AltWeeklies Wire
My Column-Writing Resolutions for 2009new
In 2009, I plan to write frequently and in-depth about the following three issues. I suspect they'll be consuming more of the United States' foreign news oxygen than they did in 2008.
Creative Loafing (Atlanta) |
Andisheh Nouraee |
01-02-2009 |
Commentary
Clint Eastwood Bids a Limp Farewell to Acting in the Laughable 'Gran Torino'
As Eastwood delivers his self-professed farewell performance in Gran Torino, people are lining up to hand him gold statuettes -- this despite the fact this may be one of the worst performances ever by a guy who's turned in a lot of fairly lame ones.
Salt Lake City Weekly |
Scott Renshaw |
01-02-2009 |
Reviews
'Doubt' is an Ambiguous Mysterynew
John Patrick Shanley's adaptation succeeds wonderfully, because it's a film that conveys just that -- doubt.
Tucson Weekly |
James DiGiovanna |
01-02-2009 |
Reviews
David Fincher and Brad Pitt Have Teamed Up to Make a Classicnew
Based on a short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button casts a spell for nearly three hours, and Fincher proves he is right at home in enchanting-fable territory.
Tucson Weekly |
Bob Grimm |
01-02-2009 |
Reviews
Listen to Thesenew
It's time to make some lists of the best albums of 2008.
Tucson Weekly |
Gene Armstrong, Annie Holub and Linda Ray |
01-02-2009 |
Music
Tags: Year in Review, Best Albums
'We Are Beautiful' is an Infectious Listennew
We Are Beautiful, We Are Doomed is technically not the sophomore album by Welsh septet Los Campesinos! -- but semantics aside, these 10 tracks are, in many ways, superior to their predecessor.
Tucson Weekly |
Michael Petitti |
01-02-2009 |
Reviews
Kevin Costner's Album is Surprisingly Solidnew
Kevin Costner (with ample help from collaborators) has managed to turn out a pretty darn good Americana album. Who knew?
Tucson Weekly |
Jim Lipson |
01-02-2009 |
Reviews
Can't Stop Listening to 2008's Best Albumsnew
We start off 2009 with more lists of our favorite albums from 2008.
Tucson Weekly |
Jarret Keene, Curtis McCrary and Stephen Seigel |
01-02-2009 |
Music
Tags: Year in Review, Best Albums
'Marley and Me' is a Surprisingly Entertaining and Realistic Dog Movienew
Marley and Me is one of 2008's best family films. It's going to spike the sales of white Labradors around the planet, and will earn a lot of dogs clemency after they chew couch pillows. It will also cause tears to be shed -- so be prepared.
Tucson Weekly |
Bob Grimm |
01-02-2009 |
Reviews
'The Reader' Falls Apart in Final Two Sequencesnew
It's still not a very good film, but it's a long way from the middlebrow pandering that was The Hours.
Tucson Weekly |
James DiGiovanna |
01-02-2009 |
Reviews
Metal Barriers Are a Southern Arizona River's Newest Inhabitantsnew
Conservationists say the public has a right to know specifically how the San Pedro River is being impacted by border security. They also know that public pressure is the only way to make that happen.
Tucson Weekly |
Tim Vanderpool |
01-02-2009 |
Environment
'Kind of Blue' Keeps Its Cool at 50
Miles Davis' landmark album Kind of Blue continues to sound fresh after half a century.
North Carolina Musicians Celebrate the Other New Yearnew
Every year a crew of Western North Carolina-based musicians heads to Negril, Jamaica, for a week of community-building, service work and jamming. The unlikely occasion? Chinese New Year.
Mountain Xpress |
Alli Marshall |
12-31-2008 |
Travel
'Deer Management Consultants' Hunt Wealthy Suburbs with Bows & Arrowsnew
You don't hear them. You rarely see them. Although they are all quick with a rifle, they use bow and arrow when they hunt in the wealthy suburbs, because a 500-foot range is required for rifle-hunting and because archery is efficient.
New Haven Advocate |
Nick Keppler |
12-30-2008 |
Animal Issues
Music's Wild Ride in 2008new
Campaign songs defined the year: Will.i.am's "Yes We Can," the McCain Girls' "It's Raining McCain," the crazy Laverne & Shirley theme song updated for Hillary Clinton and the Amigos de Obama's mariachi call to Texas voters, "Viva Obama."
North Bay Bohemian |
Gabe Meline |
12-30-2008 |
Music
