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Marriage bureaus in the state of New York were in high demand Sunday, as hundreds of gay and lesbian couples lined up on the first day the legalization of same-sex marriage came into effect in the state.

Two grandmothers were the first same-sex couple to be legally wed in the state. The couple said their vows against the backdrop of the Niagara Falls in western New York.

Officials initially set a cap of 764 couples in expectation of a flood of requests. They later accepted all 823 couples.

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg thinks the passage will boost momentum for the marriage equality movement in other states.

New York is the sixth U.S. state to legalize gay marriage. Four states have approved gay civil unions, while same-sex marriage is specifically banned in 39 states.

Directed by Richard Stanley ("The Mother of the Toads"); Douglas Buck ("The Accident") ; Buddy Giovinazzo ("I Love You") ; Tom Savini ("Wet Dreams"); Karim Hussain ("Vision Stains"); David Gregory ("Sweets"); Jeremy Kasten
Writers: Scarlett Amaris, Douglas Buck, John Esposito, Buddy Giovinazzo, David Gregory, Karim Hussain, Emiliano Ranzani, Richard Stanley
Cast: Kaniehiito Horn, Catriona MacColl, Andre Hennicke, Tom Savini, Udo Kier, Lena Leine
Producers: Carl Draft, David Gregory, Fabrice Lambot, Jean-Pierre Putters, Daryl Tucker

The Theatre Bizarre is a huge collaboration film; each director was given an identical budget and complete freedom to create a short film with no rules. The result is simply magical. Six different films were presented: "The Accident" by Buck, "I Love You" by Giovinazzo, "Sweets" by Gregory, "Vision Stains" by Hussain, "Wet Dreams" by Savini, and "The Mother of Toads" by Stanley.

"The Accident" is the sweetest of the six, concentrating on the confusing idea of death and why people die. "I Love You" deals with a very bad romance, which is fuelled by psychosexual nature. "Sweets" was my favorite of the six. The film emphasizes comedic horror and the nasty habits that humans have adapted: habits like food and unnatural social groups. "Vision Stains" concentrates on a disturbed writer and what she is willing to do to get the stories that no one would ever see if it weren’t for her. "Wet Dreams" is probably the most fucked up film; it's focused on a miserable housewife and her revenge towards her cheating husband. "The Mother of Toads" was the tale of a man who becomes sexually involved with a - well, you guessed it - huge toad.

At the screening, all of the directors were present and their producers; the crowd was excited for the world premier (as they should have been). The films were gruesome and witty; they were well filmed, and the people who made them, made them with intense care. I highly recommend this film because of the content. It is so rare that a director gets complete and absolute freedom to create whatever he or she wants, and that really turns all six films of The Theatre Bizarre into hidden gems. It grabs hold of you and does not let go.

4 out of 5 Stars

-Andrea Boulet

A Canadian diver is in stable condition after being struck by a vehicle while crossing a street in China. Twenty-seven-year-old Kevin Greyson was on his way back to his hotel room from the Oriental Sports Venue. Greyson was competing in the world aquatics championship. 

Diving Canada spokesperson Samuel Larochelle said Greyson would remain in hospital for up to one week. The Winnipeg native suffered a concussion and a deep cut to his left knee, and minor cuts and bruises.

China’s streets are some of the most dangerous in the world. In 2010, more than 65,000 people died in Chinese road accidents.

I must admit to you all that is, in fact, my first time attending the Fantasia Film Festival, but so far it's been a truly wonderful experience. At every screening, the people of the city are literally lining up the block to see these wonderful films. The atmosphere is busy and hustling. Everyone seems to know someone at this festival and it makes me a little nervous.

This year the grand prize is called “Le Prix du Cheval Noir”, it has been changed from regular old “Best Feature” because it was getting a little bland and Fantasia is anything but bland. The festival took this tale from old Quebecois folklore. A Priest, who wanted to build a new church, prayed to the heavens to aid him. His aid came in the form of a big black horse with incredible strength. The only instruction he was given was to never take off the horse’s bridle. One day, a workman did just that and removed the bridle from the horse and it vanished in a huge eruption of flame and thunder. The church remained unfinished. This year the legend has made it’s way to the festival’s poster.

This festival remains true to Montreal and the people. Every year, thousands of moviegoers flock to the box office and they really do want to see everything. The talent that is discovered here is truly inspirational. After watching the films that I have seen so far, I want to get out into the city with my camera and film something, anything!

I urge you to see as many films as you can because they are all very different; they make you laugh, cry, shiver, and explode with many different kinds of emotion. You will definitely feel something. You only have to see one film and you are sucked in. Especially because most of the directors and producers and some actors are showing up at these screenings and taking your questions and qualms. People cheer when blood is shown and the applause is infectious; you cannot help but participate in the crazy wild things that are surrounding you.

This festival cannot be missed. Tickets are being sold at the Concordia Hall Building 1455 boul. De Maisonneuve. The madness has already begun.

Keep checking back for ongoing coverage of the festival and it's films.

-Andrea Boulet