Sparks fly between medical school dropout Wallace (Daniel Radcliffe), and Chantry (Zoe Kazan) amid the skyscrapers, botanical gardens and quirky corners of downtown Toronto. Cut from the same cloth, their witty banter and seamless conversation is every indication of their compatibility. Two people that are awkward together stay together. Unfortunately, Wallace is five years too late, as lawyer Ben has already beaten him to the punch and secured Chantry’s heart. This leaves Wallace with no choice but to prove the age-old fable that guys and girls really can “just be friends.” While, the movie is admittedly unable to escape the clutch of corniness that trademarks every “will they, won’t they” movie, even the most skeptical of romantics must secretly hope that the pair will end up together by the time the end credits roll. This is largely due in part to Daniel’s affable nervousness and Zoe’s doe-eyed charm, but even their chemistry may not be enough for those severely allergic to the word “cute”.
For those, I offer you an antidote: a true cinematographic tour of Toronto. You may have recognized the Harvard bar in Good Will Hunting for its true identity as a bar on Front Street, or New York skyscrapers as Torontonian ones in many Manhattan movies — Toronto has long played the stunt double for other cities in the world, so it is rewarding to see it get credit. As Chantry and Wallace fall in love strolling along Dundas Street, watchers will fall in love with the way the city glows in the rain (if they haven’t already).
There’s been talk of potential Oscar nominations surrounding The Imitation Game ever since its release date in late November. Benedict Cumberbatch, known primarily for his role in the BBC drama Sherlock, stars as brilliant English mathematician Alan Turing, who was responsible for solving the “Enigma” code during the Second World War.
The biopic is loosely based on the experiences of Turing in the 1940s. He was hired by the British government along with a few other code breakers to take part in a clandestine project of grave importance – finding a way to break the Enigma code. If the code was broken (it was said to be impossible) then the British would be able to decipher messages being sent amongst the Germans, thereby revealing planned attacks, co-ordinates, strategies, and other vital information that would aid the Allies in winning the war.
In terms of historical accuracy, this film isn’t quite on the mark. Many liberties were taken to presumably make the film more dramatic, or even exaggerate Turing’s character. Cumberbatch’s Turing has difficulty in social situations, doesn’t understand jokes and doesn’t usually play well with others. He’s a genius – mathematician, computer science pioneer, philosopher and code breaker. He’s also queer, which was illegal in Britain at that time.
Frivolous plot points aside, Cumberbatch portrays Turing brilliantly. He adopts several completely new mannerisms for the role, and the way in which he delivers them is stunning. Overlooking the historical inaccuracies, the film is a roller coaster of emotion that makes for a good watch.
Winner of the 2015 Golden Globe award for Best Animated Film, How To Train Your Dragon 2 once again does not fail to make its audience, no matter what age, feel the uncontrollable need to curl up into a ball and cry. Reuniting man with dragon, the long-awaited sequel explores the values of family, friendship and standing up for what is right.
The film explores the complicated relationship between humans and animals and the damage that can be done when this relationship is not understood. Canadian director Dean DeBlois is no stranger to directing children’s movies that often leave its older audience more stirred than its younger audience. Other than both How To Train Your Dragon 1 and 2, Deblois also co-directed 2002 Lilo and Stitch and Disney’s 1998 Mulan.
The 3-D animation in How To Train Your Dragon 2 is nearly perfect. Regardless of its compelling story, the beauty of watching Toothless soar through the clouds while his silhouette reflects in the crystal clear lake below will leave you wanting to sprout wings and fly off.
The Marauders have been taking a coach bus wrapped with a graphic of the athletic department’s logo to the various practice venues. Driving the maroon-clad vehicle has drawn profanities and middle fingers wherever they go. If members of the team go anywhere wearing the school colours, they are likely to hear things like “long drive for a f—king loss, ain’t it?”
In the heart of the city, this game is more than just McMaster University against the Universite de Montreal. It’s the city itself against the foreigners from Ontario and the Marauders are feeling the disdain.
The organizing body is not doing any favours, either. At the All-Canadian banquet, a Vanier Cup retrospective video was played. McMaster, who won in 2011 and lost in 1967 and 2012, was not featured in the video. 2012 was the most-watched Vanier Cup game of all time, so it was a curious exclusion. During the announcement of the All-Canadian teams, there were some players from McMaster on the teams that were not announced.
