Inception

Whoa man this is trippy!

The release of Inception confirmed to me the excess of cynicism when it comes to contemporary film, if not contemporary art in general. Imagine that when The Ten Commandments was released most filmgoers and critics ignored it for being over-the-top, ambitious and stupid. Of course those adjectives could be put to that movie, but this is where we must suspend our disbelief and remember we’re at the freakin’ cinema and not all feature presentations will be realistic indie flicks. Inception is contradictory and ridiculous; it’s one of the most entertaining and bold films I’ve seen in years.

Real Estate

There are too many musical artists working their buns off around the globe. Real Estate is one that you should pay attention to. These American gents are one of my new favourite bands. Their 2011 album Days is a solid work of art with lush guitars, simple and catchy melodies, great lyrics and some hazy guitar jams that perfectly accompany a summer stroll. Imagine a contemporary Byrds trading folk country for sensible indie pop. “Green Aisles” and “It’s Real” are highly rated on Pitchfork but first listen to guitar-ridden “Out of Tune” and “Wonder Years”, where ‘60s meets ‘90s. 

Bassist looks like all the members of Sloan put together

PC©

I give PC the Most Improved Brand Award. It feels like overnight we have all fallen surrender to the various items at Loblaw’s that bear that familiar logo. PC is like the Yamaha and Bic of the food industry but more versatile. Where Yamaha prides itself on the motorcycles and pianos while Bic promotes its pens and lighters, PC can boast the greatest kettle popcorn AND frozen meat lasagna. Smartfood, your reign is through. Check out the excellent ice cream, cream sauces, blood orange soda and let's give it up to Decadent cookies for continuing to be a great snack (after all these years)

DO IT

Loblaws' Pre-Made Salads

Eat your greens, fool!

In this day in age where we want to eat healthy but have little time and money, there are food items around us that can make our lives easier. One of these items are the pre-made salads at Loblaws, which are surprisingly very good. To the skeptics, you can add a few more of your preferred vegetables to the mix; to the cheapos, go to the grocery store in the morning and buy the forgotten (but still decent) salads for 50% off. And finally to the adventurers: use the complimentary honey dijon dressing on the Caeser salad. Believe my words.

Chuck Klosterman

"McDonald's is the last universal place in America. I am surrounded by every aspect of society: angst-ridden teenagers, three boring businessmen, one depressed drunk guy and the most beautiful woman I've seen since May of 1993."

The existence of a man like Chuck Klosterman makes me feel normal that growing up I was equally into the sports and arts column in the Ottawa Citizen. I’m confident there’s no journalist other than Chuck who can talk on lengths about the Bulls/Celtics rivalry and offer profound insight into the depressive states of Billy Joel. This guy is the ultimate pop culture auteur, and he’s f*cking hilarious.  Topics in his books and magazine columns range from the communist playing of Steve Nash to the subculture of cover bands to the evils of reality television. All Hail Chuck!

My Morning Jacket

I gravitate towards bands that evolve their sound, so long as it remains bitchin' and dynamic. In this category the contemporary heavyweights are Radiohead, The White Stripes (RIP), Wilco, Arcade Fire and hundreds of cool bands that I don’t know yet. My Morning Jacket doesn’t just branch out and experiment sonically, they’re not afraid to be brave and produce some weird and challenging sounds without compromising their integrity.  Bandleader Jim James’ voice can be soothing and melodic and then break out into an emulation of a high pitched, yowling guitar. I love when rock groups don’t take themselves too seriously. 

We're gonna rock, rock, rock

BQM: Toronto's Finest Poutine

My mind says yet but my blood and heart say no

Growing up in Ottawa one is spoiled when it comes to poutine; great variations of our favourite heartburn-inducing snack exist all around the city. Nearby in Montreal there’s La Belle Province that serves a terrific and dirty poutine, a perfect item before and after the bar. Torontonians are thrilled that Canada’s dish is finally erupting in the big city, but most places are mediocre, especially Poutini’s which specializes in it. Go to BQM where the poutine is simple and great: mildly thick and flavorful gravy that melts cheese curds on top of thinly cut and crispy fries.  It’s not magic.

Drive

Drive is not only one of the coolest films you’ll see from 2011 but one of the coolest films you’ll see in your lifetime. This is for true film enthusiasts, not for the “I’ll just see what’s playing at the Silvercity” type of film-goer. With minimal dialogue and straight forward plotline, this is a director’s masterpiece with cool shots throughout, swift and brutal violence, a soundtrack that sounds like it’s from the 80s and a surprisingly excellent performance by funnyman Albert Brooks as a slick gangster.  This will be a cult classic, just watch. In the meantime, download the soundtrack.

Don't mess with Cornwall