The Art of the Steal
Art heists don’t always have to involve cat burglars, as the documentary “The Art of the Steal” shows. In this case, it just takes a few politicians and their well-placed, well-monied friends. With a fortune earned by inventing a drug used to fight venereal disease, Dr. Albert Barnes amassed arguably the world’s greatest collection of…
Popatopolis
Already in 2010, I’ve seen a number of great documentaries, including “The Art of the Steal,” “Exit Through the Gift Shop” and “Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work.” As fun as those are, they lack the sheer infectiousness of Clay Westervelt’s “Popatopolis.” Those who recognize the name of Jim Wynorski “? i.e. B-movie lovers “?…
Batman: Under the Red Hood
Take a peek under the hood of “Batman: Under the Red Hood,” and you’ll find a darker, grittier take on the Dark Knight than any animated version on the tube. It’s the latest feature-length effort for the DC Universe line of PG-13 movies, so steer the kids over to “The Brave and the Bold” instead.…
Just like its mineral namesake, the Angelina Jolie actioner ‘Salt’ isn’t good for you
As the film’s tagline goes, “Who is Salt?” Who cares? Assuming you still want to know the answer, “Salt” is a nicely shot action film of sheer just-below-averageness, doomed by a numb, plot-hole-aplenty script that asked me to suspend my disbelief more than I was willing. Salt is also the name of the CIA agent…
#1 Cheerleader Camp
“#1 Cheerleader Camp” is a repugnant little T&A comedy, a Z-grade cheapie from the folks at The Asylum, who claim this one’s in “the tradition of ‘Bring It On’ and ‘American Pie.'” Hell, it’s not even in the tradition of “Bring It On: In It To Win It” or “American Pie Presents: The Book of…
PR BS
Lots of press releases related to the Sooner State cross our desk. This week, these titles least screamed “Stop the presses!” “”Rumble Presents Electric Mower to Contest Winner Saturday, Mows Yard”””Fresh Express Announces Recall of Expired Romaine Lettuce Products With Use-By Dates of July 8 to 12 and ‘S’ in the Product Code Due to…
In your Face
You talk, we listen! Here’s what readers said on some of last week’s Gazette stories, via unedited comments left on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/okgazette: On the Republican gubernatorial nomination battle between Randy Brogdon and Mary Fallin:””choose the worse of two ideologues. hooray.” “Bill Ries””BRAD HENRY” “Megan Tollison””I stopped reading when I saw Glen Beck…
‘Everything a story should do’
Net gain, Luke Atkinson’s July 7 Gazette cover story, did everything a story should do. I gained a strong appreciation for Katie Holloway and all of the Paralympians, wanted to learn more about her, her teammates, and sitting volleyball, and wanted to attend the tournament. Your coverage has blown The Oklahoman out of the water,…
Steve and Saddam
While the smoke was still clearing from the Fourth of July sparklers, an Oklahoma lawmaker was giving his testimony of how Saddam Hussein was smoked out of his hole. Retired Lt. Col. Steve Russell, who serves as a state senator representing District 45, was the special guest on televangelist Benny Hinn’s “This Is Your Day”…
The collaboration between Erica Quitzow’s synth-pop and Setting Sun’s expressive folk works, somehow
Setting Sun with Quitzow10 p.m. TuesdayThe Deli309 White, Normanwww.thedeli.us329-3534$5 When conjuring up the best collaborator for Erica Quitzow, a classically trained violinist and music teacher with an affinity for writing complicated, ’80s-inspired electronic pop, Gary Levitt is probably not who comes to mind. As the songwriter and guitarist behind New York’s introspective experimental folk act…
Volley principle
I meant to fall in with the first volley against J. Simms, probably saying something like, “I’m sure all the reporters and editors are strictly Aryan hetero-conservatives at home; but I don’t think any of the reporters or editors are commanding any of the ‘offensive’ people of the community to do any of the offensive…
Scooter-related art will be shown at Friday’s “Rally on the Row” at IAO Gallery
“Rally on the Row” 7-11 p.m., Friday IAO, 706 W. Sheridan232-6060,www.iaogallery.org$5 Jeff Stokes wants the Individual Artists of Oklahoma Gallery to give voice to artists who might not have one otherwise. Key to that continuing mission? Scooters. Yes, scooters. The third annual “Rally on the Row” fundraiser is 7-11 p.m. Friday at IAO, 706 W.…
