Let me preface my remarks by saying right upfront that SIDE EFFECTS is a solid psychological mind twister…
Not a big movie by any means but an interesting assemblage of screen talent that holds you in suspense throughout the film’s 106 minutes-long running time.
n broad terms SIDE EFFECTS delves into our current pharmaceutical mania, its marketing and the potential consequences. Continue reading
Now it can be told…
What did Clay Chastain think of antediluvian Kansas City Star columnist Charlie Gusewelle‘s recent hit piece on the Union Station and light rail activist?
“I was shocked,” Chastain says. “I’ve been shocked by some things but never in my 20 some year career have I ever been shocked like this. Gusewelle writes heartwarming stories about his animals and his time in Paris and I always thought he was just this kindhearted person.” Continue reading
It’s not like nobody’s ever disrobed in the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts…
They just never did it in full view of the audience. That was remedied last night- on February 5, 2013 – when just before intermission the entire cast of the musical Hair bared it all in the opening night’s performance.
Make no mistake, this was no smoke and mirrors Full Monty affair. The stage lights were up and the “goods” were on the table for all to see. All the goods.
But was it really a first?
“Probably,” says Theater League main man Mark Edelman. “The opera and the ballet probably haven’t had any nudity.” Continue reading
Where’d you guys go?
I mean, one minute The Guy Who Says What Others Think is explaining to me what a loser I am and then – whammo – lights out?
WTF?
Well, I can assure you there’ll be no stone-walling where this disappearing act is concerned – no coverup – no Blame it on Beyonce.
Because you see, Glazer did it! Continue reading
If Sunday’s Super Bowl commercials were the best the local marketing brain trust could come up with it’s high time to shake up Madison Avenue…
To think of the kind of money that was shelled out by local advertisers for some of these weaklings is (almost) a crime. And we’re not talking about the $3.8 million charged by CBS – we’re talking about far less pricey local ad rates.
Of course the lame creativity of most of these blurbs made the game itself that much more exciting. I guess.
I digress.
Continue reading
The Granada was two thirds full Saturday for a show I’ve been anticipating now for some time – Calexico, with Canadian folksters Bahamas opening.
Bahamas are a unique band, with a drummer, a guitarist/lead singer, and two female backup vocalists. That’s it – no bass, no keys. Just lead man Afie Jurvanen‘s soulful voice and tasteful finger-style guitar to lead the way.
And he did just that, entrancing the crowd like he was born to do it, with songs mostly off their latest release, Bar Chords. That’s saying something. Because many of the tunes skew quiet, with hushed, whispering vocals, and delicate guitar riffs that include Jurvanen sliding all over to cover the bass notes as well. Oh, and a lot of denim – Jurvanen was head to toe, and the two backup singers were rocking out to perfection in tight, high-waisted mom jeans. Continue reading
For some of you the question I’m about to ask will confirm your suspicions as to the number of brain cells I’m in possession of…
As in, not very many.Aanyway here goes.
I’m looking for a bar or tavern in Lawrence, Kansas – home of the almighty Kansas Jayhawk basketball team – that doubles as a watering hole for fans of the Mizzou Tigers. Continue reading
Not all “exclusive” interviews are created equal…
A couple weeks back Star features columnist Jenee Osterheldt gave a hearty clap on the back to Oprah for putting Lance Armstrong on the hotseat and not letting up with the tough questions.
“She pulled no punches,” Osterhedlt wrote. “She started with yes and no questions first, making him admit what he did, and then she cornered him into specifics.”
Would that Osterheldt done the same given her chance to corner former KCUR FM host Jabulani Leffall. Continue reading
As far as football goes, this is the worst time of year.
And just a day away from the Super Bowl, I know this seems to be an absurdly nonsensical statement, but it’s simple science, really: after the game is over Sunday night, when you’re full of beer and covered with the ghostly sauce of a thousand forgotten chicken wings, the realization will slowly sink in that A) you have to work tomorrow, B) the mini-meatballs are already battling the PBR for stomach supremacy, and C) you are now at the greatest possible distance from the next game of professional football.
This is a football hangover, and it leaves me feeling just the slightest bit sorrowful.
That’s why the Super Bowl is so important; it isn’t just a game, but a dramatic conclusion to 5 months of beautiful, sanctioned violence that grabs your Sunday by the balls and demands, “YOU WILL WATCH ME. YOU WILL DO NOTHING ELSE.” Continue reading
Former Republican Senator Chuck Hagel, the President’s nominee for Secretary of Defense, had a tough go of things during his confirmation hearing Thursday…
In typical Republican fashion, the Reps choose to
rake one of their own over the coals, while letting Democrat Senator John Kerry cruise to confirmation for Secretary of State. Kerry a man with as many verbal miscues and controversial stands as Mr. Hagel.
