The record, 24 décembre 2004, Supplément 1

Weekly Guide to Arts & Entertainment in the Eastern Townships THE RECORD, December 24, 2004 - January 6, 2005 INSIDE Fat Albert says Hey hey hey see Page 3 INSIDE Leo takes on tough role see Page 9 Musician feeling at home in Sherbrooke By Vanessa Lee Record Correspondent Sherbrooke Thirty-three-year old musician Andy Creeggan came to Sherbrooke in September, 2000, and hasn’t looked back.Creeggan made the move because his wife Natasha is studying here, and he says he has created many great opportunities for himself.“Diversification is the key: 1 teach, compose, play, produce.a little bit of everything,” says Creeggan.“It’s tough to just arrive somewhere and plug yourself in, but it’s not so bad.” Creeggan’s music career started in high school, with his first professional gig being with The Synthetics.He said being part of the Canadian group, Bare-naked Ladies from 1990 to 1995 is how he made is mark in the “actual” music world.“It was the pinnacle of my career, in terms of popularity,” said Creeggan, who is a founding member, and played keyboard and percussion.He left BNL in 1995, and then started a band called Brothers Creeggan with his brother Jim, who is still a bassist with BNL.“1 wanted other experiences in music,” said Creeggan.“I was happy, but wanted to do other things.It wasn’t necessarily important to me to be rich and famous.” Creeggan, who received a Bachelor of Music from McGill, has just finished producing his second album, Andiwork II.See Creeggan, Page 4 PERRY BEATON/SPECIAL Sherbrooke resident Andy Creeggan has just recently finished producing his second album, Andiwork II.>§ A fif wl bo cloaad Pacomfaar 25th, January lit A 2nd OPEN December 2Sth 1:00 p.m.to 5:00 Friday, December 24th: 9:30 a.m.to 5:00 p.m.S CL H ElD>U;L E h:q l r day 1:00 p.m.to 5:00 p.m.9:30 a.m.to 5:30 p.m.9:30 a.m.to 5:30 p.m.Saturday, December 25th: CLOSED Sunday, December 26th: Monday, December 27th: Tuesday, December 28th: CARREFOUR DE L'ESTRIE iTHEb page 2 December 24, 2004 - January 6, 2005 RECORD Wintery drinks in front of the fire In small bowl, whisk together 2 tablespoons (30 mL) milk and cornstarch.Whisk into hot chocolate mixture and simmer for two minutes or until slightly syrupy.(Make ahead: Let chocolate mixture cool slightly, then cover and refrigerate overnight.When ready to serve, heat chocolate mixture over medium heat until hot, stirring frequently.) Remove and discard vanilla bean halves.Using a milk frother and follow-ing manufacturer's directions, / CANWEST NEWS SERVICE Frothy Peppermint White Hot Chocolate.By Ruth Phelan and Brenda Thompson Hot frothy drinks are definitely in.Just check out the long list of rich foamy drinks offered at your local coffee shops: Everything imaginable from eggnog, gingerbread and spicy pumpkin lattes to peppermint mocha hot chocolate is available — there's a special drink for every taste.If you'd like to add a bit of froth to your homemade beverages pick up one of the Aerolatte battery-operated milk frothers.This handy gadget is perfect for quickly adding a light foam to the following rich chocolatey drinks.Fill tall mugs about one-third full of the hot chocolate mixture, insert the frother's whisk into mixture in mugs, and process until foamy.Then add enough of the remaining hot chocolate to fill the mugs.Just a reminder, be sure to turn off the frother before removing from the chocolate mixture.We used two per cent milk in these recipes but skim milk can also be used.Make the chocolate mixtures a day ahead and when you're ready to serve, reheat, froth and start sipping.A brightly lit Christmas tree and a crackling fire would make a perfect setting in which to enjoy these sweet, luscious, wintery drinks.Frothy Peppermint White Hot Chocolate Makes 4 servings 4 cups (1 L) milk (2 per cent milk) 7 ounces (200 g) premium quality white chocolate, chopped 4 teaspoons (20 mL) peppermint flavoured syrup or to taste 1/8 teaspoon (0.5 mL) salt Directions: In large heavy saucepan, heat milk over medium heat until milk is hot (do not boil), stirring frequently.Add white chocolate and stir until melted.Remove from heat and stir in pep- permint syrup and salt.(Make ahead: Let chocolate mixture cool slightly, then cover and refrigerate overnight.When ready to serve, heat chocolate mixture over medium heat until hot, stirring frequently.) Using a milk frother and following manufacturer's directions, froth some of the chocolate mixture in each tall mug, then fill with remaining chocolate mixture.(If you don’t have a milk frother, remove 1 cup (250 mL) hot chocolate mixture and place in blender; process until frothy and set aside.Pour remaining chocolate mixture into mugs; top each with some of the frothy chocolate mixture.) Frothy Dark Hot Chocolate with Vanilla Bean The extra creamy texture in this rich chocolate drink comes from adding a little cornstarch to the chocolate mixture.Vanilla beans are pricey but worth the expenditure at Christmas.Fresh vanilla adds extraordinary aroma and intense rich flavour, so go ahead and splurge.Makes 4 servings 4 cups (1 L) milk (2 per cent) 1 vanilla bean 3 1/2 ounces (100 g) bittersweet chocolate, chopped 3 1/2 ounces (100 g) milk chocolate, chopped 2 tablespoons (30 mL) milk (2 per cent) 2 teaspoons (10 mL) cornstarch Directions: Put 4 cups (1 L) milk in large heavy saucepan.With sharp knife, slit vanilla bean in half lengthwise and scrape seeds into milk; whisk to blend.Add vanilla bean halves.Place saucepan over medium heat and heat until milk is hot (do not boil), stirring frequently.Add bittersweet and milk chocolate; stir until chocolate is melted.froth some of the chocolate mixture in each tall mug, then fill with remaining chocolate mixture.(If you don't have a milk frother, remove 1 cup (250 mL) hot chocolate mixture and place in blender; process until frothy and set aside.Pour remaining chocolate mixture into mugs; top each with some of the frothy chocolate mixture.) Add one or both of these variations • Coffee: Add 1 tablespoon (15 mL) instant espresso coffee powder to milk mixture before heating.Look for Instant espresso coffee powder at gourmet shops and Italian delis.• Brandy: Add 3 tablespoons (45 mL) brandy to hot chocolate mixture before frothing.Steam Free Milk Frother If you don’t own an espresso machine and would still like to try making some fashionable foamy drinks, pick up an Aerolatte steam free milk frother.We couldn’t resist trying this hand-held, battery operated, stainless steel mini whisk.Frothing drinks couldn’t be easier — one drink and we were hooked.In about 20 seconds, the frother turns a small amount of milk into a light froth just perfect for hot chocolate, lattes or any other drink that is topped with foam.This handy gadget is available at department stores and kitchen shops for about $30 (plus tax).—Can West News Service Vegetables add flavour to classic comfort food By Ron Eade Comfort food like macaroni and cheese will never go out of style — and for good reason.It’s tasty, you can usually put a casserole together using ingredients on hand, and everyone, including the kids, loves it.This version from the Dairy Farmers of Canada includes vegetables to add fibre and flavour to the pasta.A crunchy breadcrumb topping enhances the kid appeal.Vegetable Pasta Gratin Serves 4 to 6 Preparation time: 20 minutes; Cook- ing time: 10 minutes 1/4 cup (50 mL) butter 1/4 cup (50 mL) all-purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon (2 mL) dried thyme leaves 3 cups (750 mL) warm milk 11/2 cups (375 mL) shredded old Cheddar, or Asiago cheese 2 teaspoons (10 mL) Dijon mustard (optional) 1/2 teaspoon (2 mL) salt 1/4 teaspoon (1 mL) pepper 4 cups (1 L) rotini or fusilli pasta 3 cups (750 mL) chopped broccoli, or California-style mixed vegetables For the topping: 11/2 cups (375 mL) fresh breadcrumbs 1/4 cup (50 mL) butter 1/4 cup (50 mL) chopped fresh Italian parsley 2 tablespoons (25 mL) grated Parmesan cheese Directions: Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat and whisk in flour and thyme.Whisk 1 minute.Gradually pour in milk to combine.Cook, stirring with a wooden spoon, about 8 minutes, or until thickened enough to coat the spoon.Remove from heat and stir in cheese, mustard (if using), salt and pepper to taste.Meanwhile, in a large pot of boiling, lightly salted water, cook pasta 6 minutes.Add broccoli or other vegetables and cook 2 minutes, or until pasta and broccoli are tender but still firm.Drain well and return to empty pot.Add cheese sauce to combine well.Pour into a buttered 10-cup (2.5-L) oval baking or casserole dish.For the gratin topping, in a bowl stir together breadcrumbs, butter, parsley and parmesan cheese.Sprinkle over pasta and cheese.Bake uncovered about 10 minutes, or until top is golden brown and pasta is bubbly.