I’m going to pull a Martha Stewart here and list my favorite things. It’s one thing to go the store and buy ingredients and whip up something delicious. But when its -15 effing degrees and your starving and don’t want to leave, pantry basics are a blessing, so long as you know how to use them. I’ve managed to gather ingredients in my pantry from times being vegan, gluten- free or on a health kick. I also have stuff for when I don’t care and an entire box of pasta is perfectly acceptable for dinner with cheese and butter. Dig around in your cupboards and you might have the tastiest meal this week. This is what I’m using the most right now, and a few others.

1. Nutritional Yeast I just got into this. It’s like cheesy parmesan deliciousness. When making sauces and dips it makes a low-cost alternative to mountains of cheese. This sauce is the shit.

2. Bragg’s Liquid Soy Seasoning Tamari, basically. It’s soy based but adds a savory flavour to all food. I add it to the above sauces as well as stirfries and tofu.

3. Old-Fashioned Oats Eat oatmeal. It’s so good. Or grind and use as high fibre flour in baking

4. Sea Salt Sprinkle it on chocolate chip cookies. Damn. People go crazy about salt, but we add 8% at the table. So it’s the sodium added during cooking is our biggest worry. A sea salt or kosher salt can be rubbed into the skin of a chicken before roasting.

5. Sucanat  More natural than “raw” , sugar cane natural, still tastes of molasses. Use in place of brown sugar it’s full of vitamins.

Then you’ll want canned tomatoes, beans, pasta, rice (Arborio and brown), cornmeal, quinoa, flour, you know the drill. Check out this post for more basics.

These cookies are salty and sweet and you probably have everything to make them already in your newly stocked pantry. You can easily exchange the coconut oil for softened unsalted butter, the cane sugar for brown or sucanat, and the flour for whatever you have around. these have a cult like status in my house.

Peanut Butter Potato Chip Cookies

• 2-1/2 cups whole wheat pastry flour
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 3/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
• 1-1/2 cups evaporated cane sugar
• 3/4cup refined coconut oil
• 1 cup all-natural peanut butter, chunky or smooth (whichever you prefer)
• 1?4 cup ice water
• 1 tablespoon molasses
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 2 cups coarsely crushed potato chips

Preheat oven to 375°F. Line baking sheets with parchment.

In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, and salt; set aside.

In the bowl of a stand mixer or in a large bowl with a hand mixer, combine the sugar, coconut oil, and peanut butter, mixing on medium-high speed until creamy, about 3 minutes. Add the water, molasses, and vanilla, mixing until well combined. With the mixer on lowspeed, add the flour mixture in 3 to 4 additions, mixing each addition until almost fully incorporated. Add the potato chips, mixing until just combined.

Arrange 2-tablespoon-sized balls of cookie dough 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets. Press to about 3?4-inch thick, then use the back of a fork to mark each cookie with a crosshatch pattern, if desired. Bake for 13 to 15 minutes, until the edges are slightly browned and the centers are set. Thoroughly cool on a cooling rack. Then eat enough to make yourself sick.

Every woman’s magazine since the beginning of time has given list after list of the “Top 3 Boyfriends”/ “Girlfriends”/”Doctors”/everythingelseever. Maybe it’s because my mom had to make a rule that I couldn’t ask what was for dinner until after lunch, or maybe that’s just the norm (right?) but I’ve always veered on obseessed with food. All my friendships are and have been  totally based on compatibility and having a fun time, supporting each other blahblahblah. BUT if girl is going to be eating nothing but frozen chicken fingerss and granola bars it ain’t gonna happen. These are the indispensable few whom I have learned to turn to when I’m hungry,  and their food blog substitutes in a pinch .

1. The Health Nut The girl you love to hate. She’s got a killer bod from hours of exercise (yoga, pilates, yogalates) and a wealth of crazy knowledge and hook-ups. My girl is Jeanette, she’s changed the way I think about food and got me into new health practices and products that have my body working like a well-oiled machine and my skin glowing. This is the girl to go to if you’re in a rut, feel a little chubs, or just exhausted. Be prepared to be prescribed with oolong tea, fresh juice and a boxercise class. If you can’t find this lady short notice I like this blog for backup.

