Skripper Time

Hugh Jackman's One Man Show: Wolverine, I Love You.

Colin Firth, we have a problem.  I've just returned from Hugh Jackman's one man show at The Princess of Wales Theatre, and I think he has just ousted you from my #1 slot in my Fave Five. 

Honestly, I can't say that I have enjoyed a show more in the last few years.  That man has more talent in his pinky (especially when said pinky is being wagged in very enthusiastic 'jazz hands') than most people in Hollywood have in their entire botoxed and buffed bodies.  The show was spectacular - he charmed the audience with stories, interspersed with show tunes, singing, dancing and gushes of handsomeness.

The songs ranged from pop songs to a whole medley from "The Man From Oz"  - completely in Peter Allen fabulousness, sequined shirt tied neatly around Wolverine abs (Hugh won a Tony for that role), to a whole tribute to musicals (Singing in the Rain, Sing Sing Sing. etc).  He also did a lovely tribute at the end to the Aboriginal people of Australia, narrated by Olive Knight, a leader in Aboriginal politics and causes in Australia. Complete with a backup orchestra and two foxy female singers, he owned the stage - prowling around it with energy, joy and absolute abandon.

And that's really what I love about Hugh Jackman - whether hosting the Oscars, the Tonys, or slicing and dicing as Wolverine, you really, truly get the sense that he loves what he does.  And he does everything with gusto and heart and pours himself into it.  He told a story about how his main philosophy is to "have a go" at things.  So far so good Hugh!

Did I mention that I was in the 4th row?  And that meant when he came into the audience, I could basically have flung myself into his arms?  It was only for the sake of the show that I remained in my seat - it was so entertaining, even my passion for him couldn't stop it.  I seriously considered chucking my bra at him, but as most breast feeding mothers know, spontaneously removing your bra in public is never a good idea.

There was a moment, yes a MOMENT, that Hugh was singing right to me.  Stared right in my eyes, grinned and belted it out.  Swoon.

My friend Oprah told me that Hugh Jackman is one of the nicest celebrities that she ever met, and I don't doubt it for a second.  Rock on Wolverine!  Have you seen the number he did with Neil Patrick Harris at this year's Tony Awards?  See below - fantastic!

 

Barney's Version - Paul Giamatti Shines Again

Tonight, courtesy of my friends at eOne, I got a sneak peek at "Barney's Version" the movie based on the book of the same name by Mordecai Richler.   The book chronicles about 40 years of the life of Barney Panofsky - a Jewish television producer from Montreal.  I went in with some expectations - it had been well received at TIFF, and Paul Giamatti had just been nominated for a Golden Globe. 

The movie didn't disappoint - as Barney Panofsky, Giamatti delivers a very strong performance of a flawed man who believes deeply in love, but also has a very selfish, arrogant side that manifests in terrible behaviour.  Giamatti, with his trademark morose, schlubness moves back and forth between lovely and asshole seamlessly, and once again manages to make the audience both appreciate and sympathize with a fundamentally flawed character.

It also sports a strong supporting cast: Scott Speedman, one of my favourites from the days of Felicity, is great as Barney's friend who goes from focused and brilliant to a disaster of a junkie. Minnie Driver playing a spoiled, vapid daughter of a wealthy businessman, delivers a solid performance as Barney's second wife and Dustin Hoffman shines in the role of Barney's rough around the edges retired-cop dad. And finally, Rosamund Pike delights as Barney's third wife.

I haven't read the book (despite owning a copy for the past 5 or 6 years) but you certainly don't need to before you see the movie.  I'm sure that Montreallers will have a heyday spotting all of the landmarks in the movie (which is filmed largely in the city).  I wouldn't classify it as a comedy, but it has some very funny moments, interlaced with some very poignant ones as well. There's Oscar buzz building for Giamatti, which I think is well-deserved.

All in all, I would give it a solid 8.5/10 - and would recommend it as a holiday choice.  It's in theatres December 25th - add it to your list!

 

How to be Alone - Tanya Davis

I stumbled across this lovely artist through a Facebook link - and after watching I thought sharing was in order.  Having learned over the years exactly what it is to be alone, and how to be comfortable with it, I found that Tanya hits all the right notes.  I highly recommend going to the movies by yourself - even though when you tell your friends about it they'll look at you with a mix of incredulity and pity.