The planOKC project seeks neighborhood feedback to put together Oklahoma City’s newest plan
Oklahoma City Planning Director Russell Claus and his staff cannot speak personally with every resident in the city as they work on shaping a project called planOKC. Instead, city planning staff members held a meeting with neighborhood associations to rally citizens and arm them with the resources they need to identify needs and concerns, and…
Locally designed playhouses to be raffled off at a benefit for abused and neglected children
Playhouse ParadeMacy’s Wing of Penn Square Mall1901 Northwest ExpresswayMonday-Wednesday, ongoing713-6456, www.okcountycasa.org Nothing evokes the feelings of childhood comfort and security quite like the playhouse. Unfortunately, many young Oklahomans have lost this simple pleasure, or never known it at all. That’s why the Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Oklahoma County and Chesapeake Energy have teamed…
GEMINI (May 21-June 20)
What’s up with your best friends? I mean, what’s really going on for them in the big scheme of things? According to my astrological intuition, at least one of your good buddies is at a turning point in his or her long-range cycle, and could really use the deep reflection and catalytic help that you…
Rock N America unloads a three-day package of hard rock on Zoo Ampitheatre
Rock N America Featuring Scorpions, Warrant, Twisted Sister, Ratt and moreThursday-SundayZoo Amphitheatre2101 N.E. 50thwww.zooamp.com800-511-1552$49.50-$125 one-day pass$125-$350 three-day pass The most amazing thing about the bands booked for Rock N America isn’t the collective history of packed stadiums, platinum albums and complete airwave ownership; it’s that so many managed to survive. Those that made it out…
If I Stay – Gayle Forman
“If I Stay” takes place over a single day “? 7:09 a.m. to 7:16 a.m. the following day “? but it’s a day that changes everything. I wasn’t sure I was going to like the characters in Gayle Forman’s slim novel as I read the first 15 pages. Mom and Dad are fun and cool;…
Nearly $10 million in MAPS 3 money has been collected; Citizens Advisory Board to meet
The MAPS 3 Citizens Advisory Board will meet for the third time in its monthly meeting Thursday. The board plans to hear more presentations and receive updates on revenue collection for the $777 million initiative. Program Manager Eric Wenger said the presentations will focus on Oklahoma State Fairgrounds upgrades and information about Project 180, a…
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20)
As the economic recovery lags, many frustrated job-seekers have decided to stop waiting around to be saved; they’re taking matters into their own hands. As a result, entrepreneurship is thriving. I suggest you catch that spirit. In fact, I advocate a mass entrepreneurial uprising among Pisceans in the coming months. Even if you’re already employed,…
Ethel’ Oshtali: Music for String Quartet
Written entirely by students of Ada’s Chickasaw Summer Arts Academy in 2008-09, “Oshtali: Music for String Quartet” is an album of classical arrangements performed by Ethel, an acclaimed, contemporary New York string quartet that’s performed and recorded with a bevy of renowned orchestral acts and pop artists. The 16-song album was recorded at Oklahoma City…
Democratic gubernatorial candidates Jari Askins and Drew Edmondson haven’t taken the gloves off yet
>”But I firmly believe if I am not the nominee, it is a Republican governor,” Askins said. “I believe that with all of my heart and soul. … I do believe that as lieutenant governor, I could have done the same work that I am doing. I would not have that much difficulty, but I…
Why good people don’t run for office
Last month, candidates trekked down to the state Capitol, stood in line, got their picture taken by reporters, filed all the necessary paperwork and suddenly, they were a name on a ballot. Money spent, signs made and commercials bought. Campaign season is upon us, but by the attention the elections are getting, you might not…
Four decades after he died, Oklahoma novelist George Milburn has been largely forgotten
There was a time when George Milburn’s name could be found in such magazines as The Saturday Evening Post, Harper’s and Vanity Fair. Most anyone with a finger on the pulse of U.S. literature during that era knew of the wise-cracking wordsmith from Coweta. But time has a way of misplacing remarkable people within the…
Paying the price