2. Guilty Pleasure almost a polar opposite of the above. If you’re having a tough time or just feel like getting down with your bad self she’s there. A bottle of wine each and Heathers? I think yes. Do not confuse this with the sabotager who will ruin your diet with Ben and Jerry’s Half-Baked and not touch a spoonful.  Guilty Pleasures goes off the deep end with you but it’s almost ok. Example: My friend Julia, we made chocolate chip cookies, ate them all, went to the gym for a hardcore two hours then came home and ate a whole pizza. But it was ok, because we did it together.And that was the best fucking pizza I’ve ever had (this was four years ago). This is the girl to take for deep-fried mars-bars and whole milk cappucinos. Food blog: Picky Palate

3. Chef Friend Remember when Jamie Oliver was hot? And you’d wish every episode of The Naked Chef payed hommage to its name? No? Well I do. And the new hot chef scene is just as drool-worthy, if not more badass, Chuck Hughes, David Chang, Giada De Laurentis. Babe, babish, oh baby.  But don’t let that be the only reason. Your chef friend will rock weird hours and know afterhour dive bars so sketchy you couldn’t find them in a Quentin Tarantino movie.Your cooking girl or guy can is also highly likely to come with perks. I spent a well beer-lubricated night eating chicken wings and triscuits topped with roast rabbit and black truffle terrine. so good. Blog, this. But really it’s all about twitter: David Chang, Alex Guarnaschelli, Mike Symon

There’s a reason 99% of first dates include dinner. If you aren’t gasrtonomically compatible then there isn’t much to stand on. Know your friends, but know what they eat better

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

Entertaining Under The Influence is a brand new, bi-weekly column by former intern and awesome cook/host, Lauren McGowan. the thing is, we can’t cook. And we don’t really live in fancy places where we can have dinner parties either. But, thankfully, neither does Lauren, and lucky for us, she is loaded with useful tips on how to whip up something delicious for cheap, and how to spruce up an informal gathering on even the shittiest student budget. Get a pen, you’ll want to take notes.

This week, it’s all about bartering with food. Now that I’m living on my own for the first time in my life, I’m encountering all kinds of fun problems I never had before. For instance, a light bulb blew in my apartment and I’m too short to get up on a stool and change the  god damn thing. Enter tall man friend who was happy to oblige, after I lured him over with the promise of a meal of course. Cooking as defined by most of my male friends in university can be summed up in two succinct ways “take-out” and “microwave”. One home cooked meal and he’ll be uh checking your pipes and other home repairs in no time. Spaghetti and Meat Balls is a fail safe. Here’s what you’ll need:

Spag & Balls

Sauce

2 28-ounce Cans Crushed Tomatoes

3 cloves garlic minced

1 medium onion finely chopped

A couple glugs of olive oil (3tbsp)

Half a glass of wine (red or white)

1 Bay leaf

2 tsp sugar

Meatballs

1 cup breadcrumbs (fresh or made from country-style bread)

1/3 cup milk

8 ounces ground beef

8 ounces ground pork

½ -1 cup finely ground (not grated) Parmesan cheese (don’t chintz and use Kraft)

1/3 cup finely parsley

1 teaspoon salt

Fresh Ground Pepper

2 large eggs

2 large garlic cloves minced

1 pound spaghetti

Freshly grated Parmesan cheese (for serving)

Sauce

Heat about 2 tbsp of the oil in a large pot on medium until when you drop a piece of onion in it sizzles. Add garlic and all of the onion turn the heat to medium low and cook until soft and a little see through 10 minutes. When the onions are translucent add the wine. Its gonna sizzle. Once that calms down add your tomatoes and bay leaf. Turn the heat to low and let it cook anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours. Take the bayleaf out, add the sugar and season with salt and pepper. Use it for freeze for whenever.

Meatballs

Combine breadcrumbs and milk in small bowl; stir until breadcrumbs are evenly moistened. Let stand 10 minutes. Place beef and pork in large bowl and break up into small chunks. Add ground Parmesan, parsley, salt, and pepper. Whisk eggs to blend in small bowl; whisk in garlic. Add to meat mixture.

