Music & Dance ~ Serena Ryder

As part of the Olympics and Paralympic Games concert series, I was able to see Serena Ryder live last night at Live City near GM Place. Here are some YouTube links of her best songs.

Weak in the Knees

All For Love

Little Bit of Red

Good Morning Starshine

(I wanted to embed a YouTube video, but it's disallowed)

I was really impressed with how well she performed live. In this age of manufactured pop artists that look good, but can't sing in tune to save their lives (unless they are lip-syncing), it was truly refreshing to hear someone who could sing in tune. Not only did she hit all the right notes, she had personality, wit, energy and performed with unique phrasing, subtle quietness and was able to belt it out when the song needed it. She sang a great version of the 70s song that I can't think of right now (I'll ask my friend Michelle who was singing away with me).

Too many artists (especially female ones) over sing and over run songs with endless melisma which gets awfully tiresome - sometimes you just wanna yell "Just sing the song, don't wring it's neck and kill it!"My friends and I were all awed by her abilities. I have her first CD and after last night, I think I'll pick up her latest one too, it's worth it. Plus it helps that she's Canadian (even if she is from Ontario - I won't hold it against her) so I gotta support a good Canadian chick!

Music & Dance ~ Miyanda Girls

I went to see my friend's daughter perform on Saturday afternoon (she's the girl in the middle of the front row). Their group is fundraising to go on a trip to Scotland to perform.

Movie Review ~ Up in the Air

Movie: Up in the Air

Directed By: Jason Reitman

Starring: George Clooney, Vera Farmiga, Jason Bateman and Anna Kendrick

Synopsis: Ryan Bingham (George Clooney), a corporate downsizer and consummate modern business traveler who, after years of staying happily airborne, suddenly finds himself ready to make a real connection. Ryan has long been contented with his unencumbered lifestyle lived out across America in airports, hotels and rental cars. He can carry all he needs in one wheel-away case; he's a pampered, elite member of every travel loyalty program in existence; and he's close to attaining his lifetime goal of 10 million frequent flier miles-- and yet...Ryan has nothing real to hold onto. When he falls for a simpatico fellow traveler (Vera Farmiga), Ryan's boss (Jason Bateman), inspired by a young, upstart efficiency expert (Anna Kendrick), threatens to permanently call him in from the road. Faced with the prospect, at once terrifying and exhilarating, of being grounded, Ryan begins to contemplate what it might actually mean to have a home.

Review: Normally I'm not a big fan of critically praised movies (usually they are depressing, full of dysfunctional people or boring), but in this case I can see why it was nominated for Best Picture. I know I know, George Clooney - while I am not immune to his charms, I thought he did a fantastic job as a person bound by his well-ordered life that is abruptly shaken up by change in his company's operating policy. Overall there was terrific character development - they were all believable and I became emotionally involved in what happened to each of them. The most important aspect of the story was that each character developed and did not remain stagnant and there was a strong element of redemption for the main and supporting characters. I find that crucial in a story -  it's often the reason I don't like many critically acclaimed movies because there is a lack of redemption. Rating: 4/5

Movie Review ~ Avatar

Movie: Avatar
Directed by: James Cameron

Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Giovanni Ribisi, Michelle Rodriguez, Stephen Lang and the voice of Zoe Saldana.

Synopsis: AVATAR is the story of an ex-Marine who finds himself thrust into hostilities on an alien planet filled with exotic life forms. As an Avatar, a human mind in an alien body, he finds himself torn between two worlds, in a desperate fight for his own survival and that of the indigenous people.

Review: It took so long for me to get to finally see this movie, that I was starting to worry that it wouldn't live up to the hype (much the same as Titanic). Well my fears were totally unfounded. What can I say... I was blown away. The story, characters and most of all the world of Pandora drew you in right from the beginning. I know many people felt the movie plot/story didn't live up to the movie's special effects, but I disagree it's the story and characters that helps you become invested in what happens. I was mesmerized by the world James Cameron created and after it was over, I remember going outside and remarking that everything seemed so plain compared to the world I just spent almost 3 hours in.I can see how we could end up living in a world where people escape their lives through virtual living (much like the movie Surrogates). Rating: 4.5/5

2010 Winter Olympics ~ Wrap-Up

Ok, it's a little sad that it's taken more than a month to write. I did get caught up a little in Olympic fever more so than I ever have in the past. In previous Olympics (usually only the winter ones), I'll watch some of the hockey and that's about it. It sure made a difference having it here. I guess there is something about being able to recognize the places where the events are taking place (even if I can't actually afford to go to any of the events). I was able to go downtown and watch some of the games with other people which made it so much more exciting!!! 

I also know it's shouldn't be all about the medal count, but it's hard not to use that as a measuring stick when it's on the main page of the website and it's what most people are talking about. In reality, the Olympics are all about competition among other things. To see who is the best (at that particular moment or fraction of a second) and to have bragging rights both as an individual and a nation. For once, even though we didn't "own the podium" as was the motto of this Olympic Winter Games for Canada, we did set a couple of Olympic records - highest medal count for a host country and most Gold Medals won in the Winter Olympics. It's pretty phenomenal that we are now a part of history and that countries from around the world will try to break records that we Canadians set.

The best part of these Olympics was being able to share it with other Canadians and people from around the world. When else is this going to happen in my lifetime where I live? Probably never again, so these are memories to cherish forever and that's pretty cool.

This weekend will mark the end of the Paralympic Games portion of the 2010 Winter Olympics and put this all in the history books. I hope people can look back on this time as a bright spot in our history and hopefully we won't have to pay for this for the next 50 years.