Tag: film

Film Review: There’s Something In The Water

In 2019, Elliot Page directed and starred in his own Nova Scotia-focused documentary There’s Something in the Water. The documentary is on Netflix and has seen a lot of success since its debut. After Elliot Page’s big break on Trailer Park Boys and following success through Juno and other films like Inception, he realized that he was passionate about the environmental racism going on in his home province, Nova Scotia, and decided to direct a film on the topic.
Environmental racism has been happening in Canada for decades. When Indigenous and black communities repetitively end up near landfills and other harmful environmental hazards, there’s no question that it’s not simply coincidence. These communities often lack a voice, especially to the government, allowing the racism to continue without being noticed or acknowledged. The idea of environmental racism, as Page’s documentary suggests, is able to survive because it happens slowly, over generations, often making the connection between harmful side effects and racism difficult to see. According to one speaker in the documentary, “It’s also about the government’s slow response to these issues. What we know is that where you live has bearing on your wellbeing”. The film works to expose these issues, and does a great job of explaining concepts and highlighting the upsetting extent of the racism in Nova Scotia.
There’s Something in the Water focuses on issues like Northern Pulp and Boat Harbour in Pictou County. Louise, one of the women being interviewed by Page, points out the shocking number of cases of cancer in her mostly-black community, a direct result of a waste dump nearby. The documentary explains that if you map out Nova Scotia’s BIPOC communities and Nova Scotia’s landfills, you’ll see a horrifying correlation. It also shows the many discouraging ways that the Nova Scotian government has failed to keep its promises to marginalized communities and to fix their errors. It exposes the direct link between environmental racism and its harmful effects. Through all of this, Page’s documentary shows Nova Scotian viewers how environmental racism has been affecting our province for decades.
Overall, the film was extremely eye-opening. It was embarrassing to be reminded of my own ignorance concerning the issue and helpful to then learn more about it. The people in the movie felt very real, as opposed to actors, yet important enough to pay attention to. They made me forget that all of these issues are happening right in my own backyard, and once I remembered, I was once again shocked and horrified that these things could happen so easily and simply go unnoticed. Surprising but important situations were brought to light through the film, like how in 2017, a Shelburne councillor blatantly told residents to “stop playing the racism card”.
I loved There’s Something in the Water. Elliot Page’s ability to make the environmental racism that’s been happening around me seem so realistic, and yet still unsettling enough to make me want to make a difference was incredible. His explanations of the issues were clear and eye-opening, and genuinely encouraged me to start fighting for change. I would recommend this film to anyone, and already have to several people. Overall, I’d rate it 8/10. If it were slightly longer, I’d give it 10/10, because I enjoyed it so much.
March 30, 2021
Why Inappropriate Content Shouldn’t Be Our Parents’ Biggest Fear with Social Media
If you haven’t already seen the 2020 film The Social Dilemma, stop reading this article, go watch it (yes, it’s on Netflix), and then come back.
For those of you that don’t want to watch it, or just need a recap, the documentary outlines the thought processes behind creating most social media platforms, the techniques the creators use to keep users interested, and the effects those sites have on users (let me stop myself right here… As the movie points out, social media platforms and drug dealers are the only two industries that call their clients users. What does that say about social media? For the rest of this article, I’ll call them social media interactors, rather than users). When I first watched The Social Dilemma, I was horrified, but not surprised by the things it was telling me. I deleted my Facebook account and several other social media apps, encouraging all of my friends to do the same. Admittingly, I had Instagram and TikTok back on my phone within the week, but a break felt good all the same.
The main reason I wasn’t surprised by what the documentary had to say was because I’d already seen social media affecting my friends’ and my own mental wellbeing in more ways than one. Having any information you want at your fingertips is a huge benefit of social media. And don’t get me wrong – I don’t think that social media platforms are inherently bad. But the documentary got me thinking… how beneficial or detrimental is the nonstop influx of photos and messages that we receive?
One of the first issues with social media that I’ve noticed affecting my own life is unrealistic body and beauty standards. These impractical ideas are constantly pumped into people’s phones with the help of the right camera angles, editing tools, and the fact that people tend to only post the photos they look best in. I’m guilty of these habits just as much as the next person, but it causes the bar for beauty standards to be set higher than ever. This quickly leads to unrealistic expectations. Not only that, but when people have access to pictures of nearly anyone in the world so easily, subconscious comparisons become much more common.
Comparison isn’t only an issue with beauty standards. Social media also makes interactors feel like they always need to be doing something. So often, we only see pictures and posts form people who are travelling, spending time with friends, learning new hobbies, spending money, going to the gym, go, go, go. This can lead social media interactors to feel guilty for taking a day to do nothing. Understandably, people have forgotten how to be still in the midst of such a busy, rapidly changing world. But when FOMO leads to being unable to slow down, higher stress and anxiety levels are provoked.
I’m not going to be the person who tells you to get rid of your social media accounts. That would be extremely hypocritical of me. But I hope that you take something away from this. Whether that’s being more deliberate in spending down-time with yourself, researching different ways social media affects our brains, or choosing to spend less time on social media, I encourage you all to take a step back and think about how your social media interactions are affecting your mental wellbeing.
October 20, 2020
Greed and Business: A Film Study
“Greed, for a lack of a better word, is good.”
