Category Archives: Cinema, video & DVDs

Gerald Finley on the shelf

Posted on November 11, 2014 by barczablog

It’s November. October was Gerald Finley month in Toronto, as his Falstaff jumped up on the table that was our collective experience (and for the final scene of the opera). Don’t let the headline (“Finley on the shelf”) scare you, … Continue reading →

Posted in Cinema, video & DVDs, Dance, theatre & musicals, Music and musicology, Opera, Reviews | 1 Comment

Robin Williams trailers

Posted on September 3, 2014 by barczablog

Our cable provider’s pay-per-view offers trailers for many of the films that are available to watch.  For the last few weeks there’s been a category called “Robin Williams”.  It’s a broad assortment of films even if it really only scrapes … Continue reading →

Posted in Cinema, video & DVDs, Personal ruminations & essays | Tagged | Leave a comment

Fading Gigolo

Posted on August 26, 2014 by barczablog

When is a Woody Allen movie not a Woody Allen movie? Maybe when you cast him in someone else’s film. Fading Gigolo (2013) is a dark quirky romantic comedy that has superficial resemblances to a Woody Allen film. It’s a … Continue reading →

Posted in Cinema, video & DVDs, Reviews | Leave a comment

My eyes are bigger than my stomach

Posted on August 9, 2014 by barczablog

I have reading to do. Do you ever go to a bookstore and get carried away with what you see? Of course with a bookstore there’s no time-limit. You can buy books that you read this week, or this year, … Continue reading →

Posted in Books & Literature, Cinema, video & DVDs, Music and musicology, Opera, Popular music & culture, Reviews | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Angriest Man

Posted on August 8, 2014 by barczablog

When I was a child the word was “mad”. I get mad. You get mad. Later I decided I was mis-using “mad” because there was a better word: “anger”. It’s a subtler thing, a more adult thing, or so my … Continue reading →

Posted in Cinema, video & DVDs, Psychology and perception, Reviews, Spirituality & Religion | Leave a comment

From the Closet

Posted on June 29, 2014 by barczablog

We were planning to watch the HBO production Behind The Candelabra (2013), the film about Liberace’s love affair that stars Michael Douglas & Matt Damon.  It’s not just a coincidence that it’s Pride Weekend.  I was so captivated by the … Continue reading →

Posted in Cinema, video & DVDs, Politics, Popular music & culture, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Grey Gardens

Posted on June 9, 2014 by barczablog

In the 1970s two film makers made a remarkable documentary. I’d never heard of it until yesterday, but had it presented to me in all its garish intimacy. Albert and David Maysles’ Grey Gardens (1975) is a film taking its name from the … Continue reading →

Posted in Cinema, video & DVDs, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

A risky business

Posted on June 7, 2014 by barczablog

The risky business? Posting here after going out to a karaoke bar with my daughter, here in Stockholm. I couldn’t help noticing how unconditional the crowd were. They would have been fine if i were tone-deaf.  So i could sing … Continue reading →

Posted in Cinema, video & DVDs, Reviews | Leave a comment

Dueling ear-worms: surrender and adventure

Posted on June 6, 2014 by barczablog

It ís Friday, a national holiday I am told. Does it matter why? People need to celebrate, and yes, people sometimes need to rest. I didn’t realize how tired I was. I boarded the plane Wednesday night in Toronto. When … Continue reading →

Posted in Cinema, video & DVDs, Music and musicology, Opera, Personal ruminations & essays, Spirituality & Religion | 1 Comment

Louis Riel

Posted on May 17, 2014 by barczablog

When I was young there was a phrase used so often that it became a cliché, something to be joked about. What exactly was the “Canadian identity”, and –other than hockey or maple syrup –what was Canadian culture? As far … Continue reading →

Posted in Cinema, video & DVDs, Music and musicology, Opera, Politics, Popular music & culture, Reviews | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments