Canadian Crossing

Canadian film review: Into the Forest

Into the Forest is a post-apocalypse film with a mature, feminist vision; a strong intimate story about how well people can survive when the technology disappears.

Ellen Page and Evan Rachel Wood play sisters in a Patricia Rozema film based on the Jean Hegland book of the same name. The film opens in U.S. theatres today.

The juxtaposition of futuristic technology with such a remote area is where we start the story. Nell (Page) is studying for exams and Eva (Wood) is rehearsing for a dance recital. Then the power goes out.

The radio tells us of a long-range blackout on the West Coast. They go on with those tasks despite the uncertainty around them. After all, they think the power will come back on soon. After awhile, the radio signal goes out and we don't get any real information on what is happening.

Rozema noted in the Q&A after the film screening I attended that the sisters only experience nature once the power goes off. She saw the film as a meditation about trying to survive without electricity. Smartphones aren't an option; can't research topics on how to survive.

The film was shot on Vancouver Island, a setting that amplifies the rural nature of their post-apocalypse world.

Page and Wood are visual and character contrasts. Opposites in lots of ways, but sisters to the end. Callum Keith Rennie plays their father. I have been a fan of Rennie from his time in Twitch City. Page made her debut as a co-producer with this film.

'See the North' brings new Canadian films to U.S. audiences

Video review: When Night Is Falling

CanadianCrossing.com film reviews

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The pace of the film helps convey the transference of a much different speed to the world the further they get from a world with electricity. The Max Richter score conveys intelligent emotion. Rozema pointed out she didn't want the music to lead the action.

Post-apocalypse films are usually filled with zombies and might be better filed under horror films. Into the Forest is more of a psychological examination of living in nature as the world used to be that happens to be set in a post-apocalypse setting. You don't miss the zombies.

The film is intense but not in a fake way. You almost feel voyeuristic at watching what is happening and how the sisters adjust throughout the film. A post-apocalypse world can be tedious, but Ellen Page and Evan Rachel Wood make us want to know how the story turns out.

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I am discovering Rozema, but definitely behind the curve. We had a review for When Night Is Falling over a year ago. I've Heard the Mermaids Singing was Rozema's breakthrough film. She also interviewed 4 actresses in Women Who Act with Patricia Rozema, a documentary celebrating Canadian film and television talent. Rozema talked to Andrea Martin (honorary Canadian), Ellen Page, Tatiana Maslany, and Sandra Oh.

Into the Forest opened in Canadian theatres on June 3. The U.S. release is July 29. The film was also a part of See the North, a series of Canadian films shown in the United States.

video credit: A24

2016 CFL Week 6 preview

ESPN2 will have 3 of the 4 games this weekend. The channel added the Sunday night game as part of a series of changes. The Winnipeg Blue Bombers will go with Matt Nichols at quarterback against Nichols' former team in Edmonton on Thursday Night Football.

The Roughriders go to Montréal in the Friday night opener that is only on TSN. The B.C. Lions travel to Calgary as the top West teams battle in the second half of the Friday night doubleheader.

The Sunday night contest has the Toronto Argos going to the nation's capital where former Argo Trevor Harris will sit out with an injury.

Hamilton doesn't want a break after its amazing comeback win, but will get one anyway.

ESPN2

Thursday
Winnipeg @ Edmonton, 9p
Friday
BC @ Calgary, 10p
Sunday
Toronto @ Ottawa, 7:30p

TSN

Thursday
Winnipeg @ Edmonton, 9p
Friday
Saskatchewan @ Montréal, 7p
BC @ Calgary, 10p
Sunday
Toronto @ Ottawa, 7:30p

Bye week: Hamilton

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31-6 is an extremely safe lead in the NFL. A 31-6 lead at home is a safe lead in the CFL, especially when the team from behind has been struggling on offence with a backup quarterback.

The Hamilton comeback was aided by that backup quarterback Jeremiah Masoli, who completed 23 straight passes for a CFL record. In his first 25 attempts in the second half, Masoli was 23-25 for 278 yards and 3 TDs.

Edmonton is a tough place to play, especially for a team out east. But this kind of a comeback is much more possible in the CFL.

