New Arena Pics?

A picture says a thousand words, as they say, but I'm guessing that in this case most of those words are going to be curse words...

BY EMIL TIEDEMANN

JUST in case you haven't heard enough about the proposed downtown arena district, here's more! Last Thursday (Jan. 19) ICON Venue Group, the project managers of the new area, released conceptual illustrations of what the project could look like. Not a guaranteed blueprint, but rather some ideas to play around with.

Bistro bars and sushi joints are amongst the proposals for the new arena, which would
allow much more variety than the current Rexall Place. 

Personally, I think they look pretty cool. But, of course, there'll be plenty of folks who'll beg to differ, some just because they can. But that's alright, we're a free country afterall. All I am saying is don't get all caught up in the politics of this whole issue, or the 'propaganda' mumbo jumbo, or whatever other accusations others may brainstorm along the way. Just be a little more open-minded is all I'm asking.

Large windows would allow natural sunlight to filter in. 

On their website ICON explained their concept behind the design of the new arena: "Fundamentally, the new Edmonton arena must be much more than a hockey facility. It must be designed to accommodate all manner of sports and cultural events and to quickly transition from one to another. It must provide world-class fan experiences and a vehicle to take entertainment in the Capital Region to another level. It must integrate into the downtown core, function as a catalyst for broader redevelopment and have the flexibility to evolve over the decades to come."

To be honest, I don't really give a shit about how much more cash Daryl Katz will be pocketing with this arena district, or anybody's personal agenda for that matter. I just want a new fucking arena for my hometown (see, curse words!), and one that'll subsequently allow the downtown--and thus the city as a whole--to prosper. How could it not?!

Unique seating arrangements would allow a new experience to watching a hockey game
while having a drink and/or a bite to eat. 

Anyways, I've already said my piece on this issue, which you can read more about here, in case you're interested. So, for the time being, I'm just gonna sit back and continue looking forward to what will most likely be our city's best investment plan yet. Fingers crossed.

@themovies/ 'Haywire'

Former Gladiator TV star is better than to be expected in Soderbergh's worldly action take, though the tough girl route is starting to wear thin

BY EMIL TIEDEMANN

The music in this film was done by David Holmes, who also supplied
the music for five other Soderbergh films. Actually, it was supposed to
be six, but after hearing what he had come up for 2006's 'The Good
Soldier,' but Soderbergh rejected it. 

IT'S pretty much its own genre these days. Leading ladies who kick ass, a strain of action cinema that started when Sigourney Weaver scowled, "Get away from her, you bitch!" in James Cameron's Aliens, circa 1986. Okay, so it started seven years prior, with its 1979 predecessor Alien. I just wanted to say that sweet line, so....

Some might say these kick-assinerators were born even earlier than that though (i.e. Pam Grier), but Weaver arguably paved the way, setting the stage for the likes of torch bearer Linda Hamilton, a.k.a. Sarah Connor, in the Terminator films. Over the years we've seen similar representations by everyone from Charlize Theron (AEon Flux) and Angelina Jolie (Tomb Raider) to Kate Beckinsale (Underworld series) and even 13-year-old Chloe Moretz (Kick-Ass). Even as recent as last year we were introduced to alike assassins in Hanna's Saoirse Ronan, Colombiana's Zoe Saldana, and Sucker Punch's Emily Browning.

And now, we've Gina Carano of Haywire, an actual former mixed martial arts fighter (& American Gladiator) who sheds the titles for her red carpet premiere. And to be honest, it kind've shows. Her too-sleak comebacks and one-liners lingered on the tiresome side far too soon into this 93-minute Steven Soderbergh (Erin Brockovich, Traffic) effort. But that was forgivable, considering.

Carano is Mallory Kane here, a black ops super soldier who is after retribution for being betrayed by the very man (Ewan McGregor) who hires her for a comparably simmered mission, posing as the wife of a British agent (the always awesome Michael Fassbender). It gets mildly confusing at times, quickly confirming itself as one of those movies in which you gotta pay attention to! No sidetracking to the bathroom or to get more butter for your overpriced popcorn, or even to check a text message from your BFF. You just might get lost in this fuzzy story.

