School Of Rock is getting astonishingly good reviews – 86% at Metacritic and 89% at Rotten Tomatos, and this is with most if not all of the major outlets’ reviews already in. I thought it looked funny, but from the commercials and trailers, it seemed a little formulaic and kids in movies is always dodgy, but it looks like Jack Black and Richard Linklater has got themselves a slam dunk with this one. Cool beans.

Further on the topic of schoolteachers-turned-rock-stars, word is the openers for the November 14 Guided By Voices show at the Opera House will be The Constantines.

np – The Shins / Oh, Inverted World

You may note over on the right that the Clem Snide/Califone show is out and Mojave 3 is in. They kick off their North American tour in Toronto on Wednesday, October 29 at Lee’s Palace, tickets $15. Sorry Clem/Califone, maybe next time. I love Mojave 3. There will be another North American tour in Februrary, and yes, I’ll be there too.

The December 3 Broken Social Scene show is a fundraiser for the George Herman House, which provides housing and support for women with mental health issues. As it turns out, the George Herman House is just up the street from my place. How about that.

Did anyone else watch The West Wing last night? Did anyone catch exactly how the FBI found Zoey? I watched the last segment twice and didn’t get any clue. Smells like a little too much deus ex for my liking. But seriously, if anyone caught something I didn’t, please share.

Election day! I’ve found a polling station close to work so I can get that taken care of sooner rather than later. It’s handy working in the same riding that you live in.

Update: It turns out I actually *have* to vote at the polling station by my place, I’ve been registered there. Alas.

np – Mojave 3 / Excuses For Travellers

Broken Social Scene make a triumphant hometown return on December 3rd at the Phoenix after conquering the US in September and the UK in October. Not sure what they’re doing in November. Tickets are $15 and already on sale at Rotate This.

517 sent me this interesting article on manufacturing diamonds. It’s fascinating reading, and anything that makes De Beers worried is okay in my books.

Speaking of books, I got Steve Earle’s short story collection Doghouse Roses and Paul Auster’s latest Book Of Illusions from the library. I’m going to get started into them when I’ve finished reading The Dark Knight Returns, which is for my money THE best comic book story ever written. And that’s saying something.

And the costume for the Catwoman movie is quite possibly the worst thing I have ever seen in my life. The producers of Daredevil must be high-fiving each other as they prepare to pass on the albatross of ‘worst-looking comic book adaptation of recent memory’ to Halle Berry and co. And that’s also saying something.

All hail the King of the Hobos. Soon to be a major motion picture starring Russell Crowe.

np – Neil Young / On The Beach