Is There Anybody There?
September 7th, 3pm
Ryerson Theatre
10 year old Edward, Bill Milner from Son of Rambow, lives with his parents in a family run nursing home. Life hasn't been very easy for him as of late. His old bedroom is now the property of aging geriatrics, his classmates don't think very much of him and his parents' relationship is slowly breaking apart under the financial and emotional toil of caring after the elderly. To escape the death that surrounds him everyday Edward becomes obsessed with the afterlife and contacting those from beyond the grave in order to figure out what dying is really like.
Into his life lurches Clarence, (Michael Caine from lots of interesting movies you should probably watch), an aged former magician who is tragically unable to put the death of his wife behind him. When Edward saves Clarence during a failed suicide the young boy attempts to befriend the octogenarian in the hopes of finding out what its really like when people die.
What follows next is a fairly predictable, but no less touching and heartwarming, story of two outcasts who seem to have no one in life but each other. Caine, a wonderfully gifted character actor, is remarkably restrained in his performance in this film, but his pain and guilt at the loss of his wife manages to burst through his reserved exterior nonetheless. Even late in his career this talented actor shows that he can do more with a few subtle eyes gestures than some performers can achieve over their entire life. This is award winning stuff we're watching here.
Sadly, the friendship of Clarence and Edward cannot last. Clarence begins to suffer from the onset of senility and drifts further and further away from Edward as his mind starts to fail him.
Director John Crowley is remarkably adept at manipulating emotions throughout this movie. He is able to find the warmth and humour in this tragic tale, without ever turning the film into a comical farce or falling prey to the over-the-top melodramatics that a less gifted director might lean on. By resisting the urge to hold the audience's hand and lead us directly to the film's message, Crowley allows the audience to discover it on their own by respecting their abilty to read between the lines.
The power of this film stems directly from the strength of its characters. Their struggle to come to terms with their lot in life is so simple and honest that the audience cannot help but to emphasize with their pain. And even though they may not all be able to find happiness for themselves, there always seems to be a helping hand to pick them up after they've fallen.
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Festival Cup: Post game highlights
So S and I went to the inaugural Festival Cup last night at the ACC.
It was an interesting event, a roughly equal mix of celebrities types and professional hockey players. We got to sit right up front, which is a prospect that S and I are unlikely to enjoy at a Leaf game anytime soon (not being budding multi-millionaires of course)
But for the 36 bucks a pop we got to see Sundin on the ACC ice, one last time, as well as Gilmour, Stajan, Avery, Robataille, and Cujo. If I had one complaint it would be that the game was almost a little too relaxed. I know this is a charity game and some of these players would be out a lot of money if they were seriously hurt. But it wouldn’t kill you to hustle after the puck and scrap a little bit in the corners would you?
Being energetic doesn’t necessarily mean you have to be rough. Just keep in mind that no one’s paying money to watch people skate around out there like its open ice night at their local arena.
What was kind of wank though was how they game was obviously pre-destined to end in a shoot out. With about fifteen seconds left in the game the ‘White’ team accidentally scored and you could tell from the ‘oh shit’ look on the scorer’s face that he knew he wasn’t supposed to do that. But the refs called back the goal and we were all treated to some amusing antics from Cujo during the shoot out as he flopped back and forth on the ice, bending over backwards so that some of the shooters would get a goal.
Things I enjoyed
Tim Robbins getting accidentally smoked by his own teammate.
Cujo playing the puck end to end on the ice.
Sean Avery getting booed every time he was on camera or on the ice
D.B. Sweeney. (toepick)
Tim Robbins getting in a faux-fistfight
The standing ‘O’ for Sundin (come back Mats)
Spezza getting his balls busted by the announcer
Jim Basille scoring a goal.
Things I did not
Dougie Gilmour only playing one shift, WTF?
The new Leaf ‘goal scored’ animation.
The idiots behind me (Is that Bobby Orr? I could kick Cujo’s ass)
Overall I had a good time and if they try this event next year, I think I could be persuaded to do it again.
