I really don’t understand the hatred felt towards Valentine’s day. I thought we were over the whole 1973 celebrating Christmas in October because then it won’t be commercialized anger towards the man schtik. To me Valentine’s is a mid-winter pick me up that gives the world permission to gorge themselves on chocolate, unnecessarily rich food and champagne. Obviously, like any woman, I’d rather be surprised with a bouquet of daisies out of no where, but I try not to expect these things from a boyfriend on a student budget.  Men on the other hand, hate Valentine’s day because not only is it another date to remember but the appropriate gift can be impossible to find. Personally, I set a low budget and gave express instructions: underwear and cheesy chocolates. Guys seem to get the short end of the stick on valentines, if you take the time, nothing says “I love you” like a vintage playboy and a six-pack.

On the other hand men’s underwear have taken a sharp turn thanks to the efforts of Andrew Christian and his built in penis underwear . Check out these, uh, flattering briefs.

If embellishing underwear isn’t your thing or it’s too early on to figure out a gift that doesn’t scream, “Look at me! Notice me! Marry me!” the homemade meal for two is my personal favorite. Not only does it give reason to splurge on lobster, tenderloin, and oysters but it’s cheaper than a night out and cozier too. For Valentine’s I’ve got your basics covered with these two options: A) A sexy brunch in bed preferably served in your skivvies or B) Romantic candlelit dinner on the couch. There’s no need to be too formal or you’ll just end up run ragged with the details. The following menus are perfect for most any occasion where you want to make an impression, not just Valentine’s.

BRUNCH

Brunch is one of my favorite meals because it’s so frivolous. You can eat food from any set “meal category” sweet or savory breakfast, a sandwich, whatever. Valentine’s is a time for indulgence, here’s a menu that manages to satisfy cravings for both sweet and salty. The french toast is insane and if you don’t feel like making caramel sauce it goes perfectly well with both maple syrup and melted chocolate. Make a big pot of coffee or tea, throw a couple flowers or hershy’s kisses on the tray and prepare to be worshiped.

Brunch in Bed Menu

Freshly Squeezed Orange or Grapefruit Juice

French Toast with Salted Caramel Sauce and Creme Fraiche

Brown Sugar Glazed Bacon

Scrambled Eggs/ Eggs Sunnyside Up

DINNER

If you’re going to make a fancy dinner make it rich, rich rich. If you save your pennies for one showstopping ingredient it’s easy to use cheaper staple items to make a spectacular meal. I urge you to try your best to find organic, fairly raised meat and seafood products if not for your health and the environment but for the flavor. The potato risotto included is so delicious and so much easier than the traditional rice-based risotto. The point of this menu is to curl up with a big bottle of cabernet sauvignon and eat together comfortably.

Night In Dinner Menu

Green Salad

Pepper- Crusted Duck Breast/Steak with Stout Pan Sauce

Potato Risotto

Stemaed Green Beans/ Asparagus

Strawberries and chocolate- easy

If all else fails, order a platter of sushi, and pick up some Sapporo and Sake. Sake bombs and sushi all round

Going the Distance is a tale about a couple that never really got started until after they were separated. Erin and Garrett have a blissful 6 weeks together, both knowing that it’s not going to last because she has to go back to San Fransisco, while he’s stuck in New York City for work. But, of course, after the 6 weeks are up, neither of them wants to split, and so commences the texting, sexting and phone sex!

The Good:

This movie has potential, only if you LIKE romantic comedies, otherwise, it blew, and boy, did it blow hard.

The Bad:

I love Drew Barrymore and Charlie Day (my beloved), but this film was a total stinker from start to finish. I expected far more from Drew, having done Whip It and Grey Gardens
in the last year or so, and having reclaimed her dignity since that OTHER poopfest, He’s Just Not That Into You (Now she’s going to have to start ALL over again. Sheesh!). And Charlie, well, he could have done a must better job choosing his first really commercial movie role.

