AFF Prelude
Press screenings began today; a usual prelude to the AFF madness. My reviews of both films will be in print next week in The Coast. Bright Star is review restricted anyways, and, in this case, I am grateful that I am spared from making any snap judgments on the film. It moved me deeply and…
TIFF DAY 7: I can’t see and that’s ok
Declarations are being made all over the place: “I’m done.””I’m running on fumes.””I’ve got nothing.” An hour into my seventh consecutive 9am film, Don Roos’ Love and Other Impossible Pursuits, I noticed I wasn’t wearing my glasses. And I couldn’t remember when I’d taken them off… just then, to clean them? Or an hour ago,…
Last night’s council meeting, interpretted
What follows is a transcript of last night’s live-blogging of city council’s weekly meeting. I do this via Twitter (twitcoast), and so each entry is limited to 140 characters. Exact quotes are in quotation marks, everything else is paraphrased for clarity. —Tim Bousquet Council live blogging! Mayor Peter Kelly absent. Deputy Mayor Hendsbee takes the…
CBC Radio 2 wants to immortalize your favourite place in song
William’s Lake: Another good option CBC Radio 2 wants to give your neighbourhood/favourite stoop/park bench the attention it so richly deserves. They are calling The Great Canadian Song Quest “an incredible cross-country playlist with 13 brand new, original songs for Canada’s playbook. Each artist will compose and record an original song inspired by the locations…
Tuesday night stalker
You pathetic piece of shit with your straightened bob haircut, looking like some sad stereotype from a blaxploitation film…Who the fuck do you think you are, stalking a lone girl late at night walking home? I told you to fuck off, and that I was on my way home, but you followed me down the…
Just Say No-nairs
Wow. Donairs really suck. I know, I know– “If you don’t like ’em, don’t buy ’em.” But- seriously, they really do suck. Is there any evidence that a donair has killed a person? Medical studies should be done. Maybe they were good once but that time has clearly have passed. There’s a reson they’re often…
Taggers Give the Untility Boxes a Fucking Break
This might seem petty, but this issue is really chapping my ass. It’s not too often that the local utility company does something above and beyond. I feel the beautiful paintings they have contracted out for their ugly utility boxes are wonderful. What I find frustrating is the behavior of the fucks who deface them.…
Cops
So I am walking to work, and a fucking cop pulls out in front of me on the crosswalk. OK, that’s fine, it will be a couple minutes before I actually reach that part of the crosswalk. No worries right. Well, the cop sits there long enough that I have to walk around behind the…
Look But Don’t Touch
Back the fuck off! It was bad enough when random strangers rubbed my pregnant belly without asking, now they go for my baby! Yes, pregnancy is fascinating. Yes, babies are adorable. This does not give you the right to touch a strangers baby. You don’t touch random people, so why their babies? And don’t tell…
Plenty of Idiots…
I don’t like trying to find someone to date at a bar, its just not my thing. So I tried a popular and free website looking for the chance to find someone I can hang out with, get to know. Well that has just turned into a HELL. I have grown to hate this site…there…
Plenty of Idiots…
I don’t like trying to find someone to date at a bar, its just not my thing. So I tried a popular and free website looking for the chance to find someone I can hang out with, get to know. Well that has just turned into a HELL. I have grown to hate this site…there…
TIFF DAY 6: Fatigue sets in, more stars and overpriced water
People are exhausted. The man who runs the press room, a European of some kind (maybe French, maybe English, definitely tan) is upset. “These people could be having drinks by the pool,” he tells the unrepentant photographers. “We bring them in here for you.” Apparently he’s been asking them not to take photos from the…
Thirst and Suck. Oh, vampires.
Starting this up a full 48 hours before the Opening Gala is a new record for me, but here I am, once again, primed for days and days of Atlantic Film Festival screenings, events and parties. And, as usual, gasping slightly at the long list of embargoed films, features expected to have a theatrical release…
Hamish Fulton steps into Halifax
Hamish Fulton Get your shoes on. Renowned British artist Hamish Fulton is coming to Halifax. Fulton’s art is hard to classify: since 1969 he’s been conducting solo and group walks around the world, including Iceland, Bolivia, Tibet and Japan. Fulton extends the tradition of landscape painting or sculpture, and although his walking projects often result…
The White Stripes movie not coming to the Atlantic Film Fest
Maybe next time Halifax. I just received this from the Atlantic Film Festival: To those who added The White Stripes Under Great White Northern Lights to their B-Side schedule, I am sorry to report that due to circumstances beyond our control we have had to cancel the screening. If you have already purchased a ticket…
Go local on Quinpool Road
This Saturday, September 19 is the Quinpool Road Fall Fair, running from 10am to 2pm, a family event to feature an inflated bouncy pirate castle, food, games, costume contests face painting and the like, with crafts provided by The Clay Café (6413 Quinpool Road, 429-2994). Quinpool has a lot going for it at the moment.…
Yes, you can be Ms. or Mr. Maynard!