All of these seem like water off a Marauder’s back, though. The team is not getting pushed around or intimidated, a sign of a group that has experience with tense atmospheres like this. Keep in mind; two of McMaster’s road games were the opponents Homecoming, meaning big -- likely intoxicated -- crowds. They are not in uncharted territory. That isn’t to say that playing in front of more than 18,500 pro-Montreal fans is the same as a York Homecoming game. Mac will have to battle the atmosphere too, but at least it is an outdoor stadium where noise can escape.
Regardless of what the Marauders will say, they are at a disadvantage. Montreal has skirted typical Vanier Cup protocol. This year, the Vanier Cup is being hosted by the Montreal Alouettes. That’s an important detail. On Friday, the Carabins moved their walkthrough because of snow on the field at Percival Memorial Stadium. Montreal completed their walkthrough indoors on their own campus. McMaster finished their walk through on the Percival’s turf.
Now, if the Carabins were hosting, then moving around makes a little more sense. They are footing the bill so they should get some leeway. But if it’s a neutral side, advantages need to be provided to both sides. The CIS, a regulatory body, has failed. Referring to this week something out of the “Wild, Wild West” would be unfair to cowboys because I’m sure they had some kind of mutual understanding of rules.
Mac’s head coach, Stefan Ptaszek acknowledged this too. Neate Sager from Yahoo’s Eh Game blog has the quotes from an interview earlier this week:
"They're not reporting to the hotel until Friday. So they're going to all their classes, doing their regular football routine, on their campus, up until Friday. They'll probably come around the mountain to get the walkthrough at McGill's stadium. Then they'll check into the hotel and play their football game. We're being asked to travel today and eat hotel food, miss class, do all the things that come with travelling for the better part of 72 hours before we get a football game.”
Montreal should be reporting to the hotel earlier. They should not be dodging practice times and switching up venues. In 2012, McMaster moved their operation to downtown Toronto, despite being 40 minutes from the field. Those are the rules and the department followed them.
And the Carabins should not get much blame. If they are being allowed to get away with this, then full credit to them for trying. The organizers should be the ones shutting it down, but the question becomes “why would they?”
McMaster injury updates:
Chris Pezzetta will not play after injuring his knee in the Mitchell Bowl … Josh Vandeweerd practiced all week and completed walkthrough.
Photo credit: Fraser Caldwell
RAMEN
With Pho being the ruling noodle of 2013, it seems that foodies of the world are gradually moving across South-East Asia finding their new food favourites. Pushing the Korean classic aside, it’s predicted that ramen noodles, a Japanese dish consisting of thin white noodles accompanied with a clear meat or fish-based broth will be at the forefront of 2014 trends.
Check Out:
Sushi Star (3.5 stars YELP)
127 King Street E
COMFORT FOODS
Expect to see more stylized grilled cheese sandwiches and haute hamburgers, as traditional comfort foods get a gourmet makeover. Old-time comfort foods are shacking up with modern ingredients like avocado, shrimp and candied bacon.
Check Out:
Macaroni & Cheese ($13) @
Bread Bar (4.5 stars YELP)
258 Locke Street S
Grilled Cheese from Heaven ($11) @
Bean Bar (4.5 stars YELP)
1012 King Street W
HOT BREWS
If “late-night coffee runs” has more than one meaning to you, then you’ll be pleased to hear that tea is taking over as the hot beverage of choice in 2014. Specialty tea stores have been popping up in shopping malls and collaborating with restaurants for the last year, and the trend is here to stay.
Check out:
Ginger Peach or Lemongrass Rosehip @
Ceylon Tea Bush
218 Locke Street S
SOUR BREWS
It may not sound appetizing - or even safe to eat - but “sour” beers are a growing trend and are predicted to be appearing in your local liquor stores. Like sourdough bread, sour beers get their name from a fermentation process that allows the active yeast to permeate the brew. Another strong flavour to look for in your hops: alcoholic ginger beer.
Check Out:
Panil Barrique Sour ($14.70 for 750mL)
Crabbies Alcoholic Ginger Beer ($3.65 for 330 mL)
ICE CREAM
While cupcakes, macaroons and donuts have all had their chance in the spotlight, the tried and true favourite is undergoing a palette makeover. Gourmet ice creams will be more commonplace, along with pop-up ice cream stores (à la Magnum in Toronto this summer) and decadent ice cream sandwiches.
