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Culture

November 20, 2002

the legacy. We stay in character for what we are known for and it hasn't been a prob- lem for us. We stay true to what The Temptations have been doing for the past 40 years.

Your new album, Awesome appears to mark a new generation for the group. It is said to be the highest achievement of the 21st century Temptations. What are your thoughts on the direction the new generation of The Temptations is taking?

We try to make good music with a universal appeal. Our music is not offensive, the kids can listen to it and enjoy. Every time we go to a studio to make an album, we just strive to keep making great music. We want people to be saying that The Temptations have been around and will continue to be around. We want our music to be able to be danced to, sit back and listened to or made love to.

What kind of performance can your Vancouver fans expect from you at your concert at the Vogue Theatre next Tuesday?

It's going to be the Temptations old, middle ground, up to what we are doing now. We'll do the “My Girl”, the “Papa Was a Rolling Stone”, and the “Just My Imagination.” Then we will move on to the “Treat Her Like a Lady” and “Some

the other pre

Enchanted Evening” from the For Lovers Only album. Then we'll be doing a couple hits from our Temptations Give Love at Christmas album. We have a blessed cur: because we've been around so long, it’s hard to get all the hits in. We try to do the be we can under the time constraints.

The experience you have gained through your career, as an entertainer is invaluab Oprah Winfrey has been forcing people to look at their lives and examine what important to them by asking the question “What do you know for sure.” What is som thing that you, Otis Williams as a person, know for sure?

What is always going to be true to me is me trying to be a better person. I’m going continue to make a contribution to the world. The world we live in has created such scary time that I want to be a positive force. In times like these, there is so much ne ative stuff going on. I’m always going to try to be respectful of others, hope that receive respect in return and give as much as I can. We are living in some very, ve scary times. Any positive spin that I can put on the world is an effort I’m always wi ing to make.

Hollywood Schmollywood—Bring on the Can-Co

fimanda flikman Assistant Culture Editor

Not sure how to while away those cold, dark November evenings? Tired of doing homework, and unencumbered by the presence of a social life or gainful employment? Well, why not take this opportunity to catch up on some fine Canadian cinema? Apparently there are places where you can borrow, or “rent”, copies of films and watch them in the comfort of your own home. Technology, eh? First cloning, now this. I know what youre thinking, “How will I ever decide what to watch? Is there some sort of suggested viewing list to assist me in my selection process?” Funny you should ask.

It is worth noting that while the landscape of Canadian cinema is rich and varied, a veritable tapestry of provoca- tive and diverse perspectives, this article is not. What fol- lows is basically a list of my ten favourite Canadian films, disproportionately reflecting Eastern Canada, and likely to change a half dozen times before you even read this. Feel free to agree or disagree, just realize that in the end I am right and you are wrong.

So here we go, in chronological order:

Deadringers (1988) Directed by the captain of creepy himself, David Cronenberg, this is a dark, unsettling tale of crazy and drug addicted identical-twin gynaecologists. Not convinced? The twins are played by Jeremy Irons.

Jesus of Montreal (1989) Denys Arcand writes and directs this Cannes Jury Prize winning film about a group of actors who are hired to revamp Montreal’s version of the Passion Play. The actors’ literal interpretation and realis- tic portrayal of the teachings of Jesus result in their per- secution by local authorities. Come for the funny French- Canadian accents — stay for the powerful theological symbolism.

Highway 61 (1991) Picking a favourite Bruce McDonald film is a difficult task, but I’m going with this one. Don McKellar plays Pokey Jones, an orphaned barber and failed musician who embarks on a road trip with Valerie

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Bughasim’s character Jackie Bangs. Unbeknownst to Jones, Bangs is attempting to smuggle heroin inside of the corpse that she is fraudulently claiming to be her brother's. Add to this a man who is convinced he is Satan and is financing his soul-collecting ventures with church- bingo wins, a customs agent played by Jello Biafra, and a creepy father-daughter Christian song and dance act, and you have one twisted, entertaining film.

Louis 19, King of the Airwaves (1994) Long before the Truman Show presented us with Jim Carrey’s “sensitive side”, director Michel Poulette created this clever satire of reality television. One of Quebec's biggest commercial successes ever, this touching and funny story warns of the dangers inherent in substituting reality with fantasy.

Exotica (1994) Canadian filmmaking legend Atom Egoyan’s journey into a world of obsession and desire. This film, which won eight Genie awards and the Critic’s prize at Cannes, follows the desperate trials and tribula- tions of a tax auditor who is banned from a strip club where he has developed a consuming obsession for a schoolgirl attired performer. The auditor uses the crooked pet shop owner (Don McKellar) that he is inves- tigating to exact revenge on the strip club emcee he blames for his troubles.

Whale Music (1994) Adapted from the Paul Quarrington novel of the same name, this is the Brian Wilson inspired story of troubled, reclusive former rock-star Desmond Howl and his unlikely relationship with young Toronto run-away Claire Lowe. Oddly enough this is a Vancouver filmed movie that actually takes place in Vancouver. For those of you who have wasted many a Chris Isaak Show episode trying in vain to spot your house, you will appre- ciate the fact that the movie prominently features such local hotspots as the Vancouver Aquarium and the Number Five Orange gentlemen's club. Maury Chaykin is superb as Howl, but what really makes this film is the

hauntingly beautiful soundtrack provided by t Rheostatics.

Blood & Donuts (1995) Not only is it a Canadian va pire movie, it’s a Canadian vampire movie in which s vampire hangs out at a donut shop. Features a ste cameo by David Cronenberg.

Last Night (1998) Written, directed, and starring Don Juan of Can-Con, Don McKellar, this is an incr ible movie. Imagine the world will cease to exist at mi night tonight and everybody knows it. What would knowledge do to you? How would you spend your | hours on earth? A litany of Canadian superstars incl ing McKellar, Sandra Oh, Callum Keith Renn Genevieve Bujold, David Cronenberg, and Sarah Po come together to explore this frightening and intrigui topic.

New Waterford Girl (1999) Clever, heartfelt coming- age story about a teenage girl trapped in a small N Scotian town. Genuinely talented actors deliveri funny, well-written dialogue amidst quietly beauti maritime scenery.

Vinyl (2000) This documentary by Alan Zweig invites into the homes, and record collections, of its endeari yet often pathetic subjects. Features appearances by D, McKellar, Bruce McDonald, Daniel Richler, and Br

LaBruce. If you liked the Terry Zwigoff film Crumb, t one’s for you.

Okay, now make me proud and get out there, it’s time start enriching yourself and contributing to your nati cultural survival. Remember to pace yourself though, hate for you to fall off the wagon and wake up i strange room surrounded by Steven Segal DVDs, drea ing of big-budget explosions, and manically re-enact scenes from Armageddon and Titanic.