Raise the Hammer
Slap Shot is a Bona-fide Classic
Slap Shot is a funny way to get reacquainted with the game of hockey and Paul Newman in his prime. Despite the film's age there's a real sense of timelessness to it, regardless of when it's set.
by Albert DeSantis
Published February 20, 2010 in Reviews (2 comments)
The Late Shift: Worth a Second Look
With the hullabaloo about the late night NBC Leno/Conan shuffle there is a feeling of déjà vu. Late night TV fans will probably remember this whole thing happened before in the early 1990s when Johnny Carson stepped down from the "The Tonight Show".
by Albert DeSantis
Published February 20, 2010 in Reviews (0 comments)
Review: Bistro Parisien
Excellent food, charming service, and attractive space conspire to make Bistro Parisien a uniformly delightful dining experience.
by Ryan McGreal
Published January 25, 2010 in Reviews (13 comments)
Blood Guts Bruises Cuts by The Dudes
Classic rock at its finest: hard without being aggressive, beautiful without being pretty, and so bristling with hooks that you can't help but get stuck on it.
by Ryan McGreal
Published December 04, 2009 in Reviews (2 comments)
Review: 'Islands Disappear' by Said the Whale
I defy anyone to listen to it and not come away feeling refreshed and even inspired by Said the Whale's youthful charm, optimism and energy.
by Ryan McGreal
Published October 08, 2009 in Reviews (0 comments)
The Fast Romantics: Self-Titled Album
Frankly, I'm astonished that no other band had already scooped up this band name, which immediately and unmistakeably evokes exactly those musical influences that the band works so hard to channel.
by Ryan McGreal
Published August 27, 2009 in Reviews (2 comments)
Assemble Head in Sunburst Sound: When Sweet Sleep Returns
The dynamic tension between the band's space rock tendencies and the tight song structures that bound those tendencies makes for a taught, energetic listen.
by Ryan McGreal
Published August 27, 2009 in Reviews (0 comments)
Cirque du Soleil: Alegria at Copps Coliseum
Alegria is a masterpiece of sweeping, operatic live music, interpretive dance, ballet, acrobatics, gymnastics, and stupefying feats of strength, coordination and timing.
by Ryan McGreal
Published July 30, 2009 in Reviews (3 comments)
Album Review: Hunting Ghosts (& Other Collected Shorts) by Library Voices
Library Voices bring tight, skillful musical chops to bear in putting together a more polished sound rich in crisp melodies, complex rythms and interesting chord progressions.
by Ryan McGreal
Published July 21, 2009 in Reviews (0 comments)
Album Review: Harsh Words by Little Foot Long Foot
Harsh Words is a great collection of unpretentious bluesy rockers that will add a much-needed dose of ass-kicking to your summer music tracklist.
by Ryan McGreal
Published June 02, 2009 in Reviews (0 comments)
Going Steady by Rah Rah
Rah Rah seethe with passion and intensity and sincerity, and their music correspondingly kicks all kinds of ass.
by Ryan McGreal
Published April 30, 2009 in Reviews (1 comment)
24-Hour Film Fest
With the glitz of high-tech effects out of the equation, this film festival comes down to simple storytelling, fine acting and solid film making skills.
by Amy Kenny
Published April 01, 2009 in Reviews (0 comments)
Book Review: Autophobia, by Brian Ladd (University of Chicago Press, 2009)
We who live in Hamilton know that the traffic-engineering view of the world dies hard. Ladd recognizes this reality. He does not rail against it; nor does he accept it.
by David Cohen
Published March 20, 2009 in Reviews (4 comments)
The Best of the Tobacco Chew Spit: Seven Overlooked Westerns
No man is complete without the Western film. And you have to hand it to the Western: in most cases you can guarantee what you're going to get.
by Matthew Van Allen
Published March 19, 2009 in Reviews (0 comments)
Think Globally Eat Locally: Tapestry Bistro
It's not health food, exactly, but sensible preparation techniques and imaginatively presented ingredients create a series of sensational taste experiences with every visit.
by Karen Burson
Published February 11, 2009 in Reviews (1 comment)
Album Review: Neveroddoreven by Theset
Theset treads the well-worn paths of Canadian alternative/power pop, sounding by turns like Our Lady Peace and Matthew Good Band, though they stir a more aggressive punk sensibility into the music.
by Ryan McGreal
Published February 11, 2009 in Reviews (0 comments)
Unjust Deserts, by Gar Alperovitz and Lew Daly
Unjust Deserts is an important, timely book, and its publication should ignite a far-ranging discussion about just what it means to earn wealth.
by Ryan McGreal
Published January 08, 2009 in Reviews (15 comments)
Fisher Delivers During Live Recording
There's no pretense here, just solid songwriting. In sickness and in health, Fisher delivers.
by Amy Kenny
Published November 04, 2008 in Reviews (0 comments)
Album Review: Jackson Square by Arkells
Hard-hitting, melodic, bluesy rock with crisp guitars, driving bass and bombastic drums: hot damn, these guys are good!
