Currently Reading: The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger

Understandably being a guy, I don't often read romances. I'm more of a Sci-fi kind of person. This book manages to be both, and the author weaves a convincing tale that is both very amusing and engaging.

Time-Travel is always a hard subject to write about. There are always the 'What If's' to think about, and the eventual paradoxes. Sometimes these paradoxes are part of the plot, and sometimes they're left unmentioned as part of a plot hole due to sloppy writing. The author acknowledges and even makes fun of them by having the main character meet up with himself multiple times and even having chats with him.

It's the story of a man, Henry DeTamble, with a disorder he describes as very few people having; the ability to slip out of time at a moment's notice, stress being the trigger. When he travels, he loses his clothes; he is naked and in search of new attire. This causes complications, especially if someone catches sight of him.

His time-travelling is mostly to places he's already been in the past, where he meets his future wife, Clare Abshire when she is a child. Romance builds between these visits, until she's old enough to marry.

It's certainly an interesting premise, and one that holds a lot of promise and humour. If Back to the Future was a time-travelling classic of the 80's, then this is the time-travelling classic of the 2000's.

There's a movie in production, and it remains to be seen how it's handled, but I'm looking forward to it.

Music Review: Melanie Doane - A Thousand Nights

Special and lovingly crafted. This is how I would describe Melanie Doane's latest release.

I've been a fan of Doane's for awhile now ever since I had seen her open up for Great Big Sea on their Turn tour, and I thought she was terrific with a unique style and destined for stardom. So, it was no surprise that I had been patiently anticipating her new released once it was announced.

A Thousand Nights has a nice concept attached to it. Having recently had a child, Doane looked at having a record of songs that could be played to children without their parents getting tired of them quickly due to repeated listening, enduring "A Thousand Nights" of repeating listening if you will.

And Doane delivers, no pun intended, a beautiful album. The album is made up mostly of covers, but the choices are inspired, and the arrangements well done in her unique style, all very mellow. Melanie gives them fresh new takes, such as the beautiful version of Fleetwood Mac's Songbird, featuring Jim Cuddy of Blue Rodeo. It has to be heard to be believed. Among other beautiful gems are Leonard Cohen's Song of Bernadette, Tom Petty's Wildflowers, The Everly Brother's Devoted to You, Bruce Cockburn's All The Diamonds, Tom Waits' Martha, and Baby Makes Three, a very beautiful composition of her own.

This has become one of my favourite albums of the year. I highly recommend it.

www.melaniedoane.com

Music: Great Big Sea - Fortune's Favour

After having finally picked it up after waiting a few months, I've listened through it. Gotta say, meh. It's not that I'm disappointed, because it has a great production, and in terms of albums, I think this is probably their best since Turn.

Perhaps it's because I haven't seen them in concert in ages or something, but I'm having a hard time finding enthusiasm for this album. I'm finding there's a certain disconnect. I knew this album would be different, but I'd have expected at least a song or two to click, but at this stage, none have. And Walk on the Moon, which I thought sounded out of place when first hearing it as a single, continues to sound out of place on the album. Sounds more like a song that would have fit on Something Beautiful instead. I continue to have the opinion that it was the wrong song as a first single as it doesn't fit the style of production they had going for the entire album, which is a more "take it by the horns" approach. Maybe the songs will grow on me.

If there's one good thing about the album is that it sounds like the energy is back. The one complaint I had about Sea of No Cares and Something Beautiful, is that they were too perfect sounding, that all the energy had been sucked out of the songs. Not so here, and Alan tends to sound like a completely different animal, no pun intended.

Overall, I'm not overly impressed. Though, perhaps it will grow on me. With each new GBS album though, I tend to feel as though GBS isn't for me anymore. Maybe they will be for you. Ironically, this is probably the album that will finally net them a Juno award.


www.greatbigsea.com

Movie Review: Get Smart

Get Smart is fun, engaging, and best of all, a good tribute to the classic TV series.

When I had originally heard about this project many years ago, I had trouble believing that they would actually produce something significant. Steve Carrell had been rumoured to be in the role, and that he had really wanted to play Maxwell Smart, as a fan of the original TV series.

Then, they were going ahead with it after so many years in limbo. I was filled with anxiety. Could they really do it justice? Then, the trailer came out, and the familiar theme was played, complete with the phone booth. It was like a trip back in time. Still, I had my doubts. I didn't think they could really make a good movie out of it like so many TV to Movie franchises that have failed.

But then, this is Mel Brooks we're talking about. He brought us classics such as Blazing Saddles, Spaceballs, Robin Hood: Men in Tights, and Young Frankenstein. How could this go wrong? So, I turned off my brain for an evening and went to catch it at the theatre a few weeks ago.

My anxiety about it had disappeared by the time the first scenes came along. I was won over. This was Maxwell Smart. Maybe not the Maxwell Smart that we quite remembered from the TV show, but he didn't have to be. He wasn't trying to be. He just was. What I mean by this is that they weren't trying to be exact copies of the characters we came to know and love, but that they allowed the characters to be slightly updated, fitting the actor's skill, allowing for some growth to the characters. So, for Steve Carrell's Smart, he was played perfectly in the way that Steve Carrell played him.

