๐ชThe Windsor Magic Circle will once again be at the Downtown Windsor Farmer's Market
Enjoy some magical entertainment from some of our members, this Saturday, August 1st 2026 from 9 am - 2 pm!
๐Learn more about the DWFM
Showing posts with label entertainment. Show all posts
Showing posts with label entertainment. Show all posts
Getting Into Mischief: A Christmas Carol Goes Wrong Review
Welcome to December! I just celebrated my 42nd birthday – so thank you so much for all the wonderful wishes.
As the holiday season stumbles upon us, I've been working my way around the globe and feeling pretty cozy right now in the UK. After all, it is the home of delicious Yorkshire Pudding, putting on the kettle for tea at any given time, and gleefully watching countless episodes of Monty Python - as we must always look on the bright side of life.
So if you’re like me, then it won’t be a surprise when I tell you that A Christmas Carol Goes Wrong, created by Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer and Henry Shields, while directed by Richard Boden and Adam Meggido, should definitely be added to your list.
During this Christmas special, the Mischief Theatre Company are at it again, proving that The Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society are way in over their heads. They’ve been banned from ever appearing on the BBC again. To our delight, they are not giving in to such rubbish, and decide to hijack a live production of Charles Dickens’ classic, A Christmas Carol.
In theatre, thespians rule the stage. While forgetting their lines, stagehands awkwardly appearing in scenes, dodging falling props, it’s clear that there can be only one – only one Scrooge, so someone needs to be incapacitated!
It was a great opportunity to be able to see this and share my thoughts! The cast was absolutely brilliant and I was in stitches from the performances by the Henry’s (Lewis & Shields), Jonathan Sayer, Derek Jacobi, and more. There is no shortage of puns, physical comedy and just all sorts of shenanigans that will leave audiences wondering who spiked the egg nog.
No spoilers, but if you don’t watch this, I am telling you, yule be sorry.
๐Make sure to check out all the other incredible works from Mischief
They Had It Comin’: 2022 Stratford’s Chicago Review
Stratford's Festival Theatre
Many of the dance numbers were very catchy, almost to the point where you could sing along if you didn’t already know the tunes, and then combined with the dynamic choreography performed by many of the cast of talented Gangsters all the way to the Razzle Dazzle Dancers, it’s perfection. Songs like, Razzle Dazzle, All That Jazz and Cell Block Tango exploded on stage.
Let’s not forget the gorgeous costume designs as well by Dana Osborne, from well-crafted suits to sultry and sparkly vaudeville outfits. The set design by Michael Gianfrancesco oozed smokey jazz bar days, where prohibition went well with a cup of coffee and a bit of mayhem.
In this story, two of the lead prison inmates and fame-seekers, Chelsea Preston as Roxie Hart and Jennifer Rider-Shaw as Velma Kelly were deeply committed to their performances and engaging. Their characters were both trigger-happy (thus being jailed for crimes of passion), seemingly coming across as rivals, as one never likes to share the spotlight. However, by intermission, it’s a sure thing that the commonalities of bringing down their scuzzy lawyer, Billy Flynn, (played brilliantly by Dan Chameroy) is paramount to their freedom and success to overthrow the constraints of societal expectations.
With many surprises along the way that I won’t spoil, a few things really stood out:
๐The shocking and stunning operatic vocals of reporter, Mary Sunshine, played by Robert Markus.
๐Dan Chameroy ignited the stage as sleazy lawyer, Billy Flynn, with a sheer spectacular performance from start to finish in the song “All I Care About.” Commanding a stage is very hard to do, many try, few succeed, yet Dan succeeds every time I have seen him perform. The most recent one before the pandemic struck was in the cult-favourite, The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
๐Then we have Steve Ross (I loved him in HMS Pinafore). This role was made for him, as Steve gives one most touching performances as Amos Hart, Roxie’s rather clueless, gullible yet lonesome husband. Mr. Cellophane was clearly made for this man to perform. As we hear the entire audience let out an “awww” as he exits the stage, we need a minute to take in a breath to appreciate what we just experienced in our thoughts and collectively as audience members.
๐Again, all the dancers who complemented so many scenes. Incredible stamina, flexibility, precision and energy.
After 2 years of not being able to see any performances due to the pandemic, walking through the Festival Theatre doors again was an utter joy for myself and my husband. Seeing Chicago was a perfect way to not only celebrate our 14th anniversary together, but to enjoy world-class entertainment and you know... all that jazz.
