I had my first experience watching an "art house" film at the Cinematheque theatre on Friday. I first learned of the theatre this year from people in my program. I have only ever been to see Hollywood budget movies at theatres like Silver City. And to be honest I hadn't intended to go see a movie at the Cinematheque, until we started a project in our public relations class that involves promoting local film maker Sean Garrity's new film Zooey & Adam.
To avoid boring you with a long story, I'll keep it short. In a nutshell, I had a great experience. I really enjoyed the movie and I would recommend everyone, male or female to check it out. Sean Garrity did a fine job portraying an emotional battle a husband goes through after his wife is raped and she gives birth to a child with the dad unknown. The movie is raw, emotional and impacts both genders. It creates heated discussions between both sexes on what they would do in the situation. Listening to people talking after the movie you could tell there was a definite divide between men and women and their opinions.
I was really impressed with the acting and gained respect for the actors once I found out it was all improv. And the movie was not predictable at all, the ending especially took me by surprise. For those wondering how disturbing it is, I'd say it's not that bad until the end. I left with an eery feeling in my stomach, but I believe Garrity made the right choice with the way it ended, because it could have been worse.
After watching Zooey & Adam, which was filmed entirely in Manitoba (which I thought was so cool), I would give the Cinematheque another go!
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Another Awkward Michael Cera Performance
I watched Youth In Revolt tonight. If you aren't aware of the new movie it's another Michael Cera tale. You know, the awkward kid from Superbad? How about the awkward kid from Juno? And now the awkward kid from Youth In Revolt!
Michael Cera plays the same character in every movie he is in, the socially awkward teen going through a rough time trying to find his identity, or to be honest lose his virginity.
This got me thinking... Cera is not the only actor who usually portrays a similar character profile in every performance. Many actors are known for a certain "Schtick" and get picked for that wanted role each time. For example, Will Ferrell in Old School, Talladega Nights, Anchor Man, etc. And Jim Carrey in Liar Liar, Dumb and Dumber, Yes Man, etc. (Don't get me wrong, these are two of my favourites, even though they always play the same character).
I am curious, from a writer's perspective, do they have an actor in mind that they would like to play a specific part? Or do they just pass the script along and not care which celebrity gets chosen to play the coveted role in Hollywood movies?
Rarely do I sit and ponder what the writer was thinking before his script got chosen to be a blockbuster hit. It's kind of fun though! When Gustin Nash was writing the screenplay for Youth In Revolt, was Cera in his yellow Juno shorts running through his mind? Or did he want one of his friends or small time actors to get the part? Or maybe he didn't care!
Next time you are watching a movie, try to think of yourself in the writer's shoes, would you be happy with the way it turned out or disappointed?
Check out Gustin Nash's bio, this is the best source I could find, sorry I know it's WIKI...
Monday, January 18, 2010
Falling Asleep in The Rachel Brown Theatre
Her neck slowly and gracefully fell to her shoulder, until she twitched and caught it. Slowly she nodded off several times and finally succumbed to the peacefulness of a deep sleep in the Rachel Brown Theatre on January 14th.
This is a story of a woman sitting in front of me at the showing of 2010's edition and the 5th anniversary of "In the Chamber", a series by Theatre Projects Manitoba. I attended a play in the Theatre Projects' 20th season, with high hopes because most plays I go to I am pleasantly surprised with the outcome. But, not this time. This time I tried really hard not to fall asleep, like the woman in front of me, who failed terribly.
Gordon Tanner and Steven Ratzlaff performed two monologues with the same theme, mid-life crisis. I have to say, their acting was well done and I give credit to the two because they each performed monologues over 45 minutes long. They didn't stumble through their lines at all, or if they did I didn't notice. In my opinion it would be very hard to perform a monologue this long.
The problem I had with the play was how boring and dry the content was. I thought the idea for the central theme was well thought out, but not delivered. A very large group of people can relate with the theme, but I found it was pointed at a older audience. I haven't gone through mid-life crisis yet as I am 20 years old.
I still don't have the confidence to tell people what the play was about because I didn't fully understand what was going on half the time, and I was fighting my sleepy eyes.
This is what I got out of it:
In the first act, "Last Man in Universe Alpha-11”, Tanner played a businessman who was holed up in a hotel room filming himself giving his honest opinion to a man unknown to the audience on a controversial issue that he was supposed to present at an Ag-Fair. He was playing tug-of-war with himself and the issue.
The second act,"Last Man in Puntarenas”, was performed by Ratzlaff in an empty hotel restaurant at a celebration of his retirement. He gives a long and dry speech about his son's death in the health care system.
I think the biggest problem was how long and tedious the play was and the large use of vocabulary in the play. It made it hard to follow and frankly I didn't want to follow along.
I want to point out that what I wrote here is what I interpreted the play to be about, and I could likely be wrong. Forgive me if I am under wrong impressions.
