Outtakes
About a Boy (PG-13) It's a long way from American Pie to this compact little charmer about the redemption of a sexual predator, but that's exactly the journey taken by writer-directors Paul and Chris Weitz. About a Boy is based on a 1998 book by popular Brit novelist Nick Hornby (High Fidelity) and boasts a…
Spins
Reviews of new releases from Los Lobos, Papa Roach, David Bowie and Piney Brown/Eddie Mack. ********************* Los Lobos Good Morning Aztlan Twenty-five years after releasing their debut album, Los Lobos del Este de Los Angeles, the pride of the East L.A. barrio releases Good Morning Aztlan, advancing the case that they're the best band in…
Orbitals
***A suspicious memo on south St. Pete redevelopment, PETA protesters do more tease than strip, and St. Pets sniffs out a weird opportunity for urban promotion. ***** ********************************* A Midtown Solution As with any plan for economic development, St. Petersburg's Midtown plan has a few political and perceptual conundrums that have to be considered. At…
Rockin’ Serendipity
"When we got together, we said, "Let's do a rockabilly band.' But at that point, I realized that I wasn't good enough to be a rockabilly lead guitar player," says Kamran Mir, to general laughter from his bandmates. "And I probably still am not now." The first song Michael Snayd wrote in 1998 for his…
Fated to be Dated
It's a curious sensation that I get watching talented actors do their utmost in an insignificant play. Of course, I understand that paying acting jobs are at a premium in this area, and that therefore many performers are willing to play in just about anything so long as it's reasonably respectable and allows them to…
Fametracker
http://www.fametracker.com
Arrested Development
A review of the new indie film, Cherish.
INS Excess?
Immigrant advocates are worried about a pilot program that police in the Sunshine State will be trying out for the next year.
PACS Get Whacked
The state accuses political action committees in Tampa and Pinellas Park of conspiring with other construction lobbies to launder campaign contributions in order to evade donor limits.
Winds of Change
Byron Dorgan, a North Dakota Democrat, took to the Senate floor on Feb. 27 with an impassioned plea for a small federal subsidy that has fueled an explosion of activity in the wind-power industry. "Congress is messing around back and forth, stuttering, and not getting it done," Dorgan complained. The so-called wind production tax credit…
Island Punch
Once during a benefit event, I volunteered to help some Jamaican ladies cook recipes native to their Caribbean homeland. When I arrived at the big kitchen that was their operations center, I was surprised to find two of them busy mincing peppers, their hands swathed in plastic gloves. Explained one in the lilting accent of…
Letters
Responses to Francis Gilpin and Scott Harrell's cover story on telecommunciation companies and the Internet, RhondaK's "Holy Road Trip" and a Corkscrew column by Taylor Eason. ***************************** Facts of Life Re: "URL, Interrupted" by Francis X. Gilpin and Scott Harrell (June 19-25) Great story, however (in my opinion) wrong prospective. Yes baby bells and incumbents…
Return of the Independents
Featuring a remarkable array of original works by fledgling filmmakers and seasoned pros from Florida and around the world, the ninth annual Independents Film Festival rules the airwaves July 4-7 on Time Warner Ch. 18 and Adelphia Ch. 16. The Education Channel continues to present films from the festival throughout the month of July at…
Shakin’ Up Big Brother
Shakin' Up Big Brother Houston-born Wendy Rich possesses a raspy, robust, voice that more than hints to that of fellow Lone Star native Janis Joplin. Several years ago, following a serendipitous Internet encounter and with the help of a friend, Rich was given the opportunity to fill Joplin's gigantic sandals. "It was one of those…
Freebie: Pedal Pushers
Like riding mountain bikes? How about building and clearing trails? If so, you might be an ideal sign-up for the Southwest Association of Mountain Bike Pedalers (SWAMP), an off-road bike club of cyclists of all skill levels. The club, founded in 1992 by Wes Eubank, organizes weekly rides that rotate through eight locations in the…
Tactful Tasting
I'll admit, Emily Post rhetoric is not my style. But sometimes I cringe when poser wine tasters commit truly offensive faux pas at large tastings. Yeah, yeah, I know this is supposed to be the new era of "live and let live" and "wine for the people" but it's kinda gross to see people spit,…
Books
MTV/Pocket Books Trade Paperback original/$12.95
