another year. another great mike leigh film

Cinematheque Series: Another Year 
Wed 9 March & Thurs 10 March, 7:00pm (1:30pm mats both days)
Patricia Theatre, 5848 Ash Avenue, Powell River

 

Mike Leigh's films are one of a kind. They're artful gifts of observation, humor and bruised humanity. Another Year is up there with the best of them. The script covers four seasons in the life of one British couple, Tom (Jim Broadbent) and Gerri (Ruth Sheen). They'd like to see their lawyer son, Joe (Oliver Maltman), find the right woman. And that doesn't mean Mary (Lesley Manville), Gerri's co-worker. Mary drinks as hard as she chatters and flirts outrageously with the much younger Joe. Out of a script developed over months with his cast, Leigh creates a universe we can all find a place in. All the actors are sublime. But Manville shines brightest. Never more lonely than when she's trying to hide it, Mary still musters the courage to fight being reduced to a joke. Just watch the magnificent Manville, in a raw and riveting award-class performance that exposes a grieving heart under siege.

Her last scene is quietly devastating. So is this intimate miracle of a movie. Make sure you check it out at the Patricia Theatre this Wednesday and Thursday. Hopefully it will be making its way to the lower Sunshine Coast in the weeks ahead! For ticket info see Patriciatheatre.com.

Review by Peter Travers for Rolling Stone Magazine, 29 Dec 2010.

 Image Credit: drnorth.wordpress.com

jodi picoult is worth going into town for this weekend

Jodi Picoult

Sunday, March 13, 2011 at 7:30 PM
St Andrew's-Wesley United Church, 1022 Nelson Street, Vancouver

Jodi Picoult, the bestselling author of My Sister's Keeper, is hopping on board her tour bus and heading to Vancouver this weekend to promote her new novel, Sing You Home. Joining this sassy lass on tour is guitarist and friend, Ellen Wilber, who wrote the music and performs on the CD accompanying the book as the main character Zoe - a music therapist.

Anyone that receives the coveted award of being "the author you'd most like to take out to the pub," has written 6 issues of Wonder Woman for DC Comics, and has been no.1 on the New York Times Best Seller list for just about every book she's penned, is definitely worth battling the ferry for!

Check out Jodi Picoult's website for information about her new book and for ticket sales to Sunday's event click here.

Image credit: Theage.com.au

dedicated follower of fashion

I love my Beatles and I love my fashion. My favorite go-to store on the Coast for vintage finds is Starlet Vintage. If the posters plastered around Gibsons haven't been enough to drive you in store, then a few of these pieces should tip you over the edge. The storefront for Starlet Vintage is located in Molly's Lane but they also have an online shop with etsy (etsy.com/shop/starletvintage) which carries an incredible range of vintage pieces. These are a snapshot of some of my current faves.

Left to right and top to bottom:

1950s Vintage kelly green dress
1980s Vintage briefcase style black convertible bag
1970s Suede gray vintage skirt
1970s Vintage dark chocolate leather jacket
1980s Vintage sand suede cowboy boots
1960s Vintage cloppenburg brown felt hat
1980s Scarlet and gold angel sleeve dress
1980s Chocolate velvet vintage envelope clutch
1970s Vintage classic white shirt
1960s Oatmeal Vintage faux fur jacket
1980s Vintage fur lined suede boots
1960s Vintage olive green straw fedora
1980s Chocolate velvet vintage envelope clutch
1980s Vintage red suede elf boot
1980s Vintage classic black leather pencil skirt