I'm not sure how pitching Chris Haddock's Intelligence opposite Heroes on Monday nights starting tonight can be a good thing, but I'm sure the Mother Ship knows what they are doing. Intelligence is back for what they are calling, "More sex, drugs, and espionage" in another 12 episodes and a sophomore effort. When we last saw our friendly neighborhood drug dealer Jimmy "The Weed King" Reardon, he was on his way to Seattle to be lured into the hands of a waiting DEA trap, while his friend in the high place of Canadian intelligence, Mary Spalding, had her hands just as full with Americans too as she climbs the CSIS ladder and deals with a mole.
The second season begins on the edge of those dual disasters and promises to keep a steady pace. Of course this means that Reardon and Spalding will be pushed closer and closer together. The show is still the best scripted thing on Canadian TV, and looks dirty good as always. My only complaint is sometimes, rarely, it does have that Canadian feel - the full strip club that is quiet enough to have a whispered conversation in, but whatever.
A couple of things to look out for this season besides more action at the Chickadee. Can you get enough of a stripper named Sweet? Come on! It's the feel good story of the year. One thing I enjoyed about the first two episodes of this new season has been the pervy inspector General of CSIS who seems like a sneaky spy version of Bloc Leader Gilles Duceppe crossed with a tiny bit of Liberal Leader Stephane Dion. Which is pretty great. And, having the twenty-one year old Lorna (Leela Savasta), Raoul's niece, which is nice - hopefully nice enough for Jimmy to finally call things off with his cokehead of a wife. Oh, and let's not forget how Matt Frewer has mastered the fine art of douche bag intelligence guy.
Remember 20 years ago when Canadian music went from laughable (oh, hey, BTO’s on the radio again) to pretty damn cool in what seemed like a matter of months? Thanks to VideoFACT and MuchMusic (which actually played videos in their entirety back then), Canadian acts were showcased nationally and many of us liked what we saw and heard. Actually, we liked it a tonne. From 1986-1989, the Tragically Hip, Blue Rodeo, Sarah McLachlan, Tom Cochrane & Red Rider, and 54-40 all released debut albums to critical and commercial success. Before their arrival, DJ’s were stuck with such a lack of home-grown choice a drinking game could be played every time a Canadian Content regulation was fulfilled. (That’s “Standing in the Dark” by Platinum Blonde, they're from Canada - take a shot!) Luckily for us, our best musicians got their due. Those of us who have enjoyed their careers from the beginning felt a sense of national pride that we could produce talent more than capable of holding its own on stage with whatever came out of New York or London or Sydney.
Since then, Canada’s continued to produce outstanding acts, but the corporate machine has won out. If this was still 1987, Kathleen Edwards, Matt Mays, Stars and Classified would be as successful as the Hip, Maestro Fresh Wes and McLachlan were then. While the critical acclaim for Canadian music has never been greater, commercial success isn’t there unless you can land a deal with Apple to get your video constantly shown on iPod commercials (are you sick of “1-2-3-4” by Leslie Feist yet?). Instead, bland, gimmicky acts get the attention and many of us have to dig for the great music within our borders.