by Ryan McGreal
Published November 04, 2008 in Reviews (2 comments)
Three Movies and a Restaurant
Ben got to enjoy (or not) these little treats last week as he took some time off work.
by Ben Bull
Published November 04, 2008 in Reviews (0 comments)
Ubiquitous Synergy Seeker - Welding the C:/
The organic folk sensibility blends smoothly with the jagged electronic beats and samples to produce a surprisingly fresh hybrid.
by Ryan McGreal
Published June 05, 2008 in Reviews (1 comment)
The Diving Bell and the Melting Paraiso: Two Reviews and a Bridge
Cerebral misadventure meets cerebral faux-krautrock.
by Mark Fenton
Published April 30, 2008 in Reviews (0 comments)
Urban Meltdown
In his new book, Clive Doucet argues that we have the knowledge and public will to address environmental issues. The problem is our politics.
by Bob Wood
Published February 14, 2008 in Reviews (3 comments)
The Shock Doctrine, by Naomi Klein
Powerful elites leverage "shock" events to catch people off guard and then implement unpopular economic policies to their benefit and the detriment of local communities.
by Ted Mitchell
Published November 08, 2007 in Reviews (13 comments)
Summer Reading Revisited
Ben reviews three books: Marilyn Meyers' Through Fire and Sea, John King's Headhunters, and Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman's Long Way Round.
by Ben Bull
Published September 09, 2007 in Reviews (2 comments)
Why Ives?
Jeffrey Stewart responds to Mark Fenton's review of Charles Ives' Symphony No. 4
by Jeffrey Stewart
Published June 27, 2007 in Reviews (1 comment)
Charles Ives, Symphony No. 4
There is in Ives' music a man who holds sacred all the values of the Union, and at the same time a man who wants to subvert it all.
by Mark Fenton
Published June 07, 2007 in Reviews (1 comment)
The Coming Economic Collapse
An economist shares ways to profit from the coming economic collapse he believes will be triggered by declining global oil production.
by Trey Shaughnessy
Published April 30, 2007 in Reviews (13 comments)
The Good The Bad And The Queen
Matt reviews the Self-titled album and the live show (The Kool House, March 11, 2007).
by Matthew Van Allen
Published April 10, 2007 in Reviews (0 comments)
Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan (2006)
Whether you're laughing or choking at Borat's dialogue, some sort of a reaction is coming out of you!
by Matthew Van Allen
Published April 10, 2007 in Reviews (1 comment)
Patrick Watson: Close to Paradise
Patrick Watson's music is so rich, so substantial, so very sensual that it fairly begs to be compared to fine wine or hearty, Mediterranean cuisine.
by Ryan McGreal
Published March 19, 2007 in Reviews (2 comments)
Leonard Cohen: I'm Your Man (2005)
More an homage than a biography, I'm Your Man is essential if you're a Cohen fan, but is probably not the best place to start.
by Matthew Van Allen
Published February 26, 2007 in Reviews (0 comments)
Sky Dragon Centre
Sky Dragon is one of the most valuable 'artistic' hangout areas this city has to offer. I can think of no better place to deliver one's message.
by Matthew Van Allen
Published February 26, 2007 in Reviews (0 comments)
Pan's Labyrinth (2006)
Guillermo del Toro's world is the world of child - with hands ready to cover eyes and all.
by Matthew Van Allen
Published February 09, 2007 in Reviews (1 comment)
The Trouble With Diversity
America is currently obsessed with promoting diversity at the expense of, and as a diversion to, the fact of massive and growing economic inequality.
by Ted Mitchell
Published January 24, 2007 in Reviews (0 comments)
I'm Gretzky, You're Gretzky
Part dystopian satire, part romance, this book made me laugh out loud.
by Ryan McGreal
Published January 24, 2007 in Reviews (1 comment)
The Hanging of Angelique
Afua Cooper's thorough research is matched by her amazing writing, which puts the story together in a perfect timeline that keeps the reader wanting to know what happened next.
by Trey Shaughnessy
Published January 10, 2007 in Reviews (1 comment)
The Post-Petroleum Survival Guide and Cookbook
Sustainability, permaculture, and the novel idea that living with less stuff is actually a good thing.
by Ryan McGreal
Published January 10, 2007 in Reviews (7 comments)
The Weather Makers
Tim Flannery's sweeping study on climate change is an absolutely essential read if you want to understand the 21st century's most pressing challenge.
by Ryan McGreal
Published January 10, 2007 in Reviews (0 comments)
Vice Guide to Travel (2006)
The Vice Guide to Travel is so refreshingly good that I feel like I'm catching up with a college ally who has matured past fourth year.
by Matthew Van Allen
Published January 10, 2007 in Reviews (0 comments)
Jackass Number 2
Please don't think Matt's a jackass because he reviewed this movie.
by Matthew Van Allen
Published January 10, 2007 in Reviews (1 comment)
Better Off: Flipping the Switch on Technology
In our technology-obsessed culture, too much is almost enough. How much do we really need?
