It’s anybody’s race this Sunday
February 22, 2013
I don’t have to get up early this Sunday, which is great because it’s going to be a looooonnnggggg day. The middle part — my …
Backstage Pass
How to ruin someone’s day in five notes or less
February 17, 2013
I did not invent the concept of musical terrorism. Credit for defining the act goes to comedian Christian Finnegan. To paraphrase, you won’t blow anything …
Toys aren’t just for kids
February 16, 2013
Really, I’m just a big kid. A 13-year-old boy trapped inside a 33-year-old body. I get a kick out of toilet humor, I still think …
Expecting? Maybe skip the ‘Alien’ marathon
February 8, 2013
My wife and I are about a month away from the premiere of Clark Tranchell, our first child. We’ve each read a ton of books …
Rrrrrrrrrrrrrruuuuummmmmbbbbblllle!
January 26, 2013
It is no secret that I am a fan of professional wrestling. Lately, I’ve been able to enjoy the weekly WWE programming via HuluPlus. Sure, …
Support students at Sunday poetry contest
January 26, 2013
The best poetry is meant to be read aloud. Even better, it’s meant to be performed. In some circles, poetry is competition. Think rap battles …
The beat to keep
January 20, 2013
In addition to writing this blog, holding a day job and preparing to be a father, I’m also finishing — finally — my bachelor’s degree …
Yakima Valley Museum unravels the mysteries
January 19, 2013
I’ve been looking for things to do. I’m sure you have, too. Sometimes we don’t think to look in places that seem like they wouldn’t …
DC Talk takes over Christian radio
January 17, 2013
As a young tween, I listened almost exclusively to Christian music. (No one has ever accused me of being cool). I had four favorite bands: …
Where’s Neil when I need him?
January 17, 2013
My brilliant wife bought me Neil Gaiman’s “Midnight Days” for Christmas. I read it right away. It’s a collection of some of his earliest work …
Love for the other Oscars
January 13, 2013
For the average movie-goer, only a handful of the awards handed out by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences actually matter. Best Picture, …
Hockey back, but will fantasy live on?
January 6, 2013
There is finally a deal between the National Hockey League and its players to get back on the ice and play a 48-game season. And …
New releases: It’s a ‘Chainsaw’ buffet
January 3, 2013
The last three movies I’ve see in the theater (“Skyfall,” “Les Miserables,” and “Django Unchained”) all have a certain amount of awards-worthiness. This week’s new …
“Django Unchained”: Once upon a time in the south
January 1, 2013
Back when “Kill Bill Vol. 1” was being marketed, the big deal was that it was director Quentin Tarantino’s fourth movie and his first since …
Happy New Year from the comfort of the couch
December 30, 2012
Millions of people worldwide aren’t crazy enough to be in Las Vegas or New York City on New Year’s Eve, yet so many of them …
She said: “Les Miserables” — A poor introduction to great theater
December 27, 2012
Musicals — particularly tragic ones — hang on two things: A heart-stopping, full-chorus opening number and a sob-inducing closer. Nail those two and the audience …
He said: “Les Miserables” — Do you see the people sing?
December 27, 2012
Right up front, I should tell you that I started to weep from the very first note of “Les Miserables.” My emotions were played and …
New releases: Fight to the finish for Oscar hopefuls
December 20, 2012
We are in a unique position this week. We have a bevy of new releases out on Friday and then some more on Christmas Day, …
Orion Cinema: The great escape
December 20, 2012
The last time someone asked to see my ID for a movie, I was 16 and was trying to get into “Seven.” Getting into the …
Golden Globes: It’s a major award
December 14, 2012
Nominations for the Golden Globe award came out Thursday morning. The awards, presented by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, cover film and television achievements in …
More powerful than a locomotive
December 14, 2012
No holding back. I love Superman. I have since I was a little kid. Back then, Christopher Reeve was the Man of Steel, fighting for …
Sinister: an attic gem
December 13, 2012
Sometimes walking into a movie and not really knowing what is about is a good thing. Here’s what I knew about “Sinister” before I saw …
New releases: An expected journey
December 13, 2012
There weren’t any major releases last week, but we’re ready for the holiday season now. And it’s going to be a big one. The smart …
A book hoarder celebrates the return of literature
December 3, 2012
When my wife and I bought our house, one of the big attractions were built-in bookshelves in the living room. The shelves cover two-thirds of …
The not-quite-ready-for-awards-season releases
November 29, 2012
With Thanksgiving having come earlier than it has in five years, we have a week for movies that will likely fly under the radar of …
Halestorm: A real rockshow
November 22, 2012
There is something special about watching a band grow. We often think that once a band has an album or is touring that that is …
Planes, Trains and Automobiles: It’s tradition
November 21, 2012
My family has two Thanksgiving traditions: moving and watching “Planes, Trains and Automobiles.” I’ve moved or helped someone move on or around Thanksgiving more times …
All-star casts look for box office win in holiday week
November 19, 2012
So that darn “Twilight” movie made a bajillion dollars. Can we move on and pretend it never happened? Good. This might seem early, but with …
‘Mike’ magical in its restraint
November 17, 2012
On a chilly Monday night, with a free Redbox code in hand, I told my wife, Savannah, that she could pick any movie she wanted …
A storm is brewing …
November 16, 2012
After the glut of amazing shows in Seattle during the first half of November, our neighbor to the south has a couple guaranteed to rock …
New releases: Breaking Dawn versus the world
November 16, 2012
You might be in line now, reading this on your smartphone, waiting for the midnight show of “Breaking Dawn — Part II.” I realize that …
Song and dance man
November 10, 2012
My wife, Savannah, and I will be celebrating our third anniversary by spending three days in Seattle. The first night is the highlight. We will …
Legalized comedies
November 7, 2012
While it is not my intent to get political on this blog, there are a couple things we can talk about now that were a …
‘Skyfall,’ ‘Lincoln’ a lock for best new movie of the week
November 4, 2012
There are only two major new releases this week to talk about. One is the continuation of arguably the greatest franchise in cinema history and …
Tarantino’s gRZAhopper learns well
November 3, 2012
“The Man With the Iron Fists,” the directorial debut of rapper-turned film composer RZA is a treat for fans of Shaw Bros.-style kung fu and …
A new hope for ‘Star Wars’
November 2, 2012
Like the Millennium Falcon bursting into hyperspace, the news that George Lucas sold LucasFilms Ltd, Industrial Light and Magic and the properties that come with …
New movies this week
October 30, 2012
As has been the case the last three Octobers, the box office has been dominated by a “Paranormal Activity” movie. While the franchise won out …
Music from the other side
November 28, 2012
Yakima gets a good deal of great concerts, but let’s face it, we might have to go over Snoqualmie Pass or down to the Tri-Cities …
Toby Jones: In the shadow of other men
October 26, 2012
The average viewer may not immediately recognize actor Toby Jones. He’s not a household name but has had supporting roles in a number of major …
Haunting the Hatter
October 20, 2012
It’s October, which means Halloween. For Yakima, it means the annual return of Madd Hatter’s Haunt in Union Gap. Accompanied by brave reporter Molly Rosbach, …