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The Banana Republic of Corporal Monkey
The Musings of Grayson Greystoke
03 July 2010 @ 09:26 am
14 January 2009 @ 11:47 am
Now let's go straight to the list:
1. CHANTAL PETITCLERC = was named Canada's outstanding athlete of the year with the presentation of the LOU MARSH TROPHY. The wheelchair racer was the most decorated athlete at the 2008 Beijing Para-Olympics with 5 gold medals and set 2 world records along the way. She is only the second para-olympian to win the trophy. What a way to end her career.
2. NICO ARCHAMBAULT = won the title of Canada's favourite dancer. The one to beat, since the Top 20 was announced, in SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE CANADA walked away with the $100,000 monetary prize and a silver Mercedes Benz C230. Nico has become Canada's newest sex symbol and will bring in the audience when the Top 10 contenders go on a national tour in the new year.
3. ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FARCE = the long running sketch comedy show ended 16 years on the tube with their annual New Year's Eve Special. In the 90s the program was a ratings powerhouse but with declining viewership the CBC had announced this was the Final Flight for the show. A Canadian tradition has ended.
4. JIM CARREY = ends the year with another #1 movie. His latest comedy YES MAN had a huge opening weekend in North America. The movie made $18.26 ($1.22 million in Canada) million throughout the continent. Carrey continues to be able to get them into the theatres.
5. KEIFER SUTHERLAND = received his star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame and received a Golden Globe & SAG nod for his lead role in the TV movie 24: Redemption.
6. KEANU REEVES = continues to a box office draw. His latest movie, THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL, opened with $30.48 million in North America ($1.81 million in Canada).
HONOURABLE MENTIONS: ANNA PAQUIN (Golden Globe nomination for best actress for her role in the TV drama TRUE BLOOD) & CANADIAN GRAMMY NOMINEES (NEIL YOUNG for best solo rock vocal performance; RUFUS WAINWRIGHT for best traditional pop vocal album; NORTHERN CREE for best Native American music album; and perennial favourite Walter Ostanek for best polka album).
17 December 2008 @ 10:16 am
Now to the List:
1. NICKELBACK = are back in a big way. Their latest effort, DARK HORSE, sold 60,000 units in its first week and debuted at #1. The album debuted Top 5 around the world, from Australia (#3) to the USA (#2). They also have the biggest single in the country with GOTTA BE SOMEBODY. The biggest band in Canada is the hottest band in the world.
2. JOSEPH BOYDEN = the author of THROUGH BLACK SPRUCE was named the winner of the SCOTIABANK GILLER PRIZE. The honour comes with $50,000 and increased exposure and book sells for winning the Oscar of Canada's Book Industry. The televised event was aired on Bravo & CTV. After the announcement sales of the hardcover release increased 561.15% with sales of $93,000. Winning the prize always means huge sales during the important Christmas shopping season.
3. CALGARY STAMPEDERS = the #1 team in the league took home the big prize this year in the CFL. The Stampeders beat the Montreal Aloquettes 22-14 to win the Grey Cup infront of 76,000.
4. SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE CANADA = the talent show to find Canada's favourite dancer continues to be a ratings winner for CTV. The shows viewers, for performance night, has increased from the premiere of over 900.000 to a regular audience of 1.4 million. The show has surprised everyone by becoming the highest rated new show on TV, Canadian or otherwise.
5. CELINE DION = the singer releases her latest collection, MY LOVE - THE ESSENTIAL COLLECTION. The album debuted at #2 and has remained in the Top 10 for the month. Celine also won a World Music Award for Best Selling Canadian Artist.
6. KEIFER SUTHERLAND = returns to his role as Jack Bauer in the TV movie 24: REDEMPTION. The prequel sets up the seventh season of 24, which returns in January after a year and a half.
HONOURBLE MENTIONS = LOREENA MCKENNITT (new album MIDWINTER NIGHT'S DREAM) & NINO RICCI (author wins Governor General's Literary Award for his novel THE ORIGIN OF SPECIES).
