Recap: Daredevil Season Two

Ahh! Season two of Daredevil was amazing, and continues to succeed in so many areas. It was an INTENSE season, seemed like it was more intense than season one? Right from the start it was action-packed, gore, and just. Wow. Those character developments are to gush about. Following write-up is a recap of the awesomeness that is season two of Daredevil.

Let’s look at the inclusion of this quick scene: Matt Murdock getting dressed for the day. Something many of us will not think of, Matt Murdock is indeed blind and needs a system in how to dress. A braille system telling him what the suit looks like? Of course. It’s inclusions like this that are important, as it is clear most televisions leave those with disabilities out. Daredevil/Matt Murdock represents how disabilities do not hinder a person. A simple inclusion of braille gives those without disabilities a reminder to make sure things are accessible for everyone.

Daredevil also continues to include a multitude of ethnicity and language, which I’m glad they do. Instead of erasing language and simplifying it into pure English, they use subtitles to bring recognition to the fact that there are more languages than one.

Additionally, the cinematography in Daredevil is strong. I was overwhelmed with the playing of shadows, as it works to make the show successful. The use of light vs. darkness during fight scenes also adds to the general intensity of the show. As a viewer, you begin to identify with Daredevil in hearing the actual fighting. Moreover, the fight scenes are choreographed well. They are tightly choreographed and are pure skill.

I also enjoyed the character development. There are moments when you will question Karen Page’s ethical decisions, what Matt Murdock is doing, and actually feel sorry for the Punisher (and somewhat understand why he is the way that he is… albeit how bad it is). That complexity is new and refreshing. People are complex individuals, and Daredevil brings that to the forefront.

daredevil

I can’t wait to see what season three has in store for us! Usually the second season is either a make or break for a show. Daredevil season two was nooooo disappointment.

Season One review can be found over here.

 

Wednesday Listens E27

This week only features two tracks. But, two amazing tracks.

I like to stay ahead of the music curb, so call me a music snob if you will. But let the record show I am showing you this band before they are big. Kaleo are going to be huge, and I am so looking to see their success. Indie folk band from Iceland. Some songs give off a Lumineers feel, others remind me of Bon Iver. They are without a doubt, musically talented. VOCALS are very pleasing.

One of my favourite memories is seeing these cuties at the Opera House two years ago! The small venue made their sound even bigger and more intimate. The crowd that was also there were truly there for the music, so it was a nice scene. KONGOS are a group of brothers, who have lived in South Africa for most of their life. However, were born in London, and are now based in Phoenix, Arizona! They have a good, alt sound, and aren’t afraid to bring the accordion into play. One of my fave songs off Lunatic is “I Want to Know.” Because, who doesn’t want to know?

Wednesday Listens E26

I’ve been trying to figure out the direction I wanted E26 to take. I’ve decided, like always, indie alternative was the way to go, with a focus on Canadian musicians (#CanCon represent).

I’ve heard “Oh Cecilia” on the radio a few times, and kept meaning to write the band down as I could never find it when I searched later on. Man oh man is this song catchy and has a great sound to it. Like Kathy Byers, this song is a good tune to dance to. It has a smooth sound to it, and has an intoxicating feel too.

What adds to the fun? Kathy Byers is a dancing crossing guard in Toronto, and Born Ruffians are from MIDLAND. That’s right, Midland, Ontario. Some good ‘ol Canadian boys, no wonder I love their sound.

The Zolas are another favourite Canadian band, and I always find comfort in their music. This is a nice track that brings homage to Toronto. The Zolas always have strong lyrics with multiple meanings.

Down for getting dark cause the dark gets me//And all the other lovers make it so heavy//Takes a little emptiness to feel complete//When crowds come ever-thicker and liquor it comes free

You may have already heard “Swooner” on the radio, I know Indie88 has been playing it. It’s the title track off the album, and it’s also pretty swooooonish. Don’t you just hate it when someone swoons you? Swoon, what a good word.

Ahhh I have a mild crush on Half Moon Run. Their guitar strumming and plucking is seriously so in line with their tight drumming. Like The Zolas, Half Moon Run also has solid lyrics with deep meaning. I just can’t help but be in love with their second album.

Thank God for good music, eh? It really does keep me going, which is why I share it so often.

