The Couch Potato Report – October 4th, 2006
This week The Couch Potato Report shines the spotlight on Eve and the fire horse and a place on the corner where you can get gas.
Canada is a vast and diverse country with a wide array of people.
The Canadian film industry is also vast and diverse and at it’s best it tells stories about Canadians who we might not meet everyday.
Like a nine-year-old girl named Eve from Vancouver, for instance.
The film that is about her is called EVE & THE FIRE HORSE and it is a wonderful little film about the relationship between two young and their family.
Eve was born in 1966 and, according to the Chinese calendar, she is a Firehorse.
By definition that means she is meant to be stubborn or troublesome.
From Eve’s overly-imaginitive perspective it seems to mean that she is at the centre of a world full of turmoil, and all of it could be her fault.
Eve’s sister has embraced Christianity, which complicates matters in their traditional household. Her Grandmother is old and sick. Mother has cut down a tree and is pregnant. Her Uncle has high blood pressure.
There is fear. Heartbreak. Mourning. And many, many superstitions.
And all of it is engaging and wonderful!
EVE & THE FIRE HORSE is loosely based on filmmaker Julia Kwan’s memories of growing up in Vancouver in the 1970s.
In addition to introducing us to some unique Canadians the movie does a wonderful job of showing how some kids play together and others don’t get along.
It also correctly presents the relationships that children have to their parents and relatives.
I can’t state that EVE AND THE FIREHORSE is perfect film because at times it did move a little slow for me, but it is as close to perfect as a film can be.
The people in the movie are people you will know, because in the end most Canadians have shared experiences about their childhood.
And we all have many shared experiences as adults as well.
That is one of the main reasons why the TV show CORNER GAS is so popular.
Because whether you are from Saskatchewan or you live on Prince Edward Island, we have all met people who remind us of the residents of Dog River, Saskatchewan.
Now, CORNER GAS: SEASON THREE is available on DVD. The three disc set includes all 19 episodes of the made-in-Saskatchewan series and a documentary on Rouleau, the Saskatchewan town where the series is filmed, and many people visit.
CORNER GAS: SEASON THREE and EVE & THE FIRE HORSE are both available now on DVD.
Coming up on the next Couch Potato Report
In NIAGARA MOTEL, a group of struggling individuals cross paths at a low-rent motel in Niagara Falls.
A PRAIRIE HOME COMPANION is a look at what goes on backstage during the last broadcast of a popular radio show
And the Disney classic THE FOX AND THE HOUND celebrates it’s 25th Anniversary.
I’m Dan Reynish. I’ll have more on those, and some other releases, in seven days.
For now, that’s this week’s COUCH POTATO REPORT.
Enjoy the movies and I’ll see you back here next time on The Couch!
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