CD Review
Artist: Little Boots
Title: Hands
Label: Sixsevennine
Released: March 2, 2010
Genre: Electro-Pop

Defendor

Director: Peter Stebbings

Stars: Woody Harrelson, Sandra Oh

Genre: Drama

Studio: Alliance Films

Audience Suitability: PG

Running Time: 102 Minutes

Release Date: Feb. 4, 2010

By Robert Waldman

Superheroes have been around for a long time. Trust Alliance Films to turn this genre on its head with Defendor. Comic book fans appreciate seeing their favourite literary crime fighters on the silver screen. Able to capitalize on this trend is director Peter Stebbings who, in an impressive debut, also co-wrote Defendor. Shot in Toronto, this small film takes a light hearted look at the life of your not so typical crime fighter.

Out to rid the world of all things bad is Arthur Poppington. Versatile actor Woody Harrelson (2012) continues his hot streak of taking on complex characters. Off the wall Arthur has a screw or two loose in the brains department. By day, this mild man gets by as a blue collar worker but when off duty he dons the super hero mantle and becomes Defendor.

Where he lives, Defendor sees scores of bad things happening. Not the brightest person on the planet, Defendor tries to strike fear in the hearts of local gangsters by improvising. Criminals and police officials together are mesmerized by this man’s approach to meting out justice. Audiences too will be both fascinated and highly amused at the lengths this man will go to try to make the streets safer.

Concert Review
Artist: Cursive and Alkaline Trio
Venue: Pheonix Concert Theatre
City: Toronto
Date: March 6, 2010



Reviewed By: Bobbie Tubbs (Toronto)

It was only a week ago that I found out that Cursive would be rolling through Toronto with Alkaline Trio this past Saturday, and what a happy surprise it was as I had missed Cursive the previous two times they came to town.

Cursive (members are Tim Kasher, Matt Maginn, Steve Pederson - all formerly of Slowdown Virginia - and drummer Clint Schnase) formed in 1995 and, needless to say, they have been constantly evolving as a band since they released their debut album Such Blinding Stars for Starving Eyes in 1997. They toured in support of the album only to break up in 1998. The band formed again in 1999, put out two other albums, and added a cello player in 2001 (who later left the band). In 2003 they released their fourth album, The Ugly Organ (arguably the band's best release ever), and they debuted a most welcome horn section for their Happy Hollow release in 2006. Now they are on the road in support of their March 2009 release, Mama, I’m Swollen.

I ended up getting a ticket for $28 at the door (considering the opening band couldn’t get across the border, and I only wanted to see Cursive - the price seemed steep). But, happy to finally see one of my favorite bands, I headed to the Phoenix Concert Theatre. The venue was packed with a variety of people and ages, from old punk rock guys who jammed to Alkaline Trio eight years ago to the kids that only heard their newest single on the radio a few weeks ago. The crowd was very energetic and you could tell most people were there for one thing, and that was Alkaline Trio.