Check out the link below for current productions and what's happening for the exciting 2023 season!
๐Official website: https://www.stratfordfestival.ca/
Windsor-Essex 2022 Carrousel of the Nations
Left - Caribbean wings (Caribbean Village)
Right - Schnitzel with potato salad and sauerkraut (Bavarian Village)
I am so glad that the return of Carrousel of the Nations was able to happen this year in-person. Going strong for 47 years now, the Multicultural Council of Windsor and Essex County organizes this event with the help of many volunteers and sponsors. It's actually deemed one of the most celebrated events of its kind in Canada!
It's a great way to celebrate and learn about different cultures, try new cuisines or even enjoy favourite traditional ones, and sit back and enjoy some spectacular performances.
Unfortunately, we couldn't get to all of them in the two weekend span, but we managed a few for a really fun date night, including Greek, Caribbean and Bavarian Villages. Above are just a few samplings we had!
Funny enough, we missed going to the Serbian Village, but living so close in proximity to where it was held, we were able to hear a lot of the music from a really cool Serbian band called Mystique throughout the evening time with just our windows open.
Here are some previous blog posts from other Villages we went to over the years that you can browse through!
๐https://blissfulmuse07.blogspot.com/2015/06/carrousel-of-nations-eating-our-way.html
๐https://blissfulmuse07.blogspot.com/2015/06/carrousel-of-nations-eating-our-way_22.html
๐https://blissfulmuse07.blogspot.com/2011/06/round-and-round-at-carrousel.html
Check out what's going on with the MCC at:
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Hope you see you out at Carrousel of the Nations 2023!
January Popcorn Flicks To Enjoy!
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Here we are again, it’s a new year – 2022, so did you make any New Years Resolutions or are you more just aiming to go with the flow? Personally, I prefer to take off that extra layer of guilt and pressure and just BE.
We lost plenty more amazing people in the entertainment industry as the ball dropped to welcome 2022. Comedian, Bob Saget, actress and human/fur-itarian Betty White, iconic Sidney Poitier, and a deep sigh, operatic legend, Marvin (also Michael) Lee Aday, aka Meat Loaf. However, it’s inevitable. Life does not go on forever, but they will surely remain in our hearts. I’ll be playing the Bat Outta Hell albums, a hell of a lot today.
Here are a few movies you may want to check out, as we head into some chilly wintery temperatures!
West Side Story I absolutely love musicals and so I was quite interested in seeing the Spielberg version of West Side Story that just came out recently. It didn’t disappoint at all.
The cinematography by Janusz Kamiลski was stunning. The look of the film was beautiful, utilizing different light and shadow techniques. It brought a really ominous feel to the fighting scenes. The choreography was perfect and I loved how they did the song “America” and "Gee, Officer Krupke" Also the vocal performances were beautifully sung.
“Cool” which is just naturally a really umm...cool song to begin with was envisioned in a completely new, taking place before the rumble, which was an unexpected surprise, but worked well.
Maria, played by American/Columbian actress, Rachel Zegler and Tony, played by Ansel Elgort (who I may add was phenomenal in Baby Driver) was an interesting pairing. I didn’t feel the love connection right away, but as the movie went on, I could sense a bit more of the romance blooming. Still...I hate to bring up the original again, BUT the casting of Tony, played by Richard Beymer and Maria, played by actress, Natalie Wood, personally did it for me. Their chemistry exploded on screen. It felt so natural. I believed they were madly in love.
The only other issues I really had were the placement of “I Feel Pretty” as I didn’t like where it was used in the film. It felt odd.
Also, the assault scene with Anita was much weaker than expected. I had braced myself for more of a punch (metaphorically speaking) with emotional intensity. I felt like something was being held back throughout the entire scene.
Oh Crappy Day Written by Jon Lance Bacon and produced by Steven P. Neilson, this is one independent film that I absolutely loved watching. It hit home on so many levels.
There are many ways that mental health disorders are portrayed in movies and so a fair warning that if you do deal with OCD – Obsessive Compulsive Disorder or anything else that is mentioned in the film (I don’t want to really give all that away), this may not be how you are, or it might resonate with you deeply.
Dating is difficult enough and so searching for love when you are dealing with OCD is even more of a challenge. We meet Jared, played by Jordan Estes, who is an aspiring film maker. We watch his struggles, his small feats and all the awkward interactions along the way, as there are many!
