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JWR is your independent global view of fine arts and film.
Founded in 2001, JWR is an independent publisher of film reviews (specializing in independent, foreign, LGBTQ+, and short films), CD Reviews (an eclectic variety including classical, jazz, modern) and performing arts reviews: theatre/musicals (e.g., Shaw and Stratford Festivals), opera (Wagner’s Ring Cycle – Canadian Opera Company, Porgy and Bess at NYC’s Richard Rodgers Theatre), recitals (notably Alfred Brendel performing Schubert in Ottawa’s National Arts Centre not long before his retirement from concert life; pianist Janina Fialkowska in Niagara-on-the-Lake), orchestras (dozens, including Berlin Philharmonic, Vienna Philharmonic, The Cleveland Orchestra, Singapore Symphony Orchestra, London Symphony Orchestra—both UK and Canada) , chamber music. (Orford Quartet, Eybler Quartet, Pacifica Quartet, Swiss Piano Trio).
There are also related articles featuring interviews with performers, actors, filmmakers and conductors (for instance, pianists Emanuel Ax, Angela Hewitt, Till Fellner; filmmakers Scud, Saw Teong Hin and Tiara Jacquelina, Deepa Mehta; actors Adonis He and Serge Houde, conductor Roberto Minczuk, composer Jordan Pal and many more). An abundance of commentaries can also be found here ranging from keynote speakers at the NAB Shows to CityAge).
Our Between Performances columns are mini-reviews of restaurants, hotels and tourist attractions visited by JWR while attending international arts festivals. Again variety is the key: City Train Lucerne, Arden Park Hotel (Stratford, Ontario), Zentrum Paul Klee (Berne’s famous art museum), Calgary’s Westin Hotel (where the great Manhattan quest continued), Le Village Buffet (Las Vegas), Plat du Jour and Mortons (Hong Kong), TGIF and amba (Taipei), China Eastern Airlines and Spencers Restaurant (Palm Springs) to name just a few.
Currently there are nearly 2200 articles to choose from.
JWR’s latest project
Academy of Motion Picture Science and Arts – Best Pictures 1927 to present
From 1927’s Sunrise through to 2022’s Coda, JWR has reviewed every Best Picture winner and provided an easy-to-use listing link accessible on the JWR homepage (simply click on “Best Pictures since 1927”).
Yes, every Best Picture—the good the bad and the ugly—since these awards began. Some reviews might enrage you, most will confirm your views, still others might inspire a “first look” to see what all of the fuss was about. In any event, do take a trip down cinematic memory lane!
Who is S. James Wegg?
S. James Wegg is a Toronto native who has had a varied career as a musician (clarinetist, conductor), producer (music-related television programs) and writer. He earned an MFA from Carnegie Mellon University. His articles, short fiction, performing arts and film reviews, profiles and commentaries have been widely published internationally in anthologies (including Alyson Books), magazines (e.g., The Church Wellesley Review), newspapers and online. Currently, Wegg is managing editor of JWR (http://www.jamesweggreview.org) and a regular contributor to Rotten Tomatoes, IMDB and the Online Film Critics Society.
Diib Reviews by our featured members:
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