A&E
Film Reviews
An Interview with Adriana Maggs, Writer and Director of Grown Up Movie Star
Submitted by haley on Fri, 02/26/2010 - 11:47.
By Haley Cullingham
Adriana Maggs' amazing film, Grown Up Movie Star, has taken Sundance by storm. Compelling young lead Tatiana Maslany was awarded a Special Jury Prize for her performance as Ruby in the piece, which takes place in Maggs' native Newfoundland. The stunning scenery provides a backdrop for a wrenching tale of love, sexual awakening, and family dynamics. Big Love's Shawn Doyle plays Ray, Ruby's handsome father, a one-time NHL player disgraced early in his career for smuggling pot over the border. After his wife abandons their family, Ray must face the difficulties of raising on his own the daughters from whom his own shame and secrets have kept him isolated. As Ray comes to terms with his homosexuality, Ruby pushes the boundaries of her own identity. These two sexual awakenings parallel each other in a film that is a triumph of storytelling and cinematic language. We sat down with the sassy and gorgeous writer and director Adriana Maggs to talk about her moving film, her love of Newfoundland, and why she's never working out on a Wii again. read more...
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The Time Traveler's Wife on DVD - goes well with a bucket of Ben & Jerry's
Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 02/16/2010 - 10:07.
by Zoe Shapiro
What I loved about the book by Audrey Niffenegger was that it was hands down, no-nonsense, good writing while simultaneously being an airy fairy romance too. It was both sustenance and dessert. The film version however is a sweet, easy movie but only if you’re in the mood for fluff. read more...
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Guilty Pleasures Reviews
Kendra
Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 03/18/2010 - 13:13.
by Zoe Shapiro
I’m the worst kind of TV viewer: the snob. I go to the opera, have read my way through the classics and love flitting in and out of galleries. My favourite shows are poignant or witty, like Mad Men and 30 Rock. But I’m ashamed to admit that on occasion, I’m also a total sucker for trashy reality TV. After a long week and a boozy weekend, ordering Thai food and watching the E network on Sunday night seemed like a perfect and mindless way to unwind, so my noodles and I settled in to watch the new season premiere of Kendra. read more...
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Jaclife: The Toronto Hills
Submitted by haley on Thu, 03/11/2010 - 12:21.
By Caitlyn Holroyd
Turns out reality television hasn’t covered every parameter of beautiful, rich 20-somethings gallivanting about town – so behold Jaclife, a new Slice.ca webisode-series about Toronto socialite Jaclyn Genovese.
Since I myself am a guilty viewer of reality television shows about beautiful, rich 20-somethings gallivanting about town, I of course had to check out the pilot episode that premiered this week, where I was introduced to Jaclyn and her entourage of super good-looking BFFs. read more...
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In Art Video
ArtStars Interviews Bruce LaBruce!
Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 01/12/2010 - 12:34.
Music Reviews
The Balconies; A Short Survey
Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 03/19/2010 - 10:10.
By Annie Webber
Sitting down for a chat with Stephen and Jacquie of pop-rock darlings The Balconies in the blackened pits of The Legendary Horseshoe is like something along the lines of stopping by for a cuppa-tea-in-the-kitchen chat after school with the boppinest family on the block. Made up of brother and sister duo Jacquie and Stephen, and Jacquie's love, Liam, if you haven't seen their live show yet, you're seriously depriving yourself, and for no good reason. Look forward to a mashup of sheer rock-n-roll prowess, Hairspray-esque twist and dip dance steps, and real-deal on-stage love. Brimming with charm and poise, J &S quite politely oblige to the onslaught of off-topic questions. Enough rambling. The survey.
She Does The City: How do you take your eggs?
Jacquie: If I'm in a rush, over-easy. Otherwise, poached.
Stephen: Easy-over. It's not the same thing.
(laughter ensues)
Ideal rainy [Saturday] activities?
S: Coffee and reading a book.
J: Cleaning my room. I'm really productive on my days off. Then I'd have a hot chocolate, eat an entire bag of ketchup chips, and watch Star Trek.
S: And puddle jumping.
J: But it's inside!
S: Inside puddle jumping? read more...
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YACHT, Live at Wrongbar
Submitted by haley on Mon, 03/15/2010 - 16:40.
By Caitlyn Holroyd
Venturing into the YACHT show at Wrongbar in Toronto, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. I most definitely didn’t plan on leaving as sweaty as I did, but an evening of atmospheric beats, flashing lights and non-stop dancing will do that to you. read more...
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Book Reviews
Blood and Groom
Submitted by haley on Thu, 01/07/2010 - 09:17.
By Lizzie McNeely
A bloody bride, champagne toast and red roses stamped with a gun print were on hand to launch Jill Edmondson’s Blood and Groom, the first novel of the Sasha Jackson Mystery Series from Dundurn Press. read more...
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Herstory
Dame Diana Rigg (Emma Peel of The Avengers)
Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 01/07/2010 - 15:01.
Why We Should Care:When it comes to kicking serious ass and looking fabulous doing it, there is no character more legendary than Diana Riggs’ Mrs. Emma Peel of 60s TV series, The Avengers. Anglicized to the nth degree, the show was likely responsible for the spread of not just a few exaggerated British-isms, but the character of Emma Peel more than made up for any disservice to cultural stereotyping by crashing the boys club that was the coolly intelligent spy-drama and more often than not playing the rescuer of the man in distress. On top of this, Emma Peel’s outfits (designed by John Bates in the monochrome seasons and by Alun Hughes in the color) typified this era of popular culture in op-arted, catsuited brilliance. read more...
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