SUNSHINE (2007, directed by Danny Boyle, 108 minutes, U.K.) BY DAN BUSKIRK FILM CRITIC It wasn’t long ago when the ecological horrors of ’70s sci-fi films like Mad Max or Soylent Green seemed quaint and naive, another relic of the era, like sideburns or double-knit pants. Films like the new space trip spectacular Sunshine are now one of the few beneficiaries of the fact that we are living in a time when a future of natural and unnatural calamity seems to be a real possibility. 28 Days Later director Danny Boyle refracts the dread of an imminent environmental disaster into […]
FOR THOSE ABOUT TO D’OH: We Salute You
OUR ONE WORD SIMPSONS MOVIE REVIEW: Ha-ha!* *In the voice of Nelson Muntz Spoiler Alert: All the dirty details after the jump…
TROUBLE WITH PHAWKER: Why That ‘Apology’ Sucks
. BY DAN OMBUDSMAN BUSKIRK Hey Jonathan- Let me first say that I’m not accusing you of anything I can’t imagine me getting myself into. I’ve gotten myself into more than my share of charged racial situations and I’m sure there is more to come but I’ve definitely tried to learn something along the way. If I was receving this letter I wouldn’t feel very apologized to, although you do actually say “I apologize”. But for every point you concede you defend yourself twice over. I’ll comment on a couple of things from the letter: Nita, First I would like […]
HOT DOC: How I Became A ‘Repellant Racist’
—————————- Original Message —————————- Subject: Saira Rao Posting. From: “Rao, Nita” REDACTED@usmagazine.com Date: Mon, July 23, 2007 11:25 pm To: feed@phawker.com —————————— I’m writing because on Monday, July 23rd, the writers, editors, and art department at Phawker posted an interview about my sister Saira Rao’s novel, Chambermaid, and the experiences inspiring her book. The critic, Mavis Linneman, raised observant, provocative questions. There was no nipping, as if at Dorothy Parker’s heels. But the overall tenor of the piece was still quite agreeable.The deep shame of it — for Phawker, not Saira — was that all was utterly undone by the […]
SHIT HITS FAN: Rove Subpoenaed, Meyers Facing Contempt Charges, Schumer Asks Special Counsel To Investigate Attorney General For Lying To Congress
WASHINGTON — The head of the FBI contradicted Attorney General Alberto Gonzales’ sworn testimony and Senate Democrats requested a perjury investigation Thursday in a fresh barrage against President Bush’s embattled longtime friend and aide. In a third blow to the Bush administration, the Senate Judiciary Committee issued subpoenas to compel the testimony of Karl Rove [artist’s rendering, above], Bush’s chief political adviser, in connection with its investigation. “It has become apparent that the attorney general has provided at a minimum half-truths and misleading statements,” four Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee wrote in a letter to Solicitor General Paul Clement […]
SPORTO: The Tour De Farce
BY MIKE WOLVERTON SPORTS GUY I’m pretty bummed about the Tour de France. I watch every year and I love it — partly because of the complicated strategies that play out in what is really more a team event than an individual one, and partly because of the pure machismo on display during the crucial mountain climbs. And more than anything, I enjoy watching because no event takes place on such a glorious playing field . . . day after day, the views of sweeping vistas, majestic mountains and ancient castles are breathtaking. On some days, the scenery is even […]
WORD GIRL: Today’s Word Is ‘Cumbersome’
PBS’ first venture into cartoon edutainment for kids, but smart enough for grownups and stoned college students. Premieres this fall. Tell the children.
KILLADELPHIA: 1 More Dead Since U Went To Bed
Police had no initial suspects and no immediate motive in a Wednesday night shooting in North Philadelphia that left a 17-year-old dead, and a 49-year-old man wounded in stable condition. The incident happened around 9:45pm near 24th Street and Lehigh Avenue. The 17-year- old male was dead on arrival at Temple University Hospital. The 49-year-old man was admitted to the same hospital with a leg wound. [via KYW] RELATED: This just in from Jeff Deeney in the comments section. “We moved a client off this block (Judson Street) last year, she said they had to keep all their beds as […]
PAPERBOY: Special Kill, Kill, Kill Edition
BY AMY Z. QUINN Like time, news waits for no man. Keeping up with the funny papers has always been an all-day job, even in the pre-Internets era. These days, however, it’s a two-man job. That’s right — these days you need someone to do your reading for you, or risk falling hopelessly behind and, as a result, increasing your chances of dying lonely and somewhat bitter. Hey, we know how it is … so many words to read, so little time to surf for free porn. That’s why every week, PAPERBOY does your alt-weekly reading for you, freeing up […]
NPR 4 THE SIMPSONS: We Hear It Even When U D’oh!
FRESH AIR Al Jean knows Marge, Homer, Bart and the gang better than almost anyone. He’s executive producer and writer for The Simpsons, and he’s been with the show since it began. The new Simpsons movie, he’s been heard to say, is about “what happens when a man doesn’t listen to his wife.” Nancy Cartwright‘s work is widely heard and well loved, but not many people know it’s her. She’s the voice of Bart Simpson on TV’s The Simpsons — and in the long-awaited feature film that hits theaters this week. RADIO TIMES Why “The Simpsons” remain so popular. Tomorrow […]
GAYBO: Hairspray Is SO Gay; Tammy Faye, Less So
BY TOMMY ZANE GAYDAR EDITOR The Broadway musical Hairspray slammed theatres last weekend with an all-star cast including Michelle Pfeiffer, Christopher Walken, Queen Latifah and a fat-suited, dragged-up John Travolta in the Divine role of Edna Turnblad. I managed to catch the film with two girlfriends — both born and raised in Baltimore — last Tuesday night. Now, these babes are huge fans of the original John Waters 1988 cult fav, so I listened to their review with bated breath. I’m happy to report that we absolutely loved it! Newcomer Nikki Blonsky, as fat girl-turned-TV dance show star Tracy Turnblad, […]