The Last Confession in Review

Posted on April 24, 2014 by Edward Brain

Last night I attended a performance of Roger Crane’s The Last Confession starring David Suchet as Cardinal Benelli.  The performance also starred Sam Perks (Father Lorenzi), Phillip Craig (the Confessor), David Ferry (Monsignor Magee), Richard O’Callaghan (Cardinal Albino Luciani/Pope John Paul I), Nigel Bennett (Cardinal Villot), Stuart Milligan (Bishop Marcinkus), Donald Douglas (Pope Paul VI), and Bernard Lloyd (Cardinal Felici.)

The production is directed by Jonathan Church, the set designer is William Dudley, the lighting director is Peter Mumford, and the costume designer is Fotini Dimoli. Continue reading →

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2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs Round One

Posted on April 13, 2014 by Edward Brain

The 2013-2014 NHL regular season has come to an end.  16 of the 30 teams have qualified for the playoffs.

The following match-ups are now set: Continue reading →

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Hercules at the Canadian Opera

Posted on April 12, 2014 by Edward Brain

Director Peter Sellars, whose Tristan und Isolde for the COC last season was a huge success, has returned to Toronto for a production of Handel’s Hercules.  The production stars Eric Owens as Hercules, Alice Coote as Dejanira (Hercules’ wife), Richard Croft as Hyllus (their son), Lucy Crowe as Iole, David Daniels as Lichas, and was conducted by Harry Bicket.

The singing in this production is simply wonderful.  Alice Coote was simply wonderful as Dejanira.  Eric Owen’s Hercules was moving (especially during Hercules’ death scene where Owens had to sing on his back) and made it obvious how few lines the character really has as I really wanted to hear more from him. Continue reading →

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Mickey Rooney Dies at 93

Posted on April 7, 2014 by Edward Brain
English: Studio publicity portrait of Mickey R...

English: Studio publicity portrait of Mickey Rooney. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

It has been announced that legendary actor Mickey Rooney has passed away at the age of 93.   The cause of death was not immediately mentioned, but it has been reported by the BBC that he was ill for some time before his death.

Mr. Rooney appeared in a large number of movies over his career, including 16 movies about Andy Hardy.

Mr. Rooney was a famous child actor, but continued this into his adult life, continuing in movies and television.   He was one of the last four actors living who had starred in silent films. Continue reading →

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Toronto Blue Jays Opening Day Roster

Posted on March 31, 2014 by Edward Brain

As the Toronto Blue Jays prepare to open their 2014 season in Tampa against the Tampa Bay Rays, their opening day 25 man roster breaks down as follows:

Starters Continue reading →

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Monuments Men Review

Posted on March 20, 2014 by Edward Brain

I’d to share my thought about the movie Monuments Men which I have recently watched at my local Cineplex.  The movie is based on The Monuments Men: Allied Heroes, Nazi Thieves and the Greatest Treasure Hunt in History, by Robert M. Edsel.  The book, as well as the movie, are based on the true story of the Allies attempt to recover art that was stolen by the Nazis.

The movie stars George Clooney (Lt. Frank Stokes), Matt Damon (Lt. James Granger), Bill Murray (Sgt. Richard Campbell), John Goodman (Sgt. Walter Garfield), Jean Dujardin (Lt. Jean Claude Clermont), Bob Balaban (Pvt. Preston Savitz), Hugh Bonneville (Lt. Donald Jeffries), Cate Blanchett (Claire Simone), Sam Hazeldine (Colonel Langton), and Dimitri Leonidas (Sam Epstein.)  The movie is directed, and co-produced by George Clooney, who also co-wrote the screenplay. Continue reading →

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Charges Must Be Reasonable

Posted on March 14, 2014 by Edward Brain

Gerry Hyman has a new article on condominiums.  So let’s discuss it:

QUESTION:  The property manager for our 41-townhouse condo advised at our annual meeting that, following a written request, an owner could electronically receive the corporation’s monthly financial statements. There would be a $50 charge for sending them. Is that a reasonable charge? If not what action can be taken? Continue reading →

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Toronto: The City of Champions

Posted on March 12, 2014 by Edward Brain

Trillium July 2010 Cruise 034Recently, the City of Toronto celebrated its 180th birthday.  That made me think, is Toronto the City of Champions?  I believe it is.

Toronto has had many successful sports teams of the years, both current and past.  Current sports teams include the Toronto Argonauts, Toronto Blue Jays, Toronto Maple Leafs (both the hockey team and the baseball team), Toronto Marlies, Toronto Raptors, Toronto F.C., and Toronto Rock.  Past teams include the Toronto Marlboros (also known as the ‘Marlies’), Toronto Blizzard, Toronto Huskies, Toronto Roadrunners, and Toronto Toros. Continue reading →

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Commonwealth Day 2014

Posted on March 10, 2014 by Edward Brain
Map of the Commonwealth of nations. Based on I...

Map of the Commonwealth of nations. Based on Image:BlankMap-World6, compact.svg with information from List of members of the Commonwealth of Nations and colour scheme from Image:Commonwealth of Nations.png. Commonwealth of Nations members Suspended Commonwealth of Nations members (Fiji) Former Commonwealth of Nations members (Ireland and Zimbabwe) British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Today, March 10th 2014, is Commonwealth Day in the countries that are members of the Commonwealth of Nations.

Commonwealth Day, celebrated on the second Monday of March throughout the Commonwealth, as its name suggests celebrates the Commonwealth. Continue reading →

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Roberto Luongo Traded to Florida Panthers

Posted on March 4, 2014 by Edward Brain
English: Vancouver Canucks goaltender Roberto ...

Vancouver Canucks goaltender Roberto Luongo in a pre-game warmup against the Boston Bruins on October 28, 2008. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Goalie Roberto Luongo has been traded from the Vancouver Canucks to the Florida Panthers.  Luongo is 19-16-6 with a 2.38 goals-against average and .917 save percentage in 41 games for the Canucks this year.

The complete trade is as follows:  Goalie Roberto Luongo and left winger Steven Anthony to Florida; goalie Jacob Markstrom and centre Shawn Matthias to Vancouver. Continue reading →

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