This is a story of a woman sitting in front of me at the showing of 2010's edition and the 5th anniversary of "In the Chamber", a series by Theatre Projects Manitoba. I attended a play in the Theatre Projects' 20th season, with high hopes because most plays I go to I am pleasantly surprised with the outcome. But, not this time. This time I tried really hard not to fall asleep, like the woman in front of me, who failed terribly.
Gordon Tanner and Steven Ratzlaff performed two monologues with the same theme, mid-life crisis. I have to say, their acting was well done and I give credit to the two because they each performed monologues over 45 minutes long. They didn't stumble through their lines at all, or if they did I didn't notice. In my opinion it would be very hard to perform a monologue this long.
The problem I had with the play was how boring and dry the content was. I thought the idea for the central theme was well thought out, but not delivered. A very large group of people can relate with the theme, but I found it was pointed at a older audience. I haven't gone through mid-life crisis yet as I am 20 years old.
I still don't have the confidence to tell people what the play was about because I didn't fully understand what was going on half the time, and I was fighting my sleepy eyes.
This is what I got out of it:
In the first act, "Last Man in Universe Alpha-11”, Tanner played a businessman who was holed up in a hotel room filming himself giving his honest opinion to a man unknown to the audience on a controversial issue that he was supposed to present at an Ag-Fair. He was playing tug-of-war with himself and the issue.
The second act,"Last Man in Puntarenas”, was performed by Ratzlaff in an empty hotel restaurant at a celebration of his retirement. He gives a long and dry speech about his son's death in the health care system.
I think the biggest problem was how long and tedious the play was and the large use of vocabulary in the play. It made it hard to follow and frankly I didn't want to follow along.
I want to point out that what I wrote here is what I interpreted the play to be about, and I could likely be wrong. Forgive me if I am under wrong impressions.
Twin Singing Sensation
I saw these talented twin boys on Ellen today. They are adorable and
make you smile!
make you smile!
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Fantastic Publicity For Winnipeg Business
A local Winnipeg business is getting some fantastic publicity!
High Tea Bakery on Portage Ave. is being talked about in many circles today.
The yummy bakery's most popular cookies will be featured in goody bags given out to stars and celebrities at several pre-Golden Globe parties and lounges. The cookies will be decorated with white and red icing to REPRESENT OUR COUNTRY!
This is great PR for the Winnipeg business! I had never heard of it before and after hearing about this I want to stop in there on my way home from school to try out the deliciously popular Winnipeg cookie! It worked on me! Will it work on you?
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Bath & Body Comes To Winnipeg!
Warm vanilla sugar.
Coconut lime verbena.
Sweet pea.
And my VERY FAVOURITE: Japanese cherry blossom.
Yes, these are the scents of lotions, soaps and bubble baths at
the popular American store: Bath & Body works!
And with the warm sunshine this spring will come something
Canadians from Winnipeg have been anticipating for years!
Bath & Body Works will open in St. Vital mall!
This means no more road trips across the border to Grand Forks
to fill your bags with $3 antibacterial soaps and lovely
smelling hand creams!
Coconut lime verbena.
Sweet pea.
And my VERY FAVOURITE: Japanese cherry blossom.
Yes, these are the scents of lotions, soaps and bubble baths at
the popular American store: Bath & Body works!
And with the warm sunshine this spring will come something
Canadians from Winnipeg have been anticipating for years!
Bath & Body Works will open in St. Vital mall!
This means no more road trips across the border to Grand Forks
to fill your bags with $3 antibacterial soaps and lovely
smelling hand creams!
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Capital One Capitalizes
Capital One is becoming known for their annual mascot challenges the credit card company holds annually. Since 2002, Capital One has chosen the National Mascot of the Year in the United States. University teams enter their mascots in the contest.
This year the winner was... DRUM ROLL PLEASE....
the Bearcat of the University of Cincinnati!!!!
I bet you got that right? Ha Ha
I was thinking the same thing...
My thoughts were:
A. I've never heard of this pseudo event.
B. Don't know any of the mascots that have been in it.
C. Don't really care about these types of challenges.
But apparently it's a much bigger event in the U.S. and
they take it a lot more serious than us Canadians. That doesn't
surprise me, seeing as they are much more serious about high
school and college sports. This is how Capital One capitalized
(good pun eh?) on the idea! It was newsworthy because Americans
really care about university and college teams, including
the mascots.
From what I can see, Capital One doesn't try to sell anything
at these annual events. But, rather they purely seek publicity.
And, apparently they are achieving it.
It's also very effective that they have an app you can buy
for your iPHONE where you can vote for your favourite mascot
and play their character on screen. They also have a Facebook
and Twitter account for fans.
This year the winner was... DRUM ROLL PLEASE....
the Bearcat of the University of Cincinnati!!!!
I bet you got that right? Ha Ha
I was thinking the same thing...