Watching the 2016 CFL season on ESPN (updated)

ESPN2 made a series of changes to the CFL TV schedule. The Toronto-Ottawa game on Sunday and the Saskatchewan-Edmonton game on August 26 are now on the schedule. The East final is also now on TV though on ESPNews.

Calgary-Saskatchewan on August 13 as well as the Toronto-Calgary game on October 21 are dropped and will be on ESPN3. The tradeoff is positive but losing the late-season game is a little sad since there won't be any TV link between August 27 and the playoffs.

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The U.S. audience got to see the first home win at BMO Field for the Toronto Argonauts. This was also the first home win for an East team this season. Winnipeg is the only West team to not have a home win at 0-3.

We got a ESPN promo for Rakeem Cato, and then soon after, we got the real Rakeem Cato in the game. Both Kevin Glenn and Ricky Ray left the game, though Glenn returned.

Montréal had the 8-0 lead, but the Argos scored 21 of the next 22 points. Between penalties and missed opportunities, the Alouettes made things much harder on themselves. And they don't have a terribly powerful offence to start.

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In Toronto, Damon Allen was sitting next to Peter MacKay, former defence, foreign affairs, and justice minister. Rod Black and Duane Forde joked about whether they were talking offence or defence. "Maybe they're talking American politics because they could be talking all night," said Black. A very odd non-sequitur from Black.

While MacKay is from Nova Scotia, MacKay moved to Toronto, joining the Toronto law firm Baker & McKenzie as a partner in February.

MacKay did not run in the 2015 election but is considering the leadership of the federal Conservative Party when the party members pick their permanent leader on May 27, 2017.

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The battle of former Toronto Argos QBs didn't last long in Regina. Trevor Harris got hurt in the first 4 minutes of the game, going down similarly to Darian Durant who was hurt on that same turf the previous week. Mitchell Gale looked a lot better as the Roughriders squeezed out a 1-point win for their first win of the year. Brock Jensen did an outstanding job coming into the game for the RedBlacks but the team fell short of a win. This was the RedBlacks first loss of the year.

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Unlike the NHL telecasts, TSN doesn't show O Canada before CFL games. So when I was in the Prairies, I observed the anthems in Regina. The Winnipeg singer went with the new lyrics "in all of us command." There was a hint of "True North" during the anthem. I actually heard the anthem in Winnipeg for baseball (Goldeyes) and football (Blue Bombers) and heard hints of "True North." Of course, the Jets fans go full throat on "True North" in the anthem.

The Saskatchewan singer went with the traditional version with "in all thy sons command."

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The #2 crew did a game in Regina, the furthest west they've been this year. With 3 games in the west, the crew had to do one of them.

Chris Cuthbert, Glen Suitor: Calgary @ Winnipeg; Hamilton @ Edmonton
Rod Black, Duane Forde: Ottawa @ Saskatchewan; Montréal @ Toronto

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photo credit: CFL on TSN via ESPN2

Canadian clothing-optional beaches should be just that

When friends of mine mention "nude beaches," I generously point out that they are "clothing-optional beaches." The distinction is that you don't have to go nude if you don't want to do so.

Canada has several places where you can be nude on a beach, but without question, 2 of the best places are Wreck's Beach in Vancouver and Hanlan's Point in Toronto. Besides being wonderful spaces with amazing people, there is a joy to spending an afternoon in this setting and then indulging in one of the world's best cities at night.

Unfortunately, we've seen a wave of pressure on visitors to both spots to succumb to nudity. That is an absolute shame.

I have visited both places quite a few times. And yes, for the record, I actively participate in the process: your humble narrator is naked in these places. Whether you are nude, partially nude, or clothed, the idea is that you respect what is going on.

I've spoken to many people over the years who don't understand why people would do this. I explain to them to check it out and they can see how cool an atmosphere is in these settings.

There are people who are curious about indulging, especially women. But they are shy based on a number of fears. Being too of something or not enough of something makes them shy about being in that setting.

I can tell you from personal experience that there are all kinds of bodies on these beaches. The idea that you will stand out is literally ridiculous, but unknown fears are entirely relevant to that person. Every nudist on those beaches was at one point that uncertain person. We need to remember that people need to ease into this new world for them.

For example, a woman might show up to a clothing-optional beach. This is her first time. She may strip down to a 2-piece bathing suit as she would do on any other beach. Once she sees that people aren't staring at other people, she might loosen her top. At a later point, she might go totally nude.

