Umbrella
October 31, 2008
In his touching directorial debut, Chinese filmmaker Du Halbin offers a rarely seen glimpse into the five major social classes that have developed in modern-day China: workers, students, soldiers, merchants and peasants. By following the creation of a single umbrella - from plastic mould to price tag to boxed crate – Du Halbin examines the realities of millions of Chinese youth coming of age in a rapidly changing social and economic environment. The philosophies that have held China strong and undivided for so many years come undone as the camera lens focuses on the youth of China, their desire to avoid working in the factories and the hoops the government requires them to jump through that make it nearly impossible to end up working anywhere else.
Searching for the Wizard of O
October 28, 2008
Condoms and dildos and stripper poles, oh my! Welcome to Toronto’s Everything to Do with Sex Show, where all walks of life gather to inconspicuously browse the latest and greatest in “sexual enhancement” gadgets, bargain-bin adult DVDs, sanitized, suburbanized fetish gear value-pack ensembles, and perhaps catch a main stage amateur pole-dancing show along the way.
Here, the path to the Emerald City is a lush, red carpet that leads you in and out of the menagerie-like caged displays of both plain and peculiar pleasure inducers. I knew I had left Kansas when I stumbled upon the biggest dildo I had ever seen, The Great American Challenge. More of a battering ram, this one-eyed purple people eater would probably require an entire battalion to hoist off the ground, let alone thrust through the back door. Sufficiently frightened, I closed my eyes, clicked my heels, and repeated under my breath, “There’s no place like home…” Instantly, the fairy godmother of The Sex Show appeared and assured me that despite the monsters along the way, I was heading in the right direction.
Studs & Duds: The Hardboss NBA Preview
October 27, 2008
With the new NBA season ready to tip off, there are plenty of reasons to be excited. The offseason saw some interesting roster changes including one team making a ‘supersonic’ move to Oklahoma City. Every season has its favorites, its studs and duds, and here’s who Hardboss is looking out for this year.
Top Teams:
Boston Celtics: The Celtics are coming off their 17th championship in franchise history, which came about largely due to the acquisition of Kevin Garnett. The ‘Big 3’ are together again this year and look to be heavy favourites in the East. The Celtics are proof that there is life after 30 in the NBA. Watch for the Celtics to prove that making Kobe cry after last year’s finals wasn’t a fluke.
Is There Anybody There?
October 25, 2008
Is There Anybody There?, screened at the Toronto International Film Festival this September to great reviews. The film, set in 1980s England, tells the story of Edward, played to perfection by Bill Milner, a boy growing up in a nursing home run by his bickering parents. When Clarence (Michael Caine), a grouchy widower unable to come to terms with aging, shows up at the home Edward fights against the new intruder with vehemence. However, in time their rivalry turns to friendship as they both realize they are very lonely and in need of escape. Through their time together they end up healing their own wounds and each others.
UFC 90 Predictions
October 25, 2008
Despite some late changes to the card and a less than competitive main event, UFC 90 should still make for a decent MMA event. There are some interesting lightweight bouts, a welterweight number one contender match up, and of course the middleweight belt is on the line. While there is potential for some upsets or at least a couple great back-and-forth fights, UFC 90 looks pretty easy to call.
Anderson Silva vs. Patrick Côté
Silva has yet to lose in the UFC and has only really been challenged once or twice in the Octagon. He is an absolute nightmare standing and he has proven himself more than apt on the ground. He has nary a chink in his armour and looking at the current UFC middleweight roster there doesn’t appear to be anyone who can stop him. Especially not Patrick Côté.
City and Colour lights up the CASBYs
October 24, 2008
Getting several hundred Edge listeners together to hear their favourite Canadian bands play has been an annual tradition for over 20 years now for the CASBYs. This year was no exception as the Kool Haus was filled to the brim with Molson-swilling rock fans, anticipating a wicked show headlined by Bedouin Soundclash and indie rock veterans Sloan.
The night got off to an unfortunate start as Toronto hard rockers Die Mannequin suffered a series of technical difficulties mid-set. Guitars cut out, speakers popped, the crowd shrugged. Despite some Courtney Love-esque theatrics from frontwoman Care Failure, their set was more yawn-inducing than awe-inspiring.
CASBY Awards 2008 Photo Gallery
October 24, 2008
Photography by Craig Morrison
T.I. - Paper Trail
October 23, 2008
Only a year ago, Atlanta’s T.I. was arrested for possession of unregistered machine guns and was placed on house arrest after an expensive bail out. He titled his new record Paper Trail after deciding to write down his lyrics for the first time in his career while biding his time during his sentence. The result? A pretty great record.
Though T.I. can hold it down on his own, guest appearances are a plenty on Paper Trail from start to finish. “Swagga Like Us” throws the modern rap titans together — Kanye West, Jay-Z and Lil’ Wayne. The instant rap classic samples M.I.A.’s mega hit “Paper Planes” and is sure fodder for disputes over who has the freshest style. As well, Rihanna features on the most recent single “Live Your Life” a song that gives a shout out to the soldiers in Iraq and spins the old adage ‘you can do anything, if you put your mind to it.’
Oasis - Dig Out Your Soul
October 23, 2008
The seventh studio album from Oasis, Dig Out Your Soul, attempts to bring back their music of old in hopes that listeners will forget about some of the miscues they’ve made in last ten years. Noel Gallagher digs deep on this record pulling together grimy guitars, pavement pounding percussion and manic melodies that create a sound much like Be Here Now.
The record jumps in head first with the opening track “Bag it Up”, a bluesy hard-hitting song that builds to an epic finish. Another standout “The Turning” features a bouncing piano that creates a dream-like landscape but can’t help but steal from The Beatles (again) as its outro sounds eerily like “Dear Prudence”. The majority of the Noel-penned tracks sound fresh and inspired and make for the highest points on the record. However, while Liam Gallagher’s voice seems to have matured a little, his song writing is still a work in progress as evidenced by his less-than stellar contributions to Dig Out Your Soul.
Hardboss NHL Rankings
October 23, 2008
Last year’s top seeds are looking great again early in this year’s NHL season. Hardboss Chris Boyd gives his choices for who looks playoffs-bound this week with the official Hardboss NHL Rankings.
EAST
1. Montreal Canadiens
The Habs had an amazing pre-season, and with their star players starting to step up in the regular season, this team is going to be fun to watch. [Read more]