November 2009
2 posts
Review: Janet Jackson "Number Ones"
Janet Jackson “Number Ones” Long overdue look back at an incredible career
Long overdue, “Number Ones” is Janet Jackson’s first greatest hits album since “Design of a Decade 1986/1996”, which was released in 1995. Record label politics made me wonder if a comprehensive collection of Janet Jackson’s greatest hits would—or could—ever be...
Review: "Britney Spears: The Singles Collection"
Britney Spears: The Singles Collection Great music; largely unnecessary collection
In 2004, when Britney Spears released her first greatest hits collection, Greatest Hits: My Prerogative, many scoffed. Why, after only four studio albums, would Britney release a greatest hits record? However, I defended her. Love her or loathe her, few artists have churned out hit after hit quite like Britney,...
September 2009
1 post
Book Review: "How To Be A Movie Star: Elizabeth...
How To Be A Movie Star: Elizabeth Taylor In Hollywood by William J. Mann William J. Mann’s excellent new Elizabeth Taylor biography, “How To Be A Movie Star: Elizabeth Taylor In Hollywood” is now available from Amazon and other booksellers! I was fortunate enough to be sent an advance copy of the book and I can assure all Elizabeth Taylor fans that this is an enthralling read...
July 2009
2 posts
Concert Review: Beyoncé's "I Am... Tour"
July 20, 2009 Molson Amphitheatre, Toronto
As the sun was setting Monday night at the Molson Amphitheatre, a true star lit up the night sky. The curtain had parted to reveal the silhouette of 27 year old superstar Beyoncé Knowles, standing in a signature Sasha Fierce pose. For what seemed like minutes the superstar soaked up the thunderous applause before beginning her set with the 2003 song that...
Reading to Write
I am desperately trying to hone my writing skills. I honestly think one of the best ways to do so is by reading. Being an English Rhetoric and Professional Writing major, I’ve read my share of great literature. Or at least I was supposed to, anyway. Now I’m finding it imperative that I read the as many of the “greatest books ever written” in order to become a better...
June 2009
5 posts
Michael Jackson: Never Can Say Goodbye
I’ve tried to write this blog several times now and just can’t quite seem to come up with the words to suggest how the death of Michael Jackson has impacted me. Mostly I feel emptiness and sadness for the man who I have adored since I was a kid. I’m saddened that one of the world’s greatest entertainers was taken from us so close to the beginning of his triumphant return to the stage in a 50...
Farrah Fawcett: A True Angel
Farrah Fawcett
Just moments ago the news broke that Farrah Fawcett has died at the age of 62 from cancer. My admiration of this woman doesn’t come from her iconic turn on “Charlie’s Angels” or even her other notable roles. Instead, it stems from her willingness to use her celebrity to bring awareness to anal cancer, a type of cancer that is rarely mentioned. When Fawcett...
Carol Burnett: Laughter & Reflection
Carol Burnett
In comedy, try as you might, sometimes the most meticulously prepared sketch can’t quite live up to the spontaneous, off-the-cuff humour that can seemingly creep up out of nowhere. That was often true on The Carol Burnett Show, when Burnett would “bump up the lights” and take questions from the audience. Sure, such sketches as “Went With the Wind” or...
The Tony Awards
This past weekend the Tony Awards honoured the best on Broadway this season. And what a remarkable season it was. Even with the economy doing so poorly, Broadway has never done better financially. Earlier this Spring I was lucky enough visit New York and see three shows (33 Variations, Exit the King and Blithe Spirit), each of which garnered at least one Tony nomination. Earlier I had planned to...
Diane Keaton: Unique Lives & Experiences
Diane Keaton, “Unique Lives & Experiences” April 21, 2009, Roy Thomson Hall, Toronto
In today’s world of celebrity obsession, it’s becoming increasingly rare to get to know the real person behind the celebrity facade. With their every movement analyzed and exploited, celebrities are desperately trying to retain a part of themselves that hasn’t appeared on TMZ. However, Diane...
May 2009
1 post
Long time, no blog
It’s been ages since I’ve posted here! Let’s face it, is anyone really all that surprised? Anyway, I will be posting a HUGE update soon on the following: Britney, NYC, Jane Fonda in “33 Variations,” Geoffrey Rush and Susan Sarandon in “Exit the King,” Angela Lansbury in “Blithe Spirit,” a taping of “Martha,” and talks with Mary...
November 2008
5 posts
Concert review: Madonna
Disenchantment with Madonna? Toronto, October 18, 2008
Photo courtesy of the NY Daily News.
I’ll never forget seeing Madonna live for the first time in 2004 on her Re-Invention Tour. There are certain things in your life that you never forget, and that evening was one of those experiences. When she emerged in a full on Yoga position, I was entranced: Just a few feet away from me was the...
The Affair of the Necklaces (and a Dress!)
Last Thursday I had the opportunity to visit the Royal Ontario Museum. It was my first visit to the museum in since I was a kid. I remember my parents taking me nearly ten years ago because there was an exhibit of Egyptian artifacts on display. This visit was just exciting and lavish: lots of diamonds, and even a dress owned and worn by the infamous last Queen of France: Marie Antoinette. I...
Concert review: Janet Jackson
Miss Jackson’s Still Nasty Toronto, September 28, 2008
Alright, I’m going to say it flat out before it becomes very apparent: This is going to be an extremely biased concert review.
I’ve been a fan of Janet Jackson since I was 11 or 12 years old and first heard the infectious “Together Again”—written for a friend who died of AIDS. Ever since then I’ve...
Book review: "Home" by Julie Andrews
Home Sweet Home (April 3, 2008)
When it was announced that Home, Julie Andrews’ much anticipated memoir would only cover until she began Mary Poppins, I was initially disappointed. But as I began delving into Home, I realized the detail she was able to afford her early years by doing so allowed a story to unravel that was absolutely absorbing; something that likely been comprised had Home...
My first blog entry. Sort of.
I signed up for a Tumblr blog a few months ago after becoming a fan of my friend Blayr’s blog here. I think they are simple, and a lot more fun than the others out there. However when I tried to log into my account this evening, it didn’t recognize my e-mail address. I have two e-mails, and neither of them worked when I tried to retrieve my password. Hmm…not sure what happened...