Pressure, especially undue pressure, sends the wrong message. Clothing-optional beaches should be inclusive, but understand that people are shy. Give them a chance to learn.

That being said, if you showed up clothed on a clothing-optional beach, come with the intention of trying out nudity. After all, if you lose your top or trunks or bikini bottoms, you won't get in trouble. No laughter, no cheers. Not even a nod.

If you are freaking out for having a part of you exposed that is usually private, put those clothes back on. Chances are you will enjoy the sunshine where the sun doesn't normally shine.

Official Wreck Beach Web site

Hanlan's Point Wikipedia site

Hanlan's Point is a ferry destination from the ferries to the islands in Toronto. If you get on the Centre Island ferry, you will have a longer walk. The ferry is $7.50 for adults; the return trip is included in that price.

Once you dock at Hanlan's Point, follow the signs. The beach is about a kilometre down. The northern half of the beach is a standard beach with bathing suits. The southern half is clothing optional.

Keep a note of return ferry times. They are usually on the half-hour but are often an hour apart. Factor in the walk back to the ferry terminal on the island.

Wreck's Beach is located at the far west end of the University of British Columbia (UBC) campus. There are a number of buses that go to UBC. The #99-B is your best shot as this is an express bus. From downtown, you can take SkyTrain to Commercial Drive and board the 99-B bus.

If you are at Granville Island, you can take the #4 bus down 4th Street. The #9 bus covers the path of the #99-B but with a lot more stops. The 17, 25, 33, 41, 43, 44, 49, 84, 258, 480, N17 also serve UBC.

Once you get to the UBC bus loop, walk about 5 minutes across campus down University Boulevard to UBC Gate 6. Turn right on NW Marine Drive and the trail is immediately to the left about 100 metres.

You shall be warned that the path down is long and extensive. Take your time going down and especially going up. This is not a race.

Even if you stay down there until sunset, when the beach closes, the #99-B bus will still be running and will take you back into the city.

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Bring all the supplies you need as there aren't options once you are there. Bring plenty of sunscreen since those sheltered areas need more protection once they are out in the open.

Feel free to bring food and (non-alcoholic) drinks, but clean up after yourself. Canada is a clean and tidy country. I can tell you first-hand that cops patrol Wreck's Beach for open alcohol containers. You have been warned.

Above all, have fun. This is a life-altering experience. Enjoy.

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photo credit: wreckbeach.org; Google maps

2016 CFL Week 5 preview

ESPN2 is back with the CFL though you'll have to wait until Monday. The Argos host the Alouettes Monday night at BMO Field.

The week starts off in Winnipeg as the Blue Bombers host Calgary on Thursday Night Football. The RedBlacks make their last visit to Taylor Field Friday night; Ottawa is undefeated with a tie while Saskatchewan hasn't won yet. Edmonton hosts Hamilton on the lone Saturday game.

The B.C. Lions get to hang out for the week in one of the coolest cities on the planet.

ESPN2

Monday
Montréal @ Toronto, 7:30p

TSN

Thursday
Calgary @ Winnipeg, 8:30p
Friday
Ottawa @ Saskatchewan, 9p
Saturday
Hamilton @ Edmonton, 7p
Monday
Montréal @ Toronto, 7:30p

Bye week: BC

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Was fun to get to see the CFL in person as your humble narrator got to visit the Prairie provinces for the CFL and much more. If you love this league and want to see the most passionate fans, these are the places to go.

I don't have the best luck trying to get the home team the win. The road team won the games I've seen in Winnipeg, Saskatchewan, Calgary, Edmonton, and Ottawa. Though if Darian Durant had stayed healthy during the game, the Roughriders would have taken care of the Lions.

Winnipeg was in the game but couldn't cash it in for a major after a key interception. Edmonton did get the major when the Esks needed it and that was the margin of victory.

Mike Reilly threw for 465 yards. The Edmonton offense looked really good in person; penalties prevented even more scoring. Drew Willy performed a CFL oddity: 32-42 for 279 yards. Reportedly, a CFL QB with 30 completions for under 300 yards has only happened 11 times, including Willy's performance. The Blue Bombers fans and team love when their defense performs well, but this short-range offence was painful to watch and easy to defend. The team brought in some offence heavy hitters, but from what I saw, the team needs an offence that can move down the field and spark fear among defences. This team hasn't won back-to-back games in 2 years; that won't cut it in the CFL.

