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Let me start by saying that I'm a huge Beatles fan, but not even close to being as fanatical as my father. Ever seen that Simpsons episode where it turns out that Ned Flanders has a secret room filled with Beatles collectibles? Well, that's my dad (who, coincidentally, also wears glasses and sports a mustache, but is not as ripped as Ned). Every birthday, Christmas and Father's Day usually involves me buying the latest Beatles and Beatles-related release for him.

Needless to say, he's pretty excited about the upcoming re-release of The Beatles' Magical Mystery Tour. Personally, I'm a little disappointed that the timing of the release  doesn't coincide with a gift-giving opportunity, but that's a minor quibble.

Available October 9th in North America, the long out-of-print 1967 television film will be available on DVD, Blu-ray and in a wallet-draining deluxe edition box set that includes both the DVD and Blu-ray, a 60-page book and a reproduction of the original UK double 7” vinyl EP (in glorious mono!). With this and the upcoming release of stereo remasters on vinyl, it's gearing up to be an expensive end-of year for Beatles collectors.

By 1967, The Beatles had stopped touring and were instead sending promotional films of their songs for broadcast (arguably inventing the music video). They had also just beamed a worldwide satellite broadcast of the song “All You Need is Love”. As a next audio-visual project, Paul McCartney came up with the idea of loading up a bus with friends, family and hired actors, heading west out of London and hoping that something “magical” would happen. No script was used; only a collection of rough ideas and situations, some based on the new songs to be included on the accompanying double EP: "Magical Mystery Tour", "Your Mother Should Know", "I Am the Walrus", "The Fool on the Hill", "Flying" and "Blue Jay Way"

From what I've read, as I've never had the opportunity to see the film, the end-result was far from magical. Two weeks of shooting and 10 hours of footage were whittled down to roughly an hour of footage that was broadcast on BBC1 on Boxing Day, 1967. The critical reaction was overwhelmingly negative and as a result, the film was not seen in North America until the mid-1970s when it was released theatrically in a limited number of theaters.

The movie's poor reputation has made it somewhat non-essential viewing for anybody but the most fervent Beatles fan. Even my dad, who as I mentioned, is the definition of a Beatle-maniac, has never seen it. However, this new remastered re-release is made much more intriguing by including director's commentary by Paul McCartney, unseen footage and various other extras.

I'm looking forward to seeing this, although my expectations are tempered; I'm not expecting to see a masterpiece by any means. So with that, I invite you to reserve a copy of movie at your local store. It may have everything you need, but I'm not so sure that satisfaction will be guaranteed.

-Idle Matt hosts Radio Fun Wednesdays from 9-10pm

350 people took to the streets in Montreal to protest police brutality.

According to CBC News, the protest started at 9pm on Saturday evening at Place Emilie-Gamelin. The protest was deemed illegal by Montreal police because a planned route wasn't given, but they allowed it to continue.

SPVM Sgt. Laurent Gingras stated that 2 flares were shot and some construction signs were taken down. One person was arrested for firing a flare but was freed after being given a ticket.

The protest was over by 11pm. A facebook page of the event mentions that Montreal police have rejected 46 complaints from the student crisis.

At least six protesters were arrested in Moscow Sunday in demonstrations that marked Russian President Vladimir Putin's 60th birthday.

Around two hundred protesters were calling for answers in the death of journalist Anna Politkovskaya.

Politkovskaya is known for vocally criticizing Putin's policies in Chechnya. She was shot in her apartment building in 2006.

According to Al-Jazeera, Putin was away from the protests, celebrating his birthday with family in St. Petersburg.

The protests come as Russian investigators look in to a documentary film alleging a potential overthrow of Putin's government.

The documentary claimed there were plans for a mass riot and that an opposition protest leader would receive foreign help in the overthrow.

Hosted & Produced by: Carlo Spiridigliozzi

Stories by: Carlo Spiridigliozzi, Catlin Spencer & Hannah Besseau