What are you doing New Year's Eve?

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! And thank you for the warm birthday wishes. We ended 2005 with a relaxing Christmas and a low key New Year's Eve/ birthday celebration. As usual, we spent much of each day on the phone talking to family and friends. Santa was very good to us this year. Christmas started early when we took delivery of our new 32" Sharp LCD TV on Tuesday, Dec. 20 (after they cancelled delivery once we finally got satisfaction from our salesperson because the customer service line was useless.) We got a bunch of our fave DVDs including Kill Bill vols. 1 & 2 and some great CDs (thanks Rich and Steve!) Thank you also to Uncle Wes and Marcella and Mom and Dad in Calgary and Winnipeg for your Christmas packages. Richard gave me a Bose Sound Dock for my iPod - it looks cool and sounds great. It kept me company in the kitchen while I was cooking Christmas dinner. No turkey this year - just a veal chop with scalloped potatoes and vichy carrots...mmmm... And of course a great wine from Uncle Wes and Marcella. New year's is also quiet - just watching the celebrations from Nathan Phillips Square and Niagara Falls. Who would imagine we would spend so much time in our basement but it's great to be finally using the space after starting the reno last spring. There are always things to work on (the bathroom!?) but it is teaching me patience and a new acronym: GEPO (good enough, push on).

Richard and I look forward to a happy, healthy and prosperous 2006 and wish you the same.

Dinner with The M Club

Tonight The M Club (Mary, Marlene, Manny and Mary Margaret) met for a delectable Christmas dinner at Avant Gout (8 Birch St just north of the Summerhill LCBO). It's a narrow house that has about 9 tables. The interior is painted a dark red and when you walk in you feel like you're in the dining car of the Orient Express. The chef is North African from France and my meal was delicious: fresh greens in a vinaigrette with goat cheese and salmon tagine. We even had a warm chocolate cake for dessert. I brought Christmas crackers and all the Ms were such good sports, everyone wore their party hats!

KONG is KING

See the mighty Kong
Skull Island and dinosaurs
Listen to Jack Black

WOW! Really enjoyed King Kong which we saw Saturday afternoon at the Beach Cinemas. I heard Director Peter Jackson say that the Lord of the Rings trilogy was "just a warm-up" for making Kong. At 3 hours (+ 20 minutes of trailers), it's not short but neither did it drag. Jackson did a great job and got wonderful performances from Naomi Watts, Jack Black and Kong - very emotive (it's all in their eyes). In the end, King Kong is a sad and touching movie that just happens to have sumptuous 30's sets and costumes and awesome CGI dinosaur fight scenes that blow Jurassic Park out of the water. (I'm sure we'll see a Skull Island ride at DisneyWorld or Universal Studios soon.)

As we were leaving the theatre I noticed a kid who couldn't have been more than 4 or 5. I really don't know what some parents are thinking because I feel Kong needs a height requirement: "You must be this tall to see this movie". Many scenes are graphic and scary (giant bugs eating peoples' faces and massive dinosaurs chomping at people and other dinosaurs.) My friends' kids have trouble with scenes in Stuart Little.

That night after a wonderful party with friends, we caught the tail-end of Saturday Night Live featuring guest host Jack Black. Here is Jack's opening monologue and The Kong Song on SNL - pretty hilarious.

Winning at Winners

As many of you know I work at College Park above the best Winners in Toronto. I have regular weekly (daily?) shopping therapy sessions at Winners and this week I have to share my fantastic find. Che, even though you were dissing Winners saying it had been picked over before Christmas I found 6 Nachtmann crystal Bordeaux wine glasses (the website says they're handblown) for $3.99 each!!!! That's 6 Grande lattes at Starbucks (talk about the latte factor) and probably less than the price of 1 glass at William Ashley's. I found a photo of the glasses on the Nachtmann website: (the one behind at left)

Can't diss Winners now
Source of my favourite glasses
Bordeaux anyone?

Finding Balance

I meant what I said in the last line of my previous post: I really can't wait for time off. Work has been INSANE for the past month and it is only now starting to ease up. As my friend Dori notes, I'm putting in private sector hours in a public sector job. And most evenings I'm working in the dark (they turn the lights out at 7:00 on my floor at College Park and I have often been there late working by the light of my monitor until 8:00 or 9:00pm). What up?

So now I am "taking back the night" and reclaiming some of those lost hours. The first step is seeing more movies! Last night's was the first in 6 weeks - highly irregular for Haikugirl's natural moviegoing habits.

In early December I took a course on Work-Life Management led by Dr. David Posen, author of The Little Book of Stress Relief. The course was amazing and couldn't have come at a better time for me. I am working at bringing more balance to my life at work and at home. One strategy is to just deal with the next 15 minutes (instead of getting overwhelmed by everything we have to do). Another is to do something for yourself every day. I made a commitment to blog, play piano, or walk at lunch at least 30 minutes each day to shift the focus away from work.

Wishing you and yours balance at the holiday season. May you have as relaxing a Christmas as we hope to have, filled with family, food, song and DVDs.

Christmastime is here
May peace and love fill your home
Enjoy your time off

The Squid and the Whale

Caught The Squid and the Whale last night at the Cumberland with Alison and Pavlina. A real spur-of-the-moment movie outing after we celebrated Pavlina's birthday dinner with Sarah at Saigon Sister. We wanted to see Jake and Heath in Brokeback Mountain but all screenings were sold out. Back to the film: Laura Linney is married to Jeff Daniels and they split up. The story follows the kids going back and forth between houses. Amazing performances by the whole family, although Jeff Daniels plays a pr*** and we didn't see enough of Laura Linney. Son #2 Frank is played by Owen Kline, son of Kevin and Phoebe Cates (he's got his mother's eyes). The soundtrack is sweet - just what you'd expect from the co-writer of The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou. Writer/director Noah Baumbach made a nice film about a sad subject (his friend Wes Anderson of Life Aquatic and Royal Tenenbaums fame produces). Alison is glad she didn't know that until afterward or else we might not have seen it. More movies on tap for this weekend.

