FutuRéale Magazine - February 2011 by OMAR MURJI

FUTURÉALE

February 2011 vol. 4 issue 2

www.futuréale.com

arts . culture . living

Dancing her way through the creative world What to watch on T V past midnight Hollywood making Novels A short history of Oscar Gong Xi Fat Choy The Poetic Word Grammy Awards BIG HITS Love Rhythms Brain Food for thought Inside the mind of Tim Burton

3215

< 1916

FUTURÉALE

ARTS | CULTURE | LIVING

arts.culture.living

Note From the Editor Hello To All Readers,

Shawn Shapiro

Editor in Chief

Ah... February, the month of love! It is also exactly three years since our first issue came out and dazzled Toronto and the GTA. 2011 is all about breaking through and going to exciting places the magazine has never ventured. We have spectacular issues coming out this year and we are already looking as far off as August finding amazing cover stories and great talent. 2011 is also the year we are bringing back our famous podcast series. They will be sleeker, shorter yet fun and entertaining. Also we now have a resident poet (Oneal Walter) who will be writing a column every month and helping other poets. Another new column comes from Daniel Kwan which is a monthly look at the lore of zombie film and entertainment, this should be neat!!! We welcome these two new columns joining fan favorites like Abby Plener’s “GREEN GODESS”, Anastasia Rokina’s “LOVE RHYTHMS”, Jess Silver’s “Flittering Pages” and Craig Wilkins “Indie Film”. So enjoy February’s edition and check out our new site (www.futureale.com) and our podcasts on I-Tunes. Spread the word! FutuRéale is exploding in 2011! Shawn Shapiro Editor in Chief

FUTURÉALE

VOLUME 4 ISSUE 2

Editor in Chief Shawn Shapiro

Associate Editors Russ Martin Karen Lam Dany Pen

Junior Editors Dany Pen

S enior Editorial D esigner Ravish Rawat

Junior Editorial D esigners Jenn Reid Lystra Walters

Guelph Humber Interns Olena Protsiv Sarah Doktor Melissa Doyle

Interns

Anastasia Rokina Lindsay Romeo Olivia Dorazio Jess Silver

Contributing Staff Poet Oneal Walters

Contributing Writers Devin Million-Osborne Karolina Wisniewski Cindy Ng Man Him Jeremy Colangelo Anastasia Rokina Lindsay Romeo Shayne Kocsis Chris Allaire Jess Morton Jess Silver Daniel Kwan Mark Kinash Oneal Walters Edward Landa Tristan Coolman

Webmaster

ONAMAP Marketing Web Team

O nline Content Editor Shawn Shapiro

E xecutive D irector Omar Murji

Contact FutuRéale at: info@futureale.com www.futureale.com

ISSN 1916-3215

FUTURÉALE

TABLE OF CONTENTS

arts.culture.living

04 Infinite Canvass: Explore the online world of webcomics Jeremy Colangelo

07 Piracy: Beg, borrow, or steal? A world of Pirates... Shayne Kocsis

08 Mixed Weddings in public places is the new big thing: Learn about different kinds of weddings Lindsay Romeo

10 A short history of Oscar: Oscar Awards for the year 2011 Mark Kinash

12 Jeanette Tyzer: A new star is born...and she’s Canadian! Anastasia Rokina

14 Gong Xi Fat Choy: Celebrating Chinese New Year Cindy Ng Man Him

16 The Poetic Word: An autobiographical note—get to know an artist. Oneal Walters

20 Hollywood making movies: Making films from novels and creating new legends. Jess Morton

21 BIG HITS: TV Mid Season Chris Allaire

24 Snakes and Lattes: A neat nook in Mirvish Village Karolina Wisniewski

26 Grammy Awards: The 53rd Grammy Awards Preview Karolina Wisniewski

30 Dancing her way through the creative world: Passion makes dreams come true... Jess Silver

32 Brain Food for thought: Ever wonder about Zombies? Daniel Kwan

33 Tricia Lee’s touching story won at the Reel Asian Film Festival: About a young boy’s search for wonder... Lindsay Romeo

35 What to watch on TV past midnight: Past midnight TV shows Edward Landa

38 Inside the mind of Tim Burton: Why he does what he does... Devin Million-Osborne

40 Love Rhythms: That intimate connection that lasts forever Anastasia Rokina

42 A look at this year’s Oscar: A preview of the 2011 Oscars! Tristan Coolman

Photograph of Tre Armstrong taken by Robin Waters

arts.culture.living

Infinite Canvass THE INTERNET IS THE WORLD’S largest toy factory, where billions of people make billions of toys that entertain for billions of hours. One of the largest producers is also one of the least appreciated. Webcomic artists are in that wonderful position of being numerous enough to produce a huge variety of content, while still being a niche; enough to stay cloistered, keeping the community unique and nerd-friendly, but also strange and impenetrable. New readers can easily become lost, which is why this article exists. A webcomic is simply a comic strip that runs on the internet. They can look like pages from a graphic novel, or strips in a newspaper. They can tell stories, or follow a gag-a-day format. Because artists don’t have to worry about practical considerations, webcomic pages have

By Jeremy Colangelo

so there is still plenty to read. Finding the good ones is worth it, as there are some gems in the pile. The series Girl Genius, for example, won two Hugo Awards in 2009 and 2010 for “Best Graphic Story.” Most webcomic writers are amateurs who do their work for fun, though a few have made a living from their craft. Thus, there is an unspoken guarantee of dedication. If a comic has been going on for more than a year, it’s basically assured that the artist cares about it. Unfortunately, the artists can also experience severe schedule slip – with unplanned hiatuses lasting for months or years (VG Cats is notorious for this, but is otherwise quite good). That being said, some comics (like Irregular Webcomic) update daily.

no size limits creating an “infinite canvass” they can also incorporate. Unfortunately, as there is also no real barrier to entry, Sturgeon’s Law is in effect – about 90 per cent of webcomics are so bad as to be unreadable. The good news is that most of the untalented writers drop out after a few strips. Also, that 10 per cent of “good” webcomics is 10 per cent of thousands, Art and writing styles vary. In terms of art, it can be a stick figure comic (Pictures for Sad Children), in manga-style (Two Kinds), video game sprites (Eight Bit Theatre), or in the artist’s own style (Rooster Teeth Comics). The

FUTURÉALE

ARTS | CULTURE | LIVING

arts.culture.living less visually oriented series often make up for the poor art with good writing, though some (like The Adventures of Dr. McNinja) have both. Both the art and the stories can change over time. The art usually changes when the artist becomes more skilled (Drow Tales and

El Goonish Shive are good examples), while the stories can go wildly off topic. Looking For Group, for example, started as a parody of the game World of Warcraft, but has changed so much in its run that its plot barely resembles the source material. Some plots can get very complicated, and some comics rely on a

stable of running gags. Going into the comic’s archives and reading from the first is a good way to start a new series. It’s also a good idea to look at the update schedule. Daily, weekly, and Monday-Wednesday-Friday (MWF) are the most common. The main issue is finding a series (or several) that you enjoy. The comics mentioned in this article are usually very good. However, they vary in both theme and content and every webcomic reader will have a list of personal favourites. There are several catalogues online. Wikipedia has a huge list (search for “List of webcomics”), and there are hosting sites like Keenspot and Black Label Comics to search. There are also sites that rank comics (Top Webcomics is the most commonly used), which give a list of popular comics along with an age rating and an indication of quality. None of these places are exhaustive, but they are good places to look. For a good start, I’ve put together a shortlist of five that should give some good starting points:

also among the few people who have made a living off of their comic (through advertising and merchandise sales), and have appeared on Time Magazine’s annual list of the top 100 most influential in the world. Even if you don’t like it, this comic is influential enough that it is worth being familiar with. It updates MWF.

XKCD This is a stick figure comic started in 2005. The artist, Randall Munroe, is a former NASA contractor, but is now a professional webcomic artist. The comic focuses on mostly math and science jokes. With this comic, it is important

Penny Arcade. This is easily the most popular and successful of any webcomic. It gets tens of millions of views a month; its creators have their own convention (the Penny Arcade Expo, a videogame convention that over 65,000 people attended last year), and its own charity (Child’s Play, which has raised over $8,000,000 USD for children’s hospitals). The comic follows a gag-a-day format (with the occasional story arc), and focuses mostly on video games. Its creators, Mike Krahulik and Jerry Holkins, are

to read the Alt-text, which is a text box that appears when you hold your mouse over the image (and also appears in the “properties” menu). XKCD, like some other comics, often hides a second punch line there. This comic is also a good example of the art/writing dichotomy mentioned earlier. The art is very simple (though Munroe does occasionally branch out, and is a decent artist), however this comic has some of the best writing on the internet. It updates MWF.

Order of the Stick Begun in 2003 by Rich Burlew, this webcomic is a parody of the role playing game Dungeons and Dragons (specifically, version 3.5). It is FUTURÉALE

ARTS | CULTURE | LIVING

arts.culture.living

also a stick figure comic, though Burlew has demonstrated that he is capable of genuinely good art. This comic also has a very good story, making effective use of its subject matter (abusing, subverting, and toying with innumerable fantasy clichés), as well as its medium. The plot and characters have grown in complexity since its rather simple beginnings, with the biggest jump happening after the “Azure City” arc, which begins on page 260. This comic is an example of how extremely plot driven comics can get. This comic simply must be read from start to finish. The main drawback is the absence of a regular posting schedule , – a side effect of the author’s ill health. The above three comics give a good idea of the range that webcomics can have in terms of structure and theme. However, the subject matter has stayed consistent. The three comics mentioned cover video games, science, and RPGs – respectively – and may seem to indicate that these subjects are all that webcomics ever cover. While nerd culture is, admittedly, overrepresented among the webcomic community, it is more due to the nature of the internet than anything else. The following two webcomics should show that there is far more diversity than what the above list would suggest.

Hark! A Vagrant This webcomic by Canadian artist Kate Beaton began in 2008 and mainly focuses on history, Canadian history in particular. Beaton draws with an interesting and original style, resembling a cartoon in the New Yorker (which, unsurprisingly, she has contributed to). Her work

has gained rapid attention by the mainstream press, including the magazines Wired and Macleans. While the historical in-jokes are understandable without specialized knowledge, actually knowing about the subject matter improves the comic quite a bit. Like Order of the Stick¸ this comic updates irregularly. Beaton does, however, try to post two comics a week.

Dinosaur Comics Another Canadian series by Ryan North, this is among the stranger webcomics on the internet (though not the strangest). Begun in 2003, every comic is made with exactly the same six panels. Only the dialogue changes. North has shown incredible ingenuity with his writing.

