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http://www.glossmag.ca/arts-culture/coaster-cool-1525.html Nicole Stewart Sat, 16 Oct 2010 18:47:02 +0000 Arts & Culture Paul Arora Polaroid coasters photography http://www.glossmag.ca/?p=1525

Art on a coaster.

The post Coaster Cool first appeared on GLOSS: The Fashion Magazine .

There are no two ways around it. These are awesome. Created by London-based animator, photographer, and graphic designer, Paul Arora creates Polaroid ceramic coasters using his original photography shot with analog cameras. The digital transfers are applied to an on-glaze tile and fired so the coasters are waterproof – a handy thing for coasters to be. These Polaroid coasters are available on Etsy (justnoey) for $10.

The post Coaster Cool first appeared on GLOSS: The Fashion Magazine .

http://www.glossmag.ca/arts-culture/cottage-days-1454.html Nicole Stewart Tue, 28 Sep 2010 23:25:47 +0000 Arts & Culture Colin Spensley Cottage Days Samantha Shea Vancouver http://www.glossmag.ca/?p=1454

Electro-acoustic love.

The post Cottage Days first appeared on GLOSS: The Fashion Magazine .

Credit: Sam

Cottage Days are relatively unknown, but Vancouver folk duo Colin Spensley and Samantha Shea create beautiful, mellow electro-acoustic songs, while rehearsing in an old underground space in the hub of Strathcona.

Our favourite song is Everything was beautiful, and now , and can’t wait until these two release their first album. Visit MySpace ( http://www.myspace.com/cottagedays ).

The post Cottage Days first appeared on GLOSS: The Fashion Magazine .

http://www.glossmag.ca/arts-culture/viff-1436.html Nicole Stewart Tue, 28 Sep 2010 19:20:18 +0000 Arts & Culture VIFF Vancouver Vancouver International Film Festival film film reviews http://www.glossmag.ca/?p=1436

A look at Canadian feature film: Amazon Falls.

The post VIFF first appeared on GLOSS: The Fashion Magazine .

Vancouver International Film Festival is the largest annual showcase of Canadian film in the world, featuring 86 films from longtime filmmakers to new talent, all under the umbrella of the Canadian Images series.

On our radar is Amazon Falls , directed by Katrin Bowen who was born in England and moved to Linden, Alberta at the age of five where she spent her childhood growing up in the Mennonite community. Her journey took her to Los Angeles, where she acted in b-movie kickboxing films before moving to Vancouver to write and direct independent films.

Now, an award-winning director, this is Bowen’s first feature and what’s even more amazing is that it was shot in 12 days on a shoestring budget. “Making Amazon Falls has got to be the fastest concept to turn around in recorded history,” says screenwriter Curry Hitchborn. “It was two weeks straight of non-stop writing. I put my entire life on hold and I’m so glad I did. I dived in and look what was produced: this phenomenal film.”

Based on Bowen’s experiences in Los Angeles, Amazon Falls unapologetically exposed the grit behind the glitz of fame, featuring former beauty queen April Telek, from Flight 93 , who plays Jana, an aging starlet who refused to give up on her Hollywood dream.

Catch a VIFF public screening of Amazon Falls ( www.amazonfalls.com ) on Tuesday, October 5 ^th at 9:30, Thursday, October 7 ^th at 2:50pm, or Tuesday, October 12 at 12:40pm at the Empire Granville 7.

The post VIFF first appeared on GLOSS: The Fashion Magazine .

http://www.glossmag.ca/arts-culture/what%e2%80%99s-that-noise-3-1428.html Nicole Stewart Tue, 28 Sep 2010 18:56:11 +0000 Arts & Culture The Hextalls Vancouver indie pop http://www.glossmag.ca/?p=1428

Tune into Vancouver indie pop band -The Hextalls

The post What’s That Noise? first appeared on GLOSS: The Fashion Magazine .

Photo Credit: Chris Grivet

Vancouver indie-band, The Hextalls, is the sound of wild, pop punk music. Injecting upbeat music with comical lyrics, the band formed in 1998, playing extensively across Canada with their first album.

The band split up for five years, reuniting in 2007, and recently released a brand new album, Get Smashed , described as “17 songs above love and video games”.

