Arts, Entertainment & Arizona... Since 1998

ARIZONA REPORTER
Harvey Critic
TAMARA DREWE, Grade: B+

Is there really such a thing as writers' block? For some like John Updike, John Grisham, Stephen King, Sidney Sheldon, and Harold Robbins, there is probably no such thing given their ability to churn out books and magazine articles annually. Others, perhaps even those who write more serious novels, are not so lucky and must depend on inspiration. One way to gain inspiration is to hang out at a writers' retreat in Vermont or Chesapeake Bay, Virginia as examples, where you get together with others in your profession in the peace and quiet of a bucolic environment. This is exactly what a number of authors and would-be writers do in "Tamara Drewe," directed by Stephen Frears ("The Queen") and adapted from Posy Simmonds's graphic novel by Moira Buffini. What they find there, given the numbers of affairs that take place amid fights and others surprises that interrupt the silence of the landscape, could be the source of novels whose themes they had not dreamed of. On the other hand, so much is going on in a beautiful farmland of England's West country (filmed in Dorset, London, and Pinewood Studios), that participants might chuck the idea of writing altogether and pursue activities that could make them even happier than turning out best-sellers.

ARIZONA REPORTER
Susan Granger Reviews
Review: Machete, Slice-and-Dice

In his collaboration with Quentin Tarantino on "Grindhouse" (2007), Robert Rodriguez introduced a mock trailer for a fake movie called "Machete," starring craggy-faced, veteran character actor Danny Trejo ("Desperado," "Con Air") as an intimidating Mexican day laborer. Now, in homage to violent, low-budget, ‘70s exploitation pictures, that ‘coming attraction' has become a testosterone-fueled reality.

Entertainment

Stallone, "Bullets are easy , emotions are hard"

I like two types of films, action and westerns, both with guns, balls and beautiful women. Bullets and blood are exactly how Sly closed out his infamous Rambo franchise and as a director he has learned a vital ingredient in filmmaking-to surround oneself with the finest in the trade that can compliment the grittiness and violence his more recent films are known for.

Quantum Leap Thinking

You Don't Have to Do It Alone

How many wonderful ideas have never been put out in world because their creator was afraid of appearing foolish? How many people have stifled their creativity because of fear? How many of you have never allowed your creative vision to become reality for fear of asking for help or creating a partnership? Far too many, I'm afraid.
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ARIZONA REPORTER
Arizona News
NASA's Phoenix Mars Lander Suggests History of Hydrothermal Systems

An instrument designed and built at the UofA measured the isotopic composition of the Mars atmosphere, suggesting liquid water has interacted with the Martian surface throughout the planet's history.

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Arizona Guide

Arizona Fishing Report Sept. 1

With dove season being open (Sept. 1), it's a good time for a cast-n-blast trip, especially along the lower Colorado River.

Yuma has the prime dove hunting with all of its agricultural fields. During the past two weeks, however, I witnessed lots of doves all along the Colorado River from the Topock Gorge to Yuma (and also lots of fat quail for October fin and feather trips).
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Arizona Events

Tucson Spanish and Flamenco Festival

2nd Annual Spanish and Flamenco Festival in historic downtown Tucson. This is a unique opportunity to experience flamenco and Spanish culture in a traditional late-night, outdoor festival atmosphere. Traditional Spanish tapas will be served along with Casa Vicente's extensive dinner menu.
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Harvey Critic


I SPIT ON YOUR GRAVE, Grade: B

Decisions by the Supreme Court can be predictable. You just know well in advance, that the current court will vote 5-4 on some issues like the legality of Proposition 8 or whether corporations can donate unlimited amounts of money to candidates. Jurors are different. They can be unpredictable, even ignoring the law as related by the judge's instructions. For example: let's say that in summing up a case the judge tells the jury, "If you agree that the defendant committed premeditated murder, you may vote "guilty of murder one." Let's say you're sitting on a jury handling a case in which the defendant admittedly cut, chopped, broken and burned five men, all thoroughly planned out. That's murder one, no?

MAX MANUS (D Films), Grade: B

One can imagine it now. A test is given by the Norwegian school system that would set up this word analogy: "Light is to dark as x is to Quisling." Many Americans have heard of Quisling but few here in the States could fill in the "x". Worries over. The answer is "Max Manus." Vidkun Quisling, as any kid from an American charter school can tell you, was Norway's biggest traitor, collaborating with the forces of Nazi darkness in order to rule Norway himself. Max Manus, on the other hand, is a hero, a resistance fighter who, as Esben Sandberg and Jochim Roenning's film graphically illustrates, helped to liberate his country from German rule.

Susan Granger Reviews

Review: Machete, Slice-and-Dice

In his collaboration with Quentin Tarantino on "Grindhouse" (2007), Robert Rodriguez introduced a mock trailer for a fake movie called "Machete," starring craggy-faced, veteran character actor Danny Trejo ("Desperado," "Con Air") as an intimidating Mexican day laborer. Now, in homage to violent, low-budget, ‘70s exploitation pictures, that ‘coming attraction' has become a testosterone-fueled reality.

The Switch... Quirky, Implausible

Although Fox News' Bill O'Reilly gave this artificial-insemination comedy controversial publicity, it's nevertheless a formulaic and utterly predictable romance.

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