ISS 23 (2007) SUMMER
The Summer Beckons
Like a flower blooming in the summer sun, the season of the blockbuster film emerges from a winter of serious drama and comedy. We find ourselves immersed in promotional extravagance and the wild expectations that accompany the hype. This is the time of year for film production companies to cash in. In this edition of Kira’s Eye, we look at three of the early summer releases and find out if the films measure up to their hype.
SPIDERMAN 3 (2007)
The first big film and the first big disappointment of the season is SPIDERMAN 3. Once again, Tobey Maguire plays Peter Parker who dons the tights to become the urban super hero. Kirsten Dunst returns as Mary Jane Watson, the girl next door who happens to be in love with the geeky crime fighter. In this sequel, director Sam Raimi tries to tie up all the loose ends in the plotline that began in the first Spiderman film.
This latest chapter of the franchise establishes the rather unusual notion that people in conflict with SpiderMan/Peter Parker become crazed monsters. There's Harry Osborn (James Franco) whose father was the Goblin in the first film. The Goblin died in battle against SpiderMan and now Osborn has become the New Goblin. Then there's Flint Marko (Thomas Haden Church) who pulled the trigger of the gun that killed Peter Parker's uncle in the first film. Marko becomes a monster named The Sandman in this film. And just to add to the confusion, there's Eddie Brock (Topher Grace), a photographer working with the same newspaper as Peter Parker. He becomes an evil villain named Venom. In this film, too many villains spoil the fun.
One of the annoying character developments explored in the story is Peter Parker’s growing ego and self- centered attitudes about being a superhero, and Mary’s responses to this egotistical behaviour. When I saw this film in the movie theatre, people laughed during scenes when the obvious expected response was tears.
This latest SpiderMan movie is way too long at 140 minutes. The film is a big miss and an even bigger disappointment. It is worth seeing if you want to follow the storyline and enjoy the marvelous special effects. It could have been so much more.
Running Time: 140 minutes One and a half Stars out of Five
Spider-Man 3 Is In Theatres Now and Will Be Available on DVD in October 2007
PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: AT WORLD'S END (2007)
The first installment of this franchise was an exuberant prance through the Caribbean with Johnny Depp's Captain Jack Sparrow leading the way. The second film offered nothing new in character and was mostly a pirate flavoured bore fest. Although the story moved slowly, the special effects, costumes and special make- up created enough interest to keep you awake. The third installment makes up for the time wasted in the second. Although this film ran over two and a half hours, it was never boring.
The humour, the half-man, half-fish pirates, the stunts and exotic locales made this an enjoyable frolic, even with a storyline that forced you to pay attention, mostly because it was confusing. There's not much actual pirating going on in Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End. Everyone's too busy cracking jokes, debating pirate law, switching allegiances and coping with hallucinations, to engage in anything so mundane as storming a ship and making off with the treasure.
All your favourite characters return including Elizabeth Swann (Keira Knightley) and Will Turner (Orlando Bloom). The pirate Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush) who starred in the first film, returns to add class to this production. The evil Lord Cutler Beckett (Tom Hollander) again leads the English navy against the pirates. You’ll laugh, maybe cry and mostly have a whole lotta fun.
Running Time: 170 minutes Three and a half Stars Out of Five
Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End is in theatres now and will be available on DVD in December, 2007
SHREK THE THIRD (2007) With this latest Shrek film, you would not be amiss to say you’ve seen it all before. Fortunately for this series, the characters and fun are worth a third look. As in every sequel, the main characters return. There is, of course, Shrek (voiced by Mike Myers), his wife Fiona (voiced by Cameron Diaz) and his two sidekicks Donkey (voiced by Eddie Murphy) and Puss in Boots (Antonio Banderas).
The story takes off when the frog king (voiced by John Cleese) announces on his deathbed that his son-in- law Shrek is the heir to the throne. Shrek is reluctant to take on the mantle of royalty and goes off to locate the next in line for the throne, the immature Artie (voiced by Justin Timberlake). Prince Charming (voiced by Rupert Everett) continues to plot his ascension through devious and dastardly means.
The first half hour of the film is wonderful but the energy drifts towards the conclusion. Some of the nuances of the plot, such as Shrek’s desire to return to the swamp, a place that Fiona describes as his “vermin-filled shack” may slide over the heads of younger kids. In many ways, this is more of an adult animated feature than a kid flick. Still, kids will enjoy the silliness and the marvelous animation.