Khaled Hosseini “A Thousand Splendid Suns”

I finally, finally finished this lovely book. Man, do I ever need to get back into the habit of reading before bed, I am really missing this, and it definitely has played a toll on my sleep.

A Thousand Splendid Suns puts life into perspective, and was a lovely read over the lives of strong women. The book looks at the lives of two women, Mariam and Laila, and how their lives become intersected through Laila’s marriage with Mariam’s husband Rasheed.

It’s a mother-daughter story, and the strength these women endure during a period of great turmoil and transformation within Afghanistan.

Winter Brewfest 2016

Ended up going to the first Toronto Winter Brewfest: Saturday Session this weekend. All and all I had a great time, because I didn’t let the lineups, crowds, etc get to me. Because it’s a beerfest, what were some people expecting?

Going into it, I had read some of the reviews from the Friday night crew, it was a mixed review with a divide between 1 star ratings, and 5 star ratings. Those leaning on the former complained of overpriced tokens, and long lineups.

I didn’t let these negative reviews rub off on me, as I knew tokens were going to be pricey — they want to make money, right? Also, being a “Brewfest” rather than a “Beerfest,” most of the breweries are on a smaller scale, therefore do not have the money to subsidize their product.

It would have been nice to do more “sampling” of the beer, but it’s just not plausible in a setting like this. Shout out to Muskoka, Great Lakes and Innis & Gunn for being there though.

I give this event a three beer rating, as I did in fact have a pretty, pretty, pretty good time.

They definitely have work to smooth out for 2017, if they want to be successful. This would involve ensuring volunteers show up, hosting in a larger venue, trying to have tokens at a reasonable price, and switching the cups to plastic. Booths for the breweries should also have better displays, felt too tight and you could not appreciate the beers they had to offer.

(p.s. My mason jar ALMOST made it home, but a good song came on while leaving coat check, that it slipped and broke. shame shame.)

Boy Bands: Good for Masculinity, Bad for Femininity

The culture industry is one of the central areas in which genders are constructed, because of the influence popular culture has on all aspects of society (television, music, fashion and books). Within the music industry, boy bands have become a popular concept, since they can be extremely successful with girls and young women to earn quick money. Boy bands are typically appreciated for their vocal abilities and dancing capabilities which awe audience members. Nevertheless, this paper presents that the concept of “the boy band” is a site of gender reaffirmation for femininity, while it is a place to develop new forms of masculinity. This will be demonstrated through the analysis of three boy bands, over three decades: The Backstreet Boys (1990s), O-Town (2000s) and One Direction (2010s). To illustrate the replication of femininity and new wave of masculinity, three factors will be considered. First, this paper will survey lyrics from each of the three bands and how females are overtly sexualized in each of their songs. Next, fans (who are mostly girls and young women) are often characterized as hormonal in the media, which is used to devalue female sexuality. Lastly, all three of these bands perform in sexual manners reaffirming their heterosexuality to audience members and will often perform to females instead of with. Therefore, as a consequence of these boy bands’ lyrics, fan base representation and spectacle of concerts, patriarchal scripts of femininity are reiterated while hegemonic masculinity is able to be explored. Continue reading →

Wednesday Listens E25

Music is so important in our lives. As someone who overthinks, music allows me to express my thoughts in a way that I cannot.

Next songs are chosen based on their depth of lyrics and the ways it allows the following artists to express themselves.

Recently discovered this amazing Aussie, Chet Faker (Nicholas Murphy). The bearded beauty is only 27? And writing skills are superb. How I would describe the music Chet Faker puts out is electronic bluesy (if that makes sense). Slower temp, with a good base track. Besides this lyrical masterpiece, check out “Gold” and anything he’s paired up with Flume.

1975 are back with more of an 80s feel for their second album. Lot poppier than their debut album, more use of colour and faster tempos. “Ugh!” is a good number,  and can be interpreted in numerous ways. Is he talking about unrequited love? Perhaps, but I think Matthew Healey is discussing his experience with drugs >> “The kick won’t last for long.”
They will be on SNL this Saturday with Larry David! It should be pretty, pretty, pretty good.

Okay the two previous songs do no justice compared to Leon Bridges. Oh oh oh, have you heard him? Love the Motown vibes. I’m perfectly speechless because his voice, wow. It does not feel like a song from 2016, ya know?

