Least Competent Corrections Department
In July, convicted drug dealer Marcus Anderson opened the door of the Corrections Department van taking him to court, climbed out and walked away into downtown Baltimore. It was an ordinary van without a prisoner cage and whose driver had no gun, handcuffs, phone or radio (because Anderson had arrived late at the pick-up point…
Update
“Brain fingerprinting,” reported in News of the Weird in 2000 and 2003 from the experimental work by former Harvard research associate Lawrence Farwell, achieved a breakthrough in July in India, when two murder suspects were convicted based in part on that technology. Though Farwell’s theory is somewhat different, the “Brain Electrical Oscillation Signature” used in…
News That Sounds Like a Joke
After complaints by neighbors, police went to an apartment in Framingham, Mass., in July to quell a raucous screaming match between two women who, it turns out, are deaf. In Crawley, England, in July, police were called to a supermarket to break up a fight between two grandmothers, who were ramming each other in their…
The Aristocrats!
Donald Seigfried, 55, and Diane Whalen, 54, were arrested in June and face several charges based on the more than 200 homemade videos police found featuring Whalen having sex with various dogs. Police were alerted after Whalen’s son found the evidence of his mom in action. In June, a woman walking in a parking lot…
One Obsessive American
Sam Bloomfield, 58, grew up poor on Tonga but arrived here in 1976 and says he has tried to show his gratitude ever since, according to a July 4 profile in his hometown Herald of Everett, Wash. He has tattooed “God Bless America” under his left eye, “Land of the Free” under his right eye…
Frontiers of Science
A 10-year-old British boy had such a severe obsessive-compulsive disorder that he was overwrought with guilt that he had caused the Sept. 11 World Trade Center attacks, in that he had not been able that day to make his ritual step upon a particular mark in the street. Writing in June in the journal Neurocase,…
Oklahoma City man arrested in China for pro-Tibet protest
A pro-Tibet activist group is reporting that an Oklahoman was arrested in China and deported for unfurling a large protest banner at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, according to a release. According to Students for a Free Tibet, Oklahoma City resident Kelly Osborne, 39, worked with several other activists, two of whom scaled the…
The Incredible Hulk: The Complete Fourth Season
dibleHulk.jpg” width=65 border=0> 1980-1981 All 18 episodes of the final full season of CBS’ Seventies prime-time smash “The Incredible Hulk” comes to DVD in a four-disc set. Like the others, it’s a must-own for those who grew up finding it appointment television. As always, the series follows Dr. David Banner (Bill Bixby, sympathetic as ever)…
Edmondson considering 2010 run for governor
With his lawsuit against several poultry companies over pollution in the Illinois River system nearing an end, Oklahoma Attorney General Drew Edmondson said he is considering a run for the office of governor in 2010. Edmondson said that the lawsuit, filed in 2005, almost certainly will end prior to that election. “The most important thing…
Dark City: Director’s Cut
1998 Unlike so many other movies that come out in newer editions just for the sake of doing so, “Dark City” is one that deserves it. Altered and trimmed by New Line Cinema for its disastrous theatrical release, writer/director Alex Proyas’ film was nonetheless designated the best film of 1998 by none other than Roger…
Sustainability challenge
There’s been a lot of talk recently about wind turbines and natural gas and how they fit into Oklahoma’s future. T. Boone Pickens, a political conservative and one of Oklahoma State University’s important benefactors, wants Oklahomans and Americans to lasso the prairie winds for electricity and build cars to run on natural gas, which burns…
American Teen
Reviewer’s grade: A In “American Teen,” documentarian Nanette Burstein trains her camera on high school archetypes “? the princess, the rebel, the geek, the jock and the heartthrob “? and digs into the reality behind the stereotype. It sounds like a simple exercise, but Burstein is an exceptional storyteller. Culling through more than 1,000 hours…
Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2
Reviewer’s grade: C Director Sanaa Hamri (“Something New”) and returning screenwriter Elizabeth Chandler (“What a Girl Wants”), working with Ann Brashares’ novel for girls “Forever in Blue: The Fourth Summer of the Sisterhood,” have taken a surprisingly smart original movie and turned it into a romantic soap opera in this insignificant sequel, Sisterhood of the…
Beer for my Horses
Reviewer’s grade: C- Country star and Oklahoma native Toby Keith (“Broken Bridges”) and Rodney Carrington (“The Longest Yard”) co-wrote and co-star in the action comedy “Beer for my Horses,” about small-town sheriff’s deputy Rack (Keith) and his subnormal but sweet sidekick, Lonnie (Carrington). The pair arrests Tito (Greg Serano, “In the Valley of Elah”) as…
New York City natives crush the metro with two nights of earsplitting rock
“Spinal Tap”‘s Nigel Tufnel famously observed that to get ahead in the rock arena, sometimes you’ve got to crank the amp up to 11. The “one louder” doctrine has evidently been adopted by A Place to Bury Strangers, a hardworking rock outfit often touted as New York City’s “loudest band.” Earning a reputation for being…
Heavy-metal monk
