What the hell has happened to the modern monster movie? From the king of cult shock films Takashi Miike to the box-office success of the Hostel series to somehow legitimizing a 5 sequel SAW franchise, it's clear that the monster movie of yore has given way to a new era of "shock horror." Raised on a steady diet of Guantanamo Bay and Grand Theft Auto IV, the youth of today seem more interested in watching the meticulous re-creation of real life violence (occurring in some kind of moral vacuum) than they are in seeing the romantically bloody playout of Good versus Evil, which is what scary movies used to be about...

While 'shock horror' has existed for a long time (did someone say 'Texas Chainsaw?'), it's never been near as popular as it is today. I'm not here to perform a deep social analysis, but I can tell you about one new Canadian made film that works against the grain, hearkening back to the days when horror was about cool monsters, buckets of blood, and weekend escapism (i.e, the 80s?). Jack Brooks: Monster Slayer is the work of a trio of Ottawa based independent filmmakers (and VFS alum) who grew up on a steady diet of 'Nightmare on Elm Street' and were put off by the "recent trend towards R-rated torture porn." After five short films, Monster Slayer may still be a decidedly R-rated debut feature, but this tale of a reluctant young antihero battling the mythical (and bloodpack-loaded) forces of latex evil in the halls of his own night school is ultimately more gut-busting than it is gut-wrenching, and will appeal to anyone sick of pseudo-snuff and still crossing their fingers for an 'Evil Dead 4'.

Well, no Brew first thing this morning... here's hoping Sean didn't get assassinated by a bunch of hipster haters. As far as that goes, I say come on down to Yaletown; I get the urge for a game of soccer like six times a day with all these ratlike pooches being dragged about.

Regardless, I'm giving you a short, impromptu one once again. Sean probably just got sucked away last night by the downtown glow now that powers back and businesses can tally the lost earnings, not that they'll be getting anything back. Good thing Rogers wasn't letting Future Shop sell the iPhones, or there would've been... more angry geek blog posts to deal with?

It takes 11 date rapes in the Downtown Eastside before it gets any attention. And on a similar note: not every sex crazed man stalks prey in seedy downtown bars, so maybe you should think twice before you accept that glass of water from your MD next time you're in to reload on birth control.

Learn about Velib, the new bike sharing program in Paris which "has generated more than 25 million new bicycle trips in its first year, 10% of which substitute former car trips." There's also now a bike share program starting up in London and a few other European cities. Is this kind of thing feasible for Vancouver? Someone more inclined to pedal wanna inform us? I don't have the time to research this morning... and my only experience is drunkenly throwing 'purple-yellow's off the top of the UBC Parkade.

All the evidence you need that we have to get that Omar kid out of Guantanamo: the torture playlist. I reckon the 'Meow Mix Theme Song' on repeat would would break my will faster than anything else. Listen all the way through to find out just how much Metallica loves it when "Enter Sandman" gets used to set the mood for some good ol' fashioned waterboarding.

So the power went out downtown and CBC tells you everything while CKNW give us the existential version. I've heard one too many people pull the "spoilt bastards can't live without power" card over the last couple days. Hello? We live in the society we live in, and this is the core of the largest metropolitan area in Western Canada. The place is practically defined by electricity, and you can't blame the people who live and work here for feeling a little out of sorts. Though I must admit it was fun walking around the Robson & Granville area on Monday morning and watching the chaos of cars and pedestrians completely unable to share the road before the transit cops arrived. And I suppose you couldn't ask for a timelier reminder of our society's consumptive reliance... and the fact that our hearts still keep pumping after the air conditioners die.

Let's just hope no crazies are taking notes with some epic Olympic shenanigans in mind. Meh, the riot clock shall tick on regardless of downtown power levels, though I'm sure as long as the "french quarter" doesn't blow up everyone'll be as happy as an island of inebriated tourists.

Here's my favourite blog-reaction to the event. A few of those lines are definitely getting added to my found-ESL-poetry collection. And this must be the guy who was actually responsible. Cmon', his mood is 'amused' and he writes in a language I can't even confidently identify.

The Happy Frog have a good interview up with panelists form Saturday's Peak Oil & The Media discussion. Some important stuff that you won't be able to ignore for much longer.

So any takers for solar power yet? Though if BC Hydro does decide to embrace it full force, can we stick the inevitable bundle of combustible wires underneath Surrey?

I say you might as well sell the car now and start saving up for that private island, especially since we'll all be living on a bunch of glorified lily pads sooner or later...

Musical theatre is certainly nothing new to Stanley Park. After officially opening in 1940, Theatre Under the Stars fast became a staple of the Vancouver summer. Watching Broadway adaptations in the open-air Malkin bowl is now one of our city's longest running artistic traditions and both of this year's productions, Jesus Christ Superstar and Annie Get Your Gun, have already been given the TUTS treatment before. After taking a year off in 2006, last year's season was met with glowing reviews and expectations were running high for my first outdoor theatre experience in Vancouver (yes, I must make it to Bard on the Beach eventually).

Being the resident theatre critic here at Beyond Robson, I was the natural choice to cover this year's Under the Stars offerings. But, I'll be perfectly honest: I'm not usually a huge fan of the musicals. I've reserved my musical-theatre experiences for situations that seem to demand it (i.e. seeing "Rent" in New York and "Cabaret" while visiting London with my sister, the actress -- both of which I ultimately enjoyed). Soon after donning the theatre hat for BR, I had the chance to take in the amazing Black Rider, and reviewed the Arts Club's wonderful rendition of The Producers. After seeing how well one Vancouver company managed to pull that show off, I was actually kind of excited to check out two more homegrown Broadway adaptations. Would this year's TUTS complete my conversion into a full fledged fan of the song-and-dance storytelling?

At the end of last week, Pivot's David Eby announced he'll be running for Vision Vancouver in the next election, but we were all too busy getting amped up on free frozen corn syrup while scoping out iPhone apps to really say anything or offer the proper congratulations. Whoo Dave! Honestly, all I can think about right now is the man's sweet get-up in the above photo. And am I just way too tired, or is that a Christopher Walken t-shirt? Either way -- screw saving the Downtown Eastside, dude just needs to channel those good looks into landing a recurring role on Stargate Atlantis. Cause then, y'know, he'll have really made it in this town.

Another skytrain station assault, and the police are telling women to forgo stereo sound for the time being. Here's another option: turn your mp3 player into a taser. Doubles as the ultimate in iPod theft protection or as an ironic transit cop defense tool.

The International Energy Agency says offshore drilling in B.C may be key in helping ease the oil crisis. I see it now: Alberta & British Columbia join up and declare independence, only to be invaded shortly thereafter by an oil-hungry but significantly less powerful (though left-leaning) America, who frame a war on Columberta around it having the 'lowest carbon footprint' of all possible invasions. My rant reminds me of this little gem from the onion: How Can We Make the War in Iraq More Eco-Friendly?

I like this: East Van, East Side, East End, West Van, West Side, West End?. And how about adding New West to that list?

Is anybody who reads my sarcastic ramblings old enough to remember the Junior Garbage Gobbler?

So, in no way was I planning to cover last night's Wolf Parade and Listening Party show (hence the Listening Party press photo). First of all, I'm a little skeptical of the value of post-show reviews in general -- who really wants to hear about the greatness of a party they weren't invited to? And secondly, I payed my own way (and I wasn't gonna make the lady take photos of this one), but the evening simply turned out to be too noteworthy to pass up posting on, and the two stellar performances from two amazing bands (one virtually unknown) was only the start...