Author: James McNally

Raptors/Hedwig

In typical fashion, the Raptors ended the Knicks’ eight-game losing streak last night. The Toronto Raptors are a talented and likeable bunch of guys who simply do not possess the aggressiveness needed to be a really successful franchise. They simply cannot lose to a team like the Knicks, at home, when just a few short weeks ago, they beat the Lakers on the road. And you know what? ESPN’s Jeffrey Denberg agrees with me. (End sports rant)

Last night, I watched Hedwig and the Angry Inch. Apart from some (regrettably predictable) gibes at one character’s paper-thin Christian faith*, I loved everything about it. Great music, funny, even romantic. I especially liked the use of animation in places. Though probably not for everyone, this is a completely unique film which grew out of an off-Broadway show which grew out of a karaoke routine. The writer, director and star is John Cameron Mitchell, who should be given licence now to do whatever he wants to do in Hollywood.

*Remarkably similar to another portrayal in another otherwise smart movie, The Opposite of Sex (1998).

A Quiet Anniversary

This past week I marked a quiet anniversary. Twenty years ago, in the library of my high school, praying with someone I hardly knew, I chose to become a Christian. Perhaps some of you had a similar youthful experience. And when the blazing clarity of your experience faded, maybe you slipped back into the crowd, smiling to yourself about your “idealism” and “passion” and getting on with your life without faith. Though the way has been incredibly difficult, I’m still on the same journey I began twenty years ago. Some comedy, some tragedy, some loyalty, some betrayal, some light, some darkness. Some success. And many many failures. I’m still a Christian. Not necessarily a more “virtuous” person than I was then, but I hope in some ways a humbler, wiser, and more loving one.

The Lonesome West

Last night, Brooke and I went to see the Canadian Stage production of Martin McDonagh’s play, The Lonesome West. In short, it is a black comedy about two cartoonish brothers in the west of Ireland. Being from Ireland, I’m always a little sensitive about stuff like this. While an Irish audience might see this as a play about two morons, North American audiences see it as a play about two Irish morons. In an obvious attempt to debunk older stereotypes about the rural Irish (ie. wise, romantic farmers), the playwright has created new ones (drunken, irreligious imbeciles). Both Brooke and I had very mixed reactions to the play. This morning, I found a review online from an Irish critic that pretty clearly nails what I was feeling.

In other news, I’ll be spending a good part of the day today working on the “Compilation Champs” CD for SXSW. If you haven’t already let me know, hit Comments if you’re coming to Austin and would like a copy.

Billy’s Best Bottles

For the second year in a row, I’ve picked up Billy Munnelly’s excellent annual wine handbook, Billy’s Best Bottles. Billy is a local writer who writes about wine in the most sensible, unpretentious way. Although his handbook is geared toward Ontario residents, since we have access to the wonderful government monopoly that is the LCBO (no, I’m not being sarcastic; the combined buying power of thousands of individual stores means the LCBO can stock an incredible range of wines), the book is still recommended since many of the wines can be bought worldwide. And besides, his quirky and down-to-earth style make the book a lot of fun to read. The vast majority of his 100 recommendations are less than $15 (that’s about $9 for you Americans).