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John B. Frizzell — Television Longform | ||||
Lucky GirlDirected by John Faucett. Screenplay by John Frizzell and Graeme Manson (Rupert's Land, Cube)
"It starts out innocently enough - winning $50 at a poker game at her best friend's birthday party. When everyone makes a big fuss the next day at school, Katlin's thrilled." "As the money's going towards their European trip, her best friend Cheryl Bemberg is thrilled too. The guys at school allow Katlin into their sports pool, and her beginner's luck holds. But soon she's playing roulette over the Internet with her credit card and gambling all night. She owes the boys at school, Cheryl, and the credit card is maxxed out." "From scratch cards and poker to sports pools, gambling has taken over Katlin's life. Soon she is obsessed, and as her debts mount, her addiction to winning drags her into a downward spiral." GEMINI AWARDS 2001
"If you've ever been addicted to anything, you can maybe understand. If you've smoked cigarettes, or alcohol or over-eating, you can understand why it's so difficult to stop." - Frizzell CTV Newswire Story Life With Billy93 Minutes "While its subject matter is comparable to that of many television movies, Life With Billy is a unique treatment of a story of domestic violence and its tragic consequences. The film tells the story of Nova Scotian Jane Hurshman (Nancy Beatty), who was subjected to years of violent abuse at the hands of her common law husband, Billy Stafford (Stephen McHattie) — leading her to ultimately take the law into her own hands. Simultaneously disturbing and riveting, Life With Billy was watched by 1.559 million Canadians when it was first aired on the CBC on November 5, 1993, and received enthusiastic reviews from critics nationwide for its frank and honest treatment of an all-too-prevalent phenomenon. The film has won the prestigious Golden Gate Award for Best TV Feature at the 1994 San Francisco International Film Festival, as well as Gemini Awards for Best Actor, Best Actress and Best Director." Producer: Salter Street Films Limited More Life With Billy links: Getting Married in Buffalo JumpFrom the novel by Susan Haley
“Will Sophie marry Alex?” That is the plot of Getting Married in Buffalo Jump. But to infer from this narrative simplicity that this is a superficial romantic movie would be to miss a world of nuance, depth and feeling..." A Review by Carole Gordon More Getting Married at Buffalo Jump Links links: Basic summary and cast Carnival of ShadowsProduced by Rhombus Media/A film by Barbara Willis Sweete A bizarre mixture of opera, dance fantasy, rock video, fairy tale and horror movie, CARNIVAL OF SHADOWS is based on the Greek myth of Theseus, Ariadne, and the Minotaur, presented as a modern love story gone mad within the grounds of an old-style outdoor carnival. Conceived and composed by R. Murray Shafer, Canada's most renowned composer and spectacle maker, CARNIVAL OF SHADOWS presents over 100 performers — from singers, dancers, actors and musicians to acrobats, magicians, jugglers and fire-eaters. Bullfrog Films. "Carnival Of Shadows Based on the Greek myth, Theseus, Ariadne And The Minotaur, this is a mixture of opera, dance and rock video starring Jackie Burroughs." Bravo schedule. Note: Tom Brouillette, Philip Drube, Jim Gleason, Christine Meilleur, Iraina Neufeld, Alan Orenstein, Barbara Prosser, Susan Spicer and Carolyn Woods please visit Actra for info on cheques. Neon: An Electric MemoirThis offbeat video chronicles the history of neon, the luminescent gas discovered in 1898 by a British chemist, showing how neon is utilized today by designers, photographers, artists, sculptors and architects.Directed by Rudy Buttignol and Ken Ketter "...a nifty, quirky little film...Recommended."— Choice (American Library Association) "...amusing and imaginative...Recommended."—Landers Film Reviews CinemaGuide This is a lively and amusing documentary about neon lights. Actress Jackie Burroughs portrays an aging and slightly decadent neon afficionado who reminisces about this electrifying art form. Neon signs and art from all across North America are featured, from Times Square in New York to the Las Vegas strip, from Soho lofts to the Museum of Neon Art in Los Angeles. VMFA State IslandP.B.S. (Wonderworks) Atlantis Films Inc. I Love A Man In A UniformC.B.C. An Ounce Of CureC.B.C. / ATLANTIS FILMS RepresentationDavid Saunders &/or Caran Sealey |
"Lucky Girl is the story of 17-year-old Katlin Palmerston, an above-average student who develops a dangerous addiction to gambling."
"This is a sweet little movie about a young woman who inherits a ranch from her father and decides, against her mother's wishes to keep it. Along comes a nice young man who wants some land of his own and suggests that they should get married, as a purely business arrangement (yeah, right!). If this seems a bit Mills & Boonish... well, it is, but it's really good Mills & Boon. And as you might expect the course of true love doesn't always run smooth."