Those famous words spoken by Gordon Gekko, a successful corporate raider and stock trader in the 1987 movie Wall Street, make up one of the most famous quotes in film history and are remembered by business students and businesspeople to this day. However, most do not fully grasp the meaning of this film. The movie is about Bud Fox, a junior stockbroker who idolizes Gordon Gekko and wants to be as successful as him one day. Bud gains Gekko’ trust by providing him with insider information on Bluestar Airlines, a company for which his father works. Gekko then takes him under his wing, showing him the inner workings of Wall Street and how to cheat it. In the end, both Bud and Gordon are caught by the authorities and arrested for financial crimes. Many viewers of this film remember the scenes in which Gekko and Bud are making money and are the kings of the world, but are quick to forget what they did to get there.
The movie promotes the lavish lifestyle of Gordon Gekko by showing him using the latest technology (at the time) and being able to buy anything he pleases. It depicts Bud Fox also becoming a wealthy man and having a luxurious lifestyle. It shows the fancy clothes, the expensive cars, the five-star houses, unlimited wealth, trophy wives, etc. But, as the movie continues, we get to know the true nature of Gordon Gekko’s character. Gekko completes a successful takeover of Bluestar Airlines, but instead of trying to improve the company, he explores the option that would benefit him the most: to dissolve the company and sell off all their assets, leaving thousands of people unemployed. This allowed Gekko to access the cash in the company’s pension plan. This is a powerful statement on Gekko’s character, as he has no compassion for the employees he has laid off – he is only thinking about the money he will earn.
Here is the point when most viewers fail to realize the evil and twisted nature of Gordon Gekko. Instead, the notion that being cruel to people is a part of business and must be done in order to make you richer is accepted. Bud is eventually caught by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and agrees to wear a wire in order to entrap Gekko by asking him about his insider trading history. The final scene shows Bud walking up to a courtroom and ultimately being imprisoned. It is implied that Gekko also goes to jail. Everybody remembers the lifestyle and prestige that becoming cold-blooded and ruthless afforded Gekko, but most people forget the part of the movie where the consequences included severe punishments like jail time, massive fines, and thousands of people losing their jobs over greedy and selfish actions.
The 2011 film Margin Call shows a Wall Street investment bank right before the start of the 2007-2008 Financial Crisis. In this film, a risk analyst, Peter Sullivan, comes to the realization that mortgage-backed securities (which caused the crisis) have become extraordinarily volatile, to the point where they are deemed toxic assets. These toxic assets have the potential to bankrupt the company, which leaves management scrambling to deal with this incredibly urgent issue. Instead of warning the market and informing the government about mortgage-backed securities, the firm decides to hold a fire sale that involves dumping these assets onto their clients, thereby removing them from their own books. The executive board congratulates Sullivan for finding these assets in their holdings and decides to promote him to a senior position. Depicted in the movie is the brilliance of a hard-working risk analyst who caught on to specific assets that would cause harm to the company, and the result of his hard work leading to a promotion. What we also see are massive layoffs within the firm, including that of Peter’s friend Seth. Peter was one of the few people able to keep his job with his company. This part of the film seems to demonstrate that caring about the well-being of others over financial gain leads to being fired. What this movie fails to really drive home is the consequence of greedy actions. It presents the plan to dump toxic assets on unknowing clients only as brilliant because it allows for the bank to get rid of these assets and generate some revenue in the process.
The dark nature of these actions and their impact on the clients are again not explored in the movie. We all know that some banks failed and closed down (such as the Lehman Brothers), and others were bailed out by the government (such as JP Morgan) and are functioning better than ever today. And, while bailouts were given to those companies using taxpayer dollars, the clients who were sold toxic assets did not receive bailouts of their own. Instead, their tax dollars were used to refinance the investment banks that sold these assets to them. The movie also did not address the fact that most of the senior executives did not get punished or go to jail because of the actions they took, but instead received a slap on the wrist. The consequences of greed in this movie are not thoroughly portrayed to the audience.
Finally, the 2013 film The Wolf of Wall Street depicts an ambitious Wall Street stockbroker who created his own brokerage firm, Stratton Oakmont, and grew it into a respectable firm on Wall Street. Jordan Belfort, the founder of Stratton Oakmont, was a stockbroker at L.F. Rothschild until Black Monday in 1987, when the stock market crashed, and the firm closed its doors. During his tenure at Rothschild he became accustomed to the stockbroker culture of excessive drug use and sex. He began his career at a very small brokerage firm where he was introduced to penny stocks. The difference between penny stocks and regular stocks is that penny stocks are not traded on the public stock exchange and the broker makes 50% commission on the shares he sells, whereas publicly traded stocks only give the broker a 1% commission. Jordan had the brilliant idea of opening his own firm where he would primarily push “garbage stocks to garbage men.” This is an important part of this film, as Jordan was pushing these “garbage” stock to vulnerable, lower-class people that hoped to make some extra money in order to support their families or pay off mortgages. Later on, Jordan develops a “pump-and-dump”-like scheme, which involved pitching people from the upper-class well-known, publicly-traded stocks in order to gain their trust, and then starting to sell them the penny stocks without revealing what exactly they were. He knew this is illegal but claimed, “I’ll spend their money better anyway.”
The Wolf of Wall Street showed Jordan Belfort’s multi-million-dollar house, his custom-made yacht (with a helicopter pad), his white Ferrari, and his ability to spend money recklessly without any real consequence. Jordan’s greed leads him down a dark path of illegal actions that are eventually noticed and investigated by the SEC and the FBI. Jordan advises his employees to be greedy in order to be the best and to solve their problems by being rich. He says, “There’s no nobility in poverty. I’ve been a poor man, and I’ve been a rich man. And I choose rich every fucking time.” His greed almost led him to die on his yacht: at one point in the movie, he had to rush to Switzerland from Monaco when the bank was forced to forfeit millions of illegal dollars because the person in charge of Jordan’s account passed away. His greed ultimately led to the arrest of most of his employees, jail time, and financial losses for his clients. His clients were in possession of worthless stocks that were never going to make them money, but they were swindled into paying thousands of dollars for them. Jordan’s wife asks for a divorce and his family life crumbles.
