Link-Off

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Entertainment Link-Off: Fire Within

lizzy-caplan-elle-canada-3So it looks like everyone will be swarming to the theatres to catch the final installment of The Hobbit in theatres. While most are looking for it to neatly tie up the prequel trilogy, apparently the film has left a lot to be desired. On the other end of the spectrum, people won’t be flocking to see The Interview since it won’t be hitting the theatres anytime soon thanks to hacker threats. In the meantime, I guess you can catch a glimpse of Lizzy Caplan to feel a bit better over not seeing her in the movie.

After the jump, first look at Jessica Chastain in Crimson Peak, Mark Wahlberg is in for more Transformers, news on The Interview getting the rug pulled from right under it, Barack Obama shares his favourite film of 2014, children’s movies can be quite traumatizing and Santa is real! Continue reading →

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Wednesday Link-Off: The Stories Behind The Story

gillian-jacobs-flare14-02The way this week has gone, I think that we could use a little break. I don’t think I’ve ever gotten to Tuesday and felt like I desperately need the weekend to come already. From a look at the news this week, I’d imagine a number of other people feel the same way.

Anyway, it’s time for the links. I don’t know when Community is back but that doesn’t mean that we can’t feature Gillian Jacobs.

While Sydney was gripped with a hostage crisis, the people of Sydney stood strong with the Muslims of the city. (The New Yorker)

Not everyone was civil about what was happening in Sydney. Uber gouged people looking for a ride in Sydney. (Gawker)

The key witness presented to the Grand Jury in support of Darren Wilson in the Michael Brown shooting may have lied about everything. (Gawker)

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Sunday Link-Off: Looking Forward and Back

emily-ratajkowski-yamamay14-03For the second week in a row, I’m actually not scrambling together the links at the last-minute. No complaints here because that gives me a little time to do some gaming. I’m thinking about spending some time with The Wolf Among Us, Titanfall and Infinite Crisis. Who wants reviews of all three? No, you don’t get a choice. I’ve got a few other tricks up my sleeve that you might be interested in too but I won’t spoil those.

Anyway, you’re not here to hear about what games I’m planning to play to keep me sane before my IRL job’s Christmas party yesterday. You’re here for the links. Let’s kick this one off with Emily Ratajkowski.

There’s an election coming up in Canada next year. What economic indicators should you be looking as we head to the polls? (MacLean’s)

Speaking of that election, our electoral system and the regional vs. national popularities of the three parties is going to make it easier for the Conservatives to re-form a government. It could hypothetically happen even if the Liberals win the popular vote. (ThreeHundredEight)

Model Beverly Johnson adds her name to the list of people accusing Bill Cosby of rape with this terrifyingly detailed account. (Vanity Fair)

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Entertainment Link-Off: All Good Things…

eliza taylor bello 1To the folks in North America, you can finally catch Exodus: Gods and Kings in theatres this weekend! It’s not a bad flick, but definitely not one of Ridley Scott’s finest. Meanwhile over in TV land, many shows are wrapping up the sweeps with their mid-season finales as they prepare to go on a break for Christmas and New Years. The 100 will air its midseason finale this Wednesday. It’s a good show and it certainly leaves you on edge. It also helps that Eliza Taylor is the star of the show. 

After the jump, Harrison Ford likes the Blade Runner 2 script, a bizarre crossover film was in discussion at one point, Bond is going over budget, movie trailers galore and listen to Jimmy Fallon and co. cover a classic song. Continue reading →

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Wednesday Link-Off: The Report

elizabeth-henstridge-gqmoty14-01The Newsroom catches a lot of flak, mostly from TV critics and Republicans, but it does illustrate an important point. Where would society be without news media doing actual reporting? Social media and crowdsourced reporting will only get you so far. Today’s link show the importance of a healthy fourth estate.

Anyway, it’s Wednesday so it’s time for the links. Since Agents of SHIELD wrapped up its first half last night, here’s Elizabeth Henstridge.

