Saturday, September 5, 2009

Does Kate Beckinsale...


...look for scripts that scream "CRAP" on the front page?

Whiteout? Seriously??

A once promising actress, Beckinsale has pushed aside period pieces in favour of crappy horror films like the Underworld series and now the ridiculous looking Whiteout.

Monday, August 24, 2009

Going to the movies... is a pain

Remember the days when movies were $2.50? Okay, I am showing my age here, but I DO remember the days when movies were cheap.

And there were no cell phones. No blackberries.

When popcorn and a coke wasn't veering on $15.

When butter was free.

Ah... butter. Butter has become a contentious issue for me at the movies in the past few years. When movie theatres (namely, Cineplex) started charging fifty cents for a squirt of popcorn, it made butter-on-my-popcorn lovers roll their eyes, but they would fork over the fifty cents, nonetheless.

Now, butter (at Cineplex theatres) is 69 cents. But if you want "layered butter," you have to pay extra. Meaning, you have to pay for each squirt of butter. Ridiculous! (This is why I like AMC. they do not charge for butter - they have self-serve butter and you get UNLIMITED BUTTER!! Also, their popcorn is way better!)

By the time you get your layered butter, your order for a large combo is almost $20. It's crazy.

And when you get into the theatre, you have to deal with 20 minutes of bad commercials (what is with those cow/milk commercials?), obnoxious couples talking throughout the movie, people twittering/texting/CALLING people DURING the movie, people sneaking into the movie halfway or three-quarters into the movie (imagine someone sneaking into Empire Strikes Back AFTER Darth Vader has revealed himself as Luke's father - if this was 1980, I'm sure it would happen!).

Maybe I wax nostalgic for the '80s, but I don't remember going to the movies being such a pain until the last 10 to 15 years when prices became ridiculously high and patrons began bringing in every piece of hardware they could find into theatres.

I love going to the movies. I love the experience of enjoying a film WITH an audience. But I prefer watching a movie with an audience who wants to experience the film - not their cellphone, not their iPod or keep getting up and down from their seat. And the prices of movies (save for Rainbow Cinemas) has become a turn-off.

I have a projector at home. Perhaps I should watch my films at home.

And I can have as much butter as I want - without paying 69 cents per squirt.

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Kelly Clarkson - Already Gone?

For a pop star who was manufactured through the American Idol system, Kelly Clarkson is refreshingly honest.

Unlike so many artists who spin the typical record company PR, Clarkson remains blunt and down-to-earth, eight years into her career as the first - and most successful American Idol winner.

A few years ago, when Clarkson released My December, she and Clive Davis got into a public debate over the album's lack of commercial hits: Clarkson wanted to follow her heart as a serious songwriter, while Davis wanted Clarkson to record another album of monster radio hits, something she had done on her previous album, Breakaway. In the end, Clarkson stuck to her guns and was able to release the album she wanted. While the album was not as big a seller as Breakaway, Clarkson found new respect amongst fans for not being another record company puppet.

Clarkson compromised a little by recording All I Ever Wanted, a more pop-leaning album than My December, and with the album's first hit single, My Life Would Suck Without You. The album's third single, Already Gone, is courting controversy because the single, written by Ryan Tedder, sounds similar to another song Tedder wrote for Beyonce, entitled Halo, and which was recently a Top 10 hit.

According to a CBC interview, Clarkson explains her side of the story:

We wrote about six songs together, four or five of them made the album. It was all fine and dandy. I’d never heard of a song called ‘Halo.’ Her album came out when my album was already being printed. No-one’s gonna be sittin’ at home, thinking ‘Man, Ryan Tedder gave Beyonce and Kelly the same track to write to.’ No, they’re just gonna be saying I ripped someone off. I called Ryan and said, ‘I don’t understand. Why would you do that?’”

Clarkson fought the record label from releasing it, but the song has been released to radio. Sure there are similarities, but Clarkson's vocal performance is strong - as usual. But, again, it shows Clarkson's courage in defying her record company. Some may call her ungrateful or bratty, but I find her refreshing and honest, traits you don't see in a mostly cookie-cutter pop world. It's even more surprising considering Clarkson comes from American Idol, which is about singing other people's songs and molding in one's self into America's fantasy of an ideal pop star.

There are rumours Clarkson may be dropped from her record label and Clive Davis' good graces. That would not be surprising, considering Clarkson appears unwilling to censor herself. I hope Kelly doesn't change.

Sunday, July 26, 2009

Whitney's Return

Whitney Houston's long-awaited comeback is in full swing. And the most anticipated part of her return has been whether or not her voice is still there.

