blogTO | Posts by Connie

TIFF Reviews: Bunny + Bull, Collapse, Mother, Soul Kitchen, The Road

Connie — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 10:13:36 PDT

The Toronto International Film Festival wraps up today. Here's what we've seen since our last set of reviews.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

The Road
Watching this is everything I imagined post-apocalyptic North America to be. Based on Cormac McCarthy's novel of the same name, The Road is haunting and chilling, partly because of Viggo Mortensen and Australian child star Kodi Smit-McPhee, who translate the story well, but mostly because visually, it's just damn epic. Forget DVDs or Internet streaming -- check this one out in a proper theatre for full effect. (Connie)

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TIFF Reviews: Hipsters, Ahead of Time, A Gun to the Head, Youth in Revolt, 5 Hours From Paris, Giulia Doesn't Date at Night, The Boys Are Back, Les Herbes Folles, Glenn Gould, Crackie, Phantom Pain, Hadewijch, Mall Girls, Agora

Connie — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 21:43:26 PDT

Another week means another slate of films reviewed leading up to the start of the Toronto International Film Festival. We've been escaping the (finally) summer weather for air conditioned comfort inside various screening rooms at the Varsity Theatre. Here's a summary of the films we've seen since our first slate of TIFF reviews.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Hipsters
Okay. Let me preface this by saying if you hate musical theatre, you may not like this one. But despite my very own pre-existing disinterest in the genre, everything about this flick -- the colours, the music, the fake saxophone playing, the costuming, and the dramatic love story -- kept me hostage. I credit it to the Moscow setting, which definitely eased the cheese factor of similar theatrical productions based in North America. Communist Russia meets Swing Kids meets Footloose. Chalk this under well-filmed Guilty Pleasure. (Connie)

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Radar: May 26th, 2009

Connie — Mon, 25 May 2009 19:49:58 PDT

Photo: "Go Play Outside" by LucasM1981, member of the blogTO Flickr pool.

Events on Toronto's Radar for TUESDAY, MAY 26th, 2009
...lovingly handpicked from blogTO's events calendar

WORDS | The Walrus Underground
The Walrus Magazine debuts its new quarterly series of readings, conversation, and music. With guests Greg Keelor and Jim Cuddy from Blue Rodeo, Mark Kingwell, Seth, Nicholas Hune-Brown, and more. Hosted by Damian Rogers.
The Drake Hotel, 1150 Queen Street W.
8:30pm, 8pm doors / $10 advance (includes new issue of The Walrus)

OTHER | Media and Wrongful Conviction
Lawyer James Lockyer, known for his work with David Milgaard, Guy Paul Morin, and Robert Baltovich, discusses media and wrongful conviction. Reception follows.
Robert Gill Theatre, 214 College Street, 2nd floor. (Entrance on St. George)
630-730pm / FREE

MUSIC | The Songbook 3 with Melanie Doane
The Art of Time Ensemble's The Songbook 3 has Melanie Doane performing songs by Leonard Cohen, Stan Rogers, Randy Newman, Tom Waits, and Hank Snow in new arrangements. With backing band members Andrew Burashko, Phil Dwyer, Rob Pilch, George Koller, and Amy Liang. Runs May 26th and 27th.
Enwave Theatre, 231 Queens Quay W.
8pm / $25-39

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Weekend Radar: May 30th + 31st, 2009

Connie — Mon, 25 May 2009 19:21:37 PDT

Photo: "Screen" by batara, member of the blogTO Flickr pool.

Events on Toronto's Radar for the weekend of May 30th + 31st, 2009
...lovingly handpicked from blogTO's events calendar

SPORTS | Toronto Roller Derby Season Opener
Last year's reigning champions Chicks Ahoy! duke it out against The Gore-Gore Rollergirls, in a match of fiery skating.
George Bell Arena, 215 Ryding Avenue.
730pm, 630pm doors / $15, $12 advance

DANCE | Up Darling 5
An annual event celebrating indie dance choreographers, held at the north end of Trinity Bellwoods. With dances by Megan English, Barbara Lindenberg, and Aimée Dawn Robinson.
North of Trinity Bellwoods ravine, Dundas and Shaw. (416) 825-0396.
730pm / PWYC

MUSIC | Still Life Still and Dinosaur Bones at Velvet Underground
Early all ages show, with Still Life Still, Dinosaur Bones, La Casa Muerte, Give Us the Daggers, and Medallions.
Velvet Underground, 510 Queen Street W. (416) 504-6688.
6pm, 530pm doors / $10