The plot was completely predictable (surprise, surprise.) and tried to conceal it’s most unrestrained boring-ness through attempted edginess. Yawn. I can honestly say that I didn’t really like this movie at all, and although it had potential and I DO like Drew and Charlie, it just didn’t pull off any of my expectations. I’d say if you tend to be into the whole rom-com thing, then you might think it’s cute, but if you only like GOOD romantic comedies, stay away. Stay far, far away.

Overall, I’d give the movie 2/5, mostly because I’ve disliked other movies far more than this one (I’m lookin’ at YOU, Eclipse) but you’ve been warned, folks!

Sounds Like a Revolution is a documentary based on the newest generation of activist musicians. Erykah Badu narrates the film which features artists ranging from Anti-Flag to Michael Franti, with interviews from The Dixie Chicks, Steve Earle, Ani DiFranco and a bunch of other artists who have faced persecution for their views and political voice. One of the main issues addressed in the film is how the Corporate idealism of the music industry today has made it nearly impossible for main stream musicians to have any views and beliefs other than sex, drugs and rock n’ roll. Indie labels have become the only way for any artists to have real creative freedom, and with this, the political activism of these artists is finally spreading to today’s youth.

I watched the movie with my boyfriend, Mike, who isn’t quite as politically active as I am, but isn’t completely ignorant to what’s going on in our world either. We didn’t completely agree on all of the aspects touched upon throughout the movie so here’s what we both thought:

The Good Stuff:

I thought that the movie was well-made and did address the larger issues of today’s politics within North America, and mostly within the United States. Another aspect that I liked about it was that the film was based around more unknown artists and discussed, with complete frankness, the issue of corporate idealism and how it has effected all aspects of free speech within the music industry.

The Bad Stuff:

Well, Mike didn’t think that the artists were doing enough, and although I don’t think that violence is the answer (as we can see with Iraq, Afghanistan, etc, etc, etc) I did have to agree in this respect. I don’t think that playing a few songs can really make a difference, and although Fat Mike from NOFX made a point of saying that he and his band were solely responsible for convincing their apathetic punk fans to go out and vote during the last election, I have to disagree. I mean, sure, they probably convinced a good portion of their fan-base to go out and do so, but I attribute most of it to the PSAs put out by people like Leonardo DiCaprio, and other more well-known celebrities, as well as the fact that there was actually someone worth voting for this time around (The Obamanator).

Now, I don’t want to step on anyone’s politically-sensitive toes while writing this review, so I’m not going to express my personal views on anything, but I do recommend this movie for someone who actually cares about politics more than the average-Joe. No, it doesn’t touch on the Bob Dylans or the John Lennons of the past, so don’t go in expecting that; the movie is strictly about the modern-day musician-activists. I don’t think that the average person would really find this movie interesting or worth watching, and neither did Michael. I liked it, and even though I watched it at 1am on a week-night, it kept me up and interested the entire time.

Watch the trailer here: Sounds Like a Revolution

FOR MORE ON WHAT’S PLAYING AT NXNE, CLICK HERE.

It’s that time of the year. For the entire month of May CONTACT photography festival has been taking over Toronto. If you want an insiders look, each Saturday afternoon the Heineken Behind the Lens Tour goes behind the scenes with photographers and other cultural experts as they share their insight from an insider’s vantage point. Each tour,walks through a different Toronto neighborhoods, always ending with a cold Heiny.

This years festival is based on the works of Marshall McLuhan and his theories on the pervasive influence of photography

Check out deez pics that our pal Morad sent us:

(The colourful mural is David Lachapelle and was on the queen west walk. The billboard on the AGO is Barbara Kruger and was on the City Centre walk)

To sign up for the next 2 weekends go to the facebook event

Plot Synopsis:
Dave Lizewski was just a regular kid; a nobody. He just liked to read comic books and pleasure himself just like any other teenage boy, that is until one day, when he started to wonder why no one has ever really tried to become a super hero, like, in real life! He set outs to finally be someone; a super hero like in his totally awesome comic books.