There are so many ways to spin the phrase “crime doesn’t pay.” It usually involves a bank robber or some high-crime robbery going bad and ending in jail time. But for one Yukon man, the price of the alleged payoff couldn’t have compensated the time behind bars. Police reported that Tyler Walker Challis found the…
Choosing a congressman
The 5th District congressional race could be decided prior to the general election in November. Because of the district’s registration and voting history, the next representative will most likely be a Republican. Among the seven Republican candidates for the seat, three appear to have the campaign funding and organization to be viable contenders. They are…
Great actors go slumming in ‘The Sorcerer’s Apprentice,’ an occasionally fun film that over-explains
In 2005, “The Simpsons” featured an episode titled “Future-Drama,” in which Bart and Lisa get to see their lives eight years in the future. Aside from the “you’re gay for Moleman” line, one of the episode’s best gags comes when Marge announces, “Everything’s so easy since scientists invented magic!” It may not be the first…
A local businesswoman is at odds with the state transportation department over her land’s worth
April Harrington said she didn’t go looking for all the attention she has been receiving from local media recently. Harrington is the owner of Earth Elements, a farm, bakery and production kitchen. Her facility sits just outside Lexington and right in the path of State Highway 77, a stretch of road that is being widened…
Two Republicans face only a primary for outgoing Sen. Glenn Coffee’s District 30 seat
Primary voters in District 30 will choose between two candidates for their next state senator.After exhausting term limits, Senate President Pro Tempore Glenn Coffee is stepping down from the Legislature, leaving his district seat up for grabs. The two candidates vying to fill the position are Republicans David Holt and Matt Jackson. David HoltMatt JacksonWho…
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)
I’m putting out a call to the rebel in your heart ” not the cranky, vindictive rebel in your mind, but the joyful, yearning rebel in your heart. I am asking this tender renegade to rise up against narcissistic behavior wherever you find it. Don’t shout it down or try to shame it, though; rather,…
Propping up a weak argument
In the July 7 Oklahoma Gazette, Kurt Hochenauer’s Commentary “At what price?” reveals that either he can’t do simple math or that he is twisting/spinning budget figures to prop up his weak argument. Hochenauer used the Oklahoma state budget figure of $16,539 for the Department of Corrections per convicted person annual cost. He said the…
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)
In the upcoming science fiction movie The Adjustment Bureau, Matt Damon plays a politician with big ambitions. Everything’s going his way until he falls in love with a dancer. Then the representatives of a mysterious group intervene in his life, warning him that he’ll never achieve his dreams if he stays with her. “We are…
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)
When mobs stage political demonstrations in Pakistan’s biggest cities, they make sure that some of their signs are written in English. That way their protests are more likely to be filmed by news media like CNN and shown to American audiences. Take a cue from that trick as you plan your actions, Capricorn. It won’t…
‘Shame on the Gazette’
Sick of it? Yes, I am sick of it! I was really ‘sick’ened to see the Gazette stoop to the lowest levels of playing politics. Why? Because by publishing the “Sick of it” letter (J. Simms, June 30), you further divided the people of our state. That was the most nonsensical and offensive commentary I…
The Beastly Bride: Tales of the Animal People
Mythical shape changers fill the pages of “The Beastly Bride,” an anthology edited by Ellen Datlow and Terri Windling. More than 20 authors have contributed to this collection, the fourth mythic anthology from Datlow and Windling, including Ellen Kushner, Peter S. Beagle and Jane Yolen. Shape changers aren’t limited to werewolves and that alien bounty…
Shakespeare in the Park’s ‘Comedy of Errors’ is thick with fine acting and funny ideas, but the humor is slightly off
The Comedy of Errors8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, through Aug. 7Oklahoma Shakespeare in the ParkBicentennial Park500 Couchwww.oklahomashakespeare.com235-3700$10, $8 students/seniors Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park opened its season with “The Taming of the Shrew,” Shakespeare’s second comedy, and now presents the Bard’s first, “The Comedy of Errors,” at its temporary quarters in Bicentennial Park. Although OSP hasn’t advertised…
