One Week is a Love Letter to Canada

People say that Canadians are apathetic. We are apathetic about politics and we are not overly patriotic. Unlike the United States, where it seems that is a mandatory to have a flag hanging proudly overtop your porch, we rarely see houses with giant Canadian flags swaying on a windy day. One Week shows us Canada through the eyes of one of our very own, Joshua Jackson playing Ben Tyler, a man who is faced with his own mortality who decides to travel from Toronto, Ontario to Tofino, British Columbia on his vintage motorcycle.

Cinematically, this film is beautfiul. Canada has one of the most amazing landscapes, with so much diversity. From the mountains of the west coast to the plains of the praries even to the cliffs and gorgeous forest-views of Northern Ontario. This film beautifully portrays all that Canda has to offer.

Another thing about this film is that it is trully Candian- but not in the typical Canadian way. Featuring Gord Downie of the Tragically Hip, a Tim Hortons Roll-Up the Rim cup and many different Canadian landmarks that a Canadian is sure to recongnize. With an amazing soundtrack, featuring Canadian artists inclduing my favourite song by Wintersleep Weighty Ghost this film is bound to make you a true patriotic.

This film surely helped me in my search for patriotism in Canada and looking for the Canadian identity- a concept that has intrigued me for quite some time. This film shows us that its not all maple syrup and hockey- but that there is so much more to Canada.

Elliott Brood Knows How to Put on a Great Show

It's been two-weeks since I caught the Elliott Brood show in Peterborough but my toes are still tapping from their upbeat and catchy tunes.

Elliott Brood (made up of three amazing musicians; Casey Laforet, Stephen Pitkin and Mark Sasso) are an excellent band to catch on a Friday night. The catchy lyrics and fast drum beats are bound to have you jumping around and it leaves you wanting more. Getting up and dancing seems to be a requirement when catching this band live- I don't know if its possible to stay seated through one of their shows.

As with any great audience-attentative band, the members of Elliott Brood handed out some musical instruments including tamborines and some make-shift drums. It really go the audience excited about the song and about the show in general.

After a long two-hours of waiting for the first band to set up, play and Elliot Brood made it up to thier impatient audience by playing one hell of a show!

They will be playing another show late October at the Opera House so if you get the chance you should definitely check it out!

Freedom

Just a quick post today becasuse I really should be heading off to school. But due to procrastination and YouTube, I got stuck watching Woodstock clips.

This is by far my favourite Woodstock clip and I just wanted to share it with all of you.

Richie Havens singing Freedom. This is absoulutely unbelievable- so passionate and emotional. Even since watching Taking Woodstock (this song was played during the credits) I've had it stuck in my head. So I am passing it along....enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-d5x-CiTUs

Taking Woodstock
shows us that it was about more than just the music

Despite the critics opinions, I actually enjoyed Taking Woodstock.

Its a cinema rarity to find many well-known, superb actors assembled together in one film but Ang Lee manages to bring them all together, just like music brought together the hippies in 1969.

Leading the cast is notable, stand-up comedian, Demetri martin, who plays Elliot Tiber, the author who wrote the book that they based the film off of (that was a mouth-full) and also, the man behind the festival- who brought Woodstock to Bethel, NY.

Imelda Staunton and Henry Goodman play Jake and Soina Teichberg, Elliots parents and the owners of El monaco Resort, which is the headquarters for the organizers of the festival.

Cinema newcomer and thatre veteran Jonathan Groff plays michael Lang, festival organizer and well-known hippie. With his kind-eyes, and friendly-smile, its hard not to fall in love with Groff as soon as you his eyes sparkle in his first scene.

The film also features Emile Hirsch, Paul Dano, Liev Schreiber, Eugene Levy, Jefferey Dean morgan and Kelli Garner.

Although it may be full of hippie-cliches and does not feature much of that actual music festival, this film is full of wit and shows us how Woodstock changed many people, hippies and resort owners alike. The novel is greatly about Elliot Tibers own coming-of-age story and sexual awakening, therefore it seems that the music might not have had the same influence on him.

I think crtics were expecting this film to be THE Woodstock film, but its not the case. This is Elliot Tibers story. It just happens that most of his growing up took place during his weeks of helping to organize one of the greatest music festivals of all time.

Although the film may be a little slow at times, it is, in true Ang Lee format cinematically beautiful. It is funny, cute and worth a watch. Taking Woodstock captures one of the most influential and important moments in music history and focuses on the people that the concert and moment influenced the most, especially Elliot Tiber.

