The Five Must See Movies of Oct 10th – 16th, 2014

TheJudgeOver this past week I have discovered that the places to see films in a local independent setting wasn’t just exclusive to the theatres whose films we list weekly.

Places like Blue Bridge Repertory in Victoria may show live theatre in their home at the old Roxy but they have been known to show films as well. At this time though, showing movies at the theatre has been suspended until Blue Bridge comes up with a more specialized movie schedule.

For now, opportunities to catch a film are plentiful. The Cowichan Theatre in the Cowichan Valley shows both films and live theatre in high-definition, the Community Hall on Pender Island hosts films from time to time, and the Oak Bay Beach Hotel shows films every Tuesday.

I’ve heard Mayne Island hosted movie nights at their community hall every week but as of this time it appears to have discontinued. If anyone knows if Mayne’s movie nights are ongoing, drop me a line and I will be glad to add them to our weekly listings.

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Kim’s Vietnamese is a Guilty Pleasure

Kim's VietnameseKim’s Vietnamese Restaurant
748 Johnson St.
Victoria, BC
(250) 385-0455

E: If ever you are in the mood for the food of Vietnam, then you should try your taste buds on Kim’s on Johnson. I know I’m starting off this article by sounding like a commercial but how else am I going to get you to try the atmosphere this place offers. It’s low lighting and warm comfortable decor is perfect for anyone having a romantic dinner or in some people’s cases a bromantic one.

J: I knew the owner’s sons at good ol’ George Jay Elementary. Okay, it was no Blanshard but they had one hell of a library. To get to my point, I wasn’t going to let any sort of association get in my way of a restaurant review.

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The Five Must See Movies of Oct 3rd – 9th, 2014

TwoFacesOfJanuaryCinecenta’s list of films is looking mighty tasty for the month of October. In a tribute to the late Robin Williams, the films of Jumanji starring David Alan Grier and Mrs. Doubtfire with Pierce Brosnan will be featured this month.

Other films on Cinecenta’s list are Ira Sachs’ Love Is Strange starring Alfred Molina and John Lithgow about Two New Yorkers who are married after gay marriage is made legal in the state. But both of them learn that small steps for gay rights doesn’t wipe away the discrimination that still exists in a modern society.

Newer films on show will be Woody Allen’s Magic In the Moonlight, Disney’s Planes: Fire and Rescue, Begin Again with Mark Ruffalo and Kiera Knightley, Calvary starring Brendan Gleeson, and The Trip to Italy with Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon.

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Cherry Bomb Launches an Atomic Banger for a Limited Time!

hotdogThe Atomic Rocket Breakfast Bomber looks ready to take off, but upon tasting it today, just where it goes is not quite orbital. It’s available today only (while supplies last) at The Pig BBQ Joint and comes with a free early-bird pass (starting at 8am) to Cherry Bomb Toy’s Ultimate Hobby & Toy Fair that’s happening October 5th at the Pearkes Recreation Center.

I flew immediately into town to try this new idea out, and if I had a jetpack, I’d be arriving in my Rocketeer get up. However, that costume is still in the works as I need to find the right aviator jacket before I can make a helmet and flight pack. Instead, I arrived in my all-weather jacket with the Apollo 11 and Tesla patch to show I was in the mood to try this meal.

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The Must See Art Events of October, 2014

rez-sisters-1024-x-544-925x491There is so much to love in the arts and that is not limited to what occurs in the capital city of Victoria. Many communities exist up and down Vancouver Island and for the enthusiast, a road trip can be taken to see them all before hopping a ferry to see what has spilled over, onto little islands such as Mayne and Salt Spring. Although we lack a decent amount of professional companies we have more than enough amateur societies to take up the slack.

I have nothing but fond memories for the theatre. I experienced it working backstage and out front a long time ago. I fondly remember companies like Bastion Theatre, Claymar Productions, Kidco Theatre Dance, and Opera Box. They’re now names who are a part of our theatrical history.

In my youth, theatre production companies like Colin Skinner’s Capital Comedy Theatre were the rock gods of stage, The Gilbert and Sullivan Society’s HMS Pinafore was the first live theatre I experienced and actors like Peter Mannering, Colin Skinner, and Claude Watt were those who I was both inspired by and looked-up to.

But further articles won’t be so much about the past as it will about the future. There’s so much to see and do among the Gulf Islands, you only need to look in the right places. Over the months we hope to reveal those places to you.

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You Can Get a Decent Dessert from a Stone’s Throw

StonesThrow1Stone’s Throw Restaurant
642 Johnson St.
Best Western Plus Carlton Plaza
Victoria, BC
(778) 433-0028

J: Ed and I have nasty habits, we’re what you would call outdoorsy people, not the type you would think of. None of that camping in the rough with nothing but a tent and a sleeping bag for us. That may be all well and good for some people but Ed and I have cravings for a little social scenery. As Alicia Bridges sang, “I Love the Nightlife”, it very much applies to at least one of the Blokes. And for this week, our night life was an evening among animals who could eat more than us. Yes, it is possible. I’m talking about dinosaurs in the BBC travelling show Walking with Dinosaurs. As good as the show was, I was eager to spend my money on dino merchandise (I bought a Raptor mug) than on overly priced food at the Save on Foods Memorial Centre. So like hungry raptors we wandered the streets of Victoria looking for our next meals. It was very grim, restaurants were either closed or their kitchens were. Victoria is still a sleepy city most of the time even during tourist season.

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