—CanWestNews Service iTHK, RECORD TALK Fat Albert enters the real world December 24, 2004 - January 6, 2005 page 3 TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX Fat Albert comes to the big screen as a live action/animated feature film.By Jay Stone There is an amiable pointlessness to the film version of Fat Albert, a likeable quality that makes it a good-hearted waste of time, as wastes of time go.It tells the story of the cartoon character created by Bill Cosby — the same William H.Cosby Jr.who is also credited as co-writer, executive producer and featured actor in the film — who comes right out of the TV set and into today’s world to help a teenage girl named Doris (Kyla Pratt) who is sad because she doesn’t have many friends.It’s hard to say why this is true, except maybe that the other kids in the patently phoney-looking North Philadelphia neighborhood where she lives are not only dopes, but they’re also the unreal kind of dopes that only an aging standup comic could have created.The teens in Fat Albert play like an outsider’s view of what the world must be like today, just as Fat Albert and his gang are throwbacks to an earlier age, although they didn’t exist there either.They’re anecdotal exaggerations of Cosby’s youth made animated and then made flesh, and they lose a layer of meaning in each transition.Which is to say, Fat Albert is no Phat Albert.As played by Kenan Thompson, the Saturday Night Live star, he’s a portly, happy-go-lucky gentleman who is unfailingly polite and wants only to solve problems.If there are drugs, violence, bad language or urban despair in North Philly, you won’t learn about it from Fat Albert.The biggest problem here is getting a date to the school dance.Albert is accompanied in his magical transition between TV and “real life” by his gang, all of whom wear colourful pink or orange outfits and haven’t heard of things like rap music, DVDs, or the mall.They’re the teenagers of your parents’ dreams, bopping through an idealized neighbourhood that is happily integrated, clean, and caring.If it wasn’t for the lead character shouting “Hey hey hey” every two seconds, you wouldn’t mind living there.These confections come to our world bearing lessons in “believing in yourself’ for Doris, who misses her grandfather, and her step-sister Lauri (Dania Ramirez), whose parents have both died and therefore is afraid to care about anyone.Lauri is a step-sister because, as a Dominican beauty, Ramirez couldn’t really pass as Kyla Pratt’s real sister so the screenwriters simply wrote around it.This movie business is simple, really.The conflict, if you can call it that, comes when the Fat Albert crew discovers that when they roam outside their cartoon world, their colours fade, in the manner of the old photograph in Back to the Future in which characters begin to disappear as the future impinges on the past.This presents no ontological conundrum in Fat Albert, however: Albert simply watches his bright red shirt turn pink and realizes that if he doesn’t want to become a pile of celluloid ash, he has to get back into his animated body.Meanwhile, though, he’s beginning to fall for Lauri, and who can blame him?This is all resolved at the school track meet, which only a kid who believes in herself could possibly win.However, before we get there, we enjoy a visit with Mr.Cosby himself.You’re a great role model.Fat Albert.Now if we can only do something about your weight issues.-CanWest News Service * e r *TK-' The Christmas Spirit ANNE SHARPEfTHE OUTLET A genuine Christmas atmosphere rang out in Magog recently when 33 musicians of Harmonie de l'Estrie played their annual Yuletide concert at Saint Patrick's Church.Over 400 people attended the two-hour program that featured mostly Christmas tunes, with a few very special numbers that demonstrated the band’s versatility and broad range in expertise.0a: Our Canadian Neighbors Best rate ever! Canadian money at par EVERYDAY Fine Family Dining on beautiful Lake Memphremagog Restaurant & Pub y -l: u k w \ 802-334-2340 47 Landing Drive, Newport, Vt £S3! page 4 December 24, 2004 - January 6, 2005 RECORD - TALK - The Life Aquatic is IkËfvmy an offkilter adventure 2r.f(/ VI tfo TOUCHSTONE PICTURES I iinn P A The life Aquatic With Steve Zissou features Bill Murray, Owen Wilson, Cate Blanchett, Anjelica Huston, Willem Dafoe, and Jeff Goldblum.By Jay Stone For those who always wondered what Jacques Cousteau would be like if he was played by Bill Murray, we recommend The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou, a strange anomaly — a dry comedy set in the water — that comes with equal measures of irony, eccentricity, self-satisfaction and marijuana.The pot is smoked pretty well constantly through the film by Steve Zissou (Murray), the Cousteau-like character who nonetheless shows no signs of intoxication beyond the usual Murrayesque deadpan archness.Likewise, one of the members of his crew acts as the movie’s troubadour by singing David Bowie songs in Portuguese, which lends a festive, calypso air but has nothing much else to do with anything.This concoction is the responsibility of Wes Anderson, who has established in just a few films — Bottle Rocket, Rushmore and The Royal Tenenbaums — a genre: melancholy mental slapstick.The Life Aquatic is lesser Anderson, but it has its moments.One of them comes at the beginning, at a film festival where Zissou, a marine explorer and film-maker, is showing his latest documentary to a stunned black-tie crowd.In the film, Zissou’s friend is eaten by what appears to be a jaguar shark, a fish that turns out to be the first two words that come to Zissou’s mind when he sees it.He decides that he will hunt down the fish and kill it.“What would be the scientific purpose of killing it?,” someone asks.“Revenge,” he replies, after a pause that is funnier because it is Bill Murray you are waiting for.Thus The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou (pronounced zee-sue, by the way) gets its plot, not that it matters much.This film is all about texture: the red watch caps and blue uniform shirts that Zissou and his crew wear, the cutaway view of his research boat the Belafonte — a twist on the Cousteau vessel Calypso — and the many subplots that engage the generously large cast of supporting players, all of them embarked on their own aquatic adventure, if that is indeed what Anderson is after here.There is, for instance, Steve’s wife Eleanor, played by Anjelica Huston with a distant sense of disengaged superiority that sits beside Murray’s smarm like a 24-carat diamond in a showcase full of zircon.Huston isn’t in the movie enough.The chief bit of drama comes with the appearance of Ned Plimpton (Anderson regular Owen Wilson), a pilot with something called Air Kentucky, who announces that he is Zissou’s long-lost son from a previous relationship.Zissou introduces him with, “This is probably my son Ned,” and eventually gets him to change his name to Kingsley Zissou, a touch that doesn’t seem to fit into any part of the film, which makes it ideal.Cate Blanchett climbs aboard as Jane Winslett-Richardson, a reporter who is planning a feature story on the down-and-out marine explorer.Jane, another movie all of her own, is single, pregnant, and the sudden object of sexual attraction to both Steve and Ned, a crush that Steve develops by breaking into her room and reading her private notebooks.“I thought this was going to be a puff piece,” he complains when she asks him a difficult question.Blanchett — who is stealing the show in The Aviator with her performance as Katharine Hepburn — isn’t exactly slumming here, but the material never seems to measure up to her ability to deliver it.Jane is a series of tics looking for a character.The opposite is true of Willem Dafoe who plays Klaus, Steve’s right-hand man, who is jealous of his new relationship with Ned.Dafoe, who wears short pants and an earnest, Germanic expression that is meant to make him look lovelorn, is a seabound oddity, hamming up a role that calls for quietitude, if not euthanasia.Strangely, Jeff Goldblum, cast as Steve’s nemesis, the competing explorer Alistair Hennessey, seems right at home: it’s the first time in memory that Goldblum has not seemed to emanate from a different planet than the rest of a film's cast.