By John Lawless
Editor, the Gauntlet,Re: “Hope renewed,” Oct. 21, 2004, I agree with your editorialist on the value of periodic reflection, particularly in regards to public policy, but I strongly object to his assertion that “the only achievement the current [U.S.] government has made with its war [on terrorism] is drawing the ire of many Islamic third-world… Continue reading Bad stuff
Since its debut in 2007, Sled Island has captured the hearts of audiences across Canada. This captivation is the result of many distinct parts: the amazing venues, talented musicians and local art all play role in making the festival what it is. Yet the thing that rules most about Sled Island is its simplicity —… Continue reading Online Exclusive: Sled Island 2012 show reviews
By Amanda Hu
This year saw wide musical variability with its musical offerings from folky riffs to poppy licks. There were also a ton of new players on the scene, making some tight competition for established groups. 10. Lykke Li– Youth Novels Swedish cutie Lykke Li mixes delightful vocals with some familiar drum grooves– from producer and Peter… Continue reading Best in show – Music
By Ryan Pike
In recent years, most film biographies have followed a fairly tried-and-true formula: begin with a brief look at the subject’s childhood, then jump ahead to when their life got interesting, chronicling the subject’s rise, fall and death. The past several years have seen award-winning depictions of the lives of mathematician John Nash, business mogul Howard… Continue reading A Rose-coloured catastrophe
A band with strong roots in punk rock, odd literary references and revolutionary politics isn’t your typical performer at an Albertan folk festival. In fact, Winnipeg’s Weakerthans might fit in better on the annual Vans Warped Tour than the Calgary Folk Festival in Prince’s Island Park. Yet, the band was one of very few to… Continue reading Folk Fest: Weakerthans talk power
Few things are as great as a folk festival. When you get to attend these folk festivals for free it just sweetens the already saccharine-laced deal. After a hectic week of trying to arrange our media passes for the Gauntlet after they were already supposed to be in. I showed up at Prince’s Island Park… Continue reading Folk Fest Journals: Tired at the folk fest, not tired of the folk fest
By Jeff Kubik
Accused of a crime he didn’t commit. On the run from the law while fighting to uncover the truth. Sound familiar? Don’t fear, this movie is about a brand new kind of fugitive.Steven Spielberg’s Minority Report is a complex assortment of various genres; it’s a sci-fi, action, whodunit that explores the ethical implications of sacrifices… Continue reading Minority Report Report
Six-fifteen a.m. The sun drives a slow and steady spike through the morning sky. My eyes stretch out across this barren land, with its bony crust and rattling snakes as lethal as the journey I am about to board. I have entered a transient place where I fade into the surrounding landscape, beyond the tunnelled… Continue reading The day we hung Tom Skerritt:
For a limited showing, The General, directed by John Boorman (Deliverance, Hope and Glory, Excalibur) will find its first Calgary audience. Filled with tensions atypical for a crime movie, The General skilfully manipulates the audience into acceptance, even reverence of the morally lax, but likeably defiant protagonist. The black-and-white film stars Brendan Gleeson (Mel Gibson’s… Continue reading The General