August 25, 2012
comments 2

M. Lazhar

Tuffy P bought a DVD copy of a film called M. Lazhar and tonight we watched it. It’s a Quebec film in French and we watched it with English subtitles. M. Lazhar had a limited run in theatres in the spring. Here’s a synopsis from Rotten Tomatoes:

In Montreal, an elementary school teacher dies abruptly. Having learned of the incident in the newspaper, Bachir Lazhar (Mohamed Fellag), a 55-year-old Algerian immigrant, goes to the school to offer his services as a substitute teacher. Quickly hired to replace the deceased, he finds himself in an establishment in crisis, while going through his own personal tragedy.

M. Lazhar is a lovely film. The interplay between Bachir Lazhar and the students (who are understandably freaked out by the suicide in the classroom) is very well worked out. His reaction to the kids and the situation is highly informed by his own difficult personal situation and as much as he helps the kids, they help him. The whole film is very well-written and well acted (by both the adult actors and the kids).

I’ll take a film like M. Lazhar over most of the action superhero type films that seem to dominate at the theatres these days. Highly recommended.

August 25, 2012
comment 1

At the CNE

We went to the CNE (that’s the Canadian National Exhibition, or the “Ex” for those not from around here) with the intention of seeing the Don McLean show at the Bandshell. Unfortunately, we didn’t like the show much and abandoned ship early, well before he got to his monster hits. Instead, we wandered through the midway. The Paul James Band was playing in one of the beer tents and we stopped to listen to a couple tunes. Some readers may know that these guys played at our wedding in 2001. This was back when Brian Kipping was still alive and playing bass for the band.

It seems that the midway hasn’t changed much over the years. Lots of lights and all those games where you can win stuffed animals. Even as a kid I could never win anything there. And then there’s the food, kiosks everywhere. Deep fried everything. Corn dogs. Candy floss. Sno Cones. BBQ Ribs. BBQ Corn. We didn’t go into the food building. When I was a kid, it was called the Pure Food Building. I remember back bacon sandwiches and 1 cent Pepsi. The whole midway, with the thrill rides all lit up looks great in a cheap and tired sort of way. It was fun to take a walk through.

 

August 24, 2012
comment 1

Prohibition is a Failure

Yep, we’re talking folk music. For your Friday Daily Dose, here are The Dust Busters with John Cohen.

These boys have a really nice feel for their music. I think I could listen to them all day. This folk music, it just might take off. Here’s Stockade Blues…

Ladies on a Steamboat….I’m sending this next tune out to Salvelinas. Is this how they do it in the Mulmur hills?

 

August 21, 2012
comments 6

What was your most spectacular earworm?

You know what I mean. What was the last tune that jangled around in your head and just wouldn’t go away? Hopefully it was a good song. I’ve had evil earworms too – songs I just can’t stand. Then there’s a song you like….until you finally expel it from your consciousness, at which point you never want to hear it again. Once, on a fly fishing trip to Wyoming, I had Ry Cooder singing Jesus on the Mainline  in my thick skull for days. Then there was the Zydeco version of Pass the Dutchie performed by Chris Ardoin and Double Clutchin’. There was Barrett’s Privateers by Stan Rogers. Isis by Bob Dylan. And, the first time I heard Sun Ra and the Arkestra performing Disney classics on Second Star to the Right, I was singing Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah for days. Tell me yours.

and here’s The White Stripes covering Isis by Bob Dylan (WOW!)

and finally, the late great Stan Rogers. Barrett’s Privateers

Related articles
August 19, 2012
comments 4

The 2nd Annual 27th Street BBQ

…hosted this year by Anindita and Chris

It must be Jolene taking this photo because I don’t see her in it. We’re so fortunate to have such great neighbours! Behind the people and to the left, check out the mosaic bunny and carrot!