NOWHERE BOY REVIEW

Still from Nowhere Boy

British Visual Artist-turned-Director Sam Taylor-Wood's Nowhere Boy would have made John Lennon proud. The film explores Lennon's rebellious teen years - sexually curious and obsessed with Elvis - prior to becoming the Icon we know him as today, and many will be surprised to learn what an intriguing life he lived prior to finding fame even.

The film is carried by an impeccable cast and although Taylor-Wood took a chance in casting her now-fiancé Aaron Johnson in the prized leading role of John Lennon, the risk paid off as he delivers a mesmerizing performance in this Heartthrob-making role. Johnson captures perfectly the headstrong and self-assured spirit of a young man who by chance develops a love for Music in reconnecting with his estranged and free-spirited Birthmother, Julia (Anne-Marie Duff).  John we see, is raised by his stern Aunt Mimi (Kristin Scott Thomas) and our understanding is that her younger sister Julia abandoned him as a young child.

With no real aspirations to excel in his studies, John unleashes his frustrations through Music, forming a band with some classmates, creating some structure in his life amidst the pushing and pulling in two directions by Mimi and Julia.   Mimi hopes to keep John far away from a desperate Julia with a warning that she only will hurt him. Also in reconnecting with Julia, John's sudden presence in her home causes a divide between her and her husband Bobby (David Morrissey). 

MICHAEL BUBLÉ ARRIVES IN TORONTO EARLY FOR PAUL MCCARTNEY CONCERT

And that handsome guy to the left would be Canada's Darling Crooner Michael Bublé, returning from a wonderful time at Paul McCartney's Up and Coming Tour show at Air Canada Centre.  The two-time Grammy winner who hails from Burnaby, kept telling a group of us, "Guys, that show was amazing!  You have to go see it!". And it appears he was v. excited about the show, arriving in-town three days prior to his own back-to-back shows at the same venue later this week.

As expected, Bublé is genuine and a man of his word, coming over to greet me with his Security Guard as promised after I flagged him down.  He signed a couple autographs and took time to pose for a handful of photographs, despite having been reported denying some fans Photo Opportunities earlier today, when he was seen in Yorkville grabbing a late lunch at Subway.  

Of course, I am super-stoked about seeing him in-concert later this week, as he puts on a good show consistently.  Review and photos will follow - check back Thursday!  In the meantime, you can fawn over that mesmerizing Brown Eyes below:

SIR PAUL MCCARTNEY IN TORONTO FOR UP AND COMING TOUR

Sir Paul F*cking McCartney, people! Know your place!!! The former Beatle is in Toronto doing two sold-out shows at Air Canada Centre as part of his Up and Coming Tour - a rare visit marking only the tenth time he's toured as a solo act in Canada.

I can say it was a great honour to be only inches away from him as he rolled down the window of his SUV as he left his Hotel, telling fans he wouldn't be able to come out personally and greet a dozen fans, but still wished us all well. Furthermore, these photos I got of him are among the first to surface from his Toronto visit and you Mavenati, are in exclusive company!

McCartney is expected to perform a selection of material off his 2007 album Memory Almost Full, plus many of his earlier hits tonight. The Tour wraps up August 19th in Pittsburgh. 68 years-old and still on fire!  Hot!

Here's another pic below.  Can you handle it?!

MEAT FREE MONDAYS: BY SIR PAUL MCCARTNEY

Sir Paul McCartney recently launched the concept of Meat Free Mondays in the UK and he issued this personal note to subscribers of Gwyneth Paltrow's GOOP newsletter.  And all those stars  (Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Kelly Osbourne, Kate Bosworth....) to the left, showed their support.

Meat Free Mondays were created in response to concern that  the presence of Methane from Livestock are causing climatic degredation. Of course it is implied that the growing demand for Livestock for human consumption is the cause of this.  In addition to the environmental dangers of Methane, Livestock are also responsible depleting our global supply of fresh water.  McCartney points out that it takes "634 gallons of fresh water required to produce one 5.2 ounce (150g) Beef Burger".  Above this, Livestock waste also accounts for water pollution as a result of the antibiotics and hormones these animals are given.

Please don't get me wrong, I'm by no means an Environmentalist nor am I a Tree Hugger, but I do recognize that we don't give much thought to how we hurt the world we live in.  I'm not telling you to quit meat altogether because God only knows how much I love a nice rare Steak, but it is important that we have some degree of awareness to how simple things like eating a Burger are impacting the environment.  If every one of us reduced our meat consumption by just one day a week, this in itself will undoubtedly have a long-term impact and perhaps force the Livestock industry to re-examine their business practices for the better.