Filed under: Celebrity Gossip, Entertainment, Movies, Television, Uncategorized, YouTube | Tags: canada, canadiana, comedy, corner gas, CTV, little mosque, littlest hobo, movie, sctv, show case, sitcom, Television, trailer park boys, you tube
Canada, we are who we are regardless of what others think of us.
Ok, who are we kidding? We love to hear what others think of us. We have a reputation for being the ‘nice’ guys, and we all know what happens to the nice guys, they get forgotten about (and it’s not aboot!)
Well, after years of being placed on the back burner of popular culture, Canadiana has finally come into its own.
We all remember Canada’s grainy attempts at self production over the last 40 years or so, and anyone who has a problem with the Littlest Hobo can answer to me! (I love that dog!) But now it seems we have finally caught up with the rest of television and our stories aren’t just about Joey Jeremiah’s band anymore.
With shows like the Trailer Park Boys and Kenny vs Spenny blazing a brand new trail for Canadian adult sitcoms, we’re finally getting the respect we deserve!
Brent Butt, creator of Corner Gas, has opened the door for family sitcoms based in Canada, (ie) Little Mosque On The Prairie), and has developed characters that can be loved for their small town ways and respected for the subtle, sarcastic, truly Canadian way they poke fun at other cultures the world over. He has done the impossible and generated a steadily growing fan base not only inside our boarder but even in the US and Europe.
But wait, lets not forget what the show SCTV did for us back in the 70’s and 80’s! Many of the best comedians of our time got their start on that show, and lets admit it, where would we be with out Dave Thomas and Rick Moranis’s portrayal of average Canadians: Bob and Doug McKenzie, without whom we would not be who we are today. When anyone the world over thinks of Canada, the image of toque wearing, beer drinking, hosers comes to mind, and we as a culture are proud of that!
We are who we are and we take great pride in it, so join me in taking pride in The Great White North Eh!
UPDATE!!! UPDATE!!! UPDATE!!!
The Trailer Park Boys are Back! For fans who have not heard, the Boys are back this Sunday, December 7th, 2008 on Show Case, in an all new one hour special! Though this will be the last regular episode, the Boys will be back in their second (and hopefully not last!) full length feature film this fall! Lets all join together and tell these guys how much we miss them, and maybe they will stick around! (Via showcase.ca)
Also, Corner Gas star Brent Butt has a new brainchild soon to be on CTV. The show will star Brents real life wife Nancy Robertson, Wanda from the show, as a childrens author with anger issues. Lets hope Brent makes it on for a couple of cameo appearances! (Via The Hour)
Filed under: Celebrity Gossip, Uncategorized | Tags: Campari, Entertainment, Eva Mendes, Jessica Alba, Salma Hayek
Jessica Alba is this years face of the 2009 Campari Calendar, which is their 10th annual edition. The limited edition calendar will have 9,999 copies printed.
February
Apparently the shots were taken by famed photographer Mario Testino over the course of two days in Malibu. The photos all dolled up in ‘Club Campari’ style, from bathing suits to evening gowns, Alba shows off her post baby body. Alba said she got to dress up “sort of femme fatale/screen siren”. Alba said she loved the styles saying,
“It was all very chic, but still young and cool, my favorite combination!”
May
Previous years cover girls include Eva Mendes in 2007 and Salma Hayek in 2006 edition.
Eva Mendes Campari Calendar
Salma Hayek
Alba, who recently married husband, Cash Warren, gave birth to daughter, Honor Marie Warren this past June. Apparently Alba brought little Honor to the photo shoot and she sat on mom’s lap as she got her makeup done. Alba isn’t the the only Campari covergirl to recently welcome a daughter. Campari’s 2006 covergirl, Salma Hayek welcomed her daughter, Valentina Paloma Pinault, in September 2007.
Filed under: Entertainment, Politics, Television, Uncategorized, YouTube | Tags: Canadian, Face Book, hate crime, kick a ginger, popular culture, south park, Television
This is a sad, sad time to be a Canadian.
I really thought we were above crap like this.
Last week a new fad struck the nation, one where seemingly intelligent individuals took it upon themselves to fall in line with the stupidity of the group and celebrate national “Kick a Ginger Day”.
(please see this URL for a Calgary news clip)
http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/player/popup/index.php?rn=222561&cl=10789507&ch=222562
I have two problems with this development. First, obviously, is the blatant stupidity of those who participated, and the pain or embarrassment that they caused their red headed peers. Second is the fact that in their defense, these idiots are trying to pin their crimes on an episode of the cartoon South Park, which aired last year.