13 November 2008 @ 11:38 am
Directly to the list:
1. PASSCHENDAELE = the film is a tale of Canada's soldiers during the Battle of Passchendaele during the First World War. Paul Gross wrote, directed & starred in this $20 million epic, the biggest budget ever for a Canadian film. The movie had a strong box office it's opening weekend by opening at #2 in Canada with sales of $847,522 and by the end of the month it had made 2.7 million. I thought it was an excellent movie and recommend it to everyone.
2. ELIZABETH MAY = is a bright new personality on the national political scene. She is the leader of Canada's Green Party, which made great strides during Canada's 40th Election. She became the first Green Party leader to be involved in the televised Leadership Debates, in both French & English, and was declared one of the big winners of the night. She was unable to capture a seat in the election but the party did receive a million votes. May & the party continue to rise in popularity. I think it is time for a proporational representation.
3. COLIN OBERST = won CBC's Hockey Anthem Challenge with CANADIAN GOLD. Oberst's song now becomes the new theme song for HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA during the 2008-09 season, wins $100,000 and half of the royalties for public performance of the Theme will be paid to the Songwriter(s), and half will be donated by CBC to minor league hockey. It is a catchy tune.
4. SARAH MCLACHLIN = the darling of Canadian pop returned to the music scene with a new single & album. The album, CLOSER: THE BEST OF SARAH MCLACHLIN, spent the month in the Top 5 and will probably became a must have Christmas present. Meanwhile, her latest single, U WANT ME 2, is flying up the chart.
5. RUSSELL PETERS = the extremely popular comedian released his first comedic album. RED, WHITE & BROWN debuted at #3 and then spent the rest of the month in the Top 10. It really has turned into an amazing year for this comedian.
6. BLINDNESS = the Canada-Brazil-Japan co-production has been receiving rave reviews and doing strong box office. The movie in North America grossed 1.95 million (278,272 in Canada) in its opening weekend. The script was written by Canadian Don McKellar, who also co-stars, and based upon the 1995 Nobel Prize-winning novel by Portuguese writer Jose Saramago. The film opened the Cannes International Film Festival and it looks to be an Oscar contender. The movie is one of the best I've seen this year.
HONOURABLE MENTIONS: MICHAEL CERA (star of the Hollywood movie NICK & NORA'S INFINITE PLAYLIST) & RYAN REYNOLDS (married American actress Scarlett Johannson in British Columbia).
08 October 2008 @ 12:48 pm
Canadians were having success at home and around the world. In September, Canadian Olympians were once again all the talk. The new TV season had an impact on the list, as did Reality-Competition Winners. Now to the list:
1. PARAOLYMPIANS = they don't recieve the same attention as Canada's Olympians but they proved as successful. Our Paraolympians won 50 medals, including 19 gold, which placed our athletes 10th in the overall medal standings. Highlights were superstar CHANTAL PETITCLERC with five gold medals on the track and making her overall medal count 14; DEAN BERGERON won two gold and a bronze on the track; LAUREN BARWICK won the first-ever equestrian gold medal and a silver; VALERIE GRAND'MAISON, KIRBY COTE & CHELSEY GOTELL swept the podium in both the 100-metre butterfly and backstroke; MICHELLE STILLWELL won two gold medals on the track. It was a good turnout for our athletes.
2. THEO THAMS = was crowned the new Canadian Idol over Mitch MacDonald. It was a star-studded finale, which included Canadian Idol Season 5 Winner Brian Melo, Hedley, Jully Black, John Legend & Mariah Carey. Immediately after the show Theo signed a record deal with BMG/Sony. Also, Theo's debut single, SING, was released to radio stations across the country and the single immediately became a Top 10 download. Theo will head out on a Top 3 tour in November, along with Mitch MacDonald and Drew Wright, and will soon be working on his debut album, which is set to be released this spring on Sony BMG Canada. I will be buying this album.