Genre:
Comedy/Action

Starring:
Aaron Johnson, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Chloe Moretz, Mark Strong, Nicolas Cage

Director:
Matthew Vaughn

Review:
First, let me say that I was forced to sit in the second row from the front while watching this, so my review might be a little whoozy thanks to the severe nausea I’m still suffering from due to my head being at a 90 degree angle for two hours. Second, Kick Ass was just that; totally frigin’ awesome. I haven’t read the comic books, so I can’t give my review from that perspective, suffice it to say that I absolutely loved this as a movie.

Aaron Johnson didn’t disappoint. He’s totally do-able and a great actor. I prefer him in a more rugged role (see: John Lennon in Nowhere Boy) but I guess if I hadn’t seen him in this after that, then I wouldn’t care either way. Nicolas Cage was awkward, and I’ve heard from people who have read the comics, that he was miss-cast, so I’ll attribute the creepiness to that. (I still love me some Nic Cage, though! No hating here!!!!) Chloe Moretz was frigin’ awesome and made me wish I could be an 11 year old super hero. There’s more than one scene with her kicking more ass than any of the guys in the movie which was another perspective that I loved; not only was she a girl, but she was a kid, too. No stereotypes and cliches here, my friends!

Music was dece, but I wish there was more of it. They only used about two good songs in two of the fighting scenes, and that was it. They did fit really well into the parts they were in, so I won’t get super mental on that perspective.

Special effects and cinematography were awesome. Lots of explosions, lots of ass kicking, totally fab.

Overall, I give this movie a 5/5. Perfect for a Saturday night when you just want some damn good entertainment and laughs!

Watch the trailer here.

Plot Synopsis:
A biography based on the untold story of John Lennon. The film begins with a 16 year old John, and ends right before The Beatles (in their earliest incarnation) went to Hamburg. To clarify, this is not a Beatles bio, it’s a John Lennon bio.

Genre:
Biography

Starring:
Aaron Johnson, Kristin Scott Thomas, Thomas Sangster, Anne-Marie Duff, David Morrissey, Sam Bell

Director:
Sam Taylor-Wood

Review:
To be honest, I’m not usually a fan of biographical films. For the most part, they are poorly made and researched, and never grasp what the person they are based on went through or experienced (see: Factory Girl or Norma Jean & Marilyn). That said, I still give it a chance when the film is about someone I’m thoroughly interested in, because I tend to hang onto the hope that one day, maybe, someone will make something good.

Nowhere Boy hit the mark, for the most part. It wasn’t great, but it wasn’t terrible either. I didn’t hate it, but I felt that it was a bit of a fantastical version of John’s early life and a lot of crucial points were cut out, for example, his first wife Cynthia. At the same time, a lot of important parts were included, like the death of John’s Uncle George, at the beginning of the film. George had a huge influence on John’s early childhood and was one of the few people that ever showed him love and tenderness while growing up with his rigid Aunt Mimi.

The relationship between John and his mother made me a bit uncomfortable at the beginning. I think it was just the interaction between Aaron Johnson and Anne-Marie Duff, but she seemed to be looking at him a bit more like a 15 year old school girl than a mother, if you catch my incestuous-vibed drift. Eventually it evened out, though, and the film became very good.

In essence, see this film if you want to be entertained and gain a brief summary of John Lennon‘s early life, before Beatlemania, bed-ins for peace and most definetly before Yoko.

Watch the trailer here.

Plot Synopsis:
An in-depth documentary on The Doors featuring never-before-scene footage of the band and it’s members. The film begins with the meeting of Jim Morrison and Ray Manzarek at UCLA’s film school and ends with Morrison‘s untimely death at the age of 27.