The idea was popularized via a Face Book page of the same name, started by a youth in Vancouver. Those involved in altercations over the ‘holiday’ are currently being investigated and some may even result in criminal charges being laid for committing a ‘hate crime’.
Now common people, are we really this stupid?
At one point, the writters of South Park made an episode in which Erik Cartman tried to trick the townspeople into reviving the Nazi movement to remove all the Jewish people from South Park. So does this mean we are now allowed to blame Neo-Nazism on the behavior of a few cartoon characters? I mean really! This material is from a show that prides itself on social satire and showing the ridiculous side of human behavior. Stupid, just stupid…
Now this prompts me to ask you all a question one of my teachers posed the other day: ‘In situations like this, should we blame the influence of a movie or television show or should individuals be responsable for how they respond?’ To me the answer seems pretty obvious, but im open to discussion so please feel free to comment.
Filed under: Celebrity Gossip, Entertainment, Movies, Television, Uncategorized, YouTube | Tags: A Charlie Brown Christmas, A Christmas Carol, A Christmas Story, Best, Christmas Movies, Dr. Suess, Four Christmases, Frank Capra, Home Alone, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, It's a wonderful life, Miracle on 34th Street, National Lampoons Christmas Vacation, Prancer, Reese Witherspoon, The Santa Clause, Tim Allen, Top 10, Vince Vaughn
A Christmas Story
With less than one month till Santa’s big day I decided to check my list…twice and put together the ‘nice’ list of holiday favorites that you may want to view in the days leading up to Christmas.
I understand that due to traditions each person may have a very different top 10 but I have come up with a general group and would love to hear your comments about which movies you think make the list of the best Christmas movies.
First off though I must mention the new 2008 Christmas movie…
Of course with a cast that includes Reese Witherspoon and Vince Vaughn and many other great actors I think it is fair to say Four Christmases might be worth checking out. It opened today and although I couldn’t make it to the theatre, I have already heard that it was ‘really good and really funny’.
So check it out and see if it makes your list of faves, at least with Vince Vaughn involved you are guarnteed some laughs!
Here’s the trailer…
So in no particular order, here is a list of the best Christmas movies!
Miracle on 34th Street
It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)-directed by Frank Capra
Miracle on 34th Street (1947) -directed by George Seaton
A Christmas Story (1983) -directed by Bob Clark
A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965) -directed by Bill Melendez
A Christmas Carol (1938) -directed by Edwin L. Marin
The Santa Clause (1994) -directed by John Pasquin
Home Alone (1990) -directed by Chris Columbus
How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966) -directed by Chuck Jones and Ben Washam
Prancer (1989) -directed by John D. Hancock
and one of my favorites…
National Lampoons Christmas Vacation (1989) -directed by Jeremiah S. Chechik
Many Christmas movies have been remade once or a few times, to me this must mean that we like the classic stories and don’t mind a modern twist every now and then.
So with just under a month to get all your decorating, shopping and baking done..don’t forget to find some time to grab a cup of eggnog and settle in for an evening with your favorite holiday flicks…whatever they may be!
Filed under: Entertainment, Television, Uncategorized, YouTube | Tags: cartoons, market, nostalgia, Pop Culture, popular culture, seth green, super heros, Television, toys
Sure it started as a sickness. Young soldiers had a yearning to go back home, back to a past they longed to relive, but today it captures our attention and our dollars, and we cannot seem to get enough of it!
We have all at one time or another seen an image or felt a feeling that instantly took us back to better days in our childhoods, sometimes even a smell can do the trick.
And today, a large portion of our popular culture and entertainment aims to do just that. One of the major influences of this phenomenon is the fact that Gen-Xers and early Millennial s are taking up the reins of large corporations and production companies. These companies are now remaking and re marketing the television shows, movies and toys of our youth and we have taken it all and demanded more!
One key player in the new market of old memories is actor Seth Green who, along with the geniuses at the magazine Twisted Toyfare, have come up with the highly popular pop culture parody TV show Robot Chicken.
The show is genius in its simplicity: take comic book superheros, toys and other pop culture phenomenons and put them in adult situations. The scripts almost write themselves, and the audience is already highly invested in the characters, so the humor flows freely.
Individuals who still have their old toys can have lots of fun taking them out and actually playing around with them again, and trust me it can be hilarious!
Incidentally, the common ‘Stick’ was recently admitted into the National Toy Hall of Fame( via The Circuit on Space Channel ) for its unending ability to become a sword or almost any other item one can conceive of in the blink of an eye!
