TV

Leave a comment Posted on by Steve Murray Entertainment, Link-Off

Entertainment Link-Off: Newsbeat

Hello folks. I don’t want to cause a panic but I’ve drawn in for Jackie this week. He’s off to the Melbourne International Film Festival this weekend. Hopefully he has a few reviews and quick thoughts on some of the movies he sees this weekend. As we know from his 2013 Brisbane International Film Festival coverage, he certainly gets his money worth at these festivals.

So it’s time for this week’s best links from the worlds of entertainment and pop culture. We have more about the death of Robin Williams, the juxtaposition of a new release and the protests in Ferguson, and more TV and movie news.

First, since The Expendables 3 premieres this weekend, here’s new star Ronda Rousey. Hopefully we eventually get her female Expendables movie.

Continue reading →

Leave a comment Posted on by Steve Murray Link-Off

Wednesday Link-Off: Eat, Sleep, Break the Streak

natalie-dormer-gq14-02Well, if you were looking for something to watch on Sunday night, you probably did fairly well for yourself. Between Game of Thrones and WrestleMania 30, it was a pretty backed night of TV. While we don’t have any GoT links, there are WrestleMania ones today.

So let’s kickoff this post with Game of Thrones star Natalie Dormer.

TV has changed a lot over the last 40-some years since All in the Family changed everything. (The New Yorker)

The Weldon Library crypto code has been cracked and all of UWO was safe. (Toronto Star)

The “Democratic Reform Minister” who is trying to undermine democracy in Canada attacked the Chief Electoral Officer because he’s trying to protect democracy. The Cons have to be run out of power before they consolidate power and instill themselves as a legal dictatorship. (National Post)

Continue reading →

Leave a comment Posted on by Steve Murray Link-Off

Wednesday Link-Off: Gone but Not Forgotten

Even though the 2014 Sochi LOLympics are gone, I’m not done reinforcing the fact that they’re an absolutely farce. However, since there are other things happening in the world, it’s not a solely LOLympic edition of the Wednesday links.

So let’s get this show on the road by starting with likely SI Swimsuit rookie of the year Samantha Hoopes.

A Duke University freshman became a porn actress to help her pay tuition. She learned some things about herself and society in doing so. (XO Jane)

Arizona’s Republican Governor says that she will veto the state’s anti-gay bill. Granted, she cites economic reasons for planning to veto but it’s still a win for people who aren’t assholes. (Business Insider)

Bonnie Ford examines the dichotomy of these LOLympics. Everything was fine on the surface but terrible when you looked away from sports. (espnW)

Continue reading →

Leave a comment Posted on by Steve Murray Link-Off

Sunday Link-Off: Just Super

martha-hunt-victoriassecret14-09Happy Super Bowl Sunday everyone! Hold on to your wallets today. Broncos -2 is probably going to see a lot of action on either side. I’d tell you what I’d bet but resident gambling guru Scott would say I have a gambling problem because I never win. He seldom loses so says he doesn’t have a problem. That’s how things work around here. Just like in sports, you’re judged on your win/loss record.

Anyway, it’s time for the links. Let’s kick off with Martha Hunt. (See what I did there?)

Justin Trudeau has a plan to completely overhaul the Canadian Senate. The only problem is that the way he wants to make the change may make it very difficult to make happen. (MacLean’s)

Ontario’s minimum wage is going to $11 per hour with an automatic annual increase based on inflation. But is that increase really enough? (Canadian Business)

Headline of the year all of time: Toronto Mayor Rob Ford defends fellow Canadian Justin Bieber. (Talking Points Memo)

Continue reading →

Leave a comment Posted on by Steve Murray Link-Off

Wednesday Link-Off: The Return

kim-cloutier-aubade14-03The Lowdown Blog is back in business this morning. And because today is Wednesday, it’s time for us to do the middle of the week set of links. Some of these links are a little old but I think they’re still important reads for you.

Let’s start today’s links with blog favourite and Canadian model Kim Cloutier.

Ontario PC party leader Tim Hudak has unofficially kicked off his election campaign with a promise to create one million new jobs. However, history shows that it’s extremely unlikely to happen. (MacLean’s)

Is the Harper Government trying to destroy science in Canada? The government is engaged in the closing of scientific libraries and destruction of documents. (Daily Kos)

The Democratic Party might be leaning towards running Hilary in the 2016 Presidential election but they’re still not in great shape to hold onto The White House. (Washington Post)

Continue reading →

Leave a comment Posted on by Steve Murray Link-Off

Wednesday Link-Off: Warming Up Winter

nadine-leopold-victoriassecret14-07You know, I hate winter. I’ve come to this conclusion after my car wouldn’t start even with CAA’s help and my snowblower brake completely in the span of about two weeks. Why does technology hate me so? Maybe why does the weather hate me so.