Jonathan Jennings threw for 505 yards, 317 in the second half. While Mitchell Gale did do well enough after replacing Durant in the 2nd quarter, the Saskatchewan offence went 2-and-out for the entire 3rd quarter. The Roughriders defence couldn't catch its collectively breath. The Lions outscored Saskatchewan 30-4 in the 2nd half.

The amusing highlight was a handoff from Jennings to Anthony Allen. Allen was stopped but before the play ended, he tossed the ball back to Jennings, who scampered in for the major.

We'll have much more on the stops in Winnipeg and Regina much later.

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Most CFL teams are playing their first game on the Exhibition grounds in Toronto since the 1988 season. Montréal's last game on those grounds was November 2, 1986, a 25-21 loss to the Argos. In 1986, the team switched back to the Alouettes nickname following 4 years as the Concordes. The franchise folded just before the start of the 1987 season.

We'll be curious if the Argos draw better than the Ottawa game. Watching the pattern over time will give a better impression of Argos fans support at BMO Field. A Friday or Saturday game might be a better example as opposed to a Wednesday or Monday game.

Alouettes receiver Duron Carter will play until the appeal of his one-game suspension by the CFL on August 17.

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We talk about the quarterbacks a lot, but here's some love for the receivers. Adarius Bowman (Edmonton) and Greg Ellingson (Ottawa) had dominant weeks. You got the sense that their play made the difference between victory and defeat.

The quarterbacks are crucial as well. Looking at Toronto's recent quarterback exports, Trevor Harris has been the difference for Ottawa when Henry Burris got injured and the RedBlacks are undefeated. Zach Collaros in Hamilton is practicing though not quite ready to go. Mitchell Gale was recently traded to Saskatchewan: his play should improve as he learns the Roughriders offense. But that 3rd quarter was so miserable.

The Roughriders fans were complaining on how they haven't had a decent backup in awhile. I mentioned Drew Willy. Durant's injuries have come after Willy left for Winnipeg. Ottawa is very glad the team has a strong backup QB.

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ESPN2 took last week off, but we do have the ratings from the previous week. Winnipeg's only win so far over Hamilton drew 233,000 on a Thursday night. The late game in Vancouver featuring the Argos drew 169,000. The very exciting Saskatchewan-Edmonton game drew a low 131,000 mark. The late Friday games don't do as well; fans missed an amazing 4th quarter.

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Chris Cuthbert, Glen Suitor: Edmonton @ Winnipeg; BC @ Saskatchewan
Rod Black, Duane Forde: Ottawa @ Toronto; Hamilton @ Montréal

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photos credit: me with an obvious nod to the CFL

Canadian film review: The Other Half

Real-life love in a film can go really well, such as Spencer Tracy and Katherine Hepburn in Guess Who's Coming to Dinner, or poorly with Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman in Eyes Wide Shut.

Tatiana Maslany and her real-life petite ami, Tom Cullen, played troubled souls in The Other Half as a couple dealing with their own personal demons. Emily is bipolar and doesn't always take her medication. Nickie suffered a tragic family loss when his brother died.

They are quite unlikable, him more than her, a bold move for two main characters in a film. The problem is we are never given a reason to root for them.

Joey Klein, who wrote and directed the film, tells the story from Nickie's point of view, which is a huge problem since Nickie suffers in silence. Being stuck in Nickie's POV doesn't lend any insight into him. We lose understanding of the other characters.

Nickie's reaction to the world is anger and extreme jealousy. Women like Emily fall for guys like Nickie, but there is usually something there. If Nickie has charm, we don't see it.

We don't know why Emily stops taking her meds. Is she so happy with the relationship? Is the relationship bad so she is struggling? We wonder for awhile why her father is overprotective of Emily while her stepmother takes a more rational approach.

Tatiana Maslany, Molly Parker get Emmy nominations

Orphan Black Season 4 finale airs tonight

Tatiana Maslany (finally) gets Emmy nod for 'Orphan Black'

CanadianCrossing.com film reviews

CanadianCrossing.com film coverage

Klein keeps us trapped in Nickie's point of view, so when Emily disappears for 8 months, she is gone from the film. Deragh Campbell plays Anna, Emily's best friend. Anna disappears as does Sammy, Nickie's best friend, from the film. They return to serve a transition of sorts briefly toward the end of the film.

