AltWeeklies Wire
The Twins' Mike Redmond is Minnesota's Catcher in the Rawnew
A cutup and a flake, a gritty player seemingly impervious to injury, Redmond has survived on talent spiked with determinism. And while no one was looking, he emerged as one of the greatest backup catchers ever to play the game.
City Pages (Twin Cities) |
David Hansen |
05-14-2009 |
Sports
Bypassing Record Labels, Jill Sobule's New Album is Funded by Fansnew
Sobule has had a hard time with record companies. The singer/songwriter has been dropped by MCA and Atlantic, not to mention the two indie labels she recorded for are now defunct. Naturally, Sobule was hesitant about shopping her latest album to another label; but without any money of her own, other options were few and far between.
New York Press |
David Chiu |
05-14-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
Vanilla Mike? Rebranding Tyson for the Age of Obamanew
Can Mike "clean up" enough to attach his name to video-game sales, as his new advisers Harlan Werner and Damon Bingham want him to? As Bob Dylan has done with Victoria's Secret? And George Foreman with hamburger grills?
Las Vegas Weekly |
John Lombardi |
05-14-2009 |
Movies
A New School of Microbreweries Crops Up in Minnesotanew
Brau Brothers, Flat Earth, and Lift Bridge try their hand at estate beers, fruit-infused concoctions, and ... the "Facemeltor"?
City Pages (Twin Cities) |
Rachel Hutton |
05-14-2009 |
Food+Drink
'Summer Hours' is Close to a Masterpiecenew
This is not a sentimental catalogue like Arnaud Desplechin's overpraised (and ultimately unpopular) A Christmas Tale. Assayas reconciles change and regret, which gives a spectral sense to material value.
New York Press |
Armond White |
05-14-2009 |
Reviews
With 'Angels & Demons,' Ron Howard Continues His Attempt to Imitate Spielberg -- and Failsnew
This overwrought chase/final-countdown movie is as banal as the genre comes. It's not a well-made action film; it's just expensively made. Howard's incompetence hides behind high-priced collaborators and goofy F/X.
New York Press |
Armond White |
05-14-2009 |
Reviews
'Next Day Air' is More Profound than Most Art-House Farenew
Opening without fanfare or official validation, Benny Bloom's film displays more creativity and relevance to our ways of thinking (about money and relationships) than movies that pose as art.
New York Press |
Armond White |
05-14-2009 |
Reviews
Tags: Benny Bloom, Next Day Air
Comparing Jay Bybee's Torture Memos & 'Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas'new
For Bybee as much as for Thompson, reality must be mitigated, banished or defeated. Thompson uses drugs, and Bybee plays with the law until it goes blind.
Las Vegas Weekly |
Richard Abowitz |
05-14-2009 |
Commentary
'Outrage' Looks at Closeted Pols
Documentarian Kirby Dick brings the same methodical approach he applied to This Film is Not Yet Rated, about Hollywood's shadowy ratings board, to examine the practice of closeted gay, largely Republican, politicians to systematically vote against gay rights issues as a way of deflecting attention from their own sexuality.
City Pulse |
Cole Smithey |
05-13-2009 |
Reviews
'Rudo y Cursi' Scores Cinematic 'GOOOAALLL!'new
or his first feature film, Carlos Cuaron proves himself to be a brash, promising rookie who delivers not so much a sports movie as an anti-sports movie.
Creative Loafing (Atlanta) |
Curt Holman |
05-13-2009 |
Reviews
Tags: Carlos Cuaron, Rudo y Cursi
Former Grandaddy Frontman Jason Lytle's Solo Debut is Spare and Beautifulnew
Lytle has had a difficult time of things over the years, confronting financial troubles and substance abuse. But it's easy to identify with his pain since it's expressed so movingly here.
Creative Loafing (Atlanta) |
Ben Westhoff |
05-13-2009 |
Reviews
Manchester Orchestra's Time on the Road Informs its Latest Releasenew
While still rife with melody and outsized ambition, the group no longer feels compelled to ascend to the footlights, proving content to slug it out with the rabble on the floor.
Creative Loafing (Atlanta) |
Chris Parker |
05-13-2009 |
Reviews
The Wood Brothers Release a CD of Classic Cover Tunesnew
On Up Above My Head, the Woods give reverence to a wide range of genres as filtered through their gentle, slightly lazy, but clearly appreciative groove. From old folk songs like "Little Liza Jane" to a unique, old-timey take on the Beatles' "Fixin' a Hole," Oliver and Chris make each tune sound like one of their own.
Creative Loafing (Atlanta) |
James Kelly |
05-13-2009 |
Reviews
New Disc Captures the Contrasting Innocence and Perversion of The Vaselinesnew
The Vaselines were a couple of randy Scotts whose giddy affections for each other solidified in amateurish though remarkably catchy pop ditties about sex and religion. This deluxe revamp of The Way of the Vaselines encompasses their short 1986-1990 lifespan.
Creative Loafing (Atlanta) |
Chad Radford |
05-13-2009 |
Reviews
Are Pakistan's Nukes Safe from Terrorists?new
Outside observers are afraid Pakistan's super-violent, fundamentalist Taliban fighters might be able to get their hands on one of Pakistan's nuclear weapons. Is it possible?
Creative Loafing (Atlanta) |
Andisheh Nouraee |
05-13-2009 |
Commentary
