Good News, Etc.

by Jillian Butler, Ampersandology

Things have been wretchedly slow around here---mostly because I have a tendency to keep myself so busy that it's a good thing my head is permanently attached. Und so weiter. But I've got some great posts lined up for the rest of February, so stay tuned. 


However, I've come out of hiding to report that I'm terribly humbled to be on the longlist this year for the CBC Literary Awards, in the category of Creative Nonfiction. I'm in great company too--2011 Winston Collins nominee and friend Carla Hartenberger is also up. 


Canada's so talented, you know. I say it all the time. And God bless the CBC---next to fellow Atlantic Canadian Kate Beaton, they`re my BFF national treasure. 

Have a suggestion for a future Ampersandology topic? Got something you’d like to say? All feedback welcome! Shoot us an email at ampersandology@gmail.com, or follow Ampersandology on Facebook. 

Zen, Bikes, Lies

by Jillian Butler, Ampersandology

New piece for the Scope, this time about the bicycle culture in fair St. John's. The best part of doing what I do is that you will often be asked to write about subjects which you have no personal experience; for me, this is riding a bike.

I will not tell a lie: I am particularly proud of the title.

Have a suggestion for a future Ampersandology topic? Got something you’d like to say? All feedback welcome! Shoot us an email at ampersandology@gmail.com, or follow Ampersandology on Facebook. 

Merry Man

by Jillian Butler, Ampersandology

My new piece is up at the Scope -- an interview with the always charming Alan Doyle. He's due to appear in the new Ridley Scott helmed Robin Hood, opening May 14th.

He was very forthcoming and open about the reasons why this adaptation is breaking new ground than the many other versions. Maybe I'll post the whole interview someday, if I can wrangle permission. But for now, you get the print version.

Have a suggestion for a future Ampersandology topic? Got something you’d like to say? All feedback welcome! Shoot us an email at ampersandology@gmail.com, or follow Ampersandology on Facebook. 

Video Hits and Misses

by Jillian Butler, Ampersandology

JUNO NOMINEE: Beast, "Mr. Hurricane"

New piece up at the Scope -- and it's about MUSIC, which made it a refreshing change of pace. Adam Clarke and I tackle the Video of the Year award at the Junos this year. For anyone not NL-side, the Junos have eaten St. John's. Fear for us; tell the world our story.

The nominees are...

Serena Ryder, "A Little Bit of Red."
Beast, "Mr. Hurricane"
Classified, "Anybody Listening?"
The Most Serene Republic, "Heavens to Purgatory"
Land of Talk, "It's Okay"

The Ghost in the Machine

by Jillian Butler, Ampersandology

I review The Ghost Writer for the Scope -- a challenge since its director is none other than Roman "Insert Inappropriate Joke Here" Polanski.

The whole buzz around the film raises a good point though -- how much does a work of art rely on the context of its creator?

We've since learned Alfred Hitchcock was kind of a weirdly specific misogynist, Woody Allen had his whole "marrying underage stepdaughters" phase, and Peter Bogdonovich turned into a lovestruck teenager around a pretty blonde, destroying both his marriage and creative sounding board in one fell swoop.

Oh, and if any of these niggling bad habits slip your mind,  in the case of most filmmakers, they tend to helpfully telegraph these neuroses helpfully on-screen anyway-- try watching Manhattan, where the Woody Allen substitute has an affair with a 17 year old, with the knowledge that a decade later, Allen would be leaving Mia Farrow for her adopted, and much younger, daughter.

Creative people tend to have creative skeletons lurking in the closet. Polanski's crimes don't negate the fact that he possesses a remarkable artistic vision, makes (mostly) stylish, challenging films, and is a valuable director in the history of cinema.

But truthfully? His crimes do make it very hard to separate the headlines from the creative output. And that's a problem that's not easy to ignore.

Grown Up Movie Star review

by Jillian Leigh, Ampersandology

My new piece is up at The Scope -- a review of Newfoundland-based Grown Up Movie Star. 

I'm dropping in a plug for those island-side -- it premieres here on February 19th, and I really recommend that if you can,  be there opening weekend. This is what our burgeoning cinema needs more of -- thoughtful, raw, engrossingly honest films. I enjoyed the heck out of it. 

A look at Paper Heart.

by Jillian Leigh, Ampersandology


My latest piece for the Scope is up: a look at fictionalized documentary Paper Heart, featuring Charlyne Yi and king of the hipsters Michael Cera. Those who are aware of my latent dislike of Cera, stay tuned. Or just, you know, read it. 

The Fantastic Mr. Dahl

by Jillian Leigh, Ampersandology

My latest piece on The Fantastic Mr. Fox is in print and online over at the Scope -- if you're a Roald Dahl fan (and quite frankly, you had better be), buzz over and check it out.

Wes Anderson + Roald Dahl + creepy stop motion = I am so there.

STIWFF: This is the End!

by Jillian Leigh, Ampersandology


The last of my coverage for The Scope is up-check it out and attend if you can! 


Crackie Closes Out the Fest. 

Film Festival Tidings!

by Jillian Leigh, Ampersandology


I'll be covering the St. John's International Women's Film Festival this week for The Scope, so be sure to patronize this fine undertaking. If you can, obviously. I mean, they still haven't found a cure for geography...that I know of, anyway. 


Check out my first posting here.