Monkey House is the brainchild of Don Breithaupt, a songwriter/producer for many artists but probably most well known for writing the theme song to an actually surprisingly good Canadian cartoon show called 6teen. The band happens to be celebrating their 20th year of existence, now with their newest record Headquarters, and seems to have a small cult following. They draw frequent comparisons to Steely Dan, which, judging from the fact that Breithaupt has written an entire book about one of Steely Dan’s albums, seems pretty apt.

To boil it down, Monkey House is an adult contemporary band that blends together elements from jazz fusion, pop, and R&B into a slick amalgamation. The musicians are no doubt really talented—the band is super-tight, with some excellent solos and great musicianship across the board that comes through in tasteful sections of more obvious musical sophistication against the background of lounge-y pop music. What kills it for me a lot of the time is the vocalist. Without any liner notes to look at, I’m unsure if it’s Breithaupt taking on those duties or a hired gun, but whoever it is—while clearly technically skilled—has this very sterilized voice that lacks any energy and adds a lot of cheese to the album that wouldn’t have been there otherwise. This would be a pretty ripping jazz-fusion band akin to the Yellowjackets or even Weather Report without the vocals, and that would probably be an improvement.

Which isn’t to say that this album is bad; it just feels like its overblown Broadway musical sound has a pretty small audience. And when it does work, it’s in spite of the cheese factor, and not because of it. They only go far enough with it on two tracks: “You On the Brain,” which has spoken vocals like 90s weirdo alternative band Cake mixed with DJ scratching, solo breaks, and haunted house ghost backups; and ”Second Avenue Subway,” whose funky bossa feel wouldn’t be out of place on the soundtrack to recent musical sensation In the Heights. These tunes work because they embrace their eccentricities fully and use their hokey vocalist to sound like they actually belong on the soundtrack to a musical. So they end up being catchy, unique, and overblown songs in the best way possible.  But most of the other songs are stuck in a weird midpoint between interesting Steely-Dan-jazz-fusion and sterile wedding-band-kitsch, which usually ends up with the scales tipping pretty hard to the latter side. People who are fans of Monkey House already will probably love this, as will theatrical musical aficionados. But there just isn’t much here for the rest of us, unfortunately.

Track Listing:

01. Checkpoint Charlie

02. Where’s Mantis Evar?

03. Faith in the Middle

04. Revolver

05. You on the Brain

06. The Thinking Man’s Me

07. I Could Do Without the Moonlight

08. Too Much, Too Much

09. December Girls

10. Right About Now

11. Lebanon

12. The Man You Love To Hate

13. Emily Einstein

14. Second Avenue Subway

Surely attempting to cash in on that whole vampire craze that seems to have latched on to Hollywood these days, Dark Shadows, thankfully, is more of a jab at the genre—vampire films are becoming their own genre, aren’t they?—than it is a part of it. Instead of being a story steeped in pseudo-eroticism, terror, or teenage drama, Dark Shadows has the rather banal plot of a vampire trying to save the family fish business. Obviously, there is more to it, but that plot–content juxtaposition illustrates the sort of depth of storytelling we’re dealing with in Dark Shadows, which unfortunately isn’t much.

The real value of this movie is in the characters. Johnny Depp, as always, is able to mould a character into his own, and he does so with his portrayal of the Nixon-era vampire Barnabas. As with most films involving some manner of temporal displacement—because such paradoxes are becoming commonplace these days—the whole “fish out of water” device is often used by Depp’s Barnabas, to rather hilarious results. Whether commenting on and complimenting a woman’s childbearing hips or being freaked out by a 1970s era television, Depp always manages to be the comedic outsider in Dark Shadows, and his various tongue-in-cheek moments, as well as those shared with his family estate’s caretaker (played by Jackie Earle Haley), are the highlights of the film. Equally, Eva Green seems to have a lot of fun with her role as the maniacal witch Angelique Bouchard, playing a great foil to Depp’s Nosferatu-esque Barnabas. She’s all kinds of crazy, but looks great in the process.

