‘Back to the Dark ages’
First, Mitt Romney dodged questions about a ban on contraception, but reaffirmed his commitment to overturning Roe v. Wade. Then Rick Santorum declared that states should be able to outlaw contraception! Finally, most of the Republican presidential candidates vowed to prevent Planned Parenthood from providing millions of women with health care that is mainly preventive…
Smag 7: Smothered in flavor
Divine Swine 7801 N. May Ave. 843-3400 A really good neighborhood restaurant is hard to find. Thankfully, Divine Swine has you covered. Best of all are its candied bacon sticky buns that virtually sparkle. The kitchen turns out a breaded pork tenderloin sandwich served with red cabbage and coleslaw on a homemade hamburger bun. Desserts…
Seeker Lover Keeper — Seeker Lover Keeper
That far in, it was the most interesting song sonically, having ditched the previous five tracks’ uniform dreary piano chords, muted drums and plaintive, stiff vocal melodies. Sarah Blasko’s voice turned girlish and alluring, more like that of Twin Sister singer Andrea Estella than her previous hopeful folk goddess. Despite the repeating starch of piano…
Mr. Popper’s Penguins / The Smurfs
Last time, I reviewed the movies “Rio,” “Monte Carlo” and “Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer” so my dad didn’t have to, but this time, I’m reviewing the movies “Mr. Popper’s Penguins” and “The Smurfs.” I loved the movie “Mr. Popper’s Penguins,” and everything about it. It was a comedy that I definitely enjoyed.…
Night Train Murders
It’s not, but the comparison to Wes Craven’s 1972 debut is hardly unwarranted, because director Aldo Lado’s Italian film is practically a remake, right down to the lead ugly-mugged thug, but with an added mode of transportation. Heck, a poster in the disc’s advertising gallery even reveals an alternate title of “Last House — Part…
Shame
For you, that may mean a morning cup of coffee or a quick jog before bed. For Brandon Sullivan, the New York City-based protagonist of “Shame,” it means masturbating at work. As portrayed by Michael Fassbender (“X-Men: First Class”), Brandon is a sex addict. When he’s not engaging in sexual activity with strangers, he’s downloading…
Wolf Head
Ryan “Staples” Scott just wanted to “do something funny, with guns.” “The image of a gun has so much more weight to it,” said the Yukon resident. “I wanted to create a plot to push that.” The end result is his directorial debut in feature filmmaking, “Wolf Head,” shot entirely in the Oklahoma City metro…
In the Land of Blood and Honey
Set in the mid-1990s against the backdrop of genocide in Bosnia- Herzegovina, it details random killing, rapes, the tossing of a baby from a balcony and the use of women as literal human shields. This is not for the faint of heart. Showing Friday through Sunday at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art, the film…
Oh, Brother!
Nashville noise-rock duo Jeff the Brotherhood released its breakout album, “We Are the Champions,” this past summer, but already has stepped back into the studio to record a follow-up that promises to be just as outrageous. “It’s the logical next step,” said guitarist/singer Jake Orrall. “We weren’t trying to think about it too much. We…
Let’s be Frank
Frank Smith of Austin, Texas, is an enigma, being that it’s not a person, but a band. Naturally, front man Aaron Sinclair has had to deal with a good bit of confusion concerning the name. “I have been called Frank by people before,” Sinclair said. “That always gets a little weird.” There’s not — nor…
‘Now’ or never
City Arts Center’s annual fundraiser exhibit, formally known as “Café City Arts,” is back, but with a new name, “Art Now.” At Friday’s event, patrons are able to view and purchase art, as well as speak with the local artists. Proceeds go toward the center’s Eleanor Kirkpatrick Gallery so admission can remain free year-round. A…
Van go
Folk-rock flock The Ragbirds preach the same green message as many touring bands, but has taken it a step further by converting its touring van to run on recycled vegetable oil. Accordingly, look out, metro restaurants, because The Ragbirds might come a-knockin’ while in town for two concerts in Oklahoma City and Norman. “Every couple…
Some like it hot
Bundling up with boots, coats, scarves and gloves is an option. Sitting in front of a blazing fire with some warm cider is definitely on the list. But if you’re a fitness guru, there is one surefire way to sweat out Old Man Winter. Hot yoga is becoming increasingly popular in Oklahoma City. In this…