The individual performances from Maslany, who just got nominated for another Emmy, and Cullen are very good in a vacuum, but they don't act together real well. For a real-life couple, they have almost zero onscreen chemistry.

Henry Czerny does a fine job as the overprotective father. Suzanne Clément doesn't have much to do as Marie, the stepmother, though hearing Clément speak English was pretty cool. There is even a reference to her character being from Quebec.

Films have a bit of leeway in terms of realism, but you are presenting realism. We see Emily as relatively normal while on her meds but see her highs and lows when she is off of them. In reality, you are often depressed even with meds; they aren't magical cure-alls. Also, Emily does quite a bit of drinking with her meds: chances are that isn't good, though that would be part of the self-destruction.

Maslany and Cullen are executive producers on the film. Cullen and Klein contributed music to the film. Normally, a small amount of people in creative roles is an advantage. Normally.

Great films are filled with unlikable characters. Great writing and pacing helps us root against our interests and fall for characters we wouldn't go near in real life. An objective POV and a bit more information would have done wonders for this film.

The Other Half is not a bad film. The film shows a fairly accurate view of the highs and lows of being bipolar. There are great performances. Klein does have some good moments trying to somewhat paint some background into Nickie's past. The Other Half should be a better film than what we saw on the screen.

The film debuted at South by Southwest this year. We don't have a release date yet. Stay tuned for that information.

photo credit: SXSW

2016 Toronto Blue Jays second half season preview

The Toronto Blue Jays hit the West Coast to start the second half following the All-Star Game break. The Blue Jays are in Oakland and Arizona for the first week.

Regular readers know that the week after the All-Star Game means a free MLB Extra Innings preview. Depending on your logistics, you might get home feeds for the game. Typically, your humble narrator is limited to home feeds, so no cool Canadian ads in this run. Still, even with a road feed, those games will be available.

Truthfully, the ads on Blue Jays games aren't that interesting. A lot of promos for in-demand movies I would never watch. But here is the schedule in case you have a better setup.

15 @ Oakland 10:05p
16 @ Oakland 4:05p
17 @ Oakland 4:05p
19 @ Arizona 9:40p
20 @ Arizona 3:40p

The Blue Jays are back home at Rogers Centre starting July 22 and will host Seattle, San Diego, and Baltimore in the homestand.

If you are feeling homesick for Canadian ads that run during sports events, click our back catalogue here.

CanadianCrossing.com advertising coverage

Fox hates running O Canada during the All-Star Game coverage, but 2016 will go down as the year Fox should have carried O Canada.

The Tenors suspended Remigio Pereira after he went rogue, slipping in "all lives matter" into the anthem. The phrase is seen as being against Black Lives Matter.

As the singers were launching into the French part in the middle, Pereira took over and sang, "We're all brothers and sisters/All lives matter to the great."

Even if you agree with the message (and you shouldn't), wrong place, definitely wrong time.

As for the game highlights, Aaron Sanchez pitched the 4th inning and gave up a run-scoring single to Marcell Ozuna. Edwin Encarnacion went 0-for-1, pinch running for David Ortiz in the 3rd inning. He scored a run and drew a walk. Josh Donaldson and Michael Saunders each had an at bat without a hit. Saunders played right instead of left for the AL. Bartolo Colon didn't pitch for the NL.

The Blue Jays finished the first half at 51-40. The team is tied for the top wild card spot with Boston, though the Red Sox at 49-38 have played 4 fewer games. The teams trail Baltimore by 2 games; the Orioles at 51-36 have also played 87 games, same as Boston and 4 behind Toronto.

The 51 wins ties the team's best mark at the break set in 1992.

The team only has a single hitter over .300: Josh Donaldson leads the time with a .304 batting average, though Michael Saunders is at .298. Donaldson and Edwin Encarnacion each lead the time with 23 home runs, though Encarnacion has 80 RBI at the break to 63 for Donaldson. Encarnacion's 80 RBI puts him in the Top 5 in team history for RBI by the All-Star Game break.

Devon Travis has come back healthy and has helped shore up the infield. Jose Bautista is currently injured but has a slow first half (for him) at .230 with 12 HRs.