Using hands, squeeze milk from breadcrumbs, reserving milk. Add breadcrumbs to meat mixture. Using hands, quickly and gently mix meat mixture just until all ingredients are evenly combined (do not overmix). Chill mixture at least 15 minutes and up to 1 hour.

Preheat oven to 375.  Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.

Moisten hands with some of reserved milk from breadcrumbs, then roll meat mixture between palms into golf-ball-size balls, occasionally moistening hands with milk as needed and arranging meatballs in single layer in the sauce in pot. . Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until meatballs are cooked through, 15 to 20 minutes

A weekend to remember (or not depending on how much alcohol you consumed).

Last year at Gaga Weekend 2, no one really seemed to remember the happenings due to an overdose of partying and alcohol consumption. I was able to recall most of the events by looking at the 1000 photos I had taken over the duration of the festival. Most people were able to piece together those 3 days via photographic evidence.

In order to recapture the “overdose of fun” that I like to call Gaga Weekend, I trekked out to a few shows with my camera in tow. And my wallet to pay for amenities such as beers. Here is what I was able to capture.

The Gaga Man himself, Ian Manhire

Gaga Weekend 3 kicked off on Thursday night at Rock and Roll Pizza Party, which recently moved to their new digs at NIXNE nightclub here in Ottawa. NIXNE is usually known for its guidos and guidettes as opposed to a bunch of garage rockers/crust punks, but the move of RRPP to the club has been so far, well received. The first night of Gaga Weekend was close to, if not at, capacity. I couldn’t believe it!

I arrived at Gaga Weekend – RRPP Edition around 11pm, only to be advised that I had missed one of the most hyped bands of the weekend, Pregnancy Scares. I’ve seen them before but they’re really amazing and I was truly saddened to have missed them as I received some ill advice as to when the bands started! My favourite review of Pregnancy Scares so far has been “Pregnancy Scares was so insane that I got kicked in the groin by the lead singer!” They don’t have a myspace or anything yet, but keep your eyes and ears open for them in the next little while.

Next on the bill was the Creeps! I honestly haven’t seen the Creeps in ages. It was awesome. Definitely awesome.

The Creeps

The Creeps play at Rock & Roll Pizza Party

Uranium Comeback graced Ottawa with their presence once again this year at Gaga Weekend. Uranium Comeback is 3 quarters Million Dollar Marxists and a newcomer. They tend to play once or twice a year, so it was a real treat to see these guys.

Uranium Comeback

The following act was the Holy Cobras. I really started to appreciate the direction the Holy Cobras started to take last year around this time. Their music used to really intimidate me cause I didn’t quite get the hype, but they’ve since changed their sound a bit and I really like what they’ve produced. As always, frontman Grady had an interesting slogan written on his chest. Cute.

Holy Cobras

Holy Cobras

There was a break between the Holy Cobras and the Suppositories for some pizza. It ain’t a pizza party unless there’s pizza. Pizza was exactly what I needed. Except I later found out that the pizza I grabbed had meat on it. Oops to being tipsy and the taste buds not working. Needless to say I headed home shortly thereafter.

The Gatekeepers. No bracelet, no stamp, no Gaga for you!

I missed Friday night because of a work conflict. Friday night’s lineup at the Bored To Death monthly was pretty impressive. So sad I missed the Zebrassieres as half of the group lives on the other side of the country and they don’t play that often. I’m not sure about the details, but apparently they at some point were covered in flour or something to that effect. I saw a facebook status update about smelling like baked goods. Bummer I missed it! They just released an LP on Going Gaga Records, so check them out!

Saturday Gaga. Day 3. Matinee show. You’d think by now that most of the individuals would be hungover as hell and tired of seeing the same people, but once again, there was an overwhelming response as people shuffled over to Yogi’s Meatlocker (a recording studio here in Ottawa) for the matinee which began at 11am. I on the other hand, told myself that I would only be permitted to go and drink all day if I went to the gym first. By the time I was showered and presentable, I rolled in around 2pm. Everyone was already drinking! I couldn’t believe their livers were ok with this! I was greeted by the Gaga Mascot, who was wearing the shirt he had worn all Gaga Weekend 2 and just happened to have been striking a familiar pose. The difference one year makes: longer shorts!

I was also just in time to see one of my local favourites, the White Wires! They played tons of new stuff along with a few favourites.