3. DOC WALKER = proved it was a beautiful life indeed for them when they cleaned up at the Canadian Country Music Awards (CCMA). The band won every category they were nominated in: Songwriter of the Year (BEAUTIFUL LIFE); Single & Video for BEAUTIFUL LIFE; for the second year in a row Album of the Year (BEAUTIFUL LIFE); Group of the Year; and the big award of the evening, which was voted by the public, the Fans' Choice Award. The huge success immediately lead to increased video and song rotations and caused the album to go Top 5 on the Country Album Charts.
4. SHEARA GRIMES = the DEGRASSI: THE NEXT GENERATION star is in another next generation series, the CW's 90210, from BEVERLY HILLS 90210. Her profile increased across North America with being the female lead in one of the most anticipated series of the fall. Over 1.3 million Canadians watched Sheara enter Beverly Hills High.
5. SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE CANADA = has become a huge hit for CTV & MuchMusic with nearly a million Canadians tuning into it each week. Canadians just love to dance.
6. DUNNERY BOND = the 14-year-old was crowned YTV's "The Next Star" during a live performance at Canada's Wonderland after crooning his single "Shy." Each finalist wrote a personal song, developed a signature look and learned the ins and outs of show business during the 13 episodes. As the champ, Dunnery will record his single with Universal Music Canada to be released on YTV's Big Fun Party Mix 10 and make his own professional music video. Could Dunnery be for YTV what Miley is for Disney?
HONOURABLE MENTIONS = TEST THE NATION: CANADA EH! (CBC's game show special once again proved a ratings winner) and KARDINAL OFFISHALL (latest album, NOT 4 SALE, debuted #8).
1. PARAOLYMPIANS = they don't recieve the same attention as Canada's Olympians but they proved as successful. Our Paraolympians won 50 medals, including 19 gold, which placed our athletes 10th in the overall medal standings. Highlights were superstar CHANTAL PETITCLERC with five gold medals on the track and making her overall medal count 14; DEAN BERGERON won two gold and a bronze on the track; LAUREN BARWICK won the first-ever equestrian gold medal and a silver; VALERIE GRAND'MAISON, KIRBY COTE & CHELSEY GOTELL swept the podium in both the 100-metre butterfly and backstroke; MICHELLE STILLWELL won two gold medals on the track. It was a good turnout for our athletes.
2. THEO THAMS = was crowned the new Canadian Idol over Mitch MacDonald. It was a star-studded finale, which included Canadian Idol Season 5 Winner Brian Melo, Hedley, Jully Black, John Legend & Mariah Carey. Immediately after the show Theo signed a record deal with BMG/Sony. Also, Theo's debut single, SING, was released to radio stations across the country and the single immediately became a Top 10 download. Theo will head out on a Top 3 tour in November, along with Mitch MacDonald and Drew Wright, and will soon be working on his debut album, which is set to be released this spring on Sony BMG Canada. I will be buying this album.
3. DOC WALKER = proved it was a beautiful life indeed for them when they cleaned up at the Canadian Country Music Awards (CCMA). The band won every category they were nominated in: Songwriter of the Year (BEAUTIFUL LIFE); Single & Video for BEAUTIFUL LIFE; for the second year in a row Album of the Year (BEAUTIFUL LIFE); Group of the Year; and the big award of the evening, which was voted by the public, the Fans' Choice Award. The huge success immediately lead to increased video and song rotations and caused the album to go Top 5 on the Country Album Charts.
4. SHEARA GRIMES = the DEGRASSI: THE NEXT GENERATION star is in another next generation series, the CW's 90210, from BEVERLY HILLS 90210. Her profile increased across North America with being the female lead in one of the most anticipated series of the fall. Over 1.3 million Canadians watched Sheara enter Beverly Hills High.
5. SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE CANADA = has become a huge hit for CTV & MuchMusic with nearly a million Canadians tuning into it each week. Canadians just love to dance.
6. DUNNERY BOND = the 14-year-old was crowned YTV's "The Next Star" during a live performance at Canada's Wonderland after crooning his single "Shy." Each finalist wrote a personal song, developed a signature look and learned the ins and outs of show business during the 13 episodes. As the champ, Dunnery will record his single with Universal Music Canada to be released on YTV's Big Fun Party Mix 10 and make his own professional music video. Could Dunnery be for YTV what Miley is for Disney?