When speaking with many fellow business students, many glorify the life of Jordan Belfort and the prestige he had because he became a millionaire. Many also forget or ignore the impacts of his actions on the people he affected.
What all three films have in common is the exploration of the minds and inner workings of top Wall Street executives. They show that most of these executives lacked any form of moral compass and made decisions based on money rather than ethics. As a business student watching these films, an image was created in my mind that in order to be successful in the game, I must become cold-hearted and greedy. I hear many of my peers saying they want to be like Belfort or Gekko, minus the part where they get caught and go to jail, but what many of my peers fail to understand is that there is never a happy ending once you are becoming greedy and fuel that greed by any means necessary.
The intended messages of these films are to be driven and have ambition, but not to let greed into your head, or it could lead to rash decisions with the aim of earning more money. Living your life without a moral compass results in the collapse of all your life’s work – from Jordan Belfort’s brokerage firm, Stratton Oakmont, in The Wolf of Wall Street to the entire American economy, as seen in Margin Call.
So, what’s the message of this article?
Well, greed, for a lack of a better word, is bad.
Sulman Qureshi is a second-year Business student
November 2, 2018
50 Shades of Disappointment
Fifty Shades of Grey is a frustrating film franchise for me, personally, because in my mind it’s emblematic of a much larger issue. For a moment, put aside the controversies that come along with Fifty Shades of Grey, issues that I’m sure you’re familiar with if you know anything about the franchise. From rampant sexism to domestic abuse, the novel and the film franchise have generated millions of dollars on the backs of young adults, piggy-backing off the Twilight fandom that is entering sexual maturity whose whole sexual experience is watching that car scene from Titanic and the middle-aged moms who forget what an orgasm feels like. Every time one of those movies comes out, every time I see a “new twist” on the romance genre, a new “take” on the traditional romance. I think to myself, how many good stories got passed on so that you could masturbate in a movie theatre with a cucumber? So many deserving and eloquent novelists with passion and heart got passed on for this nonsense.
Fifty Shades of Grey made a huge mockery of literature, which is already a struggling medium. It was written by a woman named E.L. James who couldn’t have cared less what kind of quality she was putting out. She got lucky when a literary agent without a heart and eyes made of dollar signs picked it up and figured they’d make some easy money. For those who don’t know, Fifty Shades was originally Twilight fan-fiction. It wasn’t even an original idea. It was built off an empire that she didn’t even make. You can say that E.L. James never meant for her novel to get published, but she was certainly perfectly happy to buckle down and make money off of it. She was happy to put something out there that was problematic, abusive, sexist, and harmful. So long as she was profiting off it. E.L. James may have a published a book, but she is not an author. She took an idea that wasn’t her own, changed it a little, and sold it as something else. If you don’t see the difference you can respectfully check yourself because I can go ahead and dye my t shirt a different colour, cut the sleeves off, and sell it for twenty dollars, but I wouldn’t dare call myself a tailor.
What genuinely hurts my heart is all the authors who tried so hard to give people like me a good quality product, something that they were proud of and that they believed in with hearts and minds, to go to when they didn’t feel safe, or wanted to escape, or wanted to feel something and they got overlooked so a woman who wrote her nonsense fanfiction on her blackberry could have her fifteen minutes. This woman has the audacity to call herself an accomplished novelist, despite of the neglect for her readers and her content. If a consumer put out a product of bad quality and cheap production you would be justifiably angry if for some reason, people were lining up to pay for that, instead of the better and more superior product that gets discontinued. Of course, it’s not an anomaly. It’s emblematic of a much larger issue. The issue of quality being surpassed for marketability. You should be mad about this, even if you aren’t apart of a group that is constantly fighting for an on-screen voice. Why not ask for a better romance movie, a better female comedy, a better film? Why should you pick up the scraps that they throw at you from the bottom of the creative barrel when those people who throw money at things like Fifty Shades of Grey answer to you?
