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The 23rd edition of the Fantasia Film Festival has taken over Concordia University's downtown campus until August 1st. Defining itself as a premiere genre film festival, there is truly something for everyone. When I attend Fantasia, I always create a master list of all the films that I want to see. This year it took close to two hours to create, as the festival's list of films stretches more than 130 titles from all across the globe. I tend to gravitate towards the films in Documentaries From the Edge and Camera Lucida. There is a method to the madness in making a master list - doing so allows me to track my free days with the screenings of the day.

The first film I checked out was from the Documentaries From The Edge section. Blood & Flesh - The Reel Life & Ghostly Death of Al Adamson from director David Gregory tells the true crime murder story of prominent B-movie director Al Adamson. Once an actor in his father film Victor Adamson film's, Al found his calling as a director. He would go on to direct Blood Of Ghastly Horror, Satan’s Sadits, Dracula VS Frankensein, and Blazing Stewardesses, just to name a few (which were highlighted in this documentary). As a director, he worked with a usual cast, exploited them for as much as he could, and even recycled his own movies and re-released them. This would later earn him the title of the King of B-Movies. The second half of the film discusses what lead to his murder, and his personal contractor Fred, who was convicted for the crime. Most of the cast and crew interviewed for this documentary remember Adamson for the opportunities he gave them. Adamson’s ultimate goal with his films were to entertain the audience.

The Art of Self Defence is a dark comedy from director Rily Sterns. After a routine night stroll to the store ends up with Casey (Jessie Eisenberg) getting mugged, he decides to take matters into his own hands. Realizing he is a defenceless human being, he decides to purchase a gun. In the process of waiting for a background check, he wanders into the dojo of Sensei (Alessandro Nivola), a black belt in karate. Upon learning rule number one: “Guns are for the weak,” he decides to join the class. Casey learns to become more of a defensive person, given a few set backs. These set backs provide great comedic moments for Eisenberg, which included crying in the car or experimenting with metal music. The film takes on a darker, more sinister tone in the later part, but Eisenberg plays the modern-day B-Fight Club character with comedic grace or full on bravado. Currently playing in select theatres, I recommend checking out this modern day B-Fight Club; one of my favourites from the festival so far.

Letters To Paul Morrissey is four short vignette stories shot in black and white. The narrator of each vignette ends up writing a letter to film director and associate of Andy Warhol, Paul Morrissey. The vignettes involve themes on wrestling with religious convictions, drug addiction, relationship problems, and even a sensitivity condition to particular sounds and songs. The third section was my the best executed; it involved actress Olena Wood coming to terms with being an ageing actress, and finding love. There are some interesting techniques in this black and white art house picture with the split screen in the first vignette, or even the sound design of the last vignette.

I'm looking forward to seeing more films in the coming weeks of the festival. I have my master list ready for next week, so making time for more screenings will not be a problem. Hopefully the madness of my scheduling will work in my benefit.

As always: bon cinéma! 

Remi Caron is the host of At the Movies, which airs on CJLO every Tuesday at 8:00 AM. 

On Monday, June 22nd award-winning comedian Dave Merheje performed an amazing solo show at the Katacombes as part of OFF-JFL & Zoofest. Merheje’s performance came after several nights of performing in The Ethnic Show - running until July 25th. Merheje and his opening act Ali Hassan left the Katacombes reeling with some of the best stand up Just For Laughs has to offer!

Canadian comedians Hassan and Merheje received the warmest welcome from their Montreal crowd, filled with friends and loved ones. It was deeply moving to witness so many fans come to celebrate these beloved comedians. 

Ali Hassan is a Canadian icon and is best known as the host of CBC Radio One’s weekly comedy show Laugh Out Loud. It was such a privilege to see him open for Merheje. Hassan discussed difficulties navigating family, the culinary world and Montreal construction in his incredible set. As a Montrealer himself, Hassan knew exactly what to say about our city and won the audience over the minute he walked on stage. Hassan’s excellent thoughtful, comedic expertise knows no bounds!

Merheje gave an outstanding performance that audience members will likely never forget. It was so exciting to watch a full show dedicated to Merheje’s thrilling life experiences. Merheje discussed his intense love of hip-hop while fully dressed in Montreal-based rap artist Narcy’s SpaceTime album merch. Merheje has a powerful stage presence, channeling his self-professed anxiety into entertaining physical comedy.

Merheje is a wonderfully down to earth comedian and is never afraid to make fun of himself. His comedy is kind, inviting and relatable. Whether he’s joking about his parents, his adventures with ecstasy or his favorite episode of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air - people adore him and identify with him greatly. Merheje channels beautiful vulnerability and positivity into his comedy, demonstrating great strength and consideration for his audience. 

Dave Merheje is an incredible comedian and his future is so exciting! Don’t miss the rest of Merheje’s fantastic performances in Montreal. He’ll be performing at The Ethnic Show until July 25th and at The Jim Jeffries Gala on the same day.