Of all the pop singers of the past 25 years, Houston has been considered "The Voice." More so than Celine Dion and Mariah Carey. In her prime, nobody could sing like Whitney.

Carey's voice has deteriorated in the past few years, surprisingly, thanks to her meltdown in 2001 and evidently not taking proper care of her voice. Dion is still a strong singer, but her style of singing is simply not heard on radio anymore.

Houston rose to fame like Dion with her powerhouse vocals and syrupy ballads, which simply don't fly on pop stations carrying the latest R&B/hip-hop hits from Beyonce, Rihanna, and Flo Rida. So far, three tracks have been leaked from Houston's upcoming album I Look to You, including the title track (written by R. Kelly) and "I Didn't Know My Own Strength" (written by Diane Warren). The latter track is typical Warren-style schmaltz: full of tired cliches about finding strength in one's self. I'm sure it's supposed to pull the heartstrings considering what Houston has been through for the past ten years, but the song is so syrupy, even Houston cannot sell it. The other problem is, sadly, Houston's voice has deteriorated - badly. Houston's creamy smooth vocals have been replaced by a roughness that suggests that the luster in her voice has completely disappeared.

The title track is a better song, and a reminder that despite his, um, extra-curricular activities, R. Kelly is a superb songwriter (he provided Michael Jackson with his last number-one hit in America, "You Are Not Alone.") But Houston's performance, while heartfelt, is hampered by her haggard voice. Despite the excellent production, nothing can distract from the fact that Houston's voice is in rough shape.

Like many, I was hoping Houston's comeback would be a triumph a la Tina Turner in the '80s, or even Carey's a few years back. I've got to give Houston credit for pulling her life together.

But there's no avoiding the fact, "The Voice" is gone.

Sunday, July 5, 2009

Is Off the Wall Michael Jackson's best album?



As the world continues to grapple with Michael Jackson's death on June 25th, copies of his magnum opus, Thriller, and greatest hits collections continue to sell out on Amazon.com and in stores. But the one album that SHOULD be selling out is Off the Wall.

Recorded and released in 1979, Off the Wall wasn't Michael Jackson's first album, but it might as well have been. Jackson had already recorded a few albums when he was with Motown, but those albums were really just to sell singles and Jackson had no contribution to the song-writing or producing. Off the Wall was Jackson's first solo album on Epic Records, and produced by Quincy Jones, and it was the first album that showed Michael Jackson was more than just some teen pop star; he was a genuinely talented song-writer and performer. He wrote the album's first single, Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough, one of his most enduring hits, a song that effortlessly blends pop, soul and disco. But the rest of Off the Wall is just as good, just as funky and - yes - just as sexy.

While Thriller may get voted as Michael Jackson's best album, I would argue Off the Wall is the superior album. It's looser, funkier and more organic, whereas Thriller is more calculating, trying to be the biggest pop album ever (on many levels it does succeed), but Off the Wall is simply more fun. Try resisting the grooves of "Rock With You," "It's the Falling in Love," and the title track. And Jackson sings "She's Out of My Life" with pure emotion.

So, if you cannot find a copy of Thriller at HMV, and you don't own Off the Wall, pick up this album, Jackson's finest moment.

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Riverdance

I've seen the Riverdance special on PBS. It's entertaining... for about five minutes.

Seeing it with a 905-er audience at the Canon Theatre, it's hell for two hours. And unlike PBS, you cannot switch the station; you are a prisoner. The only good thing I can say about the show is that my ticket was free of charge.

Riverdance is faux-Irish dancing and I hope it doesn't give the impression that this is the "culture" of the Irish. Because if it is, I now understand why drinking is so popular in Ireland. 'Cause I seriously wanted/needed a drink watching this show.

Basically, Riverdance is "Irish dancing" (if you can call it that) with really boring interludes of a faux-Spanish dancer, a bad Enya impersonator, and lame narration that seems borrowed from the live-action Transformers movie.

Some of the dancing is impressive. But people in the audience reacted like this was the first time they saw feet move in coordination. The people behind us were literally having orgasms. This was obviously their first time outside of Acton.

The "star" of Riverdance is some bearded guy with an attachment to wearing shiny outfits that look like they belonged in the '80s/early '90s. He did the same move over and over and over again, yet the audience gave him a rousing ovation after each "solo." Speaking of ovations, these Riverdancers would not leave the stage. I had to sit through (endure) no less than six curtain calls because the Riverdancers needed applause for each dancer, and then five ovations for the main stars.