N-E-1-4 Kong?
Brokeback Mountain? Family Stone?
can't wait for time off

Catherine the Great

Catherine the Great... was GREAT! An inspirational, strong woman who had the right idea: Behave so the kind will love you, the evil will fear you, and all will respect you. An astute collector of art, a woman who loved the finer things and had the flow to buy them, a master communicator and marketer who knew how to create and use her brand. Really the whole package. She counted Rousseau and Diderot as friends and loved Voltaire. No wonder there is a cult that follows Catherine the Great. The gilded Coronation Carriage was impressive, but so was the story of the transport of the Thunder Stone from the rural woods to the heart of St. Petersburg. It forms the massive base of the equestrian statue of Peter the Great, often called The Bronze Horseman. They slid the stone on rails filled with large ball bearings and when those sunk into the mud, they waited till things froze to continue. A really enlightening two hours - amid the construction chaos of transformation AGO. On now only until January 1, 2006 (be sure to get the audio guide).

After the tour, Mary, Pavlina and I walked over to Cafe la Gaffe on Baldwin street. Delicious food, not not great service, but a wonderful place to catch up into the wee hours.

Mary and Pavlina both remembered fims they saw of Catherine the Great. Mary's was in colour (and starred Catherine Zeta Jones) Pavlina's was in black and white - I don't think IMBD goes back that far ;-). Anyone out there with Catherine the Great movie experiences?

Catherine the Great
Girlpower au maximum
Master marketer

Glorious Monterey

Richard and I had an absolutely wonderful time with Uncle Wes and Marcella at their beautiful home in Monterey, CA. We flew into San Francisco late on Thurs. Nov 10 and they were there to meet us and whisk us away two hours south to Monterey. Their condo is in a forest on the hill. You can see the ocean through the trees from the balcony. Their newly renovated guest bathroom is amazing (it's inspiring us to finish our project in the basement). We spent our time enjoying delicious food, great wine and driving along the coast and through the forest. Lunch at Nepenthe in Big Sur was a highlight: the restaurant is perched atop a cliff overlooking the ocean. The clear blue skies, unseasonably warm weather and crisp Chardonnays made us feel like we had recaptured summertime. We also saw the Monterey Bay Aquarium and took a trip to the Carmel Valley where we had lunch outside at the Corkscrew Cafe. On the way home we stopped at Bernardus to pick up some wines. This was our second visit to Bernardus - on Nov 11 Uncle Wes and Marcella had treated us to an unforgettable WINO dinner at the Bernardus Lodge. My parents had been their guests last year and met all of the wonderful people in the Carmel WINO chapter (Wine Investigation for Neophytes and Oenophiles) The final WINO dinner of the season was absolutely amazing: delicious food, awesome wine pairings from Stephen Ross Dooley (a native of Minnesota) and the most outstanding service we had ever experienced. I'll be posting photos soon (please come back!)

Many, many thanks to Marcella and Wes for their bottomless hospitality - you are truly the greatest and most gracious hosts around and we thank you for every glorious minute we spent in the Golden State! Here are some haiku for you:

Bernardus WINOs
The friendliest bunch around
Pour us some more wine!

Marcella and Wes
You are such amazing hosts
Thanks for everything

Love, Marusia and Richard

Capote

The Film Club saw Capote at the Varsity on Friday November 4. Phillip Seymour Hoffman turns in an uncanny performance of writer Truman Capote - definitely Oscar-worthy - but if you're craving action or had a long day at work, don't see this film. I want my family to see it because it was filmed in Winnipeg. Hints include: the Old Dutch chips in the 50's style corner store, the prison shots of Stoney Mountain Penetentiary in the blistering winter sun, the St-Charles Hotel in the Exchange District downtown. Here's a piece of MM trivia: Dr and Mrs Hrushovetz had their wedding reception there in 1962 - I don't think the place looked as gritty then.

Ultimately, I found the film engrossing. It was probably a very accurate portrayal of this self-absorbed egotist who couldn't even be happy for his friend Nell Harper Lee when Capote attended the movie premiere of her book To Kill a Mockingbird. (Who knew that author Harper Lee was a woman? Catherine Keener turns in a note-perfect, low-key performance). Capote was also a master manipulator. The scenes in the prison when he keeps returning to talk to the accused murderer Perry are haunting. As the centre of attention at the cocktail parties in his circle, Capote repeatedly talks about honesty and truth, but he strings Perry along with lies that he's hardly written a word. All this so he can get him to reveal the events of the night of the murder. Strange that Capote never completed another book after In Cold Blood. Maybe I'll suggest it for book club. MMMm

Memories from TIFF 2004

I was rooting through the pile of photos on our external hard drive and found these treasures from TIFF 2004. Enjoy the panoplay of stars...



Sean Penn at the screening of The Assination of Richard Nixon, the 2004 group pick. Notice the crummy walls at the Ryerson Theatre. The reno in time for TIFF 2005 was a big improvement. As for the movie, like Sean said, "I can't say 'enjoy the film', but..." His performance was great but don't rent this unless you're an insomniac...















A good shot of Director John Waters and TIFF co-Director Noah Cowan. Johnny Knoxville striding by in his white suit. Not my favourite people or film but I like my pix of them ;-)

Red carpet shots of Chris Cooper and Daryl Hannah with Antonio - our own resident star. Plus, the entire cast of Silver City (can you find Billy Zane behind the chic at the mic?) Proof that the quality of the film is indirectly proportionate to the number of people onstage.

