|
The productive and commercial heyday for prominent actors is usually known to be between the ages of 30-45. Yet, on the eve of age 50, Tom Cruise is turning back the clock and reviving his career.
After a string of miss hits (Knight and Day and Valkyrie) that still garnered revenues of over $75 million at the box office, it seems as if Tom Cruise has now rediscovered the winning formula for making a movie that is not only entertaining,... Read more
A young and inexperienced cast can sometimes be the downfall of a film. Martha Marcy Mae Marlene stars 22-year-old Elizabeth Olsen, up and coming Hollywood "It Girl" and younger sibling of the famous Mary-Kate and Ashley, who has appeared in only a handful of films to date.
However, Olsen's inexperience proves not to be a hindrance in her portrayal of Martha, a young girl who suffers from delusions and paranoia when she returns to her family after escaping life with... Read more
It is safe to say for each and every one of us, the most awkward and uncomfortable of dinner table topics is sex. If your parents bring it up, you continue eating your meal politely. If they continue to pose questions, you simply excuse yourself and lock the door to your room until you're 18 and move out. But with a film like Shame, you're not simply hearing about sex, you're delving into the atmosphere of sex addiction.
Shame, Steve... Read more
Mac Miller released his first album Blue Slide Park on Nov. 8. After a string of successful mix tapes, such as K.I.D.S and Best Day Ever, Mac Miller has become a recognizable name among many teens and young adults across the U.S. and Canada.
As a testament of his success, he is featured on the cover of the highly acclaimed Billboard magazine. Blue Slide Park, according 19-year-old Miller, is the pinnacle of his rapping career up to this point.
The... Read more
One of the world’s most recognizable and prominent DJ’s took the city of Waterloo by storm on June 28 and 29 when he performed at Beta nightclub. Most commonly known as Tiësto, this Dutchman’s music found its way to bring together a diverse demographic of... Read more
It’s Kind of a Funny Story
Directed by: Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck
Starring: Keir Glichrist, Emma Roberts, Zach Galifianakis
Release Date: October 8
Based on the 2006 novel written by Ned Vizzini, It’s Kind of a Funny Story tells the story of 16-year-old Craig (Keir Gilchrist) who checks himself into a psychiatric hospital after a bout with depression and suicidal thoughts.
He is immediately overwhelmed but is befriended by Bobby (Zach Galifianakis) and develops an infatuation with Noelle (Emma... Read more
Directed by: Pierre Coffin, Chris Renaud and Sergio Pablos
Starring: Steve Carell, Jason Segel, Russel Brand, Julie Andrews, Will Arnett, Kristen Wiig, Miranda Cosgrove, Dana Gaier, Elsie Fisher
Release Date: July 9, 2010
3/4
After two successful animated box-office films, Steve Carell hits the big screen again as the voice of Gru in this summer’s Despicable Me. But don’t expect to see another archetypal kid’s film – the odd-looking characters, quirky comments, hilarious voices and added touch of 3D viewing... Read more
Thank Me Later
Drake
Label: Universal Motown
Release Date: 15 June
Listen to: “Over,” “Miss Me,” “Light Up”
8/10
Less than a year and a half ago Aubrey Drake Graham was best known for his role on Degrassi. Last week Drake released his first album and the hype is completely eclipsing that of Eminem’s Recovery. In overshadowing established artists like Eminem, the conclusion is obvious: Drake is calling the shots, and we’re just along for the ride.
Thank Me Later... Read more
Shutter Island Directed by: Martin Scorsese Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Ben Kingsley, Michelle Williams Released: February 19, 2010 Rating: 3/4
If you like a good psychological thriller, then Scorsese’s fourth collaboration with Leonardo DiCaprio is worth a trip to the theatre to see. But be warned, it is not to be passively viewed. You’ll need your thinking caps on for this one.
The film is based on the 2003 book of the same name by Dennis Lehane, author of Mystic River... Read more
Contributed Graphic
Valentine’s Day
Directed by: Garry Marshall Starring: Ashton Kutcher and all of Hollywood Release date: Feb. 12, 2010 1/4
Despite the lure of a huge all-star cast, the involvement of producers from He’s Just Not That Into You and the director of Pretty Women,... Read more
Contributed Image
New York, I Love You interweaves the stories of a number of people and places in New York City, exploring the relationships between couples of all ages, artists and their muses, parents and their children and above all else New Yorkers and their beloved city.
