It was a dark and stormy night…
As the numerous contemporary adaptations of Agatha Christie’s works demonstrate, cinematic translations of the classic detective novel must employ a certain amount of extraneous material to succeed on the big screen. These include a cast of recognizable stars in small roles, period costumes and music, dazzling sets, a glittering sense of style, and, frequently, a…
Mutants unite against military, government
For once, the trailers don’t lie. X2: X-Men United is a really good sequel — better than the first, actually, and maybe even in the same company as Spider-Man (both are based on comic books, hence the comparison). The action sequences are some of the finest I’ve seen, and you couldn’t ask for much more…
News briefs 4.30.03
Expressions of guilt Sarah Brownell — one of the “Rochester 13” who dared pray for peace on Federal Building property and were arrested for criminal trespass — pleaded guilty on numerous counts before City Court Judge Ann Pfeiffer on April 22. Actually, Brownell, 28, agreed to pay $160 in fines and court costs on…
Highland Bowl concerts, Gay Alliance issues, UR pornography
Hold the concert in the Bowl I support the Lilac Committee’s decision to have a concert in the Highland Bowl during the Lilac Festival. The Lilac Festival comes after a long, hard winter. It symbolizes the beginning of the outdoor summer festivals. It is a time to get outside and enjoy our beautiful Highland Park,…
The psychological warfare against America
Imagine President Bush appearing on TV to give the following address… “My fellow Americans, our nation is suffering at the hands of a particularly insidious group of domestic terrorists — and by terrorists, I mean people who make our lives miserable by creating fear. This group spends billions of dollars and enlists the help…
Gantt vs. ‘shenanigans’
Democratic State Assemblyman David Gantt has introduced legislation that would redefine the relationship between the city school board and its superintendent, giving the super much more power and authority than the position now has, relative to the board. His bill would also rename the superintendency: The person holding the job would heretofore be known as…
Victor’s last stand
You’d expect a town named Victor to be a “winner.” And the Ontario County community certainly is one, by ordinary standards. Overwhelmingly rural a generation ago, the town had 9,977 residents in 2000. It “grew by 36.4 percent between 1960 and 1970, 18.4 percent between 1970 and 1980, 43 percent between 1980 and 1990,…
The evolution of soccer
It’s been 221 days and I have finally come to terms with it. But when I close my eyes, I can still see the ball sailing higher and higher as it floats above the upright toward the scoreboard. In my mind it plays out in slow motion, even though the actual incident took only a…
RCB inspired by memory of Draper
There probably wasn’t a dry eye at the final performance of Rochester City Ballet’s spring season, but the overall feeling was upbeat. The company’s April 26 concert, at Canandaigua Academy, began with a video tribute to Timothy M. Draper. Beautifully composed by videographer Timothy Leverett (for example, an inspiring photo of Draper at work appeared…
Pleasin’ the vegans
What were you doing when you were 22? I was working as a busboy and a DJ, trying desperately not to borrow money from my parents. Meg Davis, on the other hand, owns, runs, and cooks everything at The Atomic Eggplant. That’s impressive. And so is she. With the closures of Slice of Life,…