It was an interesting event, a roughly equal mix of celebrities types and professional hockey players. We got to sit right up front, which is a prospect that S and I are unlikely to enjoy at a Leaf game anytime soon (not being budding multi-millionaires of course)
But for the 36 bucks a pop we got to see Sundin on the ACC ice, one last time, as well as Gilmour, Stajan, Avery, Robataille, and Cujo. If I had one complaint it would be that the game was almost a little too relaxed. I know this is a charity game and some of these players would be out a lot of money if they were seriously hurt. But it wouldn’t kill you to hustle after the puck and scrap a little bit in the corners would you?
Being energetic doesn’t necessarily mean you have to be rough. Just keep in mind that no one’s paying money to watch people skate around out there like its open ice night at their local arena.
What was kind of wank though was how they game was obviously pre-destined to end in a shoot out. With about fifteen seconds left in the game the ‘White’ team accidentally scored and you could tell from the ‘oh shit’ look on the scorer’s face that he knew he wasn’t supposed to do that. But the refs called back the goal and we were all treated to some amusing antics from Cujo during the shoot out as he flopped back and forth on the ice, bending over backwards so that some of the shooters would get a goal.
Things I enjoyed
Tim Robbins getting accidentally smoked by his own teammate.
Cujo playing the puck end to end on the ice.
Sean Avery getting booed every time he was on camera or on the ice
D.B. Sweeney. (toepick)
Tim Robbins getting in a faux-fistfight
The standing ‘O’ for Sundin (come back Mats)
Spezza getting his balls busted by the announcer
Jim Basille scoring a goal.
Things I did not
Dougie Gilmour only playing one shift, WTF?
The new Leaf ‘goal scored’ animation.
The idiots behind me (Is that Bobby Orr? I could kick Cujo’s ass)
Overall I had a good time and if they try this event next year, I think I could be persuaded to do it again.
Chris does TIFF: Sky Crawlers edtion
Sky Crawlers
9am
Ryerson Theatre
Sky Crawlers, directed by Mamoru Oshii (Ghost in the Shell), tells the story of a not-so-distant future where genetically modified children fight never-ending World War II type air battles at the bidding of faceless multinational corporations.
If you think that sounds exciting and full of adventure and drama, you’d be absolutely wrong. There is some dog fighting at the very beginning and a larger invasion a little later on, but this film is primarily an introspective character piece. The action scenes take back seat to the film’s character development.
The story deals with the arrival of a new ace fighter pilot, Cairn, as he attempts to fit in at his newly assigned airfield.
The plot is carefully structured, with precise measured beats. Information is released in dribs and drabs, for example much is intimated about the bases’ sordid history but never explicitly stated, even at the very end. Every time you think a key piece of information is going to be delivered the director chooses to dance around the subject matter rather than approach it directly. In the end, you’re reduced to piecing together a story entirely from an absence of information.
It’s like being given a jigsaw puzzle, but with no final picture to assemble from. You know the pieces are supposed to fit each other, you’re just not quite sure how.
The film attempts to delve into some interesting interlocking philosophical concepts about the nature of youth, war and the modern corporation. But ultimately this deep introspection means the film appeals to an audience primarily on an intellectual level and never really connects with the viewer emotionally.
I enjoyed the film, slow pacing and all, but I’d hesitate before recommending it to a larger audience. If you need your anime to be ultra-violent and shoot’em up, this is not the film for you. But if you can appreciate a slow, methodical story that asks you to think a little bit about the way the world around you is developing, then I can think of worse ways to spend your time on a Saturday morning.
9am
Ryerson Theatre
Sky Crawlers, directed by Mamoru Oshii (Ghost in the Shell), tells the story of a not-so-distant future where genetically modified children fight never-ending World War II type air battles at the bidding of faceless multinational corporations.
