Celebrate Canada Day with these Canadian flicks

Bon Cop, Bad Cop

One wouldn’t guess that a movie about a killer who’s targeting hockey managers would be funny, but this brilliant film manages to walk the line between suspense-thriller and hilarious comedy. When two detectives with very different methods, played by Colm Feore and Patrick Huard, are put on the case, a whole lot of witty banter and wild antics ensue. The film hops back and forth between English and French, but if you aren’t bilingual, don’t let that stop you — subtitles for both our official languages are available.

Les Invasions Barbares

This Academy Award–winning film about a Quebec man dying of cancer is emotional and captivating from beginning to end. Les Invasions Barbares bravely explores the intricacies of familial relationships and friendships in a fresh and insightful way. It’s heart-wrenching at times, incredibly witty at others and brilliantly touching and honest all the way through.

Take a peek at all the recent June 2013 movie releases >>

Men with Brooms

A movie about a curling team from a small town, starring Paul Gross and Leslie Nielsen? Now that’s Canadian! This fun and quirky film celebrates everything about what it means to be a Canuck and is certainly worth considering for your movie-viewing this July 1.

Here are more ideas for fun Canada Day family activities >>

Starbuck

Patrick Huard is absolutely brilliant in this French-Canadian comedy about a man who, as a sperm donor, fathered 533 children under the code name “Starbuck.” And now over a hundred of those children are filing a class-action lawsuit to find out who he is. An English version starring Vince Vaughn, called Delivery Man, is set for release later this year, so don’t miss your chance to check out the original Canadian version that started it all.

The Notebook

This beloved romantic film might not be completely Canadian, but it does showcase two of our greatest actors in the roles that skyrocketed their Hollywood careers. Whether or not you’ve already seen it, the incredible acting and unmistakable chemistry between Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams are definitely worth a viewing this long weekend.

Passchendaele

A lot of World War I movies have been made, but very few of them focus on Canada’s role in the war. In this film, amidst all the fighting, a soldier and nurse find each other and embark on a romance that struggles to find its footing during such trying times. Passchendaele offers the chance to learn a little more about our history over the Canada Day long weekend, and it will satisfy your need for a romantic flick at the same time.

Away from Her

This beautiful and emotional film based on the Alice Monro story of the same name deals with a very different side of love than the one Hollywood tends to present us with. This Academy Award–nominated flick follows the experiences of a man as he deals with his wife’s advancing Alzheimer’s. Toronto-born director Sarah Polley tells this heartbreaking Canadian tale in a brave and deeply meaningful way.

One Week

Everything about this film is brilliantly Canadian. From Vancouver-born star Joshua Jackson to the fact that it’s a Tim Hortons’ Roll-Up-the-Rim cup that inspires him to set off on a motorcycle trip from Toronto, Ontario, to British Columbia, One Week is filled with classic Canadiana. In fact, it’s such a perfect summary of all the cool sights our country has to offer, you might be inspired to set off on your very own road trip this summer.

Scott Pilgrim vs. the World

Technically this movie about a young guy who sets out to win over his new girlfriend by defeating the evil exes from her past is American. But considering it features such great Canadian stars as Michael Cera and Alison Pill, was filmed in Toronto, is based on a graphic-novel series by Ontarian Bryan Lee O’Malley and starts off with the line “Not so long ago… in the mysterious land… of Toronto, Canada,” we’re giving it a pass and deeming it absolutely worthy of watching in celebration of Canada Day.