Scary revelations

Posted Oct 1, 2006 by Kevin Walker

Updated Oct 1, 2006 at 02:06 PM

Really, what’s more relaxing than reading the Bible’s Book of Revelations. Beasts, war, the streets running red with the blood of the unbelievers, the whore of Babylon. Fun! But if that’s not scary enough, try “The History of the End of the World,” in which author Jonathan Kirsch writes about the affect this book has had on culture and world politics when read by people who take it seriously.

Speaking of religion, former minister’s wife Carlene Cross has released “Fleeing Fundamentalism,” which documents how her views on religion changed along with the end of her marriage. The primary mover behind the end of the marriage rested on the fact that her husband insisted a Christian woman should serve and obey her husband, no matter what.

And speaking of history, Carolly Erickson (“The Hidden Diary of Marie Antoinette”) has released a new historical novel, “The Last Wife of Henry VIII.” Frankly, being among his wives is not really where you wanted to be, Queen or no Queen. Also, Jennifer Armstrong (words) and Roger Roth (pictures) have released “The American Story,” which contains 100 illustrated tales from American history. For the kids, obviously, although adults might learn a thing or two themselves.

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The Godfather

Posted Sep 29, 2006 by TBO.com

Updated Sep 17, 2007 at 03:41 PM

System: Microsoft Xbox 360

Publisher: Electronic Arts

Reviewer’s rating: B

ESRB rating: Mature

Game type: Action

Kind of like: “Grand Theft Auto III”

Best feature: A worthy addition to the “Godfather” franchise with a compelling story and great voice work by most of the original actors - even Brando.

Worst feature: Originally released for the PS2 and Xbox, the graphics aren’t quite up to next-gen standards.

The bottom line: If you haven’t already played a previous version, “The Godfather” makes an offer you can’t refuse: free-roaming “GTA”-type action with a variety of missions and style to spare.

Oh, and carnage, too. You can’t forget the carnage.

After you create a mobster and join the Corleone family, you’re thrust into bustling New York City, where you’ll have to make your way by your wits or your fists. The more respect you gain from the family, the more help they’ll offer as you extort business owners, pull truck heists and carry out contract hits on their behalf.

Just don’t run afoul of the city’s other mob families until you’re ready for some serious heat. Depending on how you handle it, you might find yourself on track to be the next don.

Whatever you do, just be sure to put the game aside once in a while. Because a man who doesn’t spend time with his family can never be a real man.

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What I’m Watching

Posted Sep 29, 2006 by Walt Belcher

Updated Sep 29, 2006 at 01:59 PM

  Monday night I watched “Prison Break”  (grade b+) but I’m getting tired of the hunt for the money. Coming Monday one of the escaped prisoners may die.

  I had already seen “Heroes” so I watched “Two and a Half Men” and “New Adventures of Old Christine” (grade A). “Christine” is really funny with Scott Bakula on as a guest star.

  Watched second episode of “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip” (grade A). It can be a chore to keep up with all that Aaron Sorkin dialogue at 10 p.m. at night. But it’s a fascinating show. Loved the Gilbert and Sullivan ending. If I’m up late, I check out “Mile High” a clever and very sexy British comedy that airs from 10:30 to 11:30 p.m. on BBC America some nights.

  Tuesday I watched “House”  (grade A) at 8 because I had already seen “Gilmore Girls.” Come next week, “Gilmore” wins because I can catch “House” on reruns and its getting depressing watching too many crime and medical shows.  The case was creepy again. An austic kid got worms from eating sand from his sandbox where racoons left droppings. Icky.

I also watched some of “Dancing With the Stars”  (grade B) to see how Willa Ford, from Ruskin, did in her performance and to catch Jerry Springer.

I finished off Tuesday night with “Boston Legal” (grade A) which was another weird and wacky episode.

Wednesday night I watched “Dancing With the Stars” to see who got voted off. I also watched “Justice” on Fox (I’m addicted). The case was about a woman killed on a roller coaster. It’s grade A of course.

At 10 p.m. Tuesday’s I’m also hooked on “Kidnapped”  (grade A) on NBC. What a great, fast-paced mystery!

  Thursdays are always “My Name is Earl” followed by “The Office” (We need more comedy on TV!). Both are grade A. Now I will be torn because ABC’s “Ugly Betty” at 8 p.m. is a A product, too.

  Friday, I go out. or watch tapes, or cable, or maybe now “Men in Trees” (grade b) on ABC.

  Saturday is a football night.  Sunday is “The Simpsons” sometimes and “Desperate Housewives.”

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You Write The Caption

Posted Sep 29, 2006 by Janine Dorsey

Updated Sep 29, 2006 at 09:29 AM

“Stop that donkey! It’s got my purse!”

Can you come up with something better? You write the caption. 

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Not KOOL Like Dat

Posted Sep 28, 2006 by Clarisa Gerlach

Updated Sep 29, 2006 at 01:52 PM

Like reality TV and celebrity sex tapes, corporate tour sponsorship is one of those unpleasant but unavoidable aspects of entertainment. You just ignore it as best you can.

That wasn’t possible at Monday (9/25) night’s show at The Underground. Sure it was great seeing The Roots, Miri Ben-Ari and Jean Grae in a nightclub setting. It was even OK that tour sponsor Kool cigarettes turned the place into the marekting equivalent of an art installation with nearly every surface bearing the brand’s logo.

No, the truly odious thing was the four TVs, stacked two-high on each side of the stage, which ran a roughly two-minute loop of commercials for the aforementioned cancer stick all night long. And I mean all night long. As in for around four hours. It would have been mind-numbing enough had it shown just between acts, but the screens stayed on during the performances. That’s right. Hip-hop’s most consistently innovative and entertaining outfit had to share the spotlight with mindless, cliche-ridden commercials, playing over and over and over and over ...

Don’t get me wrong. I’m sure a hot blast of menthol-flavored tar and nicotine would have been just the thing to revive my sagging and sweaty spirits as midnight rolled around. Judging from the commercials, it also would have taken 20 years off my age, 50 pounds off my frame and hepped up my wardrobe considerably. It’s just that, well, I wanted to watch a band, not TV commercials, and apparently, Kool thought it was the headliner, not The Roots.   

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