State of play
If you’re tired of telling your little ones to use their indoor voices, take them to one of these swell play places and let someone else do the hollering for you. Get smarter Thanks to rotating exhibits and hands-on areas, museums aren’t what they used to when we were kids. Up your children’s IQ with…
Fur-tive style
Through the years, fur has morphed from necessity into the height of fashion, boasting glam, style and sophistication —and often a hefty price tag. As civilization changed, so did the needs of people. For example, although fur is beautiful, soft and warm, it’s no longer necessary to make it through the coldest months. It’s amazing…
Family tradition
After reopening the long-abandoned Far Niente Winery in Oakville, Calif., in the early 1980s, Nickel had gone on to launch Dolce and Nickel & Nickel, both brands that added to the excellent reputation of Gil and Beth Nickel’s wines. As part of his bequest, Gil Nickel left The Vineyard House to his son, Jeremy, a…
The Stuffed Olive
Owner and general manager Andrea Durow, once a partner at Moore’s Two Olives Cafe, decided to not only curb the chain deli trend, but the chain trend, in general. “We were trying to serve fresh food in south suburban Oklahoma City,” Durow said. “There aren’t a lot of locally owned, made-from-scratch type restaurants here, and…
Devouring downtown
Now you’ll have a chance to make that dream come true during the first official Downtown Restaurant Week, starting Sunday and ending Thursday, Jan. 26. The scoop: Each kitchen crew, executive chefs leading the way, has designed three-course, event-specific dinners for $30. The culinary geniuses are more than excited and were pleased to discuss details…
Lido Restaurant
Should I wear this T-shirt? Can anybody name a Jonas Brothers song? Did you smell that? And yet, when I asked people what they like at Lido Restaurant, one of Oklahoma City’s oldest Vietnamese restaurants, they spoke as one in a voice that could shatter mountains: They said unto me, “Yea, Greg, get the vermicelli…
Flying high
Earlier action is expected for an incentives package involving 550 Boeing jobs already coming to OKC from Long Beach, Calif. In March, the city’s Economic Development Trust will likely receive Boeing’s application for the second part of that incentives package. Boeing announced Jan. 4 that it will close its Wichita facility, which employs about 2,160…
Defense spending
The main difference, however, is that the U.S. Department of Defense items stored in this warehouse don’t melt faces — and they’re all for sale. Whether one is preparing for a 2012 doomsday or just wanting to turn a profit by reselling the equipment, there is no shortage of items from which to choose, said…
Arrested development
Ethics Commission staff had requested an overhaul of the Political Subdivisions Ethics Act that regulates city council and school board races. The proposed revisions were a response to two independent expenditure groups in the 2011 Oklahoma City Council races that, between them, had spent more than half a million dollars, as well as to bring…
Methotrexate — Camelpacks & Battlerapz
While “Camelpacks & Battlerapz” is no doubt the creation of similarly humble production (albeit as professional and warmer), he digs deeper than your average upstart MC. This standout hip-hop record is seemingly the product of consuming just as many jazz records and cult films as mixtapes, and it’s as studious and labored over as a…
Don’t ask — redux
State Rep. Mike Reynolds, R-Oklahoma City, is the author of House Bill 2195, which seeks to restore “don’t ask, don’t tell” to the Oklahoma National Guard. “Don’t ask, don’t tell” was implemented in 1993 and barred gays from serving openly. Reynolds’ bill would reset requirements for the state militia to what they were on Jan.…
Uncaged
Nine different contests between mixed martial arts fighters from across the state are scheduled, ending with a lightweight championship bout that pits current champion Tim Means against Fort Gibson resident Tyrel Brown. “King of the Cage: Total Destruction” doesn’t forget the ladies, either, with Tulsa’s Liz Carreiro scheduled to challenge Brenda Gonzales, from New Mexico.…
Bummer in the city
In the annual speech, slated for Thursday at the Cox Convention Center, da mayor is expected to recount some of the wonderful things that have happened in OKC over the past year, from continued development of MAPS 3 to Boeing bringing more than 1,000 jobs here. While that’s all fine and dandy, CFN holds little…