With songs like The Final Countdown II , I Don’t Wanna Be A New York Ranger , and Kristine , all led by front man Devin Hextall, we’ll go to bat for this Vancouver gem. Check out the band’s website at http://thehextalls.pcriot.com or their Facebook page for upcoming tour dates.

The post What’s That Noise? first appeared on GLOSS: The Fashion Magazine .

http://www.glossmag.ca/arts-culture/band-of-brothers-1232.html Peter Cheng Sun, 28 Mar 2010 23:46:57 +0000 Arts & Culture http://www.glossmag.ca/?p=1232

Peter Cheng sings the praises of Canadian rock group Starfield.

The post Band of Brothers first appeared on GLOSS: The Fashion Magazine .

Driven by faith. Strengthened by camaraderie. Filled with compassion. Motivated by love. Infuse all of that with potent lyrics and compelling tunes, the product is yet another revolutionary album from Canadian rock group Starfield. Originally from Winnipeg, the complementary vocal harmonies of brothers Tim and Jon Neufeld are amplified by bassist James Johnston and drummer Dave Lalonde. Together, they continue to excel and explore with their fans in The Saving One .

Since the release of the self-titled debut album in 2004, Starfield has topped international charts with ensuing albums Beauty in the Broken and I Will Go , including the Billboard 200. They have won numerous Covenant Awards and were nominated multiple times for Juno Awards. Having just wrapped up a 37-city North American tour, the new album released soon after. To be able to share passion through song writing and performing for thousands at a time around the world, they are fulfilling a dream. Success appears endless. It’s time to bask in the glory.

Or not.

Tim Neufeld, lead vocals and elder of the Neufelds, believes a mutual awareness of humility grounds the band despite the glowing spotlight. Besides, the spotlight doesn’t seem to be the priority. “There’s always an acute sense of God leading and directing us to the places we go. He opens and closes doors, and we just stumble through with humility.”

Their latest, The Saving One , encapsulates the dichotomy of the human condition. It examines faith but not without doubt, joy but not without pain, love but not without despair. “It’s thematically and musically the most intimate and digressive album,” explains Neufeld. “This one also feels a bit paradoxical, with songs bearing complete opposite themes. It reminds me somewhat of Psalms with its prevalent themes of faith and joy but also fear and uncertainty.”

As a Christian-based band, Starfield has formed a formidable arsenal of fans around the world, but, according to Neufeld, iconic statuses come with responsibilities. “We want to be able to give our fans substance and speak into their lives through our songs, but we’re not doing this just to be entertainment and to rile up the people of God. It has to be genuine and real. If we’re not leading by example then it’s kind of a pathetic endeavour.”

And lead by example they did. Partnering with World Vision and other non-profit organizations, they strive to raise awareness for poverty-stricken countries. “We’re not accountable until we know. When we visit places like Thailand, El Salvador, Mexico, and Uganda, our purpose is to bring these desperate stories back to North America in hopes people will reach out.” Inspired, 1400 people signed up for child sponsorship through World Vision in just over 20 Canadian dates during the most recent tour.

Starfield will continue to shine and top charts as long as they remain intact, though with two of its members welcoming new first-borns recently, priorities may shift. “This does take us away from our families too much, but at the same time we feel called to do this. Ultimately, for us, it’s a combination of what we enjoy, what we’re good at, and what we could best serve God doing…and right now, that’s Starfield.”

The Saving One now in stores.

Click here to listen to GLOSS’ interview with Starfield.

Official website: http://www.starfieldonline.com

Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/starfield

The post Band of Brothers first appeared on GLOSS: The Fashion Magazine .

http://www.glossmag.ca/arts-culture/viff-in-review-part-6-885.html Michelle da Silva Wed, 25 Nov 2009 03:17:35 +0000 Arts & Culture A Prophet Afghan Star Mammoth VIFF Vancouver International Film Festival film film reviews international films http://www.glossmag.ca/?p=885

Michelle da Silva reviews A Prophet, Mammoth, and Afghan Star at VIFF.

The post VIFF in Review: Part 6 first appeared on GLOSS: The Fashion Magazine .