One of the best comes to town this month when Broken Social Scene plays the Commodore. These guys and gals aren’t only among the most talented bands going, they’ve got the coolest collective around. Based in Toronto, they only have two permanent members (Brendan Canning and Kevin Drew), but the band can at any time include 19 musicians who drop in and out of recording sessions. When they play live, you never know who you might get. BSS members include Feist, Jason Collett, members of Stars, Metric, Apostle of Hustle and Treble Charger. They play award-winning music that’s ambient, psychedilic and, at its best, mesmerizing. Hear ’em play songs by Drew on Oct. 25 and don't surprised to see something of an encore on Oct. 29 when Apostle of Hustle (aka Andrew Whiteman) takes the stage. (Watch Apostle of Hustle - National Anthem of Nowhere)
Here are my highlights for the Vancouver concert scene in October (***-I have my tickets; **-If I could afford it, I’d go; *-Give me a freebie and I’m there, and I’ll buy the first round):
Oct. 1: Klaxons, Commodore*
Oct. 1: The Aliens, Richard's*
Oct. 2: Chris Cornell, The Centre**
Oct. 2: Built to Spill, Commodore***
Oct. 2: Dick Dale, The Yale*
Oct. 3: The National (with St. Vincent opening), Commodore***
Oct. 3-4: Black Francis, Richard's*
Oct. 4: Down, Commodore*
Oct. 6: Foreigner, Red Robinson Theatre*
Oct. 6: The Weakerthans, Commodore**
Oct. 10: Nick Lowe, Richard's***
Oct. 11: Mondo Generator, Commodore*
Oct. 12: Sum 41 and Finger Eleven, GM Place*
Oct. 17: Kanye West and Ludacris, GM Place**
Oct. 17: Tokyo Police Club, The Plaza Club*
Oct. 19-20: 54-40, Commodore***
Oct. 20: Final Fantasy, Richard's*
Oct. 20: Ozzy Osbourne and Rob Zombie, GM Place*
Oct. 21: Brad Paisley and Taylor Swift, GM Place*
Oct. 21: The Mobius Band, Media Club**
Oct. 25: State Radio, Richard's**
Oct. 25: Broken Social Scene, featuring songs of Kevin Drew, Commodore***
Oct. 26: Justin Nozuka, Media Club*
Oct. 27: Brandi Carlile, Commodore***
Oct. 29: Apostle of Hustle, Commodore***
Oct. 30: Henry Rollins, The Centre**
Oct. 30: Boys Like Girls, The Plaza Club*
Oct. 30: Billy Joel, GM Place**
I think today needs musical numbers. It's been a long week. Friday's first video from the Buffy musical, "I'll Never Tell." Please tell me that this will someday play interactively on a big screen here in Vancouver?
And if you're going to have an great musical number, can Woody Allen + Ed Norton doing "My Baby Just Cares For Me" be a bad idea?
And things are better in threes. Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby in High Society singing "Did you ever?" Alternately you could check out "Who Wants to be a Millionaire."
Smallville premiered its new season last night and it ended with a look at Super Girl. Never really watched this show before, apparently it's filmed here. Does that even matter? Meanwhile, Erica Durance, aka Lois Lane graces the sleazy cover of Maxim. I can see why I should care now.
*The Office was amazing. But you know that already I'm sure. Michael Scott ran his car into Meredith, Dwight killed Angela's cat Sprinkles, and Pam and Jim are dating. Ryan rocked a killer beard now that he is a wunderkind.
*I told my friend Anthony today about my new friend in Gossip Girl, Blair. He said, "yeah, she's cute for a 40 year old. I had to dump it for my schedule." FYI: Dude. she's 21. Jerk.
*Couldn't sleep last night, again, and watched Life. This is the NBC show, after Bionic Woman, described pretty amazingly by a commentator at IMDB as, "The Gregory House of Cop World." It stars Damian Lewis, who was pretty awesome in Band of Brothers. He's pretty great with the whole wrongly accused I have millions but no furniture, hate cops but eat excessive fruits, and am trying to have fun with life kind of vibe. And honestly, Sarah Shahi , must I say more? The show is on for next week. Damn it.
This video is amazing for a variety of things. For one, Peter has an incredible mustache. It's also featured in the Wes Anderson short Hotel Chevalier that Steve Jobs doesn't care if we see. It's still super awesome.
This is truly awesome. The Rock, sorry, Dwayne Johnson has an interview in Sports Illustrated about his new Disney movie, The Game Plan.
Q: What's the coolest thing you got to do at Gillette Stadium during the shoot?
A: By far it was to run out onto the field and just take snaps at the 50-yard line. To get out on that field and essentially win the Super Bowl in the movie, and hold my little girl up. That was the coolest thing.
Let me get this straight. He GIVES away the ending!?! What an effing tool!
Related:
Watch The Game Plan Trailer and ponder the question Slashflim asks, "Could this be to The Rock what Mr. Nanny was to Hulk Hogan?"
