Snakes on a Plane represents the ideal of contemporary major-studio filmmaking — which is to say, major-studio marketing. Who needs word-of-mouth screenings or critics when you can sell the four-word pitch as written on a napkin? It points to a future that takes all the guesswork out of moviegoing. A…
One of the weakest and most ridiculous aspects of popular culture is its narcissistic now-ness. There’s often no then or later, and without past experience or the messy knowledge of life, modern entertainment media often seems poached in a neurotic teenage brainpan, entranced with its own ignorant tunnel vision. A…
The press notes for Pulse would have you believe it predates many of the “J-horror” films that have been remade for American audiences, but that doesn’t seem to be true. It predates the U.S. remakes, yes, but not the originals, and it definitely borrows a trick or two. In the…
In an effort to bring Shakespeare to the masses, theater companies sometimes feel compelled to adapt the Bard to modern times, using familiar settings to ease the language complexity. This motive, perhaps, inspired New Theatre to put a contemporary spin on its latest South Florida Shakespeare Festival, featuring Much Ado…
It Happened One Night, Frank Capra’s deliciously screwy 1934 romantic comedy, has shown legs, remaining one of the most popular films of all time. The only thing “It Happened One Summer,” on view at Dot Fiftyone, can muster for posterity’s sake is a lingering musty taste. This stale bonbon, stuffed…
Big Juicy Paintings (and more): “Juicy” features nearly 50 works from the permanent collection, including a number of new acquisitions making their Miami debut. The brawny exhibit is complemented by a handful of works on loan from area collectors. This marks the first time since 2002’s “Miami Currents” that MAM…
Veronica Mars: The Complete Second Season (Warner Bros.) Any concept along the lines of “high school hottie solves crimes” is bound to make for watchable TV, but who would have expected this? Equal parts 90210 teen soap, murder mystery, and comedy, Veronica Mars pulls you in with its sharp writing,…
For most people, the words role-playing game conjure images of sweaty Dungeons & Dragons-obsessed weirdos, wearing cloaks and screaming “Lightning bolt!” at each other. But even non-RPG players gave the genre a try when Final Fantasy VII debuted back in 1997. The beautiful graphics and heart-tugging story made it an…
The Apartment (Lions Gate) The Bill Cosby Show: Season One (Shout! Factory) The Blue Light (Pathfinder) Conviction: The Complete Series (Universal) Dances With Wolves: Extended Cut (MGM) Film Geek (First Run) House, M.D.: Season Two (Universal) Invasion: The Complete Series (Warner Bros.) Just My Luck (Fox) The Maid (Tartan) On…
When fans think of John Hancock ANR’s sound, “electronic” might not necessarily be the first genre description that comes to mind. Nevertheless the talented fixture on the Miami music scene cites programmed music among his many influences. “When I think of electronic music, I’m thinking of stuff that uses nonorganic…
Mac Klein knows how to run a bar, and how to treat a lady, apparently. “I bought the place in 1964. For 40 years I’ve treated it like a beautiful woman. I’ve never touched a hair on her head,” he says, beaming with pride. Mac’s Club Deuce opened in 1926…
It boggles the mind that a year after Hurricane Katrina walloped New Orleans, nearly half the city’s residents have not returned home. Nearly 250,000 Katrina evacuees remain in Houston and Atlanta alone. Tonight, on the killer storm’s first anniversary, Share Our Strength’s Restaurants for Relief 2 seeks to assist Katrina…
Two weeks ago Milwaukee and Florida had identical records. With the logic of Major League Baseball, that would mean we could expect a highly competitive matchup as this four-game series winds up at 7:05 tonight. Okay, that actually means blowout. But blowouts can be entertaining, especially if the Marlins are…
Spend enough time on Commodore Plaza in Coconut Grove and you might begin feeling like you stepped into some kind of strange portal. Two of the lane’s flagship establishments seem pretty incongruous in sunny Miami. The log cabin aesthetic that Mr. Moe’s is rocking can be decidedly disorienting if you’re…
One way to beat the heat is to simply embrace it and face the killer rays and humidity head-on – just be sure to stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water, wear light clothing, and leave your heavy wallet at home, because it won’t cost you a dime to sweat among…
If the 1980 movie musical (and subsequent television series and Broadway play) Fame took place in Miami, the setting would definitely be the New World School of the Arts. For twenty years the esteemed institute has been turning out successful alumni in all aspects of the performing arts. We’d like…
Singer Lance Bass, drool-inducer to millions of girls: fag. Actor and announcer George Takei: queer as a three-dollar bill. Mother and brilliant musician Melissa Etheridge: well, you get the idea. Some might say it takes all kinds; others, not so much. What a gruesomely fucked up nation we exist in,…
The décor at Jude Papaloko’s Jakmel Art Gallery reflects his diverse interests and talents. The walls fairly glow with colorful, female-centric art. The gallery opens to an enormous, vibrant warehouse that houses a sturdy stage for dance classes; a platform where his band, Loray Mistik, can perform; and a DJ…
We tough girls might flex and say we can kick some serious ass, but are we really prepared to take on an attacker? Since you can never be too safe, it is time to learn how to protect yourself. Today you can take a free class at the third annual…
Miami-Dade firefighter Warren Burgs has been dousing flames for 32 years, but he is still as hot as the younger fire studs who grace the months of the South Florida Firefighters Calendar. “I always saw the calendars and wanted to try out, but I heard they had to dance,” says…
It’s difficult to cut loose in those stiff business suits. After five days of work, that tie feels like a noose and those heels have become a medieval torture tool. Sure, you could go home and cry into your pillow until you fall asleep, but take Mama’s advice and don’t…
A Churchill’s punk-rock show means loud, crunching guitar chords being pummeled out by bands boasting anarchistic names like Hide Your Daughters and No Peace at All. It means a crowd sporting leather jackets and mohawks, and a gravel-paved parking lot filled with broken beer bottles and crushed cigarette butts. And,…
