Toronto Stories

“…make[s] Toronto look very good indeed, by turns accessible and mysterious, livably bourgeois in some places , raw and gritty in others, hip and modern but with a sense of history… There is in each of these tales – as in good short story writing – hints of darker places and hidden pain as well as a sense of hope and redemption. It’s those nuances and solid character portrayal throughout that make a second viewing rewarding… Cinephiles looking for the next generation of directors to follow in the footsteps of James Cameron, David Cronenberg and Norman Jewison may find it in this cadre of filmmakers.”
        -Bruce Demara, Toronto Star (December 12, 2008)

“…a very unique and personal vision of the people and places in Toronto.”
        -Steve Veale, metro (December 12, 2008)

“Woodley’s piece is the best of the bunch… The young actors do a remarkable job… and the director inventively treats the Don Valley as a nightmarish playground filled with surprises and dread.”
        -Barry Hertz, The national Post (December 12, 2008)

“…showcase[s] some sharp young talents.”
        -Jim Slotek, Toronto Sun (December 12, 2008)

“Make[s] Toronto look splendid, funky, gritty, cosmopolitan, harrowing and possibly even cool.”
        -B.D. The Toronto Star (September 3, 2008)

“The city acts as both backdrop and subject matter. But really this collection of highly crafted shorts by a host of Toronto’s name directors is a showcase for their divergent styles.”
        -G.D. the Globe & Mail (September 5, 2008)

“Woodley’s visually impressive tale of two kids searching for the Cabbagetown monster turns Riverdale Farm and neighbouring ravines, parks and bridges into baroque playgrounds.”
        -P.E., NOW Magazine (September, 2008)

“An excellent movie.”
        -Don Young, Futureale Magazine

“Woodley bathes his young leads in an exaggerated, eerie blue light, creating a magical, dreamy realm that perfectly complements the characters’ journey into adolescence.”
        -Erin Oke, Exclaim! (October 2008)

“…a visually stunning narrative of downtown's most well known spaces; the resulting vision is a powerfully familiar yet unpredictable Toronto.”
        -BlogTO (December 10, 2008)

“…[In “Shoelaces”] the charm of Riverdale and the colourful young actress Samantha Weinstein shines.”
        -Marc Glassman, Classical 96.3 fm

    

    Tennessee

“It may be small in scale, but Tennessee is a rewarding and moving drama with exceptionally fine performances all around… Tennessee has the distinct feel of America’s back roads and never feels false or contrived, a neat trick since the story is ripe for sentimental twists the filmmaker thankfully avoids like the plague.”
        -Pete Hammond, Hollywood.com (June, 2009)

“A moving and gripping drama of sacrifice and self-discovery, Tennessee is the story of three people who strive to realize their dreams.”
        -Wilson Morales, AOL (June 1, 2009)

“A heart-wrenching drama about sacrifice and self-discovery.”
        -Essence.com (June 5, 2009)

“[Tennessee yields] third-act rewards for patient viewers, as the characters' willingness to sacrifice for the other is suddenly brought into sharp focus… Carey does some surprisingly subtle work. Grade: B”
        -Gary Thompson, Philadelphia Daily News

“An intriguing drama… Rothenberg and Peck give strong performances… Peck’s portrayal of the gentle and caring Ellis was particularly poignant… [Tennessee] definitely has heart.”
        -Kimberly Roberts, Philadelphia Tribune (June, 2009)

“Aside from a Martian invasion or the birth of a unicorn, nothing could be less likely than Tennessee, a thoughtful, sensitive drama starring Mariah Carey. Now we really have seen everything.”
        -Rafer Guzman, Newsday (June 5, 2009)

“Tennessee may paint a picture of a cold, cruel world, but it makes a credible case for the virtues of home and why remembering where you came from is important... At its heart is a genuine story of redemption and going home again. Experiencing that can never grow old.”
        -Knoxville News Sentinel (June 2, 2009)