Other good comics to look into include Slightly Damned (a weekly fantasy series), The Last Days of Foxhound (a parody of the video game Metal Gear Solid), Darths and Droids (a Star Wars parody), A Lesson is Learned but the Damage is Irreversible (a surrealist humour

comic), Questionable Content (a slice-of-life humour series), Megatokyo (a story driven

cyberpunk series), Schlock Mercenary (a daily sci-fi series), and Housepets! (another humour series). The great variety can be daunting to overcome, but a savvy reader can separate the good series from the bad and come up with a list of favourites. I have named 25 different comics, all are very good. Some have ended their runs, but their archives remain online. They are all very different, a new webcomic reader should go through a few, find what works best, and then look for more of the same. The internet is a very big place, so you had better start looking. --rr

After over 1,800 comics, he is still producing new ones. The humour comes from the strange and idiosyncratic conversations that the characters (a Tyrannosaurus Rex, an Utahraptor, and a Dromiceiomimus) have with each other and a handful of secondary characters who appear off-panel. The comics are self contained (an ongoing plot would be unworkable in this format), and extremely offbeat. It updates several times a week and is best for people with a weird sense of humour. FUTURÉALE

ARTS | CULTURE | LIVING

Piracy DO YOU REMEMBER A TIME in the 21st century when the latest soon-to-be blockbuster was just about to be released? It was usually a Thursday or a Friday night, and for weeks, months, maybe even a year or more before, you and all your friends would be itching to see it. The planning process may seem complex to the outsider, but you have done it time and time again. You tweak your work schedules so everyone has the night off, decide on a close-by restaurant for a bite to eat before or after, and everything else that goes along with making this a truly great experience. Along with being a huge movie connoisseur, I am also the kind of person who needs music in my life at all times in some capacity. I cannot imagine myself without my music device with me for any length of time longer than a day without starting to show signs of early, and quite unattractive, withdrawal symptoms. I need to buy albums of artists that I like, and if I can afford the price of the concert ticket, if and when they come to town, I make every effort to attend. Nowadays people can be found camping out for tickets to movies. Yes! It still happens! I found a few examples of people camping out for months for the movie “Star Wars: Episode 3” back in 2005. And Harry Potter just recently! This usually happens with die-hard movie fanatics of certain genres, directors, actors, etc. However, ever since this small little tool commonly referred to as the internet became as big as it is now, and more specifically, “pirating” of movies and other forms of media became so easy to commit, those who work FUTURÉALE

ARTS | CULTURE | LIVING

in the entertainment industry have been hit hard. “Pirate” by definition according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, at least in the sense of copyright infringement purposes, is: 1: to commit piracy on 2: to take or appropriate by piracy: as a: to reproduce without authorization especially in infringement of copyright

b: to lure away from another employer by offers of betterment.

So now with all the pirating that is possible, thanks to all the new technology that has come out, it’s really taking a toll on those involved in anything that is released to the public. This issue definitely isn’t solely causing problems with motion pictures. Any form of media that relies on consumer purchase is at risk, however for clarity purposes in this next section I will remain with the movie industry. As a result of the movie industry losing money from sales of their product that is being pirated, they have to raise prices to compensate for their losses and get creative. The consumer then sees that the prices of DVD’s going up, movie theatre ticket prices going through the roof, and 3D movies in high demand because you can’t pirate them and get the same quality. Yet… With the way the economy has been, it can lead to frustration. It’s very easy to see how this turns into a cycle with the consumer getting mad at the movie executives for prices going

arts.culture.living

up, but also knowing that there is no other choice but to raise the prices because of the financial woes that they have been suffering. A report that came out back in 2005 from the Motion Picture Association, which makes up all the big studios for films, stated that a total of $6.1 billion was lost, and that the industry as a whole (theatres, cable TV etc. included) lost $18.2 billion that year due to piracy. What other choice do the studios have but to raise the prices? I think it’s safe to assume that neither the movie or music industry will be closing its doors on releasing products in the near or even distant future because of pirating. I do think that we will continue to see even more changes to the way the product is distributed than we already have seen, and that can only be a good thing as far as I can see. The only thing we can really do is keep supporting music and movies in the future, just as they have done for us in the past. --rr

Mixed Weddings in Public Places The Urban Phenomenon: The Traditional Is Gone.

A Wedding That Shares Both of You

Canada is a country where love is “colour blind”. This phenomenon has only happened recently. Marriages between different races are rapidly increasing. In fact, there are more couples marrying a different race than their own race. This can also be described as an “urban phenomenon”, since the greatest amount of these couples are found in major cities. Vancouver was listed as number one. To add to this, it was found that the longer someone has lived in Canada, the more likely they were to marry someone of a different racial background. As each generation in Canada passes, the likelihood of mixed marriages becomes more apparent.

Picking the perfect wedding theme and venue for a mixed racial couple is the most important aspect of the wedding planning. Since each individual comes from a different race and culture, try to find mutual hobbies that can be incorporated into the wedding. For instance, say each individual loves skiing. This can open up a door to having a wonderful winter wedding. Take it even a step further, and go to the Alps

Since there are many mixed racial couples who come from different cultures, the traditional weddings are going down the drain. Couples are starting to look for alternatives in order to make both of them and their families happy with the arrangement. In a way, this makes the wedding planning even more fun. Since the couple is going to have to think up a fresh and innovative wedding idea, the feeling of breaking free from traditional bands is refreshing. Weddings are now being taken place absolutely anywhere your heart imagines. The one important thing to keep in mind though, is to make sure that the person who joins you and your fiancée’s union is licensed. It is something that has become a more evident problem over the years, with the breakthrough of non religious weddings. People are now beginning to experience an urge of joy at the prospect of their own wedding being different and more vibrant than the rest of the weddings out there.

arts.culture.living

is the New Big Thing Marriages are happening in public places more often. Of course, getting married in the Swiss Alps is quite ambitious, and expensive. There are other amazing alternatives that are not so intense in this way. A common interest among many people is going up north to a cozy cottage during the summertime. Take advantage of this, and all the wonderful memories you and your partner had together up there. Canoe out to a suspended dock floating on the lake, and get married on the dock. Have your guests

for example. Imagine getting married at the top of a strong mountain that overlooks the pasty whiteness of the majestic snowy mountains of Switzerland, as you and your significant other are in one another’s warm arms, while you get ready to say “I do”. Just keep taking it a step further, because that is the wedding trend of today’s time. For instance, after you have been unionized with your partner, take your first journey together, and ski down the mountain with one another. What a unique and meaningful ending to a wedding that everyone will always remember. This is what is so great about different racial couples. It forces you to think outside of the box, and naturally you will do the unexpected and extraordinary. FUTURÉALE

ARTS | CULTURE | LIVING

arts.culture.living

sitting comfortably on the shoreline, as the warm summer sun glistens on the water that surrounds you and your significant other; the creation of a perfect moment. You can even keep it simple if that is what you, and your loved one’s heart desires. Go to you and you partner’s favourite hotel, and see if they hold weddings, and you can hold the entire event there. This makes it a lot easier as far as transportation goes, and everyone is happy. Sometimes the simplest things in life are the greatest. Since the wedding will be non religious, make your own vows to one another. This will make it more personal for both you, and you can truly express how feel about the other person. This is a fabulous alternative to the religious vows. Making up your own vows to your loved one is becoming increasing popular. Make the special day truly yours, because it is yours to enjoy. More and more people are starting to realize this, and they are truly going all out to make things exactly how they want it to be.

Out-Of-This World Weddings Some people choose to have the craziest weddings, with absurd concepts, but if it makes the two people happy on their wedding day then that is all that really does matter. A couple choose to have their wedding at Wal-Mart. Apparently, both of them were employees at Wal-Mart, and they in fact met at Wal-Mart. FUTURÉALE

ARTS | CULTURE | LIVING

Why not get married at the place where you and your partner met, and fell in love? For this couple, that special place was Wal-Mart. There are even couples that get married in fast food restaurants. There was a couple that got married at their local Taco Bell, because they liked spending time together there. As the wedding was going on, customers were still able to order tacos. It was a very informal and inexpensive wedding. It only cost the couple $200 in total. The groom wore a T-Shirt, and the bride wore a $15 pink dress. Apparently this couple is virtually the same person, and thought of this as being a stress free wedding. The employees at Taco Bell took great pride in this wedding, and made an effort to decorate the restaurant. But at the end of the day, both the bride and groom were happy, and ultimately that is all that really matters.

has a different skin colour does not mean that they are unattractive, or that they do not have the most amazing personality. People in Canada are now starting to realize this, and this idea grows stronger with each new generation that is born in Canada. Our society has become more open, and welcomes new opportunities, and new ways of looking at life and what it means. Love is “colour blind”, and love shall conquer all. --rr

Is “Colour Blind” What does all this mean for us, and our place in society? Canada is constantly being packed with more and more people from different ethnic background. Children in Canada are being born into a world full of multiculturalism, and race as being equal. Schools in Canada encourage multiculturalism, and many children find that their best friend is a completely different skin colour. These children seem to be “colour blind”, and they are able to look past what is shown on the person’s skin, and truly see who the person is as an individual. Love is “colour blind”, just because someone

By Lindsay Romeo 9

arts.culture.living

A short history

“All Quiet on the Western Front”, a tragic wartime drama that set the grim

OSCAR

THE ACADEMY AWARDS were first launched in 1929 by the Motion Picture Academy of Arts & Sciences as an attempt to add a veneer of prestige to a relatively new industry with a questionable reputation. As it was then, film stood as essentially a sleek upgrade to those vaudeville and burlesque houses providing entertainment to the common man. Cinematic magic acts, pioneered by film pioneer George Melies, were made easy by the art of film editing, whereas vaudeville comedians like Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton used film to explore new opportunities for their brand of slapstick. Other filmmakers such as D.W. Griffith had tried to extend the scope of film towards greater drama and spectacle, and had almost succeeded. And yet, the largest epic the film art had to offer was D.W. Griffith’s opus “Birth of a Nation” (1914), a box office blockbuster which chronicled the rise of the Ku Klux Klan. Yuck! No wonder Hollywood seemed so desperate to redeem itself. Of course, this didn’t happen overnight. The first Academy Awards ceremony was a rather small gathering (comparatively speaking) of only 270 industry players. The first Best Picture winner “Wings” (1929) could hardly be considered a timeless classic. Neither could next year’s winner “The Broadway Melody” (1929)”, although it’s still significant for being the first talkie musical (the earlier “Jazz Singer” (1927) had only featured a few brief talkie sequences). It was only until 1930 that the Academy had its first “Oscar film” in 10

and serious tone for many Oscar winners that followed. Although such films aren’t always considered audience friendly, the Academy Awards were able to give them a promotional push that would guarantee more asses in seats. So the Academy Awards definitely seemed like a win-win for all concerned. Hollywood now had an air of respectability. Aspiring filmmakers could be encouraged to create works of art that could still sell. The ultimate combination of artistic and commercial success came with the 1939 classic “Gone with the Wind” that took home 8 Oscars, and eventually two-hundred million dollars at the box office. (Given ticket-price inflation, that

would be the equivalent of one billion and six-hundred million at the box-office today. Take that “Avatar”!). Other best-picture nominations that year became instant classics as well: “The Wizard of Oz”, “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington”, “Stagecoach” and “Ninotchka” to name a few. The Academy Awards had truly ushered in a golden age of cinema. As the Academy Awards grew in significance, the ceremony took itself more seriously. Unlike the first awards ceremony, where the winners were leaked to the recipients and the media well ahead of time, the results were kept secret by a sealed envelope starting in 1941. Yet as more attention was drawn to the winners, corruption and politics began to surround the Academy as well. In 1942, “Citizen Kane”, widely considered today as one of the best films of all time, lost out to John Ford’s quaint but forgettable “How Green Was My Valley”. However, this upset is considered mainly in retrospect. “Citizen Kane” didn’t receive much positive attention FUTURÉALE

ARTS | CULTURE | LIVING

arts.culture.living

in its initial run, thanks to its blacklisting by William Randolph Hearst, a leading American newspaper magnate, who was unhappy of his caricatured portrayal in the film. Over time, many films were accused of buying Oscars, resulting in critically panned films such as “Airport” (1970) gaining numerous nominations. Later, it was revealed that the producers of “Airport” spent vast sums of money promoting the film to the Academy. That same year George C. Scott refused to accept his Oscar for “Patton” because the ceremony itself, in his own words, was “a two-hour meat parade, a public display with contrived suspense for economic reasons”. During that time, many filmmakers were breaking with the conventions of classical Hollywood cinema to create their own independent films and audiences were paying attention. Low-budget movies like “Easy

