Team Canada

Wow what a game Liz my Dad and Syndee spent the day watching Team Canada win gold in the 2010 Olympics. It was close but we won and Thank God for that.

we won 3-2 in overtime

the picture on top is Toronto downtown after we win...

GO CANADA GO!

Great Olympics

garry


The finals of the olympic hockey were a lot of fun in our house. Penny and the girls came down as it was the day before Jack's heart by-pass surgery. There was some speculation that he wouldn't need the surgery after all as the game was sure to induce a heart attack and end him that afternoon lol. Oh and Sydnee made these FABULOUS cupcakes that she drowned in a scrummy icing. Soooo good. I ate three that night and 2 the next!

Crazy Heart

February 7 2010--Crazy Heart

Sunday still cold here in Toronto so we thought we'd go see a movie that we weren't sure about. The good thing was it was playing before noon therefore it would only cost $6.00 each to see it. So we decided to go see Crazy Heart with Jeff Bridges. Now Jeff Bridges has a lot of credit with me as he was in TRON. I loved TRON and have been ok with Jeff Bridges ever since. But since seeing Crazy Heart this movie could be the best movie I've ever seen Jeff Bridges. He's great. The story is basic. Down on his luck country singer with a booze problem and just a shit life but a great singer and song writer. I would hate these kind of movies normally but this movie was really good. The story was excellent, the pace of the movie which should have been slow was actually ok. It is what I call an ADULT film. Generally in these kind of movies I catch a long nap but this one I really liked. Colin Farrell is in it which I didn't know and he's very good too. I do hate Colin Farrell because no man should be that good looking and he seems like a cool guy. I liked the music in the film and I am going to buy the soundtrack. I love when I go to the movies thinking the movie is going to be slow and boring and it turns out to be really good.

Loved this movie and would tell you to go see it.

4.5 out of 5

garry

This was a total suprise. I'd heard it won Jeff Bridges loads of awards etc but those movies often prove to be a complete snooze-fest for me. Not so with this one. Defintitely a grown up movie with a really light touch, all understated and gentle. Jeff Bridges and Colin Farrell both did their own singing in it (according to the credits) which was another surprise as they were both pretty good, especially Bridges who does a bunch of songs.
You really must see this one.
5/5
L

Kevin Smith

February 6 2010

I love Kevin Smith. I love his movies, books, podcasts and comics but mostly I like listening to him talk. Last year we saw Kevin alot but we never got bored. He can talk about anything and get you into it. It was roughly a year ago when he last came up to Toronto to play Roy Thomson Hall and we were ready to see what he had to say tonight. He took the stage at 8pm and talked about everything from his new movie to comics and from Ben Affleck to hockey and all the time we where laughing and listening to every word. At 11pm was done but he told us he'll be back next year. I know Liz and I will be back, 100%.

One thing I love about Kevin Smith is that Liz had no idea who he was and now she loves him and any chance we get to see him live she always wants to go. If you ask her she will talk about how she likes him and I think she would even consider herself a fan. 3 years ago she had no idea who he was.

Kevin will be back around these part in June for the Walt Gretzky street hockey tournament and yes you guessed it.....we'll be there.

We LOVE Kevin.

5 out of 5

garry

I have to say Garry is right. I do love Kevin. He's just hysterical. I was nearly crying with laughter numerous times during this evening. He opened talking about his young daughter and her creative writing endevours. Then he talked about Avatar and how he and his wife both liked it for different reasons and spoke at length about the two of them watching it and what their reactions were. Later someone asked him how he proposed to his wife and he talked for an age about how he didn't do it right but he knew she was the one when she let him fuck her in the ass on the second date. And let me tell you he didn't leave out ANY of the details! (The guy who asked the question then had to follow all that by propsing to his girlfriend - it was super cute.) It appears that no topic is sacred to Kevin and I love that. 3 hours of listening to one guy bang on could be painful but so long as that guy is Kevin Smith then I'll sign up every time!
5/5
L

Frozen

February 6 2010

It was a normal Saturday so Liz and I decided to go see the movie Frozen. I'm sure a lot of people haven't even heard of this film but we're always looking for what's new in films. The story is about 3 university students that get trapped on a ski lift at night and there's no way to get down, they're stranded. A basic plot but the kind of plot we love. The movie is an Anchor Bay movie and they do a lot of B horror movies although this movie is a cut above that. The same guy that did Hatchet last year did this movie (Adam Green) and I liked Hatchet. Frozen has some plot points that you question and I found myself asking why don't they just do this or that. But after I relaxed and just watched the movie I found myself getting into it. The actors were all really good and they way they handle the frostbite was cool. There are a few twists and somethings I didn't see coming.
This movie would be great to see at Toronto After Dark, our local horror festival, but I am not sure it will find a market with the mass movie population. But if like horror or suspense movies this is a good one. I also think it will be on DVD very fast.