Genre:
Documentary

Narrated by:
Johnny Depp

Director:
Tom DiCillo

Review:
I hate to admit it, but I’m sort of a film elitist lately. I’m beginning to turn into one of those people who thinks that the only real type of cinema is documentary film. What’s the point of telling a story unless there’s something to really tell? And at the same time, what better way to tell that story than by showing it in real life. That being said, I don’t like when films falsely advertise their content, which ended up being the case with When You’re Strange.

Turns out, it’s just another Jim Morrison movie, and not a Doors bio, as I had expected it to be. Although it wasn’t as bad as other films I’ve seen (ie. Oliver Stone‘s The Doors), it still centrally concentrated on Morrison, his antics and how he inevitably destroyed one of the greatest rock bands of all time with drugs and booze. There were highlights about the rest of the band, of course, such as how John Densmore once quit the band after a turbulent day in the studio thanks to Jim’s drunken behaviour, or how Robby Krieger

Plot Synopsis:
Following the death of their son, a married couple go on a trip to ‘Eden,’ their cabin in the woods, but the wife finds it just a bit too hard to cope with the pain.

Genre:
Drama/Horror

Starring:
Charlotte Gainsbourg and Willem Dafoe

Director:
Lars Von Trier

Review:
Every once and awhile, a movie comes along that rekindles my love with cinema and in today’s word of recycled film, it’s nice to see something as original as this.

I loved this movie. Two words: genital mutilation. When I think back to when it premiered at Cannes, I remember reading about how audiences were leaving the theater due to it’s graphic nature, and laughing. I tend to not get disgusted by these types of things, but I will admit that Antichrist did leave me a bit… discomposed?

Willem Dafoe and Charlotte Gainsbourg are two of my favourite actors, for obvious reasons. They’re both outrageously talented and the fact that Lars Von Trier casted the two of them in this movie made my 2009 movie year that much brighter. The cinematography was fabulous, the score was perfect for the film, the script was perfect; I honestly couldn’t find one flaw in it, personally.

I will say that, for the faint of heart, this movie might not be for you. It’s very graphic, so when I say genital mutilation, I mean genital mutilation; male and female. It’s also very philosophical and has a heavy storyline, so not something you’d want to watch at your best friend’s birthday party or something, unless you’re the artsy-type perhaps? Oh, and feminists, beware! It does have a slightly mysogonistic undertone.

Anyway, I give this film two big thumbs up! Enjoy!

Where to see it?
It’s currently available on DVD, although I wasn’t able to find it on Canadian Amazon. Here it is on the American one.

Watch the trailer here.

Plot Synopsis:
After the successful hanging of their biggest nemesis, Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson are thrown into a whole new world of trouble when the occult mastermind returns from the dead with hopes of overthrowing British parliament and taking over the world.

Genre:
Action/Comedy

Starring:
Robert Downey Jr, Jude Law, Rachel McAdams, Eddie Marsan, Mark Strong

Director:
Guy Ritchie

Review:
Alright…so I’m a little biased; I love everything that Guy Ritchie has ever made (except that Madonna movie), so it was no shock that I adored Sherlock Holmes. I was lucky enough to go to the world premier of Rock n Rolla, and I have to say what an honour it was to see one of his pictures before anyone else.

The total awesomeness of this movie started with the opening credits.. They were illustrated and just fabulous. Guy’s intro and end credits are always super cool.

Right off the bat, the music was perfect for the film; The Rocky Road to Dublin during the boxing scene was probably one of my favourite scene/music combos ever and that’s saying something.

The acting was golden, as can be expected by the dreamy Robert Downey Jr who really never disappoints, heroin addiction or not. Jude Law posed a lot, being the pretty boy he is, but still pulled off the role. The only one who I wasn’t happy with was Rachel McAdams. Her acting was fantastic, but I just felt that she didn’t fit the role. I wish the casting directors had chosen Kelly Reilly as Irene Adler, as opposed to the Watson‘s fiancee.

Anyway, I hope that they make like 65 more of these, as long as the quality stands, because the film definetly had the potential to become a franchise, and it was my absolute favourite adaptation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle‘s book series. It was an A+ film and you should go see it. Now-like!