FUTURÉALE

ARTS | CULTURE | LIVING

Rider” (1969) and “Mean Streets” (1973) had a more personal European-influenced cinemaverite style that seemed out of step with some of the more bloated epics that the Academy Awards seemed to favor. Yet the Oscars were not completely out of touch. During that time, Best Picture Awards were handed to such classics as “The Godfather” (1972), “The French Connection” (1973) and “The Godfather Part II”. When the industry changed back to giant studio productions thanks to the success of more escapist popcorn fare with blockbusters “Jaws” (1975) and “Star Wars” (1978), the Academy Awards ceremony seemed like a pleasant distraction from a hoard of mediocre sequels, high-concept flops, and tiresome R-rated teen sex comedies that followed in the 1980s (with the exception of the combined efforts of Steven Speilberg and Robert Zemeckis, two filmmakers who understood that making a popcorn film didn’t mean sacrificing good storytelling). Oscar darlings such as “The Last Emperor” (1987), “Platoon” (1986) and “Amadeus” (1984) were a welcome relief from the likes of “Crocodile Dundee II” (1988), “Howard the Duck” (1986), and Porky’s (1982). Today, the Academy is dealing with an industry in which movie magic has almost been swallowed whole by the gaming and social networking worlds. Hollywood has appeared to acknowledge this as films such as “The Social Network” (about the dawn of Facebook) and “Inception” (with its gamerfriendly plot about entering virtual dreamworlds) seem to be this year’s front-runners for Oscar nominations. As for the future of film itself, who knows? As long as Hollywood is around the Academy Awards will always be at its side tooting its horn. --rr

arts.culture.living

Jeanette Tyzer By Anastasia Rokina CANADA IS PROUD to be the home of many up-and-coming rising stars. Among them, Jeanette Tyzer is slowly making her way up the show business ladder. We had the opportunity to meet with Jeanette and have her share some of her experiences. Why acting? Performing came naturally to me. I come from a musical family and I am a classically trained pianist. It began in childhood, from the age of 5 my uncle who was a professional musician, would bring me up on stage and I would sing and perform to audiences of sometimes hundreds of people. This exposure helped me build the confidence that I would need latter on when I got involved with acting. When I was a young girl my parents would take me to the theatre and then I would come home and act out the scenes for my family. When I was 12 my passion for the dramatic arts led my mother to get me involved in acting, and having had the music background it was another artistic craft I took to immediately. I enjoyed taking on another persona and telling a story through my performance, through the acting. I have always loved reading and story telling and to me acting is a means of bringing a character and story to life. Do you feel it is more difficult to express emotion when only working with voice rather than having your face as an instrument to convey emotion as well?

A well prepared and trained actor should be able to express emotion in many ways using their voice alone, and my training and experience has given me the tools and knowledge to accomplish this. Again, my music background and vocal training has helped me to use my speaking voice to express the emotion a character is trying to convey. Tough it may be more challenging for an actor to use their voice alone to convey any particular emotion I find such roles very rewarding. Tell us a bit about your role as Blanche Morton in “Brighton Beach Memoirs”.

The character of Blanche Morton was a very challenging and emotionally charged role because the story brings her through a major character arc. Blanche begins the play as a meek and timid woman and as the play progresses we see her character develop and transform into a woman who is finally in control of her own life with a new positive outlook and direction for the future, what ever it may bring. Blanche is a 38 year old widow and mother, with two daughters, living in her older sister’s home with her family. Blanche is feeling very dependant and controlled by her sister. As the play evolves we see Blanche go through and struggle with issues of grief, FUTURÉALE

ARTS | CULTURE | LIVING

arts.culture.living self pity, shame and guilt. Blanche is further challenged with poor eye sight and asthma attacks all the while she must raise her two daughters while she constantly struggles with her sister over issues that have been building up for many years. I loved playing this role because it took a great deal of emotional energy and serious preparation for me as an actor to properly portray this character. During the run of this play I truly felt the daily struggle and painful emotional roller coaster that Blanche had to endure. Do you prefer stage acting or acting for the camera? Why? I love stage acting because it is so exciting, you know that each night you only have one chance to get it right, there are no multiple takes and no safely net. You have to be prepared to act and “react” based on what your fellow actors do or don’t do. The stage allows an actor to truly hone their acting “reflex” and instinct. Stage acting has allowed me to develop improvisational techniques and thus really build my confident as an actor. Film acting is a completely different experience, I really enjoy the process of “fine tuning”, shooting different scenes and being able to try the scene in different ways to give the director an option or choice. I do prefer acting for the camera, interpreting a character and telling a story on film is permanent and at this point of my career I would like to primarily concentrate more so on film and television roles than theatre roles, however if the right play came my way again I would seriously consider it. The film “Whistle Blower” was shown at the 2010 International Film Festival, how did it feel to be apart of such a big event? TIFF is one of the best and most attended film festivals in the world and every actor FUTURÉALE

ARTS | CULTURE | LIVING

dreams of having a part in a film that is shown at such a prestigious and renowned festival. I was very proud to have had a role in the film Whistle Blower and I was so thrilled and excited when I found out that it was chosen to be a film premiering at TIFF 2010, especially since Toronto is my home town and where I currently live. What are your goals with your career? I am constantly growing as an actor and I endeavor to learn as much as I can about the craft. I strive to get roles that both entertain, and educate. Acting is also an art form, something that is meaningful to me and I hope to create a body of work that my children and grand children will be proud of someday. I would want my performances to evoke emotion and be entertaining at the same time, performances that will have meaning to the audience.

What advice do you have for any aspiring actors who want to make it in the business? From my personal experiences I think it’s important to always believe in yourself and stay focused. A positive attitude is critical because the acting profession is full of rejection. Be persistent and committed to your craft. Try to learn from each experience, this will allow you to continue to improve. Above all, be patient. --rr

Where would you like to be in 10 years from now? I would like to be at a point in my career whereby I can be more selective in the roles I choose and have more creative control over the stories I tell and the characters I portray. I would like to one day work behind the camera as a director or a producer, where I decide what story is told and how it is told. Is there anyone or anything in particular that you look up to, or inspires you to do what you do? I am very lucky to have a husband who is so kind, supportive and honest with me. He always inspires me to be the best person I can be and to always look forward!

Gong Xi Fat Choy WHEN YOU HEAR THE WORD ‘FEBRUARY’, what event pops into your

head? Black History Month? Groundhog Day? Valentine’s Day? How about the newly appointed, Family Day? Now what if you thought a little more culturally? Say, an event equally as important as the New Year, only instead of happening on the first day of January the day varies from the end of January to the beginning of February. That’s right! I’m referring to the Chinese New Year. Since time, the Chinese have always followed a lunar calendar based on the cycle of the moon rather than use a solar calendar like the Westerners. Because of that, the day for the Chinese New Year changes each year due to the constant change in the first moon of the

New Year. It wasn’t until 1911 that the Chinese adopted the Western calendar; and yet in spite of that, the lunar calendar is still being used for their festivities today, such as the very important Chinese New Year. This traditional Chinese holiday isn’t just a day long. In fact, it’s known as the longest holiday of the year. Why? Because this event actually lasts for fifteen days where on the last day there’s a Lantern Festival marking its end. The primary object of this holiday is to spend time with your family, kind of like what people do on Christmas. By taking a few days off, they’re able to be with their family and can thus strengthen their family bond thereafter. Luckily, in some Asian countries such as China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Malaysia, Sin-

arts.culture.living

By Cindy Ng Man Him gapore, etc., they automatically get a few days off of work so they can perform the Chinese customs together with their family. While most of them involve eating certain types of food on certain days (e.g. on New Year’s Eve, the Chinese eat fish and dumplings signifying wish, abundance and wealth; while on the thirteenth day, the Chinese will eat only vegetarian food to cleanse their stomach, other rituals include praying to their ancestors and to all the gods on some of the days as well as celebrating the birth of the Jade Emperor on the tenth day. Basically, each day is different. As far as other traditions go, they have changed quite a bit. Though placing red decorations such as lanterns and posters on doors and windows still remain, the meaning behind

FUTURÉALE

ARTS | CULTURE | LIVING

arts.culture.living them is completely different. In the past, doing such things was a mean to ward off monsters. Nowadays, we use them as a sign of good luck, harmony, prosperity and longevity for the year ahead. Housecleaning prior to the celebration is a must while handing money in red envelopes to your loved ones signifying good fortune is done out of love. Although these customs are done worldwide, Chinese-Americans, however, don’t have such luxury since the Chinese New Year isn’t a public holiday in countries such as Canada and the United States. Nevertheless, small festivals are held during the evening to make up for that and people still have their fun in spite of not being able to take those days off of work. Chinatown would be a prime example of having small festivals such as parades and traditional dragon and lion dances. Other places even have floats and beauty pageants. Now along with this important celebration, twelve animals known as the Chinese zodiac make up a twelve-year cycle in the Chinese lunar calendar. Legends state that the order in which they appear is due to a competition race over the riverbank hosted by the gods. After secretly riding on the ox’s back, the rat was the first to cross that line and the ox thereafter. Being a great swimmer, the tiger followed suit and so did the rabbit helped by the dragon. Next was the snake, followed by the horse, the sheep, the monkey, the rooster, the dog, and finally the pig. This year, we bid farewell to the Year of the Tiger and watch as the Year of the Rabbit takes its place on February 3rd. Chinese New Year is a great event and although always moving, the time spend together with your family is more than rewarding. For those of you who spend it together with your family, learn to cherish the moments you have because you’ll never know when your relative will be able to get out of their busy schedule again. Have a great Chinese New Year! --rr and jr FUTURÉALE

ARTS | CULTURE | LIVING

arts.culture.living

Biography To r o n t o born poet Oneal Walters is an up and coming best seller, and creator and editor of monthly international poetry newsletter OW News. He is an internationally known author of three poetry books that have been widely published in US and Canada. His signature style is detail-driven narration. He has partnered with American publication Conceit Magazine to host a hugely successful Love Poetry Contest. Submissions received for the Love Poetry Contest resulted in the highest numbers of submissions in the magazine’s history of contests. He is also the first author/writer/poet on the cover of FutuRéale Magazine and has been featured on several radio programs, such as 105.5 FM’s “News Now.” You can find out more about Oneal on his website, www.onealwalters.com, which currently receives over 3000 visitors.

By Oneal Walters

The Poetic Word LET THERE BE LIFE. The world was filled with poets; emerging and established, published and unpublished, and they sought out to perfect their craft. Fame does not make a poet. Recognition from other poets is wonderful, but this also doesn’t make a poet. A poet actively creates the world they seek to define. Sometimes a poet seeks to create a world that doesn’t exist yet. I believe that Martin Luther King would be a perfect example of this, with his speech “I have a Dream.” It is a reflection of that which has yet to come. A poet writes out of inspiration. I am inspired by all 16

things that are people related.  Poetry is Love. Poetry is art!  How can we learn to be better poets? We learn from doing; a good driver is one who is aware of driving conditions, to be a good poet you have to be aware of great poets, and not just to be aware of them, but to read the poet’s work religiously. A lot of today’s good poets are online, however not everything online is good poetry, and we therefore have to seek back to the published poets and read their writings. We have to seek out poets from different cultures, backgrounds, time periods, and discover why they were great. Poetry is not

an isolated experience as many people might think, poetry writing is adding to a community of poets who have lived before us and among us. I have read the likes of T. S. Eliot, Irving Layton, Maya Angelou, and Emily Dickinson; some I have loved dearly, while others I may have liked from the moment that I discovered them.  Poetry is influential. When I was a new poet, I went to the local public library and read every poetry book that they had. There are no limitations when you are a new poet, take the time to read everything. Read poets of diverse backgrounds, cultures and time periods. Dare FUTURÉALE

ARTS | CULTURE | LIVING

arts.culture.living to discover what you like about poetry and contribute your poems to this everlasting community.  Am I to imitate a poet? An artist is not an imitator. An imitator is a spiritless artist that is afraid to stand on his or her own. A poet is contributing to that which already exists. A poet is defining new ways to share their concept of the world. A poet is a constant light shining.  The pulse of my poetry is the inclusion of a character. The pulse is special when it includes more than one character. A descriptive poem plants the reader into the world of its characters. The interactions of the characters reveal the story of the poem. I invite you to submit a poem involving two characters. Be descriptive. E-mail your poem to me at editor@futureale.com . I’ll pick a few and comment on them. --rr

The New Ministry This poet chisels-out poetry. A vision of valuable and vivid images that settle on my thoughts for days and sometimes weeks until I define them. Poetry is a product that starts mute and deaf. It lives a first-life within its creator’s home, then matures, is labelled, and released; for readers who admire and celebrate its arrival. This is a second-life, recognition and fame. The arrival of my poetry is a testimony of a new ministry, Women are Beautiful.

