[Artwork by Thomas Kain] FRESH AIR Actor Jack Black is best known for his comedic performances in films like Nacho Libre and School of Rock. In his latest film, Bernie, Black goes to a darker place: He plays a serious small-town funeral director who uncharacteristically murders his live-in companion, a wealthy widow played by Shirley MacLaine. The film is based on a true story. In 1996, 39-year-old Bernie Tiede of Carthage, Texas, murdered his 81-year-old companion, Marjorie Nugent, shooting her in the back four times with a rifle. A lengthy Texas Monthly article about the case notes that “what made […]

Artwork by RICK FORTSON CLINT EASTWOOD:  I know what you are thinking.  You are thinking, what’s a movie tradesman doing out here?  You know they are all left wingers out there, left of Lenin.  At least that is what people think.  That is not really the case.  There are a lot of conservative people, a lot of moderate people, Republicans, Democrats, in Hollywood.  It is just that the conservative people by the nature of the word itself play closer to the vest. They do not go around hot dogging it. (APPLAUSE) So — but they are there, believe me, they […]

  PITCHFORK: Released in 1982, Redd Kross’ debut record, Born Innocent, was to mall-punk what homo erectus was to modern man. Founded in the suburbs outside of Los Angeles, the band, led by teenage brothers Jeff and Steve McDonald, wrote scrappy and bratty three-chord pop songs that betrayed a fascination with B-movie kitsch via references to Charles Manson, The Exorcist actress Linda Blair, and sugar-infused breakfast cereals. According to legend, they even opened for Black Flag at a middle school graduation party. But eventually, Redd Kross accrued some polish. By the early 90s, the band had evolved into a heavy […]

  This woman at the Phillies vs. the Mets at Citizen’s Bank Tuesday night is either: A.) Really, really committed. Going all in. Doubling down. When she menstruates, it comes out Phillies red. OK, we get it. B.) Paying belated tribute to the deeply-disturbing Diane Ladd lipstick-face scene in David Lynch’s Wild At Heart. (SEE BELOW) C.) Batshit crazypants. In which case: A.) You have to respect the fact that some people can get so worked up about a steroidal man hitting a ball with a stick in the summertime for the amusement of fat, no-neck sububrban crackers drinking overpriced […]

  Columbus Blvd 12:02 PM  by JEFF FUSCO PREVIOUSLY: Ship Happens I

Illustration  by DONKEYHOTEY EDITOR’S NOTE: All apologies to Talking Points Memo but Brian Beutler’s deft truth squading of Paul Ryan’s speech should be read far and wide. TALKING POINTS MEMO: Vice Presidential nominee Paul Ryan’s headlining speech at the GOP convention in Tampa Wednesday night touched on many of the election’s defining issues. But it was also filled with prevarications — not just recitations of the conventions “you didn’t build that” theme, but on the very policy matters that have endeared him to the political establishment in Washington. The speech effectively rallied his supporters in the audience. But on the […]

  ASSOCIATED PRESS: Organizers say the blocks-long site will be enclosed by 8-foot-high double-fencing patrolled by security. Material woven into the chain-link barrier is designed to keep non-paying spectators from seeing the show. It’s a big change from previous parkway music events, which have been free. That includes annual Independence Day shows featuring performers like Sheryl Crow and The Roots, as well as the Live 8 concert for African poverty relief in 2005 and a Bruce Springsteen set in 2008. As of Friday, two-day passes for “Made In America” cost $135 each, while a one-day ticket was $75. VIP passes, […]

Just discovered this f*ucking hilarious TUMBLR. Enjoy, but remember kids, keep your hands in the car and away from his mouth. RELATED: Everything You Need To Know About Last Night’s RNC But Were Too Liberal To Sit Thru RELATED: @maddow calls Chris Christie‘s speech “One of the most remarkable acts of political selfishness that I have ever seen”

Artwork by DONKEYHOTEY & STEVE BRODNER/THE NATION THE BOROWITZE REPORT: On the opening night of the 2012 Republican National Convention, the Presidential nominee Mitt Romney received fulsome praise for being a “regular, down-to-earth guy” from his wife, Ann, whose dressage horse, Rafalca, competed in the London Olympics. “Mitt has never let his success go to his head,” Mrs. Romney said. “Take away the seven-thousand-square-foot house in La Jolla and the bank account in the Caymans, he’s still the same fun-loving boy who pinned a gay kid to the ground and cut off his hair.” Mrs. Romney adopted an intimate tone […]

When it finishes, press the keys on your keyboard. Then press RECORD. Be amazed.

  MDNA, Wells Fargo Center, 10:02 PM by JEFF FUSCO PHILLY POST: With the time at 10:15 p.m. on a weeknight, the first “bull-shit” chants ring out. Bull. Shit. Bull. Shit. Bull. Shit. “You’ve got to be kidding me,” says the guy behind me. “She has until 10:30, and then we’re out of here.” The subject of refunds emerges on Twitter. At 10:23 p.m., the full-on “boos” begin while the neighbor to my right shows me her ticket and points out, “$355 per ticket,” with her companion adding that this was after paying to join the fan club just to […]