Maybe it’s because of the advent of spring, but movies feel somewhat fresher and wider ranging at this time of year, even if they aren’t. The slate feels as if it’s been wiped clean and expectations are wide open. Or maybe we’re just more tolerant with the prospect of fair weather? Upon closer investigation, overall… Continue reading April films make for a mixed bag
Results for "AP Downey"
This dog’s got bite
By AP Downey
Social limitations of minorities, infringements on human rights, sweatshops, racism, homophobia, and other such major issues confronting humanity are not humorous topics. Challenges to the Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms make news, not sit-coms. So at the Birds and Stone Theatre, you feel so guilty after laughing for over half an hour. It’s like… Continue reading This dog’s got bite
Bad dog, put down the stick
By AP Downey
Remember the time when we absorbed our information through tiny humorous factoids? You know, when we got more information about Canadian current events from Don Cherry and Rick Mercer than Peter Mansbridge or Paul Martin? Do you remember that entire era when comedy was the easiest way to swallow our world? Downstage remembers. Rights and… Continue reading Bad dog, put down the stick
Theatre Preview: Zastrozzi: master of stage
For all those who find not sleeping, the art of extreme martial discipline and being psychologically unstable are for the more night aristocrat or the Irish dude from Braveheart, Zastrozzi promises to be a mind-fuck in a league of its own. Upon first hearing the name Zastrozzi, one is inclined to think of a certain… Continue reading Theatre Preview: Zastrozzi: master of stage
Joss Whedon assembles the Avengers
For the past four years, Marvel has been leading up to the major cinemagraphic event that is The Avengers. While the film ensured box office success through the pre-existing popularity of Marvel’s major heroes, there are a lot of areas where The Avengers could have made major mistakes. Movies that feature a large group of… Continue reading Joss Whedon assembles the Avengers
Due Date: Planes, Trains and Automobiles minus the planes, trains and originality
By Al Williams
With a last name like Galifianakis, it’s easy to see why so many have been referring to him as “the guy from The Hangover” for far too long. But Zach Galifianakis’ rapid rise to the front of the comedy scene has made the name instantly recognizable and mispronunciations are quickly vanishing. He further adds to… Continue reading Due Date: Planes, Trains and Automobiles minus the planes, trains and originality
Online Only: Oscar predictions you can bank on!
By Ryan Pike
The ballots have been cast and the lights have been dimmed, so it must be time for the Gauntlet’s annual Academy Awards preview. This year, resident movie nerds Hoang-Mai Hong and Ryan Pike tackle Hollywood’s tribute to itself. Who will win? Who will lose? More importantly, who will predict more winners– Hoang-Mai or Ryan? [Editor’s… Continue reading Online Only: Oscar predictions you can bank on!
Best in show – Movies
By Ryan Pike
The past year has been strange in Hollywood. There was a lengthy writer’s strike and another horrid Eddie Murphy sci-fi comedy, but 2008 also featured a series of tremendously fun movies. Bolstered by such sure-fire crowd-pleasers as comic book heroism and shock male nudity, this year’s films shoved pretention and nuance aside and said, quite… Continue reading Best in show – Movies
Spooky flicks send us into winter
Hark! Good movies be on the horizon! Almost! It’s getting closer to American Thanksgiving, that time of year when studios begin to roll out their finest fillies for award season. But sadly, it is always darkest before the dawn, and before we can see such gems The Soloist, starring Robert Downey Jr., and The Road,… Continue reading Spooky flicks send us into winter
Some are good, some are bad
By Ryan Pike
Life has very few constants. One is death, another is taxes. One more recently discovered constant is that Hollywood will always find ways to both romanticize and demonize the high school experience. Their latest attempt is Charlie Bartlett. Charlie Bartlett (Anton Yelchin) is a wealthy miscreant, fresh from being kicked out of yet another fancy… Continue reading Some are good, some are bad