HONOURABLE MENTIONS = TEST THE NATION: CANADA EH! (CBC's game show special once again proved a ratings winner) and KARDINAL OFFISHALL (latest album, NOT 4 SALE, debuted #8).
12 September 2008 @ 12:16 pm
August was a very busy successful month for Canadians and it is for this reason I expanded it a Top 10 for the month. August was truly about Canada's Great Athletes. Our Olympians made us very proud with Canadian Records and 18 medals. It was the best Summer Olympics for Canada since 1996, even with the slow start. Speaking of the slow start, a reminder to those negative Canadians that these athletes represent us and should be supported no matter what. Canadian Olympians weren't the only ones making headlines. In music we saw a new release from Divine Brown (LOVE CHRONICLES) and a debut by Kreeshia Turner (PASSION). In film, there was the battle between Hollywood Canadians Brendan Fraser (THE MUMMY: TOMB OF THE DRAGON EMPEROR) and Seth Rogen (PINEAPPLE EXPRESS). In television, Nina Dobrev (DEGRASSI: THE NEXT GENERATION) was all the talk for her MTV musical comedy THE AMERICAN MALL. Now lets see who made the expanded Maple List.
1. ERIC LAMAZE & HICKSTEAD = were Canada's only double medalists at the Beijing Olympics. They won the gold medal in the Olympic individual show-jumping competition. Lamaze & Hickstead, the world #3, defeated Sweden's Rolf-Goran Bengtsson in a jump-off to earn Canada's third gold medal of the Beijing Games. I jumped every jump with him in the jump-off, exciting! It was also Canada's first-ever individual equestrian gold medal and just the second individual show jumping medal in Olympic history. The gold will go with the silver Lamaze & Hickstead won with the Canadian team in the team jump competition. Not since Ian Miller & Big Ben have a horse and rider caught the attention of all Canadians.
2. MEN'S EIGHT = the world champion rowing crew won gold and redemption. Four years ago in Athens, the crew went in as double world champions but finished a disastrous fifth. The eight comprises Hamilton of Richmond, B.C., Adam Kreek of London, Ont., Dominic Seiterle and Malcolm Howard of Victoria, Jake Wetzel of Saskatoon, Andrew Byrnes of Toronto, Ben Rutledge of Cranbrook, B.C., Kevin Light of Sidney, B.C., and Price of Belleville, Ont. They showed the world why Canada is a world power in this sport. Canadians loved them so much their victory was also a TV ratings high for CBC. The rowers medal ceremony became one of the most memorable moments for me during the Olympics. It was a very patriotic moment to see these men sing our national anthem. Remember to always "SING LIKE CREEK!!!"
3. CAROL HUYNH = won Canada's first gold medal of the Beijing Olympics. The 27-year-old wrestler captured gold on Day 8 of the Games in the 48-kilogram freestyle weight class over Japan's Chiharu Icho by a score of 4-0 and 2-1. The medal ceremony was another great moment with singing and tears. Day 8 was an awesome day for Canada.
4. ROWING CANADA = were responsible for four medals at the Beijing Olympics and showed why we are a world power in this sport. The Men's Eight received all the headlines but there were other successes. MEN'S LIGHTWEIGHT SCULLS FOURS of Iain Brambell of Victoria, Jon Beare of Toronto, Mike Lewis of Victoria and Liam Parsons of Thunder Bay, Ont., posted a time of 5:50.09 for bronze. WOMEN'S LIGHTWEIGHT DOUBLE SCULLS of Melanie Kok of St. Catharines, Ont., and Tracy Cameron of Shubenacadie, N.S., just managed to hold off a German crew for bronze. MEN'S PAIRS of Dave Calder of Victoria and Scott Frandsen of Kelowna, B.C., kicked things off Canada in rowing and in the medal count with a silver. I loved watching all the rowers.