Chapter 1 is the fall and demise of landscape poetry; the description of nature in detail depresses me.

Chapter 2 is the rejoicing of a woman not weeping, or a daughter not trampled in different relationships. Her young fragile ears repeatedly hear, “I’m sorry,” like a song on the radio, now she listens to Halo. Love cannot be a need to belong nor a fear that fights against being alone. To love is to listen, understand, and give.

FUTURÉALE

ARTS | CULTURE | LIVING

arts.culture.living

FUTURÉALE

ARTS | CULTURE | LIVING

arts.culture.living

FUTURÉALE

ARTS | CULTURE | LIVING

arts.culture.living

Hollywood Making Novels ADAPTING NOVELS TO FILMS has been a continuing trend in Hollywood. From Girl, Interrupted and The Shining to Harry Potter and the Twilight Series adaptation seems to be all the rage. The latest Harry Potter installment has earned a total of 266 million at the box office. Eclipse, from the Twilight Series, profited a total of three hundred million. Adaptations seem to be the key to having the next hit at the box office. But there is more to the trend than spewing out the

Producers want the next hit and that consists of a dynamic plot, meaningful characters, and memorable lines. Producers want to make a movie that audiences will love and relate to. What better place to start than taking a classic novel and making it into a classic movie? latest popular teen-novel. Often Hollywood brings to life works of classic literature and these films still hold their place on IMDB’s Top 250 list. The Princess Bride and The Lord of the Rings are both considered classics. Adapting print to screen does work well, but why does it work? Often the novel adapted has a huge following making its film version more likely to do well at the box office. Hollywood wants a guarantee that they have a good story. Producers want the next hit and that consists of a dynamic plot, meaningful characters, and memorable lines. Producers want to make a movie that audiences will love and relate to. What better place to start than taking a classic novel and making it into a classic movie? Nothing is more relatable than that book your parents read to you when you were a kid, or the novel you loved in high school.

Once word of the film gets out, fans of the novel take interest. Advertising has no need to explain the plot extensively. Fans of the book already know the plot line of the movie. The point of adaptation is to give audiences a popular story in film form. Hollywood producers pick a classic piece of English literature, a fairy tale, a fantasy, or a New York Times best-seller to adapt to film. Marketing will use the popularity of the novel in their advertising, to give the story credibility. The classic novel, The Princess Bride, worked beautifully on screen because the author, William Goldman, also wrote the screenplay. The film begins with a grandfather reading the novel to his sick grandson. The grandson often interrupts his grandfather stopping and starting the story. The audience relates to the film by remembering the feeling of being read to as a kid. However, a good adaptation of a classic doesn’t always lie with the writer of the novel, it can also lie with the director. The director of The Lord of the Rings, Peter Jackson, was one of the three writers who put together the screenplay. The vision that the director wanted remained consistent making the fantasy come to life. The trilogy of films gave the readers of the novels the feeling that their favourite habits and wizards actually existed. These classic films bring forth a subculture. Both The Lord of the Rings series, and The Princess Bride hold a place in IMDB’s Top 250. Fans of the films quote memorable lines and actors are known for playing favourite characters. Any person who has seen The Princess Bride knows what “As you wish,” means. Fans who know The Lord of the Rings understand the unique friendship between Gimli and Legolas. The fact that theses films

remain classics starts with the story and how it was translated from print to screen. These novel-to-film adaptations establish themselves as more than the latest fad.

The audience relates to the film by remembering the feeling of being read to as a kid. Will the adaptations of Jane Eyre and The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo suffice this standard? The new film adaptation of Jane Eyre that’s set to be released in March 2011 has been well advertised. It stars Mia Wasikowska as Jane, Michael Fassbender as Mr. Rochester, and Judi Dench as Mrs. Fairfax. Mia Wasikowska also played the title role in Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland. Judi Dench has also been in adaptations. Dench played ‘M’ ( James Bond) in the recent installments in the James Bond franchise. Jane Eyre looks promising with these stars. The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo also has a star from the Bond franchise. Bond’s Daniel Craig plays the lead Mikael Blomkvist. Robin Wright, who played the female lead in The Princess Bride, stars as Erika Berger. This film is an English remake of the original Swedish The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo that will be released in December 2011. It is only a matter of time to see if Jane Eyre and The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo become classics. The formula for a classic novel-to-film adaptation starts with a good novel, builds with an appealing screenplay, and remains sound with strong actors. Without these variables an adaptation can easily disappoint fans of the novel. --rr

By Jess Morton FUTURÉALE

ARTS | CULTURE | LIVING

arts.culture.living

By Chris Allaire

outrageous behaviour. It is the first time in history that a show is developed from a Twitter feed, which is a sign that technology is heavily influencing today’s television.

IT’S THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN; Premiering in September, Hawaii Five-0 is

TV shows have come and gone, ratings have gone through roller coaster rides, and new television breakthroughs have swept the scene. Join me as I take a look back at the biggest hits and misses of the 2010 television season, as well as discuss what’s in stake for the future of television. With today’s technology, DVRs and internet-based programs such as Netflix are quickly bursting into the scene and becoming a mainstream source for television viewing. Ratings are now not only based on scheduled TV viewing, but on online and DVR viewership as well. Let’s look at what television shows ignited, and which shows fizzled during the 2010-11 season. New shows that are hits Hawaii Five-0 (CBS)

a reboot of the original series that ran from 1968-80. Focusing on main detective Steve McGarrett, who is investigating the murder of his father, the show revolves around McGarrett joining an elite task force and investigating high-level crimes in Hawaii.

No Ordinary Family (ABC)

According to Nielsen’s “live-plus-7 DVR” ratings, Hawaii Five-0 was the most DVR’d television show of the 2010-11 season, averaging almost 3.2 million viewers per episode. The ratings have been high throughout the season, and the show continues to get good reviews from fans and critics alike. $#*! My Dad Says (CBS) Based on Justin Halpern’s famous Twitter feed, which ensued with a following book, $#*! My Dad Says, had premiered in September and focuses on his father’s outspoken and

FUTURÉALE

ARTS | CULTURE | LIVING

The show was also on Nielsen’s “live-plus-7 DVR” list of most DVR’d shows, and has maintained a strong viewership since. The show cannot be missed, as it is easy to relate to the absurd and crude family behaviour we have all encountered once in our lives!

Premiering in September, No Ordinary Family follows the lives of an average American family who suddenly possess superhuman abilities after a plane crash; including super-speed, mind-reading, and super-intelligence. Although it may seem like your typical superhero story line, No Ordinary Family is filled with drama, comedy and great action sequences, and has been able to stay around due to it’s unique plot. It was number 24 on the

arts.culture.living My Generation (ABC)

DVR list, which is still relatively high for a new television show.

My Generation follows the lives of nine high school students chosen to be in a documentary. Ten years after they graduate, their lives are once again filmed for the show. The show was filmed in a mockumentary/documentary style, but was cancelled due to poor ratings.

The Walking Dead (AMC)

Debatably, the first of its kind, The Walking Dead tells the horror story of small-town police officer Rick Grimes leading a group of survivors through a zombie apocalypse. The show is based on the original comic book. Although the ratings for the show have not been through the roof, it’s originality and never-dull story line keeps critics and fans happy. I myself, who has seen so many zombie movies in my lifetime, watched the show a couple of times and really enjoyed its uniqueness and suspense.

Lone Star (FOX) Premiered and cancelled this season, Lone Star followed a complex story between a conning father, and a son who is trying to reevaluate and look for realism in his life. Based on viewer’s opinions, the show didn’t make the cut because of its complicated story line. Viewers are busier than ever these days and don’t necessarily have the time to watch every episode from start to finish, therefore creators have to make their shows easy enough to follow if you miss a couple of episodes.

On the surface, this show sounded promising; an original use of camera technique, and an original story line (not your typical, cookiecutter television show). But maybe that was the problem, viewers have their own personal hell to deal with during high school reunions, and maybe they didn’t want to relive this through a television show. Running Wilde (FOX) Despite being produced by the people behind Arrested Development and containing a great cast (including Will Arnett and Keri Russell), this show was cancelled halfway through its thirteen-episode run.

FUTURÉALE

ARTS | CULTURE | LIVING

arts.culture.living and the defense’s side, played by Rob Morrow. Both lawyers were friends from Yale and have to deal with competing against one another in each episode. like these that belong on today’s networks, not just another law show.

The plot followed Arnett’s character, a spoiled heir to his father’s oil business who is trying to search for good in his life. He attempts to do so by rekindling his romance with Russell’s character, an environmental activist who is secretly trying to take down his father’s company. Although the show could have gone in great directions, fans commented online by saying that the characters were too one-note and the show contained no depth in its story line. The Whole Truth (ABC)

The Whole Truth followed criminal trials from both perspectives; the prosecutor’s side, where Maura Tierney played a prosecuting lawyer,

When I first heard about this show, it sounded quite interesting; viewers aren’t given the chance very often to see both sides of a trial, and what goes into each defense. However, while I believed its differentiation from other law-based shows would prove enough, the show got cancelled in October due to its competitors such as Law & Order: Los Angeles. Television shows reevaluated Every season new television shows come and go, and every year it seems as though more and more aren’t making the cut. I believe that originality is hard to come by nowadays, and viewers are becoming less and less interested in what’s being put on the networks. The only shows I can think of really becoming hits in the past seasons are shows like The Big Bang Theory and Modern Family, which are both known for their diversity and original plot lines. When else have you watched a compulsive science professor repeatedly yell out Bazinga! Or watched a gay couple deal with being parents? It’s issues and creativity

Networks have to start focusing on what draws in the ratings, and pick up the shows they know will work for their network. For example, a network like Fashion Television should not be picking up episodes of Jersey Shore (Ed Hardy and fist pumping was definitely not on the 2010 runways).