Check out:
Rudy’s Paletas @
The Burnt Tongue
10 Cannon Street E
UMAMI
The newest of the five basic tastes, umami is predicted to be found in more diverse foods. The Japanese term translating to “pleasant savoury taste” is usually found in tomatoes, cabbage, shellfish and MSG salts. Look for it in salt blends, sauces and cooked into the growing and popular “umami burger”.
Check out:
Umami Salt ($10) @
www.umami.com (LA-based franchise, Umami Burger)
LOCALLY-SOURCED EVERYTHING
For the last few years, “local” has been a buzzword in restaurants, super markets and circles of young hipsters. But apparently, 2014 is the year for really implementing local diets and farm fresh cuisine. Jump on the bandwagon by shopping at your local farmer’s market, or looking into farm to table box programs that deliver local food to your home.
Check out:
Hamilton Farm Box deliveries from:
Plan B Organic Farms
www.planborganicfarms.ca
GLUTEN-FREE
Gluten is here to not stay. If you thought the celiac-friendly diet trend would have faded away with 2013, you were wrong. Menus and grocery stores will still be actively supplying gluten-free options during 2014.
CAULIFLOWER
2013’s vegetable of the year is still trending, just not quite as much. Mashed, grilled or baked into meat and wheat dishes, cauliflower will still be widely available on menus across town.
DONUTS
Donuts had their moment in the sun in 2013, but will be drifting into the shadows with 2014. Still available at your favourite bakeries and grocers, gourmet donuts will be ready for purchase throughout the year.
Callum De Maria / The Silhouette
The night of August 8,2012 was the eve to my twentieth birthday. Some may ask how much fun I had that night, or what type of crazy fun-filled events went down before I turned 20 and left my teen years permanently behind. I simply reply to them with, “my night was spent at home, anxiously awaiting the arrival of midnight.” After saying this, people often looked puzzled but understood, thinking that I was waiting until my actual birthday arrived to go out and celebrate. These people have never heard of SOLAR before, and why it is a painful system that makes life extremely difficult and stressful for McMaster students on our time off in the summer.
When I was asked why I was staying in the night, I told them I had to choose my courses for school. The first reaction I got was laughter, followed by a series of questions: “Why does it start at midnight?”, “Doesn’t that only take a few minutes?”, etc. I did not have an answer for why it starts at midnight, which can be a very inconvenient time for many students, and whether it only taking a few minutes, us McMaster students can only hope and pray. First of all, SOLAR only lets a limited amount of users on at each time, with a time limit of 45 minutes, which means you need to be prepared that night for an excruciating grind with the mouse. If you do not get on at midnight, you must be prepared to sit in front of your computer and click, hoping that at some point you make it into SOLAR - which could take hours.
Course selection is an extremely important aspect of university. One of the most crucial points in the university year is making sure on this selected night in August, you get the courses you really want to take for the upcoming year. This is absolutely vital because you do not want to be paying money for a class you will not enjoy or take seriously.
Next, after the problem has been fully recognized, they would need to alter the system to make improvements. A first simple change would be restructuring when course selection opens because as previously stated, midnight may not be the most convenient time for a student to go on to the computer and select their courses. However that is a small matter in a huge problem. SOLAR and McMaster need to be able to prioritize students into courses they need. All that would have to be done is that instead of one day, they expand it into four days so that it is first-come, first-serve based solely on your year and program. This would also assist a lot more students into getting courses they not only need, but courses they are generally interested in, as most popular courses are filled by 1 a.m. before 90 per cent of the faculty has had a chance to sign on.
As much as I have bashed SOLAR and the system throughout this article, it is not exactly easy to register 25,000+ students into courses every year, and SOLAR does make it a lot easier for the school to do this in a timely matter with little to no faults, which can be extremely undervalued.
However, SOLAR is making it easier on the school and not the students. This is like owning a restaurant for example, and being the head chef. Kraft Dinner only takes a few minutes to make and it is easy, but will you keep your customers happy by serving them Mac`N`Cheese instead of the famous steak they stepped in the restaurant for? We students pay a tuition fee so that we can improve our education and help develop a future.
In order to do so, we must be confident in the courses we enroll in, and improving SOLAR will help provide this luxury for McMaster students.