As far as the film itself, it—as expected—radiates vintage Burton. From the sublime set design to the suburban critique, Dark Shadows has all those familiar trappings that fans have come to expect from Tim Burton, as he collaborates, yet again, not only with his wife, Helena Bonham Carter, and with Johnny Depp, but with other production regulars such as production designer Rick Heinrichs, costume designer Colleen Atwood, and composer Danny Elfman. What results is a highly stylized and visually striking film with great character moments, but very little plot beyond devices to beef up the previously mentioned notions. In this regard, Dark Shadows is a bit of a disappointment. But if you aren’t a stickler for such points of production, it will probably win you over with its witty charm, oddball antics, and sublime character.

This wouldn’t be a bad thing if the Transformers films were particularly good, but they—like Battleship—are not. In the case of Battleship, the viewing public have sadly been handed something we’ve already seen countless times, just not as good. This time around a routine naval war games exercise is interrupted when a formation of alien spaceships land at sea, engulfing the Hawaiian Islands in a mysterious force field and leaving but a small fleet of three ships to stop the aliens’ logically maniacal plans from being hatched. While alien invasion films may be common summer blockbuster/popcorn fare, that doesn’t necessarily mean they have to be so bad—this month’s record-breaking The Avengers proved quite the opposite in fact. But Battleship is simply a poorly executed film full of such hokey dialogue and campy humour that not even its over-the-top, seizure-inducing action sequences could save it.

This is surprising coming from a film by Peter Berg, who has developed a solid reputation as a director—as well as writer and actor—who has in the past been able to strike the balance between exposition and character quite flawlessly, to outstanding results, such as with Friday Night Lights (2004) and Hancock (2008). Sadly, that balance is completely absent in this film—there are plenty of explosions, mind you, but very little else.

Even the jokes are bad in this movie, as they are completely devoid of wit and are campy at best. And the campiness isn’t even solely reserved for the lighter side of things—the various nods to the classic board game, when they appear in all seriousness, are actually laughable, and not in a good way (at least not in a good way for the filmmakers). Even the commandeering of the titular battleship in the final act—while meant to be a warm-hearted nod to naval veterans—comes off as silly when it is meant to be serious. Arguably, there are more moments to laugh at than laugh with in Battleship.

On the acting side, there’s very little going on. Liam Neeson is completely wasted as the bad-ass naval admiral, as he is featured for little more than a handful of minutes the whole film. Granted, one of those minutes probably features the most entertaining line of dialogue in the entire film, but sadly Neeson is totally under-utilized. Equally, Rihanna’s film debut is completely lacklustre, as she does little more than play an analogue of the generic rough-neck female that’s been popping up in military squads on cellulite since Aliens. The only bit that her rendition seems to have added to this prototypical character is the fact that her father may or may not have been a crazy person, based on the apparent lectures on the inevitable alien conquest of the planet earth that he gave to his children when they were at a young age. And then there’s Taylor Kitsch, who does indeed prove himself as a credible action star in Battleship and is able to carry this film in that regard. But beyond that, the best compliment that can be paid to Kitsch in this film is that he’s a slightly less annoying version of Shia LeBeouf in Transformers.

All in all, Battleship is bit of a waste. It is a basic regurgitation of a film you’ve probably seen several times already, offering plenty of action and bombs going off, but really very little else. If you’re in the mood this weekend to see a blockbuster sci-fi alien invasion film, you’d definitely be better off checking The Avengers for a second time instead, as it does everything Battleship tries to do, except several times better . . . with the exception of being at sea, of course. Battleship at least has that much going for itself.

Playing music together since 2006, The Furs (who consist of husband-and-wife team Dan Boeckner and Alexei Perry) were quickly signed to Sub Pop records where they made quite an impression on the indie rock scene.

Without news of whether this breakup was due in part to their marriage, The Furs announced on Facebook their plans to end their six-year project and indicated gratitude to their fans:

With a heavy heart the time has come to let all of you know that Handsome Furs are no more.

Photo credit Herman Koeslag. Left to right: Johnny Fay, Mayor Harry Hughes, Ward Councilors ­ Dwight Evans, Kelly Meyer and John Crawford

From a press release, May 17, 2012, Indoor Recess:

The Tragically Hip are returning to their infamous Canada Day stomping grounds this July 1st with an epic festival show at Burl’s Creek, just minutes north of Barrie.