If you think that sounds exciting and full of adventure and drama, you’d be absolutely wrong. There is some dog fighting at the very beginning and a larger invasion a little later on, but this film is primarily an introspective character piece. The action scenes take back seat to the film’s character development.
The story deals with the arrival of a new ace fighter pilot, Cairn, as he attempts to fit in at his newly assigned airfield.
The plot is carefully structured, with precise measured beats. Information is released in dribs and drabs, for example much is intimated about the bases’ sordid history but never explicitly stated, even at the very end. Every time you think a key piece of information is going to be delivered the director chooses to dance around the subject matter rather than approach it directly. In the end, you’re reduced to piecing together a story entirely from an absence of information.
It’s like being given a jigsaw puzzle, but with no final picture to assemble from. You know the pieces are supposed to fit each other, you’re just not quite sure how.
The film attempts to delve into some interesting interlocking philosophical concepts about the nature of youth, war and the modern corporation. But ultimately this deep introspection means the film appeals to an audience primarily on an intellectual level and never really connects with the viewer emotionally.
I enjoyed the film, slow pacing and all, but I’d hesitate before recommending it to a larger audience. If you need your anime to be ultra-violent and shoot’em up, this is not the film for you. But if you can appreciate a slow, methodical story that asks you to think a little bit about the way the world around you is developing, then I can think of worse ways to spend your time on a Saturday morning.
Friday, September 5, 2008
Cleaning house
The great purge continues…albeit veeeeerrrrrry slowly.
It’s official. Our little dwelling has run out of space. Prime culprit? Yours truly. I’ve brought in more books, DVDs and comics then our living space can currently contain. Unfortunately, I’m biologically incapable of getting rid of anything, a trait that I come by honestly. My mother has a problem with pack rat-ism that has gotten so bad, my parents are restricted to living in only one room of their house, the rest of it being stacked floor to ceiling with junk.
Things have come to a head in our own place with the influx of wedding related giftery. And while many of these generous gifts are meant to replace things we already own (pots and pans, dishes, etc.) we haven’t yet managed to squeeze the time out of our schedules to begin that replacement process.
I’ve been sorting and purging my comics for the last couple months and I’m starting to see the results of that decision in my purchasing habits. The light weeks are becoming more prevalent as I make the tough choices about what to buy and what to leave on the shelves.
A couple days ago I took a crack at my books, pulling nearly two dozen titles from my bookshelves in preparation for a visit to the used bookstore. A process I equate to ripping your own arm off and beating yourself in the face with it. Unfortunately, I suffered a setback on this front last night after stopping by Scottie’s for a round of video games. I ended up with leaving with a small handful of TPB’s that Scott earmarked for disposal. Scottie, FYI, is a purging master. That guy knows what he wants to keep and what has got to go. He has no sentimentality whatsoever about keeping something he’s not sure about. And since I have so much trouble letting things go, its awe inspiring to watch him at work.
Next up is the big purge, clothing. Its not that I’m attached to my old clothes that I don’t wear anymore (concert T’s notwithstanding) its just that I’m a sentimental bastard who can’t bear to part with anything. Although a tipping point was reached when I realized that I was taking up more closet space then my wife.
Truly, a milestone to be proud of
It’s official. Our little dwelling has run out of space. Prime culprit? Yours truly. I’ve brought in more books, DVDs and comics then our living space can currently contain. Unfortunately, I’m biologically incapable of getting rid of anything, a trait that I come by honestly. My mother has a problem with pack rat-ism that has gotten so bad, my parents are restricted to living in only one room of their house, the rest of it being stacked floor to ceiling with junk.
Things have come to a head in our own place with the influx of wedding related giftery. And while many of these generous gifts are meant to replace things we already own (pots and pans, dishes, etc.) we haven’t yet managed to squeeze the time out of our schedules to begin that replacement process.
I’ve been sorting and purging my comics for the last couple months and I’m starting to see the results of that decision in my purchasing habits. The light weeks are becoming more prevalent as I make the tough choices about what to buy and what to leave on the shelves.