The White Wires

Gaga Mascot holds the mic up for Gaga Man who has left the stage to play in the crowd.

Ottawans love White Wires!

Next up was another one of my favourites. Big Dick. The band you dirty scoundrels! It was hotter than hell in that tiny room and I was pretty sure the drummer was going to puke at any given moment during their set, but he held it together. Kudos.

Big Dick

Big Dick

I noticed that the Gaga Mascot had changed his shirt. Curious as to why, I called him out on it. Turns out he has a new band called Crusades and the Gaga Matinee would be their first performance. Also, all members of the band were required to wear their band shirt. I was blown away by Crusades. Take members of Sedatives, Pregnancy Scares, The Visitors, The Creeps, Year Zero and combine them all together for an overwhelming sound. They took the title for my favourite band of the weekend. Can’t wait to hear more from them!

Crusades

Crusades

The next band I caught was Year Zero. Guys who played first last year have quickly gained the hype and notoriety over the year to land themselves one of the headlining slots of the Matinee show. Also added to my list of awesome.

Year Zero

Gaga Weekend ended for me after the matinee. I had to work again that night and I was already kinda drunk off delicious Bud Light Lime! I went home and ordered a pizza and almost passed out. I worked that night and was bitter because I was missing the final Gaga show. From what I heard, it was amazing and all the bands were phenomenal, but people were so tuckered out from the matinee and the previous 2 days they were ordering pitchers of water and falling asleep at the venue. I call that success! Can’t wait for next year’s edition of Gaga Weekend. It can only get bigger and better and more fun!

a mysterious foot print.

More pics? Check my flickr!

1. Don’t talk about your ex (or any other dude for that matter)
Ever been on a date or had a conversation with a dude that was going really well and then all of a sudden he shut down? And you spent the rest of your life wondering what the eff happened to change the mood so drastically? Well get ready to fall in love with me because I’m about to give you the answer: you said something that set old dude’s alarm bells off.
See one of the most maddening things about men is that they draw all kinds of  dumb weird inferences from what we say and 99% of the time they don’t tell you about it. So we have no idea that the completely innocent ex-reference we so blithely threw in over dinner has your man thinking you’re not over your ex and that one day he’ll walk in on the two of you 69-ing in the bathroom or something and his little heart will be broken. So rather than a) taking the time to find out if in fact you are still in love with your ex or recognize him for the douche he truly is or b) being a man and getting over himself, he’ll shut down and cross you off his list in favour of some chick whose ex lives in Siberia or some shit. It’s dumb but…you know what I they say: men are dumb.

2. Don’t look like you didn’t try. Or like you tried too hard
We all know that the most important thing on a first date is wardrobe. The key here is that you want to look so amazingly hot that he wants to jump across the table and f*ck your brains out, but at the same time you don’t want it to be obvious that you’ve just spent your rent money on the shoes you’re wearing.

3. Don’t do the reach for the cheque unless you mean it
I’ve been burned by this one before. Dinner ends, the cheque comes, and in an effort to show how cool and liberated you are you reach for your wallet to shell out your share. You set your bills on the table, smiling in the anticipation of the points you’re about to be awarded when he returns your money and insists on paying himself but instead….he just takes it and thanks you.
I’ve never known a woman not to come back from an experience like this pissed as all hell. As anyone who gets burned by the reach knows, it’s a gesture! He’s not supposed to take you up on it. But some guys do and if you’re not comfortable with the possibility of setting yourself into “I have to walk to work until next payday because I just coughed up my subway fare” zone. And now you’re salty and somewhere in the back of his mind he’s happy that he got a free dinner.

4. Don’t have sex…or not
A first date is just like any other dating situation in that you shouldn’t be doing anything you won’t do. The days where a girl who gave up the ass on the first date was shunned and labeled a hoor are long gone so if you want to throw caution to the wind and legs to the air, have at it. On the other hand, if you’re just not comfortable giving up the goodies the first night, don’t do that either.

5. Don’t bring the dirty
As you may have noticed, I have a bit of a smutty mouth. But I leave it at home on a first date. Not just because it’s not very ladylike (although it isn’t) but because it’s been my experience that while men thoroughly enjoy women who use all the bad words, they tend not to make them their girlfriends. They make them their buddies and tell them stories of all the other girls they bang. And we don’t want that do we?