CULTURE | RBC Desifest
Celebrate South Asian arts and culture, with a music and dance party downtown.
See website for schedule.
Yonge-Dundas Square.
noon / FREE

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Radar: May 29th, 2009

Connie — Mon, 25 May 2009 19:21:28 PDT

"Gate Hearing" - Slim Twig

Events on Toronto's Radar for FRIDAY, MAY 29th, 2009
...lovingly handpicked from blogTO's events calendar

SPORTS | St. Lawrence Market Criterium
The Molson Indy of high-speed road bicycles takes place around St. Lawrence Market, beginning with a kids ride. Pre-register by calling (416) 392-7592.
St Lawrence Market
6pm, 530pm kids / $60, $10 children, FREE to watch

MUSIC | Slim Twig CD Release
Experimental spasmatic rocker Slim Twig collaborates with his musicians buddies, including a covers set featuring members of Actual Water, Huckleberry Friends, Creeping Nobodies, and $100. Wyrd Visions opens.
Horseshoe Tavern, 370 Queen Street W.
10pm / $10

POLITICS | War Criminals Not Welcome Here
Don't worry: if you can't get in on the big conversation between George Dubya and Bill Clinton at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, this protest will be just as exciting.
Metro Toronto Convention Centre, 255 Front Street W.
3-6pm / FREE
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Radar: May 28th, 2009

Connie — Mon, 25 May 2009 19:21:20 PDT
Photo: "Toronto" by robertfdbyrne, member of the blogTO Flickr pool.

Events on Toronto's Radar for THURSDAY, MAY 28th, 2009
...lovingly handpicked from blogTO's events calendar

MUSIC | Pitter Patter Festival
With its pay-what-you-can cover, this really IS one of the most accessible indie music festivals around. 150 cool bands play in cool venues across eight southern Ontario cities, including Toronto, Hamilton, and Brantford.
See website for bands, locations, and times
PWYC

WORDS | Rustbelt Regional Poetry Slam
Big American and Ontario slam poets compete in the 10th annual Rustbelt Regional Poetry Slam. Kicks off tonight with a wildcard pre-slam competition.
see website for locations and times
$5-25

STAGE | Shift: What Were You Thinking?
Stuart Knight's music/sketch/film/spoken-word stage show about a man who discovers the meaning of life through mating fish. Runs to May 30th.
George Ignatieff Theatre, 15 Devonshire Place.
8pm / $37
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Radar: May 27th, 2009

Connie — Mon, 25 May 2009 19:21:10 PDT
Photo: "Spilled Cherries" by wmacphail, member of the blogTO Flickr pool.

Events on Toronto's Radar for WEDNESDAY, MAY 27th, 2009
...lovingly handpicked from blogTO's events calendar

DANCE | National Ballet of Canada: Giselle
Sir Peter Wright's romantic ballet Giselle is a tale of love, betrayal, and the supernatural. Starring Principal Dancer Chan Hon Goh, who bids the company farewell in this final role. Runs to May 31st.
Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen Street W.
730pm / $115-135

PARTY | Ghostly International 10-Year Anniversary
Record label Ghostly International shakes up West Queen West with Lusine, Michna, Raw Paw, Tycho, Milosh, and SV4, as part of worldwide gigs marking their 10th anniversary.
The Drake Hotel, 1150 Queen Street West. (416) 531-5042.
8pm / $15, $10 advance

WORDS | Jeff Rubin in Conversation with Heather Reisman
Economist Jeff Rubin launches his timely book Why Your World is About to Get a Whole Lot Smaller about energy bailouts. Heather Reisman interviews.
Indigo Books, Manulife Centre, 55 Bloor Street W.
7-9 pm / FREE
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Radar: May 25th, 2009

Connie — Sun, 24 May 2009 11:08:27 PDT
Photo: "Untitled" by heathrow, member of the blogTO Flickr pool.