My thoughts were:
A. I've never heard of this pseudo event.
B. Don't know any of the mascots that have been in it.
C. Don't really care about these types of challenges.
But apparently it's a much bigger event in the U.S. and
they take it a lot more serious than us Canadians. That doesn't
surprise me, seeing as they are much more serious about high
school and college sports. This is how Capital One capitalized
(good pun eh?) on the idea! It was newsworthy because Americans
really care about university and college teams, including
the mascots.
From what I can see, Capital One doesn't try to sell anything
at these annual events. But, rather they purely seek publicity.
And, apparently they are achieving it.
It's also very effective that they have an app you can buy
for your iPHONE where you can vote for your favourite mascot
and play their character on screen. They also have a Facebook
and Twitter account for fans.
Favourite Web Celeb??
I ended up on my couch last night eating spaghetti with my good friend the T.V. When I noticed the People's Choice Awards were on I thought "why not?"
I was surprised at several of the awards given out, such as Sandra Bullock! I am not displeased by this because she was amazing in the movie: The Blindside. It did take me by surprise though. And so did Johnny Depp's Actor of The Decade award he took home, but hey I'm also indifferent to the situation.
However, I am SHOCKED and disgusted that The Proposal was chosen as favourite comedy by fans over The Hangover. I still have a hard time believing it even as I write this post. Oh well, Lauren, get over yourself!
The award that really opened my eyes to what our world is becoming was the one Mr. Punkd himself thanked the fans for. Ashton Kutcher won the newest award added to the People's Choice Awards collection: Favourite Web Celebrity!
It's hard for me to grasp the fact that the internet is becoming so essential to our society that awards are given in that area at a movie/TV/music based awards show!
But, to his credit I am aware that he was the big winner because of his charity work. Kutcher challenged himself to get 1 000 000 followers on twitter and then promised if he did he would donate 10 000 mosquito nets to Malaria No More (a charity determined to reduce malaria deaths in Africa). AND HE DID IT! Good on him, I'll cheers to that!
Here is a video Kutcher took on his Iphone of the audience as he was receiving his award. This footage was posted live on Ustream during the award show.
I was surprised at several of the awards given out, such as Sandra Bullock! I am not displeased by this because she was amazing in the movie: The Blindside. It did take me by surprise though. And so did Johnny Depp's Actor of The Decade award he took home, but hey I'm also indifferent to the situation.
However, I am SHOCKED and disgusted that The Proposal was chosen as favourite comedy by fans over The Hangover. I still have a hard time believing it even as I write this post. Oh well, Lauren, get over yourself!
The award that really opened my eyes to what our world is becoming was the one Mr. Punkd himself thanked the fans for. Ashton Kutcher won the newest award added to the People's Choice Awards collection: Favourite Web Celebrity!
It's hard for me to grasp the fact that the internet is becoming so essential to our society that awards are given in that area at a movie/TV/music based awards show!
But, to his credit I am aware that he was the big winner because of his charity work. Kutcher challenged himself to get 1 000 000 followers on twitter and then promised if he did he would donate 10 000 mosquito nets to Malaria No More (a charity determined to reduce malaria deaths in Africa). AND HE DID IT! Good on him, I'll cheers to that!
Here is a video Kutcher took on his Iphone of the audience as he was receiving his award. This footage was posted live on Ustream during the award show.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Canada Is Looking For Revenge
It was a tragic ending to an intense and well played game.
It brought passionate Canadians all over the country to tears.
But, it made Jordan Eberle everyone's hero.
It was the 2010 IIHF World Juniors Gold medal game last night.
For everyone who watched the game with me, yes it was terribly sad,
especially to see the young men who fought til the end and gave it their all
shed tears on their home ice.
For those of you who didn't watch it (and you better have a darn
good excuse)I'll give you a brief rundown. Canada was losing 5-3
with four minutes left in the game. Jordan Eberle (who won best forward
of the tournament) scored two goals to tie the game. But then only several
minutes into overtime the Americans scored to end Canada's five year winning
streak.
Let's be positive and remember the Olympics are not far away!
Canadian hockey players will win where it really counts!
Go Canada go!!
It brought passionate Canadians all over the country to tears.
But, it made Jordan Eberle everyone's hero.
It was the 2010 IIHF World Juniors Gold medal game last night.
For everyone who watched the game with me, yes it was terribly sad,
especially to see the young men who fought til the end and gave it their all
shed tears on their home ice.
For those of you who didn't watch it (and you better have a darn
good excuse)I'll give you a brief rundown. Canada was losing 5-3
with four minutes left in the game. Jordan Eberle (who won best forward
of the tournament) scored two goals to tie the game. But then only several
minutes into overtime the Americans scored to end Canada's five year winning
streak.
Let's be positive and remember the Olympics are not far away!
Canadian hockey players will win where it really counts!
Go Canada go!!
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