Something Wicked This Way Comes

       The Broadway production of Wicked has bewitched its audience since it's opening in 2003. Though it began (and is currently continued) on Broadway, popularity drove the production around the globe. And of course Toronto's Ed Mirvish theatres were host to the touring magic in 2005 and again in 2006 and 2010. Despite it's departure from our home and native land, Canadians will not have to cross borders to see the show again. As recently announced by Mirvish, the theatrical phenomenon, Wicked will return to Toronto on its latest tour.

Yes, thespians rejoice! The performances have been confirmed - Wicked will grace the Ed Mirvish stage from September 2nd to November 3rd, 2014 for the forth time since 2005. Tickets go on sale as soon as May 5th.

       The announcement has been met with great enthusiasm, and for good reason! Wicked has won over 50 awards, is critically acclaimed, and is the parent of mega-hit musical theatre tunes such as "Popular" and "Defying Gravity". This fall, the witches of Oz will be played by Alison Luff (Elphaba) and Jenn Gambatese (Glinda). The play follows their unlikely friendship in the emerald city, far before the arrival of Dorothy. The play is based off the book written by Gregory Maguire. Both explore the Wicked Witch's past and foreshadow her future in the classic original, The Wizard of Oz. 

       Though Wicked has smashed box office records across North America on previous tours, and presents a multitude of acclaimed and award winning professionals, not everyone is convinced by it's ongoing touring excellence. Many who had seen the original show (including Toronto Star critics) on Broadway were disappointed by the missing details in the play in 2010. Despite this, Wicked is back by popular demand and is optimistically awaited by producers, actors, and enthusiasts alike.

        From its astounding beginnings with Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth to its newest incarnations of the characters, we can always expect great things from the musical. No matter the concerns, Canadians are ready to defy gravity once again! 

For more ticket information, proceed to the link below: 

http://www.mirvish.com/shows/wicked

                                                                                                                   By Alessia Collia 

Read More

Artificial Actors: How Technology Can Now Resurrect Actors

Man has reached the point where death can be cheated. At least for entertainment purposes.

Actor, Philip Seymour Hoffman, has recently passed away, but at a most unfortunate time. Hoffman played Plutarch Heavenbee, an important character in the Hunger Games film series. However, he has left the role dangling as the final installment of the Hunger Games has yet to be filmed. Rather than replace him with another actor, the filmmakers of the Hunger Games are trying a new route- recreating him digitally.

Computer animation has reached the point where it can create a computer avatar that will look, move, and talk like a real person. It will look as if there is a real actor, not a digitally created character. This technology is planned to be used to recreate Hoffman and insert his computer double into the film. This technology is truly remarkable. Question is: is it ethical?

To take a person and use their face for your movie without their consent would breach a person's rights- even if they are dead. However, a legal argument  could be made stating that Hoffman signed a contract to star in the upcoming pictures of the Hunger Games franchise. Hoffman technically has to continue on with the movies as death is no longer a barrier to the filmmakers. He technically agreed to his continued appearance in the series, even if he was unaware of the measures to do it. And if this new technology of recreating actors continues, it will not have the same questionable ethic in it. The usage of computer doubles will probably be in contracts of now on, so actors will now know what they are going through.

The technology is very extraordinary and has questionable ethics, that are ultimately valid, due to contracts. This development may chronicle an exciting new direction in film-making, or fall out of favor due to attacks from critics. Only time will tell. But for fans of the Hunger Games, rejoice that Hoffman will return from the dead to save the series you love. 

Read More

Frozen is a Warm Tale

Despite the chilly title, Frozen is a heart warming animated film set in a fictitious town of Arendelle. Loosely based on the Snow Queen, a fairy tale by Hans Anderson, the movie is set in the medieval times of a fairy tale and is premised exactly like a fairy tale, but more deep than a simple children story. The premise revolves around two sister princesses, Elsa and Anna. Elsa, the elder sister and the primary heir to the throne has elemental powers of ice, which are often dangerous and result in her being withdrawn and afraid of human company, for fear of harming someone. In contrast, her sister Anna is very bubbly and cheerful, hurt by her sister's cold withdrawal, thus striving for human company. The drama of the story is centered on the dangers of Elsa's powers  and the contrasting attitudes of the sisters. When the sisters get in an argument and Elsa loses control of her powers and flees leaving behind a frozen Arendelle, Anna must embark on a journey to find Elsa, bring her home, and undo the damage. But Anna also wants to bring her sister back and try to talk about the hidden secret that has come to light.