Here are a couple neat sites for nostalgia buffs just in case you’re interested:
http://www.retrocrush.com/archive.html
http://www.retrojunk.com/
All in all, i think we have shown ourselves that nostalgia is a sickness we can live with : )
Filed under: Uncategorized
So, her it is is folks, another bad ass movie where the menace to society proves to be a good role model in the end helping no one but him/her self. This could be the next best thing after Big Daddy which was tremendous hit with the laughter and sympathy.
The basic plot is amazing because it moves away from the crazy wild adventures of the lead actors playing together to a more rough start that soon turns into a companionship. For those of you who don’t live around Lethbridge, there is a “group” of individuals who consider themselves knights, Kings, Queens and so on. It is most definetly the most interesting thing I have ever seen which is also what makes it funnier because that exact same social group is depicted in the movie to show the “funny” side as opposed to the serious one the “others” see
Check it out for yourself, this movies is an absolute must see for a good laugh and a great check into reality showing how sometimes adults are not the teacher but rather the students, and it’s hard to admit your wrong but when the cat is out of the bag, you go all out.
Filed under: Entertainment, Politics, Television, Uncategorized, YouTube | Tags: peabody award, Politics, religion, simpsons, south park, television shows
What is it about cartoons that start with “S” ?
Two modest little shows: Simpson’s and South Park, who knew?
They both began as the bad guys of adult cartoon entertainment. They were the scapegoats for what was ‘wrong with television’ (if not our social moral fabric) in the 1990’s. The Simpson’s glorified the bad behavior of a spiky headed 4th grader, and the hands off parenting style of his drunken buffoon of a father. South Park was just 4 children with potty mouths, swearing for attention.
It was shameful and offensive, and we loved it!
Both shows have earned respect in their own ways: The Simpson’s for its longevity and multilayer ed comedic genius, and the way they changed the face of television, breaking through the crap so other shows, like South Park, could even have a chance.
In the beginning, viewers saw South Park as a show that relied on shock value for laughs. But eventually people caught on to what they really were: the no bullshit kings of popular culture and social commentary.
South Park must be respected for its unbiased position on truth. Whether they’re commenting on homelessness, politics or religion, South Parks creators pull no punches – its a no holds barred mentality that has worked greatly to the shows advantage.
South Park has shown that they even hold themselves and their staff to this all or nothing mentality, in their choice to kill off longtime character Chef (aka Isaac Hayes) in a very unflattering manner, after Hayes publicly voiced his disappointment at the show for making fun of his beloved Scientology. Matt Stone and Trey Parker responded by saying their is no line that cannot be crossed and that they could not continue the show if they gave in when people were upset by being singled out.
Recently, South Park was honored with the distinguished Peabody Award for their commitment to unbiased social commentary and the unbelievably current production of story lines and episodes (often produced 3 or 4 days after a topic hits news venues). A very prestigious award not usually given to cartoon types.
No one can argue that these shows have a huge and ongoing effect on our popular culture and entertainment values. i for one cannot go a single day without quoting a line that fits perfectly into a situation, or smiling when someone shows just how silly we can be.
The Simpsons was recently picked up for 3 more seasons on Fox, and the creators of South Park have said that as long as there are things to make fun of, they’ll keep making new episodes.
Enjoy them both while they last!
Filed under: Celebrity Gossip, Entertainment, Movies, Music, Television, Uncategorized | Tags: American Idol, Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood, CMA Awards, Entertainer of The Year, Four Christmases, George Strait, Keith Urban, Kenny Chesney, Nashville, Nicole Kidman, Reese Witherspoon, Sommet Center, Sunday Rose
Co-Hosts Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood
Tonight the big stars of country music took the stage at the Sommet Center in Nashville for the annual Academy of Country Music Awards. The hosts of this year’s CMA awards were Brad Paisley and former American Idol winner Carrie Underwood. The two were chosen to host the show due to their winning the 2007 Male and Female Vocalists of the year. If that’s the academy’s new way of selecting hosts Brad and Carrie will be hosting again next year as they took the vocalist of the year awards home again for 2008!
The 42nd annual awards started off with a bang with a performance by co-host Brad Paisley and superstar Keith Urban. Urban’s and wife Nicole Kidman welcomed new baby Sunday Rose in July but the 4 month old baby girl did not join the couple on the red carpet. Keith Urban was also nominated for two awards, Entertainer of the Year (which he won in 2005) and Male Vocalist of the year (which he claimed in 2004, 2005 and 2006).