From listening to the hearing (I haven’t had a television since 2004 and spend a lot of time monitoring C-SPAN on my phone), I was somewhat taken aback by what appeared to be Hagel’s complete lack of preparation for his grilling by the Senate. Continue reading
Heart-shaped hands
A few days ago it was announced that Kei Kamara – Sporting KC‘s most visible, interactive, and perhaps best player – would be loaned out to EPL side Norwich City until May.
Basically, Norwich pays Sporting for Kei’s services over the next several months, then decides if they want to make a more substantial, permanent offer to buy Kei outright.
The KC fan base has reacted in some instances very strongly against the move, but the deal actually does make sense for Sporting. Continue reading
Two sports columnists, one big book and movie deal for one of them and a case of mistaken identity for the other…
We’re talking Joe Posnanski and Jason Whitlock, the former twin towers in the Kansas City Star sports section.
For years – from the mid 1990s until three years ago – the rival sports scribes battled quietly behind the scenes for top sports columnist and paycheck honors. When Whitlock got a radio gig Posnanski wanted and got one (ever briefly). When Whitlock got offers to move to another market and pyramided them into hefty pay hikes, Posnanski followed suit.
Not that they were anything approaching two peas in a sports pod. Continue reading
A-Rod has reportedly been linked to performance-enhancing drugs as recently as last season. Lance Armstrong was
quick to say, “SEE, THEY DON’T WORK!”
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New research shows a link between tattoos and Hepatitis C…and that link is Westport.
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TV crews are combing fields near Salina Kansas looking for Big Foot. Let us know if you find any intelligent life in Salina. Continue reading
So, if you haven’t heard, Morrissey has postponed his show at Liberty Hall that was originally scheduled for this weekend.
Apparently, he has bleeding ulcers, which sounds like a whole lot of not fun.
What else? My thoughts on Hearne’s report that Kanrocksas has tagged Fun. and MGMT for this summer’s fest? I thought you’d never ask. Not a big Fun. fan, not only because it’s a pain in the ass to type their name, but also because their music is ridiculously crafted to a beautiful crystalline shine. I imagine their producer using focus groups when he was putting the whole thing together. “Dance music is hot right now, people!” Too contrived, too clean, too poppy for me. Continue reading
This may seem a little cold, but you pretty much know you’re on your last legs when Charles Gusewelle comes after your butt…
The ever-cranky, senior Star scribe sank his bona fides into longtime Union Station and Light Rail advocate Clay Chastain last Sunday. And in the process, former Star columnist, editor and publisher Art Brisbane. Continue reading
Now that Kanrocksas appears to be well on its way…
Inquiring minds want to know – and entertainment biz sources are speculating on – whether the local music fest will swing for the fences again and land Las Vegas-based band The Killers for its second coming June 28 and 29 at the Kansas Speedway. Continue reading
Things are starting to get interesting…
The latest on the rock festival known as Kanrocksas: the fest just rocked one outta the park with the acquisition of the New York-based indie band Fun.
The Nate Ruess lead alt rock, power pop trio is the latest addition to a previously announced lineup that includes Kendrick Lamar, the Avett Brothers and hottest DJ on the planet Tiesto.
How big a score is Fun? Huge. Continue reading
Forget about vampires—here come the zombies…
And THIS one is (almost) a heart breaker. Who knows, it may even make flesh snacking fashionable.
WARM BODIES is a zombie romance in a lifeless world wiped out by a mysterious plague, or something along those lines. Humanity reduced to small numbers domesticating in salvaged sporting arenas.
As for the undead? Continue reading
What’s that line?
Suppose they gave a war and nobody came. Such was the case at 5 p.m. sharp tonight outside the Beaumont Club in Westport.
That’s where former KCC scribe Craig Glazer was supposed to throw down with the comments section personality known as smartman.
So who won?
“Me,” Glazer says. “He no-showed.” Continue reading
In the game of life big shots come and big shots go…
They’re really a dime a dozen if you know what I mean. As often as not it’s somebody who played their cards or the office politics right, cut a few corners and was in the right place at the right time. Oh yeah, and never got caught.
Kansas City civic leader Adele Hall was none of those. Continue reading