The clever use of storybook characters such as Snow White, Cinderella and Captain Hook continues in this sequel and adds a special flavour to the mix. In terms of overall entertainment, this film is not quite on the same level established by the first two Shrek films. Still, it’s enjoyable and certainly worth a look.
Running Time: 92 minutes Two and a half Stars out of Five
Shrek The Third Is In Theatres and Available on DVD in November, 2007
Allan Stanleigh is a Vancouver based writer who also writes movie reviews for his own website: Reel Write Reviews http://www.reelwrite.com This site,
especially useful for people who rent films, has over 500 reviews of films from 1999 to the present.
Minds Eye By Philip Henry ISBN: 1-84685-297-8
Johnny Knox was that high school kid that every one knew, and no one actively disliked, but no one was friends with. Students are surprised when he dies, in what is first called a suicide and is later deemed natural causes, but life goes on pretty much as normal. Normal that is for everyone except for Steve Norton who has a terrifying experience shortly after the death that makes him realize that there was nothing 'natural' about the cause. In time he finds a few others, outcasts for the most part, that have also had run ins with this monster. Now only a small handful of teenagers stand between something from out of this world and a school full of unsuspecting victims.
Mind's Eye is told from the perspective of Steve as an adult, looking over the audio recordings and notes he made as a high school aged aspiring journalist. The result is uncanny and unnerving. As much as this is a full fledged horror story it is also a very gripping coming of age story. Philip Henry tackles those tempestuous years of high school, years which I think are the hardest for adults to remember with any real accuracy. But Henry does it perfectly. As enthralled as I was with the story- while I'm being honest, I have to admit that I stayed up all night and read it cover to cover with no break- I was equally sucked into reminiscing. Mind's Eye made me remember all the little details of growing up that I had forgotten about, the insecurities, the failures, the We’ve all heard the expression “a sucker for punishment”, but since when did we start paying for five days a week of ass-kicking?
Enter the bootcamp trend. These intense all-weather workout classes are popping up all over the place. Having just spent a month at Cardio-Core Bootcamp in Surrey, I can tell you that the fitness class certainly lives up to its name. I ran, did crunches, lunges, squats, and sweat like I’ve never done before. I’m also nearly ten pounds lighter for it. There is no question that “going camping” will whip any body into shape, but there has to be more than simply wanting to be toned that makes people keep coming back.
Perhaps it is the unified suffering that does it, but bootcamp manages to create a real community dynamic that I haven’t
managed to get at the gym (where we are all presumably doing the same thing).
Jen Hamilton, who created Cardio-Core Bootcamp with her friend Karen, is also feeling the love. The now-franchised group fitness program has spread across BC and into Alberta and Ontario in less than four years. Jen believes that their carefully chosen instructors really bring the campers together. “Even though everyone is there for their own reasons, it is still a group experience,” she says, truly believing that the passion has become “contagious.”
Kamal Rai, one of the Surrey instructors, was once a participant herself. She knows that people join group fitness because “we all need someone to push us hard,” which is what I loved the most about the class. Just when I was ready to give up, she would be right there encouraging me to give whatever I had left. Motivation is “all in the mind and is about positivity” she says. Don’t let the name fool you – this bootcamp make you work hard through shouts of “you can do it! Just ten more!”, rather than “get down and give me fifty, tubby!” Having someone believe in you really does wonders when it comes to fitness. Though your goal may seem unreachable, the camp instructors are there to help you reach them, no matter how many tiny steps and “good work!” comments it takes.
One of my fellow campers, Cam Gerard, has become somewhat of the Cardio-Core poster boy. He’s lost 110 pounds since July 2006 with the almost daily bootcamp visits and healthy eating. He says “I almost get withdrawal if I don’t go to bootcamp”. For him, the atmosphere is what keeps him coming back. He describes it as “a two-way street – the instructors and other campers drive me to be better for myself AND others.”
Through my conversations with people at all levels of the bootcamp world, it is apparent why success has come so quickly to not only Cardio-Core Bootcamp itself, but also for its participants. Like Jen says, “it’s such a great way to clear your head and thoughts and to focus energy in a positive way.” Even though we are all “suffering” together, the joy of achieving our own goals is really what creates the camping community. *
Carolyn Sapach
Photo : www.cardiocorebootcamp.ca
ALL TIME HIGH
Interview with Alex Gaskarth (2nd left) of All Time Low at Warped Tour
KE: So now that you have played Warped Tour two years in a row, is there anything you’re doing differently now?
