By Chad Utke
It’s that red-carpet-and-celluloid time of year again — the Academy Awards are set to honour films that were a cut above the rest. 2011 was an odd year for the film industry — there were plenty of watchable movies, but very few great ones that will go down as timeless pieces of art. One of… Continue reading 2011 in film
By Chad Utke
There are few people working in the film industry that command as much attention as Meryl Streep does. Her stellar filmography showcases, quite possibly, the greatest actress of the past two generations. With two Academy Awards for Best Actress under her belt and a number of nominations (16 in total) over the span of the… Continue reading Film review: The Iron Lady
By Chad Utke
The rigours of being an onstage performer day-in and day-out for over 10 years must really get to you. The monotony of playing show after show at club after club in city after city can drive a person to grasp at straws just to make it through a single concert. Toronto rapper k-os must have… Continue reading Show review: k-os
By Chad Utke
For the record, I’d probably vote for George Clooney if his name popped up on my local election ballot. Wouldn’t you? He has built a reputation as one of the classiest and most charismatic men in Hollywood — an Oscar-nominated actor on-screen and an active advocate of resolving the conflict in Darfur. If you happen… Continue reading Film review: The Ides of March
By Chad Utke
Mike Leigh has been a stalwart in the British film industry for years, combining his penchant for writing and directing to deliver powerful cinema. Relying on an entourage of recognizable Brits who seem to continually crop up in his films, Leigh has brought to life some of the most beautiful characters and stories to grace… Continue reading Another Year, another British film success
By Chad Utke
The Oscars are a funny business. In recent years, a couple of film studios have waited until the last possible second to release films they hope to be in contention for a golden statue. Newmarket’s release of The Way Back in December is no different. A film littered with famous names, treacherous yet beautiful landscapes… Continue reading The Way Back gets lost
By Chad Utke
Following the ever-so-popular trend in Christian music, dark rockers Kutless put out a worship album entitled Strong Tower, giving homage to their creator and saviour. All the big name Christian bands have done it and Kutless is just one more in a sea of faces. The CD does follow the formulaic standard among worship albums,… Continue reading Spun: Kutless
By Chad Utke
The world of music has gone through a significant change over the last 30 years. This evolution brought a certain disappointment to those who play and listen for the sheer enjoyment of the expression found in fading art form of song writing. During the ’70s, the music scene was alive and kicking with people expressing… Continue reading Music Interview: Rock’s own sons of fortune
By Chad Utke
The Rocky Fortune’s debut release Sway seems to explode through the speakers right from the get-go. The band sought to tap into the classical roots of rock lost among the dime-a-dozen bands of today. And they have certainly tapped in. The first six tracks on the CD are a treat, including original riffs with strong… Continue reading Spun: The Rocky Fortune
By Chad Utke
What best describes a classical saxophonist? Images that come to mind include overweight dead Europeans with no relevance to our lives. Don’t let that presupposition fool your impression of Michael Ibrahim, a fresh new face in an area of so-called desolation in North America. The classical music movement is far from flourishing on our side… Continue reading Music Interview: Saving classical music with a sax