All posts by Greg David

Prior to becoming a television critic and owner of TV, Eh?, Greg David was a critic for TV Guide Canada, the country's most trusted source for TV news. He has interviewed television actors, actresses and behind-the-scenes folks from hundreds of television series from Canada, the U.S. and internationally. He is a podcaster, public speaker, weekly radio guest and educator, and past member of the Television Critics Association.
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Canadian sports movies worth a watch this winter

Many successful sports movies have been made in Canada or by Canadians over the years, more than you may first think. The movie business in this country has a long-running and interesting relationship with both professional and amateur sports and they are much deeper than you probably realized. The Canadian film industry has produced some memorable, hard-hitting sports-themed pictures and the latest rumours suggest we could be treated to a few more in the not too distant future. Movie-making in this part of the world is thriving, gaining recognition from some successful past releases but always pushing the boundaries.

Professional sports is a huge part of the culture in Canada and it has always been that way. As any Canadian national – or even anyone who has ever visited Canada in the past – will confirm, ice hockey is the most popular sport here and by some distance too. Followers love to attend matches, watch games on TV, keep up with the scores on their smartphone apps or a live stream and gamble on the outcome of fixtures at one of the popular, legal and secure Canada online betting apps.

Plenty more enjoy getting involved in the national game, playing with friends or jumping into the minor leagues. The pathway from school age hockey to professional hockey is a clear one in Canada which allows any young ice hockey fan an opportunity to go all the way, if they are good enough, talented enough and dedicated enough. Only the best of the best go on to make it in the pro leagues or appear at the Winter Olympics, but that doesn’t stop millions more from dreaming.

There’s something for everyone
With the long winters, easy access to rinks and the popularity of hockey, it’s obvious why Canadians love ice hockey so much but it’s not the only sport popular in the country and it’s not the only sport that has been covered by filmmakers. Other popular sports catapulted onto the big screen include skiing, rowing, wrestling and lacrosse and they have been every bit as popular as ice hockey-themed movies.

Looking for something to watch this winter when not following your favourite sports? We have a list designed to keep you entertained until the first shoots of spring. There is no getting away from Canada’s love for ice hockey and we wouldn’t want to overlook that either, it just wouldn’t be an accurate representation of the culture, the people or the movie business.

Ice hockey is represented on our list of three Canadian sports-themed movies but we have made the effort to cover as many sports as possible. That means, even if you go against the grain and aren’t into ice hockey as much as some others, there will be at least one movie for you to enjoy. Let’s get started.

The Boy in Blue
Top actor Nicolas Cage plays the lead role in this movie which portrays the life, career and struggles of former rowing ace Ned Hanlan. Released in 1986, it is full of the kind of cliches you’d expect from movie making at the time but it is an interesting and educational watch. If you are unfamiliar with the career of Hanlan and how he was treated outside of the sport that dominated his life, this is the best way to bring yourself up to speed.

Grizzlies
Released in 2018, this is one of the newer Canadian sports-themed movies. Grizzlies takes the viewer through the story of a youth Lacrosse team that was set up by the Inuit community. It’s a passionate yet exciting movie, one that will grip your attention from the opening scene. Good enough to give any ice hockey movie a run for its money.

Goon
It could be argued that Goon is the most famous movie ever to come out of Canada, certainly for lovers of sports films. It is billed as a comedy and Goon will have you in fits of laughter but there are some intense, even dark moments and it doesn’t lack in mindless violence either. If you haven’t already seen Goon it’s time to find out what all the fuss is about. A spectacular example of Canadian movie-making, humour and culture.

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Featured, Murdoch Mysteries

Preview: Murdoch Mysteries, “Rawhide Ralph”

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Ralph Fellows has quickly become one of Detective William Murdoch’s most dangerous foes. Colin Mochrie’s portrayal of the villain is smart, smug and truly devious, the perfect foil for our hat-wearing hero.

Ralph returns in Monday’s instalment, “Rawhide Ralph,” written by Peter Mitchell and directed by Bosede Williams. Here is the CBC’s official synopsis:

Murdoch’s son Harry is coming to visit when he and Ogden, who is pregnant, are abducted by a nefarious, vengeful foe.

And here are more observations from me after previewing the episode.

Additional guest stars
Aside from Colin Mochrie, look for Brandon Oakes (Diggstown, Anne with an E) as Uriah, the return of David Andrew Reid as Milo Strange, and Dylan Trowbridge and Tammy Isbell, who have both guested on Murdoch Mysteries in the past as different characters.

The action starts right away
Harry and Julia, who are headed to Toronto by a horse-drawn coach, run afoul of a nefarious vengeful foe almost immediately. Taking the scenic route does have its drawbacks. Far from being meek about the situation, Harry promises to keep Julia safe from Ralph. And while he has a sharp tongue, it may lead to harm. Also, it may not be what Julia may have planned, she and Harry bond over their circumstances.

Back in Toronto…
Milo is begging Watts to attend his latest fete, but the latter is concerned about keeping a low profile and wary of being in an additional relationship. Watts is barely able to reflect on his next steps when the case of a missing woman comes in Station House No. 4, the wife of a man Watts knows very well.

Violet and Arthur
Things may appear to be all smiles between these two, especially in public, but the truth is far darker.

Murdoch Mysteries airs Mondays at 8 p.m. on CBC.

Images courtesy of CBC.

