble. "Call me X" his whistle-blowing army Colonel informs D.A Jim Garrison. What follows next truly turns Stone's movie around and we realize this is no ordinary conspiracy. Speaking at unhurried pace, the almost creepy joy X has while hold his deck of substantial cards slowly elevates tension. Did his transfer to a remote base in the South Pole have nothing or everything to with the assassination? This brief appearance leaves us reeling.

Ronald Bartel: Backdraft 

Another showcase of his scene stealing abilities, as recovering fire-bug Ronald, Sutherland is absolutely electric in Ron Howard's drama. Appearing a collected, if slightly odd character he is needled like acupuncturist by fire investigator Shadow (Robert De Niro). His sudden childish glee at his desire to what he wishes to do to the world, "Burn it, burn it all!" is utterly frightening and his more dangerous side appears. One of his more OTT on screen moment but when carried with such gusto it hardly matters.

Calvin: Ordinary People

As father Calvin Sutherland is reduced to playing referee to control the bitter animosity of his wife and son. Secretly drowning in his sadness and despair following their beloved older son's death, Sutherland brilliantly plays a man just trying to hold on. One of the great missed performances that Oscar should have rewarded, Sutherland's underplaying of his final scene with Mary Tyler Moore lament her coldness and their lost love as a result is heart rendering.

Hawkeye Pierce: M*A*S*H 

He may not have made as many waves as Alan Alda as the laid back, Martini loving Hawkeye but Sutherland is still wonderful in Robert Altman's satire. Constantly sporting his beloved shades (even during surgery) Sutherland gives one the more refined demonstrations of comedic touch. Always one to make his point in an almost docile manner, Hawkeye is the man every wants to go and among the various characters teetering on the verge of breakdown- Hawkeye is the only level head. Shown during his calculated and casual baiting of rival Frank Burns (Robert Duvall)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXtVS8SFmJw

Top 5 Cinematic Battle Scenes

Saving Private Ryan: Omagh Beach

As openings go, none have been more realistic or eye opening  in Steven Spielberg's career than this one. Seeing Captain Miller (Tom Hanks) and friends speeding away in a boat towards what will be a life changing event, we see soldiers being sick from nerves. The moment they hit the beach, there are no heroics, men drown from their heavy packs, bullets hover like fireflies and lives disappear in an instant. Spielberg succeeds in showing that in the heat battle, only brave and the fortunate prevail. Even today this stands as one of the great directors finest sequences!

Star Wars: A New Hope: Death Star Attack

Since its release in 1977, George Lucas' sci-fi masterpiece has a finale that has lost none of its potency. An air bound dog fight in its finest, the Rebels goes head to head with the Empire in what amounts to little more than a suicide run. The thrill factor is still very much alive and Lucas and his company Industrial Light and Magic have succeeded in keeping the effects looking timeless. But it is what's at stake that provide the audience its real nerves as the Death Star is on the verge of blowing them out of existence. Try fight not to stand up and cheer during the trench run sequence, I dare you!

Zulu: Rourke's Drift

The most endearing this about the Cy Enfield's, 1964 war film is the soldiers it is based on. 100 brave British Soldiers stood firm against the a never sea of over 4,000 Zulu Warriors at Rourke's Drift. Enfield in a pulse raising effort shows the grit and determination of the men involved. Led by aristocratic Bromhead (Michael Caine) and hard nosed engineer Chard (Stanley Baker) the red coats find the spirit in themselves to repel the rolling waves before them. The finale sequence is the one that still stands out as the weary warriors through sheer will win a deserved respect from the enemy. 11 Victoria Crosses were awarded for their courage- still a record to this day.

Apocalypse Now: Village Attack

These day's it is impossible to hear Wagner's 'Ride of the Valkyries' and not think of the memorable village attack from Francis Ford Coppola's 1979 Vietnam War classic! Emerging from the clouds like black angels of death, they quickly rain down a fiery and bloody outcome on the villagers below. Led by thrilling seeking surfer commander, Lt Colonel Kilgore (Robert Duvall) the image to this day still everlasting as he forces his comrades to surf will the tree line it set alight by napalm! As Duvall delivers the legendary line "I love the smell of napalm in the morning!" it leave us reeling from what we have just witness- this would prove to be one the last hurrah's of Coppola's career.

 Children of Men: Escape From Bexhill

If ever you needed proof that Alfonso Cuaron is one of the best modern day directors, you need only look here. Proving the master of the one take scenes, here Cuaron gives us a heart stopping escape attempt as Theo (Clive Owen) attempts to protect a mother and the first human born child in centuries. As the refugee uprising folds, the next six minutes has everything an exciting finale should have as bullets fly and explosions appear all around. However, even in the midst of a meltdown, there is a moment of beautiful serenity as both sides ceasefire to witness the miracle creation. Even in the midst of war, Cuaron finds space to reflect on what good can be find in the most unlikely places.

TIFF Schedule Update

So today it is finally here, the 2014 Toronto International Film Festival is underway!

On this fine day before I tread the boards of the magnificent Scotiabank Theatre, I am pleased to inform everyone that I have secured a place for Friday's Gala Screening of The Judge starring Robert Downey Jr and Robert Duvall at Roy Thomson Hall! This movie has been getting some great press in the last few months including some glowing praise for former Wedding Crashers director, David Dobkin so it could well prove to be one of the hits of the festival. So it appears that the first ever TIFF review on this blog will be coming to your screens sooner than anticipated!

Also on Tuesday 9th, along with seeing A Second Chance by Susanne Bier, I have also been able to attend a screening of Jean-Marc Vallee's highly anticipated film Wild starring Reese Witherspoon at the Visa Elgin Screening Room (where three out my five viewings will take place). Canadian director, Vallee is a talent on the rise so I am very excited about this chance.


Welcome to Ontario Film Lovers- enjoy your stay at the friendly film festival