Yoel Diaz - Encuentros

Yoel Diaz brought the roof down at Montreal's local "Upstairs" bar and grill this Tuesday.With the launching of his new CD "Encuentros", Diaz shone a bright light on Cuban Jazz.

True to the meaning of the title, "Encuentros" Diaz absolutely brought together the "meeting" of artistic and muscial adventure. The rhythm of the tight ensemble of musicians made keeping still almost impossible as you felt compelled to move to the beat of the congos.

While Diaz's masterful "tickeling of the ivories" was second to none, Karen Young's sultry voice has only improved to perfection like a fine wine. Her lustrous voice almost brought me to tears. All I can say is what a welcoming and refreshing addition to our world of international music.

Click on this link to watch performance: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICo_y_okRDc

Bravo!

The Last Exorcism - Review

Not since "The Blair Witch Project" has anyone come close to terrifying an audience with such realism until now.

Set in the backwoods of Louisiana, this disturbing story of a teen girl's exorcism unfolds with such sublimity that you only realize that you have been completely sucked into it when you find your butt at the very edge of your seat.

Reverend and renowned preacher, Cotton Marcus (Patrick Fabian) is called in from the big city as a last resort to perform an "exorcism" on the daughter (Ashley Bell) of a fundamentalist farmer (Louis Herthum).

Daniel Stamm does a terrific job on bringing Louisiana's underground fanatic religious beliefs, rituals, superstitions and tales of VooDoo together to drag you into this horrific documentary style tale.

It is unquestionably one of the most thought provoking horror films of our time. This movie will definitely have you thinking and speculating for days after. Not recommended for the weak at heart.

Click below to see trailer. If you dare...
http://www.alliancefilms.com/en/89/details/display/12461/

In theatres 27th August, 2010

Montreal's 34th World Film Festival

The 34th Annual World Film Festival takes off in Montreal on the 26th August this year for 12 glorious days. 80 countries will be competing from around the world with promise of an amazing journey. With over 430 films to see, there will be something for everyone.

WFF will be showcasing an extensive repertoire of international program line-up designed to promote cultural diversity. This festival has always acted as an important platform for industry talent so competition will be fierce.

At a press conference 10th August, 2010 held by * Telefilm at the Imperial Cinema, we had a preview of what was to come.

Said Sheila de La Varende, Director of National and International Business Development at Telefilm, "From the onset, WFF has given both established and emerging filmmakers the opportunity to share their work with audiences and garner attention from local and international critics... By supporting WFF, Telefilm assists in the rise of Canadian cinema and it's International Influence." The festival will open with Telefilm-funded Route 132, by Louis Belanger (The Timekeeper, Gaz Bar Blues).

The World Film Festival will offer both admission screenings at indoor cinemas and the ever popular free outdoor screenings and runs from 26th August until 6th September, 2010.

For full Festival program details visit: http://www.ffm-montreal.org/

* Telefilm is a proud supporter of the WFF http://telefilm.gc.ca/

Inception in IMAX

The much awaited film "Inception" hit theatres a couple of weeks ago with a fury. I saw it recently at the IMAX theatre. One word - Wow!

The story takes you on a mind bending, "edge of your seat" ride through a genre never presented in film. Directed by Christopher Nolan, you knew that you were going to be in for a suspenseful treat. Every twist and turn has you wondering if you are in the reality of the film or if you are being swept away by someone else's travels in their dream. If you ever doubted Leonardio DiCaprio's talent, this movie will put your reservations to rest. His performance is above riveting as he swoops you into his character and spits you out at the end of the ride.

The supporting troupe was perfectly cast and I see lots of awards on the horizon. Definitely a must see in theatres!

Shakespeare in the Park

If you missed Romeo and Juliet at "Shakespeare in Westmount Park" tonight, fear not, it will be playing again on the 19th, 20th and 21st August. http://www.westmount.org/page.cfm?Section_ID=3&Menu_Item_ID=270&Menu_Item_Sub=448


The Repercussion Theatre's "Shakespeare in the Park" tour will be playing in various Montreal parks right up until the 21st August, 2010. For more information, check out their link. http://www.repercussiontheatre.com/index.php/productions/park/



















Sarah Peterson as Juliet
Nathan Barrett as Romeo


Photograph by Ginga Takeshima

Best Bagels

Nothing screams Montreal brunch (or apres bar snack) louder than a "real" Montreal bagel with cream cheese. It's tradition. The only question is - Fairmount or St-Viateur? That is an age old Montreal question that locals are very passionate about.
I recently went on a visit to both and frankly, I'm still stumped! I reviewed both of them. Here they are in alphabetical order.






Fairmount has a very nice variety of flavoured bagels (along with the traditional sesame seed and poppy seed ones) and is home to one of my all time faves, the "chocolate chip" bagel with flecks of orange rind. It's got the stuff dreams are made of.

Fairmount Bagel is located at:

74 Fairmount W., Montreal, QC. H2T 2M2
http://www.fairmountbagel.com/eng/index.htm

St-Viateur's no slouch for flavoured bagels either and also home the scrumptous and traditional sesame seed and poppy seed ones. The day I went, all varieties seems to be coming straight out of the oven. The aroma was intoxicating. I had the "all dressed" and let me tell you, it had flavour bursting out of it's wonderful bagel seams.

St-Viateur bagel has numerous shops around the city but the original bakery is located at:
263 StViateur W., Montreal, QC, H2V 1Y1
http://www.stviateurbagel.com/main/

Fairmount & St-Viateur bagel are open 24 hours.

Yippee!!!

Whichever way you go, you're sure to enjoy! I sure do... I love them both!

Time for mine...

Get yer own!