The Province Newsroom blog baits us with this creepy news, "Reporter Ian Austin will have the full story in Friday's Province about how the Vancouver Parks Board is wooing giant animatronic dinosaurs for an attraction in Stanley Park, but the debate is already under way. The opinions so far range from 'pretty rad' to 'what an eyesore that'll be.'" [More at CBC]
The Canucks lost 4-3 last night to the San Jose Sharks. And I only really mention this because the famed and no-longer short lived Orland Kurtenblog is back! So catch up on the blogs mythology and
"Orland Kurtenblog was originally developed as a video sharing website where users could upload, view and share video clips. Its co-founders, Jason Brough and Mike Halford, soon decided that such a website would never work and sold the concept to three software engineers from Silicon Valley. In return, Brough and Halford received two popsicles, an old bird cage and rights to the KB moniker.
Several failed suicide attempts later, they decided to use Orland Kurtenblog to write about the Vancouver Canucks.
It was a heady time for independent bloggers like Brough and Halford. No longer were aspiring writers forced to align with the politicized crusades of mass media outlets. They could set up a blog for free and speak to the world."
As always with the KB, you're not going to find breaking Canucks news (thank god), but lots of useless candy and hilarity. And this time with KB 2.0 you get the possibility of them entangling themselves and big media in fun new ways. Perhaps they'll make good on their promise of an exciting lawsuit. Excellent! And so it begins my annual hate-hate-dislike relationship with the world of the Vancouver Canucks. Lock and load.
Dear iTunes, I'm so sick of your crap. Can you please get your shit together so that we can watch TV shows and the Wes Anderson short Hotel Chavalier instead of just lame music videos? Thanks for nothing. Jerks. Get your crap together. That is all.
I tried out Bionic Woman tonight. You know props out to Vancouver and all. Sigh. I wish I could just leave it at that. This show is no Heroes was be better. I made it past the teaser open only after massive car crash scene, since Jamie Sommers seems kind of not very interesting to watch. I'm so over the secret government agencies. And for reals, how do you cast a way better badee in Katee Sackhoff than the weak 'Bionic Woman', Jamie is so dead if they want to get past episode 12. Fine, fine, she runs like a cheetah and it's all about girl power.
But I did learn some things watching some premiere week TV last night. Like the fact that my PVR should have melted down with all the over-the-top recording the past two days. Please can it rain this weekend so I can catch up? I'm pathetic.
The kids on Gossip Girl aren't 30-year old actresses like I thought after episode one. phew! PS: Love Blair Waldorf, er, Leighton Meester. This show had me at, "Some may call this a fustercluck, but on the Upper East Side we call it Sunday afternoon."
The opening of this promo for next week's premiere of 30 Rock is pretty awesome. Mostly because I just love the idea of Jack Donaghy's summer shows "America's Next Top Pirate", "Are You Stronger Than a Dog", "Milf Island" (25 Super-hot moms, 50 8-grade boys, no rules).
*Speaking of Gawker. So Mahmoud Ahmadinejad hit the Big Apple yesterday. Jezebel wondered if he was kinda hot (Gross), Meanwhile Wonkette's Ken Layne calls Bush "Darth Chimpy McHitler"
*"Fans who attended a sneak preview Monday of critically acclaimed director Wes Anderson's newest project, The Darjeeling Limited, were surprised to learn that the film features a deadpan comedic tone, highly stylized production design, and a plot centering around unresolved family issues." [The Onion]
*I knew there was a catch to this whole Canadian Dollar at par with the US$. Books! We're getting ripped off on the effing books! What a bunch of bastards. Oh, wait, we're back to an incentive to shop South of the Border. [The Consumerist]
Okay, I'll admit it. I don't think I've ever been to a fashion show before. Whatever. On Friday, The Vancouverite (meaning me and barely-contributing Editor Josee) and our recently appointed fashion advisor/moral compass Lisa took up someone's (read the lovely Nicole Stewart from The Honey Mustard) crazy offer to let us come to a fashion show at Hot Box Accessories (2560 Main St.) Truthfully, the only other thing even sort of related to the world of fashion for me last week was trying to figure how Gossip Girl was the being declared the most important show about New York ever. And I was still just trying to figure out why they cast people who looked 30. Crap, where was I?
