AltWeeklies Wire
Hog Huntin' in Florida's Evergladesnew
As the state moves closer to closing a $1.3 billion deal to buy 181,000 acres of private land — mostly hog habitat — the ancient art -- or horrible slaughter, depending on how you see it -- seems poised to disappear.
Miami New Times |
Natalie O'Neill |
12-29-2008 |
Recreation
Who's the More Oscar-Ready Nazi, Tom Cruise or Kate Winslet?new
This year, in a striking reversal of roles (and award-getting strategies), the stars are playing the Nazis. The Reader features Kate Winslet as former camp guard Hanna Schmitz, and Valkyrie has Tom Cruise as a German officer, Col. Claus von Stauffenberg, trying to assassinate Hitler.
Seattle Weekly |
Brian Miller |
12-29-2008 |
Movies
R&B Hasn't Only Gone Soft, It's Become Downright Bullshitnew
The watering-down of the genre is one reason R&B has been disparaged as "Rap & Bullshit" by everyone from RZA of Wu-Tang Clan to rap bloggers at Cocaine Blunts to the now-defunct music site Stylus. Another is because it's artistically moribund.
Seattle Weekly |
Ben Westhoff |
12-29-2008 |
Music
Jeffrey Katzenberg's Cure-All for the Movie Industry: 3-Dnew
No longer, says Katzenberg, will 3-D serve as a cheap "gotcha" gimmick -- an exploitation hustle -- but as a way to advance storytelling and "emotionally immerse" the audience into the film.
Dallas Observer |
Robert Wilonsky |
12-29-2008 |
Movies
Should We Tax Our Way Out of Recession?new
Current Congressional Budget Office head Peter Orszag and Nobel Laureate economist Joseph Stiglitz say we should -- and Seattle-based think tank the Washington State Budget & Policy Center agrees.
Seattle Weekly |
Damon Agnos |
12-29-2008 |
Economy
On Ponzi Capitalismnew
Two names have been wed in the news this month: Charles Ponzi, the con artist busted in 1920, and Bernard Madoff, one of America's most successful hedge fund managers and a reputable pillar of the Wall Street financial community. But I'm confused, because a ponzi scheme also describes the global economy.
Eugene Jarecki Has the 'Big Picture' and a New Book on Warnew
Jareki's print debut supplements his 2006 film, Why We Fight, while the cafe he co-founded in Vermont expresses his "desire to support social betterment."
Seven Days |
Mike Ives |
12-29-2008 |
Author Profiles & Interviews
Embracing Skepticism in a World of Networked Identitynew
The real purpose of networking sites, we think, is to make it easier to stay close to the people you want to be close to, rather than perform for the world, and for that reason I actually Facebooked up last week. And will not, after consideration, blog next year. Facebook will work if I do nothing to it -- a blog entry is obsolete immediately.
Boulder Weekly |
Dave Kirby |
12-29-2008 |
Commentary
Brad Pitt Nails 'Button'new
How crazy ... or bold ... or foolhardy ... do you have to be to make a big, expensive movie out of F. Scott Fitzgerald's least adaptable short story?
Los Angeles CityBeat |
Andy Klein |
12-29-2008 |
Reviews
What's Your Year-End List?new
I've written two year-end lists: the Top Five Best-Named World Leaders of 2008, and the Five People Who Also Should Have Had Shoes Thrown at Them in 2008.
Creative Loafing (Atlanta) |
Andisheh Nouraee |
12-24-2008 |
Commentary
Pastor Wiley Drake Thinks He Still Has a Prayer of Unseating Barack Obamanew
Drake is not discouraged in light of the Dec. 8 announcement the U.S. Supreme Court will not hear a New Jersey man's case that argued Barack Obama cannot be sworn in as president because his father was a British citizen.
Hispanics Delivered by Border Midwives Are Having Trouble Getting U.S. Passportsnew
David Hernandez just wants his passport, but the State Department won't give it to him. There is a history of midwife deception along the border, so the U.S. government has to be sure applicants are not using fraudulently filed birth certificates. Thus far, Hernandez has not convinced them that his is the real McCoy.
Houston Press |
Chris Vogel |
12-23-2008 |
Sex
Video Game-Influenced Music Isn't Just Playing Aroundnew
Bands like Minibosses and California's The Advantage have found a nice little niche playing covers of classic game music. Other acts are drawing inspiration from the sounds of the eight-bit world to create chiptune soundscapes that are among the most interesting electronic music out there right now.
Phoenix New Times |
Martin Cizmar |
12-23-2008 |
Music
Obama's Weasel Words on Iraq
Obama promises to redeploy "combat troops" from Iraq. In practice, however, there's no difference between "combat troops" and "advisers." Four years from now, Americans will still be fighting, killing and dying in Iraq.
eHarmony Must Provide Services to Same-Sex Couplesnew
As part of a settlement agreement to end a sexual preference discrimination lawsuit, eHarmony must start a new online dating site allowing users to search for same-sex partners. The new service, "Compatible Partners," will be up and running by March 31.
Pasadena Weekly |
Andre Coleman |
12-23-2008 |
LGBT
