Biting Off Nothing New
I must have first seen the Bela Lugosi Dracula when I was 10 or 11 years old and an addict of Friday night "Shock Theatre" on the old Channel 13. I found the movie terrifically exciting and much more palatable than its nearest rival for primo horror classic, the Boris Karloff Frankenstein. After all, Frankenstein…
Video/DVD Pick
Blood Suckers/Blood Thirst
Public Life
Comprehensive Epilepsy Program Thursday, Nov. 15 5:30-7 p.m. Tampa General Hospital's rehabilitation center explores the myths and facts about epilepsy, and details cutting edge epilepsy research and treatment options. Meet TGH physicians, nurses, EEG technologists and patients involved in the epilepsy program. Park in the city of Tampa parking garage on the TGH campus on…
Dining Guide
HILLSBOROUGH Brandon La Septima Cafe, 140 N. Parsons Ave., Brandon (813-684-1948). You'll find a taste of the original Latin flavors of old Ybor in this quaint little Brandon cafe. Look for large portions and excellent Cuban sandwiches, succulent roast pork and saffron-kissed chicken and rice. $ Tampa Carrollwood/ Northwest Tampa Jazzy's B-B-Q, 5703 W. Waters…
Web Site
Ninja Burgerhttp://www.ninjaburger.com Tired of the same old takeout? Neighbors threatening your borders? Then Ninja Burger is for you. All high quality foods are delivered in less than 30 minutes or they commit seppuku! Trained ninja will sneak into your home and leave tasty morsels for your dining pleasure. Don't worry about leaving a door unlocked…
Ready for Takeoff
Burning Airlines Fly Their Own Route
He Can Relate
Meet the Drummonds. They may very well be the most dysfunctional family ever to fornicate, steal, lie and love their way into modern fiction. Their deeds and misdeeds leave a wake of infidelity, heartbreak and HIV infection. Their zany messes include a get-rich scheme with a dubious link to Prince William and a black-market baby…
Later, Gator
The eyes seize you. You could swear they're looking straight at you as they glow above the surface of the lake. The guide's lamplight glides across the water and there they are — lurking within the bulrushes along the marshy shoreline, skimming the water's center, blinking in the distance at the lake's outermost reaches. The…
Planet Picks
Thursday 11.15 The P.T. Barnum of Retail The locally produced, Broadway-style comedy Webb's City is the story of J.E. "Doc" Webb (1899-1983), one of the most colorful businessmen in the history of Pinellas County. The musical, which opened last June, centers on Webb's cultivation of his popular, kitschy St. Pete shopping center, which at its…
Music Menu
Born Into Kaos/Mr Bella Nu-metal newbies Born Into Kaos tread the slightly lighter, more hook-oriented edge of contemporary heavy music; yes, that means the Linkin Park comparisons are flying. Backed by a Backstreet Boy, they're constantly touted as the Next Big Thing, but no concrete evidence has presented itself thus far. Youthful Bay area vets…
Rockin’ the Mic
Jim Breuer turns up the volume on his stand-up show
The Wine List
Upcoming astings and events
Otis Whetting
A review of Chandler’s, Dwight and Lauren Otis’ new bistro
An Offer He Couldn’t Refuse
Ernesto's Bar and Package Store was the kind of dive where happy hours were downright scary. "You could hear guns hitting the floor," a former Tampa police chief once recalled, characterizing the atmosphere of the Ybor City bar when his officers walked through it. In 1985, Ernesto's was the site of two homicides. Police closed…
Letters
Total Recall Re: Letters, Editor's Note (Nov. 1-7) I wrote to the Planet a few weeks ago, complaining about your coverage of the Sami Al-Arian academic freedom issue, noting that your articles had not disclosed (I used the word "concealed") Al-Arian's call for "Death to Israel." The following week, you responded that the Planet had…
Soundboard
<font Thursday, Nov. 15 Bars/Small Stages AJ's Ale House Bobby Friss Alley Cat's Cafe Diane Beach Place (Whitey's) Cheeky Monkey Brass Mug The Schmeltz Cadillac Jack's Baby Huey Carlie's Stormbringer Chase Club Derrick Williams Daiquiri Deck Sam I Am Dave's Bar & Grille Mike Tozier Famous Cigars Jazz Lounge New Jazz Fox and Hounds Irish…
Blame vs. Understanding
The righteousness of our cause shouldn't prevent us from asking why so many people around the world who aren't terrorists hate America and from seeking ways to reduce their hatred. Recognizing America's past failing in this regard isn't justifying terrorism. Finding means of ameliorating the hatred isn't appeasing terrorists. Rather, it's looking at terrorism's larger…
Spins
A review of The Who Live At Leeds reissue
Outtakes
All Over the Guy (R) A smartly written and briskly entertaining romantic comedy that just happens to be about a couple of gay guys. Dan Bucatinsky (who also wrote the script and the play upon which it's based) stars as unlucky-in-love Eli, who's got the hots for Tom (Richard Ruccolo) a guy who would pretty…
The List
Visual Arts Openings Clearwater Regional Chamber of Commerce, 1130 Cleveland St., Clearwater. An exhibit of works by five members of The Exhibiting Society of Artists is on display from Friday, Nov. 16, through Dec. 27. The artists are Gloria Agnese, Mary Silvia, Nicholas Soldo, Sheri Salin and Kyu Yamamoto. The exhibit is open during Chamber…
A Cornucopia O’ Cinema
Reviews of Amelie, The Man Who Wasn’t There,Waking Life and Cure.
Well Trane’d
Famed jazz drummer Elvin Jones comes to town
Turkey Day Wines
When it comes to Thanksgiving wines, my vino-guzzling relatives aren't exactly picky. As long as there's plenty of something red and something white, everyone's happy. My first Thanksgiving dinner away from home was a different story. I wanted everything to be "gourmet," including the wine. Would Martha Stewart serve any old schlock with her perfect…
Freebie
Keeping Up With Jones
Culinary Events
Black Tie Dinner, Gala and Charity Auction for Clearwater's 17th annual Festival of Trees, benefiting The Hospice of the Florida Suncoast, UPARC Foundation and Kids Kommittee Inc. and All Children's Charities. Partygoers indulge in a gourmet meal, followed by dancing and a benefit auction. Black-tie optional dress. 7 p.m.-midnight, Saturday, Nov. 24, Harborview Center, 300…
Books
The Laramie Project A Play by Moises Kaufman and The Members of Tectonic Theater Project Vintage/$11 In October of 1998, gay University of Wyoming student Matthew Shepard was tortured and murdered on an otherwise picturesque and tranquil stretch of highway outside of Laramie, Wyo. A month later, Moises Kaufman and nine members of New York…
Turkey Day libations
Wines to give thanks for
