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Kazik Radwanski’s Matt and Mara is now streaming exclusively on Mubi in many countries.Deragh Campbell in Trinity Bellwoods Park, Toronto. Styled by Mara Zigler. Photograph by the author.To the horror and delight of Toronto filmgoers, there is a moment in Kazik Radwanski’s Matt and Mara (2024) when the lead actress cups a palmful of water from the outdoor fountains at Yonge-Dundas Square and splashes her face, her mouth slightly agape. One does not do this (locals will note a vague air of urine around the intersection). The action is especially baffling for this previously reserved character, who then jetés over the spurting jets. It’s a moment of modest physical comedy that reveals the protean mannerisms of both the character and the actress, Canadian indie stalwart Deragh Campbell.There was a certain hum around this year’s Toronto International Film Festival, with the double-barrelled Canadian premieres of...

Underrated animated video game adaptations deserve recognition for their loyalty to source material and innovation in storytelling. From Cuphead's aesthetic to Monster Rancher's storyline, these adaptations bring beloved franchises to life in unique ways. Don't overlook series like Earthworm Jim or Kirby - they may be dated, but they offer engaging characters and fun adventures.

There have been plenty of great animated video game adaptations over the years, and quite a few have fallen under the radar. While major animated game adaptations, like Pokmon, have become touchstones of popular culture, there were many more that have yet to gain the recognition they so rightfully deserve. Theres always plenty of talk about the greatest video game movie adaptations, but its important to highlight the many underrated animated video game TV shows out there.

The best video game adaptations all have something in common, they justified their existence by paying tribute...

Some movies deal with real-life situations that are meant to intrigue and fascinate. Smaller stories, or stories that have never had the type of spotlight that Hollywood thought they deserved. But sometimes (wait for it) Hollywood sensationalizes or changes the plot to fit their narrative.

One of these movies was the 2008 movie 21—a film based on a book based on a sensational story. However, the film made some poor casting choices, and since its release, it has garnered more attention for its faults than for its triumphs.

21 and Bringing Down the House

The film 21 was based on a book by Ben Mezrich called Bringing Down the House. It tells the (semi) true story of an MIT student named Ben Campbell (Jim Sturgess) who joins the blackjack team led by Professor Mickey Rosa (Kevin Spacey). The team has such a high level of intelligence and skill that they begin making regular trips to Las Vegas.

Blackjack is a game of chance. The most popular casino banking game in the world, it is derived from a global family of financial games known as Twenty-One and is played with 52 decks of cards. Pontoon and Vingt-et-Un are also part of the Pontoon family of card games. Players of blackjack do not face off against one another. Each player plays against the dealer in a card game in which they compare their cards.

The History

Vingt-Un, an English translation of twenty-one of uncertain origin, was the game’s direct predecessor. The first recorded use of the term can be traced back to the works of Miguel de Cervantes. For veintiuna, they say the goal is to get 21 points without exceeding and that the ace has a numerical value of either 1 or 11. The Spanish baraja deck is used to play the game.

Veintiuna has been performed in Castile ever since the 17th century or earlier,...

Based on George Bernard Shaws classic play Pygmalion, Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewes musical My Fair Lady follows the transformation of Cockney flower girl Eliza Doolittle into an aristocratic lady through lessons in manners, language and dress. After directing the production at the 2011 Shaw Festival, Arena Stage Artistic Director Molly Smith reunites with members of her original design team, along with noted Canadian actor Benedict Campbell who reprises his role as Henry Higgins, to bring a completely fresh interpretation to audiences in D.C. As previously announced, Manna Nichols makes her Arena debut as Eliza Doolittle, and Nicholas Rodriguez returns as Freddy Eynsford-Hill, leading a cast that features many D.C.-area actors. My Fair Lady became the best-selling production in the Shaw Festivals 50-year history and runs at Arena Stage November 2, 2012-January 6, 2013 in the Fichandler Stage.