Events on Toronto's Radar for MONDAY, MAY 25th, 2009
...lovingly handpicked from blogTO's events calendar

ENVIRONMENT | Bike Week
Bike Month kicks off today and continues until June 25th, with pre-work cycling parties, free concerts, flat fix workshops, and group rides. Two wheels have never been cooler.
see website for location and times
FREE

STAGE + BENEFIT | Commedia Dell' Fringe
Dinner, Drinks, and a cabaret show to raise money for the Fringe. Featuring performances of "The Christian Republican Fundraiser in Dayton Tennessee", "The Barbecue King", as well as the cast of The Carnegie Hall Show.
Berkeley Street Theatre, 26 Berkeley Street.
630pm / $39-99

FILM | The Hangover: Free Screening
Rush seating-only for director Todd Phillips' new flick, The Hangover, about three hungover groomsmen who have to find the groom they lost the night before. Starring Bradley Cooper and Ed Helms. First 10 people in rush line get a guaranteed pass.
Innis Town Hall, 2 Sussex Avenue.
730pm / FREE
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Weekend Radar: May 23rd + 24th, 2009

Connie — Fri, 22 May 2009 23:18:06 PDT
Photo: "Osgoode Hall" by swilton, member of the blogTO Flickr pool.

Events on Toronto's Radar for the weekend of MAY 23rd + 24th, 2009
...lovingly handpicked from blogTO's events calendar

ARCHITECTURE | Doors Open
175 buildings let you go behind the scenes in the city's 10th annual Doors Open festival, under the umbrella theme "Lit City".
see website for location and times or Tim's picks of what to see here.
SA-SU 10am start / FREE

BENEFIT | For the Love of Cycling
A cycling community fundraiser in honour of cyclist Chris Kasztelewicz, who lost one of his legs in a road rage accident.
Toronto Free Gallery, 1277 Bloor Street W.
8pm / $10 or PWYC

MUSIC | Joel Plaskett and the Emergency at Massey Hall
Joel Plaskett plays a bunch of his sweet Halifax love songs, surely including a bunch from his ambitious release, Three. With Ana Ege, Rose Cousins, and Bill Plaskett.
Massey Hall, 178 Victoria Street.
7pm / $29.50-$39.50
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Radar: May 22nd, 2009

Connie — Thu, 21 May 2009 13:40:13 PDT
Photo: "The Pig Says It All" by vnc3, member of the blogTO Flickr pool.

Events on Toronto's Radar for FRIDAY, MAY 22nd, 2009
...lovingly handpicked from blogTO's events calendar

COMEDY | Mill Street Brewery Premium Weekend with Andy Kindler
Fraser Young hosts two nights of comedy with American stand-up Andy Kindler. Two shows, both nights.
Comedy Bar, 945 Bloor Street W.
8pm, 10pm / $20

PARTY | Zombie Zombie at Wrongbar
Zombie Zombie throws a big dance party, with Mikey Apples, Alixander III, and Piscean. Also: professional zombie makeovers to get you in the right mood.
Wrongbar, 1279 Queen Street W. (416) 516-8677.
midnight, 10pm doors / $10 advance

ART + STAGE | If These Walls Could Talk
Kapisanan Philippine Centre for Arts and Culture presents multidisciplinary Filipino artist Carlos Celdran, with his spoken word, multimedia rendition of the Intramuros walled city tour of Manila.
Rolly's Garage, 124 Ossington Avenue.
8pm
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Radar: May 21st, 2009

Connie — Wed, 20 May 2009 20:34:42 PDT
Trailer for Tokyo!

Events on Toronto's Radar for THURSDAY, MAY 21st, 2009
...lovingly handpicked from blogTO's events calendar

DANCE | Berlin/Toronto Project
Toronto Dance Theatre presents new dance works choreographed by Berliners Felix Marchand and Christoph Winkler. Presented in association with the Goethe-Institut Toronto. Runs May 21st to 23rd and May 27th to 30th.
Winchester Street Theatre, 80 Winchester Street.
8pm / $26, $20 students + seniors

FESTIVAL | Over the Top Festival
Over the Top returns for its eighth year of showcasing new music, film, and theatre. The festival opens tonight with the premiere of White Lightnin', a screening of Michel Gondry's collaborative flick Tokyo!, Sebastian Grainger and the Mountains at Whippersnapper, and Clues at Sneaky Dee's.
various locations and times
$10-11

OTHER | Into the Wild
A monsterrific trading party, where you can unload and share your excess monster-themed toys and items with others. Snacks, fun, and more.
Magic Pony, 694 Queen Street W.
6-8pm / FREE
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Radar: May 20th, 2009

Connie — Tue, 19 May 2009 20:33:39 PDT
"Talk To Me" - Peaches

Events on Toronto's Radar for WEDNESDAY, MAY 20th, 2009
...lovingly handpicked from blogTO's events calendar