The “ultimate north end pageant” takes place this weekend on Maynard and Cornwallis Streets (outside of 5653 Cornwallis at 2:30pm), and promises to be a rager. The Ms. And Mr. Maynard pageant is hosted by the Radiator Collective and organized by Jenna Empey and Heather Rappard, and will crown two lucky folks who are brave…
Marilyn Who?
Dear Radio Station: Don’t advertise that you’re giving out concert tickets for an artist that you never have and never will play. That’s just stupid. You guys suck.— Manson Fan
WoW ..
THANKS BEST FRIEND! For bailing on me everytimewe make a date to hang out so you can play World of EFFING warcraft! this isnt the first time either its either WOW or its your stinkin boyfriend whome likes to bail on you for the game and you get pissed and complain to me while your…
tweet tweet !
to the big black dog who saved me from the garage by picking me up in your mouth and then releasing me into the yard: Thanks! You saved my little birdy life and now I can eat bugs some more xD– little yellow bird
R-E-S-P-E-C-T
This is in response to all the bitches about students, and the responses to those bitches being, “move off the peninsula, then.” Well, what the bitchers bitching about students seem to be upset about is the lack of respect some students have for their environments. If any large group of people was continually having huge…
Hey, Man up!
So this is directed to my “friend with benefits” why did you sulk the other day when I left? What happened that you felt the need to bury your head deep into your pillow and not talk to me? I don’t have time for that shit. Keep it simple! Then instead of being the 30…
old people shouldnt drive
saw some old hag parallel parking from the far left lane on a two lane road ……..she crossed the right lane and tried to wedge her enormous car into a space ……failed ….all this time no blinker. and who the hell tries to cross a lane of traffic to parallel park? If you’re in the…
Dear HP
Fuck you and your updates and your “Spooler SubSystem App stopped working and was closed” error. The end— Insert witty title here
TIFF DAY 5: Pip pippa hooray for Rebecca Miller
Rebecca Miller‘s been building her career on the backs of fucked-up women since her 2002 debut Personal Velocity, a trio of stories—shot in the early age of quality digital—starring Kyra Sedgwick, Fairuza Balk and Parker Posey; and 2005’s PEI-shot The Ballad of Jack and Rose, starring Camilla Belle in her breakthrough role. In The Private…
Dog Day 12″ pre order on now
Click here for all the info. Divorce Records have just announced a pre-order for the new Dog Day 12″ recorded by Rick White. It’s an edition of 400, so you can be one of the lucky few.
Megadeth and Slayer come to Halifax
Slayer, will you marry me? HOLY SHIT!!!!!!! Starting saving your money now, on Monday, November 9 at 8pm at the Metro Centre the Canadian Carnage tour brings Megadeth and Slayer (with Machine Head and Suicide Silence) to Halifax, and into my waiting arms. Tickets on sale starting Friday, September 18 at 9am. Tickets $72 each
The students are back!
Hi students – we love your enthusiasm, but please keep the noise down. people work, children go to school, old people don’t like noise. noise = screaming profanities, slamming cab doors, smashing beer bottles, etc. etc. also, FYI, garbage belongs in the garbage – FYI 2 – garbage includes cigarette wrappers, cardboard beer cases, Dal…
Blind Lane Changers
Alright then, once I can see…but three times on a Saturday afternoon is a bit much!!!! And twice in less than 5 minutes! I’m of course talking about our fine Halifax drivers changing lanes without signaling or looking into those useful attachments on the side of cars we humans call mirrors. I just happened to…
Lost Cat
Some people have nothing better to do then complain!!! My cat has been missing since Aug 5, and I’m heart is broken that I have not found her yet. I have spent many hours searching and alot of time and money putting up very good posters in my area!! Apparently someone in my area,in Clayton…
Barrington Construction
This is to the wonderful man who took it upon himself to hurl abuse and profanity at us after we parked our car legally on Barrington Street at a city owned meter. I’m sure it made you feel like a big man to act like such a jackass but really all you had to do…
You Little Fucking Shits, I saw you.