Intense--and sometimes too clearly-choreographed--scrap scenes help escort you along the way without dosing off, and the David Holmes music--which could almost be right at home in a '60s B&W detective film--refused to mesh appropriately with most of the scenery. No biggie though. Familiar faces, in Channing Tatum, Antonio Banderas, Michael Douglas, and Bill Paxton, also lent reason to stay put. Kinda.

Other than that, this well-received, $23 million production was just okay. Not exactly one I'll remember for years to come. Months, maybe.

2.5 stars outta 5

For Edmonton & area showtimes of Haywire, click here.

Below is the official trailer for Steven Soderbergh's 'Haywire'

Edmonton's Biggest Challenge

An unconventional branding blueprint for Edmonton

BY RANDY BROSOSKY

AS I write this, it's our last night in Cozumel. Soft sands, gorgeous skies. The friendliest fish this side of Caribbean--a diver's paradise. As I site here, the cool evening breeze is taking just enough edge off of the heat of the day to make it blissfully comfortable. Tomorrow we travel home. In the space of twelve hours, the temperature we experience will drop by over sixty degrees celsius. Eeep. But that's okay. Why?

I'm going home. To Edmonton. YEG as many of you know it. Where the heart is. And I love it.

My love affair with Edmonton started as any other would. As a kid coming from a small town I was infatuated by the possibilities of the 'big city.' It grew on me. Close enough to my parents to have ready support. Far enough to enjoy independence. And in the last couple years, I have really started to make fascinating, valuable connections with amazing people. Driven people. People of vision. Of passion. People who resolutely call Edmonton home and cherish it for the rich community that makes up its heart.

So what do people think when they hear Edmonton? This:

Last September 25-year-old graphic designer Mike Kendrick created &
shared this poster that sparked up lots of local conversation. "Edmonton
is very much a winter city," he said. "We should be embracing that with
pride, rather than being angry or insecure about it." 

This image was passed around 'the internets' a month or so ago. Many people shared it, commenting on how funny but true it was. Chuckling. LOL-ing. 'Liking' it and Tweeting it. People found it quite entertaining.

I didn't laugh when I saw it. I felt quite different indeed. A lump in my stomach. A sense of defeat. A hopeless psychic shrug. It doesn't matter how many fascinating people I meet. How many great plans and initiatives are started. How much drive and ambition we have.

This is how we are known. Worse, this was mostly shared by Edmontonians. This is how we see ourselves.

I've written about Edmonton's branding problem before. I am far from the only one. Todd Babiak has written and spoken about it as well. All these vibrant people. All these fantastic ideas. StartUp Edmonton, ArtsScene, #YEGalleyburger, Festival City, some of the best damn recycling programs in the world, WhatTheTruck?!, a river valley that is the largest stretch of urban parkland in North America, an IT and media community that is collaborative instead of competitive, an incredibly talented film community, more theatre per capita than anywhere else in North America. And the poster above is how we see ourselves. That's what resonates with people. That's what gets shared on Facebook. That's what we identify with.

I stared at my computer in stunned silence for a while. I considered moving. I have the belief that Edmonton can become a vibrant place that is world renowned--for tangible reasons, not for the crap that usually comes raining down on us from the mouths of politicians pushing agenda. That belief went out like a candle in a rainstorm. Work that I had already been postponing sat on my desk with no hope of catching my interest ever again.

This was it. This was our 'brand.' This was who we are. This was everything we didn't want to be.

Hmmmmm.

I stared. I listened to the radiators creak. The sun went behind a cloud and my office seemed colder.

Everything we didn't want to be.

Everything we didn't want.

Huh.

Well would you look at that.

Here's a checklist of all the problems with our image. Our identity. Neatly laid out. And there were two ways to look at it: something to be depressed about, or something to inform change.