Outgoing Introvert

I’ve been meaning to write this post, because a lot of people don’t understand what the “Outgoing Introvert” is, and no the label does not contradict itself.

During my time as a TA during fourth year, I had students who were in disbelief that I was an introvert. They kept questioning my identification to introvert-ism, thought it was not possible, and that “Introverts are socially inept though.” How could their TA possibly be someone who was introverted, if they had to lead a class each week?

Good questions posed by my students, which I’m still learning to work out. I figure there are two methods which allow me to come across as someone who is more outgoing: Preparation & Sarcasm.

As an outgoing introvert we are socially selective. This means that we are not totally against going out. You just have to let us warm up to the situation. Personally, I also like to know about an event ahead of time so that I can mentally prepare myself to going out.  I still have trouble with large crowds, so concerts have been a task. If I know I’m going to a concert ahead of time, I can prepare myself to handle the crowds (eg. Osheaga).

Small talk is also a difficult task for us, as we feel it doesn’t achieve anything.  I want deep conversations, stories, humour. Let me actually get to know you. What keeps you up at night? What makes you happy? Do aliens exist*? These are the questions worth living for.

Small talk leads to environments. In large crowds, you may find me still talking quietly. That’s because I only want the people I’m with to hear my conversation, not others. No I’m not going to raise my voice, because then others will hear… get it?

Another big part for introverts is that social situations exhaust us. At the end of the night, I need to be alone to recharge my batteries. Reading, Netflix, etc. Whereas with extroverts, social situations charge their batteries (being alone drains them).

Yep. That about it. Being a person is truly interesting.

*Firm believer that aliens exist.

Wednesday Listens E24

So I may not have posted for a couple of weeks. Apologies. SO I make it up with three stellar picks that have been playing nonstop this week.

Here I am sitting in my car, ALTNATION on the radio when this beauty starts playing. I mean, Nothing But Thieves, please to meet you. Your lyrics are on point. I love how the sounds travel back to some good classic rock. They remind me of Muse with the muffled vocals, with a hint of The Strokes with the beginning guitar riff (sounds like Reptilia in a way). This number will be on repeat for the week.

Also, the video is artistically beautiful.

Catchy beat with this remix. ODESZA brings more layers to ZHU’s song, and creates a nice song to put on when you just want to zone out.

Love this remix of West Coast. No. Other. Words.

Sherlock “The Abominable Bride” Review

S_TAB_2838 (2)

Sherlock is one of my most favourite series. It’s something about the cleverness of the cases, the update on Sherlock as a character living in the modern age, as well as the talented cast. Benedict Cumberbatch is of course a lovely feature within the series as his acting is superb. He’s able to portray Sherlock successfully by acknowledging that the character is removed from typical social interaction.

I also think Sherlock is successful because there’s anticipation leading up to each series. Between series one, two, and three there are roughly two years between each. Added to the suspension is that the fanbase is only granted three episodes per series. This allows each series to be crafted to near perfection. There’s more room for the production team to put effort within each episode. This effort is noticeable through the writing by blending Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s work with a modern touch, the cinematography gives you goosebumps, and the actors play their characters oh so very well.S_TAB_0325

“The Abominable Bride” comes two years after series three. Leading up to the Christmas special it feels like it’ll be a one-off episode that is purely a re-imagination of Sherlock during the time period it was written in. However, further into the episode it actually sets up the direction for series four. Given that series three leaves the audience witnessing the suspected return of Moriarty, the Christmas special deals with Sherlock working out how Moriarty survived his own death of quite literally shooting his brains out.

What I enjoyed of this Christmas special is that they did decide to take it back to it’s roots and set it during the 19th century. I also loved how they dealt with the suffragette movement during this time, (as our own generation is lacking an appreciation/motivation/difficultly coming to grips of what Feminism is.) Nevertheless, the way in which Moffat decided to go about displaying suffragettes is a tad cringeworthy — outfits are much like KKK and the fact that they are a murderous cult taking out husbands who are brute. Hmmm.

Overall I enjoyed the episode – it was nice seeing my boy Cumberbatch and hearing his delightful voice – and I am most definitely looking forward to series four!