To celebrate, today (May 17 2012) Oro-Medonte Mayor Harry Hughes accompanied by Councillors presented The Tragically Hip with a Canadian Flag to commemorate The Tragically Hip Day on July 1st, 2012! The Hip’s Johnny Fay was on hand for the ceremony that took place on the Burl’s Creek festival grounds.  Also on hand for the event were MP Bruce Stanton, MPP Garfield Dunlop, Ward Councillors John Crawford, Dwight Evans, Kelly Meyer and President of the Oro-Medonte Chamber of Commerce David Dahinten.

“The show in Burl’s Creek on Canada Day is like coming home for a lot of us,” commented Johnny Fay. “We’ve got great memories of shows up this way and we know that our fans love coming to see us in the great outdoors. We’re happy to be celebrating July 1st here with everyone.”

Burl’s Creek boasts 350 acres of beautiful park land that is sure to be the envy of this year’s Canada Day celebrations across the country. Many people are making a weekend of it, with camping available right on site.    After the ceremony Mayor Harry Hughes said ŒIt’s fitting to have Canada’s own The Tragically Hip perform here on Canada Day. Burl’s Creek is the perfect setting for what is sure to be a great day for the community and the people visiting for the festival.”

The Tragically Hip have two back-to-back shows this upcoming Canada Day weekend. June 30 they will be at The Commons at Butler’s Barracks in historic Niagara-on-the- Lake and July 1 at Burl’s Creek. Joining The Tragically Hip for both shows will be Death Cab for Cutie, The New Pornographers (featuring A.C. Newman, Neko Case, John Collins, Kurt Dahle, Todd Fancey, Blaine Thurier, and Kathryn Calder), and The Rural Alberta Advantage.

Shaw Media is thrilled to announce today the renewal of its number one Food Network Canada series, Top Chef Canada.  Since the launch of season one in April, 2011, the Canadian adaptation of the international smash hit has consistently been Food Network’s top ranked series.  A national casting call for Canada’s next Top Chef has begun, with applications available at www.topchefcanada.ca.  The deadline for submitting applications is June 19, 2012.

The country’s best and brightest up-and-coming culinary stars, aged 19 years and older, are encouraged to visit www.topchefcanada.ca to download the application form.  In addition to the online form, applicants must create a short video of themselves in action, showing off their cooking ability and on-camera personality. Casting is currently open and runs until June 19, 2012.

Staying true to the original show format, Top Chef Canada challenges competitors’ culinary skills to see who can cut it as Canada’s Top Chef, taking home the grand prize including $100,000.  The intensity builds each week as the competitors vie for their shot at stardom and avoid elimination.  Shaw Media will continue to work with Canadian production powerhouse, Insight Productions, for the third season, which will premiere in 2013 exclusively on Food Network Canada.

For those who may need to catch up on the current season of Top Chef Canada, tune in on May 21 to a Victoria Day Top Chef Canada marathon of the first 10 episodes back to back starting at 12 p.m. ET followed by the premiere of episode 11 at 10 p.m. ET/PT. Viewers can continue watching the second season of Top Chef Canada on Food Network Canada Mondays at 10 p.m. ET PT.  Canada’s second Top Chef will be crowned in the special 90-minute season finale airing Monday, June 4 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on Food Network Canada.

Where Montreal-based three-piece Parlovr (pronounced “parlour”) gives the genre a shot in the arm is with its abrasiveness. It’s not that their newest record Kook Soul is particularly alienating—in fact, a lot of its noise is the same reverb-heavy stuff we’ve been getting from the genre for years—but it has a certain punkish attitude throughout. Fuzz bass, quirky vocal asides, piano hammering, and a singer that’s emotional and spastic without being overbearing all connect to form this warm but heavily distorted sound. It’s akin to something like Weezer’s Pinkerton, where the melodies are excellent by themselves, but having them covered in a layer of unique grime is what makes them truly transcendent.

I wouldn’t say the album is quite as good as that classic, but it is quite solid. There are some really well-developed hooks here, songs like “Just Marriage,” “Amaze-Me-Jane,” and the wonderfully gritty “General Hell (True Love Fades)” bounce around with nervous, manic energy. “Holding on to Something” sounds like a stripped-down, less serious Arcade Fire B-side; “Married on a Sunday” sounds like a New Wave parody, really showcasing some of the quirkiness and humour of the band; and “You Only Want It ’Cause Your Lonely,” works amazingly as the album’s sole ballad, lazy and relaxed but elegantly builds to a climax.