AG: Yeah, we played 11 dates last year and it was a cool taste, it really left us wanting more. We’ve always been those kids that love warped tour, so we were stoked to be able to do the whole thing this year. This year we’re on a bus, which is really comfy. We’re on a slightly bigger stage which is
awesome. I think more people know who we are now, which is really cool. It’s crazy to be able to play for such a large amount of people, it’s flattering.
KE: Did you bring anything this year that you forgot to bring last year?
AG: No, actually, this year we forgot our X-box. We had it last year and I’ve been bumming out majorly the past couple days on the road. We’re thinking about having something drop ship us one.
KE: So, Zack went to a different high school than the rest of you. Any rivalries or pranks between your schools?
AG: We went to a school called Dulaney, and Zack went to Towson and the schools are actually the biggest rivals in the area. We would do this thing every year where the seniors would paint this big pile of rocks on the campus their school colours. So, I remember our senior year, we finished painting the rocks and a week later Towson like vandalized them all, with things like “Dulaney Sucks”. It was right before the home coming game, and we were playing them. So, it was pretty intense, I think some people died actually…just kidding.
KE: So did you see the girls grinding off the side of the stage when you were playing Jasey Rae?
AG: Really? Oh that’s tight.
KE: So, how does that make you feel, knowing you have that power to make girls up and grind to your music?
AG: It’s pretty sweet. I mean, we try to write music to make as many people grind as possible so…yeah.
KE: Well, the tours only been going on a few days, but have you had any memorable moments yet?
AG: Dude, this whole thing has been awesome so far. Like, the weather’s been amazing, and there’s a bunch of our friend’s bands on the tour, like Meg and Dia, Cute (Without the E), Boys like Girls, Paramore, Amber (Pacific). It’s so cool to just like spend everyday with your friends. Good Times.
KE: So what’s your relationship like with Amber Pacific now, since they kind of bumped you up to Hopeless?
AG: Oh totally, it’s amazing. We still hang out with them, we love those dudes. Greg and I are part of a bike gang that rides around the Warped Tour. It’s us and Set Your Goals. It’s pretty sweet; we think we’re bad asses.
KE: Have you guys been to the Nudist Beach just over the hill?
AG: No way! How do you get there?!
KE: Well it’s at gate six on the campus, you just go way down the embankment and it’s a nudist beach along the ocean.
AG: I think Eric Tobin, who works at our label, was telling us about that, a lot of hippies hang out there with their naked children. It’s pretty sweet; I might go get naked later.
KE: What’s it like touring with New Found Glory, seeing as how they influenced your name?
AG: It’s amazing. I’ve been like watching them every chance I can, like just standing there awestruck. The craziest thing is ,I’ll walk past them at lunch and we kind of know each other a little bit now. So when Jordan or Ian is like “What’s up dude?” I’m like “What? You talk to me?!” It’s cool, very cool. It’s an honor to be on tour with them.
KE: So, last time I checked your band was ahead in 3 cities in the Energizer 10 minutes longer competition, have you played any encores yet?
AG: Not yet, they’re probably going to be east coast dates if we win. I’m hoping we win our hometown because that would be cool. If we do, I’ll be extremely flattered and stoked.
KE: Since you’re almost fresh out of high school, what would you be doing if you weren’t doing this?
AG: I was not good at school. Rian (Dawson, Drums) and Jack (Barakat, Guitar/Vocals) would be in college for sure. Zack (Merrick, Bass/Vocals) would probably be in art school. I really like traveling. I have a calling to go to Japan. I figure that through the band we may actually be able to get out there, so I’m stoked. I probably would have gone and explored lots of the world, and then come back, and I don’t know, killed myself. No no, I’ll just win the lottery and then buy a big house and just bum around. *
Interviewer : Shelbie Jeaurond
The big ‘avoids’ of summer
Summer can bring out the best in people; maybe it’s the sun, the bright colors, or just the leaves on the trees. Whatever it is, there is no better time to get out and enjoy all the season has to offer. Now, it would be dishonest to say that everything about summer is beautiful, as there are certain things that can put a damper on the view. Listed below are a few things that you should avoid this summer and by doing you’ll help keep things looking bright.