A couple days ago I took a crack at my books, pulling nearly two dozen titles from my bookshelves in preparation for a visit to the used bookstore. A process I equate to ripping your own arm off and beating yourself in the face with it. Unfortunately, I suffered a setback on this front last night after stopping by Scottie’s for a round of video games. I ended up with leaving with a small handful of TPB’s that Scott earmarked for disposal. Scottie, FYI, is a purging master. That guy knows what he wants to keep and what has got to go. He has no sentimentality whatsoever about keeping something he’s not sure about. And since I have so much trouble letting things go, its awe inspiring to watch him at work.
Next up is the big purge, clothing. Its not that I’m attached to my old clothes that I don’t wear anymore (concert T’s notwithstanding) its just that I’m a sentimental bastard who can’t bear to part with anything. Although a tipping point was reached when I realized that I was taking up more closet space then my wife.
Truly, a milestone to be proud of
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Hockey Talk
Some Hockey Talkery as Steve and I dissect the future of the Toronto Maple Leafs…for only the tenth time this week.
Steve:
this guy is a shock writer who isn't seeing a bigger picture... We will get all the draft picks back at the trade deadline...when other teams are making their push for the playoffs and/or cup, and we are sitting near the bottom, we will become sellers...we will have the big fast D that teams will want heading into the playoffs, and that will give us the chance to reacquire our draft picks.
I think Fletch is doing a bang up job...we have a big D in place and they will develop over this season, and hopefully a few of our young forwards will turn into something and then we add a big UFA with all the cash we have now and suddenly we look good again in 2 years....
Chris:
TML are going about this all bass-ackwards.
Build a team through drafting and developing.
Steve:
didnt you read what I said?
we are getting all these young big strong D players and will sell them off at trade deadline and get our picks back...
this way we get rid of our losing core, bring in some youth and let the cream rise to the top...the rest gets traded off for picks and we get more youth...
this is building through the draft...
Chris:
No that's what you think will happen, that's what you hope will happen.
But we have no idea if that's what will ACTUALLY happen.
Could be these guys will all turn out to be fantastically mediocre and that there's no real demand for them at the trade deadline. Then we've lost picks and we're stuck with a losing team.
A pick in the hand is worth two in the bush.
Steve:
but without doing what Fletcher has done, we would have the same guys on this team for the 4th year in a row... the team needs to change...we cant keep going with the same crap and hope that they will all magically bond THIS year! it's a painful process, but at least there is a direction...listen to all the interviews...look at who is being brought in... with Wilson at the helm, and all the big defensive players we are getting, it is obvious that we are heading into a trapping, hard backchecking era...getting away from the run and gun style of the past 5 years...
about time!
Chris:
There's nothing obvious about it.
They're making questionable trades because they're worried about how the team looks (McCabe) rather than how they actually produce on the ice.
They're trading away the future on the hopes and prayers than down the road they'll be able to get something at the trade deadlines. (No guarantees there whatsoever)
They're screwing around in the front office (Fletcher) hoping that Burke will somehow weasel his way out of his contract and come to Toronto...the land of milk and honey...just because he wants to be closer to his kids.
COME ON!!!!!
Change is necessary. Change for the sake of change, especially when it's not thought out, can be more harmful then helpful.
Steve:
totally disagree...they have thought this through for sure... we have guys like Antropov that can be traded if some of our newer guys don't shape up...we still have assets and so what if they are trying to get Burke...wouldn't be the worst thing to do.
We have a great coach, have a hired a whole new (and well respected) scouting team and finally have a roster filled with youth rather than overpaid aging vets that dont really show up every night.
Chris:
Look at how you're talking.
You're looking at the team primarily from the standpoint of assets.
Tradeable assets. You've already conceded any hope of having a competitive season.