A Prophet

Dir. Jacques Audiard

Starring: Tahar Rahim, Niels Arestrup, Adel Bencherif, Reda Kateb, Hichem Yacoubi
France, 2009, 150 mins.

Winner of the Grand Jury Prize at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival, A Prophet takes audiences into the little-known world of French jailhouses and at the center, a coming-of-age man named Malik (played extraordinarily by newcomer Tahar Rahim).

When Malik, a French-Arab, is recruited by a powerful Corsican inmate (played by Niels Arestrup) to kill a Muslim inmate, Malik does so, but not without great moral and physical difficulty. Afterwards, he is taken under the Corsican’s wing and quietly and astutely makes his way up the ranks of inmates. As time passes, Malik finds himself at the top, educating himself, and turning the tables on his teacher to claim his piece of the Paris underworld.

Director Jacques Audiard’s drama-thriller does not slow down the minute the screen opens on Malik’s young, unknowing face. The thrill for the audience is that you are not sure whether you should be cheering for or condemning Malik, who is after all a criminal. Rahim’s performance is intense, multi-layered, emotional and impressive, as he appears in practically every shot. A Prophet is brilliant and powerful and highly recommended.

The post VIFF in Review: Part 6 first appeared on GLOSS: The Fashion Magazine .

http://www.glossmag.ca/arts-culture/viff-in-review-part-5-879.html Michelle da Silva Wed, 18 Nov 2009 03:31:06 +0000 Arts & Culture Broken Embraces Canadian film International film The Damned United The White Ribbon VIFF Vancouver Written By film film reviews http://www.glossmag.ca/?p=879

Michelle da Silva reviews The White Ribbon, Broken Embraces, Written By, and The Damned United at VIFF.

The post VIFF In Review: Part 5 first appeared on GLOSS: The Fashion Magazine .

The White Ribbon

Dir. Michael Haneke
Starring: Christian Friedel, Leonie Benesch, Ulrich Tukur, Ursina Lardi, Burghart Klaussner
Germany / Austria / France / Italy, 2009, 144 mins.

Themes of morality are explored in Michael Haneke’s new film, The White Ribbon .

The film is set in a small, northern village in Germany, a year before the start of WWI. As the story unfolds, the school teacher recounts the strange series of events and accidents that strike the people living in the village. First, the doctor is catapulted off his horse in a mysterious riding accident. Later, two young boys are found badly beaten. An entire crop of cabbage is hacked and ruined. In contrast to the “evil” incidents plaguing the village, the children are made to wear white ribbons over their mostly somber-colored clothes to remind them of their purity.

The White Ribbon is quiet and serious, shot in black and white, some scenes without any dialogue at all. The performances by the adult and many child actors are impeccable and intense. What I liked best about the film was the way a seemingly-simple narrative unfolded so delicately and intricately. From the moment the film opened, The White Ribbon had the audience holding their breath, taking in every quiet, subtle detail the film had to offer. The White Ribbon was awarded the 2009 Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival.

The post VIFF In Review: Part 5 first appeared on GLOSS: The Fashion Magazine .

http://www.glossmag.ca/arts-culture/viff-in-review-part-4-799.html Michelle da Silva Wed, 04 Nov 2009 23:09:59 +0000 Arts & Culture Can Go Through Skin Tetro The Exploding Girl The September Issue VIFF film film reviews http://www.glossmag.ca/?p=799

Michelle da Silva reviews The September Issue, Tetro, The Exploding Girl, and Can Go Through Skin.

The post VIFF in Review: Part 4 first appeared on GLOSS: The Fashion Magazine .

The September Issue

Dir. R. J. Cutler
USA, 2008, 90 mins.

Is Anna Wintour as cold and severe as Meryl Streep’s scathing portrayal in the Devil Wears Prada ? The September Issue attempts to paint an intimate portrayal of the “ice queen” as her team prepares to publish the year’s most important issue of Vogue magazine.

The documentary opens in early summer New York, where Wintour is constantly butting heads with creative director Grace Coddington. Both women reveal themselves to be equally stubborn and hard to please. While Coddington is busy with the editorial photo shoots, Wintour is whisked off to Paris, London, and Milan for fashion shows before the big issue must come together.

