Cover Story |
Eight Days in Guantanamoby Julia HallA Buffalonian observes the trial of Salim Hamdan and the degradation of American justice |
Getting a Grip |
Beavis and Butthead's Father Runs for Presidentby Michael I. NimanI finally watched Idiocracy, the sci-fi humor movie about evolution working in reverse, degrading the human species through excessive breeding of idiots. The movie takes place 500 years into the future when the most popular TV show is called “Ow My Balls!” It was cheap entertainment – a good mindless summer flick, albeit a bit classist. Nothing earth shattering here. |
Campaign '08 |
The Sour Politics of Declineby Bruce FisherI bet nobody watching the Olympics on TV was aching to see a grumpy political attack ad from John McCain, the one that attacks Barack Obama as a tax-raising job-killer. But you knew it’d come. Neither campaign was about to ignore the summer’s highest Household Utilization of Television levels. |
Offbeat News |
News of the Wierdby Chuck ShepherdThe government of France announced that, starting next year, it will regulate the booming business of country-western line dancing, by, among other measures, requiring licenses of teachers, after 200 hours’ instruction. |
Play Ball! |
Memories of Offermann Stadiumby Andrew Kulyk & Peter FarrellIt was the quintessential neighborhood ballpark. Offermann Stadium, originally named Bisons Stadium. For over a generation this was the home of the Buffalo Bisons. Much of the team’s lore and history and great moments were etched and framed in this venue’s confines. |
Theaterweek |
Musical Director Eric Alsfordby Anthony ChasePurely by coincidence, Florida-based Eric Alsford is the musical director of record for two shows currently up in Western New York: the Artpark production of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, and the Buffalo United Artists / Downstairs Cabaret presentation of Bathhouse: the Musical. |
Film Reviews |
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Brick Laneby George Sax |
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Tropic Thunderby M. Faust |
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Vicky Christina Barcelonaby M. Faust |
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American Teenby George Sax |
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Henry Poole Is Hereby M. Faust |
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Listings |
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Movie Times |
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Film Now Playing |
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On The Boards |
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See You There! |
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AV Pick: Billy Bob Thornton & The Boxmasters |
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Full Moon Fetish: A Night of freaks, food & fugue |
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Great Big Sea & Robert Cray Band |
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DJ Aoki/Kid Millionaire |
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Calendar Spotlight |
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Paul Christopher Kozlowski with Casperous Vine (Aug. 15 & 16) |
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John Cowan Band (Aug. 17) |
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Lucinda Black Bear with Faintest Idea (Aug. 19) |
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Looking Ahead . . . |
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Horoscopes |
Free Will Astrologyby Rob BrezsnyPISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Tony Blair, former Prime Minister of the UK, chose an unlikely context to propose marriage to his future wife: She was kneeling in front of the toilet wielding a scrub brush. I expect a comparable event in your near future, Pisces: An appealing invitation or big opening will come your way while you’re in a humble position. The only advice I have is to put down your scrub brush before responding. |
Advice |
Ask AnyoneI have a couple of friends who are expecting a baby. They’re very earthy, green-minded people. Everybody likes them but here’s the thing: They’ve decided that, boy or girl, the baby will be named “Coca-Cola.” When they’re not around, it’s a hot topic of conversation. |