With new technologies such as Netflix, where you pay eight dollars a month to have unlimited access to movie and television viewing, networks need to realize that it takes a lot to grab viewers and make them sit down to watch their shows nowadays. In the future, everything will be online or ready in an instant, so networks - start being original! --rr

FUTURÉALE

ARTS | CULTURE | LIVING

arts.culture.living

NESTLED BETWEEN AN ELECTRONICS STORE AND A DRY CLEANER, just a block

away from the iconic Honest Ed’s, lays Snakes and Lattes. Though Toronto has had its fair share of gimmicky cafés hoping to cash in on the charm of pseudo-novelty, Snakes and Lattes stands as a fun alternative to the tryingtoo-hard-to-be-trendy bars and lounges that populate Mirvish Village. It may have only opened a mere five months ago, but Snakes and Lattes are quickly creating a buzz among board game enthusiasts and laity alike. A rundown of how it works: for a $5 flat rate, guests are invited to peruse and take advantage of the nearly 2000 games laid out for delectation, lining half the length of the entire left wall. Astonishingly, nearly all the games are in excellent condition, and very few are missing pieces (and if so, only nonessential ones). In addition to the impressive game selection, visitors are invited to choose from a menu of sandwiches and lighter fare – and, of course, lattes. The café is rather roomy with ample seating, but be forewarned – it fills up quickly, especially on weekend evenings, so if you’d like to secure a table, arrive well before 7 pm. Reservations are only taken for large groups, though the obliging staff is happy to place interested parties on a waiting list. Now for the specifics: It is no exaggeration

to say that the game selection at Snakes and Lattes offers something that will cater to absolutely anyone, including those who harbor decidedly hostile attitudes in regards to board gaming (a premise which I tested myself, bribing my anti-Cranium friends to accompany me on one of my many visits to the café). Their collection includes more versions of Monopoly and Trivial Pursuit than I have ever borne witness to, and more editions of Ticket to Ride (a railway-building game) than would ever be necessary. The collection ranges from classics like Risk, Battleship and The Settlers of Catan to the real classics like Cranium, Taboo, Pictionary and Mad Gab. A slew of addictive, yet slightly less popular games may also be found, including Apples to Apples, Identity Crisis and Quelf, to name only but a few. A host of children’s games (that many an adult have taken delight in) are also waiting to be discovered, including but certainly not limited to Guess Who, Cadoo, Clue and Twister (although, I have yet to decipher how the logistics of Twister would work in a crowded café). Some highlights of the oddities to be found – Survivor: The Board Game, the ever nostalgic Where in the World is Carmen San Diego?, The DaVinci Code Game, Wasabi! (As the title suggests, a game all about making sushi) and Jumanji (yes, it’s a

Review

By Karolina Wisniewski

real game; no, it’s not as fun as it sounds). The games are somewhat organized, although I suspect that organizational scheme gives way during the café’s busiest hours. Loosely, one could say that from front to back, the first section is dedicated to board game elitists. Here you’ll find the infamous Settlers of Catan I mentioned earlier, consistently ranked by the website Board Game Geek, the undisputed authority, as the best board game

ever. The proceeding sector is the Mecca of the lowbrow board game enthusiast. Among the gems to be found are Tribond, Scattegories, Dirty Minds and other monstrosities the Battle Star Galactica Board Game crowd wouldn’t be caught dead playing. Further on, games that are to be found in series or multiple versions

FUTURÉALE

ARTS | CULTURE | LIVING

arts.culture.living are housed. This includes a bevy of Scrabble, Stratego, and other favorites. Novelty board games are nearby, including a Harry Potter Trivia Game, as well as versions dedicated to Sex and the City, and the Simpsons. Children’s games may also be found at the back. If you’ve got time to spare, I suggest abandoning your tried and true favorites for some of the wonderfully original options to be found at Snakes and Lattes, which houses many rare and hard-to-find games. In your search, you’ll undoubtedly come across your share of hidden gems, as well as ridiculously bad finds (Smart Ass, Don’t be Such a Dork and Think Blot, to name a few). Whether genuinely fun or sobad-they’re-good, with the right attitude, any of the options to be found at Snakes and Lattes can be entertaining in their own right. The charm of the café lies in its laid back attitude, and the welcoming staff who are as helpful and attentive to the “serious” board gaming crowd as they are to the table of teenagers giggling over Mouse Trap. Although food and drink may be a secondary interest of the Snakes and Lattes patron, it is by no means uninteresting. While the café may not be a pilgrimage point for gourmands, the deceptively low-key menu is full of delicious options. Lunch foods vary from $4 to $6. An absolute standout is their Croque Monsieur for $4.50 (topped with either ham and cheese, prosciutto, brie and spinach, or just brie and spinach), the best sandwich of its kind I’ve ever tasted. Variously topped baguette sandwiches may also be

FUTURÉALE

ARTS | CULTURE | LIVING

ordered for $5.75, prepared on what one of my friends described as “the best baguette I’ve ever had.” All sandwiches are prepared fresh to order. Quiches and bagels are among the other lighter fare that may be ordered for lunch, but are also available up until closing. While it may be a deterrent to some, Snakes and Lattes proudly serves a largely vegan dessert menu. A word of warning: do not be weaned away by the threat of soy – their espresso cupcakes are not to be missed. A variety of pies and cakes are also available, often baked on the premises. Snakes and Lattes also sells snack bowls full of candy, chips and other goodies for $4, which make for great nibbling during especially heated rounds of Taboo. The drinks menu, although somewhat basic, runs the gamut of standard soft drinks, to hot chocolate, to regular tea (worth upgrading to the delicious selection of loose leaf teas, which go for $3.50), to, of course, lattes, which are surprisingly delicious and may be purchased at the reasonable price of $3.75. In terms of alcohol, a rather standard selection of beers and ciders is available, the highlight of which is the locally brewed Peeler cider and all of which sell for $5.50 a bottle. Many of their lattes or coffees may be upgraded to specialty drinks – just ask any of the supremely helpful staff. Much has been made of the “low-fi” aesthetic of Snakes and Lattes. True enough, the sight of a buttoned-down Bay Street banker, sipping his Venti Americano while staring into the screen of his Mac Book Pro has become

somewhat ubiquitous in downtown, and it does little to promote notions of community. One journalist for the New York Times recently coined the term “Laptopistan”, referring to crowded would-be hip cafes, now overflowing with zombie-like caffeine sippers, engrossed in the world of their computer screen.Whether motivated by such utopian concerns or not, Snakes and Lattes breaks with a majority of cafes in its decision to not offer Wi-Fi Internet. I would venture to say that Snakes and Lattes is less about the nostalgic revival of a Cheers-like local coffee shop “where everyone knows your name”, and more about the creation of a fun and relaxing atmosphere without any hidden agendas. Sure, the focus on the endangered species of the board game (as it becomes more and more threatened by video games) inevitably creates a personable atmosphere, and employees are infinitely more charismatic and helpful than your average Starbucks barista (expect any of them to spend copious amounts of time helping you hunt down your favorite board game, or even sit in for a round or two of play). However, such features arise not because Snakes and Lattes is pushing an agenda – it simply sets out to fulfill its role well. Wi-Fi is not offered simply because, for lack of better wording, Snakes and Lattes is not an Internet, but rather a board game café. Such a pretense free approach, coupled with a fresh idea, makes Snakes and Lattes one of the quirkiest and most charming spots in Toronto. --rr

arts.culture.living

GRAMMY AWARDS

A COMEBACK STORY, a teen heartthrob sensation and the heir to the pop industry throne: such are some of the artists that populate the recently released Grammy nominations list. But while Eminem, Justin Bieber and Lady Gaga are hardly surprising entries on the list, there certainly were some plot twists to be found with the announcement of nominees. Full of underdogs and scant on some of the more obvious choices, this year’s Grammys are shaping up to be an interesting spectacle, to say the least. As the 53rd annual Grammy Awards draw closer, anticipation continues to grow, fueled by a surprising nominee list and the conflicting conjectures of industry analysts. Let’s take a look at what might be expected on the February 13th ceremony. Much as big names litter the nominees’ list, the contenders for some of the most prestigious awards have sidestepped some obvious choices. None of Lady Gaga’s singles made it as finalists for Song of the Year or Record of the Year, although her Fame Monster is in the running for album of the year. Also surprising is that Katy Perry’s sophomore release, Teenage Dream, is being

By Karolina Wisniewski

considered for Album of the Year. Although her single “California Girls” dominated pop charts this summer, the album has been universally received as mediocre by industry critics, and the choice to include it in the running for Album of the Year has left many scratching their heads. Also in competition for the award are The Suburbs by Arcade Fire, Recovery by Eminem and Need You Now by Lady Antebellum. Contenders for Record of the Year, which rewards the performer and production team of a song, are “Nothin’ on You” by B.o.B. and Bruno Mars, “Love the Way you Lie” by Eminem and Rihanna, “F*** You” by Cee Lo Green, “Empire State of Mind” by Eminem and Alicia Keys and “Need You Now” by Lady

Antebellum. Song of the Year, honoring the writers and composers of nominated songs, are somewhat more off-the-beaten-path: “Beg Steal or Borrow” by Ray LaMontagne and “The House that Built Me” by Tom Douglas and Allen Shamblin, as well as “Need You Now”, “F*** You” and “Love the Way You Lie”. Many are expecting Eminem to clean up during the 53rd Grammys, as he leads the nomination count with 10 nods. After his two-year hiatus that was littered with personal struggles, in 2010, Eminem gave the Hollywood what it loves most – a comeback story. Some question whether the integrity of his musical output in the last year has been overshadowed by the myth that surrounds him, especially now, after his riposte. Whether deserved or not, its likely that Eminem will be a force to be reckoned with at this year’s Grammys. Other artists that have been fortunate enough to receive multiple nominations include Bruno Mars (7), Lady Gaga (6), Jay-Z (6), Lady

FUTURÉALE

ARTS | CULTURE | LIVING

arts.culture.living

Antebellum (6), B.o.B. (5), Cee Lo Green (4), Beyonce (2), Justin Bieber (2) and La Roux (2), among others. The nominees for Best New Artist, Drake, Justin Bieber, Florence and the Machine, Mumford and Sons and Esperanza Spalding, comprise one of the more intriguing set of nominees. Not only are a variety of musical genres represented (hip hop, pop, indie, folk and jazz, respectively), but also this is one of the few categories in which no clear favorite emerges. Drake has caused somewhat of a sensation in Canada, but his impact south of the border has been tempered. Although the members of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (the body that makes the final decisions as to the award of Grammys) purportedly votes solely based on quality, it’s interesting to see whether the commercial success of Justin Bieber will steer

FUTURÉALE

ARTS | CULTURE | LIVING

the competition in his favor. The remaining three acts may have sidestepped the catapult to overnight sensation that their competitors may have experienced, but each have enjoyed market success and made their mark on the music industry. The category of Best Female Pop Performance will likely go to Lady Gaga’s “Bad Romance”, although she finds formidable opponents in Katy Perry and Beyonce, also up for the award. Sarah Bareilles and Norah Jones are also up for the award- critically acclaimed and accomplished themselves; it’s entirely possible that one of these ladies may nab the award from a veteran like Beyonce. The Best Male Pop Performance category was a bit of a flop this year, with no standout favorites. The obligatory post-humus nomination to Michael Jackson is present, as are nods to Bruno Mars, Adam Lambert, Michael Buble and John Mayer.

An especially interesting category is that of Best Pop Performance by a Group or Duo. Nominated is the cast of Glee for their performance of “Don’t Stop Believin’”. As the first Grammy nomination ever by the cast of a television show, Glee has already made history with this nod, regardless whether they win or not. Another unsurprisingly, nominee is Train for their single “Hey Soul Sister”. Lady Gaga and Beyonce’s “Telephone” received its only nomination in the category of Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals, which is somewhat unexpected considering the media flurry and critical appreciation it generated upon its release. In accordance with criticism that the Grammys are little more than a promotional tool for the music industry that rewards revenue rather than aesthetic and musical worth, it must be acceded that a majority of the

arts.culture.living

nominees in the principle categories largely represent, to put it loosely, the pick of the 2010 Billboard charts. The academy did make some pleasantly surprising choices in other, perhaps less significant categories; however, such as Gaga’s much overlooked “Dance in the Dark” for Best Dance Recording. Also included in the category are indie sensations La Roux, Robyn and Goldfrapp, welcome entries amidst a sea of big name successes. Nominations held by long established musicians such as Ozzy Osborne, Barry Manilow, Rod Stewart, Paul McCartney and Eric Clapton prove that these musical legends can hold their own with newcomers. Best Alternative Music Album will be an interesting race between some of the best and boldest indie acts of 2010. Vampire Weekend’s Contra is nominated, as are albums by Band of Horses, Arcade Fire, Broken Bells and the Black Keys. Contra seems like an easy pick for the win, likely much to the dismay of the staunch anticommercialization attitude of band members. Best Rap Solo performance brings together industry heavyweights and newcomers alike, with Drake, Eminem, Kanye West, Ludacris and T.I. all earning nominations. It’s likely that Kanye will take the award, especially after the universally lauded release of his new album. However, all the other contenders in the category are serious considerations for the award as well, especially Eminem, who seems to be the one to beat this year.