Brother Cesare Bonizzi, 62, of a Capuchin Friars monastery near Milan, Italy, is the lead singer in a heavy-metal band that recently released its second album, “Misteri” (“Mysteries”), following a successful performance at Italy’s “Gods of Metal” festival (headlined by Iron Maiden and, ironically, Judas Priest). On stage, the white-flowing-bearded Brother Cesare booms out gritty…
Oklahoma authors tell their side of the story in a round of recent releases
On every book’s spine is the name of its author. Although their work rests in the hands of those around the world, some may live literally around the corner. Here are six recent releases ” some big, some small ” from Oklahoma authors. Jack Willis, former adviser to the University of Oklahoma’s student-run newspaper, The…
Historian-turned-photographer revives centuries-old film techniques
As the title of one of her photographs states, Lori Oden believes that “Beauty Is Everywhere.” For “Optics and Alchemy,” currently showing in the North Gallery of the Oklahoma state Capitol, Oden transformed objects and nature in her own back yard into nostalgic art through centuries-old photographic processes. Combining a master’s degree from the University…
Searching for a reason to watch the Olympics
I’ve tried, really, I have. But I just can’t get into the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. I realize we are only a few days in, and I usually love that kind of stuff, especially the track and field competition and a few other events, like swimming and even gymnastics. Truth is, I’ll probably end…
Paseo gallery exhibits pottery presentation
Even at a mere 20 years of age, artist Dakota Wolf is becoming quite the staple of the Paseo Arts District. His most recent exhibit, “Carved in Clay,” opened Aug. 1 and will run through Aug. 30 at Adelante! Gallery, 3003 Paseo. The exhibit celebrates Wolf’s recent move to the West with experimental carvings, glazes…
Controversial Oklahoma representative proclaims herself a cultural warrior
Yep, it’s Sally Kern again, this time carrying the banner of divine revelation. According to The Norman Transcript, Sally said the “cultural warrior” title she has proclaimed herself came to her after a lot of praying. “”¦I’m not the typical legislator,” Kern told the ‘Script. “The Lord showed me right off the bat that I’m…
One-seat map
This election season, the Oklahoma Senate is a one-seat map with Democrats and Republicans tied at 24-24. There is room for either party to gain one seat, perhaps two. The Democrats need to take three seats to gain control of the Senate, two to tie. Of these target districts where gains ” or losses “…
The Entrepreneurial Spirit!
High Point University (just south of Greensboro, N.C.) is not quite Club Med (“Club Ed,” it was called by the Chronicle of Higher Education) but provides free ice cream for students, a hot tub in the middle of campus, wake-up calls and a concierge service, all run by a campus “director of WOW,” whose job…
Glen Campbell — Meet Glen Campbell
Capitol The quickest way for a once-superstar singer to rehabilitate his career and recapture relevance among today’s audiences is issue a cover album. Rod Stewart can’t rape the American standard songbook fast enough, and now it’s Glen Campbell’s turn. Except that the former Rhinestone Cowboy and erstwhile Wichita Lineman has his sights set on a…
Nine Inch Nails – The Slip
g src=”/Images/Imported/CD%20review%20thumbnails/NineInchNails.jpg” width=100 border=0> The Null Corporation The latest full-length Nine Inch Nails album feels more like a trip than a “Slip.” Filled to the brim with buzz-saw electronics, distorted drums and Trent Reznor’s peculiar lyrical vitriol, the 11-song release fizzes with a distinct digital effervescence last felt on “The Downward Spiral.” Collectively, the songs…
Museum’s Education Center hosts weekly guest artist session
Perhaps in the final few weeks of summer, kids have become even rowdier, more restless and more prone to acting like devilish little rascals instead of the sophisticated angels you know you raised. Before they head back to school, polish them up and inject some culture into their lives by participating in the “Drop-In Art”…
County uses lottery to determine tie
If this is the best way to choose candidates, maybe we should do like former Sen. Zell Miller and go back to resolving differences with a duel in the street. The Republican race for Blaine County sheriff after July 29 was so tight. How tight was it? It was so tight PoliGrip could make the…
Conservative radio host, political activist plans local speech
Richard Land, a well-known conservative radio host and political activist, will be the keynote speaker for this year’s Capital Baptist Association’s ethics and religious liberty seminar Tuesday at the First Baptist Church, 6400 S. Sooner in Del City. Land is the president of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission and was named…
Oklahoma City’s NBA team needs a worthy theme song
The opening game for Oklahoma City’s NBA team is just months away. Pesky public funding has been attained, arena renovations are under way, a temporary practice facility has been acquired and an opening hometown salvo against the Milwaukee Bucks is slated for Oct. 29. By most sports media accounts ” including unnamed “sources,” anonymous confirmations,…
Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park presents Richard III
Richard III is one of the great villains in the literary canon, and one of William Shakespeare’s most desired roles for actors. So the success of any production of “Richard III” rests squarely on the humpback, crowned head and withered arm of the actor who plays the title role. Richard appears in almost every scene,…
City, state officials beseech federal board to eliminate rail lines
