The program is called Attack of the 50ft Reels. I was press ganged by AFCOOP’s Walter Forsyth (well, to tell the truth, I went pretty willingly) into this, and now it’s Friday night, I’m desperately trying to come up with a compelling script. A couple of talented actor friends of mine have agreed to be […]
Arts & Culture
Posted inArts + Music
Second verse, similar to the first
***I apologize for the late wrap-up…technical difficulties were encountered on Wednesday and Thursday.*** An older man turned around in his seventh-row seat to face me as I ate my overpriced untoasted bagel from Second Cup, no longer interested in quality breakfast. (Yesterday was popcorn.) “Were you here yesterday for the Dixie Cows?” “Oh, ha., ha, […]
Posted inArts + Music
Walk of shame
Thanks Carsten, you’re the Ben Mulroney to my Tanya Kim. So after getting booted out of the (poorly marked) opening night party VIP line, we had to do the walk of shame down Barrington and back up to the other side of Argyle where we hung out with the sparkly Joe Halifaxs and city councillors. […]
Posted inArts + Music
Party, Party, Party
A Bug and A Bag of Weed is a movie I was really looking forward to, having met and interviewed two of the producers and stars, Chris Cuthbertson and Drew Hagen. It is also on my reviewer gag list (see earlier entry) so I won’t say too much, but that Hagen and Cuthbertson’s enthusiasm for […]
Posted inArts + Music
A Day Early
Yes, the 26th Atlantic Film festival doesn’t officially begin until Thursday, but mine started a day early. Before I get started, I should mention that this is my second year as The Mad Blogger What Blogs At Midnight for The Coast. Last year was a blast, even though I saw many a movie through an […]
Posted inArts + Music
True colours
Life is a struggle, we’re often reminded. When people engage in a tussle for a truth, the rest of us gather around to watch, in rapt attention. It’s not a matter of cruelty—we’re not intentionally withholding help. We’re waiting to learn from that person’s efforts. Witnessing struggle may very well be a viewer’s role in […]
Posted inArts + Music
The big deal
CottonlandSeptember 15, 7:05pm, Park Lane, $10 Hitting close to home, photographer Nance Ackerman, best known for her striking portraits of First Nations women, turns a camera lens on how the addictive prescription drug OxyContin has become a signifier of the devastating social problems facing the community of Glace Bay. Ackerman collaborated with recovering addicts to […]
Posted inArts + Music
Film focus
26th Atlantic Film FestivalSeptember 14-23 422-6965www.atlanticfilm.com BUYING TICKETSPurchase individual tickets or packages—there are several to choose from—online at atlanticfilm.com or over the phone at 422-6965 (for a $2 processing fee). If you prefer the sight of a live person, head over to the IFC Atlantic Film Festival Box Office, CBC Radio Room, 1599 South Park […]
Posted inArts + Music
Boom town
The first thing you notice is the energy. Toronto is a fast town. Millions of people live here. They drive fast, they walk fast, they text fast. A normal day in Toronto is a fast one. Add some more people, then, and you’d think you might not notice. At Sundance every January, the tiny resort […]
Posted inArts + Music
Smoke break
It’s the culmination of five years of hard work, of personal savings accounts emptied and credit cards dipped. So-called rational people might consider this kind of investment a risk worthwhile only for real estate, but thankfully there are guys like Chris Cuthbertson and Drew Hagen, guys who just want to make movies and are willing […]
Posted inArts + Music
Film Fest follies
On the streets, in the theatres, at the parties, we’re all over AFF with daily reports. Surf often.
Posted inArts + Music
Fur and peace
Hamsters are small, fluffy, cute-faced rodents that some people choose to live with. They sleep during the day, scurry to nowhere on exercise wheels at night, and rarely make it to their third birthdays. Hamsters are not epic. With one possible exception. Copain is a sweet-natured gay hamster from Paris. He falls in love with […]