Throughout the evening, as the dancers clogged and tapped across the stage, I thought of my friend Rachel inviting me to see Sugarland. Yes, I would rather have seen a country music concert than watch Riverdance. I would rather have attended a Toby Keith concert than watch this crap. Then I thought of my other friend, Karen, who had invited me to see Dance Flick. Yes, I would rather have watched a Wayans Brothers movie than watch Riverdance.

After the show mercifully ended, my friend Maria sent me a text message saying how fabulous the revival of West Side Story on Broadway was. This enraged me so much I thought of putting a curse on Maria a la Drag Me To Hell ("You shamed me!"), but relented as I realized it was probably a childhood dream of Maria's to watch WSS on Broadway, bringing her back to the days when she would imagine herself as Anita...

Final verdict: I would rather watch "High School Musical on Ice" (which I have seen) than sit through the horror of Riverdance again.

Saturday, April 18, 2009

Happy Record Store Day!



Who knew that vinyl would survive - even in these tough economic times? Today is "Record Store Day"... a day to commemorate the (few) record stores that exist today.

Here in Toronto, record/CD stores have been closing at an alarming rate (the biggest blow being Sam The Record Man closing in 2007), but a few survive. My favourites include Soundscapes, a charming CD store located in Little Italy on College Street. Soundscapes specializes in rare and hard-to-find music from genres such as soul, pop, jazz, folk, americana, and country. They also carry many independent Canadian acts which are hard to find in HMV, which is still the most prominent music chain in Canada.

Sunrise Records also remains in business. While Sunrise generally just carries the latest hit recordings, they do feature a decent enough catalogue. I think, however, Sunrise is much better than HMV for purchasing DVD's, particularly their flagship store at Yonge and Gould, which has a superb DVD selection.

Sonic Boom, located at Bloor and Bathurst, is a huge warehouse-style store that carries both new and used CDs on their main level, and a decent selection of new and used vinyl in their basement. Rummaging through their many used titles can be a chore for the casual music collector, but if you enjoy CD treasure hunts, Sonic Boom is worth visiting.

Of course, there are many other great record stores in Toronto. Check out Queen Street West which has many great vinyl stores still in business.

In this digital age, some may laugh at the idea of people continuing to buy vinyl and CDs, but those of us who love the traditional method of purchasing music... HAPPY RECORD STORE DAY! Get out there and support your local record store.

Sunday, January 4, 2009

Did we underestimate Tom Cruise's box-office appeal?

When Tom Cruise's film "Valkyrie" opened last weekend, after months and months of bad press, middling reviews and little interest by moviegoers, the seemingly cursed, Bryan Singer-directed World War II epic surprised many by debuting at number four with approximately $21 million. Okay, opening at number four is respectable, but back in the day, a Tom Cruise film would usually open at number one with huge numbers. But in the last few years, Cruise's image has suffered so badly, that it is a shock that Valkyrie made any money at all. That it opened in the top five with $21 million only proves that, despite the negative press and bizarre public appearances on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" and "Today Show", Tom Cruise's box office crown may be chipped, but it's not broken or destroyed.

It could be argued that most people associate Tom Cruise as the couch-jumper on Oprah, or as the Scientology celebrity who criticized Brooke Shields' use of anti-depressants for post-partum depression and went toe-to-toe with Matt Lauer over prescription drugs on "Today". But, evidently, there are many out there who remember Tom Cruise as a box-office star who, at one time, made interesting movies and would pay to see them regardless of bad reviews, but simply because it starred Tom Cruise.

I have not seen the film, and do not have much desire to. After all, it's going to be difficult for me to buy Tom Cruise as a German - WITHOUT a German accent. But I can understand why moviegoers wanted to see a Tom Cruise. Despite all the negative press in recent years, Tom Cruise has generally made good movies. For fun popcorn fare, there was Top Gun, Cocktail, Mission Impossible to keep us entertained, even if they were shameless entertainment. And he would also make deeper, more interesting films such as Born on the Fourth of July, Rain Man, and Magnolia. He has made some stinkers, such as Vanilla Sky, but overall, seeing Tom Cruise at the multiplex has generally been a positive experience.

So, perhaps it's too early to call to end Tom Cruise's box-office reign. It no doubt has been taken over by his friend Will Smith, who, although his latest film Seven Pounds is only performing moderately at the box office, has made boffo box-office blockbusters such as I Am Legend, Hancock and I, Robot. But Cruise is still in the game, and if a movie like Valkyrie, with all of its bad press and less-than-favourable reviews, can attract moviegoers, than we no doubt underestimated Cruise's box-office appeal.