andPOP - Pop Culture With Substance

Ang Lee literally makes Woodstock the backdrop to his latest film. The famous music festival is both seen from a distance and heard from a distance. If you go into “Taking Woodstock” knowing that, you won’t be disappointed (ie. you won’t expect to hear crazy Jimi Hendrix drum solos or Janis Joplin’s electrifying voice).

It’s clear that Lee and his longtime collaborator, screenwriter James Schamus, were less interested in showcasing the ‘60s festival itself and more interested in exposing the impact that Woodstock had and the impression it left on the era. The main problem is “Taking Woodstock” uses stereotypical characters to explain the impact of a larger-than-life event.

Based on the memoirs of Elliot Tiber, this comedy (which has its fair doses of drama) tells the story of Elliot Teichberg (played by Demetri Martin) and his family of struggling Jewish immigrants living in White Lake, NY. In 1969, Elliot stumbled across Woodstock and found a home for the festival without a home.

Elliot, who felt empowered by the gay rights movement, was originally working as an interior designer in Greenwich Village. However, he also felt he needed to lend a helping hand to his overbearing parents and their rundown motel in White Lake called El Monaco. Conveniently enough, Elliot was also the head of the local chamber of commerce, which allowed him to approve a permit for the three day “peace & music” festival.

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Canadian comedy fans had better do some crunches to prepare for some serious laughs.

“SCTV” alums Catherine O’Hara, Andrea Martin, Eugene Levy, Joe Flaherty, Martin Short and Harold Ramis, are performing for a second time tonight at the Second City Theatre in Toronto.

According to the CBC, the reunion is part of the Benefit of Laughter, a fundraiser for Second City’s staff members who need help financially.

Combining some classic sketches and improv sets, the reunion could become an annual event if it is successful.

Actor Eugene Levy will receive a lifetime achievement award and veteran band The Tragically Hip will be presented with the National Arts Centre award at a ceremony hosted by Governor General Michaelle Jean on May 2.

Levy, who has appeared in such movies as “American Pie,” “Father of the Bride” and “National Lampoon’s Vacation,” was among six recipients announced Wednesday for what’s described as Canada’s most prestigious artistic honour, the Governor General’s Performing Arts Award.

The annual honour, worth $25,000, is given to Canadians for achievement in theatre, dance, classical music or opera, popular music, film or broadcasting.

Meanwhile, the Hip will receive the National Arts Centre Award, also worth $25,000. The award “recognizes the work of an extraordinary nature and significance in the performing arts by an individual artist and/or company in the past performance year,” according to the Performing Arts Award website.

The Kingston, Ont. quintet will add this award to their many accolades, which include nine Junos, a place on the Canadian Walk of Fame and induction into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 2005.

Not ones to rest on their laurels, the band is currently recording a new album. They will also perform at a gala event at Ottawa’s National Arts Centre on May 3.