TIFF Top Picks

Attention filmlovers: If you attended TIFF 2005, I want to hear your Best and Worst picks of the fest. List at least 3 (and up to 5) in each category. This year, I saw 11 films (less than a third of Joe's 35) and enjoyed the diversity of my choices and the access to stars on the red carpet. After 13 years, I also think I'm getting better at film selection, but you be the judge:

MM's BEST of TIFF
1. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (for Robert Downey Jr's narration and the director's surprises)
2. Thumbsucker (for Keanu's lines and Tilda Swinton's and Lou Pucci's performances - see it in theatres now!)
3. C.R.A.Z.Y. (because it was real, touching and uniquely 70's Canadian)
4. a tie: Corpse Bride (for the chance to meet Johnny Depp on the red carpet at the Elgin) and Sympathy for Lady Vengeance (because I got to see it with Les Boys and it prompted such discussion afterward)
5. Sketches of Frank Gehry (for the relaxing pace and beautiful examples of his work)

MM's WORST of TIFF
1. Beowulf & Grendel (we walked out - need we say more?)
2. Entre ses mains (In His Hands) - how many times can you walk back into the arms of a killer?
3. Nanook of the North (well, at least the throatsingers were interesting)

Okay TIFF (and VIFF) veterans - let's hear from you! Post your comments on this blog or email me - you know where I live!

haikugirl / MM

When bad movies happen to good actors

As promised, Jan's review of The Dying Gaul.... really, really dying....

Hi MM
Saw The Dying Gaul last night - Campbell Scott, Patricia Clarkson & Peter Sarsgaard - how could you go wrong? Lotsa ways apparently. Sarsgaard plays a fledgling screen writer that has written a screenplay called The Dying Gaul - the story of a homosexual couple based on his own relationship with his former lover, now dead from AIDS. Scott plays the movie mogul that buys the play for one million dollars, on the condition that it is rewritten as a hetrosexual aids story. Clarkson is Scott's bored, smart, frustrated screen-writer wife. The couple form a tight relationship with Sarsgaard - Scott becomes his lover, and Clarkson begins to anonymously chat with him on gay chat sites. All sounds fairly promising, and you can't really blame the actors for the problems with this one. The pacing is off, and there are some bizarre cinematic choices, particularly to show the "chat" between Sarsgaard and Clarkson - at one point it is shown as their disembodied speaking heads. Made me think of SCTV's takes on Bergman, and I don't think that was the intention. Clunky, awkward, and boring. Have to give Sarsgaard points for the hysterical weeping breakdown he has after a sexual encounter with Scott - bizarre high pitched choking crying that was genuine enough to be uncomfortable to watch, but my praise ends there. This is apparently based on a play - can see that it could work well on the stage, but this is one reaaaaally bad adaptation.
-Jan

I love Jan's reviews
Too bad for Peter Sarsgaard
Just rent Garden State

Letter from VIFF

I wanted to post this letter with reviews from a friend attending the Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF) - thanks Jan:

Hi there Mary Margaret!
Hope all is well. Am currently in the throws of VIFF - and what a different experience! Imagine being able to get tickets to films you want to see just by walking up to a ticket wicket and asking for them...also, nice price (10 films, $87). Of course, you don't get the celebs either.

Have seen a couple of winners so far - The Squid & the Whale, which should come out soon. Laura Linney and Jeff Daniels as a couple, both writers - he also a prof, with a writing career on the demise, she on the rise. They divorce, and the story is largely about how it affects their two sons. Really liked it, an not just because Jeff Daniels' self-involved demi-god-wannabe character confirms every suspicion I have about profs/writers. Both funny & painful. Also a great comic role by Billy Baldwin as a local tennis pro. Also lovely was a french film When the Tide Comes In, about a travelling actress who gets involved with one of her audience members. Nice not only because the protagonists don't fit the ideal specs you'd find in a North American film. And finally, saw Life With my Father, Quebecois film about two sons dealing with their charismatic, ailing, womanizing father. Shades of the Barbarian Invasions, which I gather was being filmed at about the same time. Needed some editing, but otherwise quite good.

I am looking forward to seeing E.I.I. once VIFF is over - saw a bit on Gogol Bordello on The New Music, looks very fun. My next review will be for The Dying Gaul, with Campbell Scott.

Jan

Everything is Illuminated

This movie was at the festival on Mon Sept 12 at 9pm but I couldn't see it because I was at Dave Chappelle's Block Party. Instead, Mary Long and I picked it for our movie night out Fri Sept 30 when it opened in Toronto. We loved Everything is Illuminated MMMM and recommend it to friends and family. Other reviewers don't seem to agree.

Written for the screen and directed by Liev Schrieber (he of Scream 3, Manchurian Candidate and Hamlet fame) this is a solid directorial debut. Based on the critically-acclaimed novel by Jonathan Safran Foer, this film is all about the characters - including the dog. Elijah Wood (Jonathan) goes to Ukraine in search of a woman in an old photo who apparently helped his grandfather Safran escape the Nazis. Jonathan is a 'collector' literally collecting things he encounters and bagging them so he won't forget. When he gets to Ukraine, he finds Alex Jr as his 'trusted interpreter' and Alex's grandfather Alex Sr. as the 'certified guide' who says he's blind and won't travel without his 'seeing eye bitch' a hilarious dog named Sammy Davis Jr. Jr. This unlikely band travels through rural Ukraine (the credits suggest it's really Czechoslovakia) in their 'rigid search' for Trachimbrod - the town where the photo was apparently taken. This proves to be tougher than they thought because no one has heard of it.

Alex Jr's English is 'not so premium' but the actor Eugene Hutz he is also the lead singer of Gogol Bordello and wrote and performed much of the music on the movie's soundtrack - a kind of Ukrainian gypsy/pop/klezmer music. I think I'll pick it up to add to my own collection. This film is funny and touching, some scenes are wonderous, and it will make you pine for your own grandparents and past. My brother Steve should be the first to see it.

road trip through Ukraine
everything in the past is
illuminated

P.S. Movie clubbers, our next film is Elizabethtown, then Paradise Now.

ADPi photos

The ADPis are tired of being proper and prim... so starts one of our many songs. Coming soon to this space: photos and captions of the reunion. Stay tuned!