2 years ago, the team faded early in the second half. Last year, the team played extremely well. August 2016 will likely determine the fate of this team.

CanadianCrossing.com Canadian society coverage

American players have to get used to certain differences in Canada, e.g., dollar and 2-dollar coins.

Mark Buehrle had to adjust to the fact that Ontario bans pit bulls, and Buehrle had a pit bull.

J.A. Happ is in his second stint with the Toronto Blue Jays. In this Sportsnet interview, we find out that Happ still hasn't adjusted to bagged milk.

No one explained the milk jug to Happ. You buy the milk jug, put the milk bag in the jug, and then cut off the corner.

There is a learning curve to the bagged milk. But I've never lived in Ontario.

For the record, you can buy regular milk in its traditional jug in Ontario. The bagged milk has advantages once you get the concept.

CanadianCrossing.com MLB coverage

On Sunday, the Blue Jays hosted the second of 3 games this season to honour its 40th anniversary with players and managers that made an impact on the franchise. The final celebration will be on August 14.

photo credit: Toronto Blue Jays/MLB

Tatiana Maslany, Molly Parker get Emmy nods

Tatiana Maslany secured her second straight Emmy nomination for Orphan Black. In this cycle, Maslany is nominated for her work in Season 3. If she doesn't win, hopefully she would get the nod knowing the show will end in season 5.

Molly Parker also got an Emmy nod as guest actress in a drama for House of Cards. I've been a fan of Parker for a long time and she always deserved some form of recognition.

Michael J. Fox is nominated for an Emmy as guest actor on The Good Wife. The show ended its run in May.

While Schitt's Creek is now eligible for an Emmy, the show was not nominated.

Tatiana Maslany (finally) gets Emmy nod for 'Orphan Black'

Orphan Black Season 4 finale airs tonight

'Schitt's Creek' wraps up Season 2 tonight on Pop TV

'Room' 'Schitt's Creek' dominate 2016 Canadian Screen Awards

CanadianCrossing.com television coverage

The 68th Emmy Awards will air September 18 on ABC in the United States and CTV in Canada.

LEAD ACTRESS IN A DRAMA

Claire Danes, Homeland
Viola Davis, How to Get Away With Murder
Taraji P Henson, Empire
Tatiana Maslany, Orphan Black
Keri Russell, The Americans
Robin Wright, House of Cards

GUEST ACTRESS IN A DRAMA

Laurie Metcalf, Horace and Pete
Molly Parker, House of Cards
Ellen Burstyn, House of Cards
Allison Janney, Masters of Sex
Margo Martindale, The Americans
Carrie Preston, The Good Wife

GUEST ACTOR IN A DRAMA

Max von Sydow, Game of Thrones
Reg E. Cathey, House of Cards
Mahershala Ali, House of Cards
Paul Sparks, House of Cards
Hank Azaria, Ray Donovan
Michael J. Fox, The Good Wife

2016 CFL Week 4 preview

The week starts a bit early as the Toronto Argonauts play an unusual home game on a Wednesday. Rogers Centre can't be blamed; renovations of BMO Field moved back home games for Toronto FC. But there will certainly be plenty of tailgaters, especially Blue Jays fans in that sport's All-Star break. The Argos host the battle of eastern Ontario.

Your humble narrator will take in a couple of games this week live: the Blue Bombers host Edmonton on Thursday and the B.C. Lions go to Regina Saturday night. These are the last 2 CFL stadiums I have not visited.

Hamilton travels to La Belle Province to visit the Alouettes Friday night.

ESPN2 is silent this week but TSN will be on duty. ESPN3 will rule in the States.

After the tough tie, the Calgary Stampeders are homebound this week.

TSN

Wednesday
Ottawa @ Toronto, 7:30p
Thursday
Edmonton @ Winnipeg, 8:30p
Friday
Hamilton @ Montréal, 7:30p
Saturday
BC @ Saskatchewan, 7p

Bye week: Calgary

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Ties are even rarer than shutouts in the CFL with the Calgary-Ottawa 26-26 tie. The fact that the U.S. audience got the end of regulation followed by OT and the tie is even more impressively rare.

Both teams each had a field goal in each OT period. CFL rules call for 2 overtime periods before a tie can be had.