I saw you, and thought you were just being annoying little pricks in the parking lot next door, and yelling and necking in the middle of the street last night. What I DIDN”T know, was that you’d been into my fucking YARD, vandalizing my motherfucking GARDEN. You little pricks cost us about 50 dollars worth…
Pissing on the feet that feed you
With an extra digit added to tuition fees since I attended university 20 years ago I can sympathize with the debt-load students now face. What I can’t understand is the total lack of respect many (not all) of these students have for those that subsidize their education. A little party and associated noise is tolerable.…
Ruined Addiction
I just moved to the North End and every weekday morning there is a cloud of, what I can only determine to be, burnt coffee around North and Robie. I don’t understand why it keeps happening. Am I missing something?—no more charcoaled coffee
Asshole on the 52
Mind YOUR own business. When I point out to my friend that the lady across the aisle has really loud music, why the fuck would you lean over and say in a menacing tone “Is it any of your business?”. And when I say “No” because I don’t want to get in an argument with…
Dear halifax drivers
as a more frequent pedestrian and cyclist than driver, i am sick to fucking hell of getting almost hit by asshole drivers in their metal boxes. LOOK AROUND YOU. ’cause guess what? you hit another car, big deal. your premiums go up. you hit ME, pregnant and toting my 6 year old, and i’m fucking…
Canada’s gotta wake up!
This is a bitch to the creepy dude from Alberta who is ruining our country… oops! I mean “running” our country. Who the heck voted for you and when are you going to go away. I’m sick and tired of you and your bad policies and there has got to be a way to pull…
Unfriendly Behavior
This bitch is for the longtime friend who initiated a sleepover with me, spent much of the next day lounging around in my bed, claimed to want a relationship..and hasn’t talked to me since. Oh, you’ve called up mutual friends and asked about me, but you still haven’t returned my call and I have yet…
Hey Sister-inlaw!
We both have little babies.. mines 5 months and yours is 8 months.. Ive worked really fucking hard to lose the baby flub, and you do nothing about yours.. so dont roll your eyes and say “whatever” and storm out of the room when MY BROTHER tells me that i look great and must of…
Tired of Your In-My-Face Approarch To Your Sexuality
I know it took 20 years for you to reveal that you were a woman in a man’s body. I don’t have a problem with that or the surgery you intend to have. So I see you post about your outrage at your unsupportive friends and your decision to cut off about 90% of your…
TIFF DAY 4: Clear eyes, full hearts, can’t see the roller derby!
Berrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrg Ricky Gervais’ co-directorial debut, The Invention of Lying, opens October 2,and is in the same vein as his first American film, Ghost Town, which premiered here last year and tanked at the box office despite being pretty decent. In this story, co-scripted and -directed with Matthew Robinson, Gervais stars as a scriptwriter for an…
Video: Off the Cuff finale
Despite the threat of more rain, a large group of style-minded Haligonians gathered this afternoon at Historic Properties for the Off the Cuff fashion competition and show. After the outdoor runway was wiped off (thank god—MC Eureka Love was sporting a pair of mile-high heels), the show kicked off with a collection by Brandt Eisner.…
TIFF DAY 3: Talk Like a Pirate Day
One of the biggest buzz movies out of Sundance this year was called Push. Then that crappy movie called Push came out and they changed it to Precious. Either way, I know two things going into it this morning (with not enough hours between the film and a sold-out Ra Ra Riot show): it is…
Fringe review: What Happened to Jeff?
Jeff Onore is one weird dude. His one-man show So What About Jeff is unlike anything I’ve ever seen before. I like twisted. I like dark. But his mind is twisted and dark in ways that I can’t comprehend. His delivery is flat and measured, so that it takes a moment to process what you…
Fringe review: Dale Beaner and the Turtle Boy
Dale Beaner and the Turtle Boy is a fantastic and fantastical play that manages to combine outrageous satire with a really moving examination of parental love gone wrong. The lives of Dale Beaner (son of a domineering dad and star of the wildly successful Cupcake move franchise), and George Bowman (a boy whose father is…
Fringe review: Aunt Melba grants an audience
Aunt Melba is the larger-than- life, feather boa-bedecked alter ego of comedian Tanya Belliveau, and she’s come to the fringe to offer her unique opinions on everything from aging gracefully—which, according to her, involves copious quantities of duct tape and Depends undergarments—to a Maritimer’s place in the after life (apparently we’re too wet to burn).…
Fringe review: So…What About Love?