5. ADAM VAN KOEVERDEN = was the face of the Canadian Olympic team & for CBC's TV coverage, and Canada's best hope for two Olympic Golds. The kayaker was the Canadian flag bearer for the opening ceremonies. His Olympic experience proved to be very dramatic for all Canadians. After a shocking loss in the 500m, finished 8th, he rebounded less then 24 hours later to win a silver in the 1000m. He proved to be very inspirational for everyone. I'll always be a big fan.
6. SIMON WHITFIELD = the gold medalist from 2000's Sydney Games, captured the silver medal in the men's triathlon. Whitfield mounted a furious rally to briefly take the lead late in the closing sprint before being overtaken over the final stretch by Germany's Jan Frodeno. The last 200 metres of this very exciting race had me jumping up & down and cheering. The race was watched by 2.5 million, more then any other of the Olympic events. It joins the popularity of Simon Whitfield and he reminded us to all "SING ALL CREEK!"
7. PRISCILLA LOPES-SCHLIEP = the Canadian Champion, won a bronze medal in 12.54 seconds in the 100-metre hurdles final. She won the bronze in mere thousandths of a second. Her reaction when she found out she won the bronze was the best I saw during the games. This was the first Track & Field medal for Canada in these games and the first since Atlanta in 1996. This medal has now made her the biggest name in Canadian Athletics.
8. KAREN COCKBURN = won the silver medal in the women's trampoline. It is Cockburn's third Olympic medal (Silver in 2004 & Bronze in 2000) in the event and in three straight Olympics, only the fourth Canadian athlete to do so. An amazing performance from an athlete that came back from such a serious injury. Karen was also given the honour of being Canada's flag bearer at the closing ceremonies.
9. RYAN COCHRANE = won Canada's first Olympic swim medal in eight years. He claimed bronze in the gruelling 1,500 metres with a time of 14 minutes 42.69 seconds, allowing the swim team to meet its goal of earning at least one medal at the Beijing Games. It was such an exciting race. A superstar in the making.
10. FOURTH PLACE = the Olympics is not all about medals but also about personal bests and national records. Canada's athletes that placed fourth created some of the most exciting and memorable moments. DYLAN ARMSTRONG's (Shot Putter) throw produced a national record but was 1cm short of the bronze; MIKE BROWN (Swimmer) in the 200m breaststroke; Softball Team achieved a 3 and 5 record on the field; and GARRY REED (Runner) in Track & Fields 800m. All our athletes did us proud.
HONOURABLE MENTIONS: TEAM CANADA EQUESTRIAN JUMPING (earned a silver in the team jumping competition giving veteran rider Ian Millar his first medal in his ninth Olympic appearance); ALEXANDRE DESPATIE (repeated as the silver medalist in the men's three-metre springboard diving competition); EMILIE HEYMANS (the diver captured a silver medal in the women's 10-metre platform and the third Olympic medal of her career); and THOMAS HALL (won a bronze medal in the C-1 (the "C" stands for Canadian) 1,000 canoe race).
01 August 2008 @ 03:52 pm
July was dominated by sports. Athletes were having great success at home and around the world, plus all the hype around the Beijing Olympics. Country Music was at the forefront in July and a surprise TV hit. And now to the list:
1. ADAM VAN KOEVERDEN & THE CANADIAN OLYMPIANS = the star kayaker was honoured by being named Canada's flag-bearer for the Beijing Olympics. Our Olympians are receiving huge media attention as the Beijing Olympics in August fast approaches. We cam see our athletes promoting companies from MACDONALD'S to RONA to VISA. CBC has been featuring Canadian athletes profiles every Monday on the show COUNTDOWN TO BEIJING. America's SPORTS ILLUSTRATED has pegged Canada to win 15 medals (2 Gold, 4 Silver & 9 Bronze). Adam van Koeverden and the men's eight rowing team are SI's choices for Canada's gold medalists. GO CANADA!!!
