In spite of the naysayers, pessimists and self-proclaimed enemies of commercialized holidays, the winter holiday season truly is the “most wonderful time of the year” for many reasons. However, the recent consumerism and secularism of Western society has challenged its relevance. Christianity is no longer as dominant, the spectrum of year-end celebrations has become wider and December is more closely associated with presents, rather than celebration.

Upset of the year:


Women’s basketball upsetting number-one ranked Regina


On March 17, 2012, the Dinos women’s basketball team entered the CIS championships as the lowest-ranked seed in the entire tournament, which meant that in the first quarterfinal match they would be playing against the top-seeded team. The Dinos squared off against the University of Regina Cougars, a squad that had defeated them three times earlier in the season. 


With 2012 winding down and Oscar-bait season in full bloom, now is the perfect time to preview the films of 2013. These are the most noteworthy films due to be released in the first half of next year — some look promising and some really don’t.


In January, the much anticipated Gangster Squad will be released — it was originally scheduled to be out in September 2012. There’s a scene in the movie that has gangsters shooting up a movie theatre, so the release date was pushed back after the Aurora massacre. 


Globe Cinema, one of Calgary’s two remaining arthouse movie theatres, has recently seen a change in management. Landmark Cinemas, the former operators of the Globe, handed operations to Riley’s Reproductions and Printing, the company that owns the building, on Nov. 30.


The Globe Cinema was originally opened in 1965 under the name Towne Cinema. In addition to screening films, it also plays host to a variety of festivals, including the popular Calgary International Film Festival.


When I think back on 2012, one film comes to mind instantly: The Scorpion King 3: Battle for 
Redemption. Yes, the direct-to-video sequel to The Rock’s The Scorpion King was the movie I enjoyed the most this year. Although it wasn’t the best film, it was definitely the most fun. If you like B-movies — ones with an over-the-top performance from Billy Zane and a leading role from Calgary’s own Victor Webster — you must watch this movie.


There were a lot of spectacular blockbusters this year, including the underappreciated The Dark Knight Rises, the criminally underrated Dredd and James Bond’s triumphant return in Skyfall.

The banning of generic OxyContin, also known as oxycodone or Oxy, a prescribed and controlled medical opiate, in Ontario, Saskatchewan and the Atlantic provinces this past March by their provincial governments is being correlated by addictions services and opiate users to a possible rise of heroin’s presence on the streets. Discussions concerning the negative implications of removing the drug are also ongoing in other provinces as health ministers push for a ban of OxyContin as a painkiller. 


For students, finding an affordable and safe place to live in Calgary can be a challenge, and for senior citizens, carrying out household maintenance tasks can be difficult. The Calgary HomeShare program was initiated to address both these issues. 


The University of Calgary Campus Food Bank can act as a safety net for those in need at the U of C. During the holiday season, the CFB will be distributing special food hampers to those who struggle to afford a holiday meal. 


According to CFB co-coordinator and third-year biology student Gayathri Wewala, the hamper program is an exciting addition to the regular services that the CFB has to offer.