Calgary was also involved in the last CFL tie in 2009. The Stampeders hosted Saskatchewan on October 17. The teams played to a 44-44 tie. The game could have played a part in determining the West playoff order. The teams tied at 10-7-1. Saskatchewan won the final regular season game to have a 2-0-1 record against Calgary. If the Stampeders had won, the teams would have gone to the next tiebreaker.

This was Ottawa's second OT game of the season. The end of both games aired on ESPN2. The last time Ottawa was involved in a CFL tie, the Ottawa Rough Riders hosted Edmonton and the teams played to a 16-16 tie on November 1, 1986.

Instant classic. That's what Chris Cuthbert called the Saskatchewan-Edmonton game. The Esks had scored 19 straight points to go up 33-19. With 7:31 left in the game, the Roughriders punted and forced a fumble. Went for 3rd-and-5 from the Edmonton 20, Saskatchewan scored a touchdown. Got an onside kick, drove down for a field goal: now the score is 33-29 Edmonton. The Esks go 2-and-out and the Roughriders get the ball back with 2:15 left. The Roughriders drive down for a TD to go up 36-33 with 19 seconds left.

Game over? Not by a long shot. The kickoff return leaves 13 seconds on the clock. The first Mike Reilly pass goes 14 yards to the Esks 50. The second pass gets Edmonton to the Saskatchewan 44. Sean Whyte hits the 51-yard tying field goal and we go to OT.

Edmonton gets a FG in the first OT. Saskatchewan completes a 2nd down pass just short of the 25. The Roughriders, gambling all game, go for 3rd-and-1. The team could kick a FG easily and force a 2nd OT on the road. Darian Durant plunges on the short yardage play but comes up short.

This was the first time since 1995 that the CFL has had 2 overtime games in the same day. This was Edmonton's 2nd straight overtime game. And all of this on the return of Chris Jones to Edmonton. Instant classic, indeed.

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Justin Medlock was certainly capable of kicking a 51-yard field goal. True, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers were penalized 5 yards because holder Weston Dressler didn't know the team was kicking a field goal. Medlock, back in his old stadium in Hamilton for the first time since signing with Winnipeg, hooked the ball to the right. Brandon Banks, Medlock's former teammate was 11 yards deep in the end zone. Banks might have touched twice, however briefly, as he ran the distance 121 yards for the touchdown. Half of the Tiger-Cats on the field were a long way away from any Blue Bomber player when Banks crossed the goal line.

All of this happened in the first 3 minutes of the game. And Winnipeg still won the game. Exciting moments such as these are why the CFL is special.

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We got a Brian Williams sighting with a Chris Jones feature. Williams traveled to South Pittsburg, Tennessee to tell the rise of a coach who went from begging to be an unpaid coach at Tennessee Tech to someone who won Grey Cups as a defensive coach in Montréal, Calgary, and Toronto before winning the Grey Cup as a head coach for Edmonton last season. "What impressed me is the respect that Chris Jones and the citizens of South Pittsburg have not just for the Grey Cup but for our country. And I'll tell you what, they love and know their football," said Williams.

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Zach Collaros got a look from ESPN. Collaros, like Jonathan Crompton featured earlier, has been injured for awhile. Darian Durant got a look, too. At least he's currently playing.

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Chris Schultz wasn't part of the panel in Week 1 and Week 3. Milt Stegall filled in the fourth chair in Week 1, but the CFL on TSN panel went with 3 people this past week. The panel normally rotates Stegall and Jock Climie, and last year had Paul LaPolice to fill in as needed. There is a dance where something is clearly going wrong in Schultz's life off-camera but the folks are giving him privacy. Good luck in whatever Schultz is going through off-camera.

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During the game in Hamilton, Rod Black apologized for swearing on the sidelines captured by the camera. My ears are tuned to swearing but swear I didn't hear a thing. But this is the way to deal with swearing. Acknowledge but apologize. The U.S. ears are so sensitive to swearing. The CFL setup is designed for more on-field noise, something the NFL setup clearly lacks.

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The CFL games leading into the long weekend in both countries likely helped the U.S. ratings. The Ottawa-Montréal game drew a healthy 257,000 number on ESPN2. The nightcap on Thursday for Toronto-Saskatchewan had 223,000 viewers. Even the Friday late night game with Winnipeg at Calgary drew 151,000.