It was hard to keep up to be honest. First our cab driver, the first Vancouver cab driver I've ever had who was rocking some seriously awesome tunes took us to Main & 25th instead of 2560 Main. A. We weren't paying attention. B.The pre-party smug cocktails and appies at Gotham prolly impacted our ability to function. C. The music made it impossible to care. D. PS: It was our fault, not his.
Oh, right the Hot Box Bare Accessories Fashion Show. The enchanting candy of an evening of "male and female models baring it all, wearing only body paint and accessories" and "complimentary bar, DJ, and R-rated action" kind of had the trio of us at hello. The reality was, I don't think I even had the clothes to pull off attending this kind of thing. I tried to buy myself some Chuck Taylor's but then I was like, "you look ridiculous, like a hipster douchebag.Just stop."
So what did it all mean? It meant that in a space smaller than my apartment, you had the rubbing of elbows with all sorts of characters, even the models. I'm not saying this was the Cantina from Star Wars or anything, it was just a well balanced crowd. It could have been the walk from 25th and Main, but it was hot in there. At least you could step out on mainstreet and watch the models dancing on the stage outside, that was pretty rad. And these girls we're working these bags like their life depended on it. The supplies of Corona weren't plentiful enough to cool down but (I think) they had Hester Creek boxed wine, which is kind of ironic and sweet and served in plastic shot glasses - er, wine glasses.
Between learning all about Matt & Nat and their positivity message and their handbags, to the amazing selection of duct tape wallets with amazing skulls on them, to the Goorin Brother's hats (hat's are back? that's cool.) it was enough to just wonder what the heck was going down. Particularly the burlesque models doing their body paint thing and girating uncomforatably, the wide range of people in attendence. (Check out pictures from the evening at Flickr courtesy Urban Mixer)
Let me just say for the record, that serving drinks to people in a small funky shop like this seems to inspire "drunk shopping", a sport that never really caught on for men or the Olympics yet, but seems to be extreme sport for the ladies. I think our trip to check out the fashion show ended up with our team buying: 1 gray handbag, 1 green belt, 1 amazing Goorin Bros. hat, 1 pair sunglasses, 1 free Mat and Nat change purse in "mustard" (which along with the gray was discussed about in the context of fall color amazingness) and 1 secret birthday gift. Hey weren't we supposed to be covering this party? Bah! I guess that was half the fun. Had the "Man-Bling" section been stocked full of the same kind of sparkly bits that captured the girl's eyes, I might have tried this out too, but given the Chuck Taylor fiasco, I wasn't all that keen on trying to pull off leather wristbands.
And after that, I offer a simple 5 word review for Hot Box: Funkn' Sassy Accessory Magic Emporium
PS: We wore our sunglasses for the rest of the night, but that is a story for another time.
I think being able to do a 60-min episode devoted to the singular parody of Star Wars is a pretty amazing feat for Family Guy. Considering they were canceled and everything.
It's a week before it even premieres, but Bionic Woman out and about in Vancouver filming upcoming episodes. Perhaps you can grab a sneak peak of Michelle Ryan as they film along the 400 block of West Pender and Hastings today. That would be sweet. This is just a lame excuse to post something about this show.
Okay. I'm not sure this is cool, but Mandy Moore singing Rihanna's Umbrella is pretty awesome. And it feels like our 7 months of rainy monsoon season may start today. Posting this video isn't cool, but whatever. And really whats with these three points 1. What is with all the extreme closeups of Mandy? 2. Honestly Mandy, would it kill you to rock some high heels? 3. Creepy Klingon head Rihanna in video format in the background.
Since the Vancouver Film Festival is coming up shortly, I almost forgot to post my favorite thing from Toronto's festival. My friend Liam who I sentenced to a stay at our Planet Hoth office writes about his brush with Jude Law. "Even though I am straight, I can admit that. He is hot. However, I just sat down and realized what an idiot I am for not telling him what a shit movie “The Holiday” was" [smogsmogsmoggysmogerson.blogspot.com]
Here is a nice little look at some recent advertising goodishness. I know what you're thinking. "Post something about Vancouver, ahole". Well, when I had moments yesterday where I could have felt like the man in this unfortunate Rock Paper Scissors video and often feel like I have to deal with my own 'send to Mordor' bunker. The question is, do you like your ads directed by famous directors? Featuring insane newly named snackfoods, or in massive 40-story hotel wrappings? Or do you even care? If my comments we're back working I'm sure you'd tell me.