End academic segregation
Sadly, Oklahoma continues to practice a less obvious, but equally pernicious, form of segregation — one based on school size and inadequate academic offerings. Worst of all, recent legislation to address this injustice has been sidetracked by objections from the usual suspects who seem to resist every worthy school reform: the school administrators themselves. They…
Bite Size: 1-18-12
The County Line returnsThe venerable County Line Barbeque, 1226 N.E. 63rd, has been closed since 2010, but its loyal fans will get a treat, as a re-opening for the landmark restaurant is set for May. Phillip Mazaheri and Paul Ravencraft of Price Edwards & Co. brokered the sale to unidentified owners who have chosen to…
No respect
While CFN can barely recall any details of the 21-0 affair (there was a basketball game between Grambling State and Alcorn State that was far more compelling), we’re pretty confident that OSU could’ve, y’know, at least, kicked a field goal against Alabama or something. Four voters saw fit to grant OSU — whose record is…
Pipe dreams
The Oklahoma City Democrat announced his proposed crackdown — “crackdown,” get it? — after accompanying state Bureau of Narcotics officers on a Jan. 9 raid of an OKC convenience store that had been selling them. Under current law, which Shelton authored a couple of years ago, a retailer can face up to a year behind…
Just a small-town girl
The 16th season of TV’s“The Bachelor” boasts an Oklahoma City resident on the prowl for the heart of Mr. Ben Flajnik. Seriously, ABC, you staked one of your biggest reality shows on a guy with an unpronounceable last name? But we digress. Red-haired Jennifer, whose last name is yet to be given on-air, is a…
Don’t discriminate
I would also like to say to the Oklahoma City Council, you have made a difference, although I wish this policy did not even have to exist. Discrimination for any reason is wrong. Mr. Kern, when you state God’s word as fact, you are discriminating against all other religions that may not have the same…
CFN Photo Op of the Week
Speaking of Mayor Cornett, the same day he praised city residents for shedding 1 million pounds, he found time to feed elephants at the Oklahoma City Zoo. Would Cornett, a Republican, be so willing to feed a donkey, the symbol of the Democratic Party?
Welker up!
CFN’s glad to see a hometown boy with his priorities in line.
Queen of the Sun: What Are the Bees Telling Us?
But this is no peep show. Director/producer Taggart Siegel (“The Real Dirt on Farmer John”) has loftier goals in mind with this documentary on colony collapse disorder. That’s a fancy-sounding scientific phrase for the disappearance ’round the globe of worker bees. While the insectophobic among us may think that’s not that big a deal, “Queen…
Shut Up Little Man! An Audio Misadventure
See, Johnny Lee Sausage and Mitch Deprey had trouble sleeping because of the drunken arguments pouring through the paper-thin walls of the oil-and-water old men Ray and Pete, one of whom was gay, both of whom drank constantly, and neither of whom worked. Ray and Pete’s nightly exchanges included slurred shouts of “cocksucker” and “fuckin’…
Still make you Sweat
Sweat, who appeared Saturday at Riverwind Casino in Norman, has been cultivating relationships with fans for years, since debuting solo with the monster hit “I Want Her,” ushering in the new jack swing style of the late 1980s. “Twisted” and “Nobody” came with the second wave in the mid 1990s, both Billboard hits which likely…
Cold Sweat
One drop of the stuff and your head resembles a watermelon dropped from a skyscraper. Certainly, this is among the most original concepts in modern horror, and indie director/co-writer Adrián Garcia Bogliano does not let the audience down. His pair of inglorious bastards — the mastermind having only one eye and requiring a walker —…
Best of Business 2012 finalists announced
The Best of Business program honors local favorites in 12 different industries as chosen by readers of okcBIZ magazine. Readers, peers and customers voted throughout 2011 at okc.biz to choose the best among their vendors, suppliers and business partners. At the luncheon, okcBIZ will recognize all top five finalists and will announce the Best of…
The Staircase
It’s that gripping — a miracle, considering the film is so long (six hours), it has to span two discs. On Dec. 9, 2001, Nortel executive Kathleen Peterson died at the bottom of a narrow stairwell in her North Carolina home, presumably from a fall. She was found by her novelist husband, Michael, who called…