Summer is all about light, white fabric, nothing shouts summer as much a simple white T- shirt paired with some summer shorts. But with this come a few rules: do not wear a neon bra under your white t-shirt. There is nothing attractive about seeing your lime-green bra shining through your shirt. Nude color bras were created for a reason. Also, there is nothing remotely sexy about wearing a tank top or a summer dress that leaves your bra strap visible to the world. There is no faster way to turn your outfit from fabulous to trashy. Try a strapless bra, they tend to work wonders and can prove to be more comfortable than your regular bra, as you won’t be adjusting the strap every two minutes.
The words ‘muffin top’ has gained new meaning. No longer just a part of the tasty breakfast concoction, instead the words have now come to represent the bulging flesh created by wearing jeans that are too tight and a shirt that is too short. ‘Muffin top’ is not a compliment and is one of the easiest things to avoid.
Comfort mixed with style is a wonderful thing, but when it comes to wearing neon ‘crocs’ to run your errands, the line mixing comfort and style has been breached. Not only do they appear to make your feet look wider, they also make legs look shorter, and ankles look thicker. So throw on a pair of flip-flops and keep the crocs for the backyard. Side note: flip-flops are not appropriate work attire, no matter what your job may be, so save them for before and after work.
Summer is the season where cleavage pops up (and out) everywhere you go. Sure, there are those that like to let their ‘ladies’ breathe after spending months wrapped in wool. But there is cleavage and then there is CLEAVAGE. Please avoid the latter. There is nothing sexy about letting it all hang out---leave something to the imagination.
On a final note, if you plan on wearing sandals or flip flops this summer; treat
yourself to a pedicure, at home or at the spa. There’s nothing summery about having your dirty nails and calluses being exposed for the World to see (cringe). Brightly polished nails will add a spring to your step and scrubbed feet will have you sandal ready all summer long.
Jennifer Patterson
Joeys Broadway
1424 West Broadway
Vancouver, BC
Phone: 604-732-JOEY
We went to Joey’s on a Friday night and it was pretty packed. There was a 15 minute wait and two waitresses, two hostesses and a door girl fluttering around the entrance – all as scantily clad as ever.
I had the Three Cheese Pate which is actually my favorite thing off this menu and aside from the (unintentionally) dried out bread, it was really good. My two friends had alfredo pasta with sautéed mushrooms and an added prawn skewer. These were…ok.
For dessert we split Molten Chocolate Lava Soufflé which is basically chocolate cake with a warm liquid center and ice cream on the side. It was good but anyone can stick a pre-made cake into the oven – this is a well known dessert within industry suppliers.
The service was alright. Not the friendliest waitress but by no means rude – she just had a “well you’re in my section so I’ll take your order”, attitude about her.
The food was served within a reasonable time frame but the dessert took 20 minutes or so which is pretty unacceptable.
The manager asked me how everything was and when I brought up the fact that servers shouldn’t be wearing tank tops he gave me the “ well every restaurant does it” spiel.
There you go kids, if every restaurant violates the health code, you should too.
The Main Restaurant 4210 Main Street, Vancouver, BC V5V 3P9 604-709-8555
I and eight friends went for a Greek dinner on a Friday night and once again, this place was packed – it was our third choice of restaurants on King Ed. & Cambie but packed nonetheless. The wait was quite lengthy, 20-25 minutes but
at least they got us in!
Our waitress (yes, tank topped) took our drinks orders and seemed very displeased when we asked for separate bills. She even felt compelled to tell us, “ SIGH! Well that’s like, really hard”. I’ve been a waitress for ten years…you’re making us look even dumber than people already think we are.
The wait for our appies was excruciating! 20 minutes at least for some calamari and forget about getting a drink refill.
Our food was another half hour wait and really not that great – the fact that a band was setting up one inch from our table and our server’s crabby attitude was a mood killer anyway.
After we asked for our bills she commented again on how hard it was and threw in a “ so you guys will just have to wait”. After another 15 minutes went by I told the host we were either going to get our bills in the next 5 minutes or we would put an approximation on the table and leave. The server came over within 2 minutes.
Looks like it really wasn’t that hard, after all.
The Main, don’t do it.
6 TYPES OF INEVITABLE CRUSHES
They are bound to happen and they're lovely. Delve into a little piece about the six types of crushes we have all had or will have or maybe are having right now!