6. Don’t be rude

No matter how bad the date is, no matter how disastrously homely the dude is, please do not be rude. It’s unkind and unnecessary and most of all – it’s bad karma. Plus you never know where you might run into old boy again; last week’s date from hell may just end up being your next boss so don’t burn the bridge.

7. Don’t not eat
I don’t know if they still make the kind of women who want to appear more feminine by not eating a thing at dinner, but if you are one of these girls, please pick up the nearest sharp object and poke yourself with it. If you have a legitimate reason for not eating that’s okay, but if it’s to make the dude like you better you have a problem.

8. Don’t overshare

Yes a first date is about getting to know each other, but baby steps please ladies. He doesn’t need to know about your polycystic ovarian syndrome that makes your periods irregular. Nor is the abortion you had after a drunken night with the bartender at the Drake any of his concern. Keep it light please. Unless you want him to run away screaming.

9. Don’t be fake
I don’t really need to say any more than that, do I?

10. Don’t stress! It’s supposed to be fun.
The number one gauge of the success or failure of your first date should be whether you had fun. Everything else will either work itself out or not so there’s no need to stress over whether you’ve said, done, or wore the wrong thing. Expect nothing more than to have a pleasant time and you’ll be laughing afterward. Literally.
Now go out and have great first dates my ladies!

You can find more tips on all kinds of things useful and useless over at Max-Logic.com

They were rappers, they were DJs, they were remixers, and now they have a full album to keep you footloose and fancy free, Holy Ghost! have risen from making drainpipe- sporting hipsters dance in New York to all over the continent and then some Check the myspace for the duos mad remixes of Phoenix, MGMT, Friendly Fires, and their own boomdiggy shit. In the mean  time Holy Ghost!’s (and they damn well earned that exclamation point) Nicholas Millhiser and Alexander Frankel took some time off to answer PinkMafia’s 20 Q.

1. What is your
dream of happiness?
Alex: Big studio, in corsica
Nick: Yeah, DFA Corsica HQ on the rocks

2. Blonde or Brunette?
Alex: Brunette
Nick: Brunette for sure

3. What is the quality you like most in a man?
Alex: Not being a dick
Nick: Being worse looking and less charming than me

4. What do you fear most?
Alex: Fear itself
Nick: Embarassing my friends

5. 808s or 909s?
Alex: 707′s, also like the latin percussion model, 727!
Nick: Simmons!

6. What’s your biggest regret?
Alex: There are a lot
Nick: Yeah, there are a couple but they are not exactly for a light hearted interview. It would just bum you out.

7. What’s your fav bar or club in the world?
Alex: Subclub! Glasgow!
Nick: Ditto

8. What’s the one thing you can’t live without?
Alex: Coffee.
Nick: Beer

9. What are the 3 musicians dead or alive you’d like to see perform?
Alex: Talking Heads at their Rome concerts, Larry Levan any night, MJ.
Nick: Double ditto

10. What is your favorite decade in music?
Alex: 1977-84
Nick: Alex is killing it with his answers. Triple ditto!

11. If you had to choose, would you rather go blind or deaf and why?
Blind, I could still work.
Nick: I’ll say deaf so alex and I could engage in mad-cap antics ala Gene Wilder and Richard Pryor in “See No Evil/Hear No Evil.”

12. How old is too old?
Alex: Its never too late
Nick: I’m feeling it now. The kids…are coming up…from behind…

13. Where do you see yourself in 15 years?
Alex: Not far from where I am
Nick: Literally. I’d be happy in this very apartment, though hopefully (1) I will own it (2) I will have renovated the kitchen and (3) not be painfully alone.

14. Who’s your hero?

Alex: Make that super hero: Jerry Fuchs.

Nick: From the first time I saw saw him I thought he was the best drummer I’d ever seen but ever since he passed away I’ve spent a lot of time studying his playing and he was actually even better than I thought. I really, really miss him.

15. What’s your favourite colour?
Alex: Red
Nick: Dude! We’re so in touch with each other! Mine is totally red too!

16. What song could you live without ever hearing again?
Alex: your so gay by Katy Perry.
Nick: That fucking reggaeton song the bodega below my apartment has been blasting for the past 4 years.

