Alexis Lawton-Smith
Tarantino Burlesque revives the Grindhouse
January 20, 2014Considering Quentin Tarantino’s affinity for powerful female characters, it’s fitting that the vivacious ladies of Vancouver’s burlesque scene would shake their tassels in a salute to the genre-bending director. In burlesque, confidence is everything. A great backdrop story also helps, and Tarantino’s imagination offers the perfect sharp-shooting and sword-wielding femme fatales to emulate. If you couple this with a bit of cinematic history, a Tarantino-inspired burlesque show was inevitable. A grindhouse is a (mainly defunct) theatre that showcases the B movies and exploitation films that Quentin is so fond of echoing. Due to their graphic nature, grindhouses were named after…
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In the dark recesses of the mind
October 28, 2013It’s that time of the year again — the time when the chilly air cannot adequately hold its moisture, and a misty fog descends upon the city. It’s the time when pumpkins are carved, fireworks are lit and mischief twinkles…
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Mussels and pneumonia: an interview with Matthew Good
September 30, 2013It probably wouldn’t surprise many people, upon meeting Matthew Good for the first time, to find him withdrawn and somewhat sullen. This is the man, after all, who sold shirts embossed with the message “I Heard Matt Good is a…
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Hot patios in the city
July 8, 2013Vancouver is a curious city. Throughout most of the year, the wet and grey atmosphere tends to cause us city folks to have our heads down, headphones in and slightly annoyed expressions on our faces. Usually, we look busy, tired…
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Rock n’ roll track stars
July 8, 2013Since its resurgence in Texas in the early 2000s, roller derby has become one of the fastest growing sports, sprouting up in grassroots-like leagues and gaining a lot of momentum in popularity. Its premise is simple, and quite unique: there…
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Japanese cinema jumps the pond
June 24, 2013Throughout its long and rich history, Japanese cinema has always had a reputation for being wildly imaginative, original and slightly bizarre. Unfortunately, while many Japanese films are revered as classics, most of them do not make it overseas. Finding an…
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Time to start putting people over profit
June 3, 2013Placing multinational corporations on the stand By Alexis Lawton-Smith After the horrific fire of the Rana Plaza in Bangladesh, I ruffled through my wardrobe and looked at the labels enclosed with each garment. The results weren’t shocking or unexpected, but…
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Album Reviews – April 8, 2013
April 7, 2013By Max Hill Artist: The Flaming Lips Album: The Terror The Flaming Lips have never been an easy band to categorize, but one mood they’re rarely associated with is melancholy. There’s a wistful, nostalgic quality to their The Soft Bulletin…
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The Parker falls short of potential
November 13, 2012Newly opened vegetarian restaurant succeeds in sustainability but fails in taste. By Alexis Lawton-Smith Photos by Katie Huisman It’s a Saturday night, and Vancouver is at its usual temperament: rain falls from the sky, traffic is congested, and partygoers meander…
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Hellbound? provokes discussion and controversy
October 9, 2012Kevin Miller's new documentary goes beyond Christian views. By Alexis Lawton-Smith Kevin Miller, an Abbostford-based screenwriter and documentary filmmaker, has recently completed a provocative and controversial documentary. The film’s topic is a place that conjures up images of a fiery…
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