"How to be Alone" is a video by filmaker, Andrea Dorfman, and poet/singer/songwriter, Tanya Davis.

Davis wrote the beautiful poem and performed in the video which Dorfman directed, shot, animated by hand and edited. For more information on Tanya, go to http://www.tanyadavis.ca For more information on Andrea Dorfman, visit her facebook page http://www.facebook.com/pages/Andrea-Dorfman-Films/110789... (Background info cut and paste liberally from their Youtube page)

 

 

10 Great Things About Summer

Okay.  It's been a while since I have posted - time has been flying by...weeks turned into months and suddenly I'm rounding August.  I sat on the couch today and started thinking about all the great things that I've done, seen, experienced and had enter the realm of Skripper during the past summer weeks.  So, here goes with my summery top 10 list:

1. Sugarland: Yeah, I'm a little bit country. I went to see Sugarland at the Molson Amphitheatre.  It was a raucous, joyful, belt-it-out kinda show that left me wanting more.  Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush so clearly, openly and obviously love their job and their music that they nailed the entire show.  Didn't hurt that they had a kick-ass set.  Rock on country singers!
   
   
    
   
2. Emilie Jane:  My sweet little god daughter arrived in the world and jumped in my heart.  I will enjoy spending as much time as I can with her before she travels back to Sri Lanka.  Doesn't hurt that her mother and cutest of big brothers are also around for me to enjoy.
   
   
   
   
   
3. Muskoka: Let's hear it for cottage country, docks, warm summer days, ice-cold drinks and reading books lying with one hand shading the sun from your eyes.  Oh, and don't forget encountering deer and wild turkeys on your morning run.
   
   
4. Eclipse: Vampires and werewolves.  I hate to love 'em, I love to hate 'em.  Seriously though, is there any better entertainment than sitting, eating buttery popcorn while watching the Velveeta cheesy teen angst that is Twilight drip across the theatre screen?  Ok, maybe a Sugarland concert - but there's a time and place for everything.



5. TMN and HBO Canada:  Thank-you for saving my summer television viewing.  Thank-you for Nurse Jackie and that great build to the season finale, and thanks for bringing the Entourage boys back. ARI - how I've missed you.
   
   
   
6. My Garden:  I love my garden.  This year it's a bit jungle-ish, but it brightens my day every morning and every evening.  Worth the effort every year.
   
   
   
7. Mitsubishi City Chase:  Team "The Sally Drapers" chased and were victorious.  Oddly enough, we finished far ahead of many of the teams who were running through the city.  We chose to meander and use our very intelligent brains to shave time off our events.  Highlights from this year - watching Sarah pour a shot into a glass that was balanced on her head, and doing an obstacle course in the 30 degree sunshine, only to learn that we had to do it TWICE.  Le merde. 
   
   
   
8. Air conditioning: Sorry David Suzuki...it had to be done.



9. My guy:  He likes me, I like him.  'Nuff said.



10. Everything that's yet to come:  Hey - there's still bits of July, all of August and some of September to go.  Sky's the limit:  a cottage rental with friends and family, couple of pool parties, ice-cream cones, front porch conversations, and some biking to work, along with some running for good measure.

Here's to you Summer of 2010 - so far so good.  Looking forward to seeing what you've got in store for the rest. 

Kick-Ass The Movie: Superheroes in Scuba Suits

"With no power comes no responsibility- why hasn't anyone become a Super Hero?”

Parents: Be warned that 'Kick-Ass The Movie' is not meant for your children.  Not if they are under the age of 14.  Or something around that age (I'm not a parent - but take my word for it.  This movie is NOT 'The Incredibles').

Right.  Now that I've saved parents everywhere months of nightmares with their children, I'll return to my review.  I spent tonight at a special screening of 'Kick-Ass The Movie', courtesy of the kind folk at Maple Pictures.  Did I mention that it was in the Varsity VIP Screening Room, and that there was free popcorn (and runners to get extra topping and shakers...sweet).