Where to see it?
It’s still playing all over the city.. Click here for the specifics!

Watch the trailer here.

Plot Synopsis:
Bright Star is based on the 3 year relationship between John Keats and the love of his life, Fanny Brawne, before his early death at the age of 25.

Genre:
Romance/Biography

Starring:
Ben Whishaw, Abbie Cornish

Director:
Jane Campion

Review:

I absolutely loved this movie. It was like a John Keats poem within itself. From start to finish, the cinematography was absolutely ravishing with it’s vivid blues and purples and just spoke of a doomed romance. Sorry if that’s a spoiler for ya’ll, but it’s pretty much known to everyone that Keats got died super young, and the trailers make it pretty obvious, as well.

Anyways! My one complaint it that the acting didn’t speak to me as much as everything else (directing, writing, cinematophraphy, etc). This is Abbie Cornish‘s first big American role and she’s finally getting her footing as an up-and-coming actress, so I’ll give her the benefit of the doubt; but Ben Whishaw, whom I love and adore unconditionally, just wasn’t putting out enough for me here. I just wasn’t getting the “love” vibes from him and I didn’t think that there was very much, if any, chemistry between the two lead actors.

That all being said, it was a wonderful movie and I highly recommend it if you want a beautifully shot tear-jerker with some grand poetry thrown in the mix! Oh! And in terms of eye-candy, Ben Whishaw was looking fiiiiine as always! :)

Where to see it?
It is now available on DVD.

Watch the trailer here.

Plot Outline:
Creation is the story of Charles Darwin, his journey to the single most important discovery in the history of mankind and how it challenged every relationship he had within his life.

Genre:
Drama/Biography

Starring:
Paul Bettany, Jennifer Connelly, Jeremy Northam, Toby Jones, Benedict Cumberbatch <- Best name evur.

Director:
Jon Amiel

Review:
I have always been thoroughly fascinated by Charles Darwin and his life and discoveries, so when I heard that Creation, a new film about his life, was being made, I was totally excited. After watching the trailer, I expected to see a movie that was about his research in the Galapagos islands and about the battle he had with the Church while trying to get his discoveries published. Instead, I later found out that the movie was based on the book Annie’s Box, which chronicles Darwin’s relationship with his eldest daughter, Anne, who died at the age of 10, and the effect this had on his marriage, research and his own personal health and state of mind.

After watching the film, I can say that it was well-made, had a fantastic story and was greatly acted, by both Paul Bettany and Jennifer Connelly, who are married in real-life, if you didn’t already know that. : ) It barely touched on his research as a naturalist (in terms of what he’s best known for) but mostly on the publishing of “The Origin of Species.”

It’s a very good film and I highly recommend it if you like the more biographical, emotionally charged film. If you’re only going for entertainment value, then I’d say see something else. Hope you enjoy it!

Where to see it?
The three locations it is currently being played at in Toronto are:
- Cineplex Odeon Queensway
- Cineplex Odeon Varsity
- Cineplex Odeon Sheppard

Watch the trailer here.

Plot Outline:
Legion shows us what happens when God stop giving a crap about mankind. The film takes place in a diner in the middle of nowhere, which ends up becoming ground zero for the fight for humanity.

Genre:
Thriller

Starring:
Paul Bettany, Dennis Quaid, Tyrese Gibson, Lucas Black, Charles S. Dutton, Adrianne Palicki, Willa Howland, Kevin Durand, Kate Walsh

Director:
Scott Stewart

Review:
Alright… I don’t typically go to see movies that I know will be bad.. or watch them at all. I actually expected Legion to be a good movie.. The concept is amazing and Paul Bettany typically doesn’t make bad films (aside from The DaVinci Code), but this movie sucked. It was terrible. I think that the only reason that Bettany agreed to make the film as because he just played Charles Darwin in Creation and needed a way to appease anyone who thought he was anti-God.