What is most interesting about The September Issue is the truly intimate interviews Cutler manages to squeeze out of Wintour. When Wintour describes her strict upbringing and her family’s view of her career, one might even hear a tinge of sadness and resentment in her voice. Her somewhat detached “motherly” interaction with her daughter, Bee Shaffer, and Andre Leon Talley’s over-the-top “fabulousness” also bring some depth and lightness, respectively, to the documentary.

All in all, The September Issue is a must-watch for budding and long-time fashionistas, especially those who may be considering entering the cut-throat world of fashion. If not for the inside scoop on the industry, then at least for the schooling of designer labels and figureheads.

The post VIFF in Review: Part 4 first appeared on GLOSS: The Fashion Magazine .

http://www.glossmag.ca/arts-culture/viff-in-review-part-3-787.html Michelle da Silva Wed, 28 Oct 2009 02:32:29 +0000 Arts & Culture A Penny For Adelaide Expiration Hunger International film Love Child Strike The Greims The Tangent VIFF Welgunzer Well-Founded Concerns film short films warZone http://www.glossmag.ca/?p=787

Michelle da Silva reviews 11 International Shorts at VIFF.

The post VIFF in Review: Part 3 first appeared on GLOSS: The Fashion Magazine .

Adelaide

Dir. Liliana Greenfield-Sanders
Starring: Anna Margaret Hollyman, Hank Harris, Damian Young
USA, 2008, 13 mins.

In this charming short by Liliana Greenfield-Sanders, a young woman named Adelaide, who seeks attention and gets her thrills from faking illnesses, falls for her pharmacist. The title character is played by Anna Margaret Hollyman, who portrays Adelaide’s quirks and neurosis with great humor.

Expiration

Dir. Mark Nickelsburg
Starring: Scott Michael Morales
USA, 2009, 4 mins.

While director Mark Nickelsburg’s short is only four minutes in length, it is not without heightened suspense, melodrama, and dark humor. Expiration plays on our feelings of fear, repulsion and impending doom when consuming something, in this case, milk, past the stamped expiration date in this funny and sharp short.

The Greims

Dir. Peter Bolte
Starring: Wes Bentley, Marlene Morreis, Francesco Saviano, Richard Edson
USA, 2009, 14 mins.

Sibling rivalry is at the centre of director Peter Bolte’s new comedic short. Two estranged brothers, played by Wes Bentley and Francesco Saviano, are left with the task of fulfilling their mother’s final wish on the passing of her cat, Gordon Lightfoot. Bolte’s script is wry and witty, and perfectly captures an awkward family exchange.

Hunger

Dir. Stephen Johnson
Starring: Daniel Betts, Nadia Cameron-Blakey
U.K., 2008, 15 mins.

In the only thriller of the shorts program, director Stephen Johnson takes his audience on a twisted tale through the night in a European city. A foreign businessman falls prey to a bewitching but dangerous woman in a violent tale of cat and mouse. The quick pace of the film builds anticipation as the businessman and the audience both wait for the safety that comes with daybreak.

Love Child

Dir. Daniel Wirtberg
Starring: Tindra Nordgren, Magnus Krepper, Cecilie Nerfont Thorgersen
Sweden, 2009, 7 mins.

An angelic-looking child vies for her parents’ attention in Daniel Wirtberg’s sweet and funny short about family. When a kitten is brought home as the new family pet, the only child feels a surge of sibling rivalry as her parents draw their attention to the animal and seemingly forget about her. This short is endearing and well-acted, and the plot cumulates into an especially funny, unexpected ending.

A Penny For…

Dir. Eric Wobma
Starring: Daniel Boissevain, Sofie Knijff
Netherlands, 2008, 9 mins.

Director Eric Womba places his lens on a seemingly jovial beggar as he wanders the streets of Amsterdam asking for change and trying to figure out what day it is. Shot by one camera in real time, this short is both a beautiful city tour and a study on being content.

Strike

Dir. Herbey Wagner
Starring: Laurie Beaver, Mungo McKay, Dythea Marais, Chris Turner, Matt Grehan, Joe Bauer
Australia, 2008, 8 mins.