“I know I haven’t been at my best this last decade,” Zissou says near the end of the film, by way of apology after everything goes wrong, then right again.It’s a wonderful line and perhaps a common feeling.The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou really puts Jacques Cousteau and his ilk in their place.And we haven’t even mentioned the pirate attack.—CanWest News Service Theatre workshops in Brome Lake La Troupe des Cantons will begin a new series of workshops in mid-January for adults.The workshops will focus on exploring the theatre for anyone interested in re-learning how to act.The theatre games will be led by Brigitte De Souza, who has 25 years of experience producing plays.The first series is from Jan.14 to Feb.25 and is themed Explorations.It will explore physcial expression and interaction.The second series, from March 4 to April 15, is themed Travels, and workshops will include imaginary worlds, rituals, masks and costumes.The third series, April 22 to June 3, is themed Expressions, and will focus on characters and texts.The workshops are on Friday mornings, from 9:30 to 11 a.m in the gym of Ecole PEACE, 57 Rang Papineau à Bondville (Lac Brome).The cost for a series of seven workshops, which are held in French, is $70.For more information, contact Brigitte at 450-242-1301.Creeggan: Cont’d from Page 1 “It’s more composition-oriented, very instrumental,” said Creeggan, who works at Studio D’Accord.He began promoting the album in Ontario and Quebec a couple of weeks ago, and noted his performance in Sherbrooke at Café Blah Blah Nov.25 was well-received.“Basically it was a chance for me to give back in my own way — what people in my community have given me,” said Creeggan.“People were kind of brave in a way to come, I’m a very frazzily-dazzi-ly guy, people didn’t know what to expect, but they came anyway.” In addition to music, Creegan’s other passion is sports.He is also a part-time physical education teacher at a Bromp-tonville area high school.“I’m a sports maniac and music maniac,” said Creeggan.“One of the biggest joys of our time here has been the ultimate frisbee community, I love it!” Creeggan added has a lot to look forward to in the coming months.“Natasha and I are expecting a baby in February, and the next plan musically is to make Andiwork III,” said Creeggan.“I’m having a great time,” said Creeggan.“My long term plan to be local and to have a satisfying musical life.If people are getting meaning and a good vibe from what I do, I’ll be happy.” To learn more about Creegan’s music, visit his Web site — www.broth-erscreeggan.com. iTHEi RECORD December 24, 2004 - January 6, 2005 page 5 All the Christmas songs that matter By Tony Atherton When Bing Crosby recorded ‘Silent Night’ in 1935, it raised a ruckus.Some (including Der Bingle, initially) considered it impious for a pop crooner to be singing a sacred song.When Elvis Presley recorded ‘White Christmas’ in 1957, there was a similar clucking of tongues.In fact, the song’s composer, Irving Berlin, who hated rock ‘n’ roll, campaigned to have the recording banned by radio stations.Between these musical rhubarbs lies the nub of the short but enduring story of pop Christmas music, a catalogue of largely secular standards that has come to dominate the airwaves at this time of year, though it represents little more than three decades of composition.Between 1940 and 1970, the bulk of what are now the most widely circulated Christmas tunes were written.Crosby’s recording of ‘Silent Night’ was the first notable rendition of a Christmas carol by a pop singer.Crosby, a devout Catholic, balked at making money from a sacred song, and only agreed to record it if the proceeds went to charity.The success of the recording (it remains the top-selling version of the carol) sparked a lucrative industry: Christmas pop.And once Tin Pan Alley decided to deck its halls, cash registers rang merrily on high.Here, then, is a stockingful of tantalizing tidbits about several of these well-known tunes.• White Christmas: Irving Berlin, 1941 ‘White Christmas’ is not just the bestselling Christmas song of all time, it may be the bestselling pop song ever (though some give that honour to Elton John’s 1997 rewrite of‘Candle in the Wind' for the Lady Di funeral).Written in 1941, it was Berlin’s comment on the incongruity of celebrating the most wintry of holidays in L.A., where the swimming pools glisten and the tree tops have palm fronds.But it was reborn in 1942 when Bing Crosby sang it — without its ironic introductory verse — as one of the many holiday-themed Berlin songs in the film Holiday Inn.One story about its composition suggests the song, an uncomplicated but masterful blend of lyric, emotion and melody, came easily to Berlin, and that afterward he exclaimed: “It is not only the best song I’ve ever written, but the best song anybody’s ever written.” Another says Berlin fretted about its worth until reassured by Crosby.The song was a sentimental Christmas card from someone far away from hearth and home.It expressed all the sentiment of the U.S.troops who had joined the fray of the Second World War just a few months before.The charged emotions of wartime ensured its success.• I’ll Be Home for Christmas, Kim Gannon and Walter Kent, 1942 Bing writes another letter home.‘White Christmas’ was an accidental wartime hit, but ‘I’ll Be Home for Christmas’ was deliberate and calculated.Lyricist Kim Gannon recognized how family and home would tug at the hearts of G.Ls overseas, and wrote a simple, wishful lyric about returning home for the holidays “if only in my dreams.” It was even more popular than its predecessor for the next couple of years, becoming the most requested song at USO shows in Europe and the Pacific.• Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane, 1944 Before composer Blane and lyricist Martin met Judy Garland, their biggest hit had been the college fight song ‘Buckle Down, Winsocki’ for the Broadway musical Best Foot Forward.It’s hard to believe that the same duo penned the achingly wistful and exuberantly joyous score for Garland's ‘Meet Me in St.Louis,’ as well as ‘Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas’.The picture was providential for the 22-year-old Garland, too.It proved she could make movies without Mickey Rooney, and introduced her to her future husband, director Vincente Minnelli.In the film, when Judy Garland, as 17-year-old Esther, comforts Margaret O’Brien (playing Esther’s little sister, Tootie) as they contemplate what looks like the last Christmas in the house where they were raised, the scene is sad, but hopefril.If not for the intervention of Garland, however, it might have been the most depressing moment in the history of movie musicals.• Holly Jolly Christmas, Johnny Marks, 1964 The late Johnny Marks’ publishing company is called St.Nicholas Music, Inc.— and with good reason.Beginning in 1949 with ‘Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer’ (based on a story his brother-in law had written for a department-store promotion), Marks wrote more than 25 Christmas songs, including the Brenda Lee hit, ‘Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree.’ He also wrote new melodies for existing songs, most successfully with T Heard the Bells on Christmas Morn.’ The Longfellow poem had twice before been set to music, but didn’t catch fire until Bing Crosby sang Marks’ version.‘Holly Jolly Christmas’ is one of two second-rank Christmas pop standards (the other is ‘Silver and Gold’) to come out of the Rankin Bass stop-animation classic Music based on Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer.Producer Arthur Rankin was Marks’ neighbour, and convinced the reluctant songwriter that a TV special wouldn’t overexpose his biggest money-maker, Rankin then sold the show to General Electric, a leading Christmas lights manufacturer, and created stop-animation commercials to play in the breaks.G.E.bought the time on NBC.Marks was hired to write more songs for the TV special, and found that the sponsor had very specific tastes.For some reason, G.E.wanted a Christmas song that didn’t have the phrase “Merry Christmas” in it, Gord Atkinson writes in Showbill, a book of celebrity interviews.Marks, who kept a book of likely titles scribbled down at moments of inspiration, scanned his list and found the phrase “Holly Jolly Christmas.” “The G.E people thought I was a genius,” Marks told Atkinson.