They predicted you would be stupid enough to show up and you were, congratulations. I honestly want to know – was Fifty Shades of Grey worth it? Because the thing is, as much as I would like to, I can’t blame E.L. James entirely for Fifty Shades of Grey. Nobody blames the toddler for crashing the car, they blame the adult who put them behind the wheel. I also can’t really blame the agents and the producers who put it together. The market was there, and it makes sense. They correctly estimated exactly how many of you know don’t know how to load a porn tab, because let’s be honest, it’s not like you saw this film for the quality dialogue. The people I can blame for the Fifty Shades of Grey phenomenon are the people who showed up in droves to support it. This is where, unfortunately, that issue we put aside at the beginning comes back in play. Because if you went and paid for that film, sat there, and supported it enough to spill out three sequels, you also supported this:
“Why I Don’t Want My Daughters to See ‘Fifty Shades'”-an interview with the star of the Franchise Jamie Dornan (CNN)
“Mohammad Hossain arrested after he beat, whipped and sexually assaulted woman, inspired by Fifty Shades of Grey” (Washington Post)
“Fifty Shades Darker Isn’t Empowering, It’s Abuse” (The Huffington Post)
“Oxford student who threatened to rape teenager claimed it was Fifty Shades of Grey-inspired ‘joke’ (The Telegraph)
“Fifty Shades of Grey readers show higher levels of sexism, study finds” (The Guaridan)
“Fifty Shades of Grey-Inspired Master Jeweller Steven Whipped me like a dog: But love is cleared of assault in bondage session.” (Daily Mail)
“Portland Tech CEO faces sexual assault investigation…likened relationship to couple from Fifty Shades of Grey.” (Daily Mail UK)
“Unnamed Woman Arrested For Masturbating During Fifty Shades of Grey” (The Huffington Post)
“Three Women Arrested After Man is Attacked During Fifty Shades of Grey Screening” (BBC News Scotland)
“Lines from Fifty Shades of Grey Depict Rape By Legal Definition.” (Alabama Local)
“Kentucky Governor Likens Trumps Sexual Assault Boasts to Fifty Shades of Grey” (The Huffington Post)
“How Fifty Shades Darker Ads Triggered Memories of My Sexual Assault” (Verily Lifestyle)
“Ex-Detectives sadomasochistic attack of terrified Mum He Met On Dating App Inspired By Fifty Shades of Grey Sources Say” (Daily Mail UK)
“Sixteen Year Old Declan Goodby Attempted to Rape Teen Girl, Inspired By Fifty Shades Film” (York Press UK)
“50 Shades of Grey: Not Sage, Sane, or Consensual” (Colorado Coalition Against Sexual Assault)
“Why is “Fifty Shades Freed” Glamorizing Sexual Violence” (Express UK)
“Fifty Shades of Grey Is Abuse”- National Centre on Sexual Exploitation (National Centre on Sexua Exploitation)
“Erotic Novel 50 Shades of Grey Used as Defence in Taranaki Rape Trial” (Stuff Network National News)
I hope it was worth it.
March 25, 2018
LGBTQ+ Film and TV: Gems You May Have Missed Out On
Pariah (2011)
Art and drama meet in this film written and directed by Dee Rees, open lesbian and certified bad-ass. Claiming the film to be semi-autobiographical, Pariah follows Alike through her slow but tremendous process of coming to terms with her queerness. We see first love, first realization, and first moments of vulnerability come to life on screen as Alike falls for Bina. But of course, what is a coming-out story without a little familial tension? Throughout Alike’s process of coming to terms with her lesbian identity and masculine appearance, her family struggles with the transformation of their loved one. If we’re being honest, the tumultuous family responses are a little hard to watch. But the acceptance that Alike has for herself in the end makes up for it. This film reflects how badly we all just want to be free.
4th Man Out (2016)
Not all coming-out stories are tragic, as much as Hollywood would love to have you believe that. This movie is a story about a bro coming out to his bros, and his bros worrying whether everyone can or will remain bros. Shocker: they do, but not without some struggles. The story highlights the ignorance and casual homophobia of Adam’s three (presumably straight) best friends, and how the dynamics of their group friendship suddenly shift after Adam’s hilarious and awkward coming out. In short, it isn’t so much about Adam’s gayness as much as it is about friendships and how his friends are willing to learn and grow as people along side him. It is a lighthearted, a bit cheesy, but overall a decent alternative to the all too common depressed, tormented, outcasted gay man trope.
3 Generations (2015)
In this film, “Ramona” reveals to his family, which consists of his mother, his openly lesbian grandmother, and his grandmother’s partner, that he is ready to begin transitioning into Ray. The four live together, and not everyone sees Ray’s transition positively. This is an important aspect to the film, as the family member who is most against Ray’s transition is his grandmother, illustrating that in the LGBTQ+ community there is internal prejudice. However, Ray’s mother supports him (to an extent). The issue is that Ray is only 16 and needs both parents to sign over their permission to his transition. So, the search for Ray’s father begins and Ray learns more about himself and his family than ever before. This film is equal parts humorous and tense; a comedy trapped inside a melodrama that will leave feeling angry, happy, and most confused. Ah, such is life.
Princess Cyd (2017)

To take a break from her not so great father, Cyd decides to visit her Aunt for the summer and soon finds herself infatuated with barista Katie. Although there is a queer sublot to the film, the focus is mainly on Cyd and her Aunt as they learn from each other through differences of opinion, religion, hobbies, and sexuality. What makes this film so great is how normalized Cyd’s sexuality is. There is no dramatic awakening, no traumatic coming-out process, and absolutely no shame. When Cyd casually mentions her crush to her Aunt, the brief conversation we get is a breath of fresh air. The nonchalant attitude that the characters have towards sexuality and gender is something more films should emulate.
The L Word (TV series)
Classic. The L Word is classic. Following the lives, loves, lusts, and lies of a group of queer folks in L.A. (mostly lesbian identified), this show gives you all the drama of any other show…minus the straight white people. Diversity is key to The L Word. There are Latinas, African-Americans, bisexuals, lesbians, transgender people, and the list goes on and on. At one point there is even a man who identifies as a man…and a lesbian. This show has it all, and it is set in a world where everyone is gay until proven straight. There’s something to love about each character (everyone except Jenny, that is) so your heart strings are constantly being pulled. There are 6 season worth of extensive sex scenes. You’re welcome.
Queer Eye (Netflix series)
Binge-watchable. Many readers will be familiar with the show Queer Eye for the Straight Guy which aired in the early 2000’s. Although this Netflix series is based off said show, it is not nearly as irritating, stereotypical, or cringy. There is also a focus on much larger issues than fashion. Netflix’s Queer Eye is about self-image, self-esteem, and self-respect. Viewers may be shocked to find that the show deals with a lot of social issues as well such as racism, sexism, and of course homophobia. There is a lesson to be learned in each episode that will have you rooting for The Fab 5 and the people they transform. Most of all, the show is fun. The Fab 5 are unapologetically themselves, and unashamed in their queerness. This series is a great one to pass the time, but be warned: things do get a little emotional.

