Eclectic, Entertainment, Movies

Reality Is Stranger Than Fiction: We’re Living In A Real-Life Version Of Idiocracy

Bonnie Byrne
Idiocracy: Orange Dumbass And President Camacho
An Alternate Reality: The Orange Monster And President Camacho

Every time I hear another one of the orange lunkhead’s suggestions on how to treat COVID-19, I feel like I’m living in the movie Idiocracy.

Who could have predicted that this silly 2006 film, written by Etan Cohen and Mike Judge, would end up being so prophetic? Idiocracy focuses on Joe Bauers (Luke Wilson), an average American man who agrees to be placed into hibernation for a year.

A mistake is made and he is forgotten. Instead of being awoken a year later, Joe wakes up in the year 2505. And he quickly discovers the world is now populated with complete buffoons and he is the smartest human being on the planet.

BRAWNDO – It’s Got What Plants Crave!

The prologue in Idiocracy states that evolution at the beginning of the 21st century is “at a crucial turning point. Qualities like intelligence and ingenuity have taken a backseat to the quantity of offspring produced by, say, a low-IQ high school football player who mindlessly fucks anything that moves.”

The president of the United States is a former porn star, cities are overrun with fast food restaurants and piles of garbage. Fuddruckers has changed its name to Buttfuckers. State executions are carried out on live television by corporate sponsored monster truck demolitions.

But my favorite storyline in Idiocracy involves the food supply crisis in the United States. The reason for this is because President Herbert Camacho (Terry Crews) made a deal with BRAWNDO (a product similar to Gatorade) to irrigate farmers’ crops, instead of using water. “It’s Got What Plants Crave! It’s Got Electrolytes,” is BRAWNDO’s slogan.

Trump Surrounds Himself With Idiots Just Like Him

Sound familiar? Let’s just change the premise a slight bit and say that Joe wakes up in 2020, instead of 2505. The intelligence level of the population is plummeting. The United States is facing an unprecedented crisis. And who’s at the helm? A failed businessman and reality TV host, Donald Trump. Continue reading “Reality Is Stranger Than Fiction: We’re Living In A Real-Life Version Of Idiocracy” →

Hot Men

A Feast For The Eyes: Hot Teen Idols Of The 1970s

Bonnie Byrne

A Feast For The Eyes: Les McKeown And Shaun Cassidy

Glancing at old Tiger Beat, Teen Beat and 16 magazine covers on Pinterest, I couldn’t help but remember all my pre-teen and teen crushes back in the day. I’ve listed my top five, but of course I had other passing fancies as well. Honorable mentions go to Andy Gibb (younger brother of The Bee Gees), Greg Evigan (BJ And The Bear) and Dirk Benedict (Battlestar Gallactica), whose pictures also graced my bedroom walls at some point in the mid to late 70s. In honor of Valentine’s Day, I thought I would write an ode to my first loves. So please enjoy A Feast For The Eyes: Hot Teen Idols Of The 1970s.

5. David Cassidy

A Feast For The Eyes: David Cassidy
I Think I Love You: David Cassidy In The Partridge Family.

In 1972, David Cassidy was quite possibly one of the hottest men on planet earth. He was my first teen idol crush, at the tender age of seven. I was so innocent back then – I used to dream about him pushing me on the swing in my grandparent’s backyard. When I heard he would be performing in Toronto, I begged my mother to go see him in concert. I was told a very firm no, as you can imagine.

On the same weeknight The Partridge Family aired (directly following The Brady Bunch) I had gymnastic lessons. Those were the days before VCR’s and PVR’s, so in order to see the show, I came up with some excuse to get out of gymnastics. It wasn’t all that difficult, however, as I couldn’t even do a cartwheel, much less flop around on balance beams.

Cassidy passed away from liver failure on November 21, 2017 at the age of 57. Watching the A&E special about his final days was heartbreaking, to say the least.

4. Shaun Cassidy

A Feast For The Eyes: Shaun Cassidy
Da Doo Ron Ron: I listened to a couple of Shaun Cassidy songs recently, they were terrible.
Geekus Maximus: Obsessed with Shaun Cassidy.

Preteens are so fickle, and I was no exception. After the Bay City Rollers broke up (more on that crush later), I became enamored with Shaun Cassidy. He was a singer like his half-brother David and starred in a popular TV series based on the series of books The Hardy Boys. I went to see him twice in concert, both times at Exhibition Stadium.