2. I can't even stand football, but since these are directed by Michael Mann and feature music from his Last of the Mohicans which is a rad movie, i will grant you this Nike Football ad is kind of okay.
3. Or you can check out P. Diddy's spot for his new "Unforgettable" fragrance that Best Week Ever describes as "I mean, what could be more unforgettable than being held against a wall in some kind of backstage maintenance hallway and joylessly having your body groped by some champagne-drunken rap guy?"
4. I couldn't find the real spot for this that was playing during the Emmy's last night. But the idea of the Oreo Cakester is completely insane. I mean sure they can't seem to get Iraq 100% right, but for the love of all that is holy they have soft cake Oreos. Amazing. And the fact that they ask you to look for them in the Oreo Aisle is genius. Pure genius.
Bravo was playing 1984's Blame it on Rio last night. Bastards. And TBS, glorious TBS, is playing Cocktail this morning. Can I call in sick to the salt mines I toil in during the day? Wait, does my work read this blog. Crap, moving on.... I remember this film being fairly amazing back then, but the tagline is so funny in hindsight. "She's the hottest thing on the beach. She's also his best friend's daughter!" Oh the hijinks! That rules. Watch the amazing trailer.
I remember this movie had virtually everything you could ask for:
1. Even back in '84 creepy Michael Caine was already playing incompetent old fart. Check.
2. His 'best friend' played by Joseph Bologna. Famous both for the cool sounding meat name and being another classic artifact from the 1980s, TV's Rags to Riches ("A wealthy businessman decides to soften his "cutthroat" image by adopting some children. He winds up adopting six girls and isn't prepared for the problems that come with them."). Check!
3. Very nubile Demi Moore. Woo Hoo! I mean, Check!
4. Michael Caine's insanely large glasses.
5. Why would Demi Moore's friend, played by a then 17-year old clearly cast to make Demi look fugly as Bologna's daughter possibly want to fall for Caine? Retardedly awesome! Check.
6. Just let Roger Ebert explain the entire 'dirty old man' concept of the film.
7. The New York Times review was awesome: "However, 'Blame It on Rio' is not simply humorless. It also spreads gloom. It's one of those unfortunate projects that somehow suggests that everyone connected with the movie hated it and all of the other people involved." Check!
Somehow on Friday night I ended up watching this ridiculous music act at the Railway Club. That 1 Guy, who seems to play some sort of vacuum cleaner or something - he apparently calls it his magic pipe. It was totally sureal, almost as sureal as watching the three idiots doing Dr. Pepper shots at the bar like it was 1994 all over again. Whatever, I'm over it.
Oh Britney what the hell was that? I think Perez kind of summed up the whole disaster best. It was a terrible award show too - one long commercial for The Palms. I'm just pissed that we didn't get to see the Tommy Lee vs Kid Rock fist fight. That's hot.
This one is a few months old, but it sure is nice to see Hennessy promoting a clean weekend of booze free fun. Ridiculous. Although it makes me want to go mock some people fauxsters at Republic very soon. (Via AdFreak)
Buying cell phones really sucks. The options between Telus and Rogers is hilariously funny. And it caused our dear friend Anthony to be on this site looking at buying this bit of amazing technology by Sony Ericsson, the cell phone watch!
Finally! This gem finally realizes the wonderfully amazing world of Knight Rider. And only $249.99! As Anthony correctly points out, "God, what a glorious world!!" Steve Jobs can release all the iPod updates he wants in the world, but he doesn't have the iphone watch! Try that tough guy!
Best Week Ever asked this question yesterday, and it is still running around my head since it has to be true-ish. "Are the Pitt-Jolie’s Actually Really Gorgeous, Coked-Up Vampires? Because, most normal people like to spend a day, I don’t know… SLEEPING… or NOT FLYING TO A NEW INTERNATIONAL CITY… or just HANGING OUT AT HOME WITH THE KIDS. How on Earth do these people muster up the energy to do something every single day and night while travelling? Are they some sort of hyperbreed, like the precogs in Minority Report?"
