Canadiana Archives | Otaku No Culture

Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie: No, This Film Is Not About Teen Spirit

Time-hopping musicians, a DeLorean-style RV, and a desperate quest for a discontinued drink fuel this proudly Canadian mockumentary. Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie thrives on balancing between nostalgia and improvisation to make it a must-see.

Elevation Pictures

Once a certain word drops in any summary about where the time travel device is housed in
Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie, this film instantly reveals itself as the perfect tribute to an old pop sound. Part The Beatles, part loving nod to a certain Robert Zemeckis classic from decades past, there’s a lot to like.

If you don’t want to know too much, here’s the abridged take: This Canadian mockumentary, directed by Matt Johnson,
delivers plenty of fun-filled moments and wears its cinematic tribute proudly. The script was co-written by Jay McCarrol, and together they play fictionalized versions of themselves as two musicians trying to land a bar gig despite never having recorded anything together. It’s a concept fuelled by nostalgia and awkward, self-aware laughs.

Rather than riffing on The Blues Brothers, what’s presented here is Canadiana through and through. Shot around Toronto, Ontario, the locations are real, the energy is grounded, and the familiarity adds to the charm. It is best not to know more before the spoiler wall, so consider this your courteous pause point.

Continue reading “Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie: No, This Film Is Not About Teen Spirit”

The Raccoons: Canada’s Evergreen Anniversary!

Celebrate 40 years of The Raccoons! Relive Evergreen Forest adventures with Bert, Melissa, and Cyril Sneer in this Canadian animation classic. We for a bit of info on what’s happening Canada-wide.

The Racoon's Poster Before the age of streaming and endless animated options, Canadian viewers were treated to a forest full of heart, humour, and environmental messages in The Raccoons. Created by Kevin Gillis, the series began with four television specials in 1980 before blossoming into a full series that aired from 1985 to 1991. This iconic piece of Canadiana was a trailblazer, since few animated series were made in the country back then. I even tuned in to see what Bert, Ralph, and Melissa were up to—their adventures were wholesome family fun.

Set in the picturesque Evergreen Forest, The Raccoons blended adventure, comedy, and a touch of drama, making it stand out in the landscape of 80s animation.

Continue reading “The Raccoons: Canada’s Evergreen Anniversary!”

Deaner ’89. Even Back Then, All That Canadiana Is Explosive and Wants to Rock n’ Roll All Nite!

Vanity project or not, Paul Spence loves being Murdoch, and Deaner ’89 is a look back at his heavy metal roots while being in-character!

Eagle Vision, PSA Productions
and Mongrel Media
VOD Release Date: Dec 6

Deaner ’89 is not part of the Fubar continuity and fans of the latter shouldn’t be disappointed. Maybe that’s how Dean Murdoch (played by Paul Spence, who wrote this film) simply remembers it! After guzzling so many beers and head banging for so long, my theory for keeping this work apart from the rest is because it’s all imagined in this guy’s head while in a coma.

And technically, without that cameo by Terry Cahill (Dave Lawrence) to connect with that world, this film truly exists in its own universe. It also interestingly tackles a much more difficult subject–cultural misappropriation. Despite the theme being only lightly explored, the father’s revelation, humorously played by Will Sasso, makes a significant point. Also, without Stephen McHattie, a beloved icon of Canadian cinema, no such film can be complete!

Continue reading “Deaner ’89. Even Back Then, All That Canadiana Is Explosive and Wants to Rock n’ Roll All Nite!”

Drinkwater is Rich with Lots of John Hughes style References

The bonus reel showing how the rivalries developed between Drinkwater and Ryan family is worth sticking to watch till the end.

drinkwater Oct 21, The Vic Theatre (808 Douglas St)
Oct 25, Cineplex International Village (88 W Pender St)

Mike Drinkwater (Daniel Doheny) fails at everything he does, and the only person Wallace (Louriza Tronco) trying to encourage him to do better, he’s completely oblivious to. This coming of age comedy, appropriately titled Drinkwater, is very adorable. It may well stem from how this surname developed, where “a pauper is said to be unable to afford beer.”

In this film’s case, it’s about how Mike can find a way to be able to afford post-secondary. This plot is important since he feels uncertain about the road ahead as he finishes high school. The last year is often tough, since each youth has to decide on what his next step is. Is it to live out the dreams of what their parents set out for, like Luke Ryan (Jordan Burtchett), or to do something else? Although they aren’t immediate rivals, it’s easy to see they both have daddy issues.

But there’s more to this story than just how two generations can deal with life in a quiet town. Not only was this film made in the backyard world of Penticton, British Columbia but also there’s a 80s nostalgic connection with the music used. As the action builds, we hear tracks from Doug and the Slugs, Men Without Hats and Loverboy. Regarding what got me hooked is with how ‘in the zone’ the tune selection is. I loved how Corey Hart‘s “Never Surrender” helps wrap this tale up.

Continue reading “Drinkwater is Rich with Lots of John Hughes style References”

History & The Pulps are Featured in War Bears, A Comic Book Review!

War Bears By Ed Sum
(The Vintage Tempest)

Released Sept 05, 2018

With two incredible Canadian talents, Margaret Atwood and Ken Steacy, get together to create a comic book, the industry better pay attention. Published by Dark Horse Comics, War Bears offers two well-meaning stories than one; the main narrative sees Alain Zurakowski as a struggling artist in an era where life is a struggle. The early 20th century was tough for many; not only did a world have to deal with and recover from two World Wars, but also the Depression made getting employed tough. In a dog eat dog world of 1943, this young man manages to get a job at a Toronto-based comic book company (not New York, where the action was at) and has to deal with ornery coworkers. One particular individual steals this kid’s ideas, and the conflict may well run deeper in later issues.

Continue reading “History & The Pulps are Featured in War Bears, A Comic Book Review!”

Step-by-Step with Cory Bowles, Trailer Park Boys and Black Cop

Corey Bowles

By Ed Sum
(The Vintage Tempest)

June 5th update: Black Cop is now available on iTunes and will be released to VOD on the 19th!

Making the journey West, fellow Trailer Park Boy, Cory Bowles will appear on Vancouver Island for the 2018 Victoria Film Festival to answer questions about his debut film, Black Cop. This multi-talented performer turned director is not looking to change the world, but he has a lot to say in this drama he wrote. It is filled with sociological concerns and his interest in examining his ethnic roots. For younger audiences interested in his other projects, he can be heard narrating the CBC stop-motion children’s animated series Poko. This show can be found in syndication.

Before he appeared on screen, he was performing on stage. He’s a professional dancer and choreographer. He trained in Africa, Brazil, States, and Canada. Much about what he’s learned hails from his heritage and he’s polymorphed it into the products he’s created since.

He’s worked for Halifax-based Contemporary Dance Company Verve Mwendo and Calgary-based Decidedly Jazz Danceworks. “I studied since I was 18. What I learned was a backward trajectory which started with breakdancing, and that developed into what we know as modern street dance. In addition to appearing in Trailer Park Boys, I’m a musician and teacher.”

Continue reading “Step-by-Step with Cory Bowles, Trailer Park Boys and Black Cop”