Past winner and nominee Keith Urban with wife Nicole Kidman
In addition to opening the show, Brad Paisley also sang his newest single ‘Waitin’ on a Woman’ while Carrie Underwood belted out ‘Just a Dream’. Carrie Underwood also had some accomplishments during the show she managed a total of 7 wardrobe changes after hitting the red carpet!
Nicole Kidman wasn’t the only Oscar winner in attendance; , star of the new holiday film \’Four Christmases\’ ,Reese Witherspoon presented the award for Male Vocalist of the year.
Entertainer of the Year was claimed by Kenny Chesney who is no stranger to the honour as he won in 2007, 2006 and 2004. Wit 29 nominations and 7 awards during his career he must have his acceptance speech memorized! Also nominated were, Brad Paisley, Alan Jackson, Sugarland and Keith Urban.
2008 Entertainer of the Year, Kenny Chesney
Though he didn’t pick up Entertainer of the Year, 23 years after his first CMA, George Strait once again won Album of the year and also added Single of the year. With a total of 22 awards and 75 nominations dating as far back as 1983, this country legend definately has his speech memorized!
So after Entertainer of the Year was awarded and Carrie Underwood made one more dress change the country celebrities left in their glamorous clothes in search of their blue jeans and boots until the fancy dress comes out again next year!
For complete details on the CMA’s be sure to check out http://www.cmaawards.com/2008/
Filed under: Celebrity Gossip, Entertainment, Uncategorized | Tags: Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt, Jennifer Aniston, Vogue
Amidst the constant baby rumors and Brangalina everywhere, I’d say Jennifer Aniston is looking pretty good on the cover of Vogue‘s December issue.
Jennifer Aniston - Vogue 2008
US Magazine is reporting that Jennifer asked reporter, Jonathan Van Meter to turn off the tape recorder when asked about her ex-husbands new partner, Angelina Jolie. Jennifer did discuss how she felt about Angelina’s recent comments, saying:
“There was stuff printed that was definately from a time when I was unaware that it was happening, I felt those details were a little inappropriate to discuss. That stuff about how she couldn’t wait to get to work everyday? That was really uncool.”
This all comes after an article in the New York Times said that Angelina was looking forward to the day she could play Mr. and Mrs. Smith for her children to see how their parents met. Angelina said, “not a lot of people get to see a movie where their parents fell in love”.
Brat Pitt and Angelina Jolie
Jen also told the reporter that she and Brad have exchanged a few polite hellos and congratulations on the babies and otherwise stressed that the two “had an amicable split…The marriage didn’t work out well”.
John Mayer and Jennifer Aniston
When asked about her on -off relationship with John Mayer, Jen said that “people need to mind their own business” and went on to say, “Love just shows up”. This after John Mayer bragged about dumping her the first time! Jen did say, “Trust me, you’ll never see that happen again from that man.” Maybe Jen grew a backbone finally?! Can lonely, needy, clingy Jen finally find love with John Mayer?? Maybe….but probably not!
Filed under: Celebrity Gossip, Entertainment, Movies, Television, Uncategorized, YouTube | Tags: 66, Cancer battle, death, ER, George Clooney, Jan de Bont, Jurassic Park, Michael Crichton, Mikael Salomon, Noah Wyle, The Andromeda Strain, The Lost World, Twister
Michael Crichton
The writer of novels, television and films that sparked imaginations, pushed boundaries and made medicine a major part of Thursday nights passed away in Los Angeles yesterday at the age of 66 after a battle with cancer.
During his lifetime he wrote many great stories and brought the medical drama ER into our living rooms. The show began in 1994 with the like of George Clooney and Noah Wyle and will complete its final season this year. For this show he was nominated for the Emmy award for ‘Outstanding Drama Series’ each year rom 1995- 2000 winning the award in 1996.
In 1993 movie audiences were captivated by his prehistoric story of Jurassic Park and he made people really think about the limitations of science again with a sequel to Jurassic Park; The Lost World in 1997.
Other popular stories from Michael Crichton include Twister (1996, Directed By Jan de Bont) and The Andromeda Strain (2008, Directed By Mikael Salomon), as well as many novels and other films and television works.
AOL Entertainment reported ths story and included the following quote from his family. “While the world knew him as a great storyteller that challenged our preconceived notions about the world around us – and entertained us all while doing so – his wife Sherri, daughter Taylor, family and friends knew Michael Crichton as a devoted husband, loving father and generous friend who inspired each of us to strive to see the wonders of our world through new eyes,” his family said.
For more details of Micheal Crightons many acheivments and facinating stories you can visit his WEBSITE
Poptculture 