Of course, there are countless other categories and musical genres that will also be awarded, including but not limited to world music, jazz, classical, country, new age, gospel, Latin, American roots and reggae. The 2011 will undoubtedly provide a host of not-to-be-missed events, from knockout performances to controversial wins. The Grammy Awards air on February 13th. --rr

FUTURÉALE

ARTS | CULTURE | LIVING

arts.culture.living

FUTURÉALE

ARTS | CULTURE | LIVING

arts.culture.living

through the

creative world

Superstar Tre Armstrong opens up

MOST PEOPLE LOOK for the stories of artists that are one-hit wonders. Who had their big break on You Tube yesterday? The

her veins. “My mother was my best friend, and she saved me by putting me into dance”. She candidly went on to talk about how the art has served as a creative and personal outlet. “Dance saved my life”, she recollected. Growing up in a Jamaican family, Ms. Armstrong says that music and dance always was and continues to be a part of her family and home. Whether she is dancing

inspired her. She has number of people who she gives credit to and feels that each one is special to recognize for different reasons. A large part of her believes that individuality is most important to one’s success and for this reason; she could not simply give the name of one person. Michael Jackson, and Kenny Ortega are just a few people who were discussed as heavily influencing what she

“Passion is everything, if one does not love what they do why do it?”

story of Canadian- born Tre Armstrong is one that follows a different trajectory all together; she stops at nothing to fulfill her dream. Versatility defines who she is. Best known for her role as judge on So You Think You Can Dance Canada, Tre is all about giving a chance to others and fueling life with what one is most passionate about. Dancing her way through the creative world, she has not only shone on stage, but has also tried her hand at acting and choreographing. Many artists have a certain moment that they associate with the take off of their careers; Tre’s story is a little different. When asked when she first started to gravitate towards dance as a creative pursuit, she responded with a little anecdote that showed just how much dance has always ran through

professionally or for her own enjoyment, Ms. Armstrong proudly joked about her first dance being in the womb. It not only saved her by allowing her to be herself, but it gave her mother something to live for. “I became her avatar so to speak she started living through me,” said Ms. Armstrong when talking about how dance allowed her to become her own her person. Tre Armstrong could not narrow her list down when asked who it is that most believes as an artist and dancer. Tina Turner and Alia in Tre’s eyes are, “Strong ethnic women who are convicted to what they love to do and went out there and did it”. Believing that it is most important to seize every opportunity that you get and making the most of it is her mantra and reason for doing what she so passionately does. Tre does what she has loved to do since she was five, because she wants to give others the same chance and show young people that you can achieve what FUTURÉALE

ARTS | CULTURE | LIVING

arts.culture.living you want if driven to do it. Her formula for success is broken down to something like this, “Success equals failure plus perseverance plus passion. Passion is everything, if one does not love what they do why do it? This sort of attitude transcends into the advice that she gives to young dancers on the show. She feels it is her job to be critical of their dancing in order to help them realize their dreams and be given a shot. While Armstrong recognizes the importance of constructive criticism, she notes that her role is to also be comforting because she herself remembers what is it was like before ever hitting the screen in movies such as “Save the Last Dance 2” and “How She Move”. It is not about beating someone to the punch rather one realizes his or her success when they are doing something they are emotionally show is very successful and always looking to bring that sense of uniqueness. She hopes to choreograph a hip- hop number with girls in high heels and intense hairography this upcoming season. It is going to bold, loud and fun, filled with the necessary passion. Tre talks about giving back as being central to who is and what she lives to do through the art of dance. “It’s part of my nature”, she says. Last year, she established Tre Armstrong’s invested in and then they feel most at home. Ms. Armstrong is most comfortable in her role as a choreographer but loves acting most. She climbs the creative ladder by taking risks and that she says is most integral to achieving in life. Getting out there. So You Think You Can Dance Canada in its fourth season now, is a platform that allows Canadian dancers to flourish. Its reception differs from the American audience because there are over 30 million viewers whereas the American show has over 3 million. “Dancers in Canada do not have the same amount of opportunities straight up”, Tre says, but the FUTURÉALE

ARTS | CULTURE | LIVING

Give Back Foundation, a company that offers dance classes to all students for free.

So You Think You Can Dance Canada is a springboard for Ms. Armstrong’s mission she hopes to continuously show others, especially young aspiring dancers the benefit of never giving up and taking risks. Both the show and her foundation encapsulate the notion of dong what one loves in order to make it big in life. Making it big for her is not about doing it for someone else or to get credit from someone, doing what you love, gives you the credit which showcase’s your individuality and reason for living. --rr and lw

By Jess Silver

arts.culture.living

Brain Food for Thought

Zombies. By Daniel Kwan DEATH HAS ALWAYS BEEN rather taboo subject matter. It seems only logical for the notion of the dead returning from beyond the grave to follow suit. This however, does not seem to be the case in the zombie genre which, in the past half a century, has undergone considerable change. But why has the zombie film genre remained so popular since it’s beginning in 1932 with the release of the black and white feature-length film White Zombie? For much of it’s history the zombie genre garnered a relatively small, but devout, following. Recently, within the last couple of years, this tired genre has undergone resurgence in popularity amongst mainstream audiences. This can be primarily attributed to the creativity of a handful of individuals. With the introduction of mainstream zombie films such as Shaun of the Dead, Zombieland, and Zack Snyder’s 2004 remake of George A. Romero’s cult classic Dawn of the Dead, many casual movie viewers had their first taste of the living dead. Did it stick? It sure did. The renewal of AMC’s zombie themed television 32

series “The Walking Dead” prior to its premier is a testament to the genre’s success and increasing popularity. Why do zombie films appeal to such a wide audience? There have been dozens of zombie themed films, both independent and mainstream, released throughout the past decade. While the vast majority proved to have been critically and commercially unsuccessful, the remaining few share a common focus on human character. In my opinion, the increased success and popularity of the zombie film genre can be attributed to the increased focus on the survivor experience. Good zombie films, regardless of genre, should be about human experiences. They make us think about what we’d do in unlikely or impossible situations. They make us examine how far we’d go to survive. Surrounding normal characters, everyday personalities that we can relate to, with death, unnatural rebirth, and the destruction of the world they once knew brings out thoughts and emotions that many may not experience everyday. The emotions

and experiences depicted in zombie movies bring out our most raw and primal of instincts. With a few exceptions, the upcoming film Deadheads being one, zombies should be viewed as secondary characters. Anybody with a limited budget can produce grisly prosthetics and special effects with store bought materials. To simply put it, if you want to scare somebody, you can. One might say that good zombie movies are about blood, gore, and violence. I’ll have to respectfully disagree. The early works of George A. Romero featured pasty skinned undead. His films are probably the most popular and enduring of the genre, and could hardly be described as violent and gruesome. It is almost as if zombies represent a primeval facet of our existence; a part of the human collective that we only dare to portray. Something loveless, devoid of fear and everything we think we aren’t. Until next time fellow survivors, King of the Zombies Looking for more undead content? Check out w ww.kingofthezombies.com! --rr and jr FUTURÉALE

ARTS | CULTURE | LIVING

arts.culture.living

Tricia Lee’s Touching Story Won at the reel asian Film Festival “Discovers the feeling of wonder for the f irst time...” “Searching for Wonder” The film that was pitched was called “Searching for Wonder”. The film is about a 12-yearold child prodigy who is attending University and experiences the feeling of wonder for the first time in his life when a street magician blows his mind with magic. The boy lives in an adult world with strict rules. The boy is smart, yet he is unable to understand how magic is done. “ ...so he lives in an adult world where he lives by a strict schedule, he breaks everything down and he’s very smart so he understands everything, but when he discovers magic he doesn’t understand how it is done and he experiences a feeling of wonder for the first time.” Tricia is in love with magic and magic is what takes over the film at the pitch.

“So You Think You Can Pitch” Tricia Lee won the “So You Think You Can Pitch” competition at the Reel Asian Film Festival. Tricia is a young growing director who is filled with motivation and determination. She is an ambitious independent filmmaker who flourishes with fresh ideas based on universal issues. She has the ability to reach out to a large audience and her films deal with easily relatable themes. The Reel Asian Film Festival has been putting on the “So You Think You Can Pitch” competition for seven years. Tricia won $18,000 worth of in kind donations from Charles Street Video and $1500 cash from RBC, as well as distribution from Ouat Media and a screening at next year’s Reel Asian Film Festival. She has gained her well deserved recognition and her lively journey into the film industry is off to a phenomenal start. FUTURÉALE

ARTS | CULTURE | LIVING

The Team “Searching for Wonder” was truly a team effort. Ryan Reaney is the producer and Tricia Lee is the director. As well, Tricia Lee and Corey Brown are co-writers. All of these talented individuals are in the workings of creating a phenomenal film that you should definitely be on the lookout for. “Searching for Wonder” is a film that talks about issues that each and every person can relate to in one way or another.

Parenting and Childhood Tricia shares her thoughts as to why she thinks her film won the pitch. Dominantly, the story that is found in the film is heartfelt. “It’s a really heartfelt story and it is something that a lot of people can relate to; an over scheduled childhood, strict parents. Trying to achieve these big dreams, but forgetting what it is like to be a kid,

and sometimes wonder is knowledge; just to stop, and not know, and not plan.” The ideas that are conveyed in the film are ideas that many can relate to universally. Many children have to put up with having strict parents who enforce an overscheduled life. Tricia reminds us of an important lesson that she shares in her film. The lesson being that many of us try to get our children to over achieve, yet we often do forget what it is like to be a kid. Children should play. Often times, wonder is knowledge. Sometimes it is best to stop making big plans, and let yourself not know what will happen next.

Watch Tricia’s Films Tricia is a hardworking filmmaker who truly does care about her work. This competition gave her the recognition she deserves. Her films are caring and show us a good laugh at times. “I hope that people come out and watch it ... I hope that it will touch, move, and inspire the audiences that do see it.”

Tricia Connects with the Chinese Boy in Her Film The star of “Searching for Wonder” is a Chinese boy. Tricia is Chinese herself, and she found herself building on the character in her film by looking back on her own childhood. Tricia explains to us that typically many Asian parents try to push their children to excel in many things that would help them later in the future. Tricia knows that her mother just wants her to do well and that she does care of Tricia. Tricia agrees with her mother in that her mother only wants the best for Tricia. But at the same time, Tricia begs to differ. “The main character is a Chinese boy and his father is Chinese obviously. It’s sort of based on my own child-

arts.culture.living hood where my mother would have schedules for me, and you know, obviously she wanted me to do well and excel in many things. So you know, of course she wants the best for her child, but sometimes the best thing is to tone that down a little bit, and let them be a kid, and let them have fun, let them make mistakes, you know, let them take it easy, so whether your Asian or any other culture I think that’s important.”