The first Shaun Cassidy concert I attended, the place was sold out and I had seats in the nosebleeds. The second time I saw him, with Carrie McIntyre, we had seventh row floors. I looked back at the sparse audience behind us and told Carrie we better enjoy this show because it would be the last time we’d ever see him in concert. Poor Shaun was forgotten, as I had almost grown up. But I still had at least one more teen idol crush in me. Continue reading “A Feast For The Eyes: Hot Teen Idols Of The 1970s” →

Recipes

Garlic Butter Brussels Sprouts Recipe

Bonnie Byrne

Garlic Butter Brussels Sprouts

I used to think the same way you probably do about brussels sprouts. Gross, right? The only brussels sprouts I ever tried when I was a kid were boiled. And to me, they tasted just like stewed or steamed cabbage, which is clearly just disgusting.

Then I tried out this recipe from the Joy Of Cooking and put my own variations on it. If you think you’ll never grow to like this cruciferous vegetable, think again, this yummy recipe may change your mind – it certainly changed mine.

https://twitter.com/Kroger_Health/status/1199002395583352832

This recipe is 100% vegetarian. If you’re a vegan, you can easily replace the butter with margarine, or forgo it altogether. You can also skip sprinkling the veggies with Parmesan cheese at the end too.

Another reason to give this veggie another chance is its nutritional value, which is off the charts. A half cup (100 gram) serving of brussels sprouts contains 10% of your daily dietary fiber, 103% of your vitamin C intake, 16% vitamin A, 7% iron and 3% calcium.

Brussels sprouts are available all year round but are at their crunchiest and tastiest from September to mid-February. So this is the perfect time of year for you to try out this Garlic Butter Brussels Sprouts recipe. Who knows, it may even change your negative attitude towards this crunchy little green, vitamin-packed plant.

Print

Garlic Butter Parmesan Brussels Sprouts

Fall is the perfect time of year to try out this simple recipe. Brussels Sprouts are in season, they are delicious and are packed with nutrients.

Course Side Dish
Cuisine Belgian
Keyword Vegetarian
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Servings 2
Calories 220 kcal

Ingredients

  • 15-20 brussels sprouts
  • 1.5 tbsp butter
  • 1.5 tbsp olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic
  • 2 tbsp grated parmesan cheese
  • freshly ground Himalayan pink salt
  • freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice

Instructions

  1. Cut brussels sprouts lengthwise

  2. Melt butter and olive oil in a large frying pan (set at medium-high heat) until butter turns foamy

  3. Reduce heat to medium setting and add smashed garlic. Cook until it's lightly browned

  4. Remove garlic and throw it out, then add a squeeze of lemon

  5. Add sprouts cut side down, cover with a lid and cook on medium-low heat for 10-15 minutes or until tender. Do not stir while cooking them. The cut side of the sprouts will get brown and you'll notice they have a nutty and buttery flavor augmented by the garlic.

  6. Top them off with grated parmesan and freshly ground salt and pepper

 

Hot Men, Television

A Feast For The Eyes: Hot Men To Watch For On TV This Fall

Bonnie Byrne

As we all break out our sweaters and socks as the cool weather approaches, a brand-new fall TV season is about to begin. And despite the air getting cooler outside, our TV screens will be heating up indoors – with some very hot men. So as you sip your pumpkin spice latte, please enjoy A Feast For The Eyes – Hot Men To Watch For On TV This Fall.

9. Jason O’Mara – The Man In The High Castle

A Feast For The Eyes: Hot Men To Watch For On TV This Fall
One Season Curse:  The best thing about Terra Nova was Jason O’Mara shirtless in almost every episode. 20th Century Fox

This lovely Irishman seems to suffer from the one season curse. Jason O’Mara has starred in a number of shows that lasted only one season. The first was the U.S. version of Life On Mars. This one should have been a hit – had an interesting story and a great cast that included Harvey Keitel and Michael Imperioli. It was one of the rare cop shows I made an exception for, because it involved time travel. Then he starred in yet another show that only lasted one season – Terra Nova.

O’Mara was also featured on the one season of Vegas. This show should have been on for more than one season. It included an all-star cast including Dennis Quaid and Michael Chiklis. I blame the American public’s penchant for their enjoyment of boring, formulaic television, like CSI, Law and Order and all those terrible Chicago shows. You can watch O’Mara this fall on a unique show with an amazing plot, The Man In The High Castle. Season 4 premieres on November 15 on Amazon Prime Video.

Ultimate Hotness Level: As Sam Tyler on Life On Mars.

8. Michael Che – Saturday Night Live

Outlet For Ridiculous Emotions: Michael Che hosting Weekend Update. NBC

As if being hot wasn’t enough, Michael Che is funny too. The handsome co-host of Saturday Night Live’s Weekend Update segment is also a stand-up comedian. Che and Colin Jost also hosted the 2018 Emmy Awards. One of his earliest debuts was as a correspondent on The Daily Show With John Stewart. Watch for Che as the 45th season of SNL premieres September 28.