So things begin to change when he is encouraged to meet a very spirited woman; Katie, played by Jess Barbour, who is looking to meet someone and once disclosed of his rather extreme condition, she’s rather accepting, yet has some secrets to share, but with great hesitancy. This is when the movie just takes off and our hearts are just rooting for them both the whole way, even if they don’t end up together.
I felt so connected to Jared and Katie, both in their dating explorations together, and apart as separate characters. I love the nuanced moments mixed with humour. The acting had a sincerity to it and I just loved the entire film from start to finish.
The Woman In Red This one was absolutely ridiculous, yet who doesn't love watching Gene Wilder? Sworn that he would never have an affair, Teddy (played by Gene Wilder) becomes absolutely bewitched by a beautiful model (played by Kelly Labrock) that he sees and starts to fantasize about. This obsession leads to all sorts of schemes that go terribly yet hilariously wrong. Gilda Radner is in this one too, and although her role is small, she gives a great comedic performance.
Bull Durham Definitely a home-run! I haven't seen this in ages. Although the subject is baseball, still well-known today as America’s Pastime, it is far more than that. It’s about everything that goes on off the field, which is the most captivating part when you get such a great cast together. There’s plenty of romance, humour and spirit. Kevin Costner and Susan Sarandon are sizzling together on-screen. There is also such a genuine friendship between Nuke, played by Tim Robbins and Crash (Costner). Definitely check out the fantastic soundtrack too.
๐Drop me a note in the comments, or send me an email using my webform on the side and let me know what you've been watching!
Hope during COVID-19
It's hard for me to articulate my words right now, as each day feels as overwhelming as the next. However, i'm going to try.
๐Thank you to ....
๐all the workers in a health care position working at the hospitals, retirement homes, and other medical facilities who are doing their best to save lives and provide mental health support to those of us who need it - on any level.
๐all the grocery clerks who are working around the clock, putting products on the shelves so everyone can feed themselves and their families
๐all the educators for continuing your passion for teaching in whatever capacity that is and not giving up on your students
๐the residents of Windsor-Essex County (and beyond) for supporting each other in so many ways, big and small - I've been connected with some amazing people I never knew before
๐all the entertainers who have lost all their gigs until an undetermined amount of time, you're appreciated and valued more than you know, keep on creating, singing, dancing, juggling, making us laugh, and whatever else you have up your sleeves
๐those who are debunking and reporting fake emails/stories/videos and other messages regarding COVID-19, to protect our most vulnerable right now
๐all the local restaurants still providing customers with amazing food, take-out/delivery service and a great big smile, even though we know you're hurting too
๐those who have reached out to someone else in the community, whether that's a family member, friend, neighbour, or a total stranger and provided emotional support, financial aid, or simply offered to pick up some extra toilet paper
the list goes on and on....
Just thank you ALL for being superstars. I'm proud to know you.
Are We Dead Yet?: Dead in a Week (Or Your Money Back) Movie Review
Check out my review of Dead in a Week:
There are odd moments in Dead in a Week, directed by Tom Edmunds, where Leslie and William are sitting down to discuss the details of the contract, complete with a brochure titled “Your Death, Your Way.” The pamphlet has various options of death that you can choose from, including pictures. If you haven’t guessed by now, dark humour is rampant in this British film and there is no shortage of mockery on such a grim topic.
With some pretty off-the-wall humour and morbid scenes, I was reminded a bit of filmmakers; the Cohen Brothers, who seem to delight or disturb their audiences. At times, it’s hard not to laugh because although William continues to muster up the courage to die, it doesn’t seem like he can even do that properly. There is a short little montage of all his suicide attempts, including the most ridiculous one, where he sticks his head in the oven, but the gas suddenly turns off. In the background, “I Think We’re Alone Now” by Tiffany is playing.
William has lovable qualities and who can resist those puppy-dog eyes, but his preoccupation with dying seems unconvincing. After making all necessary arrangements, out of the blue, William gets a call from Ellie (Freya Mavor), who is a publisher’s assistant and seems very keen on his book. A romantic love connection forms between them, making William realize that he may just want to live. Unfortunately, a signed contract is taken very seriously for Leslie, who is teetering on forced retirement if he doesn’t fulfill his quota for “kills” during the week. He is less than impressed with William’s sudden revelation.
