issue 14 / volume 40 Elliot Chan Opinions Editor i M opinions @theotherpress.ca ntertainment is becoming more and more : - E : Fail: Cinema There was a time when we were worried that ; people might stop going to the movies, but ; movies are still here. Just take a glance at the : blockbuster hits, the superhero movies, and : the state-of-the-art special effects, and you can see the appeal of the cinema. accessible. With Netflix, torrents, and television shows vying for our attention from the comfort of our couches, we've become reluctant to treat ourselves to spectacles. Our money is precious, and we work hard for it—so what will get us the most bang for our buck when we actually do leave the house for entertainment? Pass: Live shows Vancouver is bursting at the seams with live entertainment. We live in a city where we can watch a play one evening, attend a sporting event the next, and then go to a concert afterward. Now, when you hear the words “live entertainment” you often think about the price-heavy opera shows at Queen Elizabeth Theatre, rock concerts at Rogers Arena, or the annual Cirque du Soleil tour in the giant parking lot tent—but there is a whole other side to live entertainment. It might not be as extravagant, but a casual night with passionate entertainers is often a more engaging experience than streaming old episodes of [insert whatever TV show people are binge watching now]. There is a stigma to watching undeveloped acts or rising artists, because it’s unprofessional, they aren’t talented enough, and their equipment is not on par with the pros you see on stages and the big screen. But everyone starts off somewhere and it’s important to develop a culture and a only those touring. The same way we go out and watch the Vancouver Giants play hockey at the Pacific Coliseum, we should also attend comedy shows, music performances, school and independently produced plays, and other By Joel McCarthy The Report Card: Theatre : forms of performance art that have yet to : catch the attention of public media. Because : every live show is different, you'll never know : what to expect—after all, live entertainment : is the real 3-D experience. Although we're becoming a bit more : selective with the movies we choose to pay : money to watch, we're often left feeling a : bit gypped by the corporate experience: : expensive popcorns, the endless pre- : show commercials, and predictable plots. : Hollywood, in my opinion, has gotten a little : stale. Unless it’s a really compelling movie, : T would rather chat about the performance, : set decoration, and cinematography with my : fellow movie watchers. Our attention spans for movies are getting thinner and thinner. Being able to watch movies from tablets : and laptops has caused us to evolve from : audience members into commentators—and : that’s not necessarily a bad thing, especially : ifit’sa night out with friends. Of course you : should talk, but a movie theatre is not the right place for that type of social engagement. I believe movies are like books and they : are best when you enjoy them in private. : No distractions and nobody looking over : your shoulder. When you do get a chance to : leave the house, it should be a communal : commitment where ideas and experiences are : shared not only witha screen, but also with : each other. | - : Regardless of the entertainment’s quality, it community where we foster those rising—not : all comes down to the memories you share : with your friends and family when you : actually leave the house to watch something : new. Live performances are unique, where : cinemas, like Hollywood scripts, are : becoming repetitive. Soldiering on opinions // 17 By Ed Appleby » Canadian army should not be mocked for civil service Elliot Chan ¢ & Opinions Editor QD opinions @theotherpress.ca he city of Toronto has been the butt of jokes for far too long now (though some might say not long enough): their uproarious mayor, Charlie Sheen; the Maple Leafs double- dribbling to the playoffs; and, of course, the freeze storm. Yes, it has been an ice age of comedy for the centre of the universe, but I will not poke fun at Toronto for sending in the army to battle Mother Nature, that cold-hearted bitch. While we’re living in Vancouver, where anything below 10-degrees Celsius is considered cold, people in Toronto have been pouring cups of hot water outside and watching it turn to ice before their eyes. The sight gave me chills (temember the 1997 movie, Batman & Robin, where Arnold Schwarzenegger a.k.a Mr. Freeze kept making cold puns? I do). I know people in the Prairies are laughing at Toronto for their dramatic call to arms, but let’s be honest, if they weren't laughing at Toronto, they would probably be shivering. Toronto is a big city that can only function when people are able to leave their households. As someone who has all-season tires on my car for, well, all seasons, I know what it’s like to be stuck at home. So I’ma little surprised that calling in the troops for reinforcement isn’t more common—after all, why shouldn't we use our resources? Weather is one of the most : devastating forces in the world, : and having the military around : to back up normal people is : amorale boost a country like : Canada should have. We area : peaceful nation and we should : lead by example. For many : in the United States, the idea : of sending in the troops for : anything but war is still a highly : debated proposition. Citizens : just don’t want to see the army : cruising down the streets—that : is not encouraging for a healthy : morale. Recent hurricanes : have since changed the minds : of many, but others are still : convinced that a country : should not rely on their army : for domestic reasons. But as the : world continues to face the fury : of Mama Nature, it seems that : the army lending a hand may become a common trend. A little deep freeze is : far from a humanitarian : emergency, but it would be : comforting to know that the : military would be able to : help when disaster strikes. : A soldier assisting shouldn't : be something we laugh at; it : should be something we expect and respect. Taking a look closer to : home, we wonder what might : cause Vancouver to send : in the army. How about an : earthquake? What they call : the inevitable “Big One” could : literally happen at any moment. I sure hope and expect someone : to help me deal with that crisis, : especially if I get stuck on : Granville Street when the city : shakes. We can mitigate disaster, but we can never really avoid it. : So, let’s use all we have when : things get bad and build upon : that for when things get worse.