ADPi Reunion

Spent a wonderful, whirlwind weekend in Winnipeg at my sorority reunion Sept 23-25. Alpha Delta Pi (Beta Theta chapter) celebrated 75 years at the University of Manitoba campus and sisters travelled from far and near to attend: Anna Dovolis came from Minneapolis, Shelley Blair came from Hamilton, Jennifer Yeo came from Vernon, BC, Laura Drosdowech came from New York, and Karen Arnold and Monica Hertzberg were there to laugh, sing and party. I got to attend all the events with my Mom because she was an ADPi before me (making me a legacy). We had lunch and a tour at the Manitoba Legislature on Friday, Sept. 23rd, a gala Dinner & Dance at the Hotel Fort Garry on Saturday night, complete with a group photo and lots of singing, and a brunch on Sunday before I had to leave on the Air Canada flight with Shelley to come back to Toronto. It was so heartwarming to see so many dear friends and mothers again (several of us were legacies and some Moms have been in sorority over 50 years). The ADPis also sing to a sweetheart at every formal and this year my Dad was chosen as sweetheart. I even managed to squeeze in a drink with my movie reviewer friend Alison Gillmor on Friday night at the Hotel Ft. Garry - what a beautiful living landmark! Hardev, sorry I missed you but it gave me lots of ideas for our 25th SJR Reunion next year. Photos to follow.

Sketches of Frank Gehry

I liked this documentary of architect Frank Gehry. Directed by his friend Sydney Pollack, I loved seeing shots of Frank's buildings around the world, watching him work with paper models in his studio, seeing him react to the people and things he encounters in his world. Lots of great interviews with artists and celebrities who have commissioned him. A great example of how a documentary can inspire instead of bore. I want my Dad to see it. MMMM

Last VISA: Nanook

Nanook of the North was our last VISA screening at the Elgin. I liked the original score and Inuit throatsingers. Antonio found the movie interesting but didn't like the accompaniment. Rich didn't really care for it. He perked up at a late nite steak dinner. This is considered one of the original documentaries filmed in the last century. Critics say it was staged. Yeah, well so is reality TV. There were a lot of long shots. I mean endlessly long shots. And when you watch Nanook kill and eat all the animals it got kind of depressing. Did I mention the music was nice? Anyway, it wasn't my last film so there is a chance for redemption. MM for the orchestra - thanks for coming out.

Sympathy for Lady Vengeance

This is the third vengeance instalment by South Korean Director Park Chan-Wook, who introduced the film. He did Old Boy and Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance. Sympathy for Lady Vengeance is an interesting but sometimes gory film - nothing as pointless or bad as Beowulf. Through an interpreter, the director told the audience his film had a reputation for being violent but he said he showed it to his 10 year-old daughter who was unaffected. I think he's nuts. Lady Vengeance spends time in a tough female prison for a crime she didn't commit. The real perp is a male teacher who kidnaps students, sexually abuses and kills them, then moves to the next school. He kidnapped Lady V's young daughter to blackmail her into taking the fall for his crime. Her time in prison is punctuated by a series of bizarre and kinda evil cellmates. While in prison, Lady dabbles in revenge, killing meaner inmates when they torment other, weaker ones. When Lady is released, she focuses on finding the real kidnapper and then brings the parents of his victims together to give them a chance to get even. This part is the most fascinating/ grisly/ humourous and is the reason to keep watching till the end. From the sumptuous opening titles, this film is a pretty good thriller (better than the originals of The Ring and The Grudge.) See it if you're in the mood to watch bad karma in action. MMMm

Lady seeks revenge
Kills to find a kidnapper
Prison girl with plan

Beowulf & Grendel

Okay. Not all filmfest movies are good. Seems the more cast members they bring onstage the worse the film is (another case in point: Silver City by John Sayles). Ivana and I left Beowulf & Grendel after 25 minutes. The constant grunting, deadly swordplay and hairy Grendel and his family got to us. After a tiring week, we didn't have the strength to put up with a film like this at 9pm Wednesday. Only redeeming thing: Gerard Butler was Beowulf and he is also in the running to be the next Bond. He looked pretty good.... Unless you loved this poem in university, don't bother. I give it only M for effort.

Thumbsucker (with Keanu)

"Have you seen my photo of Keanu?" That's been my opening gambit with everyone I meet for the past 24 hours. Saw him on the red carpet Tuesday night Sept 13 along with Tilda Swinton as a towering platinum blonde . I told her: "I loved you in Constantine." She responded: "Thanks. He's here." And 10 minutes later Keanu made his way slowly toward us through the lobby of the Elgin. Writer/Director Mike Mills was also there along with stars Kelli Garner and Lou Pucci, who did an outstanding job playing Justin - a 17-year old in Oregon who still sucks his thumb. Justin's new-age orthodontist Perry (Keanu) tries using hypnosis to help him stop. Justin goes along for a while but is still floundering at school and in his relationship with Rebecca (Kelli Garner). His anger at Perry erupts and he and his parents Audrey (Tilda Swinton) and Mike (Vincent D'Onofrio) are called in for a meeting at school. Justin is pegged as ADHD and prescribed Ritalin, which his parents reluctantly let him take. Justin's transformation is dramatic: he reads Moby Dick in a single night and provides college-level analysis in class. He becomes a compelling debater and leads the school team to several successive victories. His new-found confidence and clarity are impressing everyone and scaring his teacher Vince Vaughn. Meanwhile, Audrey - an RN who is fasinated with a TV star played by Benjamin Bratt - takes a new job working at a celebrity drug rehab facility and Justin is convinced they are having an affair. When Justin's debating rival sees him taking Ritalin before a competition, he berates him: "Don't you know it's just speed. It's only 3 molecules different than cocaine." Justin adopts this battle cry and we watch as changes continue in life without the drug.

