Dan
Okay. This is going to be one of the most challenging book reviews to write as I don’t even know if I can technically review the book itself, or more the endless sexual content that is rife throughout the pages of E L James’ trilogy, beginning with the first book in the series, Fifty Shades of Grey. Out of the gate, I’ll admit my first mistake was due to my unspoken rule that I don’t read the cover or inside story prior to reading a book. I like the complete story to be a surprise from start to finish, no expectations.
I picked up Fifty Shades of Grey on my latest trip down to LA as I finished the current book I was reading, When God Was a Rabbit (which I also reviewed) and foolishly forgot to pack a second one. A quick search on a few different book sites and I noticed that the Fifty Shades trilogy was taking every single book list by storm, holding strong at the number one spot for several weeks. I figured, if that many people were reading it I should probably see what it’s all about.
Holy crap.
I Had. No. Idea. What. Was. About. To. Happen.
I recently wrapped up reading a book that I have been encouraging every reader I know to pick it up since I’ve finished. That book is When God Was a Rabbit by Sarah Winman. I picked the book up myself on a whim as my local (and favorite) bookstore, The Book Warehouse, was having its store-closing sale. I had seen the book amongst the recommended reads section for a while and decided I should give it a chance now that I could get it dirt-cheap. I’ll be frank; it’s worth picking this book up at full price!
To put this book succinctly, it is THE best book of the year. I find it difficult to think that I’ll come across one that’s better, and regardless, this will be the book that gets unwrapped by all my family and friends as their birthdays and holidays roll around. When God Was a Rabbit now holds a very dear place in my heart, and an even more special place next to my all-time favorite reads on my bookshelf.
Homorazzi says “Happy Mother’s Day”
Author: Donovan
Date: May 13, 2012
In: Adam, Behind The Cast, Brian, Dan, Donovan, Kevin, Patrick, Redd, Rich, Stephen
In honor of Mother’s Day, some of the Homorazzi cast has decided to proclaim their love to their respective mothers on the website. We hope you enjoy the read.
I love my Mom, and just recently we’ve developed a relationship of being less Mother/Son and more friends who can share a good laugh and story over a drink or two. While growing up, I never thought that I would come to a place where I actually WANTED to hang out with my parents, but that day came knocking on my door a few years back after I invited them to my 23rd birthday party and they actually showed!
It dawned on my that my Mom is a pretty rad woman who cares a lot about her family and who’s sole goal in life is to make sure her children and grandchildren have everything in the world they could possibly want, even before her own needs. For this, I take my hat off to her, and say I love you with all my heart.
She hasn’t had the easiest life, but I would like to think that the few beers we shared in sun are well remembered and will keep her smiling!
Thanks for everything Momma, I love you!
- Daniel
Ali and I were stoked to take in the opening night performance of Rock of Ages the musical, premiering at The Centre in Vancouver for Performing Arts. The show is currently running May 8 through 13th, and there are still tickets available! I’ll be honest, we’ve seen our fair share of musical theatre over the years and this is the first stage production that I whole-heartedly recommend people see in a long time. I really didn’t know what to expect going into the show as I had heard very little, with most of my knowledge stemming from the upcoming movie adaptation starring Russell Brand. Needless to say, I was effing stoked by all the amazing 80s and 90s rock music that made up the performance’s soundtrack.
I happened to bump into a coworker at the show who grew up listening to this genre of music and was so unbelievably excited to see the show with her sister that her energy instantly rubbed off on me. I went in with an open mindset, and a few memories of the songs she listed off that I figured I would enjoy myself. The show’s premise is relatively simple, and follows the template of most of today’s musicals. A young girl, Sherrie, played brilliantly by Shannon Mullen, moves to Los Angeles in hopes of making her dreams of becoming a star come true. He parents don’t approve, and as expected Sherrie has to fend for herself in this big, new, Rock n’ Roll-infused city. She finds herself in a local bar on The Sunset Strip, and meets a lowly worker, Drew, played incredibly by Dominique Scott, who is also trying to achieve his dreams of becoming a legendary rock star. That’s the basic premise and setting for the majority of the musical. Granted, the set is EPIC and provides the perfect backdrop, including a live rock band on stage for the entire show!
So You Think You Can Dance: Season 9 Is Just Around The Corner!
Author: Dan
Date: May 3, 2012
In: Dan, TV Shows
Holy shit kids, I can hardly believe it – the NINTH season of So You Think You Can Dance is set to premier on Fox at 8/7c on Thursday, May 24th! I can’t believe this show has been on the air for eight years, and that my summer is once again going to be filled up with some crazy-as-heck Contemporary routines from Travis Wall! I wonder who else will be making a return to choreography list? Will there be a comeback of the legendary Mia Michaels? Will we get to fall in love all over again with lyric Hip Hop from Tabitha and Napolean (or Nappy Tabs if your SYTYCD alum)? Hot damn I hope so!