Anyway, it’s time for the links. It’s a new year so let’s start with a new face. Here’s Austrian model Nadine Leopold.

How sensitive is the pro-gun movement to criticism? One of the top writers of Guns & Ammo was fired because we questioned whether the Second Amendment was really in danger. (New York Times)

What’s the best way to resign from city council in America? In Klingon. (Mediaite)

We all know that drugs have side effects but a new epilepsy drug might actually have the beneficial side effect of reopening the ability for your brain to learn language and music. (Raw Story)

Continue reading →

Leave a comment Posted on by Steve Murray Link-Off

Sunday Link-Off: The Calm Before The Storm

emily-ratajkowski-fredericks13-01We’re just a couple of days away from New Year’s Day and we’re going to do the year in review links then. Until Wednesday, we have a normal set of links. Let’s start with Emily Ratajkowski.

You may not have heard but the world’s newest country is on the brink of civil war. So what’s happening in South Sudan. (Al Jazeera)

Noam Chomsky thinks that America has become a plutocracy. Considering that political interests are driven by donors and lobbyists, he’s probably not wrong. (Raw Story)

Have all the hoaxes on the internet that have been reported as real news broken the internet? (Esquire)

Continue reading →

Leave a comment Posted on by Steve Murray Podcasts

The Lowdown BlogCast: December 24, 2013

It’s only been 18 months since the last episode of the podcast but the boys are back for the annual Lowdown Podcast Christmas Special.

On tonight’s return episode, the boys talk about embattled Toronto mayor Rob Ford and the crack video scandal. They move on to entertainment in which they break down the best and worst new shows of the current TV season. For the first time in a Christmas special, the boys talk about their favourite Christmas movies and debate which Christmas movies are so bad that they’re actually good. And the show wraps up with a discussion of the upcoming NHL Stadium Series and some recent NHL suspensions.

It may have been almost 18 months since the last Lowdown podcast but the boys are back in vintage form with a two-hour cast for you.

A quick note before you listen: Due to a software glitch, the guys are out of sync. Therefore, rather than one of them talking and the other answer, it’s recorded as the two often talking over each other. We apologize for the issue but it’s either live with it or scrap the whole thing and forego the podcast.

Click here to download The Lowdown BlogCast.
Click here to download the podcast quality version.

Leave a comment Posted on by Steve Murray Link-Off

Sunday Link-Off: ‘Twas the Weekend Before Christmas

jocelyn-chew-adoreme13-06We’ve almost reached Christmas. It’s the final weekend before Christmas and I’m having to scramble in a last-minute Christmas present because of a shipping snafu. The perils of online shopping. Apparently the thing I bought sold out weeks before I bought it but the site didn’t bother to tell me even though it said sold out when I went back last week to find a contact email. Bunch of amateurs. That’s why people try only to deal with the major retailers. At least they have their shit in order.

Anyway, it’s time to do the links. Let’s start with Canadian model Jocelyn Chew in her Christmas finest.

The Supreme Court of Canada struck down the country’s prostitution laws as unconstitutional. People would have you believe this will lead to the downfall of society but ending the prohibition of alcohol didn’t lead to the streets being filled with drunks and alcohol 24/7. (Global News)

Maybe Obamacare isn’t a bad thing. The vast majority of hospital administrators think Obamacare will make health care better. (Washington Post)

I don’t know if you heard but that guy from Duck Dynasty was suspended for likening homosexuality to bestiality, among other things. Of course, this isn’t a perversion of the First Amendment. It’s not like he was imprisoned for what he said. It’s just business working as the free market that is championed by the political right works. (The New Republic)

Continue reading →

Leave a comment Posted on by Steve Murray Entertainment, Link-Off

Entertainment Link-Off: Breaking Gravity

lacey-chabert-maxim13-01Howdy gang. I’ve drawn in for Jackie this week to cover the entertainment beat.

There are two big wide releases this week. Runner Runner stars, but is not directed by, Ben Affleck. Unfortunately, when you don’t get Ben involved behind the camera, it doesn’t always work out well as this one’s received mixed to poor reviews. Your other option is Gravity starring Sandra Bullock and George Clooney. It’s received near universal critical acclaim which is down to the brilliant direction of Alfonso Cuaron. I won’t be seeing it in theatres because I just can’t take Sandra Bullock seriously. I blame Speed 2… and most of her career.

Anyway, let’s get on with the links. Let’s start with Lacey Chabert who is apparently still making movies which is something that I didn’t know.

Continue reading →