March 25, 2018
The Room: The Best Worst Movie Ever Made
Directed, produced, written by, and starring the legendary Tommy Wiseau, The Room has garnered cult film status with a loyal following that both hates and loves Wiseau’s work. I was first introduced to this odd creation in 2014 when a close friend suggested we play The Room drinking game. When I asked what that meant, her eyes widened, and her jaw dropped. I could see the excitement on her face as she replied “I’ve never showed you The Room? It’s been such a huge part of my life, I can’t believe we haven’t watched it together”. For the next hour and forty minutes, I was extremely uncomfortable watching what happened on the screen…albeit, extremely entertained. This movie is an absolute mess. So, why do people love it so much?

Little is known about Wiseau’s background. Many reports have gone unconfirmed, and many questions he refuses to answer. All that is known for certain is the background of the film, which is just as weird as the film itself. First written as a play in 2001 and then adapted as a novel that was never published, Wiseau took matters into his own hands and made the attempt to adapt his work into film. By being the director, producer, star, and the financier of the film (side note: he has been very tight lipped about where he found the $6 million to make this film, but he insists that he funded it in part by importing Korean jackets to the United States), Wiseau maintained total control throughout the making of The Room. The film is an extension of himself. So, when Tom Bissell, co-author of The Disaster Artist (the book. Not the Franco movie), says “It is like a movie made by an alien who has never seen a movie, but has had movies thoroughly explained to him”, Tommy Wiseau is that alien. Indeed, after learning more about Wiseau and his mannerisms, and after seeing The Room a dozen times, alien-like is exactly how I would both describe the film and the film’s creator. The official synopsis of the film would be as follows: set in San Francisco, The Room draws its influence from specific incidents of Wiseau’s own life. Johnny, played by Wiseau, is a successful banker who lives with his fiancée, Lisa. Lisa has become unfulfilled in her relationship to Johnny and begins an affair with his best friend, Mark. Drama ensues. That’s the entire premise of The Room which, by the way, is filmed in more than just one room.
Here is my unofficial synopsis of the film: a lot of random things happen for no clear reason, with no clear purpose, and at the most inappropriate times. The dialogue doesn’t make any sense, and the characters behave incoherently. The plot itself has no linear direction. The only real consistency is that Lisa complains repeatedly that she isn’t happy with Johnny, and the people she complains to reply by praising him. Otherwise, the rest of the film consists of excruciatingly long sex scenes involving roses and drapery, 30 second subplots that are never referred to again, repeated San Fran imagery, and some intensely awkward dialogue. The entire viewing experience is uncomfortable, but it is so worth it.

After estimating that he has seen The Room “at least 3 times a year since 2010”, self-proclaimed cult movie fan Brian Kilner recently sat down with me and explained why Wiseau’s disaster of a movie has people absolutely obsessed with it.
“There is a difference between something that is bad and something that is so bad that it is entertaining. So, just off the top of my head, the song Barbie Girl or Rebecca Black’s Friday. These are probably two of the worst songs I can think of, and yet people still sing them. People will still dance when it comes on. More in line with what we are talking about here, The Rocky Horror Picture Show is, objectively speaking, just a really bad film. But people absolutely love it. Every year on Halloween thousands of people will dress up as their favourite characters of that shit-show of a musical and view midnight screenings of it. We even do that here in Wolfville. It’s the same thing for The Room. It’s so bad that it’s awesome and, like Rocky Horror, there is a cult following. We know it’s a piece of garbage, don’t get me wrong. But it’s such a mess that you have to laugh at it. It’s one of a kind.”
With James Franco’s recent film The Disaster Artist hitting the big screen, based on a book by the same name which gives us a behind the scenes look at the making of The Room, Wiseau’s masterpiece has been generating more buzz than ever. Do me, yourself, and Tommy Wiseau a favour and watch The Room before even thinking about seeing The Disaster Artist. It will be the best worst cinematic decision you will ever make.
January 21, 2018
WHITFLIX
Some of you may not know this, but the Al Whittle Theatre is hosting a smartphone film festival. You heard me. A smartphone film festival. Meaning, you don’t need any experience or fancy equipment to participate. You just need a dream, a phone, a slight creative impulse, windows movie maker, and a little bit of moxie.

All of the details can be found on their website (www.alwhittletheatre.ca), so go check it out! The deadline for submissions has been extended to November 10th, which you may think is no time left at all, but actually, it is plenty of time. I think it took me roughly 30 hours to complete my submission.

If just the excuse to make a film is not enough for you, there will be a VIP Red Carpet Gala Screening held on Friday, November 24th, and if your film is chosen, you will get to watch your film on the big screen. I am hoping that my project “SOAP: A Film by Emily Ellis” will reach this level of stardom, and I want you to join me on this journey. That is all.
P.S. Even if you don’t enter, you are still invited and encouraged to attend the gala screening. Catch me there either in my finest gown or in a sweat suit crying in the corner.

P.P.S. Oh, and bring tissues. Either you will need them because my film will bring you to tears, or I will need them because I am not watching my film and it has crushed my spirit and temporarily stripped me of moxie.
November 5, 2017
All Art Made Equal: Television Can Be Good Too
Is all art equal?