Steve:
no I haven't...
we will be a rough team to play against...we will punish a lot of forwards coming into our zone..it will be great to watch... Do I think we will win the cup with this roster? no...but do I think we will be fun to watch...YES! We will pull out some wins based on defence alone...I am waiting to see if out forwards can produce more this year than in years past... guys like Blake and Stajan need to really pick things up in order for this to be a successful year...
but I also realise that we need to go backwards to go forwards...if we end up with another high draft pick, it wouldn't be the worst thing for us.. look at Pittsburgh or Philly or Chicago..they all went down, got some good draft picks, loaded up on youth and then in 2-3 years are either fighting for the cup, or are well on their way...
that's where the Leafs are headed...
Chris:
It's too early to make that call. I think their lack of goal scorers is their biggest problem.
D helps you hold on to wins, it doesn't score goals for you.
Steve:
this guy is a shock writer who isn't seeing a bigger picture... We will get all the draft picks back at the trade deadline...when other teams are making their push for the playoffs and/or cup, and we are sitting near the bottom, we will become sellers...we will have the big fast D that teams will want heading into the playoffs, and that will give us the chance to reacquire our draft picks.
I think Fletch is doing a bang up job...we have a big D in place and they will develop over this season, and hopefully a few of our young forwards will turn into something and then we add a big UFA with all the cash we have now and suddenly we look good again in 2 years....
Chris:
TML are going about this all bass-ackwards.
Build a team through drafting and developing.
Steve:
didnt you read what I said?
we are getting all these young big strong D players and will sell them off at trade deadline and get our picks back...
this way we get rid of our losing core, bring in some youth and let the cream rise to the top...the rest gets traded off for picks and we get more youth...
this is building through the draft...
Chris:
No that's what you think will happen, that's what you hope will happen.
But we have no idea if that's what will ACTUALLY happen.
Could be these guys will all turn out to be fantastically mediocre and that there's no real demand for them at the trade deadline. Then we've lost picks and we're stuck with a losing team.
A pick in the hand is worth two in the bush.
Steve:
but without doing what Fletcher has done, we would have the same guys on this team for the 4th year in a row... the team needs to change...we cant keep going with the same crap and hope that they will all magically bond THIS year! it's a painful process, but at least there is a direction...listen to all the interviews...look at who is being brought in... with Wilson at the helm, and all the big defensive players we are getting, it is obvious that we are heading into a trapping, hard backchecking era...getting away from the run and gun style of the past 5 years...
about time!
Chris:
There's nothing obvious about it.
They're making questionable trades because they're worried about how the team looks (McCabe) rather than how they actually produce on the ice.
They're trading away the future on the hopes and prayers than down the road they'll be able to get something at the trade deadlines. (No guarantees there whatsoever)
They're screwing around in the front office (Fletcher) hoping that Burke will somehow weasel his way out of his contract and come to Toronto...the land of milk and honey...just because he wants to be closer to his kids.
COME ON!!!!!
Change is necessary. Change for the sake of change, especially when it's not thought out, can be more harmful then helpful.
Steve:
totally disagree...they have thought this through for sure... we have guys like Antropov that can be traded if some of our newer guys don't shape up...we still have assets and so what if they are trying to get Burke...wouldn't be the worst thing to do.
We have a great coach, have a hired a whole new (and well respected) scouting team and finally have a roster filled with youth rather than overpaid aging vets that dont really show up every night.
Chris:
Look at how you're talking.
You're looking at the team primarily from the standpoint of assets.
Tradeable assets. You've already conceded any hope of having a competitive season.
Steve:
no I haven't...
we will be a rough team to play against...we will punish a lot of forwards coming into our zone..it will be great to watch... Do I think we will win the cup with this roster? no...but do I think we will be fun to watch...YES! We will pull out some wins based on defence alone...I am waiting to see if out forwards can produce more this year than in years past... guys like Blake and Stajan need to really pick things up in order for this to be a successful year...
but I also realise that we need to go backwards to go forwards...if we end up with another high draft pick, it wouldn't be the worst thing for us.. look at Pittsburgh or Philly or Chicago..they all went down, got some good draft picks, loaded up on youth and then in 2-3 years are either fighting for the cup, or are well on their way...
that's where the Leafs are headed...