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)
The United States is the planet’s major player in terms of political, economic, and military clout. China is rising fast as a competitor in those three arenas, but lags far behind in a fourth: “soft power,” or cultural influence. The rest of the world finds America’s style, entertainment, art, and ideas far more attractive than…
A voter with no voice
Thanks to Linda C. Wade for the comments in her letter that appears in your June 23 Gazette (“A letter to Sen. Inhofe”) and for expressing my frustration as a lifelong Okie. I also feel that I am a voter who has no voice in this state. Her most important point is the one that…
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)
I think it would be healthy for you to wander out to a frontier and explore a boundary. You might even want to re-examine a taboo you haven’t questioned in a while and tinker with a formula you thought you’d never change. I suspect that you would also learn a lot from gently pushing against…
From the Great Depression to the Great Recession, the classic musical ’42nd Street’ still brings hope
ce=”10″ vspace=”10″ width=”200″ />42nd Street8 p.m. today-Saturday, 2 p.m. SaturdayLyric TheatreCivic Center Musical Hall201 N. Walkerwww.lyrictheatreokc.com524-9312$29-$66 Lyric Theatre continues its season with a timely production of the Tony-winning musical “42nd Street.” Based on a novel and 1933 film, the Depression-era story follows aspiring chorus girl Peggy Sawyer, fresh off the bus with hopes of starring…
The Reinvention of Moxie Roosevelt – Elizabeth Cody Kimmel
Moxie Roosevelt has one unforgettable name. Unfortunately, she’s convinced she doesn’t have the personality “? some would say moxie “? to go with it. But, she’s starting at a new school, Eaton Academy, where no one will know the Old Moxie. She comes up with a plan: Choose a New Moxie, someone who can handle…
With a gleaming second album, ‘Illuminate,’ indie rockers Lydia flare up for one final run
Lydia with Deas Vail, Coney Island and Berkeley to DC6:30 p.m. ThursdayThe Conservatory 8911 N. Westernwww.conservatoryokc.com607-4805$10 advance, $12 door For Lydia, it ends not with a whimper, but an explosion. The pretty, atmospheric emo act from Arizona enjoyed a deliberate ascent that began with winning a national contest to appear on a music compilation alongside…
‘Harry Potter’-inspired wizard rock bands will perform at Edmond Public Library on Saturday
The Remus Lupins and The Ministry of Magic5 p.m. Saturday Edmond Public Library10 S. Boulevard 341-9282, www.metrolibrary.org. Attention, all muggles: Please do not be alarmed if you hear rock music coming from your public library. Popular “wizard rock” bands The Remus Lupins and The Ministry of Magic are magicking their way to Edmond to rock…
Boys II Men shift from selling platinum albums to spreading other musicians’ ‘Love’ on the road
Boyz II Men8 p.m. FridayRiverwind Casino1544 W. State Highway 9, Normanwww.riverwind.com322-6464$25-$35 Nathan Morris says his fellow Boyz II Men musicians don’t consider themselves part of the music business. “We’re in the touring business,” he said. “We make records here and there, but that’s not really what we do.” This is a fair claim since Morris…
Oklahoma’s own globe-trotting rocker-cum-professor returns home from China with a renewed vigor
Tyson Meade with Seth McCarroll and Mickey Reece8 p.m. FridayThe Chouse717 W. Boyd, Normanwww.tysonmeade.com447-9805$10 When Tyson Meade fans line up Friday at The Chouse in Norman during his annual pilgrimage of solo shows, it won’t be the primal howl from his days with Chainsaw Kittens and Defenstration they’ll hear, but more of the eternally youthful…
Christopher Nolan’s ‘Inception’ an uncommonly intelligent blend of crime and fantasy
Remember when “The Matrix” came out in 1999 and its disciples treated it like a philosophy textbook? In reality, it was about as deep as those plastic turtle wading pools you can buy at Walmart. Its stinky sequels proved the emperor wore no clothes. They should have saved their praise for “Inception,” because it’s a…
Exit Through the Gift Shop’ explores how art becomes commodity, or maybe it’s performance art