Even Michael Moore
Can't Make a Political Film this Good

I was only twelve when the Bush/Gore Election took place in 2000, so I never knew exactly what had happened during the election and what all the drama was about. All I knew at that time was that the election was too close to call therefore a recount was necessary.

Well, needless to say, there was much more behind this close election than just a simple recount.

Recount exposes the mystery behind the 2000 US Presidential Election (Of course, it may have just been a mystery to me due to my age).

"Beginning on Election Day 2000 and culminating with the Supreme Court decision in Bush vs. Gore, Recount follows the bizarre 36-day struggle to determine which candidate won Florida...and the presidency."

Starring Kevin Spacey, Dennis Leary, Ed Begley Jr. and John Hurt (who form the Democratic side of the debate), Bob Balaban, Laura Dern, Tom Wilkinson and Bruce McGill (who form the Republican side of the debate) . The phenomenal cast was only one of the great aspects of this intense political film.

Of course, I knew what the outcome of the film would be but I still found myself thinking that "the Democrats could definitely win this!" I was so caught up in the intensity of the film I forgot about reality for a moment.

My favourite performances in this film were Kevin Spacey, Dennis Leary, Ed Begley Jr. and Laura Dern (She made me truly hate Katherine Harris) .

This was by far, one of the best Political thrillers that I have ever watched. Even though the audience knows the outcome, the film itself is still thrilling. It's a great debate between the ever-arguing Democrats and Republicans and for someone studying Public Relations, it was interesting to watch them pull excuses, arguments and problems out of thin air. 'The Hanging Chad' is an on-going debate throughout the movie, that starts off seeming irrelevant but turns into the major problem for both sides.

HBO Films have done it once again. They've created a phenomenal film that anyone, who is even slightly interested in politics should see. This is definitely one of the best films I've watched all year.

Kudos to Frightened Rabbit

I only started listening to Frightened Rabbit a few weeks ago, but it has turned into a quick love-affair with this Scottish-based band

Of course, I do not mean a literal love-affair, that's just not the sort of thing you put on the internet but I do mean that I have quickly fallen in love with the music of Frightened Rabbit, one of the most talented bands that I've listened to recently.

My concert ticket is bought and I'm waiting in sheer anticipation for July 22nd to role around when Frightened Rabbit will play at the Horseshoe Tavern in Toronto. Only 35-days to go!

As I write this post, I'm listening to the three* Frightened Rabbit songs that I have on my iTunes. I know, that seems like an incredibly small number of songs to have and then go on raving about how I love them. But in my defense, it only took one song to make me realize how amazing this band is.

Modern Leper is a beautiful song with great lyrics and an amazing instrumental section to back those lyrics up. The guitar works itself so amazing into each new verse and the drums keep your toe tapping meanwhile the lyrics could make you cry.

Each song is different from the last. I Feel Better and Snake are both amazing and are sure to keep your toes tapping and make you want to hear more. So check out their MySpace (their personal website is under construction) to learn more. You won't be disappointed.

"Is That You In Front of Me, Coming Back for Even More of Exactly the Same?"

*I feel that I should further explain why there are only three Frightened Rabbit songs on my iTunes. In an effort to stay connected with my best friend this summer, we started a Frightened Rabbit training-schedule. Seeing as she was the one who introduced me to the band and bought the concert tickets, we thought it was only fair that she send me each song through an email, with a further tidbit of information about the band and a full analysis of the song (and of course a full life update). A great way to stay in touch and to learn everything you can about a band.

I JUST Want to Read Some Chuck Palahniuk!

Before I was done school this year, I made a Summer Book List and so far I have been moving through the list at a nice pace. I was a bit unrealistic by putting 30-books on the list, but I am determined to finish most of the list before the summer is out. I hit a bit of a snag while reading This Side of Paradise by F.Scott Fitzgerald. It took me longer than expected and brought the list to a halt. I have finally moved onto my next book, The Time Machine by H.G Wells and so far it's an amazing read. Although, when I went to the library yesterday, it was not my first choice for a book I wanted to get.

I was on the Peterborough Library website yesterday and I was searching through their selection. They have about 10 copies of Chuck Palahniuk novels including Snuff, Haunted: A Novel and Pygmy. Of course, there was only one in stock so I had a plan to get to the library quickly and pick up the lone copy of Snuff that lay on the crowded shelves of the Peterborough library. However, when I got to the library (after having to circle the block trying to find a parking-spot), I could not find a single trace of any Chuck Palahniuk book ever existing on the shelves. It seems that trying to FIND a Chuck Palahniuk novel this summer will turn into quite a feat in itself.