• Blue Christmas, Billy Hayes and Jay Johnson, 1948 We consider it a rock ‘n’ roll Christmas song because Elvis Presley made it his own in the late ‘50s and ‘60s, but it was a country-and-western hit before that, and a big band hit before that.The song was originally recorded by Hugo Winterhalter & His Orchestra in 1949.Winterhalter had long been a successful vocal arranger, but ‘Blue Christmas’ was one of his first top-10 recordings under his own name.‘Blue Christmas’ was included in Presley’s 1957 LP, Elvis Sings Christmas, the same record that got him in trouble with Irving Berlin.But it wasn’t released as a single until 1964.• It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year — Eddie Pola and George Wyle,1963 ‘It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year,’ sung by Andy Williams, is one of the few Christmas songs to show up on an X-Files soundtrack.It’s included in a 1996 episode in which Scully and Mulder think they have figured out the identity of the Cigarette Smoking Man.Maybe the producers liked it for the line “There’ll be scary ghost stories/And tales of the glories/ Of Christmases long, long ago.” —CanWest News Service New Aesthetics Clinic in Lennoxville • State of tire art technique for all your hair removal needs • Waxing / electrolysis • Laser hair removal New technology / free consultation • Airbrush tanning from Dirm AiRTAN Gift certificates • Beauty products ^ & services by ESTHEDERM Gracia Jocquetin Laser hair removal clinic & aesthetics 251 Queen St., Suite E, Lennoxville 819-347-2880 page 6 December 24, 2004 - January 6, 2005 RECORD “ TALK 2004 was full of silly M,.,.'.blunders, tragedies **«w By Sandra Sperounes Lip-synching disasters.Wardrobe malfunctions.The sad resurrection of Van Halen and Motley Crue.(Have you seen Mick Mars?) The '04 was full of silly blunders and awful tragedies, including the murder of metal icon Dimebag Darrell Abbott.We’ll also remember better times.The unexpected reunion of The Pixies, no longer the neglected heroes of alt-rock.The resurgence of indie labels and musicians who know what a dancefloor is — Franz Ferdinand, The Killers, !!! and The Faint.iTunes.Heightened political and social awareness among artists A new generation of British pop stars recorded an update of ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas’ for the victims of war and famine in Darfur, Sudan.Hundreds of U.S.musicians urged Americans to vote or speak out against Bush and the war in Iraq.If the outcome of the U.S.election was up in the air for much of 2004, the health and direction of the music industry was — and still is — even less certain.While the DVD market exploded and CD sales enjoyed a boost after years of decline, major labels laid off workers, dropped acts and joined forces.In July, Sony and BMG’s merger was finally approved, leading to more job losses in Canada and reducing the number of majors to four — including Warner, Universal and EMI/Virgin.And yet, indies flourished like it was 1991.Franz Ferdinand, a bunch of unknown Scots signed to Domino, shot to fame with their slick videos and lustful bass lines.Interpol, New York’s hippest rockers, started getting mainstream airplay in the U.S.and parts of Canada.Alexisonfire, a screamo act, sold more than 50,000 copies of its latest indie album, Watch Out!, in Canada.The Postal Service, an electro duo, became Sub Pop’s second best-selling act — next to Nirvana — as a result of repeated plays on TV’s hit soap, The O.C.Love or hate the show, The O.C.is one of the many catalysts leading to a monumental shift in the industry.Acts are no longer only ruled by the traditional outlets of mainstream radio, MuchMu-sic or Rolling Stone and fans are, finally, gaining more power.Blogs, or online diaries, were instrumental in helping two Canadian acts, junior Boys and The Arcade Fire, become indie sensations.Thanks to iTunes, Puretracks and Telus Mobility, consumers can buy their favourite songs or ringtones without wasting $15 on otherwise disappointing albums — and there were a heap of ’em — such as Destiny’s Child’s Destiny Fulfilled, The Hives’ Tyrannosaurus Hives, Eminem’s Encore, Duran Duran’s Astronaut, and Lenny Kravitz’s Baptism.These changes are only the start of a brave, new world.Expect more innovative endeavours and left-of-centre bands breaking through the glut of teen queens, bling-bling rappers and pop-punk acts.Bring on 2005 - as long as I can bring my favourites from 2004: 1.Franz Ferdinand, Franz Ferdinand (Domino) Fun, angular and hip shakin’ art-rock with the sexy yelps, catchy guitar riffs and references to bisexuality, making out in the back of the matinee and spontaneous internal combustion.2.Federico Aubele, Gran Hotel Buenos Aires (ESL Music) A collection of luxurious and languid waves of sultry Latin rhythms, bittersweet melodicas and world-weary female vocalists.3.Etienne De Crecy, Super Discount 2 (Pias) With his second album, the godfather of funky, French disco-house has stitched together the musical equivalent of haute couture.Listening to Fast Track, with its sinister, driving bass line, will undoubtedly lead to a few speeding tickets.4.Modest Mouse, Good News For People Who Love Bad News (Epic) An ambitious, apocalyptic blend of meditative pop songs and rockier numbers propelled by echoey guitars, whirly organs and Isaac Brock's outraged anguish.5.Kanye West, The College Dropout (Roc-A-Fella) One of hip-hop's hottest producers proved he’s also a first-rate rapper with this smart and sensitive debut.6.William Shatner, Has Been (Shout! Factory) Thirty-four years (!!!) after his debut, the man forever known as James T.Kirk releases an unforgettable second album of self-satire and abject sadness.His stilted, spoken-word cover of Pulp's Common People is better than the original and his frenzied duet with Henry Rollins, ‘I Can’t Get Behind That,’ is exhilarating.And.Exhausting.7.Xiu Xiu, Fabulous Muscles (5RC) Disturbing noise-pop punctuated by ‘80s undertones and Jamie Stewart’s unpredictable shrieks.You can hear his soul shattering as he rants about soldiers or destroying his niece’s little-girl views of the world.8.The Comas, Conductor (Yep Roc) An addictive concoction of shoe-gazing lullabies, snappy Latin rhythms, The Offspring and break-up blues.9.Heart, Jupiters Darling (Sovereign) Laugh all you want.If you think Velvet Revolver’s Contraband rocks, you obviously haven’t heard the latest album by the Wilson sisters.They’ve ditched the cheesy power-ballads of the ‘80s and ‘90s and returned to their fiery ways on Jupiters Darling.10.Sufjan Stevens (Sounds Familyre) Gentle folk and alt-country tunes about the most provocative subjects — heaven, hell and murder.—CanWest News Service DVD treats include a different Moulin Rouge By Jamie Portman Explore the world of recent DVD releases and you find some unexpected treasures — a forgotten Hollywood saga filmed under excruciating conditions on Canada’s Baffin Island, a forgotten John Huston classic which also bore the title of Moulin Rouge, and a forgotten Ginger Rogers comedy which paved the way decades later for the phenomenon of Chicago.The film companies devote their biggest DVD marketing push to their latest hot releases.But they also continue to release dozens of worthy items from the past.A case in point is Paramount Home Entertainment’s 30th anniversary DVD reissue of The White Dawn, an adaptation of Canadian novelist Houston’s critically acclaimed novel about a real-life 19th Century Arctic tragedy.It was only the second film to be directed by Philip Kaufman, an innovative filmmaker who later achieved cult success with The Right Stuff and The Un- bearable Lightness Of Being.In his excellent commentary for this DVD, Kaufman details the hardships faced by himself and his film crew in shooting The White Dawn in the Baffin Island-Frobisher Bay area of Canada in temperatures which sometimes dropped to 50 degrees below zero Fahrenheit.But he also explains why he considered it essential to film Houston’s story where it actually happened — in the frozen wastes of the Arctic.