I didn't really know much about the movie, other than it was about superheroes and that it had a cute little kid in it.  It stars the appropriately geeky Aaron Johnson, the precocious and very cute in a bad ass sort of way Chloe Moretz, Nicolas Cage as her tormented, vengeful superhero wannabe Dad and Mark Strong, reprising his dark, villainous role that has frequented his career.  The story unfolds as we watch Dave Lizewski, typical high school nerd, visible only to punks and thugs that steal his lunch money and torment him at school, decide that he should don the mantle of a superhero ('Kick-Ass!' complete with scuba suit and velvet piping) to save the world, one misadventure at a time.

As you imagine, it doesn't go so well for Dave in the beginning, but as the story unfolds, so does the complications and the violence.  Yes, that's right, holy violence Batman!  I spent more than a few scenes peeking through my fingers as blood and body parts flew.  Think Pulp Fiction meets Dark Knight.  Gory.  Guts.  Not for the faint of heart.

The movie is good - funny in parts, energetic, complex in ways you wouldn't anticipate, and not necessarily overly predictable.  There's just enough of Nicolas Cage (I can only take him in very small doses) and perhaps not enough of Chloe Moretz as Hit-Girl.  She's really really good in the role - and very believable as a mini-superhero assassin.  She tumbles around the scene with great flair (we debated in the car ride home if that was just some tiny Cirque Du Soleil performer doing the stunts) and scowls, growls and takes a bite of out every scene.  Please don't go all Lindsay Lohan on us Chloe - it appears you have some decent talent.  It would be a shame to waste it.

I would recommend the film - if you're looking for a slightly dark, kind of funny and REALLY gory movie about real-life superheroes.  I found myself rooting for the misfit superheroes more and more as the film progressed and we actually had some clapping from the team towards the end of the film.  It's getting decent early reviews: currently 78% on Rotten Tomatos. But I'm not kidding - this isn't one for the kidlets. It opens on April 16th - so get to the theatres and get watching.

Tagline from the movie:  I can't fly, but I can kick your ass. Nice.

Seven Movies in Seven Days: The Wrap Up

Another fabulous holiday movie-fest complete (well, almost complete:  I have my eye on a movie today if I cam motivate myself to get out of my pajamas and off the couch).  The good news:  I enjoyed every single movie.  The bad news: I have to go back to work in 3 more sleeps.  Let's not think about that.

Instead of a full review of each, in the spirit of brevity and ADD, I've decided to summarize my review of each movie into one sentence.  And so we begin, in order of viewing:

1. Alvin and the Chipmunks - The Squeakquel: My two little friends wanted to see it, and their parents owe me BIG TIME.
2. Sherlock Holmes:  Good flick with dark action and humour, would be helpful if Robert Downey Jr. learned to enunciate a little more and mumble less.
3. Avatar: A brilliant spectacle in film-making and creativity, worth seeing on the big screen - the story has some gaps, but the visuals make up for it.
4. A Single Man: Colin Firth, I love you please please marry me.  Ok, fine, the review:  Beautifully scripted, shot and edited story of a man's struggle with the depths of grief and the loss of a great love.
5. An Education: Carey Mulligan shines in this well-woven tale of young love, seduction and the struggle of a young woman to find her path in a pre-defined world - there's some great fashion and a brilliantly blank performance from Rosamund Pike.
6. The Blind Side: A predictable, but still very enjoyable feel-good story filled with some laughs, some crying (ok, just my friend Kate, who bawled throughout the whole movie) and a really strong performance from Sandra Bullock.
7. The Young Victoria: Love, deception, folly and a tiny tiny waist on Emily Blunt - a very good historical movie with a modern feel and a very engaging cast. (as a side note, I had the BEST popcorn of my life during this movie.  Incredible. Thank-you Varsity).

And as I mentioned above, there are still 3 more days until I am chained to my desk - and I'm always game for a movie...any takers?

UPDATE: #8: It's Complicated: Funny - Alec Baldwin is spot on in a variation on Jack Donaghy and Meryl Streep shines (as always) in this very funny romcom.  Recommended.

Priorities, Popcorn and Robert Downey Jr.

A very important Skripper Holiday Tradition:  movies over the holidays (one per day if I can manage it).  I've got a list ready to go - and it includes a movie from both RDJ and Colin Firth (thank-you baby Jesus!).  That and a couple buckets of popcorn and I'm calling it Christmas.

I'm throwing in the Iron Man 2 trailer, because well, it just looks AWESOME.

