AltWeeklies Wire
The Scalawags of San Francisco's Fisherman's Wharfnew

With its criminals and poachers, its deviants and scalawags, Fisherman's Wharf is in fact a far more interesting -- if disquieting -- place than any travel brochure would have tourists believe.
SF Weekly |
Ashley Harrell |
12-17-2008 |
Crime & Justice
Stop the 'Earth,' We Want to Get On!new

The cheesy new Keanu Reeves film, however utterly unnecessary and half-assedly realized and anticlimactic it may be (quite, it's fair to say), is also, in fact, a model of the true and absolute essence of cinema. I am offering a way to really appreciate this film, if only you can open your mind.
C-Ville Weekly |
Jonathan Kiefer |
12-17-2008 |
Reviews
Why So Serious?: A Holiday Movie Previewnew
This year tragedy for tragedy's sake is on the front burner. It's nothing new, releasing dead-serious pictures at the dead of Christmas.
Chicago Newcity |
Ray Pride |
12-17-2008 |
Movies
'Gran Torino' is a Gleeful Astonishmentnew
Gran Torino is a dark comedy, an engaged anecdote about class and race, a stripped-down example of palooka art, and Clint Eastwood, at 78, has made a modest yet almost radical entertainment.
Chicago Newcity |
Ray Pride |
12-17-2008 |
Reviews
San Diego Area Officials Can't Wait to Get Their Hands on Federal Moneynew
Should President Barack Obama and the Congress follow through on their proposal to stimulate the economy by putting people to work on, say, large transit projects, bloodletting over where the money is spent in San Diego County likely won't be a big part of the process.
San Diego CityBeat |
David Rolland |
12-17-2008 |
Economy
Hollywood Undead Dig Up a Music Genre That Was Better Left Buriednew
The real question is not about the band's originality, but, rather, is it too soon for nĂ¼-metal to be cool again? Judging by Hollywood Undead's success, the answer seems to be "no."
San Diego CityBeat |
Seth Combs |
12-17-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: Hollywood Undead, nu-metal
Justice Is Curbed in the Peggy Reber Casenew
Will a conflict of interest keep a small town from reaching closure on a 40-year-old murder mystery?
Philadelphia Weekly |
Kevin Uhrich and Martha Shaak |
12-17-2008 |
Crime & Justice
Ike Was Bad for Galveston's Poor, but it Might Get Worsenew

The hurricane devastated the city's North Side, an historic African-American community. Four of the area's six housing projects have been condemned and many residents have lost everything. Will the community be rebuilt or will it suffer the same fate as New Orleans' Lower Ninth Ward after Katrina?
The Texas Observer |
Forrest Wilder |
12-17-2008 |
Disasters
Movie Buzz: Approval Ratingsnew
Movie Buzz is a weekly film preview column. This week Will Smith stars in Seven Pounds, Jim Carrey embraces comedy in Yes Man, Mickey Rourke earns a Golden Globe nomination, and Matthew Broderick is the big voice behind a tiny mouse in The Tale of Despereaux.
Metro Spirit |
Mariah Gardner |
12-17-2008 |
Movies
'Cadillac Records': Rhythm & Beyoncenew

Beyonce Knowles excels as Etta James in Cadillac Records, a movie that has flaws but is notable the detail of its development -- and the music.
How Long Will the GOP Stay in Love with Anh 'Joseph' Cao?new
The political newcomer beat embattled 18-year Democratic incumbent Bill Jefferson for a seat in Congress, but it will be interesting to see how he adapts to the ways of Washington.
Gambit |
Clancy DuBos |
12-16-2008 |
Commentary
Mo' Money, Mo' Problems for Louisiananew
Louisiana officials are discovering that the billions of dollars the Feds promised for coastal work two years ago come with more than a few strings attached.
Avery Johnson Won't Be Out of Basketball for Longnew

NBA star-turned-coach Avery Johnson went from Coach of the Year with the Dallas Mavericks to losing his job in April.
Reform the Army Corps of Engineers Nownew
The Army Corps of Engineers has defied a Congressional order to complete a plan for Louisiana coastal protection and restoration. Reforming the Corps should be a top priority for the entire Louisiana congressional delegaton
In late 2005, Congress gave the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers $20 million and ordered it to complete within two years a plan for Category 5 storm protection, the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration (LACPR) report. Three years later, the report is still not finished and the Corps says it won't be finished until at least June of next year.
Gambit |
Staff |
12-16-2008 |
Commentary
Gone Daddy Gone: The End of Big Daddy'snew
An eccentric New Orleans Bourbon Street landmark shuts its doors after 40 years of the daily bump and grind.
Gambit |
Alison Fensterstock |
12-16-2008 |
Business & Labor