• Moulin Rouge (MGM, 1952) — No, this isn't the recent Baz Luhrman extravaganza which has Nicole Kidman coughing her lungs away in a Paris garret.It's director John Huston's portrait of French artist Toulouse-Lautrec who was only a peripheral character in the Luhrman film.Here, this self-loathing dwarf and artistic genius dominates the story and is memorably portrayed by Jose Ferrer who endured months of agony having his legs tied back against his thighs because in those pre-high- tech days there was no satisfactory alternative if audiences were to see his diminished stature.• Roxie Hart (Fox, 1942) — During the 1940s, Ginger Rogers was determined to prove that she didn’t need to be sharing the screen with Fred Astaire in order to give a star performance.One prime example is this caustic 74-minute frolic about a 1920s showgirl so anxious to get publicity that she’ll even confess to murder.Fans will recognize the seeds of the musical, Chicago, in this 62:year-old film; what they may not expect is the degree of cynicism which existed even then towards celebrity culture and the fallibility of the judicial process.• The Wild Party (MGM, 1975) — Can you imagine James Ivory — the fastidious director of Howard’s End and Remains Of The Day — making a movie for American International, the now defunct but once legendary company responsible for potboilers like The Wild Angels and The Day The Earth Explod- ed?Well, don't laugh.Ivory did work for AI early on with this period film loosely based on the notorious Fatty Arbuckle sex scandal of the 1920s.• The Garden of Allah (MGM, 1936) — High-toned romantic nonsense about the doomed love affair between a depressed socialite (Marlene Dietrich) and a guilt-ridden monk (Charles Boyer).The film still works because of the charisma of the two stars and because of the brilliance of the early technicolor photography which has to be seen to be believed.• Alexander The Great (MGM, 1956) — Writer-director Robert Rossen’s respectful film biography of the legendary warrior is meticulously crafted and often dull.On the credit side, it avoids the hysterics and frequent incoherence of Oliver Stone’s current film version and features intelligent performances from Richard Burton as Alexander and Fredric March as his father.—CanWest News Service THE, r Bestselling Albums 1.Greatest Hits, Shania Twain (1) 2.Encore, Eminem (3) 3.How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb, U2 (2) 4.American Idiot, Green Day (4) 5.Muchdance 2005, Various (5) 6.Hilary Duff, Hilary Duff (7) 7.Loyal to the game, Tupac (new) 8.Vol.Ill-Great American Songbook, Rod Stewart (8) 9.219 Days, Kalan Porter (6) 10.Confessions, Usher (11) * Nielson Soundscan ITS ON The First Time (Bullseye Records) The First Time are part of the legacy of Canadian bands inspired by Montreal’s pop-punk godfathers, the Doughboys.From beginning to end, It’s On is blistering with pop melodies, gruff harmonies, and a wall of guitars that would make the Goo Goo Dolls rethink their descent into toj>40 obscurity.Songs like ‘New Day Rising’ (a nod to Hüsker Dü) and ‘I’ve got An Anthem’ seem to suggest that as good as It’s On may be, this is probably a band best seen live.Though many of their forefathers never made received the airplay they deserved, there is still hope that The First Time can make their mark, and keep the legacy of bands like the Doughboys alive and well.-B.D.Stop The World Riddlin’ Kids (Aware Records) Despite the silly name, which might have otherwise placed them in the second-rate Blink-182 clones category, Stop the World is a disc of post-punk pop that drives along on a road of crunching guitar and soaring melodies.Although some songs might make you think of contemporary bands like the Foo Fighters, or Jimmy Eats World, this album seems hearken back to the American punk-pop masters of the early nineties, All or Big Drill Car.There are enough hooks on this one disc to justify plenty of airplay over the next year, and perhaps big things from a band with a very silly name.-B.D.OVER THE NEXT HILL Fairport Convention (Compass Records) Though the cast and crew of Fairport Convention have changed several times over the last several decades, the spirit of their music has remained surprisingly rmm *•*»* RECORD December 24, 2004 - January 6, 2005 page 7 TALK .~ ‘ .' ~ Bestselling Singles 1.Do They Know It’s Christmas, Band Aid 20(1) 2.My Boo/Confessions 2, Usher (3) 3.Awake In A Dream, Kalen Porter (2) 4.Party For Two, Shania Twain (4) 5.Vertigo Maxi, U2 (5) 6.Vertigo Single, U2 (6) 7.Yeah, Usher (7) 8.American Idiot, Greenday (8) 9.Let’s Get It Started, Black Eyed Peas (9) 10.1 Believe, Fantasia (10) * Nielson Soundscan consistent.Over The Next Hill is an album by some of the elder-statesmen of British folk, drawing on a rich history of traditional, folk and Celtic music to produce an exciting fusion that’s just as vital today as it was nearly thirty years ago.Fairport Convention would be welcome at any kitchen party, from here to the Channel, and if this album is any indication they may even rival the longevity of the Rolling Stones.-B.D.THE SECONDMAN’S MIDDLE STAND Mike Watt (Sony Music) Mike Watt has had an incredibly eclectic career for a died-in-the-wool punk rocker.The Secondman’s Middle Stand, an experimental concept album, seems a long way off from the seminal punk of his days with the Minutemen.This bass, drum and organ combo sounds surprisingly like something you might find on an early King Crimson album.The forays into jazz, funk and organ music make The Secondman’s Middle Stand sound more like progressive rock than anything else.Though Mike Watt’s reputation as a punk-rock visionary will surely endure, this album might be best recommended to die-hard fans, and friends of 70’s art-rock, who have a sweet spot for the Hammond B3.-B.D.COLLISION COURSE JayZ & Unkin Park (Warner) Yes, the days of rap-rock are over.And yes, Linkin Park are the Backstreet Boys of metal.And yes, Jay-Z was supposed to be retired.Despite all that, this MTV-sanc-tioned mash-up of the Jigga man's golden raps with Linkin Park’s chart-toppers is a winner.Be it a testament to Jay-Z’s lyrical prowess or to Linkin Park’s professionalism, the match-up showcases the versatility of both acts, and it works extremely well.Collision Course clocks in at just 21 mike watt the secondmsn’t; middle stand OVER THE NEXT HÜC%5 minutes — a one-two punch that leaves no time for self-indulgence, putting emphasis on the whole and not the sum of the parts.Because of the fact the artists did the actual mashing, the results are seamless, unlike some third-party mash-ups which often seem labored.Skeptics will call the project a big-pimpin’ cash grab, but the energy of the live performance on the accompanying DVD is worth the price alone.—CanWest News BLADE: TRINITY Various (New Line Records) Anything new from OF Dirty Bastard sparks added anticipation, given that he recently left us for the rap afterlife, but his track on the latest vampire-killer soundtrack lacks bite.On ‘Thirsty,’ the comparatively tender-voiced Black Keith does his bit and then hands the mic to ODB, whose urgent gruffness forms a contrast that reminds one of the Ghost-face Killah/Superb track The Man from the Ghost Dog soundtrack.‘Thirsty’ doesn’t work as well, as ODB’s raggedness contrasts too sharply with that of his mic-mate.Both discs were largely the work of the RZA, mastermind of the Wu-Tang Clan.Ghost Dog was more consistent, sticking with wonderfully melodic rap: the Blade disc offers a few middling •kst- J> rap tracks, and then gets lost in a lot of incidental elec-tronica that never lives up to the reputation of its participants (Kool Keith, Man- child, etc.).RZA performs the opening track, Fatal, on which, incongruously, Lou Reed gets a cowriting credit, perhaps for the sample from the Velvet Underground's arty classic Venus in Furs.—CanWest News LIVE AT MONTREUX 1987 Curtis Mayûeld (Eagle Eye) This 1987 concert at the Montreux Jazz Festival finds Curtis Mayfield’s voice and guitar still in spectacular form as he rolls out hits such as ‘Freddie’s Dead (Theme from Superfly)’ and ‘Move On Up.’ His angelic falsetto is as delicate as it ever was.It’s disappointing that the band isn’t up to his standard.The keyboard has a dated synthesizer quality that’s no substitute for a kicking horn section.Ready' is gorgeous in any mode — but the disc is for completists only.