We get to see 99 played by Anne Hathaway, and the kind of delivery is very similar to the original 99, in her own way. Alan Arkin's portrayal of the Chief is also very good, and right on the money. I don't think I would have chosen anyone else to play him.

There's a lot going on in the movie, yet it never feels like it's dragged down for any second. It's an intelligent comedy that actually pays tribute to the series that it had been born from , instead of insulting it, and the fans.

In fact, there are a ton of little nods to the series, including things that Max originally used in the series. It's not overdone, to the point of slapping you over the head with it.

So, with that said, I came away feeling satisfied, and even impressed. One of the better TV adaptations in recent memory.

Northern Lights Festival 2008

Every year, we have a local music festival. It's quite big and attracts a lot of artists, and is talked about at every major festival. I've been to it in previous years, but only on seperate days and never a full weekened.

This year, I changed that and decided that a full weekend was in order. For $60, it's quite a bargain, with all the acts that one gets to see.

So, what made me do the full weekend? It was when it was announced that the festival had secured Don McLean. Wait, back up a minute. Did I say Don McLean? Yes, actually I did. I couldn't quite believe it when I first heard it. I mean, why would he come to a small town, him of all people? This was probably the biggest act the festival ever managed to secure. Well, biggest in recent years in any case.

So I paid my ticket and went with a friend and it's going to be hard to top next year.

Among the highlights were The Sadies, Two Hour Traffic, John Doe with The Sadies, Damien Robitaille, People Project, Daniel Bélanger, Sharon & Bram (yes), Mike Ford, The Great Lake Swimmers, Ian Tamblyn, and of course Don McLean, who I pleaded to not let the music die.

More later

Movie Review: The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian

I loved the first one. I really found the scenery and cinematography to be gorgeous, and while I never read the books, I thought it was one of the best looking movies the year it came out.

So, why was it then that I felt reluctant about Prince Caspian? Maybe it was the trailers. I just never really felt like I had to see it. It just somehow wasn't working for me, and then I sort of shrugged it off.

But then I was asked if I wanted to see it a couple of weeks ago, and I was actually excited and looking forward to it. And so, I found myself in the theatre watching a sequel I didn't think I'd be watching on the big screen.

A good movie is often like a good book. Once you finish it, you're sad to see your favourite characters say their final words or do their final actions. Which is why sequels sell a lot, I suppose. And when you see them again in a sequel, there's both a sense of relief and trepidation over the events of the movie, feverishly hoping they don't screw around with what made the first one a hit.

In this case, it's not just the characters, but the Land of Narnia. Narnia is like a character in itself. It's not just a backdrop to which the characters are wandering around in. It has a sense of history. We find ourselves just as much in awe of it as the children do, and we can't wait to have them return to it to see what that old friend looks like. It's also what pulled me in, after having realized just what I would have missed had I not chosen to go see it. I fell in love with the scenery and cinematography again, the picture so sharp and clear as to see every detail. I realized I had missed it and couldn't wait for the journey up ahead.

Again, it's as beautiful as I remembered it. Maybe moreso. Although things have changed. It's now 1000 years since the last movie, with only 1 year having passed in the real world. The children now have a new adversary from a neighbouring land, planning to conquer Narnia for himself with runaway Prince Caspian fighting for Narnia with the Children against his uncle.

It's more of an action movie this time around, with most of the movie centering around a large battle. People wanted more fighting after seeing the fighting in the original, and I can't say I blame them since it was very well done, and I don't usually like fighting. It was very well orchestrated and the special effects were gorgeous.

I have to say, I'm glad I went. It was, so far, one of my favourite movies of the summer.

Movie Review: Indiana Jones & The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

Last night I had the pleasure of seeing the new Indiana Jones. I was both excited and anxious, wondering if it would live up to 20 years of wait.
And I guess on the whole, I was kind of disappointed. Don't get me wrong, I loved it. It felt great seeing Indy on the screen again, but the revelation at the end felt somewhat like an easy way out. I loved it until that point that kind of just made me wonder what they were thinking. The stunts were spectacular, and I think some of the best stunts in the series are from this movie. The humour was classic Indy humour and I laughed loudly in a lot of places. Some lines and actions were downright hilarious. I thought some parts were definite classics. And then there are the others that kind of feel like a whole new low in the series: CGI Monkeys and vine swinging. All in all though, it was a great fun romp.

When seeing it, you have to realize that it's been 20 years since The Last Crusade came out, and things have changed, not only for Harrison Ford, but in the world of Indy, so the tone is sort of different from the last three, and I think that's what a lot of people seeing it have failed to realize. Things have changed too much. It's not going to be the same Indy you saw him in The Last Crusade. The world of Indy has just gone through WWII, when last, it was on the brink of war. Nothing is the same after a war.

