Edward Brain's Blog

Farley Mowat Passes Away

Posted on May 7, 2014 by Edward Brain

Famed author, and World War II veteran, Farley Mowat has passed away at the tender age of 92.

Farley Mowat was commissioned into the Canadian Army during the Second World War, serving on the front lines including in Italy. He began his military career as a Second Lieutenant, eventually raising to the rank of Captain. He was provided with an honorary discharge as the end of the war, but had been offered a promotion to the rank of Major if he remained in the army, which he decided not to accept. Continue reading →

Posted in Obituaries | Tagged Boat Who Wouldn't Float, Canada, Curse of the Viking Grave, Farley Mowat, List of Canadian writers, Never Cry Wolf, Sir Oliver Mowat, Whale For The Killing, World War II | Leave a comment

2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs 2nd Round

Posted on May 1, 2014 by Edward Brain

The Stanley Cup.

We have now finished the first round of the 2014 Stanley Cup playoffs and have seen eight teams eliminated from postseason action.

Tonight, the Conference Semi-Finals in the 2014 Stanley Cup playoffs with the Montreal Canadiens hosting the defending Eastern Conference Champions the Boston Bruins.

Let’s take a look at the match-ups: Continue reading →

Posted in General | Tagged 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Anaheim Ducks, Boston Bruins, Chicago Blackhawks, Conference Semi-Finals, Los Angeles Kings, Minnesota Wild, Montreal Canadiens, National Hockey League, New York Rangers, NHL, Pittsburgh Penguins, Stanley Cup | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in Reviews | Tagged Bernard Lloyd, Bishop Marcinkus, Cardinal, Cardinal Albino Luciani, Cardinal Benelli, Cardinal Felici, Cardinal Luciani, Cardinal Villot, David Ferry, David Suchet, Donald Douglas, Father Lorenzi, Jonathan Church, Mirvish Productions, Monsignor Magee, Nigel Bennett, Peter Mumford, Phillip Craig, Pope, Pope John Paul, Pope John Paul I, Pope John Paul II, Pope Paul VI, Review, Richard O'Callaghan, Roger Crane, Royal Alex, Royal Alexandra Theatre, Sam Perks, Stuart Milligan, the Confessor, The Last Confession | 1 Comment

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 →

Posted in National Hockey League | Tagged 2013-2014 NHL Season, 2014 Playoffs, Anaheim Ducks, Boston Bruins, Chicago Blackhawks, Colorado Avalanche, Columbus Blue Jackets, Dallas Stars, Detroit Red Wings, Los Angeles Kings, Minnesota Wild, Montreal Canadiens, National Hockey League, New York Rangers, NHL, Philadelphia Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins, San Jose Sharks, St. Louis Blues, Stanley Cup, Tampa Bay Lightning | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in Reviews | Tagged Alice Coote, Canadian Opera Company, COC, David Daniels, Eric Owens, George Frideric Handel, George Handel, Handel, Harry Bicket, Hercules, Iole, Kaleb Alexander, Lucy Crowe, Peter Sellars, Review, Richard Croft | Leave a comment

Mickey Rooney Dies at 93

Posted on April 7, 2014 by Edward Brain

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 →

Posted in Obituaries | Tagged Academy Award, actor, Child Actor, dead, Death, Mickey Rooney, Obituary | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in Toronto Blue Jays | Tagged 2014 Season, Aaron Loup, Adam Lind, Brandon Morrow, Brett Cecil, Brett Lawrie, Casey Janssen, Colby Rasmus, Dioner Navarro, Drew Hutchison, Dustin McGowan, Edwin Encarnación, Erick Kratz, Esmil Rogers, Jeremy Jeffress, José Bautista, José Reyes, Josh Thole, Maicer Izturis, Major League Baseball, Mark Buehrle, Melky Cabrera, MLB, Moises Sierra, R.A. Dickey, Ryan Goins, Sergio Santos, Steve Delabar, Toronto Blue Jays | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in Reviews | Tagged Bob Balaban, Donald Jeffries, Fine Arts and Archives program, Frank Stokes, George Clooney, Hugh Bonneville, James Granger, Jean Claude Clermont, Jean Dujardin, Madonna of Bruges, Monuments Men, movie Monuments Men, Review, Richard Campbell, Robert M. Edsel, Sam Hazeldine, The Monuments, Walter Garfield | 1 Comment

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 →

Posted in Condominiums | Tagged Annual General Meeting, Board of Directors, Condo Office, Condominium, Condominium Act, Condominium Reform, Corporation, Financial statement, financial statements, Gerry Hyman, Ombudsman's Office, Ontario Condominium Act, Ownership, Property Manager | Leave a comment

Toronto: The City of Champions

Posted on March 12, 2014 by Edward Brain

Recently, 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 →

Posted in Sports, Toronto Argonauts, Toronto Blue Jays, Toronto Maple Leafs | Tagged Amway Canadian Championship, Champion's Cup, City of Champtions, City of Toronto, Governors' Trophy, Grey Cup, International League Pennant, Jack and Lynne Dominico Trophy, Junior World Series, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, Memorial Cup, Soccer Bowl, St. Michael's Majors, Stanley Cup, Toronto, Toronto Arenas, Toronto Argonauts, Toronto Balmy Beach, Toronto Blizzrd, Toronto Blue Jays, Toronto Blueshirts, Toronto F.C., Toronto FC, Toronto Maple Leafs, Toronto Marboros, Toronto Marlies, Toronto Ontario, Toronto Raptors, Toronto RCAF Hurricanes, Toronto Rock, Toronto St. Patricks, University of Toronto Varsity Blues, World Series | Leave a comment

Edward Brain's Blog

2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs 2nd Round

The Last Confession in Review

2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs Round One

Hercules at the Canadian Opera

Mickey Rooney Dies at 93

Toronto Blue Jays Opening Day Roster

Monuments Men Review

Charges Must Be Reasonable

Toronto: The City of Champions

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