Goose! (2004)

Genre: Family Comedy
85 Minutes
Colour

Executive Producer(s): Wendy Hill-Tout, Colin Neale, Jamie Brown
Production Companies: Voice Pictures Inc., Les Productions Colin Neale Inc.,Studio Eight Productions Ltd.
Producer(s): Colin Neale, Wendy Hill-Tout, Alex Brown
Director: Nicholas Kendall
Writer(s): Charles Dennis
Distributed: Alliance Atlantis (Canada) & Park Entertainment (International)

Synopsis:

Randall the Goose (the Voice of Tom Arnold) is out on a summer date with his lifelong love Etta when he is suddenly ‘goose-napped’ by Congreve Maddox (Chevy Chase), a gourmet cook and principal of Willow Springs Elementary who wants to make Randall his trophy prize in a culinary contest.

But Congreve meets his match in his next-door neighbors, a young boy Will (Max Morrow) and his precocious sister Emily (Isabella Fink). Randall is no ordinary goose. He’s a flatulent, wise-talking, and rebellious goose that understands Will, who hasn’t talked since his mother died. The two become fast buddies and Will starts to open up.

When Randall realizes he’s about to be a “Dead Goose Walking”, the hysterical Randall begs Will to save him. Will “hatches a plan” and conspires with his sister, his dad (James Purefoy), his beautiful schoolteacher (Kari Matchett), and even Congreve’s mother (Joan Plowright) who join forces with the kids to save Randall.

With the stakes high, a wild goose chase ensues with everyone in hot pursuit!

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Mr. Rice's Secret (2000)
[Alternative title: Exhuming Mr. Rice]

Awards: click to view

Genre: Family drama/fantasy
96 minutes
Colour
Produced by: Colleen Nystedt
Directed by: Nicholas Kendall
Written by: J.H. Wyner
Distributed by: Equinox Entertainment & Panorama Entertainment (US)

Synopsis:

Young Owen Walters has a lot on his plate: he's battling Hodgkins Disease; Mr. Rice, his enigmatic friend, mentor, and confidant dies; he constantly has nightmares about death, and the town mortician, Mr. Death, seems to be stalking him at every turn.

Even the unique decoder ring Mr. Rice gave Owen before he died is of little comfort: until Owen and his friends realize the ring is a key to a treasure hunt leading them to a treasure that is priceless.

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Kayla (1998)

Awards: click to view

Genre: Family drama
96 minutes
Colour
Produced by: Claudio Luca & Colin Neale
Directed by: Nicholas Kendall
Written by: Peter Behrens
Distributed by: Film Tonic Inc. & Taurus Film GmbH & Co.

Synopsis:

Set in the Eastern Townships of Quebec in the 1920s, Kayla tells the story of twelve-year-old Sam MacKenzie, the son of Samuel Clearwater MacKenzie, a famous Arctic explorer who disappeared on a dog-sled trip across Greenland when Sam was an infant.

Brought up on his father's legend, Sam is unable to accept his death and loyally awaits his return. When Sam's mother, Althea, remarries, Sam refuses to accept his new stepfather's friendship. Instead, he befriends Jaynie Bean, a girl from the neighbouring farm whose own mother has just died following an influenza epidemic.

Sam and Jaynie rescue Kayla, a wild dog, build a dog sled, and train a racing team with Kayla as lead runner. Bolstered by shared adventure and overcoming their fierce rivalry, Sam and Jaynie learn to accept the loss of parents and discover the real value of friendship and family.

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Cadillac Girls (1993)

Awards: click to view

Genre: Drama
96 minutes
Colour
Produced by: Christian Bruyére, Nicholas Kendall
& Christopher Zimmer
Directed by: Nicholas Kendall
Written by: Peter Behrens
Distributed by: Alliance Atlantis, IMX Communications,
Saban International.

Synopsis:

Sally McKinnon is a 36 year old single mother with a PhD in classics. Her 18 year old daughter Page is a runaway with a knack for getting into trouble. When Page is arrested for car theft, Sally is coerced into taking her on a trip to her hometown in Novia Scotia

For Sally, the visit brings back unpleasant memories of the rift with her father, and she is forced to return home with Page, her main reason for leaving. Page on the other hand is thrilled to discover her roots among an extended family in a tightly knit community. She is dismayed by Sally's apparent unsentimental determination to sell everything and leave.

Frustrated and angry with Sally's disinterest, when Page catches the eye of her mothers boyfriend, she sees a perfect opportunity for revenge.

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Paper Route | For the series "Family Pictures"

Genre: Family drama series
30 minutes
Colour
Produced by: CBC & Northern Lights Entertainment
Directed by: Nicholas Kendall

Distributed by: CBC

Synopsis:

When the easiest and most lucrative paper route becomes available, all the kids at the paper shack, jump at the chance of an upgrade. Frank, the supervisor, gives the honours to Nick, on the condition he doesn't screw up. As she is first on the waiting list, Nick's sister Tina gets his old route.

The next day, claiming to have received complaints, Frank reassigns the route to Tony, a new delivery person who has somehow managed to by pass the waiting list. Nick's confusion turns to anger when he learns that Tony is the son of the paper's assistant manager

With the help of his friends, Buzz and George, Nick sets about making Tony's life difficult so that he will quit. As the frustration and animosity grows on both sides, a showdown at the paper shack is inevitable.

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Baby Pinsky | For the series "Inside Stories"

Genre: Comedy
30 minutes
Colour
Produced by: Nicholas Kendall and Glynis Evans
Directed by: Nicholas Kendall

Distributed by: Magic Lantern

Synopsis:

When Cheryl, who is Jewish, and Paul, who is Christian, have a baby son. they find themselves at the centre of a family dilemma. Cheryl's parents insist on the Jewish ritual of the 'bris', the circumcision of new born males. Cheryl and Paul are not so sure.

Grandmother Pinsky's attempts to kidnap the baby and arrange the bris secretly at a downtown hotel are sent awry in this delightful screwball comedy when Baby Pinsky is temporarily lost, and Cheryl and Paul discover Grandma's plot.

Originally broadcast as part of the second season of CBC's INSIDE STORIES anthology series.

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