Dylan Ribkoff

WILL THE HABS FIND THE LIGHT?

Bryan Wilkat — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 16:00:29 +0000

It’s hard to believe that it’s been almost 20 years since the Montreal Canadiens won a Stanley cup. This is a team that leads the league in most cup wins ever, yet the past nineteen years have been rather cruel. The best attempt they’ve had since was back in 2010 when they lost in the Conference finals to the Flyers. Where has all the magic gone? Perhaps it’s the lack of all star players on our team? Surely we can’t be blaming our goaltending, we’ve been fortunate enough to have solid goaltenders for the past few years but perhaps we can attribute it all to a series of bad decisions? Trading away players that only come back to haunt us or perhaps it’s a series of misfortunes with injuries in our defensive line? (welcome back Markov)

Looking for excuses would be an easy explanation but all this isn’t to say that the team is sub par. We still have some great players leading on our roster like Pacioretty and Desharnais but the reality is that these guys are way behind the league leaders in points. It’s not as if we can put the entire burden of a team’s success on a few solid players and expect a miracle. It’s about time the GM woke up to the fact that we had to let some guys go, once in a while some heavy rebuilding is necessary because we all know it’s heart wrenching when a team like the Canadiens don’t make the cut for the playoffs but hopefully it’s for the best, right? As long as those damn Bruins don’t win again, I’ll be happy. (Go Nucks!)

THE SHINS – SIMPLE SONG

Bryan Wilkat — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 23:58:33 +0000

The Shins have been around for over a decade and show no signs of slowing down. Their music is infectious, if you like one track, you’ll probably like them all. The latest release, Port Of Morrow, came out just a couple days ago on March 20th 2012. They kicked off a international tour this week and chances are good that you can catch them in your town. For us Montrealers, we’ll have to wait until August to catch them at the Osheaga festival.

Check out this video, the story is reminiscent of a Wes Anderson-like film, and not surprisingly it’s directed by the internet acclaimed team, the Daniels.

Click here to view the embedded video.

COMPANY PROFILE: ALTAMONT – CUT FROM A DIFFERENT CLOTH

Bryan Wilkat — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 14:03:22 +0000

Click here to view the embedded video.

To shake things up here on the Dylan Ribkoff blog, we’ve decided to start turning our focus onto a broader range of topics besides music and movies. Today is the first company profile write up, a section where we’ll spotlight a company who’s foundation, purpose and mission we both admire and support. So without further adieu, Altamont!

What do you know about skateboarding companies? Nothing? A little? Well, if you think all skateboard brands are alike, think again. While the mainstream skateboarding industry is dominated by a handful of companies that have since become nothing more than large sellout corporations who thrive off of affiliations with mainstream sporting events, the core skateboarding culture shifted away to give birth to companies like Altamont.

Largely established due to the desire to dress in apparel that at the time was less conventional to the skate world; the trend of plain t-shirts and hooded sweaters with bold logos was getting old and veteran riders like Andrew Reynolds just wanted to stand out in their own way. Altamont now prides itself on the fact that it’s a skater owned and skater run company that actually cares about the opinions and input of their team. Reynolds himself has a big influence on the design and image of the company, as he is involved in every aspect of production. In addition, the products are all proudly made in Los Angeles, so you can see why we’re behind a company like this. What’re you waiting for? Check out these quick videos and get stoked on Altamont!

Click here to view the embedded video.

MONTREAL SAYS GOODBYE TO WINTER

Bryan Wilkat — Sun, 11 Mar 2012 16:56:45 +0000

The facts:
-Historically the month of March in Montreal sees temperatures between -4 and -9 degrees C
-The predicted average temperature for March 2012 is between 11 and 16 degrees C.
-Ottawa’s Rideau Canal was only open for 28 days of skating compared to the average 50-60 days annually
-David Suzuki claims that in the near future we might not even see a week’s worth of skating on the Rideau Canal

Needless to say, if you’re an advocate of winter sports, you better get on the hills now because I doubt the spring ski season will last more than a week or two! -OR you should take a spontaneous trip out west because BC is reportedly having the best skiing season ever, it might actually be the longest season on record. Which means you might even want to consider moving out west next year if you don’t want your gear to go to waste in the garage. It seems like something strange is going on… What can we say is to blame? Could we attribute it to global warming or maybe it’s possible side effects from the 2008 Olympics when Beijing scientists attempted to control the weather to keep the opening ceremonies rain free.

Further reading:
Longer ski season likely in BC
David Suzuki – Climate Change

A REAL GOOD REASON TO LIKE LYKKE LI

Bryan Wilkat — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 17:33:48 +0000

If you’re a male (heck, maybe even if you’re female!) there’s a good chance that you may already have a crush on Sweden’s Lykke Li, not only for her stunning beauty but also for her musical talent. Her ability to charm you into a sublime state of euphoria with only her voice can only be rivalled by the complete package of her onstage performance. If you have already been granted the privilege of knowing Lykke Li and all that she has accomplished then you will be excited to learn that she has been featured in a track by the Deportees. If you didn’t know anything about her before this post, well then, you’re a lucky bastard with lots to look forward to.

Vermont

dylanribkoff — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 17:53:04 +0000

Shot in Woodbury, Vermont
Credits – Taylor Lamothe, Spencer Forest

MUSIC – LEONARD COHEN’S ENTIRE COLLECTION!

Bryan Wilkat — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 19:38:35 +0000

As fellow Montrealers, we’re all pretty excited about this news. On October 11th 2011, Legacy Recordings will be rereleasing Leonard Cohen’s entire discography, both live and studio albums, that’s 17 albums total. Packaged in kick ass mini-LP fashion, it will include a 36 page booklet with all original annotations and information as well as a video of Cohen performing his infamous track, Suzanne, live in 1970 at the Isle of Wight Festival.

MUSIC – BLOOD ORANGE

Bryan Wilkat — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 21:51:58 +0000

Ever wish you had vivid memories of the 80′s? ..Yeah, us neither. However, now, thanks to Devonté Hynes(Blood Orange), we can block out our surroundings and imagine if only for a minute, that it’s 1983 again.

Check out these radical videos:

FILM – SNOW & ASHES

Bryan Wilkat — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 01:07:15 +0000

Blaise Dumas(Rhys Coiro, Entourage, Straw Dogs), war correspondent, covers an armed conflict in Eastern Europe. When he wakes from a temporary coma in his home town of Quebec City, Blaise discovers that his long time collaborator and photographer has not come back with him. He then sets out to recapture the events that led to his friend’s disappearance and his own narrow escape from the war zone. Written by Quebec’s own, first time director, Charles-Olivier Michaud.

Playing this week in Montreal at Cinema Parallele, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, 5:25, 9:20.

TV – ENTOURAGE (ENDTOURAGE?) Final Episode Predictions!

Bryan Wilkat — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 14:29:16 +0000

Today is the day that HBO airs the series finale of Entourage. If you never watched it, it’s a show about Vincent Chase (loosely based on Mark Wahlberg), and his friends as they struggle to may their way in Hollywood. Filled with amusing celebrity cameos, the show attempts to entertain audiences with a portrayal of the movie industry as we may or may not perceive it. The producers have done a sufficient job of balancing reality with fiction and so far it has payed off. The show has done well for itself although many people have been disappointed with this final season this guy below loves it, he even posted a 14 minute video blog, talking about the show. He’ll fill you in on the entire series and leaves you with his own speculation of the series finale, tonight on HBO.