—CanWest News DVD of the week The Ben Stiller Collection features Along Came Polly, Mystery Men, Meet the Parents and Reality Bites.In Along Came Polly, Reuben Feffer (Ben Stiller) is a guy who's spent his entire life playing it safe.Polly Prince (Jennifer Aniston) is irresistible as a free-spirit who lives for the thrill of the moment.When these two comically mismatched souls collide, Reuben's world is turned upside down.In Mystery Men, the hippest cast in history has united to become the funniest superhero team ever.Stiller, Janeane Garofalo, Hank Azaria, William H.Macy, Greg Kinnear, Geoffrey Rush and Paul Reubens join forces in this wild, funny and thoroughly original misadventure.In Meet the Parents, male nurse Greg Focker (Stiller) is all set to pro-pr se to his girlfriend, Pam (Teri Polo), during a weekend at her parents' home.But there's a catch: Jack Byrnes (Robert De Niro), Pam's intimidating, cat-loving, ex-CIA father, takes an immediate dislike to his daughter's truth-bending beau.In Reality Bites, Stiller, Winona .’Ai < Ol i I t MON „ 1 h* ; ~ ujjÉiËffT WOKV Ryder, Ethan Hawke, Garofalo and Steve Zahn star in this smart, insightful and hilarious comedy that looks at life, love and the pursuit of gainful employment. page 8 December 24, 2004 - January 6, 2005 RECORD TALK King chronicles the historic MLB season By Bruce Ward Stephen King, the horror writer, and his buddy Stewart O’Nan, a not-so-famous novelist, have pulled off a nifty doubleplay with Faithful: Two Diehard Boston Red Sox Fans Chronicle the Historic 2004 Season (Scribner).Figuring ‘04 had to be the year the Sox would finally win it all, King and O’Nan followed the team from spring training to — O joy! — the final out of the World Series.The book is in “double diary form,” with each writer contributing reflections on games that especially thrilled or frustrated them.While the analysis is good stuff, even better is the steady flow of e-mail exchanges, sent when their emotions were red raw.All the meat and misery of their obsession comes out in the e-mails.Yes, both guys know it’s silly for grown men to care so much about a team, and both know there’s nothing they can do about it but laugh.And suffer when the Sox are going badly.In a passage written several hours before opening day, King explains what it's like being a true believer.“By August, in the heat of a pennant race, I always start to resent the evenings spent following baseball and to envy the people who can take it or just turn it off and read a good book.Myself, I’ve never been that way.I'm an addict, you see.And I’m a fan.And if there’s a difference, I don’t see it.” Poor baby.I'm not a fan of King's horror stories but I like the guy because he still lives in Maine, coaches Little League, and because he’s also obsessive about 1960s rock.O’Nan is a proud bleachers rat who feels out of place when King gets him a ticket to sit with the swells in the owner’s booth at a spring-training game.BLACK CAT BOOKS • Now carrying a selection of new books Quality used books • Special orders, new & used - Open 7 days a week - 168-E Queen Street Lennoxvillc, QC Tel.819-346-1786 Email: blackcat@netrevolution.com “What do you say to an owner — ‘Way to own?’” he wonders.The Sox last won a World Series 86 years ago, a drought of biblical proportions for the Red Sox Nation.In a March e-mail, King admits to losing the faith a little before the season has even started.“I’m 57, I've been hit by a car, I had a lung practically go up in smoke this winter and I realize maybe it really won’t happen — I used to joke about having a tombstone that read: STEPHEN KING with the dates, and then, below that, a single sock, and below that: NOT IN MY LIFETIME.And below that: NOT IN YOURS, EITHER.Not a bad tagline, huh?” The book’s tone is two pals talking, and it works well.Thankfully, neither of them gets “lyrical.” I hate those phony baseball books about how time begins on opening day, and how the game is a metaphor for life’s sweet mysteries and all that other horse manure.I prefer O’Nan's writing here.It’s more visceral.His hatred of the Yankees and owner George Steinbrenner is soul deep.He’s not above a little manly gloating, as he does when the Red Sox make history by defeating the Yankees in the post-sea-son after being down three games to zip.Looking back, it feels like beating the Yanks was the high point of the season and that whipping the Cardinals four straight in the series was pretty much inevitable.With the Red Sox, of course, no victory is ever inevitable.Faithful is not a book for the casual fan.It's assumed that the reader will be familiar with the Sox’s tragicomic history and the feats of Yaz, Spaceman, and Pudge.(And the goathorns of Billy Buck.) At one point, Nan mentions with disgust how an outfielder “Charlie Browns a can of corn.” If you require a translation, chances are you won’t enjoy the book.Now that the bogus Curse of the Bambino has been exorcised forever, will the Red Sox be just another team?Hell, no, King insists, winning is always better than losing.So way to go, big Pappi, Johnny D, D-Lowe, Schill and O-Cab.Thanks for the great comeback.You guys played wicked hahd, as they say around Fenway.-Can West News Service STEWART O’NAN STEPHEN KING I TWO DIEHARD BOSTON RED SOX FANS CHRONICLE THE HISTORIC 2001 SEASON Fiction Bestsellers 1.Runaway, by Alice Munro (12) 2.The Da Vinci Code: Special Illustrated Edition, by Dan Brown (4) 3.The Da Vinci Code, by Dan Brown (76) 4.A Complicated., by M.Toews (26) 5.Rumpole and The Penge Bungalow Murders, by John Mortimer (3) 6.The Sunday., by A.Smith (10) 7.The Final Unfinished., by P.O’Brian (2) 8.The Plot Against., by P.Roth (2) 9.All That Matters, by W.Choy (10) 10.Adultery, by Richard Wright (11) — MacLean’s magazine (") weeks on list Non-fiction Bestsellers 1.Eats Shoots and Leaves, by L.Truss (32) 2.Here Be Dragons, by Peter C.Newman (5) 3.To Rule the Waves, by Arthur Herman (7) 4.Prisoners of the North, by Pierre Berton (1) 5.Chronicles, Vol.1, by Bob Dylan (8) 6.Tree, by D.Suzuki & W.Grady (6) 7.The Museum Called Canada, by C.Gray (8) 8.The Ghosts of Medak Pocket, by Carol Off(l) 9.Canada’s House, by M.MacMillan (3) 10.History of Beauty, by Umberto Eco (5) — MacLean's magazine The tale of Sor Juana By Marc Horton It should come as no surprise an author whose first novel weighs in at more than 1,300 pages, plus almost 40 pages of footnotes, tends to use many, many words answering questions.Paul Anderson, who wrote Hunger’s Brides: A Novel of the Baroque, does just that.Ask him a question and the reply includes references to the gods of ancient Mexico, the Inquisition, the work of Sor Juana Inès de la Cruz — the nun who is the 17th-century hero of his book — the meaning of the soul, the fight for truth, the need to make ends meet, the generosity of the Mexican people.A conversation with Anderson is a fascinating dialogue of digressions and departures that drift but always end up back at Sor Juana, the real-life nun whose beauty and brains made her the toast of the vice-regal court in Mexico City in the 1660s.At age 19, while still in favour at court, she entered a convent and went on over the next 20 years to write some of the most celebrated poetry of her age.She would also write music and plays and engage in theological arguments, all before taking a vow of silence after being subjected to the terrors of the Inquisition.She signed her vow in blood, and the mystery of her silence has intrigued writers from Octavio Paz to Diane Ackerman to Robert Graves and now, of course, Anderson.Those who are obsessed with her and celebrate her genius even have their own name: Soijuanistas.For Anderson, who was born 49 years ago in Edmonton and now lives in Calgary, Juana was an almost constant companion for 12 years, as he toiled on a book that would tell her expansive story.Critics are almost unanimous in agreeing — Anderson is a close reader of reviews — Hunger’s Brides is a monu- mental work.Most of them would also agree it is a challenging, demanding work as well.This is an historical novel that comes with its own intellectual difficulties.It demands discipline.Nothing, however, can compare to the discipline of writing the book itself.