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Film Reviews
What Happens in Vegas
Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 05/13/2008 - 15:16.
by SDTC Intern Whitney
Director: Tom Vaughan
Actors: Cameron Diaz, Ashton Kutcher, Queen Latifah
In a Nutshell: A newly unemployed Jack, (Ashton Kutcher), and a broken hearted Joy, (Cameron Diaz), share a crazy drunken night in Vegas, and wake up married. The morning after, they agree to immediately split and get an annulment. But when Joys quarter hits the $3 million jackpot on the slot machine Jack was playing, things get complicated. When brought into court, they are sentenced 6 months of marriage counseling, and until they can resolve their issues they arn't allowed to be divorced and their new fortune is frozen. The two move into Jack's apartment and grudgingly try to coexists. Joys corporate go-getting focus clashes with Jack's sloppy house-keeping and his lazy ass days at home playing video games. As a result, their therapy sessions with Dr. Twitchell (Queen Latifah) are out of control and are far from ruling in their favour. Over the six months the couple struggle with marital issues, fight dirty to try and win the money and in the end they fall in loveeeee.
IRON MAN
Submitted by Jen on Tue, 05/06/2008 - 13:37.
Director: Jon Favreau
Actors: Robert Downey Jr, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jeff Bridges, Terrence Howard
In a Nutshell: Tony Stark, played by Robert Downey Jr, is a billionaire, genius and celebrity weapons maker. When not building bombs, Tony Stark shags hot women, shakes dice, drives fast cars and drinks scotch. On a trip to Afghanistan he is taken hostage, nearly dies, is saved by a battery operated heart – then creates a (excuse the laymen terms) supersonic heart out of scraps. Following this he builds himself a gigantic robot man and shoots down the bad guys, flies into the air – lands in the desert, gets rescued by helicopters and returns to California. After his near death experience, Tony changes his direction, reflects upon his purpose in life and dives into constructing THE IRON MAN.
Standard Operating Procedure
Submitted by Olga Barsky on Mon, 05/05/2008 - 08:02.
In Theatres Friday May 2nd
Director: Errol Morris
In a nutshell: Morris takes apart the Abu Grahib prisoner abuse scandal. Through his trained and objective camera, we see a clear picture of a mismanaged war.
Three words to describe: Disturbing, shameful, cover-up.
Reason I liked it: Errol Morris could be the best documentary filmmaker of our time. In a film that harks back to his THIN BLUE LINE, he again tries to pick up where justice has left off.
Annoying Qualities: The unfortunate picture he paints about the quality and general moral ambiguity of the American soldiers we’re supposed to sympathize with.
This film made me feel: Like writing a not-so-gracious tagline for American Foreign Policy…lets leave it at that.
You'll like this film if you liked: Michael Moore films (but are actually interested in seeing a real documentary).
Verdict: A great film with significant weight, STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE is very watchable, and doesn’t get bogged down with floating heads and dry narration.
Go see this film with: A fellow conspiracy theorist or any anti-war sympathizer.
Baby Mama
Submitted by Jen on Mon, 04/28/2008 - 16:15.
by Jen McNeely
In Theatres: Friday April 25th
Director: Michael McCullers
Actors: Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Sigourney Weaver, Greg Kinnear, Steve Martin
In A Nutshell: Sophisticated and smart Kate Holbrook, played by our beloved Tina Fey, has spent her thirties working up the corporate ladder, penetrating the boys club. Now desperate to have a baby she finds herself infertile. As a last resort, Kate goes through a surrogate mother company, and is hooked up with white trash, loud mouth Angie Ostrowiski played by Amy Poehler. Angie ends up moving in with Kate and spends her days defaming the apartment with farts and gum as Kate works towards launching a new organic food market and holding down the fort at work in the role of first ever female VP.
The Forgotten Woman
Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 04/25/2008 - 12:23.
In Theatres Friday April 25th
Director: Dilip Mehta (Screenwriter: Deepa Mehta)
In a nutshell: The Forgotten Woman is a documentary made by Deepa Mehta’s brother in response to her Oscar nominated film Water, about an eighty year old widow who’s shipped off to an ashram in the 1930’s.
Guilty Pleasures Reviews
Degrassi: Another Brick in the Wall
Submitted by Lizzie McNeely on Fri, 05/09/2008 - 12:10.
by Lizzie
Well this episode may have successfully deterred a generation of males from ever becoming teachers. Snake is declared “officially not a pedophile” by the school board, but whispers of perv linger in the air when he returns. One thing leads to another and soon he’s sprawled on the couch, cocooned in a blanket, drinking scotch, covered in mustard and being licked by a dog. Meanwhile, Holly J exchanges tutoring help with Toby. He helps her in math, she helps him in Dance Dance Revolution. That’s actually a component of gym? What ever happened to units on dodge ball and the female condom (question, has anyone actually seen one of those outside of grade ten health?) ?
Degrassi: Talking In Your Sleep
Submitted by Lizzie McNeely on Thu, 05/01/2008 - 10:16.
by Lizzie
I’ve never considered myself a heinous bitch before, but I’m baffled that those sleighted / deceived / betrayed on Degrassi this week forgave those who fouled them. Ok, so Darcy forgiving Jane after she spills the beans about Peter having bad breath wasn’t that mind-blowing, but Griffin forgiving Paige after she implies that his HIV was caused by lifestyle choices when actually he was born with it was a little surprising. And I was positively floored that Paige forgave Griffin after he, oops, forgets to tell her that he’s HIV Positive before sleeping with her. I can hardly forgive a guy if he sneezes on me unexpectedly, let alone if he risks infecting me with a fatal virus. Should I respect Paige for turning the other cheek, or should that cheek have some sense slapped into it?
Book Reviews
Lerner & Loewe’s MY FAIR LADY
Submitted by Olga Barsky on Fri, 05/16/2008 - 15:21.
by Olga Barsky
Where? Toronto Centre for the Arts, 5040 Yonge Street.
When? Show runs until May 31, 2008 (evening and matinee performances).
How do I get tix? Through Ticketmaster (416.872.1111) or online at www.dancaptickets.com.
Cast/Crew Fun Facts: Director of play, Trevor Nunn, has won four Tony’s for previous work, including Les Miserables.
Actor Christopher Cazenove, who portrays Henry Higgins is one of England’s most respected actors, best known to North American audiences as Ben Carrington on DYNASTY.
In a nutshell: Adapted from George Bernard Shaws PYGMALION, this Cinderella tale unfolds when Henry Higgins, professor of Phonetics, takes uneducated flower girl Eliza Doolittle under his wing. Determined to win a bet, Higgins sets out to transform young Eliza into a duchess. After months of grueling studies and smart ass back-and-forth banter with the Professor, Eliza’s transformation is complete and she wows at the Embassy Ball. Sadly, her spirits are quickly broken as soon as they return home and Higgins celebrates HIS achievement while ignoring ELiza entirely. Unable to stomach his indifference towards her, Eliza takes off in the middle of the night…
C!RCA
Submitted by El Nino on Fri, 05/09/2008 - 12:18.
by El Nino
Where: Premiere Dance Theatre, Harbourfront till May 10th.
What's the deal? 'The Space Between' is an intensely physical acrobatic expression of intimacy, control and desire performed to the music of Jacques Brel, DJ Shadow, Neil Young and Boards of Canada (to name a few). Never has somersaulting contortionism on the floor and being propelled across the stage looked so effortlessly easy.
You'll like this performance if you like: Cirque de Soleil...? Cheerleading competitions?
Indicative quote: Ummm...there's not talking, but the 'Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps' routine where performer Chelsea McGuffin gets thrown around like a cheerleader on crack was outta sight!
Highlight: The love routine between three of the performers to the best love song in the world, 'Ne Me Quitte Pas.' This got a well-deserved standing ovation.
Lowlight: Some of the intended high-energy portions (as illustrated by the Aphex Twin-like, crazy drum and bass background) lacked explosion. Felt more like the hurry up and wait build up you have when watching floor gymnastic routines.