This is a movie with many small, beautiful moments and fabulous writing and performances. Keanu's monotone delivery is perfect for his role; Tilda Swinton is lovely as the loving mom and dedicated nurse; Benjamin Bratt has a delightful cameo as the addicted star. I really loved it when Justin's kid brother tells him: "You think you're the only one with problems? While you were out being crazy, I had to step up and be normal." SEE THIS FILM! You will finish by cheering for Thumbsucker the movie - and the actor. MMMMM

More Johnny

For all of you who LOVE Johnny Depp and were downloading my photo with him (maybe the silliest photo ever taken), here are some unadulterated photos of him.




And Tim
And Helena

Tim Burton's Corpse Bride
Lots of fun and eye candy
red carpet action

Dave Chappelle's Block Party

Okay, this movie's for Richard's niece Lisa who loves rap music. Dave Chappelle is boy from the 'hood who became a successful comedian - so successful that he's worth $50 million. So he decides to throw a block party. And he walks around inviting people with a bullhorn. And even travels to Dayton, Ohio to invite the band from Drumline and other locals (the middle-aged lady who runs the corner store whom we see struggling with her packing saying "I don't know what to wear to a rap party.") Lots of memorable moments on film. Three busloads of people from Dayton show up in Brooklyn at this designated street corner (which is not really publicized but people just go and figure it out) and Dave is his ineffable self throughout. Laugh-out-loud funny, this film gets MMMM from me for being a great 'home movie'. Said hello to Director Michel Gondry who did Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and directed several innovative music videos for The Chemical Brothers, Bjork, and The White Stripes. As Now writer Cameron Bailey said when he introduced the film and director: "If your music collection includes nothing but bands that Michel Gondry has made videos for, you're doing all right." This film is a work in progress but I loved its raw quality and the eclectic mix of people at the Elgin. Lots of great rap performances - which, I'll admit got a bit tiresome after a while - but seeing Lauren Hill and Wycliffe Jean at the end and Dave's hilarious banter (and musical riffs) throughout made up for the two hours I had lost the night before. Block Party would be a good DVD to rent and put in the background at a party. Music and laughter truly are the universal languages.

Entre ses mains

Saw this French film Sunday night Sept. 11 with Director Anne Fontaine, lead actress Anne Carré and producer Philippe Carcassonne in the house. Piers said this was a thriller in the style of Claude Chabrol. He means French New Wave Director Claude Chabrol who did the thriller "La Femme Infidèle" in 1968, which was the basis for the American remake Unfaithful with Diane Lane and Richard Gere. Just like that film bugged me, so did Entre ses mains. The title means "In his hands" which is stupid because it was all about a female insurance adjuster who gets increasingly involved with her client, a vet. Meanwhile we keep hearing reports about Dr. Death, the serial murderer loose in town. The vet (who is already creepy looking and keeps visiting her at work) is an obvious suspect, especially when he makes comments like: "they say he uses a scalpel, much like this one" while he's suturing a sedated lionness. Anne even brings her daughter to visit this guy at the zoo where he also works. Even his mother is scary looking. Meanwhile Anne has a beautiful daughter and loving husband at home. But she keeps going out to meet this guy, just like those crazy people in movies who run back into the burning building or head straight for the basement when they're cornered by an axe murderer. Stuff like this really pisses me off. So really, Entre ses mains was not "in his hands" at all - all Anne's (lead and director) had options which they ignored. And they set the film in Lille, possibly the least romantic city in France, especially during the winter when this film was shot. I give this frustrating piece MM, which is generous. Don't see this unless you a) like watching smart women make foolish choices or b) have a couple of extra hours in your life to burn.

C.R.A.Z.Y.

Saw TIFF veterans Joe & Shawn at the Osgoode subway before meeting the group.



C.R.A.Z.Y. was this year's group pick - a tender movie about Zac, one of 5 brothers in the Beaulieu household in Montreal. Zac is born on Christmas Day in 1960 and we follow him growing up, struggling to fit in and coming to terms with his sexuality. The family scenes are very real and touching and although this movie was long I enjoyed it and gave it MMMMm. Based on the true story of the writer's life, it took 10 years to get made. Richard was less enthusiastic and found it tedious. Moses Znaimer was there but I don't know his reaction. I thought the performances were outstanding - especially Zac and his father Michel Cote. This should get a lot of Genie nominations.

Tim Burton's Corpse Bride

Sat. Sept 10 was Tim Burton's Corpse Bride and it was exciting to see everyone on the red carpet. Got Johnny Depp's autograph and saw both Tim and his life partner Helena all looking fabulous. The movie itself is a 78-minute stop action animation based on an Eastern European fairy tale. Johnny Depp is Victor who is betrothed to Victoria (Emily Watson). After a few missteps at the wedding rehearsal, Victor is told by the pastor emphatically: "Learn your vows." He goes off into the woods to practice and is overheard by Emily (Helena Bonham-Carter) who immediately accepts his unwitting proposal. A few pints with the dead later, Victor gets back to the living to find Victoria but Emily whisks him back down below before they can reconnect. Resigned, Victor makes plans to go ahead with his marriage to his corpse bride while Emily's parents find a new suitor in Lord Batchkiss, who is only after Emily's family fortune. Everything comes together in the big ol' wedding scene at the end, but which bride will prevail?

Fans of Tim Burton and The Nightmare Before Christmas will love this film. Richard wondered who this guy's audience is. I give it MMMM - for the excitement of seeing Johnny Depp and the adorable skeleton dog Scraps. Music by Danny Elfman (who was also at the screening) was great fun. Not sure if kids can handle the scary looking imagery (eyeballs in soup, talking maggots) but it captured and held my attention. If you're not a diehard Burton fan, wait for the DVD.

We love Johnny Depp
Gracious on the red carpet
Tim's Corpse Bride is fun

Shopgirl

Friday Sept 9 at 9:00pm was Shopgirl starring Steve Martin, Claire Danes and Jason Schwartzman, all of whom were onstage at "the beautiful and historic Elgin Theatre" with TIFF Director Piers Handling and film director Anand Tucker. This was a nice film about romance and longing in everyday lives but afterwards I didn't know whether I felt more sad or more hopeful. Piers called it "note perfect" but since he is the co-conspirator who practically invented The Code, I don't quite agree. I think Ivana's comment that it's "this year's P.S." is more accurate. See both and let me know what you think.