I liked it
4 out of 5

garry

There was certainly some gaping holes in the plot but I'd say this movie was still well worth watching. An interesting premise (being stuck on ski lift in the middle of the night with days before the ski lifts will re-open) and excellent acting really made up for a lot. And of course, I always like to support distributors of smaller movies (go Anchor Bay!).
4/5
L

Edge of Darkness

January 29 2010

It was sooo cold here that Liz and I thought we'd see a movie and then go home and do nothing. Anyone that knows Liz will know that there is nothing she likes better then then to do nothing. But anyway, first we thought we'd go see the new Mel Gibson movie Edge of Darkness. I like Mel and I know he said some stupid things but in my mind I can separate that from the movies. This is a good cop story and I really liked it. It was kinda like every other Mel Gibson cop story, the only difference being that he is older and not as crazy as he was in Lethal Weapon. So a good movie with a great car crash scene (well, door crash) that was excellent. The English actor Ray Winstone really steals the movie from Mel. But there is enough action and a pretty good story line that I liked it. It was nice to see an older Mel too.

This movie is based on a BBC mini series that i would like to see but have not as of yet.

I would say 3.5 out of 4

garry

Enjoyed it. Wasn't sure I wanted to go to this one, what with Mel being anti-semetic and a something of a misogynist, but Garry was super keen so I caved. So much for principals! It was a fun movie. Kinda silly in parts but entertaining and defintely playing to Mels strength - cops with questionable sanity. Worth seeing but no need to run to the theatre.
3/5
L

Birthday Party?

January 16 2010

Liz gets a Face Book invite to a birthday party last week and we decide to go. Now as some know, I am not one that loves parties and I feel kind of out of my area of comfort. But I love Liz and she likes to go to these things once in a blue moon so I usually put on a clean shirt and follow her. Lord knows I drag her to enough things! So Saturday night. Liz went all out bought a new dress to show off her new look and she looked very hot and sexy. The face book invite said 9pm (don't get me started on face book) so we thought we'd show up around 9:40pm have a drink and say happy birthday and then go home. We decided to take the TTC as the place is very close to the ssubway and parking down there can be a bitch. We arrive at place around 9:30pm and it looks weird, the door is blocked and very quiet. We shimmy our way in go inside and....dead. Liz asks if this is the right place and the bartender (super nice girl) says she is not sure but no one really tells them anything but she will ask the manger when the club opens at 10pm. 10pm! I tell Liz only druggies and hookers are out after 10pm, she laughs and we exit the club. Liz then gets a feeling that maybe she has the wrong place, so after a hot chocolate we find an internet cafe and she checks her face book (I hate face book, why don't people just call or text each other??). After checking the we see the party starts at 10. Now in case you have not guessed we are not out that much at 10pm unless we are seeing a live event or a movie or something but we are never at a bar. In fact I think I can count on both hands the number of times we have been we've been to a bar together. Anyways we take a long walk up Bloor and wait for the right time. At 10:30pm we go to the club. The guy working the door lets Liz know that the nice bottle of wine she bought as a birthday gift can not go into the club. After we thought about it Liz put it in the trash and walked in. Oh well, I guess it does make sense that you cannot bring a bottle in with you but we honestly never even thought about it. Next step $5.00 cover, okay not bad, $5.00 each I can handle. We walk up the huge stairway, get into the club and BANG we are the only 2 people in the club....come on people it's 10:30pm. Liz is pissed. She thinks for a second and tells me if we did not just pay $5.00 each she would love to just go home. I tell if you want to leave don't worry about the cash I think we can afford it. She looks at me and say "take me home. I'm done" we rush down the stairs get the wine out of the garbage and hit the subway. I assume all is okay but as we sit there on the subway I look over and there are tears...PANIC! PANIC...O GOD SHE IS CRYING PANIC...!
After she settles down and I offer to take her back in the car, or even rent a plane, anything to stop the tears, she tells me it was just such a fucked up night that she feels bad. I tell her to relax and that it was kinda fun. Hey maybe we're just not meant to be out late at night.