“Occasionally I had to put the book down because I worked probably 10 weeks a year on average doing technical writing or teaching English as a second language, and I was always anxious that when I came back after having set it aside that it would feel dead on the table.I remember thinking that it's hard enough to work on, let alone having to resurrect your passion for it.But that never happened.It was waiting for me every time I came back to it.” When he sold the book to Random House — the only publisher to which he sent the manuscript — they asked for more material on Juana’s childhood.Thus, there is an expanded exploration of Juana’s early life as a child prodigy brought up in the mountains through which Cortes and his conquistadors marched on their way to defeating Montezuma in his capital.The main portal into that childhood, Anderson says, was a meeting with Paz in the very cloister where Juana spent her final years.“It’s kind of a Graceland of Sor-juanistas,” Anderson says.“But Paz was such a formidable character, and to see him in the year that he died and see the hand that time deals even the formidable, was quite moving.” The book is intended to be “inexhaustible,” says Anderson.All its disclosures slowly reveal characters in Juana’s life, as well as those in the overarching story that involves a philandering University of Calgary professor, a Sor-juanista student of his and a mystery surrounding her brutal beating.— CanWest News Service RECORD December 24, 2004 - January 6, 2005 page 9 TALK ==—^=== DiCaprio takes on a huge challenge CANWEST NEWS SERVICE Leonardo DiCaprio portrays Howard Hughes in The Aviator.By Jamie Portman It took just two pages of script to stop Leonardo DiCaprio in his tracks.They suddenly brought home to him the awesome nature of challenge he faced in portraying the legendary Howard Hughes in The Aviator.Two pages in which screenwriter John Logan spelled out in frightening terms the first symptoms of the obsessive compulsive disorder which eventually came to destroy the billionaire genius’ life.Two pages which have Hughes repeating the same few words over and over again.When DiCaprio came to this scene, he found himself asking some urgent questions.“How in the hell am I gonna say this?What is the driving force behind repeating something 20 times in a row and why the hell is he doing it?” DiCaprio is an actor with a restless, inquiring mind, and although he knew he could rely on technique to get through a scene like this, he was determined to offer audiences something more.So he ended up at the University of California, Los Angeles, in the office of Dr.Jeffrey Schwartz, an expert on obsessive compulsive disorder.“He really explained to me what OCD is and the brain mechanism that goes into it and the sort of faulty gear shift, the sticky gear shift, that happens when your mind obsesses on one thing and you don’t listen to the other part of your brain that tells you that you're being ridiculous.“So I worked a lot with him and with a patient of his — living around him and talking to him and really trying to find out why he had to repeat or do things obsessively.” DiCaprio himself has long been obsessive about Hughes, the billionaire industrialist and aviation pioneer who became the most famous American flier after Charles Lindbergh — as well as a taboo-defying film producer, notorious womanizer, corporate maverick and — increasingly — reclusive madman.After reading a biography of Hughes several years ago, he dreamed of one day making a film about a seminal figure in 20th Century American history.“You’re constantly searching for that great character.And being a history buff and learning about people in our past and the amazing things they’ve done, I came across a book about Howard Hughes, and he was set up as basically the most multi-dimensional character I could ever come across.“Often people have tried to define him in categories (but) no one seems able to categorize him.He was one of the most complicated men of the last century.” DiCaprio took the book to filmmaker Michael Mann who was interested in producing a film about Hughes.Then John Logan, the screenwriter behind Gladiator, came on board and he sold DiCaprio and Mann on a workable concept.“Let's focus on his younger years,” Logan said.“Let’s watch his initial descent into madness but meanwhile have the backdrop of early Hollywood, of those daring aviation pioneers that were like astronauts and risked their lives to further the cause of aviation.” Logan saw Hughes — who was instantly rich due to inherited wealth — as an American billionaire who had the world on his plate but was never able to find peace and happiness.“It’s that great see-saw act in the movie that goes on,” DiCaprio says.“On one side, he’s having all these successes in the world and on the other side the tiny microbes and germs are the things that are taking him downwards because of his obsessive compulsive disorder and being a germaphobe." DiCaprio and Mann brought in the legendary Martin Scorsese to direct The Aviator.And Scorsese contributed his own personal vision to the movie — for example, evoking the texture of the Thirties by shooting The Aviator in the rich hues of early Technicolor.The aim of the filmmakers from the beginning was to make a movie that would connect powerfully with audiences through spectacular flying scenes, moments of high dramatic intensity leavened with some more amusing interludes, and an honest and forthright distinction of corporate and political skullduggery in the highest places.The film, which ends in 1948, some three decades before Hughes’ death, is garnished with a rich assortment of supporting performances — Cate Blanchett as Katherine Hepburn and Kate Beckinsale as Ava Gardner, two key figures in his turbulent romantic life; John C.Reilly as Hughes’ long-suffering right-hand man, Noah Dietrich; Alec Baldwin as Pan American Airlines boss Juan Tripp; Jude Law as Errol Flynn; and Alan Alda as a sleazy senator.But the biggest burden belonged to DiCaprio because of the mercurial complexity of the man he was portraying.Now 30, he still looks incredibly young to be taking on a character like Hughes and to have brought off a performance which is generating strong Oscar talk.He’s wearing a black T-shirt and black casual jacket.He looks as though he needs to shave no more than a couple of times a week and his hair is slicked back in the old-fashioned way — the way that Howard Hughes used to slick his hair back 70 years ago when he was simultaneously taking the aviation world by storm and striving to finish his horrendously expensive aerial combat movie, Hell’s Angels.Titanic solidified DiCaprio’s status as a star, but he’s a star who continues to pursue unusual projects.He also guards his privacy.At his press conference this morning, he is asked early on whether he saw parallels between Hughes, with his obsessions and fear of celebrity, and himself.“I’m for the most part a pretty private person,” replies DiCaprio who a few minutes later will deftly but firmly sidestep questions about his personal relationships.He points out that Hughes was afflicted by “a genuine mental disorder — and I’m just fundamentally not like that.“My reasons for being a private person are different from Mr.Hughes.Mine are because I’m an actor and I want people to believe me in different roles and not necessarily know too much about me.I want to be around in the business for a long time.” —Can West News Service BALAXY cinemas/^ 4204, boul, Bertrand-Fabi MOVI6 INFO 821-9999 SH0WT1MÉ5 EFFECTIVE DEC24THT0JAN6TH N0& AVEC LES HUNKS (G) Everyday œept Dec 25:1300.1600 Sat Dec 25 16.00 LAUTRE BEU6FANKUE (6 » Not recommended tor young children) NO RA55E5 ACCEPTED Everyday except Dec 24-25 31: 1240,1540, 1840, 2130 Fri Dec 24 6 31: 1240, 1540, 1840 Sat Dec 251540,1840.21:30 BOREAL-EXPRESS (6) Everyday except Oec 25 1240,1540 Sat Dec.25 1540 BLADE 3: LA TRINITE (I3Y* Horror* Violence) Fn Dec 24: 12:50, 15:50, 18:50 Everyday except Dec 31: 18:50, 2145 Fn Dec 31:18 50 SPANGUSH (FV) (6) Everyday except Dec 242531: 12:35, 15:35, 18:35, 21:35 fri Dec 24 6 31: 12:35, 1535 18:35 Sat Dec 25J535,18:35,2135 IE VOL DU PHENIX (6 ?Not recommended for young children) Everyday except Dec 242531: 12:50, 15:50, 18:50, 2145 Fn Dec 24 6 31: 1250, 15:50, 1850 Sat Dec 25 1550,1850.2145 INTIME (!3Y)Ffi Dec 24:1805 LES DESASTREUSES AVENTURES- (G) Everyday except Dec 242531: 12,25, 1525 1625, 2125 Fn Dec 24 6 31: 1225 1525,1825 Sat Dec 25 1525, 18:25,21:25 BOB LEPONGE.LE FILM (G) Fri Dec 24 12:30, 15,30 Everyday except Dec 25 12:30 N0UVEU.6FRANCE (G • Not recommended tor young cMdrsi) Fn Dec 24 18.35 