Celeste and Jesse Forever failsIn any film, there’s always something easy to pick at, even if the movie was great. Finger-pointing is simple because it’s obvious what went wrong, whether it’s to do with an actor, a director, or the set. Eight fingers and two thumbs aren’t enough to point out all the wrongs in Celeste and Jesse Forever. […] Continue Reading |
Cirque du Soleil: Quidam thrills VictoriaWith the agility of athletes, skills of gymnasts, and grace of ballerinas, Cirque du Soleil’s multifaceted and super-talented performers kept the audience’s hearts racing and jaws dropping during their performance of Quidam on September 5 at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Arena. Quidam brings a bountiful performance combining what is real and surreal while featuring super-human talent. […] Continue Reading |
New Music Revue: Two to get startedGreat Bloomers Distant Fires (Dine Alone Records) 4/5 For an album full of songs about love, Great Bloomers sure do cover a variety of depressing subjects on sophomore album Distant Fires. In fact, these five Toronto-based, pop-influenced, folk rockers seem to have a lot on their minds as they explore the darker sides of […] Continue Reading |
Bumbershoot lineup includes South Africans Civil TwilightThe next three days will see over 150 musical and comedy acts converge on Seattle Center for the annual Bumbershoot festival, with big names like Skrillex, Gotye, Jane’s Addiction, and Big Sean headlining this year. Oh, and Tony Bennett. Let’s not forget Tony Bennett. But it’s the mid-tier, breaking bands that are looking to win […] Continue Reading |
Little Orange Man returns to the Victoria Fringe FestivalLittle Orange Man, as many theatre-goers found out at last year’s Victoria Fringe Festival, is a play that everyone can take their own meanings and experiences from. The tender story of a little girl desperately looking to connect with her peers is touching and exhilarating; a fact that can be confirmed by audience members of […] Continue Reading |
Comedy crosses the Blue BridgeIts name is not directly homage to the costly Johnson Street Bridge, but it does tie Esquimalt and Victoria together: it’s the Blue Bridge Comedy Festival. This year is the first shot at what will become an annual laughfest here in town. “The festival is both Esquimalt and Victoria,” says festival director Dan Quinn. “We […] Continue Reading |
Wax Mannequin’s music demands exploration, with rewardWax Mannequin No Safe Home (Zunior) 4/5 Hailing from Hamilton, Ontario, Wax Mannequin (also known as Chris Adeney) has just dropped his sixth album. And, luckily for Adeney’s fans, the man loves to hit the road, which is perfect: this is the kind of music that begs for a live show. The songs are just […] Continue Reading |
Snoop Dogg concert a haze of blissful nostalgiaSnoop Dogg Saturday, July 21, 2012 Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre It was with great nostalgia that I lined up outside the arena to see west-coast hip-hop legend Snoop Dogg (now also known as Snoop Lion) make a Victoria appearance. The crowd who came out to see Snoop in action was composed of a healthy mix of […] Continue Reading |
Five movies people used to love, but now inexplicably hateSASKATOON (CUP) — Ever liked a movie that most people seem to hate? Everyone has at least one. Some have several. Ever hated a movie everyone else seems to love? Again, of course you do. Even Star Wars has its detractors — weird, mole-like detractors with acne who smell like bantha poodoo. Pity them. These […] Continue Reading |
Steve Poltz channels ghosts of rock past on excellent new albumSteve Poltz Noineen Noiny Noin (Arrival Records) 4/5 Cute album title, no? Luckily, Steve Poltz, who has been plying his singer-songwriter trade for a while, makes up for it on this, his thirteenth disc. Here, it’s all classic rock stomps, like opener “Spirit Hands,” which reminds you of nothing more than just how damn good […] Continue Reading |