Have you wondered why beer prices are so terrible in Ontario? The Brewers’ Retail, AKA The Beer Store, has an amazing sweetheart deal with the Government of Ontario that gives them a ridiculously powerful legislated monopoly over beer sales. (Toronto Star)

The US Senate Intelligence Committee released its report on the CIA’s torture practices. Here are seven key takeaways from it. (New York Times)

Fifty-four other countries, including Canada, were involved in a CIA program that ran alongside the torture program. They may not have been involved with the actual torture but it seems a bit close for comfort. (Vox)

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Sunday Link-Off: The Old Republic

isabeli-fontana-leonisa14-01It’s been an interesting week in the world of news. A 100-year-old news publication was gutted by someone who thought they knew better. Racism is almost as hot button an issue as it has ever been. Rolling Stone’s rape story fell apart just as the hockey press has seen a bunch of sexual harassment stories come to light. There’s no shortage of stories to read this week.

So let’s not waste any more time. Here’s Brazilian model Isabeli Fontana.

The New Republic is dead (effectively). Long live The New Republic. (The Daily Beast)

Hands up is quickly becoming something more than a sign of surrender. It’s a plea for justice and quality. (The Baffler)

While systemic racism in law enforcement is tearing America apart right now, an entire half of the political spectrum is fanning those flames by blaming the victims. (The Guardian)

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Entertainment Link-Off: Rising Tide

maria valverde exodus gods and kings premiereIf you’re in Australia this weekend, you get a first look at Exodus Gods and Kings a week ahead of the folks in North America. You can also catch Maria Valverde in the film, so let’s kick off the ELO with her.

After the jump, some news on Bond 24, Ryan Reynolds just might be getting his wish to play Deadpool, some more tidbits on Edgar Wright’s falling out with Marvel, Chris Rock writes about the race problem in Hollywood, Stephen Colbert explains how the new light saber works and finally Nick Offerman shares how whisky keeps his heart ticking. Continue reading →

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Wednesday Link-Off: The Story Behind the Story

anna-kendrick-britishfashionawards14-02We’re getting to that point in the year where posts are a little harder to come by. I try to plan posts a week or two ahead but that doesn’t mean that I’m always able to figure out all that I want to put on the blog ahead of time. For example, I know that there will be a video game review this week and one early next week. However, I’m missing a Thursday post in the mean time. I have to pull something together quickly.

Anyway, it’s time for the links. Let’s bring back old blog favourite Anna Kendrick.

Kathryn Borel talks about when the CBC ignored her when she told them about Jian Ghomeshi harassing her on the job. (The Guardian)

A little while back, we ran a link to a story about a rape and the rape culture at the University of Virginia. Here’s the story behind the story. (Washington Post)

A program in Tampa claims to help homeless people find jobs and get back into society, it looks like it’s all a front to make the program money. (Tampa Bay Times)

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Sunday Link-Off: Important Topics of Discussion

rachel-mortenson-fredericks14-11I think that I’ve mentioned it before but there are three linkdumps a year that are exceptionally difficult to do: The one following July 4th, the one of the two following Christmas because you can only run so many year-in-review links and this one following US Thanksgiving. We do have some links for you but not as many as usual.

However, to make up for the relative lack of links, here’s the return of an old favourite. It’s American model Rachel Mortenson.

With the recent protests in Ferguson and support protests in Toronto, we shouldn’t be settling for “we’re not as bad as them” as a positive for Canadian society. (Toronto Life)

It’s not just 18-year-olds or Ferguson that has to deal with police racism. A 12-year-old in Cleveland was shot for having an airsoft gun and the police are trying to justify it. (Gawker)

And I’m not the only person who thinks there a shift in the discourse about sexual assault. It looks like the Ghomeshi story has started making investigating sexual assaults a big deal. (MacLean’s)

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Entertainment Link-Off: The Awakening

the veronicas aria 2014It’s a big weekend. Not only is it Thanksgiving over in the States, big movie trailers have been released! Namely the new Star Wars flick and the latest installment of the Jurassic Park franchise. So many things to look forward to in 2015! Anyway in other entertainment news, The Veronicas recently released their new album and it’s quite good. Definitely go check it out! Meanwhile, let’s start it all off with their latest appearance at the ARIA awards.

After the jump, the aforementioned trailers, Independence Day 2 is happening, the movie universe model is not looking so good, Stan Lee’s latest film cameo is a bit animated, and watch Batman and Darth Vader fight to the death. Continue reading →