[[Asian Cinema]] Tricia explains how there is two kinds of Asian cinema. There is the Asian cinema from Canada, and there is the Asian cinema from Asia. Tricia is pleased at the fact that Asian cinema tends to be growing lately, and that many Canadians are appreciating the cultural experience. There is a building interest from the general public. Tricia has high hopes that her film will touch and move her audience.

The Inspirational Story The inspiration for Tricia’s “Searching for Wonder” came from a young man who was attending Harvard. The young man had started going to Harvard at age 12 and by the time he was 18 he had graduated. She shares with us

that the young man found it so bizarre that he was going to school with 30 year old men who were going through their second divorce. Tricia’s inspiration for her story in “Searching from Wonder” came from this young man’s story, and then she paired his story with her own story. Tricia’s childhood was filled with over scheduling until Tricia declared that she could not take it anymore. Tricia’s obsession with magic is what is in her heart. The magic that is in the “Searching for Wonder” story brings her back to her childhood.

Tricia’s Heart “Any film that I write, piece of me is a part of it.” In Tricia’s “Paper Tulips” her inspiration came from a childhood memory. A girl had come over to Tricia’s house and read Tricia’s diary and had told the boy Tricia liked that she had a crush on him. Being at that tender age, Tricia was devastated and embarrassed. Tricia wrote “Paper Tulips” based on this memory. Many of these themes seem to apply to children and the universal issues that children share. The effectiveness is phenomenal, because we were all children at one point.

The Future for Tricia’s Films We have a lot of to look forward too with Tricia and her work. This year she plans to shoot her first feature film. Corey Brown is writing “Driving Mr. Edwards”. It is a con thriller. An ex con is trying to reconnect with his daughter after he was in jail. He ends up getting a job as a driver for a rich old man, and the old man asks the ex con to kill him for the large inheritance, but the ex con has to see if the money is worth the risk. However, we find out that the con actually happens after the murder. Tricia is raising money for it by pre selling DVDs. For every DVD that you purchase you get a chance to win an iPad. Purchasing the DVDs will help contribute to the budget of the film in order to get the film made this year. Check out her website for more details: www.filmmonkey.ca. Check the website for details about her films and where you can watch them. You can watch “Searching for Wonder” at next year’s Reel Asian Film Festival.

Wonder is Magical All of her films are about searching for wonder in one way or another. Her films are about discovering what was lost between childhood and adulthood, and what is discovered is wonder. Tricia explains that as a director making films is about developing her voice. She makes her voice more strong and clear overtime, as well she is beginning to develop more of a comedic voice. We must work on finding the wonder that we lost on our way to being an adult. “I love magic. I’m obsessed with magic. I think it is wondrous and I think magic brings me back to my own childhood.” --rr

By Lindsay Romeo 34

FUTURÉALE

ARTS | CULTURE | LIVING

arts.culture.living

What to Watch on T. V. Past Midnight A BLANKET HUGS your legs as you timidly flip from channel to channel; unsure what to watch, unwilling to move, satisfaction is long gone. You take a lasting glance at the clock and disbelief is washed over you as you confront the fact that it’s only minutes past midnight and there’s absolutely nothing to watch on television. A common scenario for much too many of us, but what can we do to combat this? Preparation is the name of the game. If you know where to look, you’re sure to find something interesting to watch at any hour of the night. Granted late night channel surfing is not necessarily something that all of us do on a regular basis, or at the very least something we don’t intend to do, but when you do decide to engage in such an activity nothing short of preparation will ensure a satisfying evening. Keep in mind that the channels you have at your disposal depend greatly upon your television service provider. Also, be sure to get familiarized with all the options at hand (unless, of course, such a feat is unrealistic given the amount of channels available to you). Accessible through your television are a variety of different styles of programming to suit nearly every human interest. The only catch is that after midnight, as many viewers tend to fall asleep, there appears to be less and less to watch on television. This is understandable; less people watch, so why bother spending on high budget programming? Yet, amidst all reason lies the common person who is in need of entertainment late at night. One true gem amongst late night television is the late night variety show. Take a funny character; give him a desk, a chair, a sofa, coffee mugs, a city-at-night backdrop, and a FUTURÉALE

ARTS | CULTURE | LIVING

band with a leader who’ll play sidekick and voila, and you’ll get a recipe for laughter. Late night shows grew so popular in the last few decades that these days it appears that all the big networks carry some form of a ‘late night line-up’. Amongst the most colossal of the big networks are NBC, ABC, and CBS, which are all American shows that are rich and successful in the late night market. NBC is sporting Jay Leno as the host of The Tonight Show that airs at 11:35 p.m., and Jimmy Fallon takes the spot light at 12:35 am, which still leaves room for Last Call with Carson Daly at 1:35 am. Whilst NBC boasts its three shows, ABC

By Edward Landa competes at the other end of the scale with only one; Jimmy Kimmel Live airing at 12:05

arts.culture.living

am. Though, CBS is the real challenger to NBC with two critically acclaimed late night shows; The Late Show with David Letterman, which airs at 11:35 p.m., and The Late Show with Craig Ferguson, which airs at 12:35 am. To put it bluntly, all three networks are considered top-notch for their late night shows, but not all of the shows live up to their name. Jay Leno, for instance, has dwindled through the years and has put a bruise in his ratings following the rift between NBC and Conan O’Brien, while he dethroned Conan as the ‘new’ host of The Tonight Show for an attempted return to glory. Jimmy Fallon is still growing and although he’s getting funnier every week, he’s still somewhat new to the game. Nevertheless he is worth watching from time to time as you’re sure to end up laughing, or at the very least giggling, throughout the show. Last Call with Carson Daly, a show

which has undergone so much change through the years, has really grown into a gem of verylate-night-television. Going on air at 1:35 am really clears the field for Carson Daly, as he takes an innovative approach by bringing the late night show out of the studio and on to the road, which proves to be an interesting watch every time. Switching over to ABC we have Jimmy Kimmel, he is an interesting man, and seems to have a cult following. He is the sort of host that’s so bad, that the very conventions which govern goodness tip in his favour, and make him a good host; in short he’s so bad he’s good. The only drawback is that Jimmy Kimmel’s comedy can get rather uninteresting and so watching him is a gamble, but one that is worth taking once in a while. CBS’s line-up with Letterman followed by Ferguson is one to watch, because Letterman always entertains with his sharp wit and Ferguson really puts a smile on your face. So it would seem that CBS offers the best in late night shows, at least in terms of consistency in performance, but that has recently changed; ever since the eighth of November the Comedy Network has brought Canada Conan. Conan is the name of Conan O’Brien’s new late night show with cable giant TBS following his departure from NBC. If there is one man who offers an unforgettable laugh its Conan O’Brien, or as his fans affectionately refer to him, Coco. Conan runs

on the Comedy Network and airs at 12:00 am, so it’s the perfect start for any late-night watching escapade. Apart from late-night talk shows, which seem to dominate the airwaves as the sole source of new entertainment media at such an hour, a host of other channels offer some of the best re-runs and films available. AMC (American Movie Classics), a cable channel, has grown to fame, and sports Emmy winning shows such as Mad Men and Breaking Bad, as well as a slew of some of the best movies ever made. AMC always has an interesting show on or a classic film, either way if you’re tuned in you are guaranteed enjoyment. Along the same lines we find an old cinema hub TCM (Turner Classic Movies), this must be one of the best channels available on television as it fills its schedule with some of the greatest films in history keeping them alive and available for

FUTURÉALE

ARTS | CULTURE | LIVING

arts.culture.living

a new generation of viewers. It would not be an exaggeration to say that if you’re looking for a good film any time of day or night you are sure to find it at TCM. If you just can’t digest an entire movie at such an hour there is nothing better than a laugh outloud sit-com to pass the night away. TVTrop olis has grown in ratings recently and has acquired the rights for dozens of great sit-coms, which they are not afraid to marathon throughout the night. If you’re a fan of “Friends” you’ll be happy to know that the show gets considerable runtime with at least four episodes airing a night. “Frasier”, “King of Queens”, “Just Shoot Me”, “Family Guy”, the list goes on and on. Not to mention TVTropolis’ new obsession with reality shows featuring heavy runtime for “Restaurant Makeover”, “The Marriage Ref ”, “Total Wipe-out”, and the like. So, TVTropolis has quickly become somewhat of a safe-spot for a quick thirty minute laugh for every night-time warrior. Joining TVTropolis with a host of interesting shows are the ever-interesting Discovery channel

FUTURÉALE

ARTS | CULTURE | LIVING

and History Channel. Those two always have something either mind-blowing or simply entertaining on. From the everyday science of Daily Planet to the everyday grime of Dirty Jobs, Discovery promises some of the best re-runs late at night. In the same spirit, the History channel offers a combination of wild and educational shows that make you scratch your head in amazement, as well as the occasional film featured as part of “History on Film”. Popular re-runs on the History channel

include “Pawn Stars”, “Life After People”, and “Cities of the Underworld”. You’re sure to always find something to ponder about on those late nights. Between re-runs, great films, and hilarious talk shows, the night is certainly starting to look brighter. Sleep is no longer a primary concern, but an afterthought. Treat yourself, watch some late night T. V. You can kick things off at midnight with Conan on the Comedy Network then make your way towards TVTropolis for a quick episode of “Frasier”, followed by

an oddly enlightening episode of “Pawn Stars” over on the History Channel, only to find yourself at 2:00 am kicking off a Tony Curtis flick on TCM. Amidst all this fun you mustn’t forget to set your television on an automatic sleep timer if you plan to pass out sometime soon. Because the last thing you need at the crack of dawn is to be woken up to the sounds of bombs and bloodshot belches from a World War Two documentary. --rr and jr

arts.culture.living

INSIDE THE By Devin Million-Osborne

IF YOU EVER WANTED to look inside the mind of Tim Burton, you are in luck. From November until April 2011 the TIFF Bell Light box on King Street is hosting “Tim Burton”. This is an art exhibit made up of over 700 sketches, storyboards, paintings, puppets, costumes and props, and film shorts from all of Burton’s famous films and a variety of his lesser known work. The exhibit is usually housed at the Museum of Modern Art ( MOMA ) in New York City and is the first exhibit from the MOMA to come to Toronto in 20 years. Burton fans are given a rare glimpse into the mind of an otherwise private man. The exhibit also includes a variety of notes and sketches from Burton which show a part of his creative process. Jeff Stephenson, an avid Burton fan was thrilled with the exhibit. “As a Theatre and Studio Art major it is exciting to get the opportunity to see the behind-the-scene aspects of my favourite artist in film. I can tell he is the kind of person who is always carrying a notepad and pencil to capture inspiration when it hits. It is enjoyable to see his art on the wall because there are a bunch of different mediums. It might be on paper, a napkin, or black velvet. Overall my experience was not only enjoyable but motivational . I can’t wait to get back into the studio!” It is set up in chronological order showcasing both well known and previously unseen work starting in 1982 with his first film short Vincent. It then moves on showcasing all of Burton’s films including Edward Scissorhands; The Nightmare Before Christmas; Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street; and his most recent blockbuster Alice in Wonderland. 38