Consider the proposition: certain forms of art are superior to other forms of art. Consider Shakespeare, or Dickens, or James Joyce, whose crafts have all been well-proven against the tests of time. Then consider the current glamorized reality shows such as Keeping Up with the Kardashians. Can we objectively state that one is better than the other? The truth of this argument is not obvious. Most people would say that one is clearly better than the other, and certainly worth more. The argument is then generalised: “read a book instead, all television rots your brain,” or “art ain’t like it used to be.” They will apply this same logic to music or painting.
It’s a bothersome argument. I’ll admit that as a science major, the technical domain of art is a bit mysterious to me, but it is still possible to appreciate the emotion and effort that the artist pours into their work. And if one type of art really is to be called inferior, then let us first establish a criterion for determining what art is. For now, we will go with the simple definition: art is a craft requiring human imagination and creativity. We can refine this to be a craft with the purpose of conveying a specific emotional, intellectual or ideological stimulation. It doesn’t need to be, though. The meaning can be interpreted by the audience. If we follow this definition, then inferior art is one that fails to meet this criteria, lacking in imagination and creativity.
How can we measure this? The common argument made is that television is a “lesser” art medium than literature and reading a book is a more noble pursuit of artistic inspiration than watching TV. I’ll admit that reading a book is a more engaging activity for your brain than watching television. Of that there is no doubt. But when did the purpose of art become solely engaging your brain? There are television shows with more depth, soul and thought put into them than some novels I’ve read. Is watching an artistic masterpiece or a potently realistic political-social commentary on TV less engaging than reading Fifty Shades of Grey? These questions are left for the reader to answer. This editor will only give his opinion: hold no judgement towards art based solely on its medium of delivery. Receive it with an open mind, in any form it comes to you. Only then can you truly appreciate the message it brings.
Here are some of my favourite television shows, in no strict order:
1. Deadwood: A master class in drama and language. It’s like Shakespeare set in the Wild West. The characters are so incredibly vibrant that you wish you sort of led a life like they do. You won’t really understand it until you watch it twice, but you will quickly realise that the characters you root for are more or less all terrible people. It’s HBO too, so that gives it some brownie points.
2. The Wire: A lot of TV aficionados will cite this as the greatest show ever. It’s hard to disagree. It is often touted for its stark realism, however, it tends to escape this later in the series. However, the characters themselves maintain this quality until the very end, making them and their struggles very relatable. So relatable, in fact, that for a few months after finishing the show you will constantly find yourself comparing you situation to a similar one undertaken by character X in season Y.
3. Hannibal: Recently ended. And it ended perfectly. I’m often not a fan of shows that act as prequels or sequels to major blockbuster films. Smallville, Gotham, and all that glitter never appealed to me. But Hannibal is more than that. It’s a moving canvas. It really does go for that “every frame a painting” label. The show plays on jokes and references from the movie in a smart way, albeit with grace and subtlety. And Mads Mikkelson’s performance as the cannibalistic psychiatrist will forever change how you think about cannibalistic psychiatrists.
4. Fargo: You’re lucky, because this one is still on TV, airing on FX. It’s hard for me to express exactly what makes this show so special. Like Hannibal, it also acts as a direct continuation of the Coen Brothers’ iconic movie. One thing that makes this show so special is its perfect balance between dark, twisted humour; dark, twisted violence and dark, twisted nihilism. I think it secretly acts as a philosophy course in the guise of a Minnesotan crime thriller.
5. Rick and Morty: This is an animated one, and recent too. Coming from Adult Swim, you know that the show’s humour takes many forms. In some ways, it is similar to shows like Family Guy, where immature humour hides the deep, subtle humour underneath. It also has the humour that is so powerful that after laughing you have to step back and seriously evaluate some things about your life.
February 11, 2016
The First Acadia Environmental Film Festival a Success, Say Student Co-founders
This past November, Acadia students Robin Lawson and Raymond Wieser developed an entirely new event on the Acadia campus and in Nova Scotia: the Acadia Environmental Film Festival. The festival was a project towards completion of a fourth-year Environmental and Sustainability Studies (ESST) course.
The Acadia Environmental Film Festival ran from November 3-13th, featuring six films in total. Each film was followed by a reflective discussion between the audience and guest panelists. What began initially as a plan to screen films for students evolved into a project involving a number of members and organizations within the community. Wieser and Lawson were able to meet for an interview to discuss their thoughts about the festival, as well as broader topics regarding the environmental crisis.
Why did you decide to create and produce an environmental film festival?
Lawson: Raymond is extremely passionate about film. I’m more passionate about environmental education.
Wieser: We decided to combine the two, and then we took it a step further and added discussion to that, with community members or people in [environmental] fields.
Lawson: Showing movies is great, but allowing people to expand on their own ideas gives them a place to learn more. We couldn’t be as effective in educating [the audience] if we didn’t have a meaningful discussion afterwards.
Wieser: If you have someone in the field locally come to talk, then they can give a local perspective on what’s happening.
To put it bluntly, why do you care about issues pertaining to the environmental crisis?
Wieser: First of all, I’m in ESST, but it has mainly to do with the way I grew up as a child. I’ve actually never lived in a city, nor a town. I’m from the middle of nowhere, in the forest! My elementary school was a Waldorf School, which had a huge focus on Mother Earth and the planet, so that had a huge influence as well.
Lawson: From a very early age I’ve understood the connection between people and nature. Another reason I care about environmental issues is because they impact human lives, and I love people. People aren’t going to exist if they don’t have an environment that can support them. We need to start supporting our environment so it can continue support us. It’s a symbiotic relationship that a lot of people forget.