2. FLASHPOINT = CTV's new police drama produced strong ratings in Canada and surprisingly in the States. The show drew amazing ratings of 1.1 million on a Friday night. It is one of the Top 5 shows of the summer. The CBS premiere of the show, bought at a time American networks were concerned about a prolonged writers strike, finished #15 for the week with 8.1 million viewers. The strong ratings resulted in the series to be moved to the premiere time slot on Thursday, where it has an audience of 1.1 million. The show has also become a download hit with it being #2 on iTunes Canada. The show has now been sold to over 50 countries.
3. JAYDEE BIXBY = the Canadian Idol S5 runner-up did what no other Canadian Idol contestant has done before, and that is to have a #1 album. Jaydee's debut album, COWBOYS AND CADILLACS, spent two weeks at the top of the Country Album charts and #8 on the national album charts. This is amazing for an independent release. Plus, Jaydee's debut single, OLD FASHIONED GIRL, is getting huge country radio play. Jaydee also returned to the Canadian Idol stage to perform his hit single.
4. SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS = 2007 Canadian Team of the Year, have a 5-0 record, which they have not been since 1934, and remain the only CFL team without a loss in 2008. GO RIDERS!!!
5. ELICIA MACKENZIE = has become the latest reality tv star and a theatrical sensation in 7 short weeks. Elicia received the most votes, from viewers of HOW TO SOLVE A PROBLEM LIKE MARIA?, to land the role of the beloved nun-turned-governess, Maria von Trapp, in THE SOUND OF MUSIC. Elicia will immediately join rehearsals in the Andrew Lloyd Webber production, which opens in Toronto in October, at the Princess of Wales Theatre.
6. DANIEL NESTOR = currently the world doubles number one, smashed his way into the history books when he became the first Canadian ever to win at Wimbledon. He emerged victorious in the men's doubles with Serbian partner Nenand Zimonjic. Nestor also took home the $230,000 for the victory, the biggest payday of his career. Tennis Canada also named Nestor to Canada's Olympic Team.
HONOURABLE MENTIONS: TARA ORAM (hit single, FLY GIRL, and TV show, THE TARA'S DIARIES, on CMT) & BRENDAN FRASER (star of the summer blockbuster JOURNEY TO THE CENTRE OF THE EARTH)
1. ADAM VAN KOEVERDEN & THE CANADIAN OLYMPIANS = the star kayaker was honoured by being named Canada's flag-bearer for the Beijing Olympics. Our Olympians are receiving huge media attention as the Beijing Olympics in August fast approaches. We cam see our athletes promoting companies from MACDONALD'S to RONA to VISA. CBC has been featuring Canadian athletes profiles every Monday on the show COUNTDOWN TO BEIJING. America's SPORTS ILLUSTRATED has pegged Canada to win 15 medals (2 Gold, 4 Silver & 9 Bronze). Adam van Koeverden and the men's eight rowing team are SI's choices for Canada's gold medalists. GO CANADA!!!
2. FLASHPOINT = CTV's new police drama produced strong ratings in Canada and surprisingly in the States. The show drew amazing ratings of 1.1 million on a Friday night. It is one of the Top 5 shows of the summer. The CBS premiere of the show, bought at a time American networks were concerned about a prolonged writers strike, finished #15 for the week with 8.1 million viewers. The strong ratings resulted in the series to be moved to the premiere time slot on Thursday, where it has an audience of 1.1 million. The show has also become a download hit with it being #2 on iTunes Canada. The show has now been sold to over 50 countries.
3. JAYDEE BIXBY = the Canadian Idol S5 runner-up did what no other Canadian Idol contestant has done before, and that is to have a #1 album. Jaydee's debut album, COWBOYS AND CADILLACS, spent two weeks at the top of the Country Album charts and #8 on the national album charts. This is amazing for an independent release. Plus, Jaydee's debut single, OLD FASHIONED GIRL, is getting huge country radio play. Jaydee also returned to the Canadian Idol stage to perform his hit single.
4. SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS = 2007 Canadian Team of the Year, have a 5-0 record, which they have not been since 1934, and remain the only CFL team without a loss in 2008. GO RIDERS!!!