6. The gay daydream
Yes, time spent with this person is a daydream! It’s fun, flirty and real –
until you wake up and realize hey, you will never have them the way you’d like to. I think we have all met someone we wanted and were disappointed by the fact that hey, they’re “just not into” your gender! While the problem arises more for women than men, it sucks both ways. My little heart has flickered for many a gay man but there was only one that actually made me wish we never met because I would rather not know him at all than know him and know no amount of humor, beauty or kindness would stand a chance! What can I say, I’m selfish like that.
5. The co-worker
Just that little extra ray of sunshine to make the grueling work day that much better! Sure that customer was a bitch and your boss is being extra crabby but nothing makes the day go faster than thinking about getting it on in the broom closet with you know who. If things ever worked out it could be awesome – you can carpool to work in the morning after spending the night together!
5. The best friend
You laugh together, you cry together, they know everything about you and you know everything about them. And perhaps once upon time, they have seen you naked – come on, we all had that one night. It is the best friend crush. Sometimes it works out. I mean why wouldn’t it? No one knows you better and you get along great with all their friends, since they’re your friends too. But really when it all comes down to it can you really fall for someone who is like a sibling to you?...minus the random sex part.
3. The unattainable
They’re married, they’re dating your best friend, they’re off surfing in Australia and never plan on returning. Whatever it may be there is always that one that is nice to think about but out of your reach for whatever reason (think # 6 The Gay Daydream). Some may find it depressing but I actually don’t mind these at all since I know it can never go bad – I mean, how can it go bad if it can’t even start? Call me a pessimist but I have to get myself through missing out on that hot body with a wife a baby somehow.
2. The Ex
Much like the best friend with a side of passion. They know you, they’ve had you, they’ve seen it all, they’ve done it all. Did you argue too much? Did you want too many different things? Did you leave the country? Whatever the reason for a break up may be, I have yet to meet someone male or female who has denied that they still have pleasant and naughty thoughts about the one that got away.
1.The casual acquaintance
They come into your work, go to your gym, live in your complex, etc. They are someone you see frequently but know not much about other than their first name – if that. They are good looking, give you good conversation and hey they are probably even single. So why hasn’t anyone made a move yet? Maybe things are going good as they are – going nowhere but good. I say make the move! They have potential to be a #2 crush…without the “ got away” part. *
Laura V
WHAT : Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?
WHEN: Thursdays, 8:00pm
WHERE: FOX
Jeff Foxworthy hosts this game show which takes adults and asks them grade school questions (1st thru 5th) with the
chance to win one million dollars.
The questions although straight from actual school textbooks, seem quite difficult most of the time and last week one contestant actually "made history" and lost out on the first one.
Foxworthy is as annoying as usual and this show really seems to drag on, what with the thousand pauses for effect , "we will find out if you're right...right after this commercial break!" The problem is, this show isn't exciting enough to be made dramatic and I doubt people at home are squirming in their seats for more. It is alright as background noise when you're doing something else, though.
I played the game online and ...I was two questions away from being smarter than a 5th grader. It was a US History question that screwed me so, that wasn't fair, now was it? Try it out for yourself
Two stars out of Five
WHAT: Age of Love
WHEN: Mondays, 9P
WHERE: NBC
Yet another “match-up the single idiots” show! Mark Philippoussis is 30 year old Australian pro tennis player who has been given twelve women to date – 6 are in their twenties and 6 are in their forties.
What does this mean exactly? It means we get to see below average looking man whore make out with a dozen gorgeous fragile, catty women.
Does it have a string following? Yes. Can I sit through more than 20 minutes of it? No.
Between the crying, the corny one on one chats and beyond lame races and other “challenges” to gain this guy’s affection, all we learn is that women simply get better with age.
While I am sure mark will pick a girl in her twenties as the “ winner”, these gals have nothing on their older rivals. Upon reading about this for the first time, one might not be sure what to expect with 20 vs. 40 . So just to show you what we’ re dealing with here…
girl in her 20's
girl in her 40's
OVEN BAKED COOKIE
GISELE BUNDCHEN
We always like to make sure that our OBC's are noticed not just for their outside beauty but for their other attributes as well.
Sometimes it may seem like there is nothing more to say than " she's hot". This is one of those times.
Known simply as Gisele, she has done nothing notable other than grace the pages of Victoria's Secret and by golly, that's enough.
Who else can look this gorgeous in a native headdress?*