Interesting that my first two films at the fest both had voice-over narration: Thursday's used to perfect effect, Friday's used to insert as much of the text of Steve Martin's novella as possible. After the almost-jarring unpredictability of Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, Shopgirl seemed to reflect a few familiar cliches. Still, I liked how this movie was shot. It had a languid style that reminded me at times of Wong Kar Wai's In The Mood For Love (and with a similar pervasive and haunting soundtrack). The charming shot of the starry sky that pans down to the glowing skylight in Mirabelle's bedroom is as magical as the swoopy camera moves that I loved in Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas. We're seeing his latest fable (Corpse Bride) tonight.

I would rate Shopgirl MMMM. That last M is a capital and not lowercase only because Claire Danes is so compelling as Mirabelle Buttersfield. It's really about her everyday life working at SAKS in LA after moving from Vermont. When romance disrupts her routine, at first she is reluctant to let it in, but then she starts to embrace it with growing desire (and nudity). Steve plays Ray Porter, a rich computer executive and sexy sugar daddy (is that what most girls want?) while Jason plays Jeremy, the an offbeat (wierdo?) artist whose unbelievable cheapness and crazy comments on their first dates makes everyone's (including Mirabelle's) eyes pop. Both Ray and Jeremy have different ways of showing their loving side and it's interesting to watch how these relationships unfold. It's also hilarious to watch the scenes with Bridgette Wilson-Sampras but ultimately, this movie has a cast of three. When Ray and Mirabelle are intercut debriefing their relationship (he with a shrink and she with her girlfriends) it is chilling to see the canyon that exists between their perceptions and the onscreen reality. Mirabelle's visit home to her parents in Vermont is also unsettling but her wardrobe is as amazing as Cate Blanchett's in The Aviator - rent the DVD if you haven't yet!

Claire Danes as Shopgirl
Does she want Steve or Jason?
three lives in LA

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang

Saw this film opening night Sept 8 when everyone else was at Water. Loved Kiss Kiss Bang Bang enough to give it MMMMM (that's 5 M's on the MM rating scale!) Robert Downey Jr. & Val Kilmer were both at the screening looking fabulous and sounding hilarious. Also onstage with TIFF managing Director Michele Maheux (alaso looking fabulous) was the beautiful co-star Michelle Monaghan, and Producer Joel Silver (of The Matrix fame and fortune) dressed in a pink suit with pink hi-tops. Writer/Director Shane Black (he of The Long Kiss Goodnight and Lethal Weapon fame) did a brilliant job on this film: snappy dialogue, hilarious and creative scenes and images, all narrated by the adorable Downey Jr (who came to the fest with his new wife.)

Right from the hypnotic opening credits - part James Bond, part 60s cop show - this film kept me guessing and laughing and left me with questions even after the credits rolled. Downey Jr plays Harry Lockhart - a petty thief who stumbles into an audition, gets the part, and jets off to Hollywood where he meets "Gay Perry" (Val Kilmer) - a real-life private detective who also consults on movies. Harry also runs into his childhood sweetheart Harmony (Michelle Monaghan) and the next five days and nights begin to unfold. When Perry takes Harry on a stakeout, the body count starts climbing and the boys realize they are working on a bigger case they they thought - one that may involve Corbin Bernsen (shocking, I know;-) Lots of twists and turns - and some of the most original, memorable movie lines in years. GO SEE THIS FILM when it comes out September 16. Be warned, some parts are very violent - and poor Harry goes through way more in 5 days in the Valley than anyone would want to endure in their lifetime - but the resolution is worth it, even if it does beg a few questions. Like: who was that girl in the bear commercial? Anyway, please come back and post your movie comments/theories once you see it this fall. And now for Haiku 1 of the fest:

See Kiss Kiss Bang Bang
Robert Downey Jr is
so adorable

Green Acres

I read today that this year's Emmy Awards on Sept. 18, Donald Trump and Megan Mullally (Karen from Will and Grace) are just two of the stars who will be singing musical tributes to TV theme songs. The two will sing a duet of the theme song from the 60's TV show Green Acres starring Eddie Albert and Eva Gabor. It made me want to remember the words, since I usually know all the words to all the songs, and I had seen the show so many times when I was young.
So here's what I remember - please sing along if you recall the tune:

(he) Green Acres is the place to be
Farm livin' is the life for me
Land stretching out a far and wide
Keep Manhattan - just look at that countryside!

(she) New York is where I'd rather stay
I get allergic smelling hay
I just adore a penthouse view
Darling I love you, but give me Park Avenue

do-do-do-do-do (he) The chores
do-do-do-do-do (she) The stores!
do-do-do-do-do (he) Fresh air
do-do-do-do-do (she) Times Square

(he) You are my wife
(she) Goodbye city life
(both) Green Acres we are there!

So were you humming along? I hope so.
Thursday night I see my first film... please check back throughout the fest for my reviews!
Good night.... MM

Bon festival!

The results are in! For the first time, the festival box office let me know my final picks via email. No need to line up for hours on Labour Day - whoo hoo! Here is my schedule for the week:

Thurs Sept 8 - Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang
Fri Sept 9 - Shopgirl
Sat Sept 10 - Tim Burton's Corpse Bride
Sun Sept 11 - the group pick: C.R.A.Z.Y at 6:00 at Paramount 2
followed by Entre ses mains at 9:00 at the Elgin
Mon Sept 12 - Dave Chappelle's Block Party
Tues Sept 13 - Thumbsucker
Wed Sept 14 - Beowulf & Grendel
Thurs Sept 15 - Sympathy for Lady Vengeance
Fri Sept 16 - Nanook of the North
Sat Sept 17 - Sketches of Frank Gehry

That's a total of 11 films in 10 days - all with a full-time work schedule. Can't wait!