STAGE | John/Yoko Bed Piece
40 years ago this month, John and Yoko staged their Amsterdam-Montreal bed-ins. Today, draft89 brings the historical moment to Toronto. Runs to June 7th.
Theatre Centre, 100-1087 Queen Street W
8pm / $25-38

MUSIC | Peaches at The Phoenix
Brash n' sexy Peaches performs in support of her new release I Feel Cream. Drums of Death open.
Phoenix Concert Theatre, 410 Sherbourne Street.
8pm / $24.50

WORDS | Authors at Harbourfront Centre
Architectural experts Jack Diamond, Glenn McArthur, and Witold Rybczynski read and hold a discussion, as part of the 5th annual Festival of Architecture and Design.
Harbourfront Centre Studio Theatre, 235 Queens Quay W.
730pm / $8
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Radar: May 19th, 2009

Connie — Mon, 18 May 2009 18:16:45 PDT
Photo: "Untitled" by carl w. heindl, member of the blogTO Flickr pool.

Events on Toronto's Radar for TUESDAY, MAY 19th, 2009
...lovingly handpicked from blogTO's events calendar

WORDS | Hal Niedzviecki's The Peep Diaries
Hal Niedzviecki's launches The Peep Diaries: How We're Learning to Love Watching Ourselves and Our Neighbours, about social media, pop culture, and criss-crossing the privacy line.
Gladstone Hotel Ballroom, 1214 Queen Street W.
730pm / $5, FREE with book purchase

LECTURE | How To Save The World
A panel discussion and debate about the future course of environmental policies, with scholar Thomas Homer-Dixon, journalist Gregg Easterbrook, and economic think-tank head Terry Anderson.
Royal Ontario Museum, 100 Queen's Park. (416) 586-5797.
7-8pm / FREE

STAGE | Eternal Hydra
Crow's Theatre premieres Anton Piatigorsky's Eternal Hydra, a tale about a rediscovered novel that sparks a string of controversies. Starring David Ferry, Sam Malkin, Liisa Repo-Martell, and Karen Robinson. Opens tonight, runs to May 31st.
Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, 12 Alexander Street. (416) 975-8555.
8pm / $15-30
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Radar: May 18th, 2009

Connie — Sun, 17 May 2009 23:18:03 PDT
Photo: "The Stairs" by funkaoshi, member of the blogTO Flickr pool.

Events on Toronto's Radar for MONDAY, MAY 18th, 2009
...lovingly handpicked from blogTO's events calendar

COMEDY | Wilde Splendour
Improvisational comedy based on the stylish wit of Oscar Wilde, with special theatre guest Raoul Bhaneja (Hamlet, Helen's Necklace).
The Comedy Bar, 945 Bloor Street W.
9pm / $10

DANCE | So You Think You Can Dance Auditions
If you're under 30 and can think YOU can dance, strut your stuff for the popular CTV show's Toronto casting call. See website for registration info.
John Bassett Theatre, Metro Convention Centre, 255 Front Street W.
8am / FREE

OTHER | Canada After the Queen
Citizens for a Canadian Republic discusses the end to the monarchy in Canada, featuring guest speakers Peter Donolo (pollster, political strategist, and former Director of Communications to Prime Minister Jean Chrétien), Alan Park (comedian), and Randall White, PhD (author, policy analyst).
Metro Hall Rotunda, 55 John Street.
1-4pm / FREE
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Radar: May 12th, 2009

Connie — Mon, 11 May 2009 03:14:07 PDT
Photo: "ROM Attacks b+w" by into_my_airspace, member of the blogTO Flickr pool.

Events on Toronto's Radar for TUESDAY, MAY 12th, 2009
...lovingly handpicked from blogTO's events calendar

WORDS | Guy Maddin: Attack of the Winnipeg Hockey Moms
Filmmaker Guy Maddin promotes his book My Winnipeg and celebrates Momma's Day at the same time with a video program of his favourite mothers in film, followed by an on-stage table hockey competition vs. big names in the literary and hockey scene.
Revival, 783 College Street.
730pm, 7pm doors / $5, FREE with book purchase

MUSIC | King Khan and the Shrines at Phoenix
King Khan and the Shrines' Toronto parties are slowly getting bigger (or at least the venues are). Tonight the Montrealers appear at the Phoenix with Mark Sultan.
Phoenix Concert Theatre, 410 Sherbourne Street. (416) 323-1251
9pm / $15
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