Here's a side-by-side shot of Randy's trip to Cozumel, Mexico
and his return home to Edmonton, within the same week!

We can't come up with an identity on a piece of paper and then follow it. No city can. We have no choice but to find ourselves--new-agey as that might sound. But that doesn't mean we have to do it without guidance. I look at the poster in a new light. This is it. This is the Edmonton that we don't want. Much as businesses look at their vision statement to decide what actions will drive the company toward their goals, we can look at this to make decisions that will drive us away from what we don't want to be. What we cannot afford to believe in. An image of Edmonton that we ourselves mock mercilessly.

I started to smile. Whoever designed this little poster perfectly encapsulated what we want to steer away from.

I thought about it. Why was there so much resistance to the plans for the new museum? Because it will look exactly like the pedestrian outdated buildings that this poster mocks. Sure, there was resistance to the new Art Gallery too, but there is resistance to everything. Ask any politician. The questions becomes, what resistance is worth putting up with? What battles do you fight, what hills do you die on to make the world a better place than it was when you got there. How many people do you hear still complaining about the AGA vs. the number of people who speak positively about it?

Why was there so much furor over the airport development? It was a mix of this same resistance to change, plus a generous heap of hope that what will come out of it steers us away from the idea in this poster.

We're not sure who we want to be when we grow up. We're still young, in the scope of the world. But we certainly know who we don't want to be.

So here's your mission, should you choose to accept it. Save that poster on your computer. Hell, print it out. Just put it somewhere where you can see it every couple of days. Look at it. Learn it. And if you ever make any decision or choice that has even the remotest chance of affecting Edmonton, steer as brightly and boldly away from the idea in that poster as you can. The trap is not choosing. The trap is safe decisions and non-decisions. (Capital Ex anyone?) The sides of the trap are laced with the belief that others will decide and that there is nothing you can do. The bottom of the trap is flooded with complacency and inertia. This is not just about what councillor you vote for or being on your condo board. This is about a philosophy, a belief, that we can be more than "Alberta's own frozen wasteland" and it is a belief you need to embrace deeply, and to act on. In every way you can. The opportunities may be few or frequent, but there is nothing more powerful than an idea. And once that idea catches on, we can make Edmonton the city that it is capable of being.

Tonight I leave Cozumel--home of the friendliest fish this side of the Caribbean, the diver's paradise. Tomorrow I return to Edmonton. What am I coming home to? It is not the world's biggest social bubble. But changing that idea is up to all of us.

We can shed the shackles of the 'cards we're dealt' and start making new rules to the game. We can be the captains of our destiny, without having to be rich enough to own a hockey team. Let's make it our mission that some day, soon, people will look at this poster and say "Really? Edmonton used to be like that?" Let's make this image, this negative idea, a thing of the past.

Who's with me?

@themovies/ 'The Devil Inside'

There doesn't seem to be a year that goes by in which Hollywood drops an exorcism movie on us...this year is no exception, except that this year's is far from exceptional

BY EMIL TIEDEMANN

MORE than 12 years ago we eagerly welcomed in a new breed of scary movies, when The Blair Witch Project made composed fear seem real. In fact, they all but told us it was. The hand-held camera effect had become the technique to turn to when filmmakers truly wanted to taunt our nearly immune nerves. And it worked.

'The Devil Inside' was released by Insurge
Pictures, who's parent company is Paramount,
the same studio that distributed the
'Paranormal Activity' trilogy. 

And so that's why director and co-writer William Brent Bell (Stay Alive) chose the "found footage" route that is already starting to get a lil' old. But Bell's supernatural horror feature, which is not based on true events, neglected to offer up anything fresh to pass on to the next generation of documentary-styled scary movies (precautions if anything!). And I assure you, there'll be plenty more.