17. Metallica or Madonna?
Nick: Madonna
Nick: Metallica

18. What’s your most hated vice?
Alex: Cigarettes and taxis
Nick: Good Humor Oreo ice cream bars. I love cigarettes, that’s the problem.

19. Who is the most tragic figure in history?
Alex/Nick: We’re all tragic

20. What are the top three live shows you’ve seen in your life?
Alex: I leave this to Nick
Nick: Jay-Z’s Fade To Black concert at the The Garden. That’s it.

Holy Ghost! Are playing in Toronto at the  Koolhaus May 25th with LCD Soundsystem CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS

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 Synopsis:
“This isn’t a love story, this is a story about love,” being the tagline for this film, pretty much sums up the entire plot. Tom still believes, even in today’s cynical society, that love can change, consume and conquer all. Summer, on the other hand, doesn’t believe in any of that, but Tom won’t let that change anything. He pursues her endlessly, falling in love with not only Summer, but the very idea of love and how it might be able to change people and the world, regardless of the odds.

Cast:
Zooey Deschanel, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Clark Gregg, Minka Kelly, Chloe Moretz, Matthew Gray Gubler, Geoffrey Arend

Director:
Mark Webb

Review:
500 Days of Summer is like a fairy tale gone wrong… but in a good way. I have never seen any movie that so eloquently captures what it’s like to have your heart completely and utterly broken in 2009. In those 500 days, we are allowed to view the beginning, middle and end to a relationship, and anyone who has ever loved someone knows what that looks like.

The soundtrack is absolutely fabulous with songs from The Smiths, She & Him, Regina Spektor, etc… You really feel the emotions that Tom is going through throughout the film strictly because the music is so perfectly matched with all of the scenes.

The cinematography and writing were absolutely beautiful, and probably my favourite part of the entire film. The split screen between Tom’s reality and his expectations in a particular scene, the dance sequence, the colours, everything.. it was just beautiful to look at. I especially liked the fact that, in terms of colour scheme, they stuck to one colour, blue, which really brought the entire film together, visually.

500 Days of Summer is one of my favourite films of all time, and not because it’s a Citizen Kane or a Godfather, but because it’s so real. And any movie that allows you to relate to it so well, has to be given a chance. So go see it!!!!

Rating:
5/5

By the way, heres a link to a short video that Zooey and Joseph made for the film, with music from She & Him in the background.

I’m all the way in the Manitoba for a summer of fun. My first adventure out in Winnipeg city was a rap concert. I have a weakness for rap, all of it. The good, the bad, the white, the black I want it all. This may also have to do with the fact that I think gangsters are hot. So let me begin, Classified is hot.

Me and my dear friend made our way to The Pyramid around 10:30 to get our rap on. Three of our other friends missed out on the occasion because Ticketmaster said it was sold out, and  The Pyramid said they would not be selling any more tickets at the door. ALL LIES. The crowd was not full and they were selling tickets at the door. So lame. We got over missing our friends, and ordered a drink at the bar to begin to set the tone.

A Winnipeg local rap duo named Dead Indians took to the stage to pump us up. Unfortunately they didn’t. So we just waited around in anticipation for the real deal. A young man took to the stage next. Looking fresh in his white tall tee and LA hat. I say yay it’s Classified. My friend is convinced it’s not him. I’m mezmorised by his rap and dance hard to who I think is Classified. PHYSC it was Jake Boyd, Classified’s younger brother. Ahh yeah he set the tone for the night. The crowd really enjoyed him and everyone’s hand was up in the air! GANGSTA STYLE. After one more opening act Classified took to the stage. He raped for more than an hour. I’m impressed, my friend’s impressed, the crowds impressed. He brought the house down. He is evidently a skilled veteran with 11 albums under his belt. His most recent album, Self Explanatory is his first Major Label release put out with the support  of  Sony BMG. His new song, Is Anybody Listening?, is all over the radio in Winnipeg and I sang along line for line when he finally busted out his new hit single.

