"Fred Claus" Warner Brothers Directed by David Dobkin Written by Dan Fogelman Starring Vince Vaughn, Paul Giamatti, Rachel Weisz, Miranda Richardson and Kathy Bates Rated PG/116 minutes One-and-a-half out of four stars There's not a lot to say about Vince Vaughn movies that hasn't already been said by Stewie Griffin.… Post the First Comment

Given 24 hours to produce 24 pages of comics, with plenty of caffeine and a troupe of comic-book aficionados crammed into the same room, some bizarre things are sure to happen. For example, take the following premise: two young boys owe more than $200 in quarters -- to whom remains a mystery -- but following their run-in with "Bearclaw" and other members of the Pirate Club (and, inexplicably, a giant, mechanical worm), the boys meet their ultimate demise.… Post the First Comment

"Lions for Lambs" United Artists Directed by Robert Redford Written by Matthew Michael Carnahan Starring: Robert Redford, Meryl Streep, Tom Cruise, Michael Pena, Derek Luke, Andrew Garfield and Peter Berg Rated R/88 minutes Opens Nov. 9, 2007 Three out of four stars There's too much talk and not enough action in today's politics.… 2 Comments

The Brothers Grimm and Hans Christian Andersen are not the typical research materials one reaches for when approaching Shakespeare, but for the U theater department's guest director Michael Barakiva, these are ideal sources of inspiration. Barakiva, Israeli-born, Jersey-reared and a New Yorker since graduate school, has spent the past four weeks in Salt Lake City running rehearsals for Shakespeare's "The Winter's Tale.… Post the First Comment

Fans of the movies "The Illusionist" and "The Prestige" take note: a magician is coming to Salt Lake City. Lyn Dillies, a professional illusionist, is performing with the Utah Symphony on Nov. 16 and Nov. 17 at Abravanel Hall. Dillies has been performing magic since childhood, when she watched magicians such as Bill Bixby on television and played with tricks bought from stores to wow friends and family.… Post the First Comment

Nov. 9 De La Soul 23rd Floor of the Wells Fargo Building (299 S. Main Street) 7 p.m. $40 The influence of this seminal hip-hop group can be witnessed everywhere from the rock 'n' roll sampling on a Trick Daddy song, to a vignette-heavy Eminem album. Its debut record, 3 Feet High and Rising, fundamentally changed the nature of hip-hop after its release.… Post the First Comment

Thurs., Nov. 8 to Sat., Nov. 11 International Documentary Association Docuweek Tower Theatre (876 E. 900 South) Various times $8 In conjunction with the International Documentary Association and the Salt Lake Film Society, the Tower Theatre will host a number of acclaimed films to celebrate the history of documentary filmmaking.… Post the First Comment

Avenged Sevenfold Avenged Sevenfold Warner Brothers Records Two out of five stars Love 'em or hate 'em, pop metallers Avenged Sevenfold know how to write a solid rock song. The Maiden-influenced power metal of "Afterlife" and "Lost" make this skill epically clear as M.… Post the First Comment

Note: This week, I have elected to put down my 12-sided die of precognition in favor of reaching out to you, my readership (or is it reader-schooner? I'm not up on my nautical terminology) for some one-on-one advice. People are often asking me questions such as "What should I do?" and "What's his deal?" and "Why are you still here?" I thought it was high time I answered them -- in print, no less.… Post the First Comment

ROSWELL, N.M. -- Dennis Kucinich's presidential campaign just hit warp nine. The seventh-most popular Democratic hopeful got a jump on the competition Wednesday, becoming the first candidate to announce his running mate for vice president. The choice? None other than former USS Enterprise Captain Jean-Luc Picard of "Star Trek: The Next Generation" fame.… 1 Comment