This is all part of CJLO 1690AM's coverage of the Montreal Just For Laughs Festival. Founded in 1983, Just For Laughs is the largest international comedy festival in the world: showcasing the funniest comedians of all time! For more information and to buy tickets, check out www.hahaha.com before they're all sold out!

Fatal Attraction is a surreal comedy talk show hosted by Patricia Petit Liang. Tune in every Friday from 11AM - 12PM to hear Patricia play weird Youtube videos, give really bad advice and interview a variety of super cool guests!

Expectations are always set high for Just For Laughs’ infamous The Nasty Show, with audience members wondering how far the comedians will truly go. The 2019 Nasty Show was no different, as a killer lineup took the stage on July 18th at MTELUS hosted by Bobby Lee and featuring Comedian CP, Bonnie McFarlane, Jessimae Peluso, Andrew Schulz and with Big Jay Oakerson closing it out. With headliner after headliner taking the stage, taboo jokes were served on a silver platter and the audience devoured them.

With comedy’s dirtiest minds under one air-conditioned roof at MTELUS, Bobby Lee did not disappoint. His energy got the crowd going from the moment the first Cosby joke landed, the audience gasped and now knew that with a show like this, nothing was off limits. Lee kept the jokes coming before bringing Comedian CP to the stage with a sermon on understanding female anatomy of biblical proportions. Followed by Bonnie McFarlane, things got personal with stories of her special needs sister and her views on veganism and feminism. However this was not without the shocking punchlines that make the Nasty Show what it is, with most lines I would hesitate to repeat.

The next act was Andrew Schulz and he brought the house down. A true star in the making, it was my first time seeing Andrew live and his well crafted jokes hit on every single punchline which left me gasping for air. I’ll proclaim that it was the set of the night and without spoiling anything - it was well worth the price of admission. 

Jessimae Peluso followed and kept the energy high by taking physical comedy to another level. With jokes that left the audience exclaiming loud gasps in unison, her shocking set was one to remember as she interacted with the crowd, swatted away the phallic shaped microphone and most of all, kept the great show going.

After such a dynamic performance, The Nasty Show veteran Big Jay took the stage with some sit down comedy. If anyone was unsure of what to expect, the master of crowd work picked his targets from the audience and was impeccable as ever, finishing off the show with a joke about finishing off, and went into the night with a loud ovation.

The Nasty Show is the perfect opportunity to cut loose, expect the unexpected and of course, an excuse to leave the kids at home, if you have any. There’s a reason why this is the festival’s longest running show with a name that carries weight to it, as Just For Laughs' 2019 The Nasty Show is not something a comedy lover can afford to miss!

This is all part of CJLO 1690AM's coverage of the Montreal Just For Laughs Festival. Founded in 1983, Just For Laughs is the largest international comedy festival in the world: showcasing the funniest comedians of all time! For more information and to buy tickets, check out www.hahaha.com before they're all sold out!

What's Funny is a comedy talk show hosted by Stephen Beker. Tune in every Wednesday from 5PM - 6PM to hear Stephen shine the light on the status of comedy in Montreal, by promoting local talent, local shows and asking listeners to join the comedy revolution

Ahmad Moujtahed

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LOCAL

Montreal police are urging people to equip their mailboxes with locks after three people were arrested for raiding mailboxes to steal peoples' identities in Montreal and Laval. Police say the suspects targeted residences where mailboxes were accessible from outside the building. 

According to CBC News, the suspects would allegedly steal mail and open a bank account with a victim's personal information. They would subsequently go back to the victim's residence, retrieve the card they ordered and deposit fake cheques in the new bank accounts. In some cases, the suspects would redirect the victims’ mail to other addresses. 

For people who cannot afford installing locks or mail slots, police are asking that they retrieve their mail as quickly as possible.

NATIONAL

Quebec Superior Court has allowed a lawsuit against Apple and its Canadian division on the grounds that batteries in the iPhone and other products are not durable for a reasonable length of time.

The law firm leading the suit is seeking compensatory and punitive damages for those affected. A Montreal Gazette report revealed that the lawsuit affects those who have bought any Apple products with a rechargeable battery since December 29th, 2014. It also will affect those who purchased Applecare or AppleCare+ since December 20th, 2015.

The class action was allowed on the basis that Apple has failed to provide products that must be durable for a reasonable length of time. However, it is not clear what is considered a reasonable length of time; since Apple and the Canadian government consider batteries to be consumables and generally not covered under the Consumer Protection Act.

INTERNATIONAL

The World Health Organization has declared the Ebola crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo a "public health emergency of international concern".

Now that the year-old Ebola epidemic has reached Goma, a heavily populated city near the border with Rwanda, the WHO is looking to increase funding to fight the disease spread. 

The viral disease has killed more than 1600 people over the past year. The current outbreak is largely confined to Congo apart from three deaths in Uganda last month. Health officials and responders hope declaring the global health emergency will bring more international attention and aid.