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Photo courtesy Free Bird Table & Bar

Photo courtesy Disney+

Photo courtesy Route 504 PR

Our City Tonight

By Jim Gordon and Leeta Liepins

Published 12:15 PST, Fri November 8, 2024

Spotlight on films, spooky cocktails

THE VIEW #1 – Black Box Diaries

It is one of the most powerful, touching and moving films you will see this year. Black Box Diaries is a documentary written, directed and about Japanese journalist, Shiori Ito. It documents her story as she courageously fights to have her sexual assault investigated and her well-known offender prosecuted. The viewer follows Ito who, though often dealing with justifiable pain and suffering from her horrific ordeal, doesn’t let the journalist in her disappear. As a result, she cunningly resorts to secret recordings when talking to government investigators and other officials, and always has a video/phone camera to record her journey. As a result, what we see throughout the film is Japan’s outdated legal system and how it deals with victims like Ito, and their claims. We also see how a connected individual like her offender could be protected by high-level institutions. Shiori Ito (who Time would name one of the most influential people of 2020) showed great courage and determination against numerous, large roadblocks, and despite that, her case would become a legal landmark in Japanese courts. And though her journey is not complete, this film leaves you hopeful and full of admiration and respect for this young woman who fought to bring change. Black Box Diaries is in theatres Nov 8. route504pr.com

THE SIP

For another great autumn cocktail we turn to one of our “experts” in Richmond, Steve Lobsinger, who is also the general manager at Free Bird Table & Bar. This time, he offers the Spirit of the Dead Coconut Margarita, which, with a name like that, would have to be available at Free Bird starting Oct 31, Halloween. Start with 1.5 oz of Patron Silver, then add .5 oz of Cointreau, 4 oz of fresh lime juice, 2 oz of coconut syrup and a splash of grenadine. “Pour all the ingredients – except the grenadine – into a shaker with ice and shake vigorously,” Jobsinger tells us, “then take a salt-rimmed, rocks glass and squeeze the grenadine along the bottom and sides of the glass, then add ice and pour the stained shaker into the glass.” At Free Bird they add smoke for a fog effect and fake spiders for the season. It a delicious and scary drink. It’s also easy to make at home. thefreebird.ca

THE VIEW #2 – Road Diary: Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band

In a career spanning more than six decades, he remains one of the giants in the history of rock ‘n roll. Bruce Springsteen first came to the attention of music fans in 1975 with the release of his third album, the iconic Born to Run, and he’s been producing critically acclaimed music and performing sold out shows ever since. Now comes an in-depth documentary called Road Diary: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, which takes fans behind the scenes (with unparalleled access) during band rehearsals, preparation, and on the road during the band’s 2023-24 world tour. “Since the age of 16, playing live has been a deep and lasting part of who I am,” Springsteen says in the film, “and how I justify my existence here on earth.” Attend one of his brilliant, marathon-length shows and you’ll see that Springsteen still feels that way and will continue until, as he says, “the wheels come off”. There’s a reason he’s known respectfully and lovingly as “The Boss”. Road Diary: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band is streaming now on Disney+. disneyplus.com