When my son, Zachary, was about 12, we visited Memphis. At that city’s most important holy site, I bought Graceland Platinum Tour tickets, which took us not only through the mansion and its grounds, but also the “Elvis Lives in Hollywood” exhibit, Elvis’ Automobile Museum, the “Elvis Presley: Fashion King” exhibit, Elvis’ two custom airplanes…
Take off into the ‘wild blue yonder’ at the Ninety-Nines Museum of Women Pilots
They pushed the boundaries of human flight and sometimes pushed the boys out of their way to get there. The female pioneers of aviation still soar at the Ninety-Nines Museum of Women Pilots, 4300 Amelia Earhart. Established in 1929 as an association for female aviators, the Ninety-Nines is an international organization of women pilots that…
Oklahoma National Guard team deploys to Afghanistan to teach farming and building practices
Milking goats, shearing sheep and slaughtering chickens. They sound more like farm chores, but for members of the Oklahoma National Guard’s Agricultural Development Team, these were just some of the tasks they had to learn before their deployment to Afghanistan. The guardsmen became students once again as they participated in a 15-day training program at…
Letters’ ‘hateful’ tone draws concern
As a longtime Gazette reader, I must say that I am a bit concerned about the hateful ” and borderline stupid ” tone of many of the letters that have recently appeared in this section of the finest independent weekly free publication in the Western Hemisphere. Or at least in Central Oklahoma “¦ County. Even…
Committed to a love of alt music, young Norman rockers of Skating Polly run laps around older bands
Skating Polly with Yellow Fever and Luna Moth8 p.m. MondayOpolis113 N. Crawford, Normanwww.opolis.org447-3417$7 door$9 under 21 A lot of people tout Nirvana and Neutral Milk Hotel as their favorite bands, but not many of those people are 10-year-old girls. Nirvana, The White Stripes, Regina Spektor and Hole were the names Kelli Mayo rattled off. Her…
Speaking out
It seems that my upbringing was very different from J. Simms (“Sick of it,” Gazette, June 30). The most important lesson my parents taught me was to judge a person by their character, not the color of their skin, their religion or sexual preference. The term “liberal” is a huge bucket of many acceptances and…
ARIES (March 21-April 19)
Revenge fantasies would pollute your consciousness. I advise you to repress them. Wallowing in resentment would have an equally deleterious effect. Don’t you dare give that emotion a foothold. On the other hand, fantasies of experiencing pleasure and joy, even if they’re escapist illusions, will tonify and invigorate your awareness. I recommend that you indulge…
Money flowing into state gubernatorial campaigns
The race for Oklahoma governor has heated up, and nowhere is that more visible than in campaign finance reports. According to the latest figures, U.S. Rep. Mary Fallin and state Attorney Gen. Drew Edmondson are leading their respective parties in fundraising. As of July 12, Edmondson, a Democrat, led all gubernatorial candidates in total amount…
SandRidge hopes third time is charm for proposed demolition of downtown buildings
Only one item is on the agenda for Friday’s 1:30 p.m. special meeting of the Oklahoma City Board of Adjustment: whether SandRidge Energy Corp. can knock down two downtown buildings. It will be the third time the board has considered an appeal by Preservation Oklahoma to require further review and evaluation of the buildings before…
The Dungeon Masters
I’ve never understood the appeal of “Dungeons & Dragons,” and still don’t after watching the documentary “The Dungeon Masters.” However, its purpose is not to explain the role-playing game, but to show the human side of those who get into it. And I mean really get into it. Keven McAlester’s nicely shot film focuses on…
Spellbound
You may have your favorite choice for Oklahoma’s next governor, but the “Check Spelling” feature on Microsoft Word doesn’t like any of them. Here now, some unfortunate replacement words it suggests for the last names of the top contenders from both parties: ” Jari Askins: Stains, Sickens and Skims” Randy Brogdon: Brooding, Bragging and Broken”…
Grimm Love
Made in 2006, “Grimm Love” finally sees release under the “Fangoria FrightFest” banner. It’s not horror, but let’s not nitpick, since the film is surprisingly smart and arty. Buried under layers of mascara, “Felicity” herself, Keri Russell, is college student Katie, studying in Germany so she can work on her thesis about the crimes of…
The Tomb
p; “?Rod Lott