Although there are still a couple of days left, I feel pretty secure in saying that I’ve seen my favourite show of this year’s fringe, So…What About Love?. While not perfect, it’s a damn fine example of a work that touches both the heart and the funny bone. The actors poke fun at the play’s…
Windom Earle, BA Johnston, The Gideons, Lovesinger and, oh, a giant thing of ribs
Chilly weather means nothing to Windom Earle with stomachs full of ribs Last year they gave out a ham, this year it’s ribs. After today’s exhausting Go North! shenanigans, power up with the promise of a heaping helping of protein with Meat Draw 2: Return of the Meat ($6, 10pm). Thinly veiled as a show…
QE2 Hell-Hole
Alright; I’ll add this to the pile. It’s been a hell of a day, and Nobody expects these people to be perfect, but there’s a lot to be said for a little professionalism and compassion. Bare with me. It starts out like this: after a prompt response from 911 to the medical emergency in question,…
McD’s Killers – What is justice then?
What exactly are you hoping for with your facebook group, “Keep the Bastards in Jail- Mc Donald’s Murderers”? Introduction of the death penalty? Redefinition a ‘life term’? The abolishment of double-jeopardy statutes? Better “rehabilitation”? That after having served their time and undergone 20+ years of “rehabilitation” that ex-cons should not be privileged to see what’s…
Attention BREEDERS
The world is in super crisis mode with STI’s, over-populations, high unemployment rates and a serious lack of resources. Why is it that every month I hear of somebody getting pregnant! Condoms, peoples, CONDOMS. It’s cheaper than you and your kid(s) being on welfare. Condoms are free, easy to use even drunk and stoned. What…
Shoe Shop Songs
To whomever was in charge of the music at the Economy Shoe Shop on Thursday September 10th from 7-10pm. You are great. All the songs you chose were awesome, but rarely heard outside of my apartment these days. Thanks for having a unique to club/bar/restaurant scene taste in music and thanks ESS for letting them…
Rue the Day she went aWay
This is a personal bitch to myself…for all those times I screwed up something with a great girl and never got to experience something special..too shy sometimes..too bold at other times..’there’ll be plenty of girls’…for those of you who think this when there’s a perfectly awesome little creature on your arm, don’t be a dumbass…take…
Dear Lady GaGa,
I would very much enjoy Gaga-ing you with your own dino-ripped out placenta. You are a talentless batshit.—Dino
University of Farce
For a certain campus and its indiffernt deans–why have you refused to put a computer into an office with half a dozen instructors? There’s a printer, internet hook ups, and even a mouse pad. Do you see how a major piece of equipment is missing? What year do you think it is 1982? I guess…
Ode to Halifax Metro Transit
Dear Halifax Metro Transit, I now ride on your buses one, two, three, four hours a day. Yes. Four hours a day To bring my daughter to her wonderful school, groggy with sleepless nights, I rush out twenty minutes early to meet you. Since you run on Zen time (ten minutes early or twenty minutes…
TIFF DAY 2: Oscar winners, “sexy” faces and Coen brothers
OH HAI SETH COHEN The best way to get critics out to the dreaded 9am screenings is to fill those slots with critic bait—this year finds names like von Trier, Almodovar, Soderbergh, Herzog and Jeunet kicking off the days. Friday began with a packed house salivating for the new Coen brothers joint, A Serious Man.…
Walter Forsyth at TIFF’s Talent Lab
Please donate to the Miranda July Fund. Halifax’s Walter Forsyth was one of 25 filmmakers chosen to be part of the Toronto International Film Festival’s Talent Lab (September 9-12), an intensive program where lucky participants spent time with heavy-hitting industry professionals, like Tilda Swinton, Miranda July and Brian De Palma. On his way to a…
Nova Scotia Music Week full list of nominees
Classified, I put my tooth through my lip that way. Nova Scotia Music Week has more big names for you to digest, so start chewing: Joel Plaskett, Classified, In-Flight Safety, Brian Borcherdt, Grand Dérangement, The Tom Fun Orchestra and Charlie A’Court will perform, in addition to the winners of the underage Yarmouth Exhibition Battle of…
Herohill’s Bryan Acker enjoys all the luxuries of being a Polaris Prize jury member
Congrats are in order for Herohill’s Bryan Acker. Acker was asked to be on the Polaris Prize grand jury, so you should start sending him cookies and elaborate love poems now to get in his good graces. Just kidding, I’m sure he won’t take a bribe. “Bribes? Of course. I’ll even take brides from bands…
supermarket drinkin’ musak yee-haw
Hey certain supermarket how’s ’bout you not playing drinkin’ musak when there is a liquor store right there. There might be people who are triggered by that shit….ie alcoholics (me). It’s effin’ hard enough with the temptation right there….but you guys somehow seem to make it harder for us that are trying to abstain.—sober
Art Gallary not Daycare
Attended a local gallary’s opening of a new show and really enjoyed the artwork and the surroundings. However I gotta say, whats with all the kids? And I mean little babies and toddlers ‘attending’ with mom and dad? Hey, I am all for including kids in activities but please, find a sitter or go during…
Super Not COOL Cab door Slam. SORRY.
