Culture
Arts Feature
July 2009
NOW on PBS Podcast
By David Wilson
Exchanges on this award-winning public affairs show are electrifying
Arts Feature
July 2009
This American Life Podcast
By Kevin Spurgaitis
Program explores global issues as well as the peculiarities of human nature
Arts Feature
June 2009
Gran Torino
By Patricia Ingold
Clint Eastwood's latest film shows audiences bigotry, banditry and the fading American way of life
Arts Feature
June 2009
The superhero psyche
By Patricia Ingold
Comic book adaptions reveal the complex human beings behind the masks
Arts Feature
June 2009
Act of God
By David Wilson
Thought-provoking documentary examines the primal role of electrical impulses on our planet and in our minds
Arts Feature
June 2009
Tyson
By Kevin Spurgaitis
Brutally honest film returns some dignity to the former heavyweight boxing champion
Arts Feature
June 2009
The Way We Get By
By Jocelyn Bell
A trio of troop greeters find joy and meaning in this documentary
Arts Feature
June 2009
Bloody Mondays and Strawberry Pies
By Kevin Spurgaitis
New documentary evocatively explores the upside of boredom
Arts Feature
May 2009
Adoration
By Drew Halfnight
A new film by Canadian director Atom Egoyan reveals the fault lines of fear in our post-9/11 consciousness
Arts Feature
May 2009
The Soloist
By Drew Halfnight
New film exposes the underbelly of Los Angeles homeless life but gets carried away with its sentimental message
Arts Feature
May 2009
Water
By David Wilson
Canadian director reveals the exquisite beauty of India amidst Hindu fundamentalism
Arts Feature
May 2009
Born into Brothels
By Kevin Spurgaitis
Award-winning documentary exposes the tribulations of childhood in Calcutta
Arts Feature
May 2009
The Namesake
By Kylie Taggart
Indian film offers a study of immigrant family life and invites audiences to embrace Bengali culture
Arts Feature
May 2009
A Peck on the Cheek
By Jocelyn Bell
Marriage, identity and escape are at the heart of this classic Bollywood melodrama
Arts Feature
May 2009
Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India
By Drew Halfnight
Acclaimed film shows the power of faith and the pursuit of dreams against all odds
Arts Feature
April 2009
Doubt
By Drew Halfnight
Adaption of prize-winning play underscores the consequences of judging others and being wrong
Arts Feature
April 2009
The Uncertain Business of Doing Good
By Gary Kenny
New narrative explores what happens to well-intentioned interlopers in Africa
Arts Feature
April 2009
Overturning the Tables
By Kylie Taggart
How congregations can protect children from consumerism
Arts Feature
April 2009
Grown-up Sex
By Carolyn Pogue
New book stresses the importance of communication, respect and acceptance of ourselves
Arts Feature
April 2009
Postcards from the Valley
By Donna Sinclair
The United Church moderator offers his own stumbles with humility and tenderness
Arts Feature
March 2009
Milk
By Lee Simpson
New DVD offers a fascinating study of an activist-icon and the early struggle for gay rights
Arts Feature
March 2009
Che: Part Two
By Drew Halfnight
Biopic offers many rewards but leaves out several fascinating chapters of revolutionary's life
Arts Feature
March 2009
Che: Part One
By Drew Halfnight
Film portrays freedom fighter's life with dramatic allure but falls short of greatness
Arts Feature
March 2009
CBC Radio 2: Canada Live
By Steven Peacock
Live-on-stage works are riches to encounter and explore
Arts Feature
March 2009
CBC Radio 2: Tonic
By Peter Woods
New jazz offering creates a graceful ambience that is inviting
Arts Feature
March 2009
CBC Radio 2: Drive
By Wanda Stride
Juno-winning artist peppers his program with new and exciting Canadian music
Arts Feature
March 2009
CBC Radio 2: Tempo
By Malcolm Macpherson
Renowned opera singer showcases a wide array of composers from all eras
Arts Feature
March 2009
CBC Radio 2: Morning
By Kylie Taggart
Revamped show expands listeners' musical knowledge while exposing Canadian talent
Arts Feature
March 2009
CBC Radio 2: The Signal
By Kevin Spurgaitis
Program delights in treating listeners to an eclectic mix of music
Arts Feature
March 2009
Having fun with dysfunction
By Kevin Spurgaitis
Filmmakers and their audiences are ready to look at themselves and their families more sincerely
Justice
How families cope when a loved one goes missing
by Justin Dallaire
A Quebec man went for a walk in the early morning of March 16, 2016, and hasn’t been seen since. His family, like many loved ones of the missing, finds it impossible to grieve — or give up hope.
Observations
Observations: Our magazine's plastic problem
by Jocelyn Bell
"While I can easily defend the use of a polybag on financial grounds, it would be unconscionable to deliver a cover story about plastics . . . in plastic."
Video
ObserverDocs: Playing by Heart
by Observer Staff
United Church music director Kara Shaw was born prematurely, became almost totally blind and was later diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Today, the 28-year-old showcases her unique musical ability, performing piano on local and national stages.