If you haven't already seen the previews or read the endless bad press or had your buddy insist you skip it and rent the Paranormal trilogy instead, then I'll give you a brief synopsis: Isabella (Fernanda Andrade) heads to Rome to track down her mother Maria (Suzan Crowley), who has been in a Catholic psychiatric hospital since she murdered three people during an exorcism performed on her 20 years ago. She finds her belligerent mother...bla bla bla...others become possessed...bla bla bla...death and chaos ensues...bla bla bla...you get the idea.

Then it ends abruptly, less than 90 minutes from when it began, with no resolution. No explanation. No implication. There was, however, plenty of opportunity for a sequel. And with a #1 opening weekend at the box office, that's a likely scenario. Ugh.

I will admit, though, that The Devil Inside, God-damn shaky camera and all, had its moments. Rare, yes, but the few that were at least memorable were also unnerving. Others that were meant to be simply weren't. Afterall, there is a reason why the producers of this "micro-budget" ($1 million) indie effort chose not to screen it for critics and audiences prior to its wide release. That's always a red flag.

If you like scary movies, like me, then The Devil Inside isn't a total waste of your 12 bucks, I guess. Not exactly a full-fledged endorsement, but rather a half-assed suggestion.

1.5 outta 5 stars

For showtimes in Edmonton for The Devil Inside, click here.

Below is the official trailer for William Brent Bell's 'The Devil Inside.'

Localities

Some of the latest happenings in Edmonton (winter festivals, Bridal Fair, Motorcycle Show...)

BY EMIL TIEDEMANN

THE United States, China, the Netherlands, Russia, Mexico, Latvia, and of course, Canada will have appointed teams who'll be competing in this year's ice carving competitions for the annual Ice On Whyte Festival. Mexico?! Anyways, the 11-day event will also include a skating rink, ice slides, an interactive children's play area, the indoor YESS Cafe, and the Northlands Stage featuring live storytelling and music, from Thursday, January 12 to Sunday, January 22 (2-10PM Mon-Fri/ 10AM-10PM Sat-Sun). $5 tickets ($2.50 ages 2-12/ free under 2) are available at the gate, which has relocated this season to the end of Steel Park, at 103 St. & Tommy Banks Way.

Victoria, B.C. sculptor Delayne Corbett has been carving ice
sculptures in Edmonton since 1999. Photo courtesy of
the Edmonton Journal. 

Speaking of winter festivals, Alberta Avenue (between 92 and 94 St.) will soon welcome Deep Freeze-A Byzantine Winter Festival, the free family celebration from Saturday, January 7 to Sunday, January 8. The 5th annual showcase is here to "celebrate the Russian/ Ukrainian 'Ode New Year' and embrace the cold northern climate by melding artistic panache with authentic cultural and heritage winter games and fun." This year's theme is "Surf's Up: A Snow to Sand Winter Adventure." Please bring a food donation for the Edmonton Food Bank.

More than 100 exhibitors will be at this year's Edmonton Bridal Fair, hosted by the Shaw Conference Centre on Sunday, January 15 (10AM-5PM). The one-day only event will offer fashion shows, professional advice, free samples, prizes, and more, all for $18 a pop (save $2 if you buy online).

The Edmonton Motorcycle Show will take over the Edmonton Expo Centre (Northlands) from Friday, January 13 to Sunday, January 15. The all-ages 3-day event will include exhibitors, stunt rides, autograph sessions (Team Empire), workshops, prizes, and live performances by Clayton Bellamy of The Road Hammers. Biker TV will be onsite at the show, Team Empire will perform stunts, and you can enter to win a 2012 Triumph America Motorcycle. Admission for the show are $13 for adults, $9.50 for juniors (6-15), and free for children under 6, although family passes (2 adults, 2 juniors) are also available for $35.

On Saturday, January 14 (7:30PM) the Alberta Avenue Community Hall will host Cnwa Monster Pro Wrestling. Doors open at 6:30, and ringside seats are available for $14.95 at Ticketmaster. The show will return to the Hall on the first Saturday of February-May.