5. ELICIA MACKENZIE = has become the latest reality tv star and a theatrical sensation in 7 short weeks. Elicia received the most votes, from viewers of HOW TO SOLVE A PROBLEM LIKE MARIA?, to land the role of the beloved nun-turned-governess, Maria von Trapp, in THE SOUND OF MUSIC. Elicia will immediately join rehearsals in the Andrew Lloyd Webber production, which opens in Toronto in October, at the Princess of Wales Theatre.
6. DANIEL NESTOR = currently the world doubles number one, smashed his way into the history books when he became the first Canadian ever to win at Wimbledon. He emerged victorious in the men's doubles with Serbian partner Nenand Zimonjic. Nestor also took home the $230,000 for the victory, the biggest payday of his career. Tennis Canada also named Nestor to Canada's Olympic Team.
HONOURABLE MENTIONS: TARA ORAM (hit single, FLY GIRL, and TV show, THE TARA'S DIARIES, on CMT) & BRENDAN FRASER (star of the summer blockbuster JOURNEY TO THE CENTRE OF THE EARTH)
14 July 2008 @ 03:41 pm
1. MIKE MEYERS = entertained the audience while hosting the MTV Movie Awards and was honoured at the TVLAND Awards for his comic talents. Mike was also promoting his latest movie, THE LOVE GURU, which debuted with $13.91 million its opening weekend in North America ($1.40 million in Canada).
2. HEDLEY = the pop-punk group was the big winner at the MMVAs. Besides performing the band walked away with four awards - Best Director, Rock Video & Video (FOR THE NIGHTS I CAN'T REMEMBER) and Best Cinematography (SHE'S SO SORRY). The band continues to get bigger and bigger.
3. RAWI HAGE = this Canadian novelist's first book won the world's richest literary prize! DE NIRO'S GAME won the IMPAC Dublin Literary Award, worth about $160,000 Cdn. It's the first debut novel ever to win the award, and Hage is the second Canadian to win the award.
4. YOUNG PEOPLE FUCKING = the controversial comedy, that has sparked possible change in government funding policy for Canadian culture, finally opened wide in June. The well reviewed movie had a strong box-office opening at #11 with $103,544. By the end of the month the movie had made $284,516.
5. CANADIAN IDOL = the grand-daddy of Canadian reality shows returned. The addition of singer Jully Black as a roving reporter and mentor added a spark to the show. The show came in with an audience of 1.3 million.
6. ALANIS MORISSETTE = returns to the album charts with her latest effort, FLAVORS OF ENTANGLEMENT. The album debuted at #3.
HONOURABLE MENTIONS: ELLEN PAGE (won MTV Movie Award for Best Female Performance) & HOW TO SOLVE A PROBLEM LIKE MARIA? (CBC's reality show to cast the lead in the SOUND OF MUSIC.)
09 June 2008 @ 01:59 pm
May truly turned into an interesting month for the List. The List has its usual competitors from the pop culture world but an activist & a commoner made it. Canadian films - THE STONE ANGEL, FUGITIVE PIECES & ADORATION - were achieving success at home and around the world. The music scene saw the battle of the Canadian-Francophone superstars - Garou, Eric Lapointe, Ariane Moffatt & Cabrel Francis - but who made the List? There were also new releases by Sam Roberts, Barenaked Ladies & Sarah McLachlan. New York City played a factor for Canadians with the release of SEX & THE CITY, starring Kim Cattrall, and a Bryan Adam's photography exhibit. And now to the MAPLE LIST:
1. AUTUMN KELLY = is Canada's Princess. In May she became the most photographed and well known Canadian in the world. Ms. Kelly married Queen Elizabeth's grandchild, Peter Phillips, in a lavish Royal Wedding in London.
2. KIM CATTRALL = was everywhere promoting SEX & THE CITY: THE MOVIE. She has been on the red carpets from New York to London and finally in Toronto. She also did a CTV eTALK special. Kim is back on her game playing the stylish & savvy Samantha. The opening weekend was a record breaker with 55.74 million in North America (4.88 million in Canada), it is the biggest opening for a R-rated movie. She has also signed on to a new HBO series.
