Magazine

Independent, provocative, now! The CJLO Magazine is the resource for features, reviews, and interviews. Established in 2004, and run by dedicated CJLO volunteers, the magazine covers the latest and best in local and international music, art, theatre, film, festivals, and more!

POP Montreal 2015: The Sonics @ Théâtre Fairmount

September 23 2015 // Sue Snyder // Magazine // Concert Reviews

Presented by POP Montreal, Blue Skies Turn Black, and Vice

The question you hear most when you tell someone you've been to see a band who made their start in the '60s, as The Sonics did, is "but can they still rock?"

Yes, yes, emphatically yes.

POP Montreal 2015: Les Marinellis @ Théâtre Fairmount

September 22 2015 // Stephanie Dee // Magazine // Concert Reviews

POP You Did Me Wrong

It was day two of POP Montreal, and after consuming my fill of veggie dogs & beer at the Quartiers POP barbecue and taking a quick cat nap, I made my way to Théâtre Fairmount and got there just in time to catch Les Marinellis opening for Mikal Cronin. It was quite disappointing to discover the band playing to a virtually empty room. That big open space in front of the stage was probably the worst thing about POP Montreal this year, and this particular performance by the band was lacklustre as a result.

POP Montreal 2015: Three songwriting tips from Andy Kim!

September 21 2015 // Stephanie Dee // Magazine // Features

"The Icon: Montreal's Andy Kim talks songwriting", presented by SOCAN

POP Montreal 2015: Just Say Yes!

September 15 2015 // Sue Snyder // Magazine // Features

Sue from the 'Cult of Yes' picks her POP favourites

Look, we can fight about it if you want. Sure, classes have begun and we'll soon be drowning in pumpkin spice everything, but I say summer's not over until POP Montreal is over. Stamped it, no erasies. POP is a five-day party featuring hundreds of your favourite bands (and new favourite bands) plus symposia, visual art, film, crafts galore at Puces POP and so much more. So gather 'round, let's plan out our last hurrah before the summer officially slips away, shall we?

Wednesday, September 16th

POP Montreal 2015: The Best Concert Ever

September 11 2015 // Stephanie Dee // Magazine // Features

#CJLOgoesPOP picks by Stephanie Dee from Yeti Dreams

Kahlil Gibran's The Prophet

September 10 2015 // Remi Caron-Liss // Film

Screenplay by Roger Allers, based on the novel by Kahlil Gibran

'Love and Mercy' captures the musical talent of Brian Wilson

September 8 2015 // Remi Caron-Liss // Film

Directed by Bill Pohlad

There is no doubt that Brian Wilson is both extremely talented and an individual who is hurting deep down, as seen in Bill Pohlad's new film, Love & Mercy. The film succeeds at telling Brian Wilson's story, but at times the editing is very choppy. Paul Dano is convincing as a young Brain Wilson, however there are some issues with seeing John Cusack as a much older Brian Wilson. The songs are all there as they go through the surfer-boys phase, right up too Brain Wilson's Smile. Yes, Love & Mercy captures the musical talent of Brian Wilson and his personal issues, however it lacks the social background of the era.

'Mad Max: Fury Road' goes back to basics of classic action films

September 4 2015 // Remi Caron-Liss // Film

Mad Max: Fury Road (2015), directed by George Miller and written by Miller, Brendan McCarthy and Nico Lathouris

Inside Out

September 3 2015 // Remi Caron-Liss // Film

Let me cut to the chase and just post my first initial reactions to Disney Pixar's new film Inside Out: Man tears flowed out of me while I reminisced on childhood days. Inside Out is the best film I have seen so far this year, and it is possibly one of the best animated features I have seen in a while. It finds the long lost spirit and heart of Pixar.

Pitch Perfect 2

September 3 2015 // Remi Caron-Liss // Film

Universal Pictures 2015 - Directed by Elizabeth Banks and written by Kay Cannon

Oh no! It's the dread of having to review another sequel, which only means that it has to supersede its primary, the first one in the series. After the strong success of the first Pitch Perfect (2012), a sequel was bound to happen in the hopes to answer the fan's question, "whatever happened to The Bellas?" Luckily, Pitch Perfect 2 retains its core to showcase great musical numbers set to choreography, a great cast ensemble who make up The Bellas, and the witty banter of John and Gail. This film is a directorial debut for Elizabeth Banks.

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