Some minor quibbles, however, and I'll try to explain without spoiling anything. These are mostly technical.
The movie starts off with Rock & Roll music, not the Indy Theme. I knew they were trying to set the tone of the movie that way, but I felt it kind of took away from the majesty of it all; it felt kind of dry. Cracking Whips. What cracking whips? There was none, other than one scene at the beginning. And the score felt almost like it wasn't even there. The Indy theme only appeared from time to time, as if to remind us that what we were watching was an Indy movie since the tone was quite different. There was nothing like an epic score, with variations on the Indy theme throughout like the other movies. So yeah, some of it felt lacking in certain areas.

So if you want a fun romp, turn off your brain for a few hours, stop nitpicking, and just enjoy the movie for what it is. Just realize that what you're seeing is different because there are obvious changes that have happened in the world of Indy. It's now a world of Intrigue, a world of discovery, obsession with Sci-Fi, and just a decade down the road, men will be setting foot on the Moon.

Movie Review: Ironman

Last weekend, the summer blockbuster season literally started with a bang with the release of Ironman.

I hadn't read the comic books or knew much at all about what Ironman was about, except that it was about a flying tin-man. I went in the theatre last Saturday, with literally no expectations. And was I blown away?

In fact, I was. It was the perfect movie to open the summer blockbuster season with, and I can confidently say that those who aren't fans coming in, will like it as much as fans of Ironman.

Ironman brings a dose of realism to the big screen as far as superhero movies go, much in the way Batman Begins did for Batman. In fact, it's probably even more-so socially relevant of a movie than Batman Begins was, or any Superhero movie of the modern century for that matter.

As for the cast, I've always been very fond of Robert Downey Jr., and he IS Ironman as far as I'm concerned. Fans have told me that he portrayed the character of Tony Stark very well, and owned the role. An underrated actor that has gotten propelled into the limelight again, and I'm glad. One of my favourite roles of his was Chaplin, in which he so immersed himself in his role, transforming himself into Charlie Chaplin.

And then we have Gwyneth Paltrow who was charming as ever playing Pepper Potts, Tony Stark's secretary/assistant.

What can I say about Jeff Bridges? Well, this role has him almost unrecognizable except in closeup shots. His bald head and full beard has him looking unlike how I've ever seen him. Quite an accomplishment.

In short, it's a movie that is really worth seeing. It's probably one of the best movies to ever start the blockbuster season with. Speaking of Blockbusters, this summer will be a very busy one in terms of major releases!

Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian, Indiana Jones & The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, The Dark Knight. All sequels that people are anxiously awaiting, especially Indy being back.

Tomorrow I go see Prince Caspian and I'll write up a review for that.

Talent

What is talent exactly? It occurs to me that it's a word that is thrown around way too often these days. We're living in a decade where true talent is often buried under all the aweful stuff out there.

Generations have produced many wonderful talents. I can easily name a few, such as Elton John, though some might argue the validity of the claim. But today, I sit here and wonder what exactly this generation has produced?

Britney Spears: A good agent maybe, but talent? American/Canadian Idol: Is it really talent or is luck really the whole deal? And all those other reality shows: Does anyone really care? Does the outcome really matter?

Are we going to become known as the generation that simply produced "talent" that came out of reality shows?

It seems as though studio men don't search out talent enough these days. It might not be the case, but then, why is it that the good talent is a diamond in the rough so very often, hard to find, when it should be the true talent that shines through the horse's manure? True talent is so rare, and what makes it even rarer is when the aweful stuff is pushed out in front of everyone's eyes.

Talent is in the eyes of the beholder, I guess.

Talent is:

Nickel Creek and their cover of Britney Spear's Toxic


The Duhks - (Here with their cover of Tracy Chapman's Mountains of Things)


The Wailin' Jennys


Andre-Phillipe Gagnon (French-Canadian Impressionist and Imitator)


Does anymore need to be said?

Movie Review: The Golden Compass

Over the holidays, I went to see something I had been very much looking forward to ever since I read the novel. For the most part, it didn't disappoint.

I'm talking about the movie adaptation of Philip Pullman's The Golden Compass, which is part of His Dark Materials trilogy. I was very impressed with the book, and I was eagerly awaiting to se how well the movie would translate to the big screen.

The first thing I really noticed as a reader of the book, was that the visual look was very much as described in the book. There wasn't a moment where I felt something wasn't what it was. Seeing something visually that was only up until then described in the book was visually breathtaking, and in a sense was another layer into the world of Lyra. I was finally there.

Of course, no movie can be without its faults, and the movie does have quite a few faults. Namely, it's in the way the events unfold. I don't want to spoil anything here, instead I'll explain it away using situations. So, let's say you have scenario A happening in the book, followed by scenario B. What the movie did was switch the order around so that Scenario B was actually Scenario A, and vice-versa.

A => B
B => A

Naturally when I first realized the scenarios happened in a different order, I was confused. Scenario B in the book was supposed to be its big climax, token chase/battle scene, instead it was moved up to be Scenario A, while Scenario A became the big climax. I know it was done for a reason, but the result in my opinion, is that it seemed to cheapen the impact of the message as it simplified the explanations overall. That's my main gripe with the movie.

Overall though, I would definitely recommend it. The story translates well to the big screen, and I can't wait to see the further adventures of Lyra on the big screen.