Things that could go wrong, go wrong, oh so very wrong. People are accidentally killed and William is once again escaping death, this time hand-in-hand with Ellie. The dark humour really comes into play during one scene between Leslie and his boss, Harvey, (played by the eccentric Christopher Eccleston). The interaction has funny elements, but seems to trail off into a zone where the initial joke gets lost in the banter.
Despite some flaws, I found this film oddly sentimental in very unexpected ways. The obscurity of how suicide is portrayed might not sit well with everyone, but sometimes it reminds us not to take life too seriously after all.
Goodness Gracious: Almost Almost Famous Movie Review
Check out my review of Almost, Almost Famous:
Almost, Almost Famous takes a snapshot look into the public and private lives of Texan rockabilly musician Lance Lipinsky as Jerry Lee Lewis, Las Vegas-based R & B singer Bobby Brooks as Jackie Wilson and the “Elvis from Orlando” Ted Torres on their “Class of ’59” cross country road tour. There are small mentions of Bill Culp, as Big Bopper and Jeff Giles, as Buddy Holly, but they were not the main focus of the documentary. Along for the wildest ride, you also get to meet their tour manager Marty Kramer, who may look like just another roadie, but he has helped launched the artists’ careers and rubbed elbows with some of the biggest and brightest stars from Burton Cummings to Lynyrd Skynyrd.
The entertainment business may seem filled with glitz and glamour, but it’s also filled with disappointment and often destruction of close family and romantic relationships. It’s hard for many artists to know where their character ends and their own identity begins. They lose themselves in the roles they are showing to the world. This often leads to a distorted sense of self and burn-out.
Sadly, tribute artists are now really a dime a dozen and it is estimated by Marty that with over 85,000 Elvis impersonators, only 500 get employed. This is shocking because of the amount of unexplored talent that are cast aside simply because they may not be the preferred image of what others expect or don’t market themselves as well as someone else in the industry. All that make-up to turn back the hands of time and countless hours of perfecting the Elvis-do or the cans of hairspray to get the perfect Bill Haley kiss curl get washed out, just like many of their careers.
On a brighter side, there are moments that show the incredible appreciation and devotion that fans bring to their lives, which make the struggles worth while. Those simple times when you see the joy in someone’s eyes as they are reliving their precious youth through such a poignant era like the 1950’s. There is also an incredible story shared about Bobby Brooks that you actually need to watch to believe.
No matter what people say, it is always hard to walk in someone else’s shoes. For many of these talented tribute artists that are showcased, fame and fortune is limited. There is always someone younger, smarter, and with the right connections that will take the #1 spot. The desire to develop their own careers outside of their idols in the long-term is a true balancing act. In reality, all the passion in the world doesn’t mean a lot, if you cannot pay your rent.
Hoping for a Miracle: Mail Order Monster – Movie Review
Check out my review of Mail Order Monster:
What is it like to lose a parent? There is a sense of devastation, sadness, and even anger that can really shake a young child to the core. Over time, emotions can wax and wane but there comes a point of acceptance that needs to be reached. The most troubling part is when the other parent begins to not only start dating again, but actually finds love.
Mail Order Monster, directed by Paulina Lagudi, tells the story of Sam (played by Madison Horcher) who is trying to come to terms with her mother’s passing. It doesn’t help being relentlessly bullied at school and realizing that her father, Roy, has slowly slipped away into a new romance. Sam’s future “step-mother” Sydney, is trying desperately to fit into the family and Sam wants absolutely no part of it. Sydney decides to surprise Sam with a rare comic book, in hopes to win her over, but the slight affection that Sam begins to show her, ends up backfiring after Roy decides he is ready to be re-married. The thought of replacing Sam’s mother is too hard for Sam to imagine and so she sends away for a mail order monster (an ad found on the back of the comic that Sydney got her) for comfort.
The box arrives at Sam’s doorstep in a huge wooden crate with the words MOM printed on the outside (an anagram of Mail Order Monster). Sam goes into the shed and builds the robot monster, keeping it a secret from everyone. The monster comes to life and begins to take on the mannerisms of Sam’s mother, which becomes an endearing part of the movie. There is a heart-warming scene too when MOM (the name of the monster) brushes away a single strand of Sam’s hair and they make a pact to always be there for each other.
The monster is definitely quirky, just like Sam. It looks fragile yet has intuitive thinking capabilities. It reminded me a bit of Johnny 5 (Short Circuit), Chappie and The Iron Giant all rolled up into one. The pace of the movie had some lagging parts, especially the drawn-out scenes when the monster was walking, which I think could have been executed better.