Like I said, the concept was amazing… The idea of an apocalypse where angels are sent by God to destroy humanity and the one child that could save us all does have some potential. The creepiness of some of the characters (ie. The old lady and the ice cream guy) could have been placed throughout the film, but where instead only featured in pretty much only those two parts. It wasn’t scary, it just dragged and was totally lame.

That being said, Paul Bettany looked hotter than ever, and not just because of his sexy six-pack. Dark hair totally suits that fine, fine man.

In conclusion, I’d say don’t waste the $12.50 to see the movie, because you’re more than likely going to be disappointed.

Where to see it?
It’s pretty much playing in every theatre in Toronto, but I’d still check here if you want to see it at all.

Watch the trailer here.

Plot Synopsis:
Based on the book of the same name by Cormac McCarthy, The Road is a story about a man and his son in a post-apocalyptic world, where all that matters is survival at any cost.

Genre:
Drama

Starring:
Viggo Mortensen, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Charlize Theron, Guy Pearce, Robert Duvall

Director:
John Hillcoat

Review:
I always love to watch movies about the apocalypse, because frankly, I’m a negative Nancy and I love seeing other people’s view points about what humanity would be like if we were truly faced with the idea of complete obliteration. The Road didn’t disappoint me at all. I haven’t read the book yet, so I can’t say how good the movie was in comparison, but as a film, I loved it.

In a world where there are only a few decent human beings left, the connection the film showed between father and son was wonderful. It’s very difficult to say much about the film without giving away any plot points, and I think after seeing it, you’ll understand what I’m saying, but just the interpretation of human connection, and how they can be lost in such a horrific way through final desperation, was beautifully expressed through the film. There are some parts that are a bit messed up for people with sensitive stomachs, but it’s not too too bad. Cannibalism = hawt.

So if you’re up for a downer of a movie, but one that’s awesome. Check out The Road, ya’ll!

Oh, and PS, another reason to sea the movie….. You get to see some Viggo butt action. Hallelujah! If he’s going to retire, we need all we can get!

Where to see it?
The only place it’s still playing in a close proximity to Toronto, is at Colossus… which isn’t very accessible to most (without a car), but I’m sure it’ll be out on DVD within the next few months. :)

Watch the trailer here.

Plot Synopsis:
Based on the book of the same name by Christopher Isherwood, A Single Man takes place in a day in the life of a middle-aged gay man, in 1962, who is coping with the death of his lover.

Genre:
Drama

Starring:
Colin Firth, Matthew Goode, Julianne Moore, Nicholas Hoult

Director:
Tom Ford

Review:
Where do I begin? I absolutely adored this movie, from the acting, to the music, to the costumes (and what else could one possibly expect from designer, Tom Ford‘s, directorial debut?).

The film, which was shot in only 21 days, takes place in the early 1960′s, a time when men and women still knew how to dress (sorry fashionistas). The storyline takes place in a single day in the life of George, who is a university professor. He changes his outfit a few times, but is always impeccably dressed in a crisp suit…. and ladies, and men, too, Colin Firth is looking FIIIINE in this movie. He’s always amazing… but there’s something about watching him mourn the loss of his lover in a perfectly tailored outfit that just makes me quiver! ;P ..Oh, and Julianne Moore looks fantastic, too.

The score of the film was wonderfully eerie and really made you feel the story and the emotions of all the characters. And although the movie had a dark undertone, I like how they also made the audience laugh a few times, too.. That’s something that I believe every good drama should have. (“I drink your milkshake! I DRINK IT UP!” Anyone?! ……..Anyone?)

Anyway, I recommend that everyone see this film, gay, straight, young or old. Tom Ford did a fantastic job, as did the cast, and I really hope to see a lot more films by him in the near future, because A Single Man is probably one of my favourite movies ever.

Where in Toronto?
I saw it at Cumberland theatre, and as of today, that’s the only place in the city that it’s playing… uncomfortable seating, but definetly worth it for the movie. Go check it out, kiddies!

Watch the trailer here.