If you're just in the mood for some music, then there's plenty of upcoming concerts in January: Sean Sonego (see video below) @ the Haven Social Club (the 6th @ 8PM), The Jim Cuddy Band with Doug Paisley @ the Jubilee Auditorium (the 13th @ 8PM), Dead in Memphis @ the Brixx Bar & Grill (the 20th @ 7PM), Run Stop Run @ the Yardbird Suite (the 21st @ 9PM), Catgut @ Wunderbar (the 22nd @ 8:30PM), City and Colour @ the Jubilee (the 25th & 26th @ 8PM), Theory of a Deadman @ the Jubilee (the 27th @ 7:30PM), Second EdJe @ the Yardbird (the 27th @ 9PM), Neal McCoy @ Century Casino (the 28th @ 8PM), and the Ori Dakari Quartet @ the Yardbird (the 28th @ 9PM). Tickets for most of these shows are available @ Ticketmaster.

New movies this Friday include The Devil Inside (wide release), Players @ Movies 12, The Bridge on the River Kwai @ North Cineplex, and Hansel & Gretel @ South Edmonton Common. For all other movies and showtimes in and around Edmonton click here.

Below is an original composition by 18-year-old Edmonton singer-songwriter Sean Sonego, who will be performing January 6th at the Haven Social Club (8PM).

@themovies/ 'We Bought a Zoo'

Matt Damon tries on a new hat as a single dad-slash-zookeeper in this family-friendly (but not overly friendly) Cameron Crowe drama, and although it disguises itself as though it offers something new, it really doesn't

BY EMIL TIEDEMANN

I'M sure there'll be all sorts of film critic puns for this befittingly-titled Matt Damon family drama, so I'll sidestep that (for now) and get right into it. You're probably not going to like this movie if: a) you despise movies with non-talking animals, b) you want to be caught off guard by a dramatic plot twist, or c) you like Matt Damon movies. But, if you don't really care about any of that stuff, then you just might like a trip to Damon's Zoo.

Cameron Crowe's 'We Bought a Zoo' is actually based on a real zoo,
the Dartmoor Zoological Park in Devon, England. The zoo used in the
film is also real, the Rosemoor Wildlife Park in California.

Damon's not solving ludicrous math equations, dodging innocent bystanders in an erratic car chase, or being stuck to Greg Kinnear, but he's comfortable in his role as a vulnerable father of a 14-year-old son (Colin Ford) and a 7-year-old daughter (Maggie Elizabeth Jones) who lost their mother six months ago. Now Benjamin Mee (that's Damon btw), still grieving over the loss, quits his job, packs up his kids, and moves into a...if you haven't guessed by now....

A zoo, just in case you were still unclear.

While dealing with the loss of the love of his life, a defiant son who doodles corrupt images of detailed decapitations, a cynical brother (Thomas Haden Church), and a strained bank account, Benjamin struggles to rehabilitate this California enclosure for lions, tigers, and bears. And 44 other species. Oh, and he's falling for the too-pretty-to-be-a-zookeeper zookeeper (Scarlett Johansson). Let's just say (SPOILER ALERT) that it all comes together in the end. No real surprises here.

Actually, the backbone of this sometimes gummy plot is quite similar to that of his Syriana and Ocean's trilogy cohort George Clooney's The Descendants (which I thought was better...just sayin'). Minus the zoo, of course. And with a few more four-legged co-stars...and that's not another reference to the movie Stuck On You!

But it made me laugh at times, and maybe...perhaps...could of...made me tear up a bit? Okay, okay! But just a little bit, I swear! Plus, some of that jonsi-heavy soundtrack was pretty sweet.

Sure, it ran a bit too long (2 hours), it could've done without a mis-cast John Michael Higgins as the cartoonish zoo inspector, and there were a few eye roll moments, but it held up until its stretched-out conclusion. Good for the kiddies, too, but make sure they shut up during the movie. Just kidding...kinda.

3 outta 5 stars

Click here for Edmonton showtimes.

Below is the official trailer for Cameron Crowe's 'We Bought a Zoo' 
(20th Century Fox)