Here's a spot from Glasgow's Axis Animation for Dead Island, a video game about, what else, zombies. I thought this was a beautifully created commercial. It's really a short film that engages the viewer and keeps them watching, even though it's pretty evident where it's going about 10 seconds in. Creepy and emotional, two of my favourites.

I love movie trailers that get me all excited inside. I love movie trailers even more when they can get me excited about something I never, in a million years, thought I'd get excited about. For example, when my wife Catharine and I started dating, I took her to see Spellbound, a documentary about spelling bees. I thought the trailer looked really interesting and I wanted to show her that I had some varied interests. She laughed throughout the whole thing, not because it was funny (which it was) but because she couldn't believe I'd take her to a documentary about spelling bees. What really should have been a relationship killer turned into what I like to think was the catalyst for a fantastic relationship, a fulfilling marriage and a beautiful family that I never imagined I could have. Who would have thought anyone could make a movie about spelling bees so compelling, dramatic and entertaining?

Documentaries as of late have been experiencing a surge of popularity, being adopted by mainstream audiences (much to the chagrin of some hipsters I know). I'm not sure why this is but I have a theory. Three in fact: first - the quality of dramas/comedies have declined in recent years. It's harder to come up with original stories and movie studios are relying on the quick buck that sequels tend to bring in. They are essentially dumbing down movies and unfortunately many audiences buy into it regardless. Second - with the creation of "The Internet", YouTube, Vimeo, and Reality TV, people are really digging "fact"-based stories over fiction. Real is the new fake. Third - Documentaries are just better than they used to be. Maybe that's because of the filmmakers, maybe it's because of the technology they're using or maybe it's because the topics are more varied and engaging. Who knows? Maybe it's all of it. Maybe I'm way off base.

Anyway, this brings us to "Indie Game". I don't know how the entire movie is going to turn out but if it's anything like the trailer, I say "game on". I'm not a big gamer myself. I've got a PS3 and some games but as much as I've tried, I've never gotten into any of them. The great thing about the trailer is that in a matter of minutes, it draws you in to the world of game development from the points of view of the developers. It shows just how much of themselves they put into their work and how much is riding on their work's success. Winnipeggers, Lisanne Pajot and James Swirsky have obviously put a lot of passion into this film and I for one can't wait to see it.

This is one of those pieces of work that you come across once in a long while that feels full and complete. I love it when I experience something like this because it happens so rarely. The Spike Jonze and Olympia le-Tan co-created Mourir Auprès de Toi, is a beautifully torrid little love story that fits humour, suspense, tragedy and love into the span of a perfectly paced few minutes that leaves you walking away from the table fully satisfied while at the same time wanting more. Thanks to Ed Huot for posting this on Facebook and introducing me to Nowness which will surely become one of my regular web haunts from now on.

I proudly present to you, D.A.R.Y.L., 1985's crowning achievement. A gargantuan $7,800,000 at the box office and a low-budget masterpiece. Did I mention Data-Analyzing Robot Youth Lifeform? Best acronym ever. Google it, I dare you.

Sofia Coppola returns with Somewhere, the 4th feature film addition to her modest, yet accomplished body of work. The film stars Stephen Dorff as bad-boy actor Johnny Marco who lives at the Chateau Marmont in Hollywood and gets an unexpected visit from his 11 year old daughter, played by the stunning, Elle Fanning. I loved all 3 of Sofia's feature films (despite her fascination with casting Kirsten Dunst) and I'm looking forward to December when this latest gem hits theatres. There are already whispers of another Oscar nomination for Sofia, while other critics are cringing at the decision to cast has-been Stephen Dorff in the lead role (come on, everyone loves a come-back story). I predict that this film will be much like her previous 3, full of breath-taking visuals, emotional performances and perfect musical scoring. (I can't wait to hear what Phoenix comes up with for the score.)