I want to give a super huge apology to the girl getting in the cab last night in front of Tribeca. I really shouldn’t have slammed the door on you. I should have just said sorry at the time instead of giving attitude. No excuse but, I was tired and really thought you were all…
Hope you get cut next time!
Hey, to the fuckhead who smashed a glass panel in the bus shelter at the Lacewood Terminal with a rock Tuesday night (and to any other asshole saboteurs out there) practice your destruction on your own shit! I sure don’t give a fuck whether you have walls around you when the icy rain starts pouring…
message to all late night drunk or not drunk males:
if you see a solitary female walking at night; do not talk to her. do not try to make conversation. do not yell “HEY, HOW’S IT GOING!?”. don’t even make eye contact. you will only come across as obnoxious and creepy. she will not make eye contact with you and she will probably start walking…
…oh my…
So you get into a relationship with my deadbeat ex that can’t/won’t hold down a job, then you have to buy your own engagement ring!? Ha!—Better you then me
Downtown business association blame poor
The downtown business association – not the whole downtown but Barrington St. are blaming panhandlers for lack of business success – give me a break – Spring Garden Rd. (different association) has plenty of panhandlers and plenty of business – what the downtown business association needs to do is develop a better business plan and…
Hydrostone Haughty in the Audi
To the self-involved rich bitch driving the Audi who nearly ran over my toes today when I was in the crosswalk – with the WALK SIGNAL clearly visible, which you intentionally IGNORED – next time I won’t just kick a dent into the side of your expensive car, I’ll smash my fist into your snooty…
Cheap Clothes for Real Women!
I wonder if the people who order merchandise for clothing stores ever notice what’s left on the racks at the end of the season. I estimate it’s 90% extra small, 9% small, 1% medium, and 0% large or extra large. Maybe I’m missing something, but if I was a store manager, this would tell me…
Fringe review: Life comes tumbling down for Jill and Jack
I used to think that only my family was weird, but the older I get, the more apparent it becomes that all families are weird in their own special ways. Still, I think it’s safe to say that the family in Jill and Jack is weirder than most. It sounds as if the unseen mother…
TIFF DAY ONE
It’s cool in the shade here and it feels like the whole city is under construction—but then, it always feels like that. I sign my name, as I do every year, under Beverly Thomson from Canada AM. And, as every year, I’ve beaten her to the press office. Blackberry is a major sponsor now and…
Now I’ve seen everything… Just another bus bitch.
I’ve read boring bitches about people putting backpacks and purses if vacant seats, but on wednsday I actually saw a SURFBOARD in a seat. Yeah, seriously, an 8 foot long SURFBOARD. How the driver allowed you on is way beyond me. Your lucky the bus wasn’t crowded, or you would have heard from me. And…
What engineering genius set up the traffic lights on Robie and Jubilee Road?
To get a walk signal to cross Robie Street at the intersection of Robie and Jubilee you MUST press the red button BEFORE the light changes. If you arrive just as the light is changing in your favor the button doesn’t work and the signal indicates that you shouldn’t walk. Most people cross anyway because…
Ode to a hellabuddy….
Who knew the east coast could feed the soul so completely…. only 2 years but friends for life. From people watching at the corner of Drunk and Disorderly to late nights and early mornings at the commune, I thank you all for the company, the love, the good times and above all the friendship. LMCB&C…..love…
NS Archives launches new photo archives
Congratulations to the NS Archives, who launched an amazing site of WWII images and video of Halifax. The collection includes photos, records, personal correspondence and diaries, rare print material, cartoons, documentary art and film footage. Many are being shown for the first time, including “the press censor’s private photo collection capturing in meticulous detail the…
Allez les glorieux!