5. SCP-087-B
Price - Free
Visuals - 6/10
Gameplay - 8/10
Story - 1/10
Scare Factor - 9/10
Based on the popular stories surrounding the fictional SCP organization, SCP-087-B takes advantage of people’s fear of claustrophobic environments and forces players to navigate through dark, cramped corridors without a weapon to defend them.
The game is incredibly simple in design, as the player is only able to move down the stairs and hallways the game presents to you, but the fear factor is still very real. While the game doesn’t offer much in the way of story, its simple concept and effective game design makes it a quick and highly effective scare for anyone looking for that coveted rush of adrenaline.
4. One Late Night
Price - Free
Visuals - 8/10
Gameplay - 7/10
Story - 6/10
Scare Factor - 8/10
Much like SCP-087-B, One Late Night plays up humans natural fear of enclosed spaces, but does so within the familiar environ- ment of an office workspace.
The story follows an un- named graphic design employee who experiences a strange and terrifying series of events. This office setting is easy for anyone to familiarize themselves with and the story is fairly easy to
get involved in. Moreover, for a free game the graphics are very impressive, offering more than enough variation in visuals.
Unfortunately, where the game struggles is in its level de- sign. One Late Night offers too little direction when exploring its spooky office environment, leaving the player frustrated
at times where they can’t find out what to do to advance the plot. Still, the game makes up for it by producing genuinely terrifying moments, making it a must-play for fans of a good scare and undoubtedly the best free horror game this year.
3. Alien: Isolation
Price - $60
Visuals - 9.5/10
Gameplay - 8/10
Story - 8/10
Scare Factor - 8/10
One of the few big-budget titles on this list, Alien: Isolation is a first-person survival-horror game that exists within the fictional universe of the Alien films. What makes it so compelling is the game’s ability to create a unique universe that perfectly mirrors its source material. As soon as you start Alien: Isolation, players immedi- ately feel like they have entered the universe of the films, only adding to the terror the game provides. The only drawback of the game is that the random na- ture of the alien “Xenomorph” can be more frustrating than it is fun. For those looking for a longer story-based experience – albeit it at a steeper price – check out Alien: Isolation.
2. Five Nights at Freddy's
Price - $5 on Steam
Visuals - 6/10
Gameplay - 10/10
Story - 7/10
Scare Factor - 8/10
One of the most innovative horror games since the indie hit Slender: The 8 Pages is this year’s release of Five Nights at Freddy’s. The story revolves around an employee named Mike Schmidt who takes a job at the fictional pizza place “Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza” (think Chuck-E-Cheese). As the game soon reveals, the animatronic animals inside the store come to life, making many children’s nightmares come true.
This $5 title knows exactly what it wants to be and effectively produces real scares despite its simple mechanics.
By utilizing a point-and-click style, the game has a surprising amount of depth and strategy that offers players far more hours of excitement than the $5 price tag entails. While the story is fairly simple, I feel the point of Five Nights at Freddy’s isn’t to engross players into a fictional universe, so it becomes less of an issue. Instead, Five Nights at Freddy’s should be seen as an easy horror gaming experience that effectively scares anyone who boots it up. Five Nights at Freddy’s is a simple, but addic- tive horror game that leaves the player wanting more after they conquer each night.
1. Among the Sleep
Price - $20 on Steam
Visuals - 9/10
Gameplay - 9/10
Story - 10/10
Scare Factor 7/10
While many titles on this list of- fer exciting new ways to engage the player, none do it quite as effectively as Among the Sleep. The game takes the perspective of a young toddler who explores eerie worlds created by its own imagination, as the player unravels the fears and struggles of the child’s home life through various memories. Without giving too much away, what makes Among the Sleep deserving of our number one spot is that it succeeds in so many different areas of game design. The story is fantastic, and is one of the only games that left me hungry to find out the plot the whole way through.
Moreover, the game does not suffer from the same navi- gational errors that plagued One Late Night as the game effec- tively balances level of difficulty and level of frustration perfect- ly. Because of this, I never felt bored while playing Among the Sleep, and also never felt lost for too long. Visually the game is immediately engrossing, and does justice to the wild imagi- nation of the toddler you play. Each world feels unique, and the games antagonist does a great job of keeping you frightened.
One of the only faults of the game is its relatively short length, as it is roughly two hours long, which to some doesn’t justify the $20 price tag. Despite this, the amount of scares and genuine sense of ad- venture the game offers is more than enough to put this game at the number one spot. If there is any horror game you play this year, it has to be Among the Sleep.