Invictus Movie Review: Clint Eastwood, Mandela, Morgan & Matt

 "Reconciliation starts here."

Tonight I had the pleasure (courtesy of my friends at Warner Brother Canada) to get a sneak peek at Invictus, the latest Clint Eastwood movie starring Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon, that opens in theatres December 11th.  

Based on John Carlin’s 2008 book “Playing the Enemy: Nelson Mandela and the Game That Changed a Nation,’’ it presents the true and compelling story of the 1995 Rugby World Cup, when the newly elected Nelson Mandela stood at the helm of a fractured country. Mandela, faced with a post-apartheid world of mistrust, confusion and hatred, latches onto the lagging South African Rugby team, and leveraging the power of sport, looks to the team to provide a catalyst for change, playing into the notion of "one team, one country".

Mandela (Freedman) taps Francois Pienaar (Damon), captain of the South African rugby team, the Springboks, to lead the slightly down-trodden team to win the World Cup (which is being played in South Africa) .  The story of how the rugby team attempts to do that is a slight sidebar to the overall theme of the challenge that South Africa faced in the early days of Mandela's administration.  FInancially, economically and politically challenged, the country and its people were, at the time, flirting on the edge of chaos.  "Invictus" is a short poem by the English poet William Ernest Henley, that Mandela had scribed on a scrap of paper during his imprisonment on Robben Island.  Invictus means 'unconquered' in Latin - and served as an inspiration to Mandela during his darker days.

One of the opening shots of the movie focuses on 2 groups of children playing soccer across the street from each other.  On one side, the Afrikaaner school, big brawny white boys toss the rugby ball back and forth in full school uniform on a perfectly manicured field, while across the road, skinny, tatttered black children kick around a soccer ball in a cloud of dust.  Mandela, recently released from jail, drives by to the utter delight of the black children who scream his name with faces pressed up against the fence, while on the other side, the Afrikaaners stand silently by.  Overly dramatic?  Perhaps - but I don't think so.  What I can tell you is that when I was teaching in Namibia in 1996, I took my volleyball team, which practiced daily in the dusty fields of the rural schoolyard, into the main capital of Windhoek where we were matched against (and got completely creamed by) a team of all-white kids, complete with shiny new uniforms and  polished gymnasium floors.  The social, racial and economic divide was very, very real at that time.

The movie does a good job of telling the story - although a a couple of times it does drag just a tiny bit.  Eastwood presents the narrative in a very understated way, and waits until half-way through the film to rely on a couple of slightly sappy pop songs to dictate mood and emotion.  As you might imagine, there's a climactic game that the entire film builds up to - but it's worth the wait. Freedman is quite good as Mandela, and Damon, with his platinum blond hair and Boer accent does a nice job as the South African captain.  You see hints into the toll of Mandela's commitment to his country - episodes of failing health, a broken relationship with his daughter - but mostly you see how adroitly he was able to express his vision, lead people towards positive change and empower the team around him.

All in all, I enjoyed it and would recommend it as good night out.  What is really did for me was remind me of my absolute awe, respect and admiration for the man that is Nelson Mandela.  His ability to lead, forgive and inspire a nation to do the same was (and still is) unbelievable.  Imagine spending over 27 years in prison, then emerging with a sense of forgiveness towards your captors, intact with a vision of uniting a country that was on the brink of a civil war.  One of my greatest disappointments is that Robben Island opened up to the public 3 months after I left Southern Africa, and it is on my list of must-visit places.  The last two lines of Henley' poem speak volumes about Mandela's approach to life:   I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul.  Words to live by.

Rogers On Demand Online Beta - At Long Last!

                 
IT'S ALIVE!!

I've been bursting to share the news about the project I've been working on at Rogers, but have been bound by corporate secrecy for the past couple of months.  Tonight, my team and I finally unveiled Rogers On Demand Online to a select group of bloggers at the Silver Screening Room at the Hazelton Hotel (yes, the scene of The Guy From Glee is Stalking Me)

What is it, exactly?  Well, anyone who knows me knows that I love TV and movies, the internet and marketing (in no particular order) and my job as Director of Marketing and Programming at Rogers has had me busy on all three for the past 8 months.  Rogers On Demand Online is a one-stop destination for the best in TV, movies, sports, kid shows, music videos, web-only content and more.  It's got shows like Ugly Betty, Cougar Town, Community alongside with sports (UFC!), music videos, movies, specialty content and more. 

It's got a slick interface (see the screen shot) and a ton of navigation features to help you find what you're looking for, along with tons of content you didn't even know you wanted to watch!  That's right folks - surprise and delight!  One of the most delightful things is that we have CHiPS - that's right CHiPS - and as such I've been able to relive my childhood crush on Erik Estrada under the guise of "work".  Sweet!

We're launching in BETA, which is internet lingo for work in progress. I'm truly proud of what the team has built, but we've got tons of things to come - both features (social media, commenting, playlists and more), and lots more content partners (stay tuned for a big announcement later this week!)  Right now we're in private beta testing, but we're going live next Monday (after which I'll heave a huge sigh of relief...and then get right back to work).

The site is available to Rogers Customers - Home Phone, Wireless, Internet, Cable TV, Fido, Pre-Paid...for free!  Specialty content like Treehouse, Super Channel, etc. is available exclusively to Rogers customers who subscribe to those channels as part of the TV subscription at home.  There's a ton of great content at the all access level -  prime-time shows, movies, clips, web-only shows (check out Back on Topps - you can thank me later!) and more. 

I've got my work cut out for me - figuring out how to grow this product, add new features and work with the team to make it the best it can be.  It's not perfect by any stretch of the imagination, but we're looking to our users to help us shape the product through feedback and suggestions.  I'm sure it will be an interesting journey - and I'm so glad that we've come this far.  Check it out and let me know what you think!

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p.s. I just re-read this and I don't think I've ever written a blog post with so many exclamation marks.  I'm putting it down to sheer delirium at getting this thing finally launched and the fact that my dinner tonight consisted of 2 brownies, a chocolate chip cookie and some delightful coconut concoction.

Single and the Upcoming Holiday Season - Love Actually?

Recently I was in conversation with another fabulously single friend who was expressed her reluctance towards the upcoming holiday season.  Holidays, especially ones like Christmas, are sometimes tough for the single peeps.  It's yet another reminder of the fact that time has passed, and here you are, another Christmas season...single (and loving it...right?).  Holiday parties, office parties and family dinners filled with families, husbands and wives, partners and all kinds of rampant, seemingly self-populating offspring that remind you of what you still haven't managed to find in your own personal life.

Don't get me wrong - I LOVE Christmas.  I love the decorations, the preparations, the food and drink, the family time and all the trimmings of the season.  If I wasn't so ludicrously busy at work I would most likely have my holiday decor out already.  I have a few holiday traditions - Stuart McLean and the Vinyl Cafe Christmas, my extended family's annual cookie exchange, and many annual holiday dinners with good friends and family.

One of my most favourite traditions is watching "Love Actually" which is a delightful film - funny, sad, heartfelt with a little froth (and, most importantly of all, stars my boyfriend Colin Firth).  Every December I curl up on the couch with a hot chocolate and down blanket and watch the film on a lazy holiday afternoon. 

The movie, which celebrates the simplicity, the complexity and the basic joy of love, is delightful - and on more than one occasion (ok, EVERYTIME) I have ended up on the couch with big hot tears rolling down my face wondering when my Prince Charming will come and proclaim his ardent, true love while I'm working, or defy social boundaries to capture my heart, or stand in front of me with cue cards professing fervent, silent adoration (you know what I'm talking about if you have seen the film - if not, get on it!).  While I love the movie, the combination of holiday cheer and and the celebration of finding true love makes me feel a little blue.

Holidays like Christmas also bring together people you haven't seen in a while, along with the inevitable questions: "What's new? Are you seeing anyone?" followed by "Oh...don't worry, he's out there somewhere" (or some kind of inane response) that makes me want to hurl myself into oncoming traffic. 

So I can't blame my friend for her hesitation regarding the holidays.  Mostly, they are in fact a magical, family and love filled couple of weeks.  But for some and yes, sometimes for me, they are a calender reminder of what you could have had, should have had or might have had if life had taken different turns.  But hey - there's a month and a half to go before December 25th...maybe I'll have my own Christmas miracle this year.  Until then - I'll leave you with the Love Actually trailer (which, in my opinion, doesn't feature Colin Firth nearly enough).