Go Memphis

You'd never guess it from my happy-go-lucky persona, so beloved by readers, but I'm a fan of dark and pessimistic world views, especially when expressed in the incongruous context of a so-called comedy by characters with little apparent reason for their assertions of superiority. So even though "Whatever Works" is stagey, unconvincing and somewhat stale in its knee-jerk existentialism, it's also frequently very funny. Full story »

A pair of lauded movie makers will be in Memphis this month to host free screenings and workshops for aspiring local screenwriters. The filmmakers -- producer Mike S. Ryan and writer-director Barry Jenkins -- will review and discuss script "treatments" in afternoon workshops on July 18-19. Attendance will be limited, to keep the groups manageable, and is restricted to residents of Shelby County. Full story »

Let us thank the producers of "Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs" for remembering that adults sit beside the youngest viewers. The film interweaves vigorous, inventive slapstick, captivating voice talent and a script that depends more on tongue-in-cheek humor than perfunctory pop culture gags. Kids who are just graduating from Pull-Ups should have a blast, and ditto for their babysitters. Full story »

As a game-show celebrity in the 1960s, actress Betsy Palmer, now 82, was famous for using her head. Today, she's better known for losing her head. Although the "Friday the 13th" franchise is remembered primarily as a showcase for the creative mayhem of burly, silent, kill-crazy Jason, the most iconic maniac in post-"Psycho" horror history didn't begin his murder spree until "Friday the 13th Part 2" in 1981. (And he didn't acquire his signature hockey mask until "Part III" in 1982.) Full story »