A Reason to Go Outside: The Baltic-Nordic Film Festival

 A record-setting snowfall just hit Ottawa. Many of us scrambled to unearth our streets and sidewalks in vain, digging our cars out from under massive layers of cold powder, staring numbly at the flakes as they kept falling. The lucky among us stayed indoors, huddled around the glow of a

Film Review: “Ip Man 3” is a Hard-Hitting Conclusion to a Classic Kung Fu Trilogy

 Directed by Wilson Yip Written by Lai-yin Leung, Chan Tai-Li, and Edmond Wong Produced by Dreams Salon Entertainment Culture et al.     Early on in Ip Man 3, a young Bruce Lee approaches the Kung Fu master and asks to become his student. Ip Man pelts him with cigarettes

“The Force Awakens” Fulfills Old Promises, Makes New Ones

 Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens Directed by J.J. Abrams Written by Lawrence Kasdan, J.J. Abrams, and Michael Arndt Produced by Lucasfilm, Bad Robot, and Truenorth Productions I have to be careful, here. The Force Awakens has been on screens for a few days now, and spoilers abound on

Bryan Cranston makes a name for himself in Trumbo

 A scene from Trumbo. Directed by Jay Roach Written by John McNamara (based on “Dalton Trumbo” by Bruce Cook) Produced by Groundswell Productions and ShivHans Pictures It seems almost quaint now. The politics of Hollywood were once a big deal, rather than an unnecessary interruption into screen time. In the

Movie Review: Jafar Panahi’s “Taxi” breaks the law to show streets of Tehran

 Jafar Panahi’s Taxi Written and directed by Jafar Panahi Produced by Jafar Panahi Film Productions Jafar Panahi’s “Taxi” is a movie that shouldn’t exist. Five years ago the Iranian director was arrested for attempting to film a documentary about the social unrest following President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s disputed re-election. He was

Film Review: A Fiery Fassbender Walks the Talk in “Steve Jobs”

 Steve Jobs Directed by Danny Boyle Written by Aaron Sorkin (based on the book by Walter Isaacson) Produced by Universal Pictures et al. Steve Jobs could be a real jerk. This is the overriding thrust of Danny Boyle’s new film about the Apple co-founder, and it’s hammered home in scene

Film Review: “Room” opens a door on abuse, wonder

 Room Directed by Lenny Abrahamson Written by Emma Donoghue (based on her book) Produced by A24, Element Pictures, and No Trace Camping It’s astounding to consider that a person could go missing only to reemerge years later. The actual case of Elisabeth Fritzl, imprisoned for 24 years in the basement

Kat Jetté’s Local Abstraction

 Northern Whisper, 2015, acrylic on wood, 36" x 36" Image courtesy of Kat Jetté. Ottawa Life had the chance to catch up with Kat Jetté, an abstract painter who has been a working artist for over 15 years in Ottawa. We talked about abstract painting, local artists and Jetté’s thoughts