Okay, no need to bad mouth the other team’s love. Let’s go Habs. Canadiens! Have a great year. Fans, put on the tricolour and have a Montreal-style love in.
It’s rapture: Blondie at the Casino!
The Halloween fairy comes early with this amazing tip: Blondie will be performing at the Schooner Room, October 30 and 31!! According to the platinum diva’s website, tickets go on sale September 11, so expect to be hanging by the telephone tomorrow. Ladies, hopefully this announcement will mean improvements in the costume department: no slutty…
A deer friend
I’d like to say thanks to the guy on Lacewood who stopped and signaled to me. I didn’t see the family of Deer crossing the raod and was able to slow and avoid them. It’s good to know there are more people like that out there.—Animal Lover
living at home is wicked
thanks family, for welcoming me back home even though i am 24 years old, i’ve been away forever, i am unemployed and have nothing to do all day long. thank you for feeding me awesome food, and allowing me to wear clean clothes every day by doing my laundry for me. thank you for the…
Accordion man
To the man playing the accordion on the waterfront Monday morning…thank you! Yes, you were blowing smoke out of your nose every other nanosecond, and that purple shirt was a tad bit ugly, but you made my lonely morning! Still lovin’ that sound… —Dino
Go Leafs!!!!
Go Leafs Go!!!! I can’t wait for the season to start. One week until pre-season matches start. You’re the best NHL team. MSN poll has you leading as the team that will be most improved this year. Let’s hope that the poll is correct. —Leafs guy.
What happened to customer service and common decency?
Apparently I must have pissed off the organics guys today by pulling into my driveway when they were next door because they definetly showed it with their actions. My green cart was conveniently put directly in the center of the end of the driveway…funny thing is its the only one on the whole street that…
Kev Corbett gives a sneak peek at his new album
Don’t drop it! Kev Corbett’s new album, Son of a Rudderless Boat, was released informally at the Lunenburg Folk Fest on August 6, but if you weren’t one of the 1000 people present, you may be chomping at the bit to get your copy. Corbett is leaking the album “through Taz, CKDU, and outta-the-guitar case…
Fringe review: A Spectacle you won’t want to miss
Sigh. Trevor Poole has done it again. His amazing show The Spectacle has caused me to lose several hours of my life trying to figure out just how he does the impossible…and I’m still no closer to the answer. Sigh. Poole, whose persona is kind of Columbo meets Rod Serling, seems to pull thoughts from…
Another round of BS
“Study: Golf worth $650m to province,” screamed an August 22 headline in the Chronicle-Herald. “Nova Scotia’s golf industry had an economic impact of about $650 million in 2008, according to a national study released this week,” begins the article, written by business reporter Tom Peters. Six hundred and fifty million dollars is a hell of…
9
What on Earth happened in 9, an animated post-apocalyptic adventure featuring a voice cast of Christopher Plummer, Elijah Wood and John C. Reilly? 9 (voiced by Wood), who looks like a burlap rag doll, wakes up in a world terrorized by machines out of the Terminator films’ Skynet nightmare, finds his goggle-eyed, potato-sacked brethren (Reilly…
Live review: Princess and the Snoop Dogg
A girl in an expensive dress pukes into a translucent bag, heckled by hundreds of onlookers with nothing else to do. Slowly the bag fills, and the girl gains the ability to stand upright. She hugs the first handsome male first aid worker and they become fast friends, exchanging jokes and hugs throughout the night.…
Bloomfield plan to go ahead
Halifax council Tuesday night unanimously adopted the Bloomfield Master Plan, which outlines the rebuilding of the oft-contested Bloomfield Centre. The Bloomfield Centre consists of three former school buildings which, over time, have come to be occupied a variety of community, arts and non-profit groups. Citing increased maintenance costs, several years ago the city started evicting…
Tax Reform information available
Tim Bousquet’s recent editorial on Tax Reform (“Taxing problems,” August 13) uses strong language but is short on substance and facts. Regional council appointed seven citizens and six councillors from across the region to review the “foundations” of the property tax system and to conduct public consultations. Its meetings are public and extensive information is…
Adam a thoughtful love story
A voice-over by Rose Byrne’s Beth comparing Hugh Dancy’s Adam—a man with Asperger’s—to The Little Prince inspires dread that this is a saccharine 100-minute cliche about what mentally challenged folks can teach us, a la I am Sam and The House of D. However, Adam quickly recovers once the narrative unfolds and Beth and Adam…