I'm probably way late to the game of enjoying Richard Cheese, but whatever. My mind is fairly mushy, since I entered the utterly ridiculous 3-Day Novel contest. What was I thinking. 100 pages and 25,000 words of pure drivel into the mail shortly. I'm sure Starbucks enjoyed the extra money this weekend. Bastards.
PS: Richard Cheese is freaking amazing! that is all.
Late last week, one of our most loyal readers brough our attention to the amazing banner ads that the Vancouver Sun was sporting. That's right kids, the She Wee was front and center on the homepage last week for some unintentionally funny advertising fun.
What's the She Wee? "Shewee is a molded plastic funnel that provides women with a simple, private and hygienic method of urinating without removing clothes whilst standing AND sitting."
Amazing! As Ron Burgundy would say, "you stay classy, Vancouver."
The concert scene is supposed to cool down come Labour Day. Not this year for Vancouverites. September offers more hip-shaking, head-banging, toe-tapping, shroom-tripping good times than any month since … hmmm … well, I’ve been here. Every week has multiple shows that are must-see for music fans and they’re spread through the Lower Mainland’s many outstanding venues (civic strike permitting). There are even a couple of days where it’s hard to decide who to see. On Sept. 17, Mute Math plays the Commodore while Editors headline at Richard’s on Richards. Tip the door guy and see if he’ll let you run from one to the other between sets (might work at Richard’s, but not the stricter-than-a-nun’s-ruler Commodore).
Rock fans are especially happy because three iconic bands – the Flaming Lips, Smashing Pumpkins and Arctic Monkeys – strum into town. Squealing girls get to see Justin Timberlake and old folks will breathe some Aqualung with Jethro Tull. The Canadian scene is represented by singer/songwriters Matthew Good and City and Colour (aka Dallas Green). (Yeah, Honeymoon Suite’s coming too, but we’re highlighting the good, remember.)
Even when things go bad they work out just fine. Trashy Amy Winehouse cancelled her Commodore gig for Sept. 24, but that only means the guy scheduled as her opening act – Scottish sensation Paolo Nutini – becomes the headliner. Way better value as far as I’m concerned. And when the Orpheum can’t be used because of the no-end-in-sight civic strike, Crowded House’s show for Labour Day Monday was moved to Malkin Bowl, one of the best outdoor venues in the country (as long as it doesn’t rain).
Here are the highlights for the Vancouver music scene in September (***-I have my tickets; **-If I could afford it, I’d go; *-Give me a freebie and I’m there, and I’ll buy the first round):
Sept. 1-2: Gladys Knight, River Rock**
Sept. 2: Tokyo Police Club, Plaza Club*
Sept. 3: Crowded House (with Pete Yorn), Malkin Bowl***
Sept. 5: Justin Timberlake, GM Place*
Sept. 7: Spoon, Commodore**
Sept. 7: Wolf Parade, Richard’s**
Sept. 7: Velvet Revolver, Pacific Coliseum*
Sept. 8: Brian Jonestown Massacre, Commodre**
Sept. 12: Richard Thompson Band, Commodore*
Sept. 12: Sean Kingston, Plush*
Sept. 13: Medeski Scofield Martin and Wood, Commodore**
Sept. 14: King Yellowman, Commodore*
Sept. 17: City and Colour, Orpheum***
Sept. 17: Mute Math, Commodore*
Sept. 17: Editors, Richard’s**
Sept. 18: Flaming Lips, Orpheum***
Sept. 18: Hot Hot Heat, Commodore*
Sept. 20: Matthew Good, The Centre*
Sept. 21: Peter, Bjorn and John, Commodore**
Sept. 23: Perry Farrell’s Satellite Party, Commodore*
Sept. 24: Smashing Pumpkins, PNE Forum**
Sept. 24: Paolo Nutini, Commodore**
Sept. 24: Josh Rouse, Plaza Club*
Sept. 25: Korn, Pacific Coliseum*
Sept. 25: They Might Be Giants, Commodore*
Sept. 29: Jethro Tull, Red Robinson*
Sept. 30: Arctic Monkeys, PNE***
Sept. 30: The New Pornographers, Commodore*