Book Reviews
Shakespeare’s Wife
Submitted by Lizzie McNeely on Wed, 05/07/2008 - 14:46.
By Germaine Greer
Review by Lizzie
In a Nutshell: Poor Ann Hathaway (Shakespeare’s wife, not the star of The Devil Wears Prada). For ages, scholars have painted her as a conspiring cougar who trapped innocent head-in-the-clouds Will into a loveless marriage. To the rescue comes feminist icon (and former contestant on Celebrity Big Brother UK) Germaine Greer. Equipped with an abundance of archival research about trade, marriage, religion, politics, publishing, gender roles and class in the 16th and 17th century, Greer shows how unjustified the Ann-haters are.
Indicative Quote: “If Ann Shakespeare had both skill and business acumen, she could have become a wealthy woman in her own right. So far we don’t know that she did, but we don’t know that she didn’t either.”
Three Words to Describe it: Assumptions battling assumptions
The God of War by Marisa Silver
Submitted by Lizzie McNeely on Tue, 04/29/2008 - 08:12.
Review by Lizzie
In a nutshell: On the toxic shores of California’s Salton Sea, twelve-year-old Ares lives with his hippy mom Laurel and mentally disabled brother Malcolm. With Laurel in denial about Malcolm’s condition, Ares bears the burden of responsibility for the brother whom he dropped as a baby. Conflicted about growing up, Ares both yearns for the fierce independence of a neighbour’s foster child, and longs to retreat to the fantasy world he shares with Malcolm.
Three Words to Describe: Intimate, touching, tearjerker
Indicative quote: “Malcolm walked at a distance from us, charting his own path. That year he was six, exactly half my age. I was struck by the fact that this was the only time in our lives when we would meet in this mathematical symmetry – I his double in years. I knew there was something important and fragile about the singularity of this, that something would soon be lost.”
Cyber Stalker
VBS.TV
Submitted by Rachel Miadovnik on Tue, 05/13/2008 - 12:10.
Why we like: Could you eagerly watch a five minute documentary on Persian kittens and feel that time was well spent? What if the interval that followed uncovered the parallels of Reggae and Punk music? If you qualify as an individual with a broad spectrum of tastes, and a short attention span – VBS.TV has a newly defined attitude towards television and I suggest you take a look. Stimulate your palette with a broad array of short documentary films that will evoke a concoction of emotions – if your heart gushes, tears flow, your I.Q. rises (or falls) and/or you soaked your pants like in grade school you’ll instantly become addicted to this online Oxy cotton-like broadcast network.
What you’ll find there: An eclectic selection of TV stations – indifferent to similar streamers such as YouTube. Here you can tune into your favorites to watch and re-watch in whatever order you choose, as many times as you choose. There’s The Cute Show, Vice Kills Jamaica, Adidas Films and Balls Deep – to name a few. Titles intrigue ya?
Where in the world: Mos Def said it best, “Nickname Bucktown cuz we grown to outburst.” Otherwise known as Brooklyn, for you plain folk.
In a nutshell: An intelligent mix of global and local coverage on politics, music, travel and pop culture that will redefine your areas of interest on the Internet. Whether you enjoy issues underground or above ground – you’ll find a channel that’s right up your ally!
Music Reviews
The last time ESTELLE will need an introduction
Submitted by Jen on Fri, 05/16/2008 - 15:38.
by Jen McNeely
“Just another one champion sound
Yeah Estelle, about to get down
Who the hottest in the world right now?
Just touch down from London town.”
American Boy, Estelle – lyrics sung by Kanye West
Estelle’s new album is a champion sound and if she’s not the hottest in the world right now, she will be soon.
On a road trip last weekend, I must have listened to Estelle’s new album, SHINE on repeat for about four hours. Soul, hip hop, dance hall – rock, it’s all blended together masterfully and songs American Boy, featuring Kanye West, and Wait A Minute are surely set to be the songs you kick it on the dance floor to this summer.
There are artists that I meet and interview who have a lot of promise to be big – but there are very few who you know will sky rocket to fame; get ready because Estelle is about to take on the world.
