The Great Gatsby Movie Review

May 18th, 2013 Comment button No Comments »

With some exceptions, most good parties require planning. The host knows how he wants things to go, and selects the elements to create that experience. The very best parties have a uniqueness that’s a reflection of the skill of the host’s planning. And with director Baz Luhrmann as our host, The Great Gatsby is an excellent party indeed.

Adapted rather faithfully from the classic novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald, we view the story through the eyes of Nick Carraway (Tobey Maguire), World War I veteran, bonds trader and aspiring writer. Luhrmann’s framing concept here is that the depressed and hospitalized Carraway, years after these events, is encouraged by his doctor to write down what happened during the fateful summer he lived on Long Island, in a small cottage next door to the enigmatic Jay Gatsby (Leonardo DiCaprio).

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Raising Autism Awareness Together

May 13th, 2013 Comment button No Comments »

Christine Poe & Leslie with Travelling Tikko

“Travelling Tikko” is a delightful Autistic pet polar bear, the brain-child of 9 year old Dorian Poe who was diagnosed with autism and has learned that he can give a gift of sending “Travelling Tikko”, as a mascot on trips with other individuals, thus raising Autism awareness.

Dorian Poe believes he can make a difference. He is also paying it forward with Tikko on Facebook.

Dorian’s message: “Hello my name is Dorian. I am 9. I have Autism, and so does my pet polar bear Tikko. Tikko is about to go travelling on an adventure; and I need you to take care of him. My polar bear wants to raise Autism Awareness. Just call him “Tikko the Autism Bear” or “Travelling Tikko”. Guess what, this guy is much more different than the other polar bears you know. Things you should look out for: Tikko gets really angry sometimes. Tikko has anxiety. Tikko doesn’t like being tickled. Be very patient with Tikko. Tikko likes school. Tikko is great at math. Tikko cries, screams, hits, kicks, and GROWLS. Tikko throws chairs and desks. Tikko is very, VERY loud. Tikko wants attention, food, drinks and someone to play with. Most of all, Tikko wants LOVE!

Related: Click here for more pictures.

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Iron Man 3 Movie Review

May 11th, 2013 Comment button No Comments »

As the first Marvel movie released after The Avengers, expectations have been high for Iron Man 3. Luckily, it’s a good sequel to both that film and its own franchise, but for a few alterations to the storyline that will undoubtedly upset comic book fans.

Tony Stark’s (Robert Downey Jr.) bristling personality always masks some inner conflict, and this time it’s nightmares and anxiety attacks following his battle against the invading aliens in New York City some months before. To cope, he spends many hours in his basement, tinkering with his Iron Man armour and developing new prototypes.

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Pain and Gain Movie Review

May 4th, 2013 Comment button No Comments »

By now, everyone knows what a Michael Bay movie looks like – chaotic, loud, and usually empty. These characteristics are sometimes welcome, sometimes not, often depending on the quality of the story they’re attached to. The story in Pain & Gain, based on an actual criminal case, is wild and crazy enough to fit Bay’s style – as such, the movie is better than you have any right to expect.

It’s the mid-90s, and personal trainer Daniel Lugo (Mark Wahlberg) is on a mission. A well-muscled specimen, he spends his days trying to make wealthy clients look more like him, all the while dreaming up ways to make the rest of his life more like theirs. Unfortunately, Lugo isn’t above criminal activity to achieve the American dream – he’s already done time for fraud, and is moving up to kidnapping and extortion, with a streak of poor man’s revenge. He doesn’t want to merely steal the money of wealthy deli owner Victor Kershaw (Tony Shalhoub), he wants Kershaw’s life, and to see the distasteful little man brought low.

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Fundraising and Fun at Second Annual Perogie Night

May 1st, 2013 Comment button No Comments »

St. Gabriel School hosted their second annual Perogie Night: Back by Popular Demand! It was a scene of enthusiasm and activity as guests arrived for this community building and fundraising event.

The organizers and their full contingent of student and parent volunteers hosted over four hundred dinners, served more than 2600 perogies and 500 sausages! With over $5000 raised for the students of St. Gabriel, the evening was a tremendous success and enjoyed by all!

St. Gabe’s is the only Catholic School within the board that hosts a Perogie Night, and how fitting, since the school is located in the heart of the Polish community of St. Gabriel’s Parish. School board and community officials, school staff, parish leaders, parents and students were in attendance.

Related: Click here for more pictures.

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