The exhibits for each film have no real division between them which lets the viewer flow through the years of Burton’s creations with ease. For each film there is a short paragraph of information on the wall along with concept drawings and notes from Burton. Also showcased, are costumes and props from the films such as Johnny Depp’s costumes from Edward Scissorhands, including his scissorhand gloves. One of the most interesting props showcased in the exhibit is the model of Jack Skellington used in The Nightmare Before Christmas. The model used most in the film is surrounded by roughly 30 of the nearly 400 different heads used to show Jack’s emotion. The inclusion of all these heads really shows how much work goes into stop-animation films because everything has to be handmade and include every detail imaginable. Guests are encouraged to step off the path of the exhibit and into another room which showcases work from Burton from his childhood in Burbank, California and his early years at Disney. A television shows a short created by Burton and a few childhood friends accompanied by drawings from that era. Following is another television, showing commercials directed by Burton. Around the corner there are a variety of sketches and paintings that are divided into “couples”, “women”, “men”, and “clowns”. Many of these sketches have jokes written on them showing Burton’s sense of humour. The exhibit ends back at the beginning, showing visitors the Frankenweenie section with “The End...Or Is It?” written beside it. This is because although it was Burton’s second short, it is just being made into a full length

feature film. This creates a sense of ongoing creation, something only made possible by the chronological loop in which the exhibit is designed. As visitors leave, they are able to view one of Burton’s take on Hansel and Gretel, created during his time at Disney. It was aired on the Disney Channel on Halloween night 1982 and is possibly one of Burton’s most unknown pieces. This is because Burton was apparently embarrassed of the early work and did not want it seen. The fact that he has allowed it to be part of this exhibit shows how much he has opened himself to his fans. With the inclusion of practically every aspect of his career Burton has made himself an open book. If you don’t get a sense of the kind of person Tim Burton is from his movies, then you will get an idea from this exhibit. --rr

FUTURÉALE

ARTS | CULTURE | LIVING

arts.culture.living

FUTURÉALE

ARTS | CULTURE | LIVING

arts.culture.living

IN ANCIENT GREEK TIMES (also seen in the works of Plato’s Symposium) it was believed that man was originally created in the form of having four arms, four legs, a head with two faces and one soul. Out of his rage from man’s selfishness, Zeus had split every human being into two, condemning them to spend their lives searching for their other half in order to become whole again. From the Egyptian Atum to the Chinese ying and yang, history has spent thousands of years trying to decipher this phenomenon that in modern day has come to be known as soul mates. As far as written history goes, myths and legends have been written in attempt to explain this longing for companionship and eternal love. We have been trying to get some sort of an understanding that, perhaps beyond our grasp, might make intelligible what for hundreds of years we have been unsuccessfully trying to explain. It seems that it is the human condition, on some level or another, to crave an emotional fulfillment, and we place the answer, perhaps mistakenly, into the hands of a soul mate; our attempted culprit in explaining this need. According the www.guidetopsychology. com, this craving comes from a psychological human need for a “comforting sense of belonging and acceptance.” After all, human beings are living organisms whose advanced and evolved psychology renders us dependent on social interaction; social isolation is one of the most dangerous and unhealthy human conditions.

As we reach adulthood, the feeling of a parent’s protection “is fractured more often than not by parental empathic failures, and it is lost entirely from ordinary sensory experience as children become older and independent and the awareness of our essential human isolation and mortality sets in.” It shouldn’t be surprising then that it is commonly believed that we seek the qualities of our opposite-sex parent in our partners. Women often choose a partner with similar qualities to those of their father, and men often choose a woman who shares the same qualities as their mother. Could this then be the real reason some feel the need to have a life’s companion? A soul mate? Could it be a deep-rooted need to replace in our adulthood the love and affection we felt as children? According to spiritualist Linda Sajiw, soul mates exist and each and everyone one of us have a twin flame (soul mate). Linda states that twin flames have “the same electronic blueprint... Any process they go through is usually synchronistic whether they are in the same physical environment or across the planet never having physically met before.” She claims that we can connect with our twin flame in many dimensions, on various levels and regardless of location or environment. If this is true, could it explain why at certain times we feel a lack of emotional satisfaction? According to science, our intense attraction and attachment to romantic partners (who we deem as soul mates due to the intensity of this attachment) is all due to pheromones. FUTURÉALE

ARTS | CULTURE | LIVING

arts.culture.living Pheromones are unscented chemicals that are excreted in our sweat when we are attracted to someone. Although without a scent, when we inhale these chemicals, our brain either triggers a good reaction in response to these pheromones, or a bad reaction in response to them. Unfortunately that is why some people are more attractive then others; their pheromones appeal to a wider variety of individuals.

things. Increased serotonin levels contribute to better moods and a healthier well being (as well as relief from depression). A part of what makes break-ups so difficult is our withdrawal from our partner, which our brains for so long reinforced as good. We no longer have that drug (pheromones) to help alleviate our moods and feelings. Many claim that what we deem as a “soul mate” is simply an intense attraction and

When two people are mutually attracted to each other, the pheromones that initially gave away their attraction to each other later initiate increased levels of Dopamine and serotonin. Dopamine (also known as the pleasure chemical) is released when our brains reacts positively to an action or event. This chemical is released in order to create positive reinforcement. It’s the brains way of making us feel good. Serotonin (also known as the happy hormone) regulates our mood amongst other

attachment to a particular other, which as a result can create senses of euphoria and ultimate bliss. But how would this explain compatibility and the deep understanding that results between two people? Hormones only serve a physical purpose. It seems that any attempted explanation, any possible lead, only creates more negations; more questions. Surely something so in concrete and incomplete cannot have much validity to it.

FUTURÉALE

ARTS | CULTURE | LIVING

Searching to fulfill a perceived notion of what a “soul mate” should be would only cloud our judgment. We may constantly bombard ourselves with questions of whether or not “this is it”; if there is something better out there. We may deteriorate perfectly rational, functioning and possibly lasting relationships thinking the grass is greener on the other side. It can lead to disappointments from expectations; regrets from mistaken opportunity; naivety in obvious circumstances. Perfect doesn’t exist, and believing that it does makes us put our relationships under constant scrutiny; analyzing and reanalyzing what we would imagine would be different with a soul mate. It’s hard to draw any conclusions without applying our own subjectivity. So it is nearly impossible not to sway in whichever direction feeds our bias. And even with complete neutrality in our willingness to learn, abstract concepts will only lead to abstract answers (which will be interpreted in regards to our own substantiality anyway). The point is, soul mates or not, we are emotional creatures. And as much as we don’t want to admit it, for whatever reason we sometimes feel the strong need to be satisfied on an emotional level. We may never know why Life takes the course that is does, and it’s pointless to argue with it, because whatever may come, will. We will never know for sure if we have a soul mate, a twin flame, or if it’s all just something to make us feel better in our loneliness’s. But there isn’t a thing we can do to make it any more or less true. So why worry about answers? If it feels right, even if just for a moment, why hesitate? --rr

By Anastasia Rokina 41

arts.culture.living

A look at this year’s OSCAR ON FEBRUARY 27TH, 2011 James Franco and Anne Hathaway will attempt to razzle-dazzle with quick wit as we all subject yet another four hours of our lives to the annual Academy Awards. I for one try not to get too overtly critical of the ceremony which has come to be criticized with more ferocity year after year, sometimes more than the films it honours. My tip for not getting bored or disappointed: no expectations. It’s a ceremony by Hollywood elite to celebrate the success and achievements of the Hollywood elite. Where do we fit in? Absolutely nowhere. It is however custom my eyes to have a glance at the race heading into the show because, well, it is a hell of a lot of fun. There are a lot of interesting stories heading into the race for this year’s Oscars. As of this writing, nominations have yet to be announced however by the time this is published, nominations will be out and the entire landscape of the race could change. For the actor categories, no two stand out more in my mind this year than Colin Firth for his portrayal as King George VI in The King’s Speech and Natalie Portman as the seriously disturbed Nina Sayers in Black Swan.

Firth and Portman completely lost their selves in their respective roles. Firth’s stutter looked and felt as natural as humanly possible. As the viewer you sat there just stuttering along with him hoping and wishing, for his sake, that he could just get over it and get a word out! Portman’s performance in Black Swan was just the kind of performance that carries a film to greatness. Aronofsky did a

For me, it’s that moment of shock and awe that dates back to the first stories ever on film with actors shooting guns directly at the audience, some of which though the images were so believable the ducked in cover. It’s also superb direction like that leads me to believe Aronofsky will take some the directing prize. Darren Aronofsky and Tom Hooper; director of The King’s Speech, direction were very similar with a lot of close up shots of the main characters at critical moments in the film. Aronofsky’s use however adds more depth and does more for Black Swan than it did for The King’s Speech. Aronofsky however has very tough competition from David Fincher for his work with The Social Network. When I first saw trailers for The Social Network I really did not think it was going to be what it was. I thought it was going to be a

fantastic job, as did supporting actors Mila Kunis, Vincent Cassel, and Winona Ryder, However, the film was all about Portman. For me, the entire movie just leads up to the moment when Portman looks directly into the camera, straight into our eyes, as the Black Swan on stage with her dark red eyes, starring a hole right through your body.

FUTURÉALE

ARTS | CULTURE | LIVING

arts.culture.living Baldwin did a great job, for five years ago. But for the most part, their form comic relief was just not what people expect nowadays. Its got to be edgy, easy to relate to, and just downright crazy. As an example, look at Hugh Jackman’s efforts two years ago with a techno-dance number to The Reader and Frost/Nixon’s song and dance turned love story. Just brilliant! terrible story about the creation of Facebook. Instead, it was a film that left its audience in a constant climatic state about the disintegration of a close friendship all in the name of business. 127 Hours’ Danny Boyle could also be a possible repeat winner for his excellent directorial work as well. Other notable films that are in the running are Inception, The Kids Are Alright, Blue Valentine, True Grit, and 127 Hours. All of which have Acting, directing, and some writing nominations from the Golden Globes. Jeff Bridges plays the same role that brought John Wayne his only Oscar for his role in the original film, possibly up for a Supporting Role as Hailee Steinfeld really steals the show from the veteran actor. Inception’s mind-bending climax could easily weave its way into top spot as the Best Picture winner. Though the acting isn’t anything special other than Marion Cotillard great performance (deserving of a supporting nod) it was the most talked about movie in years. It was, actually, it is still water cooler talk in the workplace and a film that even one of my best friends claim is “the best movie I’ve ever seen” – and he’s a difficult guy to impress! Inception was also a movie that everyone related to during a shocker moment as well, especially when Di Caprio’s character describes our dream states saying “you never really know how a dream starts, you just somehow end up in the middle of it”. The words “that’s so true” went through the minds of almost every person who watched it, guaranteed. That is just something a film is FUTURÉALE

ARTS | CULTURE | LIVING

rarely able to achieve. For that and a slew of many other points, Inception is what I think is most likely to take the top prize. The second fun part about watching the Oscar’s: the host. Every year much emphasis is placed on the host, or in this case, hosts. It is because these are the faces that will guide us through our four hour indulgence. They are there to make us feel better about watching a four hour awards show. To kill time, throw some jokes out about adoption crazy amounts of children from Africa, perhaps a couple of stammering jokes directed at Colin Firth, maybe even a dream montage for a spoof on Inception. If any two people are capable of pulling these stunts off its James Franco and Anne Hathaway. Now, you maybe be asking yourselves, why these two? What have they done to earn our comedic respect? Well not too much, and you’re right for asking.

However, in the last few years, there has been a clear evolutionary process that is pretty much complete with regards to comedy and last year’s hosts all but proved that. Martin and

This year’s Oscars has the chance to be truly significant. It’s all up to Hollywood and who they want to label as “Oscar winning blank”

for the rest of their lives. Knowing Hollywood, they’ll probably screw it up, at least in our eyes. But the last few years look hopeful with films like Slumdog Millionaire, The Hurt Locker, winning the highest honours. For seven of the last ten years, directorial and best picture nods have gone to the same film with Best Actor and Actress nods not too far away. So make your predictions and plan your parties! This year’s Oscars will all but disappoint. --rr

By Tristan Coolman 43

arts.culture.living

www.futureale.com 44

FutuRéale FUTURÉALE

ARTS | CULTURE | LIVING