Chris:
It's too early to make that call. I think their lack of goal scorers is their biggest problem.
D helps you hold on to wins, it doesn't score goals for you.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Declaration of Principles
Hey!
So what kind of blog is this going to be?
Every morning I scan through a prodigious amount of bloggery on a number of different subjects. For me blogs that are done well, and are interesting to read, are the ones that pick a specific subject and then adhere to that topic as closely as possible. I’ve been banging out a blog with varying degrees of success for a couple years now. But for the most part, it’s all been pretty random, stream of conscious stuff with some comic book laced overtones. That’s not the kind of blog I want to write anymore.
So what kind of blog is this going to be?
I could make this a blog about comics. But frankly, the world needs another blog about comic books like I need prune juice enema.
I could make this a blog solely about shit that is going on in my life. But that’s only good readings if you know me personally, have an unhealthy interest in listening to me bitch about how everything pisses me off or if I had an exceedingly interesting life. Frankly we’re just not that close.
Personal finance blog? Let me sum that up for you. I do all right, but I always wish I had some more scratch….and out dated slang.
Books, movies, music review blog? Who wouldn’t want to listen to another uninformed opinion? And trust me, my opinions are among the most uninformed out there.
In the end, I decided to ignore my observations. I’m not going pick a specific subject and adhere to it as closely as I can. I’m going to talk about any and every thing that I feel is worth talking about. That means I could write about anything from comic books, to my irrational fear of flying to my growing interest in environmentalism.
In the end, I’m looking for more than just a platform to scream about the stuff that bothers me. Sometimes I’m looking for a frank and open discussion about a weighty subjects, sometimes I just want to nerd out and talk about Transformers.
I promise to try and blog everyday. And let me tell you right now, I will horribly fail that goal before the week is out. But I still promise to try.
So what kind of blog is this going to be?
I don’t know really. It’ll be a blog about me I suppose. Hopefully something interesting and insightful, but only time will tell.
Blog on.
So what kind of blog is this going to be?
Every morning I scan through a prodigious amount of bloggery on a number of different subjects. For me blogs that are done well, and are interesting to read, are the ones that pick a specific subject and then adhere to that topic as closely as possible. I’ve been banging out a blog with varying degrees of success for a couple years now. But for the most part, it’s all been pretty random, stream of conscious stuff with some comic book laced overtones. That’s not the kind of blog I want to write anymore.
So what kind of blog is this going to be?
I could make this a blog about comics. But frankly, the world needs another blog about comic books like I need prune juice enema.
I could make this a blog solely about shit that is going on in my life. But that’s only good readings if you know me personally, have an unhealthy interest in listening to me bitch about how everything pisses me off or if I had an exceedingly interesting life. Frankly we’re just not that close.
Personal finance blog? Let me sum that up for you. I do all right, but I always wish I had some more scratch….and out dated slang.
Books, movies, music review blog? Who wouldn’t want to listen to another uninformed opinion? And trust me, my opinions are among the most uninformed out there.
In the end, I decided to ignore my observations. I’m not going pick a specific subject and adhere to it as closely as I can. I’m going to talk about any and every thing that I feel is worth talking about. That means I could write about anything from comic books, to my irrational fear of flying to my growing interest in environmentalism.
In the end, I’m looking for more than just a platform to scream about the stuff that bothers me. Sometimes I’m looking for a frank and open discussion about a weighty subjects, sometimes I just want to nerd out and talk about Transformers.
I promise to try and blog everyday. And let me tell you right now, I will horribly fail that goal before the week is out. But I still promise to try.
So what kind of blog is this going to be?
I don’t know really. It’ll be a blog about me I suppose. Hopefully something interesting and insightful, but only time will tell.
Blog on.
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