What goals were you trying to achieve through the festival?
Wieser: Our main goal was to educate students on environmental issues through film. Movies are played on campus all the time but rarely is there a time to discuss them, and rarely are they environmental-based films.
Lawson: It was a way to build further connections between Acadia and the community.
Wieser: For example, people throw things in garbage cans and recycling bins everyday but they don’t really know who deals with it, so I think having [a panelist] from Valley Waste come and talk was really good because it gave people an idea what happens to their waste.
What was a highlight of the festival for each of you?
Lawson: Actually, the film that didn’t end up happening, Billions in Change. We were competing with the Bob Rae [lecture] and a few other things happening around Wolfville, so we didn’t end up having an audience, but we had a panelist, Richard Zurawski. He’s an amazing man. So we had him and an Acadia professor, Leo Elshof, who’s another amazing environmental activist and educator. They’re really good friends, so they just ended up sitting with us and talked to us about the state of the world and the education system. It made me think about some things that are connected that I’d never [realized] were connected. That was the highlight for me.
Wieser: The highlight for me would probably be either that same night, or working with Fundy Film on the first night [on the screening of] This Changes Everything. They’re a really cool organization and they bring a lot of really cool things to Wolfville. They work with TIFF so getting to work with them was like, “Yes!”
Lawson: Susan and Bill [of Fundy Film] are a really, really amazing couple too. They’re wonderfully inspiring people and were supportive of us and excited about what we were doing.
What is the most pertinent environmental issue that the films portrayed?
Wieser: [All of the issues] are very pertinent, but the most important one is water.
Lawson: Yes, water and the health of our oceans. Which relates to a lot! Because it’s such a broad issue, and everything else reaches out to it, like energy production, food…
Wieser: Bottled water.
Lawson: Every environmental issue goes back to it.
Wieser: If we were going to isolate one film that is important for people to see today, I would say Billions in Change. Even though no one came to see it, it’s the most important because it deals with what is currently being done. It’s dealing with a group of people who are working all around the world in different scientific communities, [and it deals with] what they’re doing now to help the environmental crisis.
Do you hope that other students will pick up from where you left off?
Wieser: I hope so! I mean, that was the point with our film festival. We also ordered more films that we couldn’t show because they weren’t in the library already. We ordered more for the library to have for the future.
Lawson: It would be great to see somebody pick this up and continue on to make it an annual thing. And have it grow, maybe it would get as big as Devour! Which was another event we were competing with! That was one of the points of the project, as we’re graduating, to leave a legacy at Acadia. To leave something behind. It would be really nice if people were to continue.
December 1, 2015
The Delectable Details of the Devour Festival
This November 4-8^th marks the 6^th Annual Devour Food Film Fest. I met with directors of the festival, Michael Howell and Lia Rinaldo, to learn more about the festival, it’s origins, and what the event has to offer our community.
What is the Devour Festival?
Devour is a five-day annual food film festival, located here in Wolfville from November 4^th-8^th. The event features 75 films related to food and drink, as well as 78 diverse events surrounding cuisine; that is creation, critiquing, and of course consumption. he basic guiding premise of the events is to show a film, and to follow the film with food inspired by the cinematic piece. Notable chefs and film-makers alike travel from across the world to celebrate and indulge in all Devour has to offer.
Who created the festival?
Chef Michael Howell is the executive director of the Devour festival. It was his long time support and involvement in the Slow Food movement that lead to the onset of the first edition festival in 2009, then called the Slow Motion Food Film Festival. Lia Rinaldo is the managing director of the festival and first began work with the festival in 2013, her extensive background in film and cinema provides her with much experience in film. The pair developed the festival in to the second edition in 2013 to what is now Devour.
Why a Film and Food Festival in Wolfville?
The festival originally grew out of the Slow Food movement, following the same basic premise of good, clean, and fair food for all. Howell, who owned and operated former local restaurant ‘The Tempest’, indicated that the festival served also to increase economic activity in the Annapolis Valley during the shoulder season, and to attract diverse crowd through the use of food-oriented films. This year, the festival is entering it’s 6^th year, and is projected to attract 8-10,000 attendees.
What events are recommended for students?
The festival boasts numerous budget and schedule friendly events:
- For $20.00, a student film pass is available, which gives access to all films shown at the festival. Several films, such as The Great Chicken Wing Hunt and “Cheese Please” will have complimentary samples of food included with admission.
- The always popular food truck rally on Thursday evening consists of 8 vendors, each who will offer one dish costing only $5.00. The single dish option will ensure shorter wait time, whilst still guaranteeing quality taste.
- On Friday night, a $5.00 admission fee give entrance to a tasting of of 10 chef-prepared chowders at the Chowder Smackdown, with Food Network star judge Bob Blumer
- On Friday night, $25.00 will get you admission and four drinks at the Cocktail Pop-Up Party, a great place to mixology-and-mingle and enjoy some live music
- Saturday night for $25.00, there is a Nova Scotia kitchen party, featuring Martime inspired food, drinks, and music
- All 5 days, there are different food and drink-centered bus tours available as a part of Devour the Bounty. These include the Crafty Beer Bus, the Bubbles Bus, and Acadian Express, and the All you Need is Cheese Express
For the full list of events, and other information on the Devour Festival, visit DevourFest.com
Want to get involved with the Devour Fest?
There are volunteer opportunities available for this upcoming and future festivals. Email Jill Delaney at [email protected] to inquire.