Frozen is a computer animated film, using the marvelous technology its sister company Pixar made, to fully use the graphics to their potential. The result is stunning visuals, with an amazing color splash and perfect capturing of the beauty of winter. The movie doesn't take advantage of its pretty front to cut down in the storytelling. The visuals are not a mask, but more of an enhancement of the script. The film uses the fairy tale format to reach to children while balancing drama, romance, light-hearted fun, and humor with masterful precision. Children and adults alike can sympathize with Elsa's noble solitude, crack a smile  at Anna's feisty personality, and laugh at Olaf the snowman and comic relief of the movie. The film is also a musical, featuring many songs that instantly ingrain themselves in childhood memories. With vivid visuals, strong storytelling, and musical numbers, Frozen is an instant classic. 

Read More

Iroquois Ridge Makes it to the Toronto Sun

It's official. Iroquois Ridge is in the news. Our school has made it in the Toronto Sun, being praised in an article for its strategies for academic success and being recognized for its excellence for the all of the Greater Toronto Area to read. Way to go Ridge!

To read what the media is saying about our school, click the following link.

http://www.torontosun.com/2014/03/01/personal-touch-gives-edge-to-iroquois-ridge-hs

Read More

Nature vs. Mankind: Weather Shuts Down Government Again

The U.S federal government isn't exactly going through the best of times. A lot of economic struggles have led to the recent government shutdown last year. Eventually, the government got back on its feet and started running again, only for Mother Nature herself to attack now. The weather has been a loose cannon all winter, with temperatures reaching low depths that hasn't been seen for a long time. With many snowstorms and frequent snowfalls, the weather reports have been spiked with news on the latest city to be hit with extreme weather conditions. However, the repetition is broken as the latest weather related news features shocking political implications for the U.S: the government has shut down again. The weather conditions are so harsh in Washington, the government has called the day off and is going through another temporary shutdown, until the weather lightens up enough for workers to make it to the offices. Many American citizens will no longer regard the weather as a major inconvenience, but now a fully fledged problem. They will now have to hope more than ever that winter subsides, but that hope is still not too bright. Spring is officially less than 20 days away, but the snow is melting not fast enough. The temperature is so cold, 90% of the Great Lakes is frozen. All Americans can do now is hope...

Read More

86th Academy Awards

The Oscars have been running for 86 years, since the dawn of movies first hit the world. Nowadays, movies are a major staple of life in first world countries. And since movies first received popularity, the Oscars have been awarding them for their success. It is now the dream of movie studios to get an Oscar award, which symbolizes excellence and recognizes its work as one of the best films of the year. In recent years, the Oscars' choice of films may not match the taste of the general audience, but it is undeniable how many watch the Oscars anyway, even if their favorite movie is not nominated. The year is not over in the the movie world until the Oscars cap off the season and only then is the next year of movies truly here. Last night, another such event concluded the year of 2013 movies and ushered viewers into 2014. In case you missed the Oscars, here is the list of winners to catch you up.

Best picture- 12 Years a Slave

Best Actor in Leading Role- Matthew McConaughey

Best Actress in Leading Role- Cate Blanchett

Best Actor in Supporting Role- Jared Leto

Best Actress in Supporting Role- Lupita Nyong'o

Best Animated Feature- Frozen

Best Cinematography- Gravity

Best Costume Design- The Great Gatsby

Best Directing- Gravity

Best Documentary Feature-20 Feet from Stardom

Best Documentary Short- The Lady in Number 6: Music Saved My Life

Best Film Editing- Gravity

Best Foreign Language Film- The Great Beauty

Best Make up and Hair styling- Dallas Buyers Club                                                                                       Best Original Score- Gravity

Best Original Song- Let it Go from Frozen

Best Production Design- The Great Gatsby

Best Animated Short Film- Mr. Hublot

Best Live Action Short Film- Helium

Best Sound Editing- Gravity

Best Sound Mixing- Gravity

Best Visual Effects- Gravity

Best Adapted Screenplay- 12 Years a Slave

Best Original Screenplay- Her

Read More

We are the World Conference

Last Wednesday, February 26, Iroquois Ridge proudly hosted the We are the World Conference, also known as the Student Engagement Conference, and in our school, the Grade 9 Conference.

Wednesday was a busy, but successful day, where schools all over Halton came to over to the the Ridge to see the conference, filling our school with a few hundred extra kids. The chaos paid off though. Renowned Canadian speakers such as Ian Tyson and Blake Fly gave keynote speeches and student leaders from our own school led workshops, all designed to build leadership in the Grade 9's and 8's, whom this entire day was made for. It was a very successful event and was a great way to develop leadership and initiative in the younger portion of not only our school, but schools all over. If you were a Grade 9 attending the conference, be sure to spread what you learned that day, so that everybody can rise up and help make our school a better place. 

Read More