It feels like just yesterday that our girl, Melanie, took home the crown for season eight – a deserving winner! I was so happy to see the American public cast their votes for the dancer that truly earned the title, versus the production manipulation that Nigel Lythgo (Skeletor) forced on us each week. Do you remember that botched year when the writer’s went on strike and the producers decided to cram in two seasons back to back? What a disaster that turned out to be – both groups got screwed out of a complete US tour.
‘Oprah’s Lifeclass: The Tour’ Take On “Forgiveness”
Author: Dan
Date: Apr 30, 2012
In: Dan, TV Shows
I am willing to put it in writing that Oprah’s Lifeclass truly changed my life. It has been over a week since I attended Oprah’s Lifeclass the Tour in Toronto (which airs tonight), and I’m still experiencing the emotions I felt as the legendary talk show host walked out on the stage, a mere fifteen rows away from my Mom and I. But let me start at the beginning of this story.
On February 28, I received an email from Oprah’s Lifeclass announcing that Oprah herself would be taking her classroom on the road, making stops in St. Louis, New York and Toronto. I couldn’t believe my eyes, or my odds, as I might actually get a chance to see Oprah live in person after all – a dream I have wished for years, and one my mother has been dreaming of since the first day Oprah Winfrey’s talk show was broadcast in Canada. I was shaking when I saw there were tickets available, and after a quick call to my Dad and sister, we decided it was time to make my Mom’s dreams finally come true.
Less than two months later we were flying to Toronto and finding our place in line next to the rest of the 9,500 people who also had tickets. We honestly lined up at 10am for a show that was to begin at 4pm, as tickets for the four different assigned sections were still general seating once you made your way to your specific section. Needless to say it was pandemonium as every woman and man dashed for the best seats possible, as we all wanted to be as close as possible to Oprah. We were lucky enough to snag seats in the fifteenth row, next to some amazing girls that we had met while waiting (somewhat patiently) for the Toronto Convention Centre to let us in to the seating and stage area. The setup was breathtaking.
Orson Scott Card: My Internal Predicament
Author: Dan
Date: Mar 26, 2012
In: Dan, Politics & Issues, Random Reads
Over the past few weeks I have published two articles surrounding author, Orson Scott Card, and one of his original novels, Ender’s Game, now being made into a major motion picture. My lack of research into the author was made quickly apparent by many of you, our loyal readers, indicating your distaste for Card and his anti-homosexual stance. Your notes and comments caused me to dig into this issue a little deeper, which in hindsight, I should have done in the first place.
I am now wrought with a personal struggle that I have yet to put my foot down on, and ultimately make a final decision as per my own feelings. While I appreciate everyone’s support, and completely agree that I should not be promoting individual’s who take an anti-homosexual stance, I also play my own personal devil’s advocate in any situation. Again, I state, I am not supporting Orson Scott Card, or his leveraging The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints to promote his opposition of legalizing same-sex marriage. I want to make that clear; however, I am struggling with the strict line of extremism that I worry I may be getting dangerously close to if I/we demand a boycott of his work entirely. Here me out on this one, before you jump to commenting.
I spent some time looking around the beautiful information engine that is the Internet, and I’ll admit I was shocked at a lot of the postings I read regarding Card’s current lifestyle and anti-homosexual agenda.
I don’t even know where to begin. I’m overflowing with excitement as I type this! The Hunger Games movie lands in theatres this week, Friday, March 23 and I was fortunate enough to see the film TWICE already! Two different opportunities came up through work and naturally I jumped at the chance. Having obsessed over the trilogy book series by Suzanne Collins, I was beyond excited to see the characters and settings come to life. I was fretting that key elements of the plotline that I personally thought were important) would be left out altogether, simply to make the film a bit more concise. Thankfully, I’m happy to report, this film adaptation is one of THE BEST I have ever seen! With a few additional key speeches from President Snow, played by Donald Sutherland (inserted by director and screenplay writer Gary Ross), the film was 100% true to the original novel.
Every. Single. Scene. Was. Perfect.
Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen couldn’t have been more perfectly cast. Her transformation from a poor and underprivileged teenager from District 12 in Panem, to ‘the girl on fire’ as a tribute in The Capital and 74th annual Hunger Games was utterly stunning. The two biggest surprises, in a good way, were Lenny Kravitz as Katniss’ stylist, Cinna, and Josh Hutcherson as Peeta Mallark, Katniss’ companion from District 12 throughout The Hunger Games. I was SO skeptical when I first heard that both of these men had landed their respective roles, as I had such a different idea in my mind after reading the books. Again, I am happy to report that these two men blew these roles out of the water and I quickly started questioning whether my own imagination had been wrong.