Until the time that I can get my hands on a Chuck Palahniuk novel, I will distract myself with Tom Avery's To The End of the Earth, Blindness by Jose Saramego and A Long Way Down by Nick Hornby.

I would also appreciate suggestions for other novels anyone would suggest reading.

If you are interested in anything by Chuck Palahniuk, check out your local library for their selection (perhaps its a little more extensive than my local library) and check out The Cult: The Official Chuck Palahniuk Website, which keeps you updated on everything Palahniuk.

Looks Like V-Fest has Gone Over to the 'Pop' Side

It was last summer when I went to my first Virgin Festival in Toronto. My sister and I boarded the ferry that would take us over to Centre Island where we would have our minds blown with set after set of amazing Indie and Rock bands such as The Foo Fighters, The Fratelli's, Bloc Party and Oasis.

Although I don't go to concerts every weekend, I have been to my fair share (including my first concert when I saw Blue Rodeo with my family at the age of six). The Virgin Festival was an amazing experience and although it was a touch on the expensive side I thought it was worth it. Just to see The Foo Fighters and Oasis would probably cost at least $60.00 each, so I was willing to pay the $200+to see many bands that I had been listening to for a few years.

This year something changed. Firstly, the location. No longer will V-Fest be held at Toronto's Centre Island but at Molson Park in Barrie. (I have heard rumours of others places, so please correct me if I am wrong). I didn't like this decision at first, but after remembering how awful it was waiting for 2 hours to get on the Ferry on the Saturday night, I agreed with the change.

Secondly, the line-ups have changed drastically. Although they still have not released the Toronto line-up, the line-ups for the festivals in Montreal and in the U.K are both filled with pop artists. Montreal's line-up includes:

New Kids on the Block
Akon
Stereos
Black Eyed Peas
Jesse McCartney
Eva Avila
Divine Brown

Hylands Park and Weston Park (both in the U.K) line ups include:

The Killers
Lily Allen
Taylor Swift
Oasis
Snow Patrol
MGMT
Lady GaGa
Natalie Imbruglia
The Proclaimers

and others

Of course, there are a few decent names in the line ups. But the good does NOT outweigh the POP. How did Taylor Swift and Jesse McCartney ever get booked to play V-Fest? It seems that V-Fest has taken a turn for the worse. No longer will it be a place for the hipsters, indie-rockers and music-lovers. It has become a place for the Poppers. Although I am sure every 13-year-old girl singing Taylor Swift's "Our Song" will be dying to go this year. (Also, aren't The Proclaimers a band from, oh lets say, the early '90s's? Yes Five Hundred Miles is a very fun song, but are they V-Fest appropriate?)

Not all of the V-Fest concerts are a waste of money. Nova Scotia's line up isn't terrible with the Tragically Hip headlining and Metric playing a set. Of course, if you are up for some travelling, just catch the Tragically Hip when the play in Harris Park, London, Ontario on July 23rd with The Spades and Arkells (who will also be at the Nova Scotia V-Fest). And you can catch Metric at EdgeFest in Toronto for approximately $50 where Billy Talent will be headlining and K-OS, Alexis on Fire, Moneen, Arkells (again!), The Stills and AFI will all be performing.

So even though V-Fest is an absolute disappointment (so far, we will see what the Toronto line-up has in store for us) this year, there is no reason that you can't enjoy some fantastic concerts across the country this summer. Some of these include:

The Osheaga Music Festival in Montreal
North By Northeast (NXNE) in Toronto
Vancouver Island MusicFest on Vancouver Island (where Steven Page will be performing!)
ReggaeFest 2009 in Calgary

and many, many others....


Maybe V-Fest was a over-rated anyways. It only makes sense that it would start to appeal to the mainstream.

Some Local Indie Rock Never Hurt Anyone

I still remember the fist time I saw them. I was 16 and it was a Thursday night. My friends and I piled into the Aaron Theatre (in Campbellford) and got ready for some much needed rock and roll. We were excited and thrilled that, first of all, we were going to be out late on a school night but also because our little town was finally hosting some decent concerts. So, the band began to play- and we were forever in love with The Spades.

Tonight, I will attend my first Spades concert outside of the Aaron Theatre. And of course, that made me a little nostalgic for those days in high school, when I would beg and plead to my mother to allow me to stay out late to watch those three-guys play their hearts out on that small stage at Aaron.

I don't know many bands who can put on quite an amazing show like the Spades. Each time they play they blow me away. It's so exciting to watch them play. And you have a good time, because you know that they are having a blast up there. Whether its James whipping out an amazing harmonica solo, or Chachi strumming away on the bass while he looks like he is laughing at some private joke that only he's in on or Winchester, drumming unlike anyone I have ever seen. Its not worth explaining because I would not do him justice.