October 29, 2015
The Acadia U Political Science Film Series
The Politics Film Series hosts a screening every Friday at 6:30PM in BAC 138. The series features films which deal with contemporary, classic and critical political problems. Film is one of the most salient mediums for communication. It enforces a single perspective yet offers a plurality of viewpoints. Image and audio come together in a contained space but evokes responses which rupture this comforting frame. Walter Benjamin described it as “the training ground” for modern perception. In this way, the film is both an ordinary experience and experience which exposes the ordinary. Perhaps most importantly, film is a media which individuals may experience collectively. To this end, the evening will conclude with an open discussion on the movie lead by Dr. Geoffrey Whitehall. All Acadia students and members of the community are welcome to attend and encouraged to bring beverages and snacks of their choice.
A Thousand Times Good Night – October 30
Rebecca is a photojournalist torn between war’s frontlines and her family. After an assignment following a group of female suicide bombers in Kabul, Rebecca returns home to Ireland. She is soon drawn back to her work, this time with her daughter in a Kenyan refugee camp which comes under attack. Though framed as a personal drama, the film asks what is the responsibility of foreign journalists in war? How are lives made visible? What is seductive about the struggle and suffering of others?
Five Broken Cameras – November 6
Emad Burnat’s camera bears witness to the Israeli settlement of the West Bank – until each is inevitably destroyed. He documents the bulldozing of villages, uprooting of olive trees, and the maiming and deaths of his neighbours. The immediate perspective of the documentary sheds fresh light on what is perhaps the most polemic conflict in the world today: is Israel a colonial power? How do we make sense of the self-documented experiences of Palestinians? What does resistance look like for those on the margins?
Cache – November 13
A seemingly ordinary French couple receives an anonymous tape of their apartment. Over the following weeks, other tapes and cryptic child-like drawings begin to arrive. The family is soon confronted by a long-buried secret about their past. The film provokes unexpected questions such as : what is the legacy of colonialism? How can institutions control the flow of information? What does it mean to see another? How do we appreciate our impact on the lives of those we may not see? Who or what is truly terrifying?
October 29, 2015
Amy
A few years back, I had never heard of Amy Winehouse before. Yet I distinctly remember the day of her death, as if I had been a fan my whole life. Although I didn’t feel the sadness or importance of her passing at the time, I can honestly say that I now understand completely the devastation around the world that came with that tragic day.
This year, from the award winning team behind last year’s hit documentary Senna, comes the critically acclaimed documentary detailing the life of Amy Winehouse told through her eyes. Directed by Asif Kapadia, Amy is not a typical bio-documentary; instead of the typical mirage of interview footage with various family members, friends, and record producers, the focus is on Winehouse herself. A massive amount of research went into finding archive footage, homemade videos, unseen concert footage, and even recordings of previously unheard/unreleased tracks. In this way, Kapadia has produced a unique experience in that we get an unparalleled glimpse into the raw emotions and hardships of Winehouse’s life.
The documentary is an emotional rollercoaster of joy and grief, an exploration of pop-culture, fame, and drug abuse. One might even argue that the media and her rise to fame killed her. As tragic a point of view as that is, Winehouse is shown saying she does not want to be famous many times, almost too many. For her, obscurity would keep her sane, as she would go crazy from fame. Consumers didn’t listen, and the result may have been her death.
In addition to the powerful story of media frenzy surrounding her rise to fame, and the emotional story of her romantic relationships, there is the drug and alcohol narrative. In some ways, one could say this documentary is an anti-drug film. Alcohol and drug abuse played a monumental part in Winehouse’s life, and this is not lightly skimmed over by Kapadia. A juvenile detention centre in Thailand has recently taken to showing Amy as an anti-drug film to inmates in the hopes that it might dissuade them from a life of addiction (The Guardian, 2015).
Kapadia’s film, which became the second-biggest documentary ever in UK cinemas this past summer, has been critically acclaimed around the world after its screening at the prestigious 2015 Cannes Film Festival. Surprisingly, negative comments from Amy Winehouse’s father Mitch Winehouse came forth after the release. There was tension between him and the crew during production due to disputes over his negative portrayal in the film. According to the director, who was dedicated to a truthful telling of the jazz legend’s life, nobody did anything about Amy’s addictions and problems which ultimately resulted in her untimely death.
Asif Kapadia’s Amy is unique in the documentary genre for its intimate and unusual style of editing. No interview footage is ever shown; interviews are instead heard as background to home video shot either by Winehouse or her friends and family. In terms of music, this documentary is almost a musical. Through the clever placement of songs (previously released, and new), a deeper understanding of the story behind each song is possible, and therefore a must deeper and emotional connection to the subject is established. By the end of the roughly two-hour film, I cannot help feel deeply moved and saddened by this masterpiece of filmmaking and music. This is the story of an incredibly talented woman who was vulnerable and humble. Her talent gave her the attention she never desired, and as a result of the fame and ensuing media frenzy she took to alcohol and drugs (with heavy influence from romantic partners).
As a recent fan of Amy Winehouse, this film has shed light on her life and her incredible talent for me that I had no knowledge of, and gave me a newfound reverence for her and her music. Asif Kapadia has created a film and music story that is passionate, intimate, and honest. It is a beautiful and heartbreaking tribute to the great Amy Winehouse.

Director: Asif Kapadia
Starring: Amy Winehouse, Yasiin Bey, Mark Ronson, Tony Bennett, Mitch Winehouse
Runtime: 128 minutes
Release Date: July 3, 2015
MPAA Rating: R (for language and drug material)
My rating: 4.5/5 stars
October 1, 2015

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