Category Archives: Reviews

Lithgow’s Trumpty Dumpty

Posted on November 29, 2020 by barczablog

John Lithgow is one of the most theatrical personalities I can think of. Yes he acts in film & television, but perhaps more importantly, he is an ostentatious performer. He’s not subtle. Not only is he a big man with … Continue reading →

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Sky Gilbert’s remarkable new book Shakespeare Beyond Science: When Poetry Was the World

Posted on November 23, 2020 by barczablog

I am on my third read-through of Sky Gilbert’s Shakespeare Beyond Science: When Poetry Was the World. It is the best book I’ve read this year, one of the most interesting books I’ve ever encountered. I’ve been dancing around this … Continue reading →

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Sounds like hell Mr Adès: Looking in the mirror of The Exterminating Angel

Posted on November 16, 2020 by barczablog

I wasn’t sure I’d have the nerve to go through with it, watching an opera that seems to show us exactly the predicament we face. Based on the surreal film from Luis Bunuel, The Exterminating Angel was today’s free Metropolitan … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, domestic & wild, Books & Literature, Cinema, video & DVDs, Dance, theatre & musicals, Music and musicology, Opera, Personal ruminations & essays, Reviews, Spirituality & Religion | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Food porn

Posted on November 7, 2020 by barczablog

That’s what it felt like, watching a film about food, before eating something irresistibly scrumptious. The film is Chef with its wonderful premise and strong script. The cast includes Sofia Vergara, Dustin Hoffman, John Leguizamo, Bobby Cannavale, Robert Downey Jr … Continue reading →

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Woodward and Cohen: odd couple

Posted on October 30, 2020 by barczablog

They’re an odd pair, Bob Woodward & Michael Cohen. Or more properly, their books make an odd couple. One man uses four letter words for his titles, the other book has a title with a sub-title followed by a sub-subtitle … Continue reading →

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TSO Thais: via Massenet & Anatole France

Posted on August 12, 2020 by barczablog

The Toronto Symphony concert performance of Thaïs, recently released on Chandos, has me wishing we could see & hear more from Jules Massenet, the opera’s composer.  I begin to understand why the late Stuart Hamilton in his time with Opera … Continue reading →

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Walking the University of Toronto Campus Guide

Posted on July 27, 2020 by barczablog

I shouldn’t have needed a book to wake me up to the nuances & subtleties of my many connections to the University of Toronto. But it’s a bit like a family album, these beautiful pictures of loved ones to remind … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Architecture & Design, Books & Literature, Personal ruminations & essays, Reviews, University life | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Barbecue genius @ The Kingston Social

Posted on July 18, 2020 by barczablog

I’m a bit looped, after eating an amazing meal. It’s from The Kingston Social, a place here in the east end of Toronto. One gets the menu a few days in advance, then places orders.  And one then picks up … Continue reading →

Posted in Food, Health and Nutrition, Reviews | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Pete Davidson – The King of Staten Island

Posted on July 4, 2020 by barczablog

You might know Pete Davidson a couple of ways. He’s a regular on Saturday Night Live. He could be the avatar of sensational relationship failure, famously dumped by Ariana Grande, among others. Pardon me, I have no idea what he’s … Continue reading →

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Stewart Goodyear – Beethoven piano concerti

Posted on June 27, 2020 by barczablog

It’s 2020, a year I’m tempted to call “World, Interrupted,” recalling the 1999 film set in a psychiatric hospital. At times our virtual online lives resemble the simulation of real living as though we’ve been wrapped in strait-jackets, locked up … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Personal ruminations & essays, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment