On The Fear of Dancing with Michael Allcock

“My issue is more about why should I dance? I don’t really get anything out of it. My film is about letting go and we all have things that hold us back in life that we can’t overcome,” said Michael Allcock.

downloadBy Ed Sum
(The Vintage Tempest)

CBC Gem
Streaming November 27th, 2020

Some people may not necessarily to go “Slow dancing, Swaying to the Music” ala Johnny Rivers with that significant other or to “Pump up the Jam” with Technotronic. Children generally will do their thing on the dance floor. Teens, however, have a lot more to deal with when at that Winter formal. As for how many will skip the prom due to nerves, that’s subject to debate. But when an individual becomes an adult, just why they do or do not go clubbing, depends. Writer/Director/Narrator Michael Allcock is one of those persons who has a Fear of Dancing.

His filmography is vast. His two decade long career saw him work in various genres, but it’s his love for documentaries which drives him. He’s the creative mind behind Semisweet: Life in Chocolate and Kubo’s Crickets. He admits to simply being a hired gun to put together the narratives of many products–ranging from Canadian science fiction television series Starhunter to being a screenwriter for Paranormal 911. When opportunities pop up to make feature-length documentaries, he admits to being at his best when he’s in full creative control.

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Hunting for The Missing Link in Studio Laika’s Latest

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By Ed Sum
(The Vintage Tempest)

Studio Laika always impresses. Their catalogue of works always offers insightful looks into the human condition. More often than not, they explore aspects of the supernatural world in relation to mankind. Missing Link considers what drives certain individuals to become what they are. This film suggests what makes homo sapiens superior to other forms of life, and when Charles Darwin is involved, it’s not always about survival of the fittest. Are they doing it for themselves to raise their self-esteem, or something else?

Enter wannabe world-renowned explorer Sir Lionel Frost (voiced by Hugh Jackman in his best British accent than Australian). He’s chasing after cryptids and he wants to join the prestigious Optimates Club. However, Lord Piggot-Dunceby (Stephen Fry) thinks all such creations are pish-posh; he believes mankind is superior and is supposed to dominate.

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