Ultimate Hotness Level: His wicked sense of humour.

7. David Tennant – Criminal And Good Omens

If You’re Heading To Hell, Take Me With You: David Tennant as Crowley in Good Omens. Prime

I’ve never found David Tennant particularly attractive, but there’s something about his portrayal of a demon in Amazon Prime Video’s Good Omens (recently renewed for season 2) that makes me want to jump his bones. The Brit actor will also star in the upcoming Netflix series Criminal, which debuts on September 20.

Ultimate Hotness Level: Without a doubt, as Crowley in Good Omens.

6. Yannick Bisson – Murdoch Mysteries

What have you, George?: Yannick Bisson as William Murdoch. CBC Television

Dubbed (by me, and others I’m sure) as the handsomest man on Canadian television, Yannick Bisson will be back on our television screens soon. 50-year-old Bisson has been playing Detective William Murdoch on the hit CBC show since 2006. I met him in 2015 at a Murdoch Mysteries Fan Day, and trust me, his hotness level was off the charts. Murdoch Mysteries Season 13 premieres on CBC Television on September 16.

Ultimate Hotness Level: As Detective William Murdoch on Murdoch Mysteries, of course.

5. Cody Fern – American Horror Story: 1984

A Feast For The Eyes: Hot Men To Watch For On TV This Fall
Son Of Satan: Cody Fern in American Horror Story: Apocalypse. FX

This hottie came to my attention in 2018 when I first saw him in The Assassination Of Gianni Versace. It was not only the best mini-series of the year, it featured some damn fine men, including Cody Fern. He also did a great job playing the main villain in last year’s American Horror Story: Apocalypse. Watch for him in this year’s American Horror Story: 1984, which premieres on FX September 18.

Ultimate Hotness Level: As son of the devil Michael Langdon in AHS: Apocalypse.

Continue reading “A Feast For The Eyes: Hot Men To Watch For On TV This Fall” →

Hot Men, Movies

A Feast For The Eyes: Hot Men Throughout The Ages – Movie Stars

Bonnie Byrne

Throughout the years, hot men in Hollywood have come and gone. Some were award-winning actors who lived well into old age, others’ lives were cut tragically short. As my sister would gladly point out, all the men on this list are in coffins. The hottest movie stars who are still alive, well that’s a list for another day – stay tuned. But really, does it matter that all the men on this list are dead? They are alive and well on cellulite, where their hotness can be enjoyed and appreciated for generations to come. So, join me in celebrating the 10 hottest male movie stars of the past 100 years in A Feast For The Eyes: Hot Men Throughout The Ages – Movie Stars.

10. Rudolph Valentino (May 6, 1895 – August 23, 1926)

Mr. Judd Has Such Wonderful Muscles: Rudolph Valentino in The Young Rajah (1922).

Arguably the first Hollywood sex symbol, Rudolph Valentino was an Italian actor during the silent film era of the 1920s.  His biggest films were The Sheik, The Young Rajah, Blood And Sand and The Four Horsemen Of The Apocalypse. When he died prematurely, at the age of 31, an estimated 100,000 people lined the streets for his Manhattan funeral.

Ultimate Hotness Level: As a Latin lover in The Sheik (1921).

9. James Dean (February 8, 1931 – September 30, 1955)

You’re Tearing Me Apart!: James Dean In Rebel Without A Cause (1955). Photo Credit: Warner Bros.

James Dean’s star power was short but sizzling hot. He skyrocketed to fame in the early 1950s, when he appeared in Rebel Without A Cause. He was the ultimate bad boy and became a cultural icon because of it. Dean’s bad boy persona was tragically proven true when he died in a car crash in 1955 at the age of 24.

Ultimate Hotness Level: Wearing his red jacket and puffing on a cigarette in Rebel Without a Cause.

8. Bruce Lee (November 27, 1940 – July 20, 1973)

Enter The Dragon: Bruce Lee  Photo Credit: Concord/Warner Bros/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock

In the early 1980s, my first boyfriend was obsessed with Bruce Lee movies. To me, they were mindless flicks with terrible plots. But I sat through them without argument, because a shirtless Bruce Lee kicking ass was damn fine to watch. Lee was an actor, director and martial artist who died tragically at the young age of 33.

Ultimate Hotness Level: I don’t remember the titles, or plotlines, to any of his movies, so I guess I’ll go with just about any film he was in.