In this charming, coming-of-age tale, a boy hopes to score his first strike at the local bowling alley as well as win the heart of the girl he longs for. When he is given a box of matches with magical properties, he finds that he’s able to do more than just score a strike. Director Herby Wagner’s short film is lightheartedly entertaining, reminding the audience of all our teenaged dreams.

The Tangent

Dir. Vincent Vesco
Starring: Grappin Sarah, Aurélien Wiik
France, 2008, 13 mins.

A young man picks up a young female hitchhiker, and thus begins a story of the freedom and romance they find on the open road. The couple lives with spontaneity and rebellious freedom until they are faced with a difficult decision. Director Vincent Vesco captures the escapist’s fantasy in a film that most literally defines a “little trip.”

warZone

Dir. Saul Herckis
Starring: Saul Herckis, Craig Sawyer, Grandison M. Phelps IV, Jessica Ashley Perrault, Brian Tracey, Jeff Wang, Andre Robichaud
USA, 2008, 5 mins.

In this rather cheesy expression of a soldier’s longing for a loved one during war, director Saul Herckis attempts to make poetry out of film (or maybe film out of poetry, I’m not sure) with his slightly shallow love story between a presumably modern-day American soldier and his girlfriend. The music combined with the special effects proved to be a little overboard for this 5 minute short.

Welgunzer

Dir. Bradford Schmidt
Starring: Gary Colón
USA, 2009, 14 mins.

In Welgunzer, a man, played by Gary Colón, builds a time machine in his bathtub in order to travel to the future to murder himself. However, his great scheme goes awry when unwelcomed clones of himself pop up to intervene. Director Bradford Schmidt’s tale is funny and charming, and Colón’s comedic performance is outstanding.

Well-Founded Concerns

Dir. Timothy Cawley
Starring: John Hart, Cindy Lentol
USA, 2008, 15 mins.

John Hart plays a painstaking germophobe in Well-Founded Concerns. Living alone in his sterilized apartment, his life is thrown into a state of panic when a deadly epidemic strikes. Timothy Cawley’s script is funny, neurotic, and smart.

The post VIFF in Review: Part 3 first appeared on GLOSS: The Fashion Magazine .

http://www.glossmag.ca/arts-culture/viff-in-review-part-2-777.html Michelle da Silva Wed, 21 Oct 2009 03:23:17 +0000 Arts & Culture Canadian film Genius Within: The Inner Life of Glenn Gould My Tehran for Sale The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus This Way of Life VIFF http://www.glossmag.ca/?p=777

The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, This Way of Life, My Tehran for Sale, and Genius Within: The Inner Life of Glenn Gould.

The post VIFF in Review: Part 2 first appeared on GLOSS: The Fashion Magazine .

The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus

Dir. Terry Gilliam
Starring: Christopher Plummer, Heath Ledger, Johnny Depp, Jude Law, Collin Farrell, Tom Waits
Canada/U.K., 2009, 122 mins.

Both screenings of this highly-anticipated film were sold out well before their screening dates as it seemed that everyone was intrigued by Heath Ledger’s final swan song. However, the aforementioned actor did not make his appearance in the film for the first 30 minutes.

The story opens with Doctor Parnassus (skillfully portrayed by Christopher Plummer) and his daughter (played delightfully by acting newcomer and international supermodel Lily Cole) traveling in a horse-drawn caravan with a band of misfits. This group, in fact, stops occasionally and sets up their “show” entitled “The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus.” The show allows its audience members to go through a “magic mirror,” entering their own dreams and wildest imaginations.

When we first meet Ledger, he is dangling off a bridge to his death. Once revived, he joins the traveling circus and takes a role in the show. The rest of the film takes its audience, in true Terry Gillam style, through surrealist twist and turns, filmed in both London, England and Vancouver, Canada.

If the all-star cast was not enough to attract you, the special affects should be. Not only does Ledger sensibly morph into the likes of Johnny Depp, Jude Law, and Collin Farrell, thanks to skillful editors, but the candy-colored, absurdist “imagination” scenes provide much contrast to the dreary, dimply-lit streets of London.

The Oscar buzz surrounding this film is already deafening and deserving of the major box office price when it hits theaters later this year.

The post VIFF in Review: Part 2 first appeared on GLOSS: The Fashion Magazine .