Zaki Ibrahim
Submitted by Jen on Fri, 05/16/2008 - 11:18.
by Jen McNeelyZaki Ibrahim brings an introspective deepness to her music that hits the souls of audiences in a very personal and emotional way.
The Coachella Experience
Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 05/14/2008 - 14:35.
by Kstar
Three days full of live amazing music, lots of sun, palm trees, art exhibits, interesting fashion statements, greasy and sugary comfort food, lots of boys… OH YES… welcome to Coachella! …A little slice of Heaven.
Arts Trend Alert
City of Infinite Interpretations
Submitted by Lizzie McNeely on Fri, 04/25/2008 - 14:40.
Hogtown, Big Smoke, the 416 and, my personal fave, T-Dot-O-Dot (bless you Kardinal Offishal). We’ve always been a city of many nicknames and now we’re becoming the city of infinite interpretations. A petri dish of a metropolis drooled over by urban theorists. David MacFarlane’s essay compilation, Toronto: A City Becoming, features literati musing upon the city’s changes. Toronto Noir, an anthology of mystery stories, launches this week. Word is there’s even a website where girls talk about “doing” the city (ooh, naughty). Is it a healthy dose of civic pride, or does our pretentious self-obsession justify the T-Dot hater mobs?
Plan Your Week
Reformation
Submitted by Jimmy on Thu, 05/15/2008 - 15:28.
The Truth About Canada
Submitted by Jimmy on Wed, 05/07/2008 - 09:13.
Inside Out Gay and Lesbian Film Festival
Submitted by Jimmy on Thu, 05/15/2008 - 15:26.
Sexual Practices of The Japanese
Submitted by Jimmy on Thu, 05/15/2008 - 15:27.
No Bikini and Like a Virgin
Submitted by Jimmy on Wed, 05/07/2008 - 09:15.
Love Songs
Submitted by Jimmy on Wed, 05/07/2008 - 09:20.
Fixing Failed States
Submitted by Jimmy on Wed, 05/07/2008 - 09:17.
Love and Marriage and New York City
Submitted by Jimmy on Wed, 05/07/2008 - 09:19.
Queen West Gallery Tours
Submitted by Jimmy on Wed, 05/07/2008 - 09:22.
Distillery Drummings
Submitted by Jimmy on Wed, 05/07/2008 - 09:29.
Dykes in the City
Submitted by Jimmy on Wed, 05/07/2008 - 09:31.
Burlesque a la Carte
Submitted by Jimmy on Wed, 05/07/2008 - 09:32.
Water Lilies
Submitted by Jimmy on Wed, 05/07/2008 - 09:34.
The Amazing Truth About Queen Raquela
Submitted by Jimmy on Wed, 05/07/2008 - 09:35.
Film Reviews
AGO Unveils New Sexy Logo
Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 05/15/2008 - 11:17.
EXTRA EXTRA! The Art Gallery of Ontario has just unveiled their brand spanking new logo created by Bruce Mau Design. Centered inside a black square, the new logo is playful and unexpected, using multiple typefaces and broad spectrum of colours to create a light reflecting through glass effect.
“This fresh new logo acknowledges and respects our heritage, while clearly reflecting the incredible changes taking place and the dynamic institution that the new AGO will be,” says Arlene Madell, the AGO’s Director of Marketing and Visitor Services.
The new logo marks an interesting time in AGO’s history, as it epitomizes old and new ideas and attitudes, while at the same time, adding momentum to all the magnificent changes taking place in the Gallery. We can’t wait to see the new Frank Gehry designed building!
DELIMITED FASHION at RYERSON U
Submitted by Olga Barsky on Tue, 04/22/2008 - 13:09.
by Olga Barsky
Photography by Nadia Tan
Come check out DELIMITED FASHION an exhibit of fourth year Ryerson Fashion Communications and Design students at the Elaine Fleck Gallery.
Put together by Katelyn Veldman, one of the featured artists in the group show, DELIMITED showcases a colourful palette of works from oil paintings to mixed media and photography.
In Art Video
Estelle - American Boy
Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 05/16/2008 - 15:35.