It's festival time
Toronto's ten-day party
Watch the stars come out

Frustration and elation

Tried calling the TIFF box office and going online today to see which box number they chose to start processing ticket orders. When Pavlina and I dropped off our picks on Thursday after work, we were in Box 20. Ivana was dropping off on Friday before the 1:00pm deadline. Wish I could get some response. Guess I won't know till tomorrow - the holiday Monday is when we can start picking up our tickets and see how many of our first choices we got.

Saturday night we were invited for a lovely dinner with friends. Amazing food, great company, wonderful conversation - a perfect evening!

Filmfest box office
When I call there's no one home
Want to know my picks

Sweet Saturday night
Dinner with the Azoulays
Thanks for a great time!

Decisions, decisions

Now that the screening schedule is released, it's time to pick our film for the annual group outing. Please note: I have VISA screenings each night at 9:00 so I'll have to run if we choose something before those. Also, Pavlina had suggested the GALA Elizabethtown at 9:00 on Sat Sept 10 but I have Tim Burton's Corpse Bride that night and don't want to give it up. We could all go to Elizabethtown on Sunday noon at Ryerson but not sure if the stars will come out. Whatever you all prefer. Here are my suggestions - please give me your top 3 to ensure 2nd choices:

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang Thur. Sept 8 9:45, Ryerson
It's by the screenwriter of A Long Kiss Goodnight and stars Robert Downey Jr and Val Kilmer in a "buddy film noir". Could be fun and the trailers look good (even though Rich HATES Val Kilmer) and it's the first night of the fest so I have no other movie commitments.

Shopgirl Fri. Sept 9 9:00, Elgin VISA Screening Room
Based on the novella by Steve Martin, he also stars with Claire Danes and Jason Schwartzman (I heart Huckabees). I'm already going (it's in my VISA series) but would love to meet before for drinks/dinner if anyone's free.

Romance & Cigarettes Tues. Sept. 13, 6:00 Elgin
Susan Sarandon, James Gandolfini (singing Tom Jones), Kate Winslet, Steve Buscemi and Christopher Walken. Directed by John Turturro. Produced by the Coen brothers. Nuff said.

Second choices are on Sunday and Tuesday:

Thinking (but not too hard) about The Mistress of Spices (with that gorgeous woman from Bride and Prejudice) OR Bee Season with Richard Gere. Both are Sunday around 6:00, same as...

C.R.A.Z.Y. Sun. Sept. 11, 6:00 Paramount 2
Set in Montreal in the 70's (Alison do you hear the call?) We haven't been to a Canadian film in a while but I haven't seen any of this guy's work so who knows but description sounds good (we know the danger of the 'code')

Thumbsucker Tues. Sept. 13, 9:00 Elgin
I am going since it's in my VISA series but Vince Vaughn and Keanu should make it kinda neat. So if you wanna join Ivana and I, please do....

3 Needles Sun. Sept. 11, 11:45AM Paramount 2
By the Canadian director who did The Hanging Garden. The repercussions of AIDS on 3 continents. Could be heavy but may be heralded. Stars Chloe Sevigny, Sandra Oh, Olympia Dukakis and Lucy Liu.

Please weigh in with your comments or other suggestions and we can decide. We have to hand in the tickets by Friday.

Las peliculas

Today the Toronto Internation Film Festival (TIFF) released the official film list - everything that will appear at the 2005 festival from September 8-17. Scrolling through the list of titles and directors (no links to descriptions yet) things look pretty good. I am already hedging my bets about which films might be in my VISA Screening Room series each night at 9:00pm and thinking about which additional films I want to cram into my 10 days of movie madness.

For the second year in a row, I will be giving an informal lunchtime presentation on the topic of the film festival. About 30 colleagues usually attend and I plan to talk about this year's notable films (and stars), how to buy tickets and my not-so-scientific-method of picking what films to see. I usually approach it first by director, then by title ( if it's particularly unique or interesting) and finally by word of mouth or buzz.

More on my film selection theories in the next blog. Now it's time for RockStar: INXS!

Red Eye and Me and You

Saw Red Eye on opening weekend. New "it girl" Rachel McAdams from Ontario did a great job (opposite that creepy Cillian Murphy who was recently in Batman Begins). She's even more fun in Wedding Crashers. (See Aug 10 blog entry "Summer Vacation" for more on that film.)

Still want to see Broken Flowers (trailer looks awesome) but did get to the small, charming movie Me and You and Everyone We Know written and directed by performance artist Miranda July.

Oh, and you've got to rent Kung Fu Hustle. Although a bit gory, it was so much fun and the soundtrack was great. Rent it and send me your comments.

SJR Reunion

Discussion is already underway about the 2006 SJR Reunion... it will be 25 years for the class of '81. We started a team blog: www.sjr81.blogspot.com

Consensus on the dates is on or around the August Long Weekend in 2006. The school is holding a Homecoming in Winnipeg this weekend, Aug. 26-28 2005 so we may want to coordinate with that date next year to maximize attendance and support.

We'll get an evite out shortly so start collecting email address.

Class of '81
Come to Winnipeg next year
Can't wait to see you!

Summer Vacation

Just got back from our summer vacation out west: Calgary and Winnipeg. Nice to see family but what a whirlwind! I managed to read The Rule of Four in 4 days (is that part of the rule?) The pacing and puzzle is similar to The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown. Rich is now reading Angels and Demons. (I get it next.)

Saw Wedding Crashers in Toronto before we left - lots of fun. My Uncles tell me they used to crash all kinds of weddings in Winnipeg. Who knew?

My brother Stephen is a star dancer at the Ukrainian-Kyiv pavilion at Folklorama, Winnipeg's annual cultural festival. Too bad we missed him perform because we had a plane to catch. My brothers, Richard and I hit a few pavilions ourselves on Saturday night including the Celtic Ireland Pavilion. It had been almost 20 years since I was singing along to the Unicorn song with an Irish Rover (first time at Expo '86 in Vancouver.)