7. Paul Newman (January 26, 1925 – September 26, 2008)

A Feast For The Eyes: Hot Men Throughout The Ages - Movie Stars
I Thought It Was A Nice Round Number: Paul Newman, sans shirt – you’re welcome.

Paul Newman had the most beautiful bright blue eyes of just about any actor who’s ever graced the silver screen. He also had a need for speed and was an accomplished race car driver. Another fact that made Newman very hot was his off-screen philanthropy and his 50-year marriage to his wife, actress Joanne Woodward.

Ultimate Hotness Level: Sprawling around in an open shirt in the 1967 flick, Cool Hand Luke.

6. Heath Ledger (April 4, 1979 – January 22, 2008)

A Feast For The Eyes: Hot Men Throughout The Ages - Movie Stars
It’s Not In Me To Withdraw: Heath Ledger in A Knight’s Tale (2001). Photo Credit: Columbia Pictures

There’s no denying it – Heath Ledger was hot. He had curly blonde hair, big eyes and a rugged jawline.  The late Australian actor rose to fame as the ultimate Hollywood heartthrob in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Unfortunately, he died at only 28 years old after taking too many prescription pills.

Ultimate Hotness Level: As the sweet, penniless pauper, who was determined to become a knight, in A Knight’s Tale.

Continue reading “A Feast For The Eyes: Hot Men Throughout The Ages – Movie Stars” →

Hot Men

A Feast For The Eyes – Canada’s Hottest Men

Bonnie Byrne

Oh Canada – the home to some of the world’s hottest men. In order to celebrate our glorious nation’s 152nd birthday, I thought I would honour seven of our country’s best-looking males. Please enjoy a feast for the eyes – Canada’s hottest men. Happy Canada Day everyone!

7. Justin Trudeau

A Feast For The Eyes – Canada’s Hottest Men
Our Home And Native Land: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. CTV News

I was going to reserve this list for actors, but Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is one hell of an exception. He not only kicked Conservative MP Patrick Brazeau’s ass in a boxing match seven years ago, he also kicked Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s ass out of office in 2015. Love him or hate him, you have to admit our Prime Minister is a hottie. The 47-year-old Trudeau was born in Ottawa, Ontario.

Ultimate Hotness Level: On the world stage, representing our great country.

6. The Weeknd

Starboy: The hotness of The Weeknd. Culture Kings

The Weeknd (Abel Makkonen Tesfaye), is another exception to my hot actor’s rule. The 29-year-old singer, songwriter and record producer is from Toronto, Ontario. This hottie, who became a diamond selling artist on June 28, has won nine Juno Awards, three Grammy Awards and eight Billboard Music Awards.

Ultimate Hotness Level: On a concert stage.

5. Nathan Fillion

Canada’s Hottest Rookie: That would be Nathan Fillion. ABC Television

The 48-year-old handsome actor, known for the TV series Firefly and Castle, recently landed another hit show, The Rookie, which has been renewed for a second season. Originally from Edmonton, Alberta, there’s no doubt Fillion is one of the hottest Canadian men around.

Ultimate Hotness Level:  As Richard Castle in Castle. Continue reading “A Feast For The Eyes – Canada’s Hottest Men” →

Hot Men

Hugh Jackman’s Fabulous One-Man Show

Bonnie Byrne
Hugh Jackman's Fabulous One-Man Show
The Man. The Music. The Show.: Hugh Jackman in Toronto last night. Photo by Asma Ansari

Hugh Jackman’s fabulous one-man show hit Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena last night and I was lucky enough to be there.  The 15,000 other Torontonians in attendance with me, on his only Canadian stop, loved his awesome singing and dance moves. And one lucky member of the audience even got to join him.

Stepping off the stage to greet the audience, Jackman told an elderly woman named Pauline that her cane matched his outfit. Next thing you knew, he helped her to her feet and she danced some soft shoe beside him, which delighted everyone.

After their adorable moment, Hugh gave Pauline a big hug and it seemed like she didn’t want to let go of him. Who could blame her!

Fans Loved Hugh Jackman’s Video, Dancing With Pauline

Jackman posted a video with Pauline on his Twitter account and fans loved it.

“I love that Wolverine can sing, dance, and hug old ladies. You sir, are a true gentleman.” Another agreed: “Aww Hugh you’re the greatest i love to see you interacting with the audience.”

Another fan, who was at the Toronto show, said: “One of the best performances I’ve seen in ages, amazing talent, the show was non stop, mind blowing. Canada loves you Hugh, the audience was in awe of your talent, only happy faces leaving your concert tonight.”

Jackman talked about how much he loves Toronto and also gave a shout out to Canada, a fellow Commonwealth country.