Everyday except Dec 25 12,35, 1535 Sat Dec 25 1535 OCEANS TWELVE (G) NO PASSES ACCEPTED Fn Dec 24 1845 LE RETOUR DE DANNY OCEAN (G) NO PA5SE5 ACCEPTED Fn Dec 24 12:35, 15.35, 1835 Everyday except Dec 31, 18:35,21:30 Fri Dec.31 18,35 MEET THE FOOLERS (G * Not recommended tor young chlldwi) NO PASSES ACCEPTED Everyday except Dec 2425 31: 12:55, 1555, 1855, 2140 Fn Dec.24 8 31:12:55 15,55 1855 Sat Dec 25 15,55.18552140 CEST PAS MO, CEST LAUTRE (G) Fri Dec 24 12:30, 1430, 16:30 19,10 Everyday except Dec 31, 1430, 1630, 1910,21:25 Sat Dec 31, 1430,1630, 1910 MA VIE EN CINEMASCOPE (G * Not recom mended tor young dddrei) Everyday except Dec 242831: 1255, 1555, 1855, 2130 Fri Dec 24 6 31: 1255, 1555, 1855 Sat Dec.25,1555.1855,21:30 LA NOIRCEUR ( I3Y) From Dec 25 b Jan.6 except Dec 31 1900,2140Fri Dec 31 1900 LE GROS ALBERT (G ‘ Not recommended for young children) Sat Dec 25 1610, 1910, 21,25 From Dec 26 ta Jan.6 except Dec.31, 13,10, 1610, 19,10, 2125 Fn Dec 31:13:10,1610,1910 LAVIATEUR (G ?Not recommended tor?young children) NO PA55ES ACCEPTED-Sat Dec 25 1630,2000 From Dec 25 to Jan.6 except Dec 31: 1300, 16,30.2000FnDec3l, 1300,1630 Murry Christmas & Happy Naur Yaart immu galaxycincmas com PAGE 10 TALK OF THE JoiPtlsflipS DECEMBER 24, 2004 - JANUARY 6, 2005 Station Guide 6AM 6:30 7AM 7:30 8AM 8:30 9AM 9:30 10AM 10:30 11AM 11:30 I'.'MA'I D News (CC) News (CC) The Early Show The Tony Danza Show The Ellen DeGeneres Show The Price Is Right n (CC) B News Today Live With Regis and Kelly Judge Judy Judge Judy nrm o CBC News: Morning (CC) (:05) Cyberchase Arthur (CC) Clifford-Red Dragon Tales Poko(CC) The Save-Urns! Nanalan' (CC) Zoboomafoo Mr.Dressup Slim Pig (CC) 14!HI B (5:30) Salut, bonjour! Varied Programs Deux filles le matin Les Saisons de Clodine Movie Varied Programs tïi.'.iYT B News (CC) Good Morning America Live With Regis and Kelly Family Feud Family Feud The View rrrm q Tweenies (SC) Les Frimousses Matin express (SC) Movie Ricardo (SC) 14X',ii iq News This Morning Live Varied Programs 100 Huntley Street World Vision Body & Health Varied Programs 14J4j fS Mann’s Body Canada AM Varied Programs Balance: Living Daily Planet A Live With Regis and Kelly The View i'.yj.'k'A ES World News World News Good Morning America Paid Program Guthy-Renker Guthy-Renker Paid Program The View IVihà’i Paid Program First Business Sabrina-Witch Ace Lightning Fresh Prince Guthy-Renker Guthy-Renker Guthy-Renker Maury The People's Court (CC) 141X4 ED Iglou-Giou Iglou-Glou Caféine Varied Programs l’.’iHÜJ Just Shoot Me Paid Program Ace Lightning Dharma & Greg Home Improve.Paid Program Judge Joe Brown Judge Joe Brown Jerry Springer The People s Court (CC) CUB BBC World News Varied Programs Arthur Clifford-Red Dragon Tales Caillou Berenstain Bears Barney & Friends Sesame Street Between-Lions Teletubbies BBC World News Wai Lana Yoga Cyberchase Clifford-Red Sesame Street Dragon Tales Between-Lions Teletubbies Barney & Friends Mister Rogers DragonflyTV fTT3 Paid Program Paid Program New Explorers Varied Programs Murder, She Wrote Third Watch l=l;T:VM Varied Programs BravolVideos n Varied Programs t47i7i (5:00) CNN Daybreak American Morning (CC) CNN Live Today Varied Programs Frontiers of Construction Varied Programs RMi History Bites Sketches-Town Like Yesterday Historylands Canada: A People’s History Turning Points History Bites Disaster-Cent.Manhunt Bordertown rrm Diagnosis M.D.Spectacular Spas House and Home Craftscapes Good Dog! Dogs With Jobs Animal Miracles Zoo Diaries Spectacular Spas Extra (CC) Head to Toe f'rrm Inti.Newsfirst Mini-Documentary Inti.Newsfirst News TV-CBC Inti.Newsfirst Mini-Documentary Inti.Newsfirst Mini-Documentary Inti.Newsfirst Mini-Documentary Newsfirst-Busin Varied Programs l:l>]l Matin express (SC Varied Programs HÎMVI La Femme Nikita n (CC) The Adventures of Sinbad Kung Fu: The Legend Continues Highlander Counterstrike Cold Squad to Magic School Bus Magic School Bus The Save-Urns! Hi-5 Peep Toddworld A Baby Story IA Baby Story Clean Sweep A Wedding Story Second Chance TO Paid Program n Paid Program n Paid Program n Paid Program a Paid Program n Paid Program A V.I.P.V.I.P.V.I.P.SportsCentre jSportsCentre (CC) SportsCentre SportsCentre (CC) SportsCentre SportsCentre (CC) tT4»U!l jThe Littlest Hobo j Varied Programs | Daily Mass Varied Programs Life Today (CC) Believer's Voice Quick Study This Is Your Day It’s a New Day Station Guide 12PM 12:30 1PM 1:30 2PM 2:30 3PM 3:30 4PM 4:30 5PM 5:30 B Across the Fence jThe Young and the Restless Bold, Beautiful As the World Turns n (CC) Guiding Light n (CC) Every-Raymond King of Queens Dr.Phil ivra H b News 'Access H’wood | Days of our Lives Passions The Jane Pauley Show Oprah Winfrey News Access H’wood rrrnu q CBC News: Today New Red Green 22 Minutes | Royal Air Farce | Fashion File Open Book Emmerdale Antiques Road Varied Programs The Simpsons Varied Programs rarra a (11:45) Movie Varied Programs Chien (:45) Boutique TVA Movie Varied Programs Chien Drôles d'animaux | Top modèles Le TVA AVi.’.bs'.’i Q News (CC) Inside Edition All My Children One Life to Live General Hospital The Ellen DeGeneres Show Dr.Phil rrern a Téléjournal Movie j La Loi et l'ordre jCalinours iLizzie McGuire Tètes à Kat (SC) | Mr.Bean TJ 14Will ID Varied Programs Money Wise j Days of our Lives | As the World Turns n (CC) 2nd Chance Passions A (CC) The Young and the Restless (CC) Malcolm-Mid.14743 Q News | Balance: Living jBold, Beautiful | Vicki Gabereau jVicki Gabereau General Hospital Oprah Winfrey Dr.Phil vh'uvi m Paid Program Spin City All My Children One Life to Live General Hospital Frasier Will & Grace Family Feud Be a Millionaire I’.’iiik’l HD Pat Croce Pat Croce Good Day Live Judge Mathis Jerry Springer Judge Joe Brown Divorce Court Judge Joe Brown Every-Raymond 14 dm ED (:30) Le Grand Journal Movie Varied Programs Les Simpson Le Grand Journal Varied Programs kvnrrra Home Delivery Paid Program jPaid Program | Judge Mathis Varied Programs Family Feud Maury Malcolm-Mid.King of the Hill Mister Rogers I Boohbah Reading Rainbow Charlie Rose n (CC) Varied Programs Zoom Postcards Arthur Maya & Miguel Cyberchase Varied Programs l’.V4d3 Varied Programs Reading Rainbow Arthur Postcards Zoom Maya & Miguel Caillou Cyberchase ITU City Confidential American Justice Varied Programs Murder, She Wrote Third Watch nTTA’n Varied Programs Law & Order ; Movie Varied Programs 147T71 News From CNN Live From.(CC) Inside Politics Crossfire (CC) Wolf Blitzer Reports IQLM Varied Programs Frontiers of Construction Varied Programs ÜTEYl JAG Movie Sketches-Town Canada: A People's History Historylands Disaster-Cent.1TI73 Varied Programs Animal Miracles Birth Stories Adoption Stories Varied Programs Candid Camera Weird Homes ifimi Inti.Newsfirst Varied Programs | Inti.Newsfirst News TV-NHK Inti.Newsfirst German Journal Inti.Newsfirst Varied Programs Newsfirst-Busin News TV-NHK Inti.Newsfirst German Journal l:t»]| Téléjournal Varied Programs Le Journal RDI Journal Fr.2 Le Journal RDI 30 millions d'amis HÎH'.'l Due South Movie Water Rats Kung Fu: The Legend Continues MDA TO A Makeover Story A Makeover Story | Perfect Proposal | A Wedding Story | A Baby Story A Baby Story A Makeover Story A Makeover Story Trading Spaces While You Were Out TO V.I.P.V.I.P.V.I.P.V.I.P.V.I.P.V.I.P.17471 Off the Record Varied Programs Junior Hockey Varied Programs A'/.HHTl Jimmy Neutron jJacob Two Two “Land Before2” Varied Programs LazyTown Jacob Two Two Martin Mystery Varied Programs TALK OF THE Townships DECEMBER 24, 2004 - JANUARY 6, 2005 PAGE 11 Station Guide 6PM 6:30 7PM 7:30 8PM 8:30 9PM 9:30 10PM 10:30 11PM 11:30 12AM t'.'M-TI B News (CC) CBS Eveninc News n (CC Entertainment Tonioht n Joan of Arcadia “Back to the JAG “A Merry Little Christmas" A Garden” a (CC) (CCUDVS) 48 Hours Mystery The Perry sextu-Dlets of Pittsburgh, a (CC) One Silent Night (:35) Christmas Eve Service A t’.'iJM O News NBC Nightly News ICC) Jeopardy! (CC) Wheel of Fortune (CC) Movie “A Christmas Carol: The Musical" (2004, Musical) Kelsey Grammar, Jason Alexander, Jane Krakowsld.a (CC) Law & Order: Criminal Intent “Unrequited" A fCC) News (35) Christmas Eve at St.Peter's Basilica in Rome n (CC) Canada Now ICC) Canada Now ICC) Movie “It's a Wonderful Life" (1946, angel who shows a sutcldri businer rfassic about an The National (CC) Fantasy) James Stewart, Donna Reed.Frank Capra's tsman what life would be like without Wm, fCC) Movie ine&wra Grant Loretta Y