... Read more
Contributed Image
Contra Vampire Weekend Release date: Jan. 12, 2010 XL Recordings
Vampire Weekend emerged from the wilds of Columbia University a few years ago with music that blended an Africa-derived sense of rhythm and a distinctly white collar and Ivy League sense of presence.
Contra breaks little new ground. To say that it is no different or better than the band’s acclaimed self-titled 2008 debut wouldn’t be entirely true; all the same elements are present here.
From the first song,... Read more
Daybreakers Starring: Ethan Hawke and Willem Dafoe Directed by: Michael and Peter Spierig Release date: Jan. 8, 2010 2/4
In the wake of the recent teen romantic craze over vampires, Daybreakers emerges as a breath of fresh air, although it’s a short breath at best.
This isn’t the vampire movie to top all others in recent memory, but it does a good job of delivering on the concepts it puts forward.
The film centres on Edward Dalton (Ethan Hawke), a... Read more
The Blind Side Directed by: John Lee Hancock Starring: Sandra Bullock, Quinton Aaron and Kathy Bates Released: Nov. 20, 2009 4/4
When naming the most under-appreciated female actresses is to date, any answer would have to include Sandra Bullock – especially after her latest role in The Blind Side.
In one of her best performances yet, Bullock takes on the role of well-to-do Tennessee woman Leigh Anne Tuohy, whose life is completely altered on the cold night that she sees... Read more
Invictus Directed by: Clint Eastwood Starring: Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon Released: Dec. 11, 2009 3/4
Another great offering from film-heavyweight Clint Eastwood, Invictus brings to light a remarkable story from 1994-95 post-apartheid South Africa that is seldom told.
The film begins shortly after Nelson... Read more
The Princess and the Frog Directed by: Ron Clements, John Musker Starring: Anika Noni Rose, Bruno Campos, Keith David Released: December 11, 2009 3.5/4
It’s been a while since Disney produced a decent animated movie, but with The Princess and the Frog, fans are finally given another classic to put on the shelf alongside the likes of Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast and The Little Mermaid.
The story takes place in New Orleans and follows the ambitious Tiana, a hardworking... Read more
Cairo Time Directed by: Ruba Nadda Starring: Patricia Clarkson, Alexander Siddig Release date: Oct. 16, 2009 Rating: 3.5/4
Prior to the opening screening of Ruba Nadda’s latest film Cairo Time, owner of Princess Cinema John Tutt highlighted that it is a Canadian film set in a foreign location.
An Irish-Canadian co-production (the only way they could get permission to film in Cairo), Cairo Time caries a distinct Canadian feel, despite the exotic location of Egypt.
Lacking intensive action and the... Read more
Ratitude
Weezer
DGC Records
Release date: Nov. 3, 2009
1.5/4
Weezer is an interesting band to look at in terms of its adaptability to changing trends in popular music. But what happened to the simple three-chord rock and the meaningful, introspective lyrics of its early releases?
This most recent album seems specifically aimed at anyone under the age of seventeen. Custom-tailored for high-school dances everywhere, these songs encompass everything that is, as their target audience would state, “like, so damn... Read more
Coco Avant Chanel Director: Anne Fontaine Starring: Audrey Tautou, Benoit Poelvoorde, Alessandro Nivola, Marie Gillain, Emmanuelle Devos Release date: Sept. 25. 2009
EDMONTON (CUP) – She gave us the little black dress, she gave us perfume and she gave us the simplicity and comfort we craved in women’s clothing. She’s beauty and she’s grace. She’s France’s own Mademoiselle Coco Chanel, the Great Emancipator of women’s bodies, no longer enslaved to corsets.
Many of us are acquainted with fashion icon Coco... Read more
Saw VI Directed by: Kevin Greutert Starring: Costas Mandylor, Tobin Bell and Athena Karkanis Release date: Oct. 23, 2009 3/4
Another Halloween invariably means another Saw movie. This year, fans of the series will be pleasantly surprised with the sixth installment of the gory, gruesome and thrilling series. After being let down with the fifth installment last year, fans can expect actor Costas Mandylor at his finest.
He delivers a fresh portrayal of Mark Hoffman, who has now become the... Read more