The film was done in a live-action style, which was pretty interesting and even though there were some funny scenes throughout, it gets dark…and for a family drama, take note parents to sit down and discuss with your kid(s) how they felt. I could appreciate the more violent moments done in a comic strip sequence. It was a creative approach to take instead of totally censoring the violence and disturbing scenes (similar to the opening with Sam’s mother’s death).
Although some of the plot left gaps and aside from Sam’s performance, the rest of the cast fell a bit flat, the guiding message that really holds strong in this movie is that whether in life on Earth or with the angels above, a mother’s love for her daughter is never forgotten.
Kevin Smith – Silent But Deadly (Stand-Up Comedy) – Movie Review
Check out my review of Kevin Smith - Silent But Deadly:
Kevin Smith wears many hats. As a producer, director, comic book writer and actor, he’s been working hard, or hardly-working (he admits to his laziness at times) to create a successful career. Most know him for the sleeper hit 90’s movie; Clerks, and of course being the silent half of the stoner duo; Jay and Silent Bob.
In this stand-up comedy show, Kevin Smith is quite a story-teller and you do get a glimpse into his life in a very open and honest way. He wears his snapback ball cap and signature jersey with pride. Although the topics may seem mundane, like his copious amount of hilarious weed tales or detailing his random 20 minute phone call with Bruce Willis, Kevin has a way of hooking you into his world with a genuine sense of curiosity. There is a lot of vulgarity, which is kind of his shtick, and clearly TMI (too much information) into his sexcapades with his wife that will have you laughing.
I am not sure if it was the lighting during his performance, but Kevin looked like he was developing jaundice as the show went on. He did reveal though at the start of the show candidly about his near-death experience. He had a massive heart attack and claimed that smoking weed saved his life because he remained so calm through the whole situation. Obviously, take it with the grain of salt, he’s a comedian, not a doctor. Fortunately, Kevin survived the ordeal with a very loud wake-up call. He vowed to put his obesity to rest by following a totally vegan diet, which he now sings the praises of.
When Silent Bob speaks, people listen and I’m glad that he is still alive and kicking ready to share more of his adventures with us and to keep his best friend Jason Mewes from ever crying again.
Feels Like Home: Instant Family Movie Review
Check out my reviewof Instant Family:
What if your doctor told you that you would never be able to conceive a child? For many couples, this devastating news is like a knife through the heart. The countless other methods to figure out what to do next and the thousands of dollars spent for a possible miracle is exhausting, physically, emotionally and financially. Other times, careers take precedent and baby-making is an after-thought. It then simply becomes a matter of wanting a child before all those grey hairs start to sprout. The idea of “adoption” can be a scary word because it hits a cord of “but it’s not mine, it’s someone else’s kid!”
Instant Family was based off of director and co-writer Sean Anders real story of adopting three siblings out of foster care. The movie has tons of humour (thank goodness!) because some scenes will literally bring you to tears. It does balance well with a serious tone too. It sheds some light on the complications of adoption, such as when the birth mother comes back into the picture and wants custody, as well as the behavioural struggles that foster children go through. It also shows how many teenagers are left behind and “age-out” (which is a key part of the film – adopting a teenager and also her younger brother and sister) and put back into the foster care system. A majority of couples want to adopt a baby or at the most, a very young child.
The whole cast fit really nicely together. The case workers; Octavia Spencer and Tig Notaro, as well as some of the other couples (and a single mom) who had their own stories to share were definitely comic relief. Plus, you have the multi-talented Mark Wahlberg, who is just a joy to watch on-screen and the surprise appearance of Joan Cusack. The ending with everyone was really touching too, with the perfect send-off of 80’s Starship’s epic song, Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now. Yes it’s cheesy, yes it’s predictable and probably not the way most court cases would go, but who cares! The whole audience in the theatre was overtaken by emotion and for me, that makes this one wonderful movie.
There are plenty of reasons why adoption is not the right choice for everyone, but after seeing this film, perhaps you may find that one reason to know why it truly is.
Trigger Warning: President Evil Movie Review
Check out my review below of President Evil:
President Evil, directed by Richard Lowry, doesn’t hold back parodying all the social commentaries on the political spectrum. If you can think of any stereotype, chances are it’s in this movie.