Wind power breaks down in Nova Scotia
Breaking wind: Just one percent of Nova Scotia’s electricity is generated by wind. Monopolistic energy policies, a dilapidated power grid and broken promises from the new NDP government are making it difficult to get more wind power. We can do better, but it will take rediscovering our cooperative history and forming a new relationship with…
All about Steve (and Sandra)
Sandra Bullock is Mary, an obnoxiously juvenile crossword creator, hot for golden-boy cameraman Steve (Bradley Cooper), obsessively stalking him across America. It’s remarkable enough that All About Steve is centered on a character so profoundly unwatchable—Mary’s know-it-all nattering borders on being sadistically anti-social, as if it’s a dare for the other characters to punch her…
BLK JKS
Out of Johannesburg, South Africa, arrives a quartet likely to scare you. Rock does register with Africans. At times, it seems the speakers or your head might explode from the layers of rhythm, noise and the unknown. The title and album images suggest an aftermath of some trouble when humanity has no toys to filter…
Hunger
Sorry, zombie enthusiasts—the Steve McQueen who directed the Camera d’Or-winning Hunger is not, in fact, the long-dead star of The Great Escape. No matter: this Steve is a careful, deliberate English artist skilled at crafting exquisitely well-composed film frames—and a new filmmaker worth getting pretty damn excited about. Hunger, set during the prelude to and…
Snoop on film
Snoop does what he does best: play Snoop. Here’s one of two cameo appearances on Entourage. Really though, even when he changes names and characters (Murderess on Monk, Slim Daddy on The L Word), he’s Snoop. And that’s what we want. Riding high on Soul Plane: “I’m the captain of the motherfucking ship!” Snoop reinvents…
In the Kitchen, Monica Ali (Scribner)
Gabriel Lightfoot is the executive chef of the once-thriving Imperial Hotel in London. Pumped by his backers as a future star-chef, Gabe has a secret partnership to open his own restaurant, and plans to marry his gorgeous lounge-singing girlfriend. But then Yuri, a porter, is found dead in the hotel basement, and things start to…
Daniel LeDisko’s house rules
Daniel LeDisko has a couple of things to get off his chest. The DJ has racked up air miles playing shows all over the world over the past few years as one half of the electro-remix juggernauts LA Riots (the other half is producer Jo’B). The duo have produced a huge array of remixes for…
Punk Rock Fun Time Activity Book, Aye Jay (ECW Press)
Sharpen your pencil and your inner mohawk for Aye Jay’s latest activity book (following Heavy Metal Fun Time Activity Book, among others). Sticking to the oldies, you can draw on Henry Rollins’ tattoos and graffiti the CBGB walls, colour in The Ramones and Patti Smith, or try your hand at Punk Libs (Dead Kennedys’ “California…
Petunia’s flower power
This guy is timeless. Sixty years ago he could’ve been honky-tonking with Hank Williams, 20 years ago he could’ve been singing behind an episode of Twin Peaks. This weekend, with music that’s been described as “life-giving,” Petunia is bringing his surreal, avant-country swagger to Halifax. Saturday and Sunday night you’ll find the last real McCoy…
Valentino: The Last Emperor
At one point in the documentary Valentino: The Last Emperor we watch fashion legend Valentino turn white fabric into an intricate, silver-sequin-kissed gown. It’s impossible to deny the dress is beautiful. The film’s set at the end of a fashion era—the demanding designer and his indispensable longtime business partner are planning a retrospective honouring their…
Arms sale in Halifax on 9/11
For many, September 11 is a reminder of an horrific event, the needless killing of thousands and the depraved depths to which humans can sink. For others, it’s an opportunity to make a lot of money supplying the instruments of war. This year the Canadian Defence, Security and Aerospace Exhibition, a military industry trade show,…
Judge’s Extract a great leveller
Mike Judge’s cinematic legacy is secure with his searing satire Office Space. Remarkable for uncovering the backwards cult of personalities within confined work spaces, begetting a rabid cult following and pre-dating Ricky Gervais’ The Office by a couple of years, Judge is now a vaunted chronicler of those poor souls who must co-exist amongst the…
Museum of Natural History set to evolve
The Museum of Natural History will close its doors to the public Sunday, in preparation for a major renovation of the building. The nearly 40-year-old structure is badly in need of an overhaul, says public information officer Judith Shiers-Mille. The plan is to completely rebuild the Summer Street entrance, including the doorway, the brickwork surrounding…
