By Dave Teeuwen
Burning Ground is Calgary native Pearl Luke’s first novel. As a short novel, it is decidedly conservative but a good effort. The story centres around a fire scout for the Northern Alberta forestry department named Percy. Secluded in her fire tower at Envy River for the seventh season, Percy reflects on her life thus far.… Continue reading Writer breaks new ground
By David Kenney
All his life David Draiman has been wrestling with voices. People tried to force beliefs on the Disturbed vocalist and he would retaliate through song. Today, Draiman has a chokehold on his past and has taken to wrestling again–with WWF superstar Stone Cold Steve Austin’s approval. "Apparently we’re Stone Cold’s new favourite band," explains Draiman.… Continue reading Are all fans of wrestling Disturbed?
You can watch Croupier in one of two ways: you can see it as a dark commentary on the nature of man or as a mere caper with many bizarre twists. I like to pretend I am someone of great depth, so I choose the former. Through the prism of gambling, Croupier offers insights about… Continue reading Take a gamble on Croupier
The first Highlander is a cult classic and deservedly so. It had immortals, cool swordfights, Sean Connery and Queen. It’s difficult to screw up that formula, but the two subsequent sequels drove the franchise firmly into the ground. The best one can say for this fourth sequel is that it’s not as bad as the… Continue reading Nothing to lose your head over
Ever stop and wonder, "what now?" Martin Herbert, set designer for various productions at the U of C, has put together a show of U of C alumni for the Mezzanine Gallery. The show is entitled Now What, or What Now and this can be read both ways, says Herbert. "The alumni show stretches over… Continue reading What Now for Alumni Artists
By Nicole Kobie
What do an artsy German film and a Calgary pop band have in common? Nothing, aside from a name. Local act Zuckerbaby are back after a three-year absence. While the movie can be found at your local movie store (it’s about an obese German woman’s fixation on a young stud), the band can be found… Continue reading Zuckerbaby returns to the Calgary scene
By Nicole Kobie
Symptoms: a crazy plot filled with obsessed characters and psychotic situations. Diagnosis: one insanely hilarious movie. Nurse Betty stars the ensemble cast of Morgan Freeman, Renee Zellweger, Chris Rock and Greg Kinnear, all of whom have never been funnier. This is a character-based film; no one character is as stupid, smart, or perfect as they… Continue reading Soaps, sanity, sex and slapstick
By Nicole Kobie
They may be gone, but they’re not going to let you forget them. While Vancouver radio-darlings The Odds may be on an undetermined break, they’re not finished with music by any means. "We’re just sort of on a hiatus, or maybe we’re done. I don’t know," says drummer Pat Steward, as he crunches on breakfast.… Continue reading Heterosexual men call it quits?
By David Kenney
Once a superhero’s personality was bigger than any bulge from muscles or elsewhere. Nowadays, artwork is just as important, if not more so than solid storylines. Pre-Todd MacFarlane and post ’60s campiness, a happy medium existed called The Silver Age. Over the past year, The Silver Age has undergone a rebirth. Marvel Comics lead the… Continue reading Silver Age has no shine
By David Kenney
On Wednesday night at the MacEwan Hall Ballroom, Terri Clark held a family reunion. Tables and chairs were pulled out, enclosed candles topped tables and waitresses served drinks. The only thing missing was a croaky-sounding uncle and some bad jokes. It was Martha Stewart-nice. Pretty bizarre for a ballroom show. Instead of the regular stumbling-drunk… Continue reading Clark fearless in acoustic Ballroom performance