The crowd’s energy was high and Classified brought us even higher, literally and metaphorically. The glow from weed was thick in the air and Classified passed around a joint and swigged a couple beers. We were all celebrating his first Friday in Winnipeg together. The concert was a success and now I’m a bigger fan. But that doesn’t mean that the concert was easy to survive. Here is what you need to know if you plan to hit up any of his shows in Ontario or the East Coast.

Tip One: Smoke weed everyday (the whole crowd was high, you might as well join in.)

Tip Two:  Keep your eyes closed (the crowd was a group of people that I would never want to be caught dead hanging out with. I’m talking about boys in Billabong clothes, boys in backwards Billabong hats, girls in Billabong clothes, girls in frontwards Billabong hats. I wasn’t impressed. And standing around with all the biggest losers that you never talked to in high school is enough to make you kick someone. Here’s the truth I ended up kicking someone.)

Tip Three: Know the national anthem (Classified performed a remix version of Oh Canada. Gotta love Canadian pride)

Tip Four: Make out (People jumped on stage, crowd surfed and acted rowdy. But as soon as two girls got up on stage,  the boys started wanting female on female make-out. This is so lame, and makes me want Classified to grow up. )

All in all I enjoyed myself. And will continue to pretend that i’m a rap superstar diva until i’m too old to keep pretending. I think Classified could be huge in the Canadian rap scene, but he REALLY REALLy needs to get a new type of fan. They were bad enough to make me not want to go to another Classified show.

Thunderheist WHUD UP. Hearing Thunderheist in our offices is like hearing downtown Toronto drivers honking; ITS CONSTANT AND LOUD. Heck yes we are fans of this dynamic duo, but now a days who isn’t? They are taking over the world and duh that’s a really great thing!

Usually the only reason people tune into MTV is to watch The Hills. STOP IT. Tune into MTV for something WAY BETTER. This Wednesday April 29th,  Thunderheist will be on MTV LIVE. Fill your brain with something worth your time! And when MTV LIVE leaves you wanting more, which it will,  then  head down to The Phoenix Thursday April 30th to catch their concert in full swing. I mean we once had 5 minutes in heaven with Isis, and trust us it’s something everyone should experience.

After seeing their television faces on MTV LIVE, and after you feel their sweat drip on your body at Exclaim’s Tour at The Phoenix, go home and watch The Wrestler. Why you’re asking? Well let me tell you why! THUNDERHEIST’S SONG JERK IT ACCOMPANIES MY MAIN MAN MICKEY ROURKE ON THE BIG SCREEN.

Make it or Break it Thunderheist? They don’t just make shit, they INVENT IT!

You know how people have  those lists, 5 famous people you are allowed to sleep with that won’t be considered cheating on your boyfriend? Well I don’t even need 5 slots because this man would take up number one to five, Terry Richardson. Ever since I first stumbled upon his photography, in Vice Magazine, I have been in love. He has that quality that makes me stumble on my words and blush like a girl in grade six. His photography is always dead on in pushing boundaries and making you feel a little uncomfortable in the best way possible. His latest work that I’ve come across is for Vogue Homme International. The editorial’s purpose is to display the watches, I think it more accurately displays my undying love for Terry.

Today is the day that all the boyfriends in the world drop their shitty attitudes, tighten up their game, and head towards their ladies doors. And with the help of Hallmark, and some other cheesy cliche’s, they try and make your heart flutter. PUKE. We say drop your shitty boyfriends and go on your own dream date. YEAH EVEN IF ITS IN YOUR MIND. It’s better than putting up with a fake boyfriend. So feel free to use my dream date if you aren’t creative enough to come up with your own.
Mickey Rourke. A real man. And in this case, the definition of a real man is: a man who’s balls have shrunk due to the fact that he’s on steroids but he stills walks around like ‘grrrrrrrrrrr, my balls’. You know that attitude? Well i enjoy it. And Mickey Rourke basically invented it. Have you seen The Wrestler? Come on, dream-boat. On our date, Mickey would take me down to  the candy store and he’d buy me as many sour candies as I wanted. And then we’d swing by the LCBO and buy a liter of vodka. Yeah not a 26, Mickey only drinks liters. We’d stick two straws in the bottle and let the alcohol take us to our next date destination: naked wrestling. And then we’d both get each others names tattooed on our bodies and live happily every after.

HAPPY VALENTINES.
call me if you’re interested Mickey