Contributors’ Corner

Mammography: A crucial approach towards early cancer detection

ostad — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 02:38:30 -0700

By: Amir Yashar Tashakor

The increasingly importance of the Mammography in early detection of Breast cancer can be inferred by The Canadian Cancer Society’s new advertisement campaigns, aimed at educating Canadians, especially middle aged women, of the crucial role Mammograms and similar procedures play in early tumour detection. In fact no other imaging technique has been nearly as successful in providing physicians with X-ray imagery of the breast, containing suspiciously overactive cell division or spots of calcium granulation, both of which may be characteristics of a malignant tumour. Although the procedure has been used for over thirty years, its recent standardization has added to its convenience and popularity. Patients’ entering a Mammography should not expect any surprises. A machine holds the breast in place [while the patient is seated] in order to prevent blurs in the image produced.

Journey to the Center of the Earth (PG) * * * *

ostad — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 02:32:02 -0700

By: ROBERT WALDMAN, Vancouver

Sit back and enjoy the ride as first time film director Eric Brevig takes us on an unbelievable trip in Journey to the Center of the Earth. Fun all the awaits onlookers at this treat from Alliance Films now thrilling folks at Scotiabank Theatre, Esplanade 6, Colossus, Empire Studio 12 and Famous Players Silver City cites around B.C.

How to gain from capital gains and losses

ostad — Tue, 13 May 2008 02:01:50 -0700

By: Kian Ghanei, Vancouver

It's always a good thing when an investment pays off. That's why you invest, after all - to win - not to lose. But when you win on an investment, there is almost always a price to pay in the form of taxes.

Iron Man (PG) * * * *

ostad — Tue, 13 May 2008 01:50:00 -0700

By ROBERT WALDMAN, Vancouver

Certain actors seem born for a role. Back in the 1960s Sean Connery was saving the world as James Bond, agent 007. Move on to the 70s and we had Clint Eastwood cleaning up those grimy San Francisco streets as Dirty Harry. Sky high fun occurred whenever Christopher Reeves took flight as a superman while closer to home Sylvester Stallone did what John Rambo had to do to wreck havoc on American enemies in South East Asia. Modern heroes like Indiana Jones and Spider-Man made household names internationally of Harrison Ford and Tobey Maguire. Now we must add Robert Downey Jr to this list of pop icons thanks to his latest work.

The snowball effect – get the ‘magic’ of compounding working for you

ostad — Mon, 05 May 2008 01:07:04 -0700

By Kian Ghanei , Vancouver

Kick a small ball of snow into motion from the top of a hill and by the time it gets to the bottom, it will be HUGE. That’s the snowball effect – and you can get the same growth effect in your investments thanks to the ‘magic’ of compounding.

Smart People (PG) * * * *

ostad — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 10:47:22 -0700

By ROBERT WALDMAN, Vancouver

Words of wisdom are hard to convey when we enter the murky world of the mixed-up/messed-up Wetherhold family. Life on campus takes a back seat to family upheaval as we track an otherwise normal group in Smart People, a savvy undertaking from Miramax Films now setting off debates at Tinseltown (on Pender, free parking). the Fifth Avenue Theatre, Esplanade 6, Empire Studio 12, Colossus and Famous Players Theatres around B.C.. Sure to spark interest come Oscar time this oddball feature marks some notable musings from it’s A list cast of actors.

Be sure to use all your tax-savers

ostad — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 02:25:50 -0700

By: Kian Ghanei, Vancouver

Don’t pay more taxes than absolutely necessary by taking advantage of all the federal tax credits available to you -- including a number of tax relief measures introduced recently that you should know about.

Tax credits

· Basic personal tax credit – raised to $9,600.

· Spousal/equivalent-to-spouse credit – for support of an eligible partner whose net income was less than $9,600.

· Eligible dependent credit – for support of an eligible dependant whose net income was less than $9,600.

The Counterfeiters (PG) * * * *

ostad — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 22:10:27 -0700

By ROBERT WALDMAN, Vancouver

War can bring out the best in people. Set in the 1930s, The Counterfeiters is a tense tale of struggle and survival from Sony Pictures Classics now shining brightly at Tinseltown (on Pender, free parking). Once again Germany shows its true colours and mettle as a sensational filmmaking center with this movie from writer/director Stefan Ruzowitsky a clear front-runner for best foreign film this year. Right in the tradition of The Lives of Others The Counterfeiters serves to open eyes to the ultimate war machine and human tragedy.

Vantage Point (PG) * * * *

ostad — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 03:56:26 -0700

Direct hits don’t come that often in Hollywood. Score a homer for Columbia Pictures with the release of Vantage Point. Timely and tense beyond belief, filmdom’s freshest thriller is now firing folks up at Tinseltown (on Pender, free parking), Esplanade 6, Oakridge Cinemas, Empire Studio 12, Colossus and Famous Players Silver City arenas across B.C.

Definitely, Maybe (G) * * * * *

ostad — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 14:38:58 -0800

By ROBERT WALDMAN, Vancouver

Come mid February for most people love is in the air. Hot on the heels of Valentine’s Day appears Definitely, Maybe, a superior romantic comedy from Universal Pictures now opening hearts at the Empire Studio 12, Colossus and Famous Players Silver City Cites around B.C.