I was lucky enough to also attend Jackman’s one-man show at the Princess of Wales Theatre in Toronto back in 2011. Although that show was fantastic, this one was even better. The production values and images that went along with it were top notch.

Hugh Jackman's Fabulous One-Man Show
My Hugh Haul: A beautiful program and t-shirt for a grand total of $60.

As with his previous show, this one also had non-stop singing and dancing. Jackman included tunes from The Greatest Showman, Les Miserables, his Peter Allen tribute (The Boy From Oz) and even some old classics like Singing In The Rain and Mack The Knife. Also included were some close-ups of Jackman shaking his booty – much appreciated by all the women in attendance.

I also made off with some awesome loot – a beautiful black t-shirt and a gorgeous program.

If you have the chance to go see his show, and you really should, do it! He’s still got stops left on the North American leg of his tour including Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Las Vegas and many other cities. After a short break, he’ll be bringing The Man. The Music. The Show to his homeland of Australia beginning August 2.

Health

Air Fresheners Are Nothing But Scented Poison

Bonnie Byrne

Air Fresheners Are The New Secondhand SmokeI am allergic to scents. I can’t wear perfume, I have to use unscented laundry detergent and fabric softener and I can immediately feel a sneeze coming on if I walk into a home filled with those god-awful fragrance plug-ins.

The worst of these scented products by far is Febreze. I’m sure you’ve seen the advertisements – we are inundated with them daily.  Spray it in the air with your young kids standing right beside you. Plug it into an outlet in every room of your house. Spray your teenage son’s entire room with it to “wash” the room, instead of making him clean it. Hell, if your car smells like french fries (god forbid) then plug one into your venting system.

Another insane ad I remember, from about 10 years ago, was for Lysol spray. The narrative was a kid taking his teddy bear with him everywhere, so therefore, who knows what kind of horrible bacteria it contained. When he got home, instead of his mother throwing it into the wash, she sprayed Lysol all over it. Then they showed him cuddling with it as he slept. I’m not a parent, but that ad freaked me out every time I saw it.

Air Fresheners Contain More Than 87 Poisonous Chemicals

But I digress. I truly believe that if it was up to Proctor And Gamble, every inch of your home would be covered by the more than 87 chemicals contained in their Febreze products.

As I sprayed Febreeze air freshener in my small bathroom one morning a few years ago, I noticed that as it fell through the air, I could actually see the particles in it. When it hit the floor, it left a sticky substance there. That’s when I stopped using it.

This got me thinking – what is this air freshener doing to my lungs?  Continue reading “Air Fresheners Are Nothing But Scented Poison” →

Murdoch Mysteries Reviews

Murdoch Mysteries Review – Darkness Before The Dawn Part Two

Bonnie Byrne
Darkness Before The Dawn Part Two
Shared Responsibility: Julia and Watts bond over their guilty consciences.

When Darkness Before The Dawn Part One ended last week, William Murdoch had arrested Inspector Brackenreid’s son John for murder. It was also looking like the lad would be left paralyzed after an investigation gone wrong, initiated by Detective Watts. Also, Julia felt guilty that she hadn’t waited for a spinal surgeon and Miss Hart was up to no good.

Part Two begins as Julia (Hélène Joy) enters John’s (Charles Vandervaart) hospital room. He still can’t feel his legs or move his toes. Watts (Daniel Maslany) arrives and tells him he’s sorry for getting him mixed up in the Lucille Palmer mess.

Meanwhile, Miss Hart (Shanice Banton) has been appointed to the position of City Coroner. She meets Inspector McWorthy (Sean Bell) for a drink to celebrate. Continue reading “Murdoch Mysteries Review – Darkness Before The Dawn Part Two” →

Murdoch Mysteries Reviews

Murdoch Mysteries Review – Darkness Before The Dawn Part One

Bonnie Byrne
Darkness Before The Dawn Part One
How Is Our Son? Julia has some unsettling news for Margaret and Thomas.

This week’s Murdoch Mysteries begins with a crazy series of events. Murdoch (Yannick Bisson) is at a meeting where he is introduced as a candidate, but a candidate for what? Someone walks into the meeting and whispers in Murdoch’s ear and he takes off for Station House No. 4 on his bike. He races into the station to see Brackenreid (Thomas Craig) punching Detective Watts (Daniel Maslany) in the face in Darkness Before The Dawn Part One.

Julia (Hélène Joy) is at the University of Toronto’s School of Medicine running down a hallway to see John Brackenreid (Charles Vandervaart), who is lying on a gurney, bleeding profusely from his side. Continue reading “Murdoch Mysteries Review – Darkness Before The Dawn Part One” →