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.
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.
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.
WINSLOW, Ariz. - Jackson Browne may have made bundles of cash on his hit song, "Take It Easy" and his famous lyrics, "Standin' On A Corner In Winslow, Arizona"; as for life in this small town there's a dedicated few who made a few things possible, in order to bring life back to this once booming 'Route 66' town.
Usually, when the only critics screening of a star-driven spy thriller is just two days before opening, it's an indication that there's a problem. And there is. This is not an action movie, and it's certainly not a conventional thriller. Not that it isn't intriguing. It is - if you're into meditative, minimalist, non-commercial, European-style filmmaking.
Many people have been following developments regarding the petition submitted Aug. 3 to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) by the Center for Biological Diversity, American Bird Conservancy and three other groups, seeking a national ban on lead ammunition and fishing tackle. The following is an update.
Set in Scandinavia during World War II, this fictionalized biopic adventure begins in 1940 on a wintry field in Finland, where a brave, 25 year-old Norwegian, Max Manus (
Aksel Hannie), is wounded while helping the Finns fight against the Russian invaders.
Given the vicarious nature of our gossip-riddled culture, it's not surprising that on-screen pairings often ignite off-screen romances - or vice-versa, which seems to be the case here. Uma Thurman met Ethan Hawke during "Gattaca" and Angelina Jolie lured Brad Pitt from Jennifer Aniston while making "Mr. & Mrs. Smith," yet by the time Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck made "Gigli," their relationship had gone sour. So, while Hollywood sweetheart Drew Barrymore chose as her co-star genial Fairfield native Justin Long, best known as the "Mac Guy" in the Apple vs. PC commercials, concurrent with their intermittent off-screen involvement, their on-screen chemistry is non-existent.