Looks like there are a lot of reunions to plan/attend in 2006: 20 years since Expo, 25 years since SJR, and an ADPi 75th Anniversary coming up fast this September. Anna and Shelley - I'll go if you go... We'll see in a month.

Next movie I plan to rent is Kung Fu Hustle. The trailer looks awesome! Ivana will be sorry she dissed it!

Club Book et Club Film

Club Book meets tonight at The Pilot to discuss Portnoy's Complaint by Philip Roth.

Club Film meets next Friday. Ivana suggested Don't Move (Non ti Muovere) which sounds good. It screened at Talk Cinema in April and the discussion afterward was apparently "feisty". Penelope turned 31 yesterday and supposedly does a good job in Italian in this one. Check out the imdb writeup.

I just hope it is playing by next week. Otherwise, there may be other stuff to check out starting May 6 (except Crash which Ivana and I saw at the fest which was good but I don't want to see it again.) Tell Them Who You Are (a popular documentary made by the son about his filmmaker father) starts May 13 so that would be my alternate vote. Look for your choices at etonline, my best source for release dates.

Finally, don't go see Sin City. It hurt. (I think Frank Miller is a misogynist.) Do rent the combination of Finding Neverland and Spongebob Squarepants (The Movie). "I'm ready promotion, I'm ready promotion...."

Accomplishments

It is always such a pleasure to connect with old friends - virtually and in person. Yesterday I got an email from a high school buddy who just finished writing a novel. Then I met up with some former coworkers for a beer or two at the Duke of York and we toasted to projects completed and projects to come.

Speaking of projects completed, our basement reno is (mostly) over. Over 7 weeks total and still stuff left to be done. It's starting to look good which is encouraging. Too bad I am not encouraged to clean (as I explain in my haiku)

where do I begin
to clean my disheveled house
let's rent a movie

On another note, I am so proud of my Dad. He started a blog when he was here in Toronto and is adding to it regularly. Visit him and post a comment at http://docsam.blogspot.com

6 weeks down, 1 to go

After 6 (seemingly endless) weeks, our basement reno is ALMOST finished. R & I are off to Vegas but my Dad is kindly housesitting while we are away. Still working on that slideshow to depict all the transitions - the changes are quite staggering and exciting. "And expensive," adds Dad.

Wallets are empty
Dust covers our lungs and home
Vegas is calling

Looking to win big
at Casinos on the Strip
Viva Las Vegas

Sweet Saturday

Aaaaaah! Saturday morning, 9:00am: no sound of construction - yet. For the past 5 weeks, we have been renovating our basement and back entrance. A dirty job - glad we're paying someone else to do it. And they're almost done now (phew!) but we are still waiting for it to be over. Although it might not be the massive stress or displacement of a kitchen or bathroom reno, any job - no matter what size - still turns your routine and your home upside down. The glimmer of hope is that soon we will be enjoying the fruits of their labour - just in time for Spring. Already we have seen such incredible progress and such quality work. Only 5 more days to go...Hooray!

Last night I was out with my wonderful friend Michelle and saw Loser Takes All (Qui Perd Gagne!) at Cinefranco - the 8th Annual French film festival held at the Royal Cinema on College St west of Bathurst. The movie was fun and starred Thierry L'Hermitte (love him) as a gambler in the south of France who helps police catch a lottery scammer. The story ends up in Vegas and so will I in a week. Michelle & I enjoyed a delightful martini and dinner beforehand at Kalendar. Very cute place and we sat on the patio. More aaaaah. Now I have to get down to my taxes. Blech.

Thierry L'Hermitte
Still sexy at fifty-three
Aaaah, les hommes français

Happy Anniversary

A year ago March 29th, I started my (very enjoyable and rewarding) government job as Senior E-Learning Consultant. I am lucky to work in a great team dedicated to furthering the learning of all 60,000 members of the Ontario Public Service - the second largest employer in the country.

In a few days I will be wrapping work on our latest e-learning module, a completely rebuilt Orientation to our initiative. I have been the writer/director/producer of this project and was smart enough to engage diligent and capable consultants to help me deliver on time and within budget.

Soon the course will be behind our firewall - click here for a sneak peek.

Time for dinner and Idol on Fox (well, CTV) ;-) haikugirl

WICKED was Wicked!

Last night I had a great evening: a delicious dinner at Reds with lelizard and then off to the Canon Theatre to see the musical Wicked. AWESOME! The "untold story of the witches of Oz" was really wonderful - amazing cast and music, great staging and costumes. One of the themes has been haunting me all day. Too bad the Toronto run is already sold out. Thanks so much to my friend for scoring and sharing her awesome orchestra seats.

After a marathon Good Friday service at church today (over 2 hours!) we rented I (heart) Huckabees and Napoleon Dynamite. The first was quite funny and interesting (with a soundtrack reminiscent of Magnolia) but the second was disappointing. I retreated upstairs to post because it got so tedious. Bed is calling but first a few haiku:

I (heart) Huckabees
existential comedy
cast of shining stars

life is too short for
Napoleon Dynamite
where is my refund?

Wicked was awesome
witches and people can be
good or bad or both

haikugirl welcomes you

welcome to my blog
technology as memoir
sharing thoughts online

Blogging is big and haikugirl has jumped in with both feet. On the recommendation of lelizard, I used blogger.com to join the weblog (i.e. 'blog') craze. Now I just have to get over my editing compulsion and relax when I click Publish Post.

I want to give you the latest news, views and photos in this blog - and offer a daily dose of my urban haiku. Feel free to send me your comments or haiku. Remember:

the haiku form is
5 - 7 - 5 syllables
always on 3 lines

Tomorrow night I am going to see Wicked with lelizard and whenever we've called for a dinner reservation the place is booked. MAN that's annoying! Like when people walk in front of you... slowly.

Anyways sweet dreams my lovelies and talk to you online tomorrow!
-haikugirl