Category Archives: reviews

Canada’s Unsung Hero?

Bryan Adams Although Bryan was born in Kingston, Ontario in 1959, it wasn’t until he moved to Burnaby in British Columbia that he became the Rock ‘n’ Roller that he is now. His first hit, and video, was “Cuts Like … Continue reading

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Neighbours: Road to Fame or Cul-de-sac?

Daytime Soap from Australia Neighbours went on the air in the UK in October 1986, just about the time we moved to Torquay. It was instantly popular. Some of the cast became international stars, some stayed at home. Here is … Continue reading

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On the Way to Seventh Heaven

A Soul’s Journey I bought this book primarily because there was a quote on the cover by Taylor Caldwell: “I thought this book profoundly beautiful and mysteriously consoling and most inspiring.” A couple of years ago, I wrote a blog … Continue reading

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The Lucky Ones: a manufactured hit

  The Launch A new television reality show was launched last night. Initially I wasn’t going to write about it, but the process of selecting a singer and matching the week’s chosen song to their recorded and live performances in … Continue reading

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This Is Us: ‘thirtysomething’ reborn?

Hidden in Plain Sight There is a link connecting these two television series even though they are 30 years apart: Ken Olin. I didn’t start watching “This Is Us” until the second season, in much the same way that I … Continue reading

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Savant: High Functioning Autism

  The Good Doctor Here is a TV show that is busting the stereotyping of disability as debilitating. The acting is superb, and the story lines are believable. But the star is Freddie Highmore as Dr. Shaun (“with a U”) … Continue reading

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Borrowed Stars: Canada Hitmakers

Heart Originally from Seattle, Heart got their start in Vancouver with Mushroom Records. In time, they gained fame in the States and all over the world.       Shari Ulrich Born in San Rafael, California, Sharon (Shari) Ulrich became … Continue reading

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Jenny Lind: Art Imitating Life?

The Greatest Showman We went to see this musical yesterday. It was a great show, man! But the greatest? No. Last year’s La La Land definitely had more impact. The difference is probably the result of the passage of time: … Continue reading

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Finding Father: Hook versus Peter Pan

Finding Neverland J.M. Barrie wrote the original story of Peter Pan, as a play and then a book. The film Finding Neverland explores how this came about. According to Wikipedia: the story focuses on Scottish writer J. M. Barrie, his … Continue reading

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80’s Music: US or UK?

Which Side of the Atlantic? On a taxi ride to the Exeter Airport from the train station in 2007, the driver talked about great 80’s songs. I joined in, thinking that he was speaking of the New Romantic movement. Imagine … Continue reading

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