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Industry News

Blink Studios acquires the rights to Canadian author Charlene Carr’s upcoming novel ‘Hold My Girl’ for television series adaptation

From a media release:

In a competitive situation with multiple bidders, BLINK STUDIOS, the recently launched content venture backed by global film and TV studio Endeavor Content, has acquired the rights to “Hold My Girl”, the upcoming novel from emerging Canadian author Charlene Carr. BLINK STUDIOS will serve as the studio for the television adaption, which marks the company’s first project since launching in November 2021. Academy Award® and Emmy® nominated producer Michael London and Shannon Gaulding of Groundswell Productions (Snowfall, The Magicians) will executive produce the series together with Carolyn Newman and Virginia Rankin for BLINK STUDIOS.

“Hold My Girl” is a heart-wrenching, dual narrative women’s fiction novel about two women whose eggs are switched during IVF, only to be revealed over a year later when one of them has been raising the wrong daughter, and the other has been grieving a stillborn child that wasn’t hers. Centred around a moral question, the emotional story features themes of motherhood, racial identity, betrayal and ultimately hope and healing. The premise of the novel was very much inspired by Charlene’s own life – a Black woman who gave birth to a visibly white child via IVF – and stemmed from her own fears of a mix-up, that one day she too would receive a call to say her daughter wasn’t hers. “Hold My Girl” will be published by Welbeck Publishing in the UK and Harper Collins in Canada, set to release in 2023.

“We are committed to working with and discovering great Canadian voices which is why we are delighted to partner with an emerging and brilliant talent like Charlene to help bring her novel to television. Her exceptional storytelling is authentic and universal, while also embracing her Canadian roots,” commented Carolyn Newman, Executive Vice President, Global Scripted and Virginia Rankin, Executive Producer, BLINK STUDIOS. “We’re thrilled to team with Michael and Shannon, who are truly passionate about this material.”

“I am beyond thrilled to have Blink Studios and Groundswell Productions working on the screen adaptation of ‘Hold My Girl’,” commented Carr. “I was blown away by their enthusiasm, emotional connection to the story, and clear desire to keep as true to the book as possible. It is an honour to have such vastly experienced, skilled and passionate producers championing this story!”

“Charlene Carr has written the rare novel that is both a page-turning ride and a moving piece of literature that explores issues of motherhood and race in a hugely relevant way. We’re thrilled that Blink shared our passion for the material and moved so quickly and aggressively on our behalf,” Michael London, Founder/CEO Groundswell Productions.

Charlene Carr is a lover of stories. Pursuing this life-long obsession, she studied literature at university, attaining both a BA and MA in English, including a study program at Oxford. Still craving more, she attained a degree in Journalism. A bit of a nomad, she’s lived in four countries and seven Canadian provinces. After travelling the globe for several years and working as a freelance writer, editor, facilitator, and running her own Communications business, she decided the time had come to focus exclusively on her true love – novel writing. She currently lives in Nova Scotia, Canada, where she splits her time between writing, building relationships with her readers, and trying to keep up with the energy and antics of her young daughter. Recently awarded a writing grant by Arts Nova Scotia, “Hold My Girl” is Carr’s first agented novel.

BLINK STUDIOS is a newly launched content venture with Endeavor Content as its anchor investor and lead strategic partner. Focusing heavily on a creative-first approach, BLINK STUDIOS is dedicated to partnering with best-in-class writers, creators and producers, as well as aggressively pursuing IP in Canada and throughout the world. The indie studio is committed to applying significant resources to support new and diverse Canadian voices.

Charlene Carr is represented by Hayley Steed and the deal was brokered by Hannah Ladds, Dramatic Rights Agent at the Madeleine Milburn, Literary, TV & Film Agency.

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Featured, Murdoch Mysteries

Preview: Murdoch Mysteries, “The Witches of East York”

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If you haven’t had a chance to read our interview with Peter Mitchell, showrunner of Murdoch Mysteries and Hudson & Rex, give it a glance. Not only do you get a peek behind the scenes at how both Canadian primetime series are made, but there are some tidbits about Hélène Joy’s pregnancy and the decision to write it into the show.

Here is the official episode synopsis for Monday’s new instalment, “The Witches of East York,” written by Christina Ray and directed by Bosede Williams:

Murdoch arrests a man for trying to kill a woman he claims is a witch only to have him mysteriously die in custody.

And here are more observations by me after getting a preview of the episode.

A special guest star
If you follow Peter Mitchell on Facebook—and if you don’t, you really should—you’ll know that his personal assistant, Elsbeth McCall (above left), guest-stars on Monday. She is also directing a Season 15 episode. Also, look for Diggstown‘s Billy MacLellan (who has appeared as different characters on MM in the past), Michaela Kurimsky, Lisa Michelle Cornelius and Sedina Fiati in guest appearances.

Margaret is back!
Margaret is usually a bright light, but not this week. Arwen Humphreys turns in a heartbreaking performance as Margaret continues to deal with her feelings surrounding Bobby’s fate.

A spooky storyline
It’s pretty obvious, from the episode title, what Monday’s episode is all about. Christina Ray’s script has fun with the witchcraft angle, especially when it comes to the fearful Henry. The A-storyline had me heading to Google regularly to look up names like Hecate and Baphomet and things like a grimoire. Also, it’s an opportunity for Watts and William to discuss faith.

Murdoch Mysteries airs Mondays at 8 p.m. on CBC and CBC Gem.

Images courtesy of CBC.

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