3. THE STONE ANGEL = the adaption of the Canadian literary classic, by Margaret Laurence, was finally brought to the big screen this month. The movie stars American screen legend Ellen Bursten and the current "IT GIRL" Ellen Page. The opening weekend for the film, in limited release, produced strong box office with sales of $55,483.00. May box office tally was $253,283. The movie looks like it will become the AWAY FROM HER of 2008.
4. ATOM EGOYAN = scooped the prestigious Ecumenical Jury, the second time in his career, at the Cannes International Film Festival. The success was the result of his latest effort, the gritty low-budget movie ADORATION about a high-school student who reinvents his life on the Internet.
5. BARENAKED LADIES = returned to the Canadian airwaves and album charts by targeting a new audience. SNACKTIME is Barenaked Ladies first collection of original children's songs and boy were parent's ever buying it. SNACKTIME debuted at #10 on the album charts and remained Top 20 for the month.
6. CRAIG KIELBURGER = co-founder of FREE THE CHILDREN charity were everywhere on Canadian TV screens. Craig made a guest appearance on CTV's DEGRASSI: THE NEXT GENERATION; appeared on CANADA AM; did an eTALK special; and was on THE OPRAH WINFREY SHOW. He was on Oprah launching the "O Ambassadors" program, which helps young people raise awareness and funds to assist their peers in developing countries. This young activists knows how to hit his target audience.
Honourable Mentions: GAROU (his first english-language album debuts at #2) & FUGITIVE PIECES (another Canadian movie literary adaption proving successful with critics and movie goers).
14 May 2008 @ 04:16 pm
The April Maple List was definitely shaped by the Juno Awards. An audience of 1.3 million watched the biggest names in Canadian music walk away with Junos. In the music front there were also new releases by Rush & Theory of a Deadman. Once again this month there was the battle of the Hollywood Canadians. Will Jim Carrey, Ellen Page, Shawn Ashmore or Keanu Reeves make the list. The big story in sports was the Men's World Curling Championship. And now to the List:
1. FEIST = won 1-2-3-4-5 Junos, sweeping the annual Canadian music awards in her hometown, Calgary. Canada's "IT Girl" took home awards for Pop Album & Album of the Year (The Reminder), Single (1-2-3-4), Artist, and Songwriter. The big Juno win caused her album to climb back into the Top 10. The country just can't get enough of her.
2. TEAM CANADA/TEAM MARTIN = helped to reinforce the image of Canada as a curling super-power. Kevin Martin's routine takeout in the 10th end gave Canada a 6-3 victory over Scotland's David Murdoch at the Men's World Curling Championship. This was the first world title victory for the legendary curler and his team.
3. MIKE HOLMES = returned to the airwaves for the final season of Holmes on Homes. The show broke HGTV and cable ratings with a premiere audience of 600,000. Those kind of ratings show how popular Mike Holmes truly is.
4. ANNE MURRAY = the Canadian Icon continues to be the darling of the Canadian music biz. CBC's special, Anne Murray Duets: Friends & Legends, was a ratings hit and her performance, along side Jann Arden & Sarah Brightman, on the Junos was the peak in ratings for the telecast. These two TV specials caused her album, DUETS: FRIENDS & LEGENDS, to jump back into the Top 10, where it remained for the month.
5. ELLEN PAGE = continues to shine in the public eye. April saw the release of her latest movie, SMART PEOPLE, co-starring Dennis Quaid & Sarah Jessica Parker. The indie movie had a solid opening weekend in North America with box office of $4.09 million ($374,209 in Canada). The country continues to be in love with Ellen.
6. THEORY OF A DEADMAN = returns to the charts after a cross country promotion tour. Their latest effort SCARS & SOUVENIRS debuted at #2 on the album chart and has remained in the Top 10 for the month. The first single and video, SO HAPPY, from the album is quickly climbing up the rock charts.
Honourable Mentions: BLUE RODEO (Juno winner for Group of the Year, Best Adult Alternative Album and Best Video) & MICHAEL BUBLE (Juno winner for Entertainer of the Year)