The record only falters in one respect—filler. None of the songs on the album are bad, but three or four of them simply aren’t as memorable or hooky as the rest—and it’s saved by the fact that the whole thing is just over a half an hour anyways. In fact, that short length is what makes the album demand repeated listens. It’s so short that by the time it’s over, you’re ready to put it right back on again. Kook Soul is an excellent, brisk, energetic record, and might just be the one to send Parlovr up to the higher level of popularity that they definitely deserve.

Track Listing:

01. Do You Remember?

02. Just Marriage

03. Holding on to Something

04. Now That You’re Gone

05. Married on A Sunday

06. You Only Want It ’Cause Your Lonely

07. 4000

08. Fisticuffs & Affidavits

09. Amaze-Me-Jane

10. General Hell (True Love Fades)

11. Bad Faith

12. It Only Happens to the Ones in Love

Housed in the largest touring tent in the world, Odysseo is a show that is as elegant as it is magical. Combining elements of lights, music, rotating back drops, water, and of course superior horsemanship and human artistry, Cavalia creates a fantastical environment that transports the spectator to another world where the impossible becomes possible.

Starring 61 horses (stallions and geldings; there are no mares in the show) and over 20 human performers from all over the world, Odysseo showcases the most spectacular feats from both man and beast. From trick riding, vaulting, haute école, and pas de deux from the horses to extreme tumbling, pole ballet, Poweriser jumping tricks, and what I can only call aerial hoop dancing, the performers pull out all the stops for a show that keeps you on the edge of your seat.

The most amazing spectacle of the night came in the first twenty minutes when a group of ten plus men ran out on stage and performed some of the greatest acts of human agility I have ever seen. Back flips. Front flips. Side flips. Multiple flipping in place. I have seen all of this before but never to the speed, height, and even pure intensity that these performers were able to execute. It was almost as if the ground beneath them had transformed into an extremely large trampoline that catapulted these acrobats to previously unattainable heights and speed. Simply jaw-dropping.

The set design, too, deserves a few words. Though simplistic in form, the rotating backdrop gave the feeling that the set was in motion, while the lights brought out different textures of the landscape to transform the stage from a lush grassy field to the barren dessert and back.

Although Odysseo is the newest show from Cavalia, they are in no way inexperienced in wowing audiences, having been created by Normand Latourelle, a co-founder and former executive vice president of world-famous Cirque du Soleil who has been wowing audiences with exquisite displays of agility since 1985. Cavalia began introducing horses as its mainstage in their first production Cavalia: A Magical Encounter Between Human and Horse and has continued to produce shows that are equally human and equine.

Though my knowledge on horses and behaviours is slim, Odysseo still impresses and fills the stage with wonderment. This is a great show for all members of the family and one that will not be soon forgotten.

Click here for more info. and to buy tickets to Odysseo.

The Canadian Cinema Editors 2012 Awards by Deluxe is celebrating its second year with a sold out event on May 17, 2012 at the Capitol Event Theatre.  With the editor nominees representing the best in Canadian film and television, the C.C.E. will present awards with the help of actors from some of the work represented.  Bomb Girls John Ralston, Karen Waddell and Sebastian Pigott, Rookie Blue‘s Gregory Smith and Degrassi’s Jordan Todsey and Munro Chambers will join host Mark Sanders, Canada AM’s esteemed film critic Richard Crouse and Canadian Society of Cinematograph’s Susan Saranchuk as presenters.

John Ralston portrayed Pastor Vernon Rowley in the mini-series Bomb Girls and has a long list of notable credits including Life with Derek, Strange Days at Blake Holsey High, Good God, Flash Gordon and Living in your Car.   He has appeared in a number of television productions, among them The Listener, PSI Factor, La Femme Nikita, Highlander: The Raven, Earth: Final Conflict, Queer as Folk, and Mutant X. He has also acted in the movies Turn It Up, Exit Wounds, and Bar Life.

