The last time I saw a motion picture was in November when Wicked got me into the theatre. Today I headed back to my “go to” spot CineStarz Cavendish to see Disney’s Snow White, a live-action musical reimagining of the classic 1937 film. We might have been the oldest people in the house, but I must say I enjoyed it. Most of the seats were taken up by young girls attending a birthday party there. They were very well behaved, even clapping at certain moments.

Rachel Zegler of West Side Story  fame stars as Snow White while proud Israeli Gal Gadot is her Stepmother, the Evil Queen. The magical music adventure journeys back to the timeless story with beloved characters Bashful, Doc, Dopey, Grumpy, Happy, Sleepy, and Sneezy.

Once upon a time, there was a kingdom on the edge of a magical forest where beauty and light filled the air. The kingdom was governed by a kind and virtuous king and queen, who were the parents of a daughter named Snow White. Following the queen’s untimely death, the king remarries, and while Snow White’s new stepmother is graced with poise and beauty, she has an evil heart and despises her new stepdaughter. Before long, the Evil Queen has assumed leadership of the kingdom, manifesting her cruel nature. And when her magic mirror reveals that Snow White is the fairest in all the land, she is furious, and quickly devises a scheme to get rid of the princess. Snow White flees the castle to escape the wrath of the Evil Queen, where she comes across some woodland creatures who led her to a picturesque cottage in the woods. The cottage is home to the seven dwarfs . It is in this magical forest that she encounters Jonathan, a young man eager to defy the monarchy. Jonathan, who is captivated by her beauty and kindness, joins forces with her magical friends, empowering Snow White to find her voice and the strength and courage to face the Evil Queen.

Off screen, the two main stars do not appear to be the best of friends. It seems to stem from the Israeli- Hamas war. Zegler wrote “Free Palestine” on X after the first “Snow White” trailer was released online. Meanwhile, as an Israeli, Gadot, has defended her country since the October 7, 2023 terrorist attacks.

What was I really thinking when I watched the movie? The Evil Queen ruled like a dictator, using intimidation and being guarded by ordinary town folks who were drafted into her protection unit and carried out all orders regardless of how harmful they were. To me the Evil Queen reminded me precisely of Donald Trump. The guards were like Republican Senators and Congress members sitting as bystanders while a bully carried out a ruthless agenda. If only the Democrats had the courage of Snow White’s entourage to properly stand up to the dicator.  I won’t ruin the ending, even though I am pretty certain all of the adults know it already.

I am glad I went. And as I sat down on one of the CineStarz Cavendish trademark electronically controlled comfy seats with my Dr. Pepper and chocolate bar all of my problems felt a million miles away.

BEST OF MONTREAL ETHNIC FOOD: It is time to take another look at our Best of Montreal awards Mtl Yardie, located on Westminster Avenue where Côte Saint-Luc meets Montreal West, serves up traditional Jamaican cuisine and it won the best ethnic food category. A native of Jamaica, Spence learned the food trade working at Fairmount Bagel. Twelve years ago he opened Mtl Bagel, which immediately became a favorite spot in the community. Here they offer 15 different flavors of bagels, as well as a variety of sandwiches, sides, drinks and snacks. Always fresh, they are cooked in a wood oven. There are breakfast and lunch specials. Mtl Bagel also has a wholesale division. Spence rented the storefront next door and immediately doubled his space in size. On May 2, 2023, Mtl Yardie opened as a mainly take-out spot for traditional Jamaican cuisine. Since then he has added some indoor seating.

I joined Spence for lunch, starting off with a healthy drink known as a Jamaican Sorrel followed by a mixed plate: oxtail, fried chicken, rice, vegetables and a piece of macaroni pie. For dessert, to try his black cake: chocolate with dried fruits soaked in rum and wine for at least six months. It was quite decadent.

BLACK LAUDS CANADA: Standup comic Lewis Black performed at L’Olympia in Montreal recently as part of his Goodbye Yeller Brick Road Farewell Tour. On his Rantcast, available on YouTube, he talked a lot about his visits to Montreal and Toronto. He took aim at American President Donald Trump for his threats of tariffs and annexation towards our country. “I apologized to my Canadian audience,” he conveyed. “Why doesn’t a Democrat come to Canada and apologize?”

Black also said that Canada takes care of its people and that we have a better health insurance system. “I just came back from the pharmacy and it cost $312 for a pill I have to try,” he said. “ I can afford it, but a lot of people can’t. I was so happy to be there. Montreal is just an escape. It is like being in Europe The food there is exceptional. If you are there do not miss the poutine. They know what it is because they crafted it . I was too busy prepping my act to have it.”

Black noted that Montreal was important to his career because of Just For Laughs. “It helped put me on the map and get me found,” he said.

WRITER’S COLLECTIVE: The Writer’s Collective of Canada (WCC) is a not-for-profit organization that works with partners to offer our community a writing workshop program that is proven to create deep connection, increase resilience, and strengthen self-advocacy among community members. These unique workshops empower the authentic voices of one and all, including traditionally underserved populations and underheard individuals nationwide. WCC started out by offering workshops to the homeless population in Toronto. The stories that emerged were astonishing and the sense of community that the participants experienced offered them a safe space to express themselves. Hampstead writer Sara Heppner said she has participated in a couple of their workshops and they are powerful.

WCC has spread its wings nationally and is offering programming in Montreal amongst others. In order to expand and answer the need, they are looking for volunteers in their quest to serve the Montreal community.

Executive Director Doug Grundman told me that the WCC has 16 volunteer facilitators in Montreal and growing. Workshops, in-person include and/or are planned for the McGill Wellness Hub, Westmount Public Library, L’Annexe (OMETZ),j Auberge Shalom pour femmes, Theatre Ouest End, Carrefour Jeunesse Emploi Dorval and NDG, Dorval Public Library, Temple Enanu-El Beth Shalom and the Miriam Foundation. For details go to https://wcc-cec.org/

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