The movie follows the rhythm of Michael Myers Halloween horror flick, where someone dressed as President Donald Trump is on the war path against anyone who is not a conservative idealogue. It has all the horror tropes, such as the walking slasher vs the running victim, jump scares and second-take disappearances.
While the film did have some humourous moments, mostly from the utterly ridiculous exaggerations, it also had some that were cringe-worthy, such as the Sheriff who was completely incompetent. I particularly laughed hardest at the Trump character when he was looking directly at the solar eclipse, the awkward bromance with Dr. Lutin (aka Putin) as well as the appearance of his baby hands.
If you are someone who is not very politically-savvy, you may miss the over-abundance of references. I don’t think this movie was intended for the average viewer. I can forgive the low budget and bad acting, but with such a limited demographic appeal is where the movie fails.
President Evil is available on Demand (Amazon and other platforms).
A Silhouetto Of A Man: Bohemian Rhapsody Movie Review
Check out my review below of Bohemian Rhapsody:
The biographical film, Bohemian Rhapsody, directed by Bryan Singer, received a rating of only PG-13. The whole idea of making this movie stirred up a lot of buzz because you have purists who would be looking with a fine-tooth comb for any inaccuracies that dare follow a different story line or creative vision that doesn’t mesh with their memory of Queen, and the real members of the band that may not feel they were depicted fairly or accurately. In all honesty, it took me a few times after seeing the different trailers launched to really get excited. I had a few questions wondering if this movie would solely delve into controversial waters like Freddie’s sexuality or his passing from HIV/AIDS.
Well, by the end of the movie, tears were streaming down my face and Malek showed the world that he could not only fit into the tightest jeans possible, but he had the skill and passion to portray Freddie Mercury in such a genuine and heartfelt way. It was revealed by critics that Malek actually was lip-syncing (Marc Matel, a Canadian singer was part of the actual vocals) and he had the assistance of Spoons keyboardist Rob Preuss to help him with his piano moves. In reality, it takes some big chops to get a multi-octave vocal range identical to the late Mercury. I realize that doesn’t sit well with some people, but to each their own. I was still very moved by not only the story, but the way Rami really connected with the role and made you feel like he had that soul of Freddie Mercury. All the vocal performances throughout the movie, especially the epic song; Radio Ga Ga (yes, a personal favourite), were still very inspiring.
The one distracting part was the prosthetic teeth that Malek had in the movie. Freddie Mercury was known for his overbite, but I think the designers went a wee bit overboard.
I’m glad that the director and writers didn’t dwell on Freddie’s sexual promiscuity or orientation. There was so much more to his life than who he went to bed with. One moment in the movie will stop you in your tracks though. I will not share this spoiler, but it really encompassed the most vulnerable side of Mercury that lets you know that despite his grandiose and flamboyant persona, he was human too. The scene managed to subtly show, the profound impact that Mercury had on his fans and what they meant to him in return.
As the years go by and the champagne stops flowing and the makeup comes off, the only thing we ever need is just somebody to love.
We are always Searching: Movie Review
Check out my next movie review; Searching
In the midst of perfection, we tend to lie to ourselves, believing that life will always be a smooth straight road. When heartache shows up, it can be a short-term visitor or a long-term tenant that fills your heart with a daily dose of grief.
The movie “Searching” is an intense thriller that has the starting elements of predictability. John Cho plays the role of a workaholic yet grief-stricken father, David Kim, who is trying to deal with the passing of his wife and feeling overwhelmed with raising a teenage daughter, Margot on his own. Of course, Margot (played by Michelle La) is lost in her own identity, as most 16-year-olds are, but puts on the facade that everything is just fine. As text messages start getting unanswered and no one knows the whereabouts of Margot, David decides to report his daughter missing, and with the help of detective Rosemary Vick, (played by Debra Messing – note she is unlike the beloved “Grace” from the nostalgic tv show Will & Grace!) that’s where the story really begins.
As a parent, when your teen doesn’t return your text message after the third attempt, there is always a nagging feeling at the back of your mind that something is wrong. Sometimes you can brush it off and be reassured that they are probably out with friends or absently once again forgot to charge their phone. The last thing any parent wants to face is that their child is in danger, especially an abduction.
The layers of the film get deeper as the time goes by. I couldn’t keep my eyes off the screen as the film just grabs you and you feel the emotional wounds that harbour the father. As soon as you piece together the puzzle, you will realize that your assumptions are wrong and you’re back to figuring out the mystery. Very well-paced and just terrific acting.
