JANUARY 31, 2007

Andrew MacSwain Contributor

ARTS & ENTERTAIN Dreamgirls gets snubbed _ for best picture nod

Although Dreamgirls lead the way with eight nominations for this year’s Acad- emy Awards, it was snubbed on the nomination for best picture.

Dreamgirls has an all-star cast includ- ing former best actor winner, Jamie Fox along with Beyoncé Knowles, Eddie Murphy, Danny Glover and Jennifer Hudson from American Idol. Eddie Murphy and Jennifer Hudson are both nominated for best acting in supporting roles.

Dreamgirls is truly a great movie.

It has an entertaining story which is performed by a star studded cast with great music throughout the entire movie. Now having said that, I must also note that this film is not for everyone. You must enjoy musicals to be able to bear this movie since there is a musical cue in just about every scene.

Jennifer Hudson’s performance in this movie is enough reason to head to Empire Theaters and pay the $10 to go watch. She should win her Oscar

_ should definitely have been recognized _with at least a best picture nomination.

THE CADRE «15

nomination for best supporting actress - hands down.

Dreamgirls is definitely worthy of a best picture nomination. It is true that musicals are not the most common mov- ies to come into theater but this one was so well done that it can not be ignored.

It is quite possibly the best musical ever (sorry Gone With The Wind) and

Bloodletting & Miraculous Cures

Stacey Murray Advertising Manager

Bloodletting and Miraculous Cures, a book by Vincent Lam, won the 2006 Giller Prize and it’s easy to understand why.

A book of short stories about the art of being a doctor, it gives detailed descriptions of how to get into medi- cal school and what it’s like to study the anatomy of a patient after death.

Although I’m not a fan of short sto- ties, they came alive quickly, and showed the depth of each character well in a short time.

Lam is a doctor by profession and it’s apparent by how easily he writes about complicated issues, but he’s also a writer by profession, as he simplified the jargon to deliver a clear and vivid image to the average reader.

The characters in the book come alive on the page. While each story has a different main character, they all link to- gether. Fitz, an alcholic, fell in love with Ming, who despite her tough exterior is the most vulnerable character. And Chen, who’s relationship with each shifts throughout the novel.

While each story had a defnite reason to be told, they always ended without a real sence that a resolution had been met

and that life is an ongoing process and it doesn’t stop because a story has ended.

As well, Lam gives a sense of what a doctor is thinking. He said they go through the motions to ensure every step has been taken to save a life, even though they’re aware it’s impossible. Their relationship with crooked police in Toronto ensures everyone gets along. “about his head, I guess he fell on the cat door, huh? That’s what I’ll write down...” a doctor told a police officer accused of brutality.

Lam also discussed the intense trust a patient has with their doctor and the responsibilty of it. The best quote in the book is about lying to someone because they don’t want to know the truth.

“Lies are about belief, about a reality suspended because we want to believe the lie. Both the teller and the recipient must trust each other for everything to hang together.”

Overall, I’d give this book 4 '% stars only because the ending left something to be desired, although it was power-

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