The Edge of Love
Mawkishly sentimental in one moment and nonsensical the next, acolytes of Dylan Thomas won’t be impressed by this drama delving into the Welsh poet’s love life. The first half of the film set in wartime London evokes Philip Kaufman’s Henry & June and is burnished in beautiful sepia tones courtesy of Canadian cinematographer Jonathan Freeman.…
La Roux
Absolutely everything about the Mercury Prize-nominated debut by British synth-pop duo La Roux screams retro. Anyone born before 1990 will recognize Elly Jackson’s Flock of Seagulls/Annie Lennox stylistic mash-up, the early ’80s new wave synthesizer and drum machine combination that comes directly from the likes of Yazoo and OMD and the emotional isolationism and lost-love…
Joe Pernice,
Joe Pernice’s voice greets you with sweet breath, breadth and warmth. The singer-guitarist’s return is always welcome, even if it’s for a primarily covers album. It Feels So Good When I Stop, which will strike fans as a perfectly Pernicean sentiment, is a novel soundtrack. (The book’s out now too.) Pernice reads three short excerpts…
The truth about asexuality
Q As a 43-year-old single gay guy, I recently had my first spanking experience and am feeling extreme self-loathing. I was in a long-term vanilla relationship for most of my adult life and never got to experience anything kinky, but I’ve had an interest in it. Long story short, I answered an online ad, went…
York Redoubt
If York Redoubt’s main vision was to make noise, they’ve succeeded. But there’s more than just noise here: heavy distortion and feedback play into a math-rock, post-punk aesthetic. Recorded partly in an abandoned schoolhouse, warping floorboards and haunted basements seem completely in line with the music. Arty, weighty but still accessible, the different elements of…
Friendly Fires
What’ll we call this, indie tribal pop? Whatever sub-sub-genre you’re comfortable with, these guys are on the energetic level of Passion Pit, with half the members and twice the drummers. Soaked in reverberation, “Kiss of Life” demands you to make a fool of yourself dancing. Pitchfork likes them, and that’s all that matters, right? Kiss…
The Cove’s revelations shock
Part nature doc, part espionage thriller, part horror story, The Cove contrasts its dolphin character study (they’re self-aware, intelligent and highly communicative, according to the film) with shocking footage of the capture and slaughter of thousands of dolphins in Taiji, Japan. Director Louie Psihoyos, at the urging of former Flipper trainer turned activist Rick O’Berry,…
Dalhousie’s tea-riffic drinking society
Hot tea means comfort. A different kind of comfort than coffee or, say, vodka Jello shots. And while Orientation Week rears its over-excited head around the campus of Dalhousie University, members of the Dal Tea Drinkers’ Society hope students can take a break from the bedlam of first semester to take solace in the comfort…
Heather Young’s best in show
When you’re picking up tickets for the Atlantic Film Festival, grabone for Atlantic Shorts IV (Monday, September 21, Park Lane, 7pm), soyou can give Heather Young an extra clap—-the NSCAD grad just wonMontreal’s Canadian Student Film Festival. Dog Girl was inspiredby a teen Young worked with in New Brunswick, who was “very optimistic,happy and hard-working,”…
Minstrels looking up
The restaurant business is tough—it’s subjective to personal tastes, and everyone is an expert. It’s doubly tough for any restaurant not located at street level. But the folks from the venerable Old Triangle have taken up the challenge—they’ve claimed and renovated the upstairs Spring Garden space that once housed the Thirsty Duck, calling the new…
Pre-Snoop GIN & JUICE
Break out the Tanqueray and juice and clank those glasses together: Snoop D-O-double-G’s in the house this Sunday. All of Halifax’s bars are up for mixing Snoop’s drink, but here are a few close to the Metro Centre that are perfect for sippin’ on gin and juice before—and after—the rapper’s return. Bubbles Mansion This Trailer…
Cailin O’Neil’s solo flight
While the other kids were exploring the neighbourhood and catching their favourite shows on TV, Cailin O’Neil experienced the world on a bigger scale—and looked at it through a wider lens. “My mother worked for an airline growing up,” she says. “I loved travelling and making little films.” Her mom, who received employee-discounted fares as…
Fringers get so lucky in Love
To the casual observer, Garry Williams and Amy Reitsma appear breezy and calm as they sit down at a Barrington Street cafe on a sunny afternoon. Reitsma smiles and sips coffee, while Williams orders carrot cake. This all seems fairly innocuous until the pair reveal that they are in the midst of writing, preparing and…