I will add in that the movie did an impressive job on capturing the social media commentary that often occurs when breaking news stories like topics of kidnapping and abduction come into the public eye. A delicate battle of logic versus emotional appeal that is truly culturally-relevant.
Overall, I would highly recommend checking this movie out. Sometimes when you are searching for answers, you only find half of what lies beneath the actual truth.
Writing for 519 Magazine!
I am really excited to be writing for this awesome local publication!
519 Magazine is Southwestern Ontario's based music, entertainment, fashion and lifestyle website.
Check out my review of Won't You Be My Neighbor below:
https://519magazine.com/knock-knock-wont-you-be-my-neighbour/
Sadly, we live in a world where it feels unsafe to keep our doors open anymore and if someone does knock, we are automatically gearing ourselves up for the fight or flight mode. Half of us probably don’t even know who are neighbours are because we are too busy to look up from playing Candy Crush to say “hi neighbour!”
I wasn’t sure what to expect. Would I just get a lot of footage from the olden days of television, mixed in with some commentary about Fred or would this director (Morgan Neville) create something that we’d all be talking about for decades to come? I cannot say enough positive things about this documentary “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” on the life of Fred Rogers, and it couldn’t have come at a more needed time in our society.
I will admit that when I was younger, I was quite terrified of Mr. Roger’s owl puppet and confused by some of his fashion choices, especially having a pink sweater in his closet. Before I’m thrown under the bus for my genuine confusion, remember I was just a little girl in the 80’s, trying to navigate the world while growing up in a rather traditional household (my room was decorated in various shades of pink, with flowery wallpaper, top to bottom) while my brother had a room filled with “manly” race cars decor. So yeah, what made sense to me then is clearly different than the present time. ๐
Back to the review. Fred was such an incredible man on so many levels. Yes, he was a man of strong faith, which doesn’t always sit well with me because from my own personal experiences, some “believers” and ministers tend to “preach” but don’t take responsibility for their actions or have a lot of moral fiber to begin in. HOWEVER, with saying that, Fred was definitely an exception. I’m sure he would have hugged an Atheist the same way he would have embraced a Christian.
It’s hard to put into words the depth of Fred’s character and his genuine empathy for others who were so different from him. It’s really a film that you just need to fully take in and appreciate.
If for some reason, it’s difficult for you to express your emotions to someone in your life, just tell them 143. Once you watch this film, you’ll understand how powerful those numbers can be.
Windsor's AVB Podcast with Bill Nuvo
Well hello readers!
Happy January! Hopefully everyone had a relaxing holiday and all the horrible cold and flu bugs circulating didn't knock you down too badly. I've had a lot to blog about, so i'll be sitting down hopefully this week a bit to share my musings with all of you!
For now, I'd like to showcase my wonderful partner, Bill Nuvo! He had a great opportunity to meet the crew and chat with A.J. Vanden Berghe, who is known for his AVB Podcasts that explore the arts and culture community here in Windsor, Ontario.
Here is a sneak peek: Podcast Clip with Bill Nuvo
The Full podcast episode will be here soon, so stay tuned!
UPDATED:
Part 1 Bill Nuvo - Part 1
Part 2 Bill Nuvo - Part 2
Part 3 Bill Nuvo - Part 3
Bill Nuvo talks about his "Windsor Favourites"
Part 1 Bill Nuvo - Part 1
Part 2 Bill Nuvo - Part 2
Part 3 Bill Nuvo - Part 3
Bill Nuvo talks about his "Windsor Favourites"
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| Photo credit: AVB Podcast http://theavb.com/Bill is on the left, A.J. is on the right. |
The Greatest Showman Movie Review: No one ever made a difference by being like everyone else
Bill and I went to see The Greatest Showman yesterday at Cineplex. I needed to write this review so I wouldn't forget about it and perhaps I can convince my readers to grab a loved one and take a night out and see this amazing piece of work, directed by Michael Gracey.
From the very first scene, I looked over at Bill and noticed that tears were welling up in his eyes. A moment later, it just got more emotional for the both of us. Every time I wiped a tear away, another one would start to fall. I was just so overwhelmed with emotion and when Jenny Lind (played by Rebecca Ferguson) started to sing, I think I heard the whole audience in the theatre sobbing.
