Posted inNews

New words defy, get illogical response

Self-proclaimed protectors of the English language near and far have worked themselves into a frenzy — but not a dancing frenzy. (Because that would be twerking). They didn’t take any pictures of themselves in a frenzy, either, apparently. (Because that would be taking selfies, another controversial addition.) What many of the vehe- mently annoyed failed […]

Posted inMusic

5 WTF Facts About Justin Bieber

1. The spelling feature of the layout program Adobe InDesign does not recognize “Bieber” as a word. It does, however, suggest “babyish” for a replacement.   2. Bieber employed a full-time “swag coach” to teach the teen “different swaggerific things to do.” On a related note, the U.S. Department of Labor calculates the current unemployment […]

Posted inArts & Culture

Cyrus: Mind of a Serial Killer

I find myself wishing that this “Cyrus” were a sequel to that “Cyrus,” as this true-life crime chiller is unpleasant on many levels. But if Hill were playing the role for laughs? It’d be equally tasteless, but something to see. Here, Cyrus (Brian Krause of TV’s “Charmed”) is the so-called “County Line Cannibal” in a […]

Posted inArts & Culture

Cedar Rapids

So when a comedy comes along like “Cedar Rapids,” in which the apple-cheeked innocent is a nerdy man and the big, bad world takes the form of an insurance agents’ convention, it’s not likely to break new ground. But that’s all right. The story’s familiar contrivances and clichés actually feel kind of cozy in “Cedar […]

Posted inArts & Culture

Cedar Rapids

But that’s all right. The story’s familiar contrivances and clichés actually feel kind of cozy in “Cedar Rapids.” The film is burnished with the glow of sweetness not easily replicated by the Hollywood machine. That is no small feat, but the movie’s sly appeal is even more impressive when you consider how it also manages […]

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