by Ryan McGreal
Published December 13, 2006 in Reviews (3 comments)
Art School Confidential and An Inconvenient Truth
Matt Van Allen reviews a new rental about greed, envy, rejection, acceptance, and love, and also a film about art school.
by Matthew Van Allen
Published December 13, 2006 in Reviews (0 comments)
The Proposition (2005)
This gritty period piece explores the slavery and colonization of Australia's aboriginal people while hewing to the form of the great western.
by Matthew Van Allen
Published November 23, 2006 in Reviews (0 comments)
The Notorious Bettie Page (2005)
Despite some pulled punches, Mary Harron's comic-inspired biopic captures the naïve yet sultry mystery of the notorious pin-up model.
by Matthew Van Allen
Published November 08, 2006 in Reviews (0 comments)
New Hamilton Spectator Format
I'm used to getting something with substance on the front page. Now, just when a story seems to be getting somewhere , it ends with no insight or further depth.
by Jason Leach
Published October 20, 2006 in Reviews (12 comments)
Peak Oil Paradigm Shift: The Urgent Need for a Sustainable Energy Model
Instead of a doomsday scenario, Peak Oil Paradigm Shift author Bilaal Abdullah paints a possible future without oil and energy wars.
by Trey Shaughnessy
Published March 18, 2006 in Reviews (0 comments)
Twilight in the Desert
This tremendous book challenges readers to consider the unthinkable - the approaching day when Saudi Arabian oil production goes into decline.
by Ryan McGreal
Published March 01, 2006 in Reviews (3 comments)
It's a Sprawl World After All
It doesn't make a strong case connecting violence to sprawl, but this book does a great job of offering concrete solutions.
by Ryan McGreal
Published March 01, 2006 in Reviews (1 comment)
YaMan Restaurant
YaMan is sure to become a favourite lunch and dinner spot for downtown residents.
by Jason Leach
Published January 27, 2006 in Reviews (0 comments)
Petrodollar Warfare: Oil, Iraq and the Future of the Dollar
If you want to enter this year with a better understanding of the large geopolitical forces shaping such events, you could do much worse than reading this book.
by Ryan McGreal
Published January 27, 2006 in Reviews (5 comments)
Ecocities: Building Cities in Balance with Nature
This book is every bit as rich, dense, and lush as the proposed development that bears its name.
by Ryan McGreal
Published December 14, 2005 in Reviews (0 comments)
Review: A Short History of Progress
Humans share a long history of fouling our nests and moving on. What happens when there's nowhere left to go?
by Ben Bull
Published November 28, 2005 in Reviews (4 comments)
Review: The Oil Factor
The Oil Factor tried to be two movies at once: is this movie about war crimes or geopolitics?
by Ryan McGreal
Published November 10, 2005 in Reviews (0 comments)
Waking Up from the American Dream: A Review of Sprawl Kills
Joel Hirschhorn spreads the word about the dangers of sprawl and encourages people to demand healthy places to live.
by Ryan McGreal
Published September 15, 2005 in Reviews (0 comments)
Cafe on the Bay
The menu at Café on the Bay puts the focus right where it belongs - health and taste.
by Jason Leach
Published June 16, 2005 in Reviews (0 comments)
Room Forty One
From the moment we walked in the door to the time we left, we thoroughly enjoyed our experience at Room Forty One.
by Jason Leach
Published May 31, 2005 in Reviews (0 comments)
Art Gallery of Hamilton
It is impossible to walk through this new gallery and not be proud to live in Hamilton.
by Jason Leach
Published May 31, 2005 in Reviews (0 comments)
The Long Emergency
James Howard Kunstler warns of a tougher, slower, more intensely local world in the aftermath of cheap energy.
by Ryan McGreal
Published May 16, 2005 in Reviews (3 comments)
Child Friendly Cities
Despite airs of child-friendliness, the actual built environment of suburbia is extremely hostile to children's most basic needs.
by Ryan McGreal
Published April 14, 2005 in Reviews (1 comment)
The High Cost of Free Parking
Humble "free" parking is largely responsible for the catastrophic failures of postwar North American cities.
by Ryan McGreal
Published April 14, 2005 in Reviews (24 comments)
Tivoli Redevelopment Options Review
Trevor Shaw appraises the four current proposals for redeveloping the Tivoli and offers some suggestions.
by Trey Shaughnessy
Published April 04, 2005 in Reviews (1 comment)
Books About Hamilton
Here's a short list of books about Hamilton.
by Trey Shaughnessy
Published March 14, 2005 in Reviews (2 comments)
The End of Suburbia
Short of reading a book on the subject, this movie presents as convincing a case as I have seen that the foundation for our way of life is ready to crack.
by Ryan McGreal
Published January 14, 2005 in Reviews (2 comments)
Richard Heinberg: The Party's Over and Powerdown
Richard Heinberg makes a compelling but accessible case that global oil production will probably peak within the decade. More important, he has some ideas on what to do about it.
by Ryan McGreal
Published January 14, 2005 in Reviews (0 comments)
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