WOW, what a spectacular movie! Every song is a breath of fresh air and just filled with so much passion. Hugh Jackman's performance is incredible, along with Michelle Williams, Zac Efron, Ellis Rubin, Keala Settle, Rebecca Ferguson, and pretty much everyone in the film.
Don't go into the theatre looking for a historically accurate story of P.T. Barnum because you will disappoint yourself. Go into the movie thinking of imagination, hope, happiness. friendship, and love. Celebrate who you are and not what others expect you to be. Bring joy and smiles to the world and appreciate those you love and who love you right back.
Was there anything wrong with the film? My only issue was that some of the CGI moments with the animals felt a little off at times.
It is definitely a movie that I want to add to our DVD collection once it is available to buy.
Although The Greatest Showman came out at the end of 2017, what a magical way to start off our movie viewing adventures in 2018!
Reading up a little bit, the film took 7 years to make. Now that is dedication and shows the true craft of wanting to get it just right. This trailer doesn't do the movie justice, but enjoy anyhow!
From the very first scene, I looked over at Bill and noticed that tears were welling up in his eyes. A moment later, it just got more emotional for the both of us. Every time I wiped a tear away, another one would start to fall. I was just so overwhelmed with emotion and when Jenny Lind (played by Rebecca Ferguson) started to sing, I think I heard the whole audience in the theatre sobbing.
WOW, what a spectacular movie! Every song is a breath of fresh air and just filled with so much passion. Hugh Jackman's performance is incredible, along with Michelle Williams, Zac Efron, Ellis Rubin, Keala Settle, Rebecca Ferguson, and pretty much everyone in the film.
Don't go into the theatre looking for a historically accurate story of P.T. Barnum because you will disappoint yourself. Go into the movie thinking of imagination, hope, happiness. friendship, and love. Celebrate who you are and not what others expect you to be. Bring joy and smiles to the world and appreciate those you love and who love you right back.
Was there anything wrong with the film? My only issue was that some of the CGI moments with the animals felt a little off at times.
It is definitely a movie that I want to add to our DVD collection once it is available to buy.
Although The Greatest Showman came out at the end of 2017, what a magical way to start off our movie viewing adventures in 2018!
Reading up a little bit, the film took 7 years to make. Now that is dedication and shows the true craft of wanting to get it just right. This trailer doesn't do the movie justice, but enjoy anyhow!
Carrousel of the Nations: Eating our way through the city of Windsor (Part 2)
Well we ended up going to the Teutonia Club after all and enjoyed some food and entertainment.
German Village
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| Teutonia Club was packed. |
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| Watching the waltzing couples. :) |
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| Pork Schnitzel but the bun lost the battle. |
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| Adorable Filipino hut displaying food/drink choices |
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| A beautiful stage. You have to see it in-person to really appreciate it. |
Has anyone had Adobo chicken or pork before? If not, I suggest that you try it.
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| Adobo Chicken with noodles |
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| Adobo Pork with noodles |
All photos by Melissa Arditti
Carrousel of the Nations: Eating our way through the city of Windsor
We were able to check out so far the Macedonian, Scottish, Caribbean, Polish and Serbian Villages. Each one comes with its own charm and who can forget the delicious food choices.
Enjoy some photos below!
Macedonian Centre
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| Gorgeous Macedonian church |
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| Cultural costumes |
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| Variety of tasty sweets |
Scottish Club
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| Bag pipes! |
Caribbean Village
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| We loved sitting and enjoying some reggae music by DJ Kurt |
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| Cooking up all the meals |
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| chicken wings |
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| Delicious and refreshing Tropical Rhythm drink (non-alcoholic) |
Polish Village
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| Cabbage roll, perogies and sauerkraut with sour cream |
Serbian Village
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| Cevapi on a roll with a red pepper tapenade, green onion, french fries and Bubi's sauce |
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| Serbian-style poutine with Bubi's sauce. I'm not usually a poutine person but I was quite impressed! |
Family Funday Sunday!
We had a great time putting on our 2014 Family Funday Sunday! Myself, along with Nuvo Entertainment would like to take a moment to thank everyone who was involved in making this a successful day for all the families here in Windsor-Essex County. Big thanks to our special musical guest, Timothy Hole, who rocked the place by singing Journey's classic song: Don't Stop Believing and many other hits.
We were also happy to see the extreme generousity of our fellow Windsorites, who brought in canned goods or made a cash donation to our charity of choice for this event; The Windsor Youth Centre.
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