At 11.30pm we are both in bed snuggling and watching tv.
What a Saturday night lol.

garry

PS here she is in her new dress..she does look good

Liz, note to self: don't bother leaving the house after 9pm - you have no idea what goes on in the world at such a late hour. You're better to stay home where you understand limited rules of being in jammies at 6:30pm and a crazy night consists of eating a bowl of cereal before bed.
L

The Lovely Bones

January 17 2010

As the princess thought today was good day for rest I decided to see the THE LOVELY BONES alone. She had a rough night last night so she needed the rest (more on that later). I had to see this movie and will see every movie that Peter Jackson makes to thank him for the Lord Of Rings trilogy. Now if anyone reading this has not seen all 3 movies I say stop reading, get the dvd's and about 9 hours of free time and watch them. Go. Now! Okau for the rest of you, this is not a LOTR type movie this is way different. The story is about a young girl that get murdered but does not go to heavenm she gets stuck in the "in between". She gets to see things that happen and watch as they look for her killer. It's not the typical movie I usually like but I have to say I loved this story. Stanley Tucci is the bad guy and he was great, I really hated him. Marky Mark was the Dad and his role was kinda small but he was okay. Saoirse Ronan as the murdered girl Susie Salmon was so good, worth seeing just for her.
The movie is a good date movie or if your girl or guy bails on you go alone but you should go see it. I really liked it. I think if some of you go see it you may hate it but go with an open mind, or just pull a Liz and stay on the couch...

4.5 out of 5

garry

The Book of Eli

January 16 2010

At Comic Con last summer I saw preview of this movie and I knew there I was going to see it. Denzil Washington plays Eli and the story is from a graphic novel that both Liz and I have never read so it was all new to us. It is about an end of the world where people really have nothing left, kinda like the Mad Max movies from the 80's (have I ever told you I love the the 80's?). Eli is walking around carrying the book, the book of Eli, and it's the only one in the world. So, as you can imagine, everyone wants it. There are some great action parts in this movie and a fantastic scene, all done in one shot in the shadows, that is AMAZING. The story is good, the action is great, Gary Oldman does a great bad guy as usual and way different then Commissioner Gordon but he is always great. The chick from the 70's show, Mila Kunis, is in it and she's turning into a pretty good movie star. All in all if you like this kind of movie this is a most see. I really liked it

4 out of 5

garry

A fun movie. Especially good for fans of graphic novels as it really had that kind of feel to it. The movie tried for a few twists at the end that just failed to achieve that "no way" factor. I wonder if that was a reflection of it's graphic novel background which can often look clunky when translated into a movie. Still it was a good popcorn movie and I think anyone who like action movies with a serious heart will like it.

4/5
L

We Are Going

January 10 2010

We have booked our trip to IRELAND and the Liz and Garry adventure will be there first part of May...WATCH out Emerald Isle we are on our way. Poor Liz! She has to listen to my stupid questions now for 4 months...oh well. I'm VERY excited.

garry

I really have to start reading some stuff about Ireland. Garry seems to be unaware that I don't still live there and that things may well have changed since I left there at 18 years of age - I mean that was 10 whole years ago :-)
L

Daybreakers

January 10 2010

Saturday afternoon what are Garry and Liz going to do? You guessed it! MOVIE TIME. We decided to see Daybreakers. I kinda wanted to see Leap Year but Daybreakers looked way better. The story is new and very interesting. Vampires rule the earth and all the humans are kept to farm for blood. The problem is the humans are all dying and the vampires need to find a blood substitute. But as with all these movies there is a rogue group of humans hell bent on keeping the human race alive. So yes this is our kind of movie. For us a different look at the old vampire tale. I liked it, not blown away but I liked it. Ethan Hawk is in this movie and he sometimes bugs me. Not sure why he always looks like he needs a shower. An actor I do like, William Dafoe, is also in this and he is good although he does have a lot of over the top cheesy lines, but I guess you kinda accept that in these films. All in all lots of action and an OK story so I liked it. Liz liked it way more so I will let her tell more. But for me it was OK.

3.5 out of 5

garry

I love vampire moives. I have ever since seeing The Lost Boys many moons ago. But the genre has been around for a long time (Nosferatu from the silent 20s movie - creepiest looking dude EVER) and is often not well done. So a twist of the vampires being the majority and the humans hiding in the daylight was a very exciting change. And although some of the blood spattered scenes felt a bit extraneous (as they often do) there were more ups than downs to this movie. Most interesting was the panic created in the otherwise law-abiding vampires by the blood rationing. It struck me as something very similar to what we'll see as the price of oil sky rockets. That gave the movie parallels with the world we live in which, given the theme, I wasn't expecting. Well worth a look.

4/5
L