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Chris Cuthbert, Glen Suitor: Toronto @ BC; Saskatchewan @ Edmonton
Rod Black, Duane Forde: Winnipeg @ Hamilton; Calgary @ Ottawa

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photo credit: CFL on TSN/ESPN2

2016 All-Star Game preview

No @JoeyBats19 at an All-Star Game. True, Jose Bautista is injured and wouldn't be able to play anyway. But the Toronto Blue Jays will be plenty visible for the 2016 All-Star Game in San Diego.

#VoteCaptainCanada got 17.7 million votes for Blue Jays LF Michael Saunders, who won the final man vote over Boston 2B Dustin Pedroia, Detroit 2B Ian Kinsler, Tampa Bay 3B Evan Longoria, and Houston OF George Springer. Saunders is also the only Canadian to make either squad. This is his first All-Star appearance.

Canadians have done well in previous All-Star voting so their reputation remains intact.

3B Josh Donaldson is a reserve on the American League squad; this will be Donaldson's 3rd straight All-Star appearance, 2nd with Toronto. DH Edwin Encarnacion is back in the All-Star Game after appearances in 2013 and 2014. SP Aaron Sanchez was a very last-minute selection despite a 9-1 record with a 2.97 ERA. SP Marco Estrada was selected to the squad but went on the disabled list shortly after the announcement.

The last active former Montréal Expos player — pitcher Bartolo Colon — was named to the National League All-Star team as a replacement.

No former Blue Jays or Montréal Expos minor leaguers are All-Stars. Brandon Phillips is still the starting 2B in Cincinnati while the MLB futures of Grady Sizemore and Cliff Lee are currently in doubt. 

None of the 2016 Home Run Derby participants have any ties to Canada. 

The 2016 MLB All-Star Game is tonight at Petco Park in San Diego. The coverage starts at 7:30 pm Eastern on Fox in the United States while Rogers Sportsnet and RDS handle the coverage in Canada.

photo credit: MLB

Milos Raonic advances to Wimbledon final

In 2014, Eugenie Bouchard was the big Canadian tennis story at Wimbledon. Bouchard reached the final but couldn't win the title.

Milos Raonic has a chance to go one step further as he will play in the 2016 Wimbledon men's singles final on Sunday. The #6 seed Raonic bested #3 seed Roger Federer of Switzerland 6-3, 6-7, 4-6, 7-5, 6-3.

Raonic will play Andy Murray, the #2 seed. Murray had a much easier time with #10 seed Tomas Berdych in straight sets 6-3, 6-3, 6-3. Murray won Wimbledon in 2013 and the 2012 U.S. Open. This will be Murray's third Wimbledon final.

Murray defeated Raonic in 5 sets in the semifinals of this year's Australian Open. He also has a bit of a home court advantage since Murray is from Scotland. If Raonic wins on Sunday, this will be his first major final.

This year's Wimbledon has been up for grabs on the men's side after Sam Querrey upset Novak Djokovic in the third round.

Bouchard falls short at Wimbledon

Genie's Army gets set for Bouchard Wimbledon final

Bouchard, Raonic in Wimbledon quarterfinals

Eugenie Bouchard opening eyes to Canadian tennis

Raonic was the first Canadian male in the Open era to make the semifinals at Wimbledon in 2014. Raonic lost in straight sets to Federer 6-4, 6-4, 6-4. He also became the first Canadian man in the Open Era to reach a Grand Slam quarterfinal in the 2014 French Open.

2015 was a lot about injuries and a change in coach for Raonic. 2016 has been a lot better, including being the first Canadian male to reach the semifinals of the Australian Open.

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Bouchard has had a very rough road since that 2014 Wimbledon final with injuries and a concussion. This year, Bouchard lost in the third round at Wimbledon in straight sets to Dominika Cibulkova.

Vasek Pospisil, who along with American Jack Sock, won the Wimbledon doubles championship in 2014. This year, the duo were eliminated in the 3rd round by the French team of Julien Benneteau and Edouard Roger-Vasselin. Pospisil and Sock haad 2 match points in the fourth set but couldn't advance. 

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The 2016 Wimbledon men's final will take place Sunday at 9 am Eastern on ESPN in the United States and TSN in Canada.

photo credit: ESPN/Wimbledon