“[Mariah] Carey remains the movie’s most compelling figure, her performance nuanced and generous… The light is perpetually filtered, the tones golden, and even the most run-down settings are also, somehow, gorgeous... Carey is a welcome surprise.”
        -Cindy Fuchs, Philadelphia City Paper (June, 2009)

“You utterly believe the bond between the siblings, and [Adam] Rothenberg excels in his role of a protective older bro who also happens to be a haunted binge drinker.” Grade: B–
        -Clark Collis, Entertainment Weekly (June, 2009)

“Exceptional cinematography, composed in an almost photographic manner… well acted… [Mariah] Carey delivers a redeeming performance.”
        -Liz Kilduff, L Magazine (June 3, 2009)

“[Adam] Rothenberg does a particularly nice job as a highly moral man in inner turmoil. [Ethan] Peck (Gregory’s grandson) is also completely believable as the kid brother whose innocent, youthful exterior belies a mature understanding of family dynamics and the profound nature of Carter’s sacrifice… Deglamorized to the point of barely being recognizable, [Mariah] Carey fully evokes a beleaguered working-class wife on the run.”
        -Simi Horwitz, Film Journal International (June 2, 2009)

“Carey gives a surprisingly strong performance as an abused waitress who joins two brothers on their journey back home.”
        -New York Magazine (June, 2009)

“Tennessee surprises… especially when it defies its roots, sends a character into an unforeseen direction or spills out a creative exchange of dialogue. Given all the familiar territory, you’d expect the guys’ search for dear old dad to conclude in equally typical fashion. It doesn’t… There’s rarely a false moment in [Peck and Rothenberg’s] relationship, and that may be the most fitting representation of what amounts to home in Tennessee.”
        -Sam Watson, Johnson City Press (June 2, 2009)

“Mariah Carey is more than just the big star in this small story. She's the warm, charismatic, and deliciously down home presence that spontaneously fills the screen with charm to spare.”
        -Prairie Miller, News Blaze (May 27, 2009)

“Visually arresting… Mariah Carey as a Texas waitress who joins Carter and his sick younger sib Ellis on their journey to the childhood home they escaped from years ago, makes for a naturalistically sweet, tough and sexy bit of counterpunch casting to the beautiful male brooders at the center.”
        -Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times (December 5, 2008)

“Screenwriter Russell Schaumburg has a knack for subtly unrolling his script’s themes of forgiveness and second chances… and an unexpectedly empathetic performance from pop superstar Mariah Carey.”
        -Tim Grierson, L.A. Weekly (December 3, 2008)

“Director Aaron Woodley demonstrates visual talent… Carey gives an understated and very effective performance.”
        -Stephen Farber, The Hollywood Reporter (May 1, 2008)

“A touching tale… [Carey gives] a natural, effortless performance.”
        -Liz Smith, Variety (April 28, 2008)

“What is most impressive about the film is Carey’s brave, understated, deglamorized performance as an ensemble player rather than star.”
        -Howard Feinstein, Screen Daily (April 28, 2008)

“Watching Tennessee one can tell that director Aaron Woodley is in love with the varying landscapes in these United States, as he takes loving wide shots of terrain ranging from the desert of New Mexico to the lush hills of Tennessee. It makes for a great backdrop… Woodley makes sure that the exploration of how people can overcome their pasts and redeem themselves is at the forefront of his film.. Peck in his first film role is remarkable as Ellis.”
        -Joel Keller, Cinematical (April 30, 2008)

“Tennessee is a good old fashioned road movie where traveling along an actual highway is a metaphor for making progress along your personal journey of life… [Carey’s] understated, downbeat performance is so natural.”
        -BBC news (May, 2008)

“The affecting story of two brothers… carried by the unforced chemistry between Rothenberg and Peck.”
        -Michael Dequina, The Movie Report, (December 2008)

    

    Rhinoceros Eyes

   

    Bed & Breakfast

    

    Downpour

    

    The Wager