In a state that has seen a steady decline in manufacturing companies, Boardman Inc. still resides in Oklahoma City ” but for how long? Founded in 1910, the company makes industrial equipment in the same 8-acre site in south Oklahoma City where it has for almost a century. The site developed good highway access and…
Sea’ what life is like in the deep end at the Oklahoma Aquarium
For those who didn’t get to go the Caribbean this summer, no worries. At the Oklahoma Aquarium, located a 90-minute drive away in Jenks, they bring the Caribbean to you. If the tropical menagerie is a little too tame for your tastes, the site has the scary stuff, too. It’s like a year-round version of…
Local musicians express differences of opinion
An open letter to the metro’s music scene, penned by a frustrated member of Norman rock band Student Film, has garnered a flurry of Internet discussion and publicized commentary from local performers, fans and rock ‘n’ roll followers. The 1,000-word manifesto was penned by singer Justin Rice, who lamented some of Student Film’s wasted tour…
Oklahoma lawmakers seek to ban cell-phone talking
A sad day is possibly upon us, friends. A day when Oklahomans young and old will no longer have an excuse to blow through stop signs, run pedestrians off the road and change lanes without looking. Apparently, Oklahoma state lawmakers are hoping to ban talking on cell phones while driving and it will undoubtedly “…
Various artists – Ribbon of Highway, Endless Skyway: The Woody Guthrie Tribute Tour
Music Road Records A take-home version of the celebrated 2003 Woody Guthrie tribute tour, this outstanding double-disc release is filled with covers of, dedications to and songs inspired by Oklahoma folk hero Woody Guthrie, all performed live. The “Ribbon of Highway, Endless Skyway” tour was organized by Austin, Texas, singer/songwriter Jimmy LaFave, the disc’s producer,…
Republicans prepare to face off for District 45 in a runoff election
The runoff for state Senate District 45 isn’t ugly yet, but it is not as pretty as when the race started. After the July 29 primary, Steve Russell and Kyle Loveless were the two Republican candidates still standing at the end of voting. Five candidates were in the race and odds were high of a…
Tropic Thunder
Reviewer’s grade: A “Tropic Thunder” is a movie within a movie and follows a group of actors cast as leads in an epic war movie under production in the jungles of Vietnam. Production is being led by an inexperienced, sniveling director who can’t corral his pampered acting leads”?roles played by Ben Stiller, Jack Black and…
Oklahoma Heritage Museum shares statewide talent
soNormal style=”MARGIN: auto 0in”>While its most recognizable piece of art may be the bronze pioneer woman statue, Ponca City is home to a diverse artistic community that is as contemporary as it is traditional. “The Artists of Ponca City,” currently showing at in the Tulsa World Gallery of the Gaylord-Pickens Oklahoma Heritage Museum, includes juried…
Jet Li’s Fearless: Director’s Cut
2006 Now in a longer director’s cut, “Jet Li’s Fearless” is a variation on a type of movie once as common as the sports underdog picture: the one about the cocky wise guy who thinks he’s better at something than anyone else, and only changes after his best pal gets killed. But you know what?…
Chesapeake Boathouse offers kayaking classes
A humble but useful hunter’s tool in ancient Arctic and Asian civilizations, the kayak has evolved into a source of recreation and sport. Today, kayakers head out to lake, river and sea in search of competition, relaxation or just good old adventure. Although Oklahoma isn’t known for white-water rapids and gushing springs (aside from the…
Paul McCartney makes overnight Oklahoma City stop
We’re not sure what former Beatle Paul McCartney meant when he sang “Oklahoma was never like this” in his 1986 hit single “Press,” but perhaps he’d like to revise it following his most recent trip here. Oh, you mean you weren’t invited to dine with Sir Paul when he was in town last week? Yeah,…
Leading Economic Indicators
The U.S. government’s $100 billion stimulus distributed to taxpayers this spring achieved mixed results, according to economists, but at least the Internet pornography industry flourished (according to a July trade association spokesman). Adult Internet Market Research Co. reported that “20 to 30 percent” of “adult” Web sites reported that sales rose during the time checks…
Representative wants bankruptcy closed
State Rep. Randy Terrill, R-Moore, asked a judge recently not to reopen his 2005 federal bankruptcy case, only hours after telling Oklahoma Gazette that he didn’t object to the case being reopened. According to a motion filed shortly after noon, Terrill, through an attorney, told the court, “”¦ Debtor respectfully requests that your Honorable Court…
Smart People
2008 Judging by the movies, you would think that college professors everywhere are in desperate need of a hug. That continues with “Smart People,” a dramedy in which Dennis Quaid plays a cold intellectual in need of an emotional thawing. The premise has the makings of predictable indie tripe, but “Smart People” is ultimately saved…
Drillbit Taylor
true craziness isn’t fully revealed until the end, when it’s too late to create any real dramatic tension. “?Mike Robertson
Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day
2008 Chemistry between actors, a great look and well-timed pacing can often render imperfections in film almost unnoticeable. “Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day” manages this trick nicely, and makes it look as easy as making tea and toast. Miss Pettigrew (Frances McDormand) is a down-and-out governess living in 1939 London. The threat of war…