Sebastian Pigott was outstanding as the philandering James Dunn on Global’s hit series Bomb Girls, which returns for its second season in fall, 2012. Pigott first came to prominence as a finalist on Canadian Idol and quickly followed that with his Gemini nominated role as Kai on the international hit show Being Erica. His credits in film include Saw 3D, Small Town Murder Songs, and Still Seas, and numerous TV series including Flashpoint, Covert Affairs, Heartland, Haven, The Bridge,Murdoch Mysteriesand Deadliest Sea.  He is also a member of The Pigott Brothers who have a new album called The Age of Peace.

Gregory Smith can most recently be seen starring as Dov Epstein in the ABC/Global television series Rookie Blue.  Smith has accomplished a lot in his 27 years, as an actor, he has starred in 25 feature films, including The Patriot opposite Mel Gibson and Heath Ledger; Small Soldiers opposite Kirsten Dunst, produced by Steven Spielberg and Dream House opposite Daniel Craig. Additionally, he has starred in over 100 episodes of television, most notably as the protagonist in The WB’s hit series Everwood which aired for four seasons.

Jordan “Jordy” Todosey is a Canadian actress who has had many television roles, but her most notable role is as Adam Torres, a female to male transgender, on Degrassi.  Todosey won a Gemini Award in 2011, for best performance in a children’s or youth program or series for her Degrassi role.  Her other credits include Life with Derek, the spin-off movie Vacation with Derek, Flashpoint, The Pacifier, The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio, Santa Baby and Secrets of Eden.

Munro Skylear Chambers has been acting since he was 7 and is best known for his character, Eli Goldsworthy on Degrassi and for his role on The Latest Buzz, as Wilder. He then starred in a spin off called Meet The Wilders‘ (that wasn’t picked up). He was also in Murder in the Hamptons and Beethoven’s Christmas Adventure.

Richard Crouse is the regular film critic for CTV’s Canada AM and the 24 hour news source CTV’s News Channel. In 2011 he hosted In Short, a series of eight hour long show showcasing BravoFact’s best short films. He was the host of Reel to Real, Canada’s longest running television show about movies, from 1998 to 2008 and is a frequent guest on many
national Canadian radio and television shows.

Visit the website for a complete list of award categories and nominees.

Shaw Media has confirmed an agreement with ITV Studios Global Entertainment to produce the first Canadian edition of ITV Studios’ hit format May The Best House Win, and has joined forces with Canadian production company Proper Television on the production of the series. May The Best House Win has had massive success in the UK thanks to the colourful homeowners who have no qualms boasting about their homes, and rating the homes of others. Proud homeowners are currently being cast across Southern Ontario, with more information available here. May The Best House Win is slated to premiere on HGTV Canada in Fall 2012.

“May The Best House Win has achieved great success in the UK and our partnership with ITV Studios Global Entertainment and Proper Television enables us to bring the first-ever Canadian edition of this fantastic series to our viewers,” said Barbara Williams, Senior Vice President of Content, Shaw Media. “HGTV is exploring new territory through this format, adding more character-driven content to our already diverse slate of highly entertaining home-related hits.”

“Proper Television excels at showcasing Canadian stories and now we put that focus on Canadian homes,” says Guy O’Sullivan, President, Proper Television. “May the Best House Win is a true peer review show where only the best house will win.”

Tobi de Graaff, Director Global Television Distribution, ITV Studios Global Entertainment said: “May The Best House Win is a returning hit in the UK and has been commissioned by countries across Europe. We’re delighted that Shaw Media and Proper Television are giving Canadian viewers the opportunity to enjoy the series and look forward to seeing some beautiful Canadian homes!”

Based on ITV Studios’ popular format, each episode of May The Best House Win features four competitive homeowners who think that their pad is the place to be. After touring each other’s homes with a critical eye the participants give each home a grade, and the homeowner with the highest score wins not only the pride but the $1000 prize. Whether it’s a condo or a castle, these house-proud Canadians will fight for the right to call their home the best. Distributed by ITV Studios Global Entertainment, May The Best House Win is produced in the UK, Germany, Spain and Belgium.

May The Best House Win is currently casting in and around Southern Ontario. For further information about appearing on the show click here.