The Spades are currently on tour. Tonight they will play at the Montreal House in Peterborough. You can catch them on June 27 in Wiarton, Ontario where they will play with Sam Roberts and The Tragically Hip (a concert not to be missed) or on July 23, in London, Ontario where they will play with Kathleen Edwards and The Tragically Hip.

A Tribute to Star Trek

I may not be a Trekkie, but after watching Star Trek, I really wish I was.

J.J Abrams is the Master. It seems that everything he touches turns to gold. Hollywood gold at least. I have been a Lost-fan since Season One. Of course I had troubles ensuring that I watched it each week (and therefore, I would be thoroughly confused as to what was happening the week following) but I always loved Lost for what it was: a fantastic Sci-Fi show.

After seeing Cloverfield (I watched it at home, due to a fear of getting sick in the theatre), I realized that J.J Abrams was a force to be reckoned with. So here we are today, he's got many things on the go, including Lost, Fringe and after many painstakingly long months (for me) Star Trek was finally released.

So on Sunday night at 9:55pm, the lights dimmed in the movie theatre and all was silent. The trailers ran (I ignored them, too caught up in my excitement) and finally, the movie began. The movie ran, in total, 2 hours and 7 minutes, but it was a fantastic 2 hours and 7 minutes of cinema. At the end of the movie, I hoped and prayed, they would do the cheesey-ending where they have a little twist, just to make room for a sequel. On a normal day, that is one of my pet-peeves, but no, not with this film. (And I was a little disappointed!)

Each character was acted very well. The script, of course had its cheesy-bits, but its Star Trek, it doesn't work if there is no lamely funny lines here and there. Chris Pine was brilliant as Captain J.T Kirk. He is a brilliant comedy actor but still has the pretty boy face for girls to sigh over. I have become so entranced by Zachary Quinto's Syler character on Heroes, I wasn't sure if I would be able to see him as anyone else. I was proven wrong. He is Spock. Or the new Spock at least. He played it amazingly and not once did I ever think of Syler.

Every character was in great conjunction with the original cast, though they have taken a fresh new spin on the characters and the Star Trek franchise. I have been watching old episodes of Star Trek on the Space channel after seeing the movie, and therefore I am finally allowed to compare the old with the new.

Now, I feel foolish for ignoring this entertaining franchise for so long. I guess now, the only thing I can do, is fix my ignorant ways, start at the beginning and soak up all the missed years of Star Trek, I can. I will keep you up-to-date on my Trekkie status.

A Disgruntled Fan Rant

This morning I was shown a new trailer for a new Donnie Darko sequel thats being released in 2009. First of all, I was not all that pleased with the idea of making a Donnie Darko sequel eight-years after the original was made and secondly, I didn't understand the point of making a sequel- there wasn't much room left for a sequel at the end of the first one. The new movie is entitled S.Darko and the IMDB synopsis tells it as:

"The story picks up seven years after the first film when little sister Samantha Darko and her best friend Corey are now 18 and on a roadtrip to Los Angeles when they are plagued by bizarre visions."

After reading the synopsis and watching the trailer, I was no longer slightly interested or even remotely curious about this sequel. I was very disappointed.

Just from watching the trailer, it was obvious to see that this was not going to be another cult-classic like the original. Instead its packed full of "beautiful" up-coming celebrities that teenager girls and boys can drool over. Its an interesting idea to try to make a younger generation interested in concepts such as time-travel and science fiction but I feel that this film is not the way to do it. Instead, try creating a new film (not a sequel) with new concepts and ideas- then pack it full of those lovely celebs.

In an obvious effort to appeal to a younger, mass-marketed generation, the creators of this film of done an outstanding job of casting young actors that they know girls go gaga for.
Firstly, they have casted Ed Westwick, known for his role as Chuck in Gossip Girl to play the role of Randy. Jackson Rathbone from the ever-popular Twilight-saga will take on the role of Jeremy and finally James Lafferty known for his role as Nathan on One Tree Hill will take on the role of Iraq Jack.

So since girls have gone crazy for Vampires, producers have realized there is a market for Six-foot tall Bunny-Rabbits? Not-likely, but nice try at mass marketing a cult-classic. It seems that nothing is safe anymore. Next thing you know, they'll be making a Godfather IV starring Chase Crawford, then we'll know for sure that Hollywood truly has run out of creative ideas. Well, as long as they get their paycheck